The BULLS Bulletin (Week of 12/23)

Bulls Bulletin

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An artwork of the Bull Run Elementary School grounds

Principal's Message:

Hello Bull Run families,

This week was full of exciting events in addition to all of the great learning.  We had everything from door decorating contests, a band and strings concert, and even the first annual Mr. Marotta's Snowflake Treasure Hunt (ask your child about it)!  All the while, moving forward with our literacy and math curriculum among other things.

We also had our first Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads and father figures of Great Students) volunteer in the building this week.  Mr. Vanderburgh was a terrific participant going around both of his daughter's schedules and helping out in the hallways, being a presence in the building as well as taking an active role in the education process!

As I said last week, I would like to once again reiterate that as we close out the 2024 portion of the school year, please take some time and speak with your children about entering 2025 with a spirit of compassion, empathy, grit, determination, and pride in our community and ourselves. #chargerSTRONG

Upon return from the break, we will be having assemblies to refresh and reset everyone about STRONG expectations and student rights and responsibilities.

Reminders:

Tomorrow is our final winter spirit day!  Wear your ugly or not so ugly holiday sweater or shirt!  It is also our annual school-wide sing along!  The staff and students always look forward to it, so it will be a fun event for all!  I will take some videos and post it on Facebook tomorrow.

During the winter break the school building will be CLOSED. If you need anything please contact me directly via email or Talking Points.

The Bull Run administration and staff wish you and your families a Happy New Year and we hope that you have a wonderful holiday season!

-Mr. Marotta

Watch D.O.G..S., Mr. Vanderburgh and his two daughters.

Watch D.O.G.S., Mr. Vanderburgh and his two daughters.

band and string concert

Intermediate band and strings performing for our students!


upcoming events

 

December 20: School-Wide Sing-Along

December 23-January 3: Winter Break (NO SCHOOL- Building is closed)

December 25: Christmas Day

December 25: Chanukah (begins at Sundown)

December 26-January 1: Kwanzaa

 

*The full FCPS 2024-2025 calendar can be accessed here.

School Year Calendar

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.

  • Days marked with blue Hs are student holidays. 
  • Days marked with orange Os are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). 
  • Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and the start of each month coincides with the birth of a new moon. The date of Eid a-Fitr is regionally decided, which can lead to unexpected date changes. Eid al-Fitr is currently slated to begin at sundown on Sunday, March 30, 2025, and lasts through sundown Monday, March 31, 2025. Monday is a holiday, with all schools and offices being closed. If the day for Eid changes after the school year begins, the calendar may be adjusted.


FCPS CARES Program

Recognizing BRES staff who go above and beyond

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Bull Run Elementary. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!

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Subjects on books

Grade Level Curriculum 2024-2025


SPIRIT DAYS AT BULL RUN!

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Bull Run Elementary Spirit Days -
Wear Blue and White!

Bull Run Elementary encourages every students to wear our school colors, blue & white, every Friday! This is a simple way we can show our community spirit and love for all things BRES! Spirit wear is encouraged or wear your blue and white. Make a plan with friends and see how many of you can participate! Staff often wear their blue and white or Spirit Wear on Fridays!

Picture of kids with sport balls

Jersey Day!  Every First Friday of the Month!

Bull Run Elementary encourages every student to wear the jersey or colors of their favorite team/sport, every first Friday of the month!  


Teacher Holiday Wishlists

https://bullrun.givebacks.com/w/wishlists

Give back and take a look at your children's teacher's wish lists!


cheer

pta3

sock fundraiser

Watch DOGSYearbook Photo Contest

Yearbook Pictures Wanted!

Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures. 


Attendance Matters

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies


 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors


resources

Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families

Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:

  • School Age Child Care (SACC) – This Fairfax County government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
  • FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
  • Family Academy – Where families can learn and get support for their child's school journey.  Learn more on our website.
  • Do You Know About Family Liaisons Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. Find out how family liaisons can support you and your family.

Family Resource Center Webinars and FCPS Family Academy

  • 🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings


Parent Information Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

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FCPS This Week

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week.

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today


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informed

Follow BRES on Social Media

Did you know Bull Run Elementary is on social media? Follow us to see photos and videos from our classrooms and connect with other families.

FACEBOOK: FCPS Bull Run Elementary School
INSTAGRAM: bullrunelem
FACEBOOK (PTA): BullRunESPTA
BRES Website: https://bullrunes.fcps.edu/
PTA Website: https://bullrun.memberhub.com/

Bull Run Special Olympics Instagram: BullRunESSpecialOlympics 


Charger Strong Behavior Attributes

#chargerSTRONG 

25th anniversary Bull Run Logo

 Want to view previous Bull Run Bulletins? Click here.