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Hello Bull Run families,
This week we were able to crown our Bull Run Spelling Bee Champion! It was 5th grader, Krisha Banavar, who has now won the past 3 years in a row! WOW! I was so impressed with all of our contestants. We had a 2nd grade student go all the way to the final 5 students, and by the final round we needed to go to the reserve list of words, due to the finalists going through all of the standard spelling words! It was incredible. Thank you to all of the students who participated and their families for helping them prepare for the event.
On Thursday, I was able to attend the 2024-2025 FCPS Food Show with several of our students.
During this event, the students gained insights into the capacities and complexities of food services in FCPS, sampled potential new recipes for lunch menu items, and provided feedback on the acceptability and viability of these possible options. The students enjoyed the food, and it was great to see them collaborating together and using student voice to make an impact in their school.
Last week I highlighted our school's reading growth, and this week I've put our math data from the winter window. See below in the highlights section. I'm very proud of the work our students are putting in, and the dedication of our teachers.
REMINDERS:
Tomorrow, Friday 02/28, Students are encouraged to wear blue and white or Bull Run spirit wear!
Starting Monday, 03/03, it is Read Across America Week! See below in the highlights section for details on our upcoming Spirit Week.
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Mr. Marotta
February 28-March 29: Ramadan
March 05: Ash Wednesday and Orthodox Ash Wednesday
March 06: Spring Picture Day
March 07: Bull Run's GOT TALENT-Variety Show (6:00pm)
March 13: PTA Meeting 7:00pm in the school library (Zoom link will be provided)
March 17: Three-Hour Early Release Monday
March 20: Norwruz (Persian New Year)
March 27: Centreville Pyramid Band Concert
March 28: End of 3rd Quarter
March 30/31: Eid-al-Fitr (NO SCHOOL)
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Ramadan begins at sundown on Friday, February 28. This day is an evening-only observance day. There is school on these days, but certain activities that cannot be made up can not take place after school.
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact Mr. Marotta regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
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*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.
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Bull Run students with Mr. Marotta at the FCPS Food Show
From Left to Right- Carrie Brown (Reading Specialist and Bee Judge), Mr. Marotta (Principal and Bee Judge), Spelling Bee Champion- Krisha Banavar, Carolyn Frank (3rd Grade AAP teacher and Bee Moderator, Celine Leary (6th Grade AAP teacher and Bee Judge/Chairperson)
Last week I highlighted our growth in reading. This week, let's take a look at our winter math iReady data. As you can see, we increased our number of students that scored on or above grade level by 13% overall, and decreased our number of students that scored two or more grades below grade level by 11%. We are on the right track, and I am looking forward to see the continued growth!
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28
Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
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Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one guardian must be present), the student will be ready for orientation (more information to come at a later date). Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact Maria Betancourth, our school registrar.
Try Online Registration
Learn how to begin the online registration process.
When registering, parents/caregivers will need to create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.
- ¡Es el Momento de Inscribirse para el Kindergarten!
Asistir al kindergarten ofrece a los niños la oportunidad de aprender y practicar las habilidades sociales, emocionales, de resolución de problemas y de autorregulación esenciales que usarán durante toda su vida. Las escuelas públicas del Condado de Fairfax normalmente llevan a cabo eventos de inscripción para kindergarten-incluyendo orientación-en la primavera durante Lunes o Abril. Los niños elegibles también pueden inscribirse durante el verano, pero inscribir a su hijo temprano ayuda a las escuelas a prepararse y asegurarse de que tengan a mano los maestros y recursos que necesitan el primer día de clases.
Después de determinar a qué escuela asistirá su hijo, las familias deben prepararse para la inscripción reuniendo documentos y completando formularios, los detalles se pueden encontrar en la página web de inscripción de kindergarten de FCPS. FCPS ofrece apoyo y recursos para todas las familias para ayudar con la inscripción y la transición al kindergarten. Para apoyo en otros idiomas, visite la página web de inscripción de kindergarten.
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Do you have a preschool student?
Bull Run has inclusive PreK/Head Start program to provide a quality preschool experience with comprehensive services at no cost to qualifying families, who reside in Fairfax County. Though families may qualify, spaces are limited, and selection is based on need, not “first come, first serve”, with PreK priority given to 4 year olds and Bull Run based students. More information and the application in both Spanish and English can be found at this link. https://www.fcps.edu/registration/early-childhood-prek/fecep-head-start-application
This program will be in addition to our Preschool Autism Program. If you think your preschooler has a developmental delay or a disability contact Child Find for FCPS. Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs. Child Find screenings are free to residents of FCPS whose child is 2 through 5 years old. https://www.fcps.edu/registration/early-childhood-prek/early-childhood-child-find
If you have a child who is under the age of 2, who may have a delay contact https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/office-for-children/infant-and-toddler-connection/ for a free screening
AART is enrolling for the upcoming school year in Centreville! Classes are held twice a week for 90 minutes. AART’s FREE part-time preschool program is specifically designed for children who fall in the gap between those who qualify for publicly funded programs and those families who cannot afford preschool.
To qualify for AART, your child must be: 4 or 5 years old, Not enrolled in another preschool program, Head Start, STEP, or PreK. Enroll / Inscribirse School-Year Classes - All Ages Read Together
Hey Bull Run Families-
PTA is looking for a few board members this year, as several members have come to the end of their term. We are in need of a President, Vice President and Secretary. Bull Run PTA needs a President and CANNOT run without one.
If your child has:
-Enjoyed any after school club (3D club, Cheer Club, Music Lessons, Engineering, Robotics, etc.)
-Participated in a school assembly (Mad Science, Inflatable Planetarium)
-Read current books at our school library
-Been to an after school event (like Winterfest, Back to School Bash, Restaurant Night)
-Had a teacher who's received a teacher grant (most have)
-Had a child attend a field trip on a bus
-Planted seeds at school in the Spring
-Enjoyed the yearbook & the cover contest
-Enjoyed one of the many, many other things PTA has done...
Then YOU should consider joining the PTA Board, otherwise those activities (and more) could end. Term is 1 year (July-June) and we will show you the ropes! Participating in this is a rewarding experience! If you have more questions or would like to be nominated at our May 2025 election, please email: bullrunptapresident@gmail.com
Volunteers for Bull Run's Got Talent:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4AADA828A31-54695846-bull#/
 
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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!
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Jersey Day! Every First Friday of the Month!
Bull Run Elementary encourages every student to wear a jersey, shirt or colors of their favorite team or sport!
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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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Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Across FCPS, teachers, staff, parents, and even older students are invested in helping our youngest learners grow their love of reading from a strong foundation.
The goal is for students to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by the end of the third grade. Reading on grade level is connected to other Strategic Plan goals, including completing advanced coursework and graduating on time.
Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that emphasized the science of reading. Between fall and winter, reading screener results show more than a 4% increase in the number of students in kindergarten to third grade approaching or meeting expectations. Similarly, 3.4% more third graders demonstrate strong foundations of reading and 8.4% more third graders are mastering grade-level standards.
Discover how an elementary school employs a science-based approach, including phonics, to supercharge students' reading.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.
🧲 Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts.
Registration for the 2025-26 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 4, through Friday, April 4. Learn more about the programs on the Elementary Magnet Schools page and information on the magnet lottery on our Registration page.
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Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun
Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
For more information, see the Summer Learning page.
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2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)
Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
This event will feature:
- Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
- Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
- Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
- Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.
Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process.
Learn more about this event and register today! Contact FamilySummit@fcps.edu for more information.
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.
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:
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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.
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FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
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Family Academy – Where families can learn and get support for their child's school journey. Learn more on our website.
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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.
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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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#chargerSTRONG
Want to view previous Bull Run Bulletins? Click here.
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