The BULLS Bulletin (Week of 08/25)

An artwork of the Bull Run Elementary School grounds

Newsletter header: Bull Bulletin.  We see you. We welcome you. You belong here.

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Principal's Message:

Dear Bull Run Families,

As we are coming to the end of our first full week of school, it has been wonderful to see so many of our students back in the building—and to welcome so many new faces to our community!  I've spent the week popping into classrooms and observing the incredible energy in the building, as students begin forming friendships, establishing classroom routines, and learning what it means to be #ChargerSTRONG!

We’re off to a great start, and I look forward to all the growth, learning, and fun ahead!

Please see below in the 'Highlights' section some important upcoming events and information I need to gather.  Parents and caregivers should log in to the Parent Digital Consent system to review and provide consent to a variety of resources and services including Early Release Wednesday Childcare.

  • OPT IN if you require childcare on our limited early release Wednesdays.
  • OPT OUT if your child will go home (or to childcare arranged with SACC or another provider) at the early release time. 

Families need to complete the opt in form by Monday, August 25, for after-school supervision for all early release Wednesdays.

Next week, we will have our first fire drill for the school year.  All classrooms are notified in advance for this one, but moving forward they are treated as an unannounced drill.  

Tomorrow, Friday 08/22, is our first chance to show BULL RUN SPIRIT! Bull Run Elementary encourages every student to wear our school colors (blue & white), or school spirit wear every Friday! This is a simple way we can show our community pride! 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 too!

Have an awesome weekend!

-Mr. Marotta

 


upcoming events

August 26: Band and Strings Parent Information Night (Grades 4 - 6 only) @ 6:00pm-7:30pm

August 27: Fire Drill (only one that will be announced for the school year)

August 29: NO SCHOOL (Labor Day Holiday)

September 01: NO SCHOOL (Labor Day Holiday)]

 


*The full FCPS 2025-2026 calendar can be accessed here.

School Year Calendar

See the complete 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.

HIGHLIGHTS AND WHAT'S NEW AT BULL RUN!


First Grade students enjoying their lunch

First grade students enjoying their lunch!

Mr. Vest and students during math instruction

Mr. Vest's 6th grade class during math instruction.

Mrs. Kahle's 3d grade class during writing instruction

Mrs. Kahle's 3rd graders completing a fun writing assignment during class.


Complete Permission Forms Today

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Opt your child in or out of online educational tools and choose how student information is managed. 

Visit FCPS’ Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.

Opt In/Opt Out for Early Release Wednesday Childcare

While we anticipate that most students will be dismissed at normal time on limited early release Wednesdays, we recognize that some families may require childcare. These students will be supervised by school-based staff. No new instruction will take place, as after-school care is strictly supervision.

 

Parents and caregivers should log in to the Parent Digital Consent system to review and provide consent to a variety of resources and services including Early Release Wednesday Childcare.

  • OPT IN if you require childcare on our limited early release Wednesdays.
  • OPT OUT if your child will go home (or to childcare arranged with SACC or another provider) at the early release time. 

Families need to complete the opt in form by Monday, August 25, for after-school supervision for all early release Wednesdays. If a family needs to change their selection, they should notify our front office at least one week in advance to ensure enough staff are available to provide supervision.


Strings students preparing to play music

SIGN UP FOR BAND & STRINGS!

Students in 4th grade can sign up for Strings.

Students in 5th and 6th grades can sign up for Band OR Strings.

Band and Strings classes occur during the school day for one hour a week.

These classes become a part of the student’s weekly specials schedule. It is highly recommended that students in grades 4-6 choose to play an instrument!

Please register by Monday, August 25th.

Classes will begin by the week of September 15th.

 

More information and registration can be found on the Bull Run Homepage or by using these links: STRINGS: https://bullrunes.fcps.edu/fine-arts-department/strings

BAND: https://bullrunes.fcps.edu/fine-arts-department/band


Chorus Sign Ups

 

Link to google form - https://forms.gle/xAC1we7diQes46oT6

 

 

Chorus Sign up (Spanish)

Volunteer Management System

 

Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools

A new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, will allow students, parents/caregivers, and community members to register and search volunteer opportunities within the school division. 

All volunteers (new or returning) will register in Volunteer FCPS, complete a volunteer orientation, and be required to sign in using the visitor kiosk. Some volunteers will also be required to undergo a background check. Visit the Volunteer FCPS website for details.

 

lunch box

We kindly ask families to refrain from visiting during lunch or volunteering in classrooms until the week of September 15. This allows students time to learn routines, build relationships with classmates, and gives teachers the opportunity to establish expectations and procedures for those willing to help and give their time; all necessary for a successful year!


PTA NEWS AND OTHER EVENTS


PTA BACK TO SCHOOL BASH- SEPTEMBER 19

Below is the link to sign-up to volunteer for the Back to School Bash.

 

 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BADA623A1F9C25-58047477-back

Volunteer for PTA

Parking Pass

Run Fit Kidz Sign Up
Run Fit Kidz Spanish Sign up

PTA Give Backs

BULL RUN SPIRIT DAYS


Bull Run Logo

BULL RUN FRIDAYS!

Bull Run Elementary encourages every student to wear our school colors (blue & white), or school spirit wear every Friday! This is a simple way we can show our community pride! 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 too!

Jersey Day

Jersey Day!  Every First Friday of the Month!

Bull Run Elementary encourages every student and staff member to wear a jersey, shirt or colors of their favorite team or sport!


IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION


Subjects on books

Grade Level Curriculum 2025-2026


Welcome Information

Welcome Information (Spanish)

Placeholder image

Bull Run Elementary encourages every student to wear a jersey, shirt or colors of their favorite team or sport!


 

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!

 

cares

FCPS NEWS AND RESOURCES


Support Your Child’s Success by Checking SIS ParentVUE

Parents and caregivers can view important information in SIS ParentVUE such as student attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores. Watch this video if you would like help creating a ParentVUE account. 

You will keep the same ParentVUE account until your student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same account. An app is also available for Apple and Android devices. 

If you already have an account, be sure to update your phone numbers and/or email addresses (in the Parent/Guardian section), so your child’s school can send you important information. Learn more about SIS ParentVUE.


Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Updates for 2025-26 School Year

At their May 8 meeting, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the SR&R, including its cell phone policy. Other SR&R updates include added clarity and/or procedures around topics such as discipline data, parent notifications, hate speech, and integrated discipline training. The full list of changes is available on Boarddocs.


 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.

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.

phone

FCPSlogo

FCPS This Week

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • 🎉 Countdown to the First Day of School
  • 📞 Family Information Phone Lines
  • 🩹 Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records

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


FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!


informed

 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 

Bull Run Logo
Administration (Mr. Marotta, Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Rozzoni)

Mr. Marotta, Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Rozzoni are proud of our #chargerSTRONG community!


 Want to view previous Bull Run Bulletins? Click here.