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Dear Cherry Run Families,
Our school year is off to a fantastic start! It has been inspiring to watch our Cardinals quickly adjust to a new year, build connections with teachers and classmates, and engage in meaningful learning. We are grateful for your support in making the transition back to school such a smooth and positive one.
We look forward to another exciting week ahead filled with learning, laughter, and growth. Back to School Night will be held next Thursday, September 4th. Please note that there has been a shift and childcare will not be available for this event. We truly appreciate your understanding and flexibility, and we look forward to welcoming you for an evening of connection, conversation, and learning about the school year ahead with our Cherry Run community.
As a reminder, FCPS schools are closed tomorrow (Friday, August 29th) and Monday (September 1st). We wish you a safe and enjoyable long weekend! Sincerely,
Maura Donahue and Miranda Goss
Lake Braddock Pyramid Night - Friday, September 5th, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Lake Braddock will be hosting their annual Pyramid Night on Friday, September 5th. The event includes fun games and activities like food trucks, music, an obstacle course, bounce houses and a dunk tank from 5:00pm-6:30pm.The first home football game will follow the festival and we hope you will be able to stay and participate. Tickets for the game are available for purchase through eTix, but the festival is free to attend.
We are excited to share that we have the opportunity for 10 CRES students to participate in the “Tunnel Run” to open the football game. If you are interested, please complete this form by Tuesday, September 2. Any students who are randomly chosen will receive one free student and one free guardian ticket.
Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources & Parent Digital Consent
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 a variety of online educational tools and choose how student information is managed. Parents/caregivers of elementary students should opt in/out of after-school care on early release Wednesdays.
Please visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage today to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool
No-Cost Meals Available for Students on September 9
As a reminder, all FCPS schools will be closed for students and school staff on September 9 due to a special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. FCPS will provide student meals at a select number of schools at no cost. Please keep in mind that:
- Lunch and a snack will be served together from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Meals must be eaten on site at participating schools.
- Enrichment activities will be available for children. Participation is encouraged but not required.
- Only children 18 and under may receive meals.
- Each child may receive one lunch and one snack.
View a list of school sites that will be providing meals for children on September 9. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
📚 Learning About Life Science in Language Arts 📚
Benchmark Unit 1 in Language Arts is about life science. Students in K-5 will be learning about plants, animals, and nature. Sixth grade students will learn about the natural balance of nature.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: What are some ways we can take care of nature and living things?
- Activity: Pick an animal and act out how it moves or survives in its habitat — see if family members can guess!
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
New Math Screening and Growth Assessment for Elementary Students
Starting in September, FCPS elementary schools will use the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math assessment to assess grade level mathematics skills in grades 1-6. The MAP Math test along with the iReady Reading test fulfill a state requirement to measure academic growth in grades 3-6 throughout the school year.
MAP Math tests are administered in the fall, winter, and spring. They help teachers identify students' strengths and areas where they may need more support.
Families can learn more about MAP Growth assessments by visiting the MAP Test Information webpage.
🌩️ Weather Happens, FCPS is Ready
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, there are many different types of weather events that can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. But FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?
Answers to those questions along with resources you can use to prepare for different weather events are now available on the new FCPS weather safety webpage.
A Message from Cherry Run's Family Liaison, Ms. Huisman
Welcome back! I’m the Family Liaison at Cherry Run Elementary School. My job is to help all families—both military and civilian—feel welcomed, supported, and connected to our school community. As the spouse of a recently retired Air Force member who served 28 years, I understand the unique challenges of military life (I moved a lot!) and specialize in supporting students through school transitions. I’ve also written scores of articles on military life and education and co-authored Seasons of My Military Student. I am very connected to the military life in the area, so please reach out if you have a question or need little support with a move.
Beyond military support, I enjoy helping ALL families with everything from school communication and parenting resources to connecting with community programs – there is so much available to FCPS families! I’ll provide common and unique resources through the News You Choose every month. At Cherry Run, I also lead the Student Ambassador Program, where students welcome newcomers and support classmates who move away, ensuring every child feels at home here. It’s the best part of my job. Please contact me at:
dshuisman@fcps.edu
Kiss and Ride Reminders
Please remember that Kiss and Ride is offered as a transportation option to our families. Please follow these safety procedures.
- Load and unload from the passenger side of the car only. Do not pass other cars that are loading or unloading.
- Pull forward as far as possible. Drivers should remain in the car. Exit the Kiss and Ride promptly after loading or unloading children.
- Keep your yellow Kiss and Ride number visible at dismissal. Kiss and Ride students will be dismissed from class starting at 4:05. Cars can start arriving for kiss and ride at 4:00.
- If your child is still in a car seat or child restraint, please practice with your child so they can begin to become independent in getting out of their seat.
- Do not park in the Kiss and Ride lane and leave your car unattended.
If you arrive to Kiss and Ride after 9:18, you will need to park and sign your child in.
🔍 See Where Your Child Goes Online With Lightspeed
Parents can access their child’s activity on FCPS devices through Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service. Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites their child visited.
The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Support Your Child’s Success by Checking SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar Yasmin Naldo ymnaldo@fcps.edu if you need a code.
Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. You may also access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Ensuring Student Safety: Register for Volunteer FCPS
At Cherry Run ES our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students.
Recent updates to our volunteer process focus on one primary goal: keeping students safe.
These updates — such as checks against the sex offender registry and, in some cases, criminal background checks — are safety measures that will help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application.
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check.
We understand these changes may seem disruptive, especially for long-time volunteers. Our intent is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported with each and every person they encounter at school.
As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
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