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Hello Bull Run Families!
I'd like to start off by sharing that I recognize that the current government shutdown has undoubtedly affected many of our families in different ways. During this time, please know that we are here to support you and your children however we can. If there is anything I can do to assist your family, I encourage you to reach out to me directly.
Additionally, if you are interested in being a substitute at our school, we welcome your involvement. Please contact me for more information.
We are on the heels of yet another upcoming 4-day week, but the good news is that in spite of the inconsistency our students are working hard and showing their knowledge! Below in the highlights section, please see some of the Fall literacy and math data for the school.
The information below should sound familiar from the Back to School Night presentations that were given last month:
When students are showing difficulty with reading comprehension, it is necessary to provide targeted instruction in specific areas to build their reading ability. In FCPS, The Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) is given in Grades 4-6, designed to provide information about why a student might be having difficulty with reading comprehension so that additional instruction can be provided in specific areas to improve overall reading ability, including reading comprehension.
In Grades K-3, The purpose of VALLSS is two-fold. First, scores can be used to identify students at risk for reading difficulties. Additionally, the screener serves as a measure of both foundational literacy skills and oral
language development, which are predictive of later literacy achievement, allowing educators to design instruction that can improve reading and literacy achievement.
We have analyzed this data and will be tailoring instruction to meet each student’s specific needs. If a student is showing difficulty reading words quickly and accurately, then they need extra instruction (intervention) to help them make more progress in that area. If they are showing difficulty understanding and using language skills, then intervention will be focused on language development (morphology and sentence comprehension).
In math, The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment are used in FCPS as a screening and growth tool to help teachers understand students' strengths and areas for support. MAP assessments help teachers monitor the growth of every student in learning the content knowledge and skills of the state standards, regardless of their starting point. When students finish their MAP test, they receive a number called a RIT score. Teachers use RIT scores combined with formative assessment to develop classroom-level strategies for equitable instruction that help maximize every student’s learning potential.
Please see the charts in the highlights section to see an overview of our Fall data (you may need to zoom in).
Reminders:
- Tomorrow is "Banding Together Against Bullying” Day! Students and staff will wear their own designed bracelet to show they are standing up against bullying!
-Show your Bull Run spirit tomorrow, Friday 10/17, and wear school colors or swag!
-On Monday, 10/20, there is no school, in observance of the Diwali holiday.
-Next Friday, 10/24, is PTA's Trunk or Treat event! It will be a great time for all!
Have a great weekend!
-Mr. Marotta
October 16: Chipotle Fundraiser (see flyer below)
October 16: PTA Meeting 7:00pm via Zoom
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/99295620114?pwd=E9yBhagtHKo2OfICwk9zabYjFOTPad.1
Meeting ID: 992 9562 0114
Passcode: 339220
October 17: "Banding Together Against Bullying” Day
October 20: Diwali (NO SCHOOL)
October 20-24: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP WEEK (SEE BELOW)
October 24: PTA Trunk or Treat event (5:30pm-7:30pm)
October 30: Field Day (Grades 1-6)
October 31: Character Dress up Spirit Day; Halloween; 2-Hour Early Dismissal at 2:00pm; Last day of 1st quarter
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Disability History and Awareness Month
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
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*The full FCPS 2025-2026 calendar can be accessed here.
The books were flying out of our new vending machine today! Here are some of the students cashing in their Charger Bucks for a new book! #chargerSTRONG
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💙 Bull Run Bands Together Against Bullying 💙
On Friday, October 17th, our entire school community will participate in “Banding Together Against Bullying” a schoolwide initiative designed to promote empathy and celebrate the power of unity.
Each student and staff member will create and wear a personalized wristband as a pledge to help make Bull Run a bully-free zone. These wristbands serve as a visible reminder that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and included.
Our goal is 100% participation because when we all stand together, we make a powerful statement that kindness counts and that at Bull Run, we are #chargerSTRONG!
 Digital Citizenship Spirit Week will be from October 20-24!
This year's focus is on supporting student's digital well-being in the age of AI.
The class with the most participation from both lower and upper grades will earn a pizza party!
Dress Up Days:
Monday -Pajama Day(No School
Tuesday – Superhero Day
Wednesday – Western Day
Thursday -Tropical Vacation Attire Day
Friday – Spirit Day
 In summary, across all three grades, a similar pattern emerges where nearly half of the students are meeting the benchmark (44.0% to 49.3%)
 Our overall school performance is strong, with 59% of students scoring in the HiAvg or High bands (percentile 61st and above). The largest single group is the 36% of students scoring in the High band (above the 80th percentile).
The overall Median Percentile for all grades is the 68th percentile.
NGAT Abilities Testing Schedule
We'll be conducting the NGAT Abilities Testing soon. Please mark your calendars with the following dates for your student's grade level:
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2nd Grade: October 22, 23, 24
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Grades 3–6: October 21, 22, 23 (This is for students who do not already have an abilities test on file.)
Make-Up Testing
If your child misses their scheduled date, don't worry! Make-up testing will take place during the last week of October.
Please contact Mrs. Jenna Campbell (JdCampbell@fcps.edu) if you have questions or concerns.
 Starting next week, nominations will be open for the FCPS Honors Outstanding Employee Awards!
To submit a nomination for Bull Run ES Outstanding employee, please complete the nomination through this Google Form link: bit.ly/BRESAwards2526
All that is required is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work. You may nominate up to one employee per category. Not sure about category? We will make sure your nominee is recognized properly!
Categories include:
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher (3 years experience or less)
- Outstanding New Principal
- Outstanding School-Based Leader
- Outstanding Professional Employee
- Outstanding Operational Employee
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 11th.
If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Plaugher at lcplaugher@fcps.edu
Check out Bull Run ES Special Olympics Team's team fundraising page for Special Olympics Virginia - https://impact.specialolympicsva.org/team/778824
Save the date! You can "Do Good with Chipotle" and support the Bull Run Elementary School PTA!
When: Thursday, October 16th, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Where: Chipotle, 6317 Multiplex Dr Ste A, Centreville, VA 20121.
25% of the sales will be donated to the PTA! You must do one of the following:
1. Order online for pickup and use the code YGWWMDG6.
2. Show the flyer (or a picture of it) when ordering in the restaurant.
Let's make dinner easy and support the school! Thanks for your help!
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https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BADA623A1F9C25-58503206-trunk
Mark your calendars! Our annual Trunk or Treat event is coming up! It's a spooktacular time for the whole family and portions of proceeds will be to support our amazing 6th-grade class.
When: Friday, October 24, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Cost: Admission is FREE!
What's Happening? Trunk-or-treating, games, activity stations, and a "Best Trunk" Contest judged by the PTA board!
Dinner? Pizza, soda, and snacks will be available for purchase to support the 6th grade.
This is a fun, safe, and family-friendly event. Remember, this is NOT a drop-off event, so students must be accompanied by an adult the whole time!
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Dance Clinic with the Westfield HS Dance Team!
Get ready to dance! The Westfield High School Dance Team is hosting a clinic for all students in grades 2nd–8th.
When: Sunday, October 19th, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Westfield High School
Cost: $65 if you register early.
Includes: Pizza, snacks, and an official WHS Dance Team T-Shirt!
Bonus: All participants are invited to perform with the Varsity Dance Team at the WHS Football Game on Friday, October 24th, at 7:00 PM!
For registration and more details, please check the flyer or email ecspikes@fcps.edu.
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Chantilly High School Haunted House Event – Saturday, 10/25
It's that time of year again for one of our community's favorite fall events - the Chantilly High School Haunted House! Along with the Haunted House, there will be games, face painting, and refreshments for sale. Proceeds benefit the Chargers Field Hockey, Girls Lacrosse & the Swim & Dive programs. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door). To order your tickets, use the QR code or log on to www.CHSHauntedHouse.com
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i9 Sports
Winter Sports: Flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, ZIP cheer, & volleyball.
Register Now: Season starts 01/11/26. Final deadline 12/14/25.
SAVE $20: Register by 11/09/25!
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Invitational Science Fair (Grades 5–8)
What: Submit a science or engineering project with help from TJ students.
Interest Meeting: 10/17/2025 at 5:30–7:30 PM (Virtual or in-person at TJHSST).
Sign-Up: tinyurl.com/TJISOinterest2526.
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Looking for something fun and family-friendly to do with you and your family? Look no further than Lake Braddock Theatre's fall production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows the love story of four confused Athenians, a wacky bunch of actors preparing their play for the upcoming royal wedding, and a forest full of magical fairies who tend to disrupt the natural order of the human world. This show is set around a PG-rating and will perform on October 30th, 31st, and November 1st! A special addition, those who come on October 31st, Halloween, will be able to get a photo with their favorite cast members! Costumes are encouraged. Tickets can be purchased at lbtheatre.com. We hope to see you there!
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!
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https://bullrun.deco-apparel.com/ Order Bull Run Spirit Wear at any time throughout the school year!
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!
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OCTOBER 31 IS CHARACTER DAY!
Dress up like your favorite book, television or movie character!
*Please- no masks, weapons or blood/gore*
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BENCHMARK UPDATE
📚 Uncovering Characters in Language Arts 📚
Benchmark Unit 2 in Language Arts is about why characters matter. Students in K-5 will be learning about different characters, and how they shape stories and face challenges. Grade six students will learn about how characters are changed and inspired by others.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: How does the way you act change the way people think about you?
- Activity: Pretend you are a talk show host and interview your child as if they are the main character of their favorite book.
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.
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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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Participate in an Upcoming Community Boundary Review Meeting
FCPS will begin holding October community boundary review meetings on Monday, October 13. The new draft map, Scenario 4, will be shared with the community for feedback at those meetings. It will also be uploaded to the Boundary Explorer Tool shortly before October 13. Community members will then be able to provide feedback in the tool at their convenience.
As a reminder, the community provided feedback on draft scenarios 1-3 in the spring. Scenario 4 continues to build upon the first three scenarios. It is informed by the Superintendent's Boundary Review Advisory Committee, which reviewed community feedback received in the spring to help develop priorities that the consultant used to create Scenario 4.
Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
I encourage all families to view the Boundary Explorer Tool with the latest draft boundary scenarios. There is direct impact on our community. FCPS will present those scenarios and gather feedback during 12 community meetings in October, with our local pyramids meeting on the following schedule:
Tuesday, October 28, 6:30-8 p.m., at Chantilly High School: For Westfield Pyramid
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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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#chargerSTRONG
Mr. Marotta, Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Rozzoni are proud of our #chargerSTRONG community!
Want to view previous Bull Run Bulletins? Click here.
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