The BULLS Bulletin (Week of 1/26)

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:

Hello Bull Run Families,

Well I am sure by now you are all aware of the weather reports that have been coming out, and it doesn't seem promising.  On the bright side, the students deserve a chance to have some fun playing in the snow!  If the reports are accurate I hope everyone is able to stay safe and warm. Be on the look out for FCPS Alerts, social media posts and/or Talking Points messages regarding any other weather related school closures next week.

This Saturday several Bull Run staff and a couple of brave students will be participating in the Polar Plunge at Mosaic shopping center (by the Target store) at 1:00pm.  Currently, it is still scheduled to take place!  While we are absolutely going to be freezing, we are doing it for a great cause- benefitting both the Virginia Special Olympics, and our school's Inclusive School's initiative.  Wish us luck (and warmth)!  There is also still time to donate: Check out our Special Olympics Team's team fundraising page for Special Olympics Virginia -https://impact.specialolympicsva.org/team/778824

I hope to see everyone tonight at our Family Literacy and Math Night (5:30pm)!

Reminders:

-Tomorrow is Bull Run Spirit Day! We encourage every student and staff to wear our school colors (blue & white), or school spirit wear.

-NO SCHOOL next Thursday and Friday (1/29 and 1/30).

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Mr. Marotta

 


upcoming events

 

January 22: Family Literacy and Math Night- 5:30pm-7:30pm

January 24: POLAR PLUNGE (see information below)

January 28: End of Quarter Two (2-hour Early Release)

January 29: School Development Day (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

January 30: Teacher Workday (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS); STRING-A-PALOOZA at Centreville HS

 


*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!


Math and Literacy Night

❄️ Bundle Up for Arctic Adventure Night!

Join us for a "cool" evening of learning and fun at our Family Literacy & Math Night! We’re turning the school into an Arctic Adventure to help our students thaw out with some great books and math challenges.

When: TONIGHT, Thursday, January 22nd Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Where: Bull Run Elementary School

 

We have a full night of activities planned across the building:

Literacy in the Library: Dive into Arctic-themed reading activities and earn some fun rewards.

Math in the Gym: Explore math through interactive games that make numbers exciting.

Pizza in the Cafeteria: Hungry? We’ll have pizza for sale for $2 per slice.

*Important Note: This is a family event, not a drop-off program. All students must be accompanied by an adult throughout the evening.


"Polar Plunge" with a cartoon penguin

On January 24, several Bull Run staff members will be taking The Polar Plunge! 

This is a fundraiser where half of the proceeds will go to Special Olympics VA, which helps run tournaments for our own Special Olympics team.  The other half will go directly to our school to support more opportunities for inclusion for all.

Our goal is to fund adapted equipment and raise enough money for a large communication board for our playground, which will support those in our community with verbal communication difficulties.

Please consider donating, sharing this post, joining our team, or just coming out to the event and watching us freeze!🥶  The event will take place at Mosaic (outside of Target)- 2905 District Ave., Fairfax, VA 22031 @ 1:00pm.

Thank you in advance!

https://impact.specialolympicsva.org/team/778824


Coat Drive

Keep Our Community Warm: Winter Clothing Drive!

 

As the temperatures drop, we want to make sure every child in our community stays cozy and warm. Bull Run Elementary is hosting a Winter Coat & Boys’ Clothes Donation Drive starting now through February 6th.

We are looking for both new and gently used items, including:

Winter Coats

Long Sleeve Shirts

Pants

How to donate: It’s easy! Just bring your donations to school and drop them off in the Lobby Drop-Off Box.

Thank you for your generosity and for helping our kids stay warm all winter long!


PTA NEWS, CLUBS AND OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS


Yearbook design contest

Spelling Bee Information

It’s time to get those study lists ready—the Spelling Bee is coming to Bull Run Elementary! We have two big dates for our students to mark on their calendars:

Classroom Bees: These will take place on February 13th.

School-Wide Bee: The top spellers will move on to the big event on February 26th.

We can't wait to see our students show off their skills!


Yearbook pre order form

Pre-orders for the '25-'26 Bull Run Elementary Yearbook are officially open. Buying early ensures your student gets their copy before they sell out.

Deadline: Order by April 26

Yearbook ID: 15367026

How to Order: Head to ybpay.lifetouch.com and use the ID code above.


Pyramid Medical Support Meeting Information

Need Medical Support for Your Family?

Bull Run Elementary is partnering with HealthWorks to help our families get the medical attention they need! If you or your family are looking for medical assistance or need help enrolling in healthcare services, please join us for this upcoming Pyramid Event.

When: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM

Where: Centreville Library

Questions or Want to Sign Up?

We want to make sure you get the support you need! Please reach out to our Family Liaison, Lilith Albornoz, at 703-227-1417 to register or ask any questions.


IMPORTANT LINKS, CURRICULUM UPDATES AND INFORMATION


Subjects on books

Grade Level Curriculum 2025-2026


hands of varied colors circled around earth.  4 books stacked with number 4 on top

BENCHMARK UPDATE

📚 Halfway Through Seeing Different Perspectives in Language Arts 📚

We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 4 in Language Arts! Across grade levels, students have learned how perspective shapes storytelling and understanding. Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:

  • Question: If you could be one of the characters from one of this unit’s readings, who would you choose and why?
  • Activity: Have your child write or dictate a diary entry from the perspective of a book character.

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.


cares

 

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!

 


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!

https://bullrun.deco-apparel.com/  Order Bull Run Spirit Wear at any time throughout the school year!

 

 

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!


FCPS NEWS AND RESOURCES


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:

  1. Determine eligibility. 
  2. Identify your local school. 
  3. Gather documents. 
  4. Fill out forms. 
  5. Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation or any other introductory events our school may host. Read more about the registration process. For more information, please call our registrar, Maria Betancourth in the main office.

Try Online Registration

Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. When registering, parents will create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account. 


Prepare for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS. 

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, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.

⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.


Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages

FCPS’ 2026-27 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program lottery opens on Monday, January 12. The program offers students in kindergarten and first grade the opportunity to learn in English and another language — French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish — for half of each instructional day.

The online, countywide lottery is open to Fairfax County residents. Families must have a SIS ParentVUE account. Students not currently enrolled in FCPS should register at their base school before applying for the immersion program

Families applying for first grade must do so by Thursday, February 12, at 4 p.m. Those applying for kindergarten must do so by Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m.

Informational meetings will begin in January. View dates and details on the FCPS calendar. If you have questions, please contact Brigid Williams at 571-423-4600.


Immunization Events for FCPS Students

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be available throughout the school year. 

Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View immunization resources on the FCPS website.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Maria Betancourth in the main office.


 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

Tutoring Resources for Families

Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.


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.

phone

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.


FCPSlogo

FCPS This Week

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

  • More News and Updates on-the-go With the FCPS App
  • Academy Open Houses
  • Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication

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.