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Hello Bull Run Families,
I hope each of you continue to stay warm and safe! This was certainly not on any of our wish lists to start the new year I'm sure.
In an effort to support students who may be experiencing food insecurity while our schools are closed, Fairfax County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) will be providing meal kits for students currently and through tomorrow, Friday, January 30. The Food and Nutrition webpage has additional details about the meal kits and where they can be collected. No proof of eligibility or identification is required.
Families and staff can refer to the Weather Resources on the FCPS website for additional details about community resources during winter storms, and where to get the latest snow information from Fairfax County and VDOT.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated and/or came out to support our Polar Plunge team this past weekend. It was cold—but for a great cause. We were especially proud of our two students (Carter and Mia) who took the plunge; they were incredibly brave!
Thanks to your generosity, our team finished as the second-highest donating team in the entire event. The funds raised benefit Virginia Special Olympics, and our portion will directly support inclusive practices in our building. Specifically, we plan to add bilingual pictorial communication boards to both playgrounds to better support our multilingual learners and students with expressive language difficulties.
Your support is helping us build a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our students. Thank you for making a meaningful difference.
Reminders:
Tomorrow is a Teacher Workday, so there is no school.
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Mr. Marotta
January 30: Teacher Workday (NO SCHOOL)
January 31: Special Olympics Basketball Tournament @ Chantilly HS. Our athletes play at 2:00pm and 4:00pm (weather pending)
February 02-06: National School Counseling Week
February 03: Last day of the 2nd Quarter (Adjusted)- Normal school day hours
February 11: The 100th Day of School!
February 13: SCA Spirit Day- Sports Day
February 16: Presidents Day (NO SCHOOL)
February 17: Lunar New Year / Ramadan begins at Sundown (Teacher work day- NO SCHOOL)
February 18: Ash Wednesday/First Full Day of Ramadan
February 25: Three-Hour Early Release Wednesday / Bus Driver Appreciation Day
February 26: School Wide Spelling Bee
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February 02-06: National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Our very own Ms. Jalin Diggs and Ms. Necole Brown are two of the best! Our students are so fortunate to have these caring individuals at Bull Run!
Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.
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*The full FCPS 2025-2026 calendar can be accessed here.
Two Bull Run students (Left- Carter Dekeuster, Middle- Mia Gajewski) jumping into the COLD water at the Polar Plunge event on 01/24/26.
Student Fasting Meal Kits
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
- Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
- Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
- Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
- Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
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February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
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February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
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March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
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March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
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!
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Speaking of clothes....
There is a LARGE amount of coats and sweatshirts that were left outside before the snow came this weekend. I brought them inside, but as you can see in the picture, many of our students went home without everything they came into school wearing! If your child is missing something, please have them check in the main office to claim it. Parents are welcome to come and look through it as well.
Clothing that is not claimed by the end of the week will be donated.
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Students of all grades and ages are invited to join our cheer team! Participants will learn routines to perform at the Bull Run Staff Basketball Game on March 6 at Centreville High School.
Practices will held from 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM in the Downstairs Kindergarten Pod on the following dates:
Wednesdays: February 4, 11, and 18
Tuesday: February 24
Wednesday: March 4
Coaches: Mrs. Rozzoni & Miss Casey Neylon
Cost: $35.00 (This covers the cost of a team T-shirt and pom-poms!)
How to Join: You can register online at the Bull Run Givebacks Shop or scan the QR code on the flyer.
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 by 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!
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Join the Bull Run Chess Club!
Registration is now open for the Silver Knights Chess Academy winter session! Open to students in Grades K-6, this club is a fantastic way to build critical thinking skills while having a blast.
When: Mondays, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Dates: Feb 23 – May 18 (11 weeks)
Cost: $234 (includes a Chesskid Gold membership!)
Sign up today at www.chessacademy.com
Questions? Email info@chessacademy.com or call 703-574-2070.
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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.
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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.
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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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It’s SCA Sports Spirit Day!
Chargers, get your gear ready! Friday, February 13th is Sports Spirit Day. Show off your favorite team, athlete, or sport by wearing:
Sports Jerseys
Athletic Gear
Favorite Athlete Apparel
Let’s be #ChargerSTRONG by showing great sportsmanship and teamwork all day long!
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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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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 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.
⛄ 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.
Centreville High School Junior, Vivien Berg, has developed a website (SOLace) to be used by teachers, students, and families, with supporting SOL success. She worked alongside VDOE and has developed her own non-profit to ensure this support is free and available to all students. SOLace is a new website that allows students from grades 3-12 to prepare for any math, reading, or science SOL using interactive practice tests. The website is fully not-for-profit with zero fees or sign-ups, so students can get to practicing in seconds in the classroom or at home. SOLace uses past test questions from officially released SOLs and contains intuitive explanations for each question, helping students learn and grow through their practice. Its user-friendly design and advanced accessibility features make it suitable for all students. Visit learnsolace.org today to see how SOLace turns practice into progress.
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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.
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.
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, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Presented to School Board
- School Board Approves Proposed Boundary Changes
- It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
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
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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