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Kristen Rucinski - Principal Ashley Nelson - Assistant Principal
Gunston Gazette
Principals' Letter
Gunston Families,
The end of January and beginning of February have brought unexpected weather, including a full week of school closure and several delays. While these disruptions can be challenging, we could not be prouder of how our Gunston Eagles returned to school ready to reset, reconnect with routines, and get back to learning. Our students showed flexibility, perseverance, and focus, and those are skills that will serve them well both in and out of the classroom.
Due to the weather-related disruptions this year, we will need to adjust some February and March event dates. We are finalizing new dates and will send them out soon. These changes allow us to ensure strong instruction, adequate preparation, and the best possible experience for students and families. We sincerely appreciate your patience and flexibility as we make these necessary adjustments. Updated dates will be shared as soon as they are finalized.
In classrooms, students are strengthening important learning habits such as organization, note-taking, and active study strategies. These skills help students better understand and synthesize their learning. As progress reports are shared this month, we encourage families to engage students in conversations about their progress. Setting goals and identifying strategies to reach those goals has been successful for many of our Eagles. We encourage families to continue using these skills at home, even for goals and activities not related to school. Our second quarter Ernie Eagle Awards will be on March 4th, K-3 in the morning and 4-6 in the afternoon. We will send specific times with your notification from the teacher if your student earned an award this quarter.
As the snow melts and temperatures improve, students will return to outdoor recess when conditions allow. Please be sure students come to school dressed appropriately for the weather so they can safely enjoy time outside.
February is also Kindness Month, which provides a meaningful opportunity to talk with children about showing kindness, accepting others, and helping everyone feel included. We are proud of the caring and respectful community our Eagles continue to build together.
Thank you for your continued partnership, flexibility, and support.
Warm regards,
Ms. Rucinski and Ms. Nelson
Warm Up FCPS – Divisionwide Spirit Day
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
Calentamiento para el Día del Espíritu de FCPS
¿Está cansado de este clima frío? ¡Calentemos un poco el espíritu escolar de toda la división!
La superintendente, Dra. Michelle Reid anima a todos los estudiantes, maestros y personal a sacudir las arrugas de la ropa más colorida y tropical que tengan y a vestirla, el jueves 19 de febrero, para así calentar el estado de ánimo de todo el mundo.
Meal Kits for Fasting Students
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
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Spanish: Comidas para Estudiantes que Están en Ayuno Entre el 18 de febrero y el 19 de marzo, aquellos estudiantes que estén observando ayuno durante el día podrán llevar a casa las comida escolares. Estas comidas incluyen un desayuno y un almuerzo que pueden comer una vez que el día termine.
Las familias deben llenar una solicitud cada semana, por cada estudiante para quien pidan estas comidas. La primera fecha límite para llenarla es el miércoles 11 de febrero, la cual cubre la semana del 16 de febrero.
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Costo: Las comidas cuestan lo mismo que se cobra en un día normal de clases.
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Recolección: Los estudiantes deben recoger las comidas al final del día de clases.
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Menú: Las comidas incluyen alimentos que son fáciles de recalentar en casa.
Visité la página web de Alimentación y Nutrición para que encuentre las planillas de solicitud, conozca las fechas topes para enviarlas y halle más información. Por favor, si tiene preguntas, contacte a la Oficina de los Servicios de Alimentación y Nutrición escribiendo a la dirección FCPSFNS@fcps.edu o llamando al 703-813-4800.
Cell Phone Policy Reminder
Help Keep Gunston Phone-Free!
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (AirPods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell). Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school. Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including consequences for cell phone policy violations and exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at 703-541-3600.
¡Ayúdenos a Mantener Gunston Libre de Celulares!
Por favor, recuérdale a su estudiante que los teléfonos celulares y dispositivos personales (como airpods, earbuds, audífonos, u otros aparatos conectados a internet) deben estar apagados y guardados durante todo el día de clases (del timbre de entrada hasta el de salida). Los teléfonos celulares tampoco están permitidos para ser usados como herramienta instruccional.
La política de FCPS sobre teléfonos celulares ayuda a los estudiantes a mantenerse enfocados, seguros e involucrados en la escuela. Visite nuestra página web de la política sobre teléfonos celulares para que encuentre más información y respuestas a las preguntas comunes, incluyendo también las consecuencias a las violaciones a la política sobre teléfonos celulares, las excepciones dadas a estudiantes que tengan alguna enfermedad o que estén en planes IEP/504, y más.
Si necesita contactar a su estudiante durante el día de clases, por favor llame a nuestra oficina principal al 703-541-3600.
Love of Reading Week
Lights, Camera, Read!
Get ready, Gunston Eagles! The red carpet is being vacuumed and the popcorn is warming up for our Love of Reading Week!
We are turning our school into a Hollywood studio where every reader is a star. This year's theme is "Lights, Camera, READ!" and we have a blockbuster lineup of spirit days and reading activities scheduled.
Casting Call: 🎬 Calling all Heroes! 🦅
Gunston Elementary is rolling out the red carpet for "Love of Reading Week," and we need YOU to be the star of the show!
🌟 We are looking for our local celebrities—police, firefighters, nurses, military members, chefs, and tradespeople—to visit our classrooms in uniform/work gear to show our kids that reading is a "superpower" in every career. Help us inspire the next generation of Gunston Eagles!
📖When: Feb 12, 2026
🎬Read a story and share a bit about your career.
🌟 Sign up here: https://evite.me/5bRQmtNu3d
PTA News
 🎬 Lights, Camera, READ! Our Read-a-Thon & PTA fundraiser kicks off Feb 5. Be on the lookout for more information on how to register, give, and read to earn prizes!
It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Kindergarten helps children learn and practice the social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives.
Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, in the spring. Eligible children can be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps schools prepare and ensure they have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.
If your child will attend our school, please gather necessary documents and complete registration forms as soon as possible. Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Monday, March 23rd from 4:30PM - 6:30pm. More details forthcoming!
FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, please visit the FCPS Registration webpage.
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