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Hello Bull Run Families,
So we finally had a normally scheduled week in the building... and now we are up against a 4-day weekend! I for one was glad to get back on track with routine this week, and I am sure you at home were as well! Despite the disruption, our students and staff have been working hard completing class tasks, continuing on with WIDA assessments, and wrapping up the VALLSS (Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System ) winter window.
As promised last week; below you will find charts demonstrating our winter scores on county literacy screeners (VALLSS and iReady) which again highlights our growth and progress!
Reminders:
Tomorrow, Friday February 13th is an SCA Spirit Day-Sports Day! Show off your favorite team, athlete, or sport by wearing:
-Sports Jerseys
-Athletic Gear
-Favorite Athlete Apparel
Also, tomorrow is the deadline for students to submit their designs for the yearbook cover contest! See information below in the PTA section.
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Mr. Marotta
February 13: The 100th Day of School! / 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 19: Division Wide Spirit Day (see information below)
February 25: Three-Hour Early Release Wednesday
February 26: School Wide Spelling Bee
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*The full FCPS 2025-2026 calendar can be accessed here.
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This week was Kindness Week at Bull Run! Our counselors developed several activities focused on promoting kindness, empathy, and generosity across our school community. In addition to daily kindness reminders, students participated in two special projects that offer meaningful opportunities to express kindness and generosity. These included the SCA schoolwide Valentine’s baskets for the elderly service project and a classroom-based project that allows students to work together and spread kindness in different ways! Shown in the picture is some of the work done by our students, creating Kindness Posters to brighten everyone's day.
Thank you to all the students who poured their hearts into these posters—your words and actions make a real difference in our school culture!
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LITERACY UPDATE:
*Our school reached 82% of the median target for annual typical growth overall on the iReady Winter Assessment
*Mid/Above or Early On Grade Level: Increased from 51% (baseline) to 57% (current).
*The percentage of students "Three or More Grade Levels Below" decreased from 14% to 10%
According to winter VALLSS data, overall the data shows a positive trend in student performance. The number of students in the "Low Risk" category increased significantly, while the number of students in "Moderate" and "High" risk categories decreased.
The following table highlights the shift in student counts across the three risk bands:
| Risk Band |
Fall Count |
Winter Count |
Net Change |
| Low Risk (Green) |
107 |
140 |
+33 |
| Moderate Risk (Yellow) |
59 |
35 |
-24 |
| High Risk (Red) |
57 |
48 |
-9 |
*The "Low Risk" group grew significantly from 107 to 140 students
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 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.
Get ready to rumble! Our very own Bull Run ES Staff will be taking on Centre Ridge ES Staff in an epic elementary school basketball face-off! Bring the whole family for a night of hoops, concessions, prizes, and school spirit!
 Want to see your art on the front of every school yearbook? Now is your chance! We are officially looking for student designs for the 2025-2026 Yearbook Cover.
The Details:
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Format: 8.5" x 11" paper.
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Must Include: "2025-2026" and "CHARGERSTRONG".
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On the Back: Name, Teacher, and Grade.
The Prizes: The winner gets their art on the Front Cover, a free yearbook, and a new art set! Runner-ups will be featured on the back cover.
Deadline: February 13, 2026
How to Enter: Email bullrunyearbook@gmail.com or drop your art off at the front office.
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:
School-Wide Bee: The top spellers from their classroom Bees 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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Parenting Education Program at Bull Run ES
We are excited to invite our Bull Run families to a special Parenting Education Program. This session is designed to offer actionable techniques for building self-esteem in children, encouraging positive behavior, and managing family stress. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain confidence and connect with a supportive community of fellow parents.
When: Monday, March 02 | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Note: This program is FREE and also offered in Spanish.
Sign Up: Spots are limited! Please contact our Family Liaison, Lilith Albornoz, at 703-227-1417 or email llalbornoz@fcps.edu to reserve your place.
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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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Celebrate the Year of the Horse!
Looking for some weekend family fun? The 17th Annual Chinese New Year Festival is happening soon! This year’s theme is Filial Piety, and there is a huge lineup of activities including a Dragon Parade, live performances, and delicious Asian cuisine. It’s a great way to experience a beautiful cultural tradition right here in our community.
When: Saturday, February 14 | 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Luther Jackson Middle School (3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church)
Cost: Adults $5, Kids (6-12) $2, Kids under 6 are FREE.
More Info: www.ChineseNewYearFestival.org
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BENCHMARK UPDATE
Exploring Technology and Society in Language Arts
Benchmark Unit 5 in Language Arts is about technology and how it can help us solve problems at home, school, and work. Students in K-5 will be learning about technology and society. Grade six students will learn about technology in the 21st century.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: If you could invent anything, what would it be?
- Activity: Talk to your child about what daily life was like before today’s advances in technology. Where would you go to find information? How did you stay in touch with friends and family? Ask your child if they think they would like living without modern technology.
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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Warm Up FCPS – Division Wide 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.
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
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Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
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:
- FCPS at the Olympics
- Coaches Making History
- Division wide Spirit Day
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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