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Hello Bull Run Families,
Today we had our school wide spelling bee. All of the participants were so impressive! I made the joke a few times that I would have gotten something wrong way sooner than they did! Our top 2 contestants had to go use an additional packet of words because they finished the original set! Congratulations to all our spellers!
Next week, we will celebrate Read Across America Week. Each day, we challenge you to read a different type of text and participate in wearing a coordinating outfit (see information below).
In addition, this year, we’re adding a fun twist with a “Masked Reader” (Reader in Disguise) who will read a book aloud each day!
Students will have the opportunity to submit their guesses in class about the reader’s identity, and we will reveal the Masked Reader at the end of each day.
Reminders:
Tomorrow, Friday February 27th, is Bull Run Spirit Day! We encourage every staff member and student to wear our school colors (blue & white), or school spirit wear .
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Mr. Marotta
February 26: Bull Run PTA Meeting @ 6:30pm in the school library and/or Zoom
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/99295620114?pwd=E9yBhagtHKo2OfICwk9zabYjFOTPad.1
Meeting ID: 992 9562 0114
Passcode: 339220
March 01-07: National School Social Work Week
March 02-6: Read Across America Week (see information below)
March 06: Spring Individual and Class Picture Day/ School Pep Rally 3:15pm / Bull Run vs. Centre Ridge Staff Basketball Game @ CVHS, 6:00pm PRE ORDER TICKETS
March 08:Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring Forward)
March 09-13: Spring Scholastic Book Fair
March 20: Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr
March 27: Quarter End / 2-Hour Early Release
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*The full FCPS 2025-2026 calendar can be accessed here.
Our 2026 School Spelling Bee Winner, Mehka Misra (6th grade)
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Our top 3 finalists in the school spelling bee!
From left to right: Mehika Misra (6th grade), Krisha Banavar (6th grade), Zoey Abogado (3rd grade)
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Get those outfits ready—Picture Day is Friday, March 6th! We are looking for a few helping hands at Bull Run Elementary to make sure everything runs smoothly and the smiles stay bright. We need:
-3 Volunteers from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
-3 Volunteers from 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
If you’re available to help, please send an email to Coral at CJAUGUST@FCPS.EDU. We’d love to have you!
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Read Across America Schedule
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Monday: Silly Stories & Outfits Kick off the week by reading a silly story! To match the vibe, students are encouraged to wear their most silly outfit.
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Tuesday: Famous Americans We’re reading about history-makers—inventors, celebrities, and educators. Students can dress up like a famous American they admire.
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Wednesday: All-Star Athletes Read about an influential athlete and show your spirit by wearing gear from your favorite sport or sports team.
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Thursday: Culture & Community We’ll be reading books about cultures different from our own. To celebrate our diversity, students should wear something that represents their family’s culture or hometown.
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Friday: Read My Shirt Day Wrap up the week by wearing a shirt with a the words Bull Run on it and/or with our school colors on it!
We can't wait to see everyone’s creativity on display as we dive into some great books!
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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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.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is gearing up to honor and celebrate its military-connected youth in April, the Month of the Military Child, and on Purple Up! Day!
This year, Virginia will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Purple Up! Day is a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military.
FCPS Purple Up! T-shirts and other items are available for purchase now through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in our Custom Ink online store. These items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS!
For more information and/or to connect with FCPS resources, email us at militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
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PRE ORDER TICKETS Click this link to pre order your tickets. They are 5$ each, but they will increase to 8$ at the door that night.
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!
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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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SYA Spring Registration is happening now.
To avoid the waitlist, make sure you register before the March 1st deadline. There are tons of great options this season, including:
Baseball & Softball (Little League), Soccer, Lacrosse, Flag Football, Cricket, Volleyball, Track & Field, and Ultimate Frisbee!
Head over to syasports.org to sign up and secure your spot!
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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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Join Ms. Kiehlmeier at TECHSTRAVAGANZA!
Event Location: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Cost: FREE
Registration: Thomas Jefferson HS is asking families to register to get a better estimate of how many lab materials to prepare for the day.
For more information and to register please visit the link: https://techstrav.org/
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BENCHMARK UPDATE
Halfway Through Exploring Technology and Society in Language Arts
We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 5 in Language Arts! Across grade levels, students have explored why we use technology, how we take responsibility when making advances in technology, and where ideas for inventions come from.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: What’s the most interesting fact you learned from this unit so far? Why is it interesting to you?
- Activity: Ask your child to draw a picture of how they would improve a common piece of technology (cell phone, car, etc.).
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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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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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.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 3, at Waples Mill Elementary School.
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
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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:
- The FCPS Budget
- School Safety
- Community Conversations
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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