The BULLS Bulletin (Week of 03/09)

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,

Get ready! We have a massive week of fun coming up from March 9th through March 13th. Between the Book Fair and a full week of Spirit Days, there is plenty to be excited about. See all information below.

Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward) Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! I know this is always a struggle for a couple of days to acclimate (I deal with it at home with my own family as well!), but hopefully with all of the fun it'll make it better for everyone!

Reminders:

Tomorrow, Friday March 6th, is Bull Run Spirit Day- because we have a pep rally to gear up for the big Bull Run vs. Centre Ridge Basketball game tomorrow night!  I hope to see everyone there!

While we encourage every staff member and student to wear our school colors (blue & white), or school spirit wear, I also realize that is also picture day. I understand wanting to look your very best for the pictures as well!

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Mr. Marotta

 


upcoming events

 

March 06: Spring Individual and Class Picture Day/ School Pep Rally 3:15pm / Bull Run vs. Centre Ridge Staff Basketball Game @ CVHS, 6:00pm 

March 08:Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring Forward)

March 09-13: Spring Scholastic Book Fair (Family Night March 10, 4pm-7pm)

March 09-13: From CRAYONS to COLLEGE to CAREERS Spirit Week! (see information below)

March 20: Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr

March 23-27: 2nd Annual Inclusion Revolution Pep Rally and Spirit Week

March 25: Three-Hour Early Release Wednesday

March 27: Quarter End / 2-Hour Early Release

 

different colored flowers in a circle around the symbol for female

Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids.

pictures of famous woman in history on a wall display

 

 

Thank you to our very own, 4th grade teacher Sherry Watkins,for creating a Women's History Month display! 


*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


Group of children standing together holding a trophy

Ms. Borer's 4th grade class won the "Attendance Drive of the Month" trophy, logging a perfect 100% positive attendance rate for the month of February!  Congratulations!


 

From CRAYONS to COLLEGE to CAREERS Spirit Week March 9-13

 

Monday through Friday with listed spirit days

Our wonderful counselors have put together a fun lineup of daily themes to show off our school spirit during next week:

  • Monday: Crayon Day – Wear your favorite color to school.

  • Tuesday: Charger Strong – Rock your Bull Run spirit wear or school colors (Blue & White).

  • Wednesday: Class of ___ Day – Wear the year you’ll graduate high school and sport that number proudly!

  • Thursday: College Day – Represent your favorite college or your "dream" school by wearing their colors or gear.

  • Friday: Career Day – Dress up as your future career! Whether you want to be a doctor, scientist, artist, or astronaut, we want to see your dreams in action!


image of two children riding a book as if it it were flying in the air

The Scholastic Book Fair

 

When: Monday, March 9th – Friday, March 13th

Daily Hours: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Family Night: Join us Tuesday, March 10th from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM for special evening shopping!


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:

  • March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
  • March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.


Purple Up! Day - Month of the Military Child

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


Family Engagement Survey to Open March 9

FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools. 

Survey topics include:

  • Welcoming environment.
  • Communication.
  • Student success.
  • Advocacy.
  • Family and school partnerships.
  • Community partnerships.

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. 

Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.


PTA NEWS, CLUBS AND OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS


cartoon bull playing basketball with a cartoon ram

 

Tickets are 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!

  • When: March 6th @ 6:00 PM

  • Where: Centreville High School


run fit club

Bull Run Elementary PTA is partnering with RunFit Kidz again this spring!

Open to students in Grades 1st–6th!

When: Tuesdays after school (4:15 PM – 5:30 PM) from March 17 to May 12.

 

The Big Event: A Celebration 5K on Sunday, May 17, at Fairfax Corner!

Registration Info:

Registration officially opens on Monday, February 16, at 8:00 AM.

The fee is $129, which covers everything: professional coaching, a program T-shirt, mileage tokens, entry into the Celebration 5K, a finisher’s medal, and a post-run party!

Ready to join the team? Sign up at: prtrainingprograms.com/runfit-kidz/


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.


technology pictures floating in the sky

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/


Mulch Sale flyer

Support the Westfield PTSA by ordering high-quality, 3 cu. ft. bags of double-shredded brown mulch.

Options & Pricing:

Pick-Up: $5.50/bag (No minimum)

Delivery: $7.50/bag (10-bag min.)

Delivery + Spreading: $10.00/bag (10-bag min.)

Key Dates:

Order Deadline: March 10

Delivery/Spreading: Late March

Proceeds support the Class of 2026 All-Night Grad Party, teacher grants, and more. $1.75 of every bag is tax-deductible!

Order here: ptsa.westfieldhs.org/collections/mulch-sale


IMPORTANT LINKS, CURRICULUM UPDATES AND INFORMATION


Subjects on books

Grade Level Curriculum 2025-2026


A wall with a mathematical pie symbol and numbers and a number 5 sitting on a stack of books

BENCHMARK UPDATE

 

Finishing Up Our Exploration of Technology and Society in Language Arts 

Students are finishing Benchmark Unit 5 in Language Arts! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about why and how we use technology.  

Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:

  • Question: What do you think life would be like if we didn’t have cell phones or the internet?
  • Activity: Ask your child to predict the next big invention in transportation, communication, or entertainment. Have them sketch it, name it, and explain how it works.

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


a cartoon bull dressing like different professions

SCA SPIRIT DAY: Career Day – Dress up as your future career! Whether you want to be a doctor, scientist, artist, or astronaut, we want to see your dreams in action!

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


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.


Dr. Reid talks to community members

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: 

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.


SOLace Flyer

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.


 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:

  • School Board Adopts FY 2027 Advertised Budget
  • New Date for Special Education Conference
  • Celebrating Our Schools

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
PTA Facebook: 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.