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Dear Cherry Run Families,
It has certainly been a week of changing weather, from 80 degrees to accumulating snow in less than 24 hours! Despite the weather surprises, it has been a wonderful week with our Cardinals. Students have enjoyed meeting Mr. Arthur, our acting Assistant Principal, and welcoming him to the Cherry Run ES community. We are excited to have him here!
Our 4th grade students participated in the NAEP assessment on today, and our 5th graders will take part in the IRW assessment the week of the 23rd. We are so proud of the effort our Cardinals continue to show each and every day.
As we look ahead to next week, please remember two upcoming schedule adjustments: our March Early Release will take place on Wednesday, March 18, and Friday, March 20 is a holiday.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Maura Donahue and Dave Arthur
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- 3/18 Early Release Wednesday
- 3/20 Holiday-No School
- 3/27 End of 2nd Quarter-2 hour early release
- 3/30-4/3 Spring Break
- 4/6 Student Holiday
- 4/10 Student Holiday
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Upcoming State Testing at CRES
As we approach spring testing season, we want to share two important upcoming assessment dates:
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Monday, March 23 – Our 5th grade students will take the IRW SOL (Integrated Reading and Writing Standards of Learning) assessment.
Please help your child do their best by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time on their testing day.
Thank you for your continued support in helping our students succeed!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Katy Harvey, our School Testing Coordinator – ksharvey@fcps.edu
April Statewide Election
April Statewide Election: No School for Students
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.
Countdown to Kindergarten
Countdown to Kindergarten: Supporting a Smooth Transition
Is your child heading to kindergarten this fall? Join FCPS staff for Countdown to Kindergarten, a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! The webinar will take place on Friday, March 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support their child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools. Register to receive the event link.
Kindergarten Registration
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 (the student and one caregiver must be present).
Read more about the registration process.
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Budget
County Seeking Budget Input
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. They are currently reviewing the county’s 2027 Fiscal Year Advertised Budget and are considering possible adjustments before the final county budget is adopted in May. Provide the county with feedback on how you would like your tax dollars spent by completing this survey.
Cell Phone Reminder
Phones Off, Learning On
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students focus, learn, and engage. When students put their phones away, they have more face-to-face interactions with their peers and teachers and more opportunities to develop resilience and problem-solving skills. Please remind your child that:
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Cell phones and personal devices (earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
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Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our front office at 703-923-2800. Visit our cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Kindergarten Registration
Learn About Kindergarten at Cherry Run ES
Our kindergarten open house is being held on April 14, 2026 to give parents of students entering school in August an opportunity to learn more about kindergarten at our school.
We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Resources on the School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage provide parents with ways to support their children to help ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten.
There’s also an easy-to-follow five-step process outlined for registering your child for kindergarten.
Register your child today!
Contact our registrar, Yasmin Naldo, at 703-923-2800 or ymnaldo@fcps.edu with any questions.
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Family Engagement Survey
Family Engagement Survey to Open March 9
FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open through 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.
Special Education Family Conference-Rescheduled
FCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate
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CRES PTA Corner
Active Learning Corridors at Cherry Run ES.
The CRES PTA is excited to announce a new permanent art wall in our school to celebrate what is possible through community. This “Legacy Wall” will honor families and businesses that support Cherry Run’s aspirations and continued success. We reach new heights when we work as a team. TOGETHER We Soar!
All students, staff and community members are invited to add your name to the Legacy Wall, a large hand-painted cardinal mural featuring the names of those who donate at least $100 by March 15th.
Check out ALC’s website to read more about this transformative project that will impact all students!
Community Conversations
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 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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Cherry Run Military Families
Hello Cherry Run Military Families,
We are excited to celebrate Month of the Military Child this April across the county and here at Cherry Run. Mark your calendars for our Purple UP celebration on Wednesday April 15th after school. More details to follow!
If you are currently experiencing a deployment or anticipate an upcoming deployment or extended TDY, please let us know. We care very much about our military families at Cherry Run and are here to support you in any way we can. Feel free to reach out to me directly at dshuisman@fcps.edu. Thank you for being such an important part of our Cherry Run community!
Preparing for Your PCS Virtual Workshop - March 24, 2026
It’s PCS season! We want to help you prepare for your move, so your child’s transition to their next school is a little easier. FCPS Family & School Partnerships staff and Fort Belvoir School Liaison Officers (SLOs) will explain:
- How to withdraw from FCPS
- How to obtain unofficial student records from your current school
- How to connect with the SLO at your next duty station
This virtual event will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m. Please fill out this Google form to register and receive the Zoom link.
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Military Family Field Day - Saturday, April 18, 2026
FCPS is excited to celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a good, old-fashioned field day! We invite all military-connected families with FCPS students to a special field day to honor our military-connected children. Join us for an afternoon of fun and community at Annandale High School (4700 Medford Dr, Annandale, VA 22003) on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. Enjoy field day games and crafts at the football and track stadium. Food and beverages will be available for purchase to support various FCPS school clubs and organizations. This is a great opportunity to connect with other military families across the division! To RSVP, please complete this Google form by Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Sibshops
The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun. A similar program called SibTeen is also offered to students in grades 6-9.
The next Sibshops and SibTeen sessions will be held on Friday April 10, 2026 9:30 am-12:30 pm at Gum Springs Elementary (8100 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA). Families should visit https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-academy/catalog to register for the session.
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