Cub Run Family Newsletter

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VISIT

On Tuesday, Cub Run students and staff were excited to welcome Superintendent Dr. Reid to Cub Run! We also recently received our 40th anniversary recognition from our FCPS School Board and look forward to celebrating in 2026!


Upcoming Dates

March 12: PTA Science Fair- 6:00-7:00pm

March 13: Principals’ Walking Club - 8:05am

March 13: PTA Family Game Night

March 20: No School- Eid al Fitr

March 25: Three-hour Early Release Wednesday - Dismissal at 12:25pm

March 27: Quarter 3 Ends, Early Dismissal at 1:25pm

March 27 – SCA Spirit Day - “Team Up for a Great Day!” Wear something that represents your favorite sport, team, or their colors!

March 30 - April 3: No School - Spring Break

April 6: No School - Teacher Workday

April 10: No School - Teacher Workday

April 10: Cub Run vs. Virginia Run Volleyball Game - 7:00-9:00pm - Westfield High School

April 13-16: Spring Book Fair

April 15: Purple Up! Day

2025-26 school year calendar


Cubbie News

Dear Cub Run Families and Friends,

It has been an incredibly exciting week here at Cub Run! We were honored to welcome Dr. Reid to our halls this week. While we always enjoy showing off our school and the work of our Cubbies and staff, the real stars of the show were our student leaders. Our student leaders spoke eloquently about how our Cubbie Den system fosters a deep sense of belonging. It was a proud moment for Cub Run!

These representatives from our Student Council Association (SCA) and our Green Team shared how they are driving change, from school spirit initiatives to sustainability efforts. Dr. Reid also spent time in our classrooms, witnessing the work our students and teachers are doing every day. It was a proud moment for our entire staff.

The celebrations have officially begun! Our FCPS School Board recently recognized Cub Run for our 40th Anniversary, a milestone that speaks to the strength and longevity of our community. This recognition was the perfect "kickoff" to honor our anniversary throughout 2026. Whether you’ve been a Cubbie for 40 days or 40 years, you are part of this legacy.

We have two opportunities to come together as a community this week:

  • Science Fair (Thursday Evening): Come witness our budding scientists in action and learn from our Cubbies!
  • Family Game Night (Friday): Join us for some friendly competition and community bonding. Whether you’re a board game strategist or just here for the fun, we can’t wait to see you there.

Thank you for being such an integral part of what makes Cub Run a special place to learn and grow.

Warmly,

Melissa Miller, Principal

Nausheen Haider, Assistant Principal


Principal’s Walking Club - March 13

Walking Club

 

Friday, March 13 will be our next Principals Walking Club from 8:05-8:30 a.m. Students are invited to join Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Haider, and other staff members in the gym for a morning walk to start the day off strong!


March Mathness

Get ready to lace up those "mental sneakers" because ST March Mathness is officially back! Starting next week, our homeroom classes will be going head-to-head in a friendly, high-energy competition to see who can master the most math puzzles.

From March 9th through March 27th, classes will compete in a bracket-style tournament. The goal is simple: the class with the highest average puzzles each week advances to the next round. The stakes are high! The overall winning class will get to choose their victory celebration: a Popsicle Party or a Pizza Party.

Why 1,000 Puzzles? While the tournament is all about teamwork, every student is also working toward their personal season goal of 1,000 puzzles by the end of the year. We encourage this milestone because the data is clear: Research shows that students who complete 1,000 or more puzzles per year demonstrate significantly higher growth on their year-end standardized tests.

We are so excited to see the grit and problem-solving our students will display over the next three weeks. Thank you for supporting your mathematicians at home!

Good luck to all our homerooms!


Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz (Evening Only Observance Day, Holiday)

Thursday, March 19, is an evening-only observance day for Eid al-Fitr, which begins at sundown. Friday, March 20, is a holiday, and all schools and offices are closed for Eid and Nowruz. See the school year calendar


Early Release Wednesday - March 25 

Our next early release Wednesday is on March 25. Our students will be dismissed the same way that they dismissed during the previous early release Wednesday. To confirm or change how your child is being dismissed on March 25, 2026, please utilize this GOOGLE FORM by Friday, March 20.


STEAM News

Students are working through the Engineering Design Process and designing and building solutions to problems!

  • Kindergarten and Second Grade just finished building houses for the 3 Little Pigs out of craft sticks and modeling clay. They are now working on sculptures made with Keva planks.
  • Third grade is designing and building water filtration devices to create greater access to clean water.
  • Fourth grade is designing and building devices to help sea turtles adapt to climate change and ocean pollution.
  • Fifth grade is designing and building a 3D topographic map.
  • Sixth grade is designing and building a rocket and launch system.

Donations Needed

For a future round of Den meetings, we are requesting any donations of packs of UNO cards - new or gently used. Please send them to the main office. 

STEAM still needs the following:

  • Toilet paper and paper towel rolls
  • Egg cartons
  • Tissue boxes
  • Cereal or drink boxes

Thank you in advance for any donations you are able to make. 


Save the Dates: SOL Testing

Spring SOL dates have been published as follows:

3rd Grade: 5/5 Reading, 5/12 Math

4th Grade: 5/5 Reading, 5/12 Math

5th Grade: 5/7 Reading, 5/14 Math, 5/19 Science

6th Grade: 5/7 Reading, 5/14 Math 

2025 2026 Spring SOLs

Cub Run Preschool Community Peers

Cub Run Elementary is pleased to announce that we will have community peers in our preschool programs which include, Early Childhood Class-Based and Preschool Autism Classes. The Community Peer Program provides an opportunity for preschoolers with all abilities to work and play on a regular basis.

Our program will invite community peers,  who are aged 3 - 4 years old, to join our classrooms. The early childhood special education program uses a child-centered approach to learning. The goal of this program is to encourage active learning and promote social interaction and acceptance. 

Please complete the attached interest form or  Families Interested in Community Peer Program Google Form if you would like your 3-4 year old child to be considered for the Community Peer Program.

Community Peers

Attendance is Important: Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

School accreditation ratings in Virginia are based on student performance across nine school quality indicators within the state’s Student Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). One of these indicators is chronic absenteeism. Chronic Absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, regardless of reason and whether the absence was excused or unexcused.  A student is determined to be chronically absent if the rate of their days absent divided by their total days in membership is greater than or equal to 10% - that is only 2 days per month on average. 

As of March 11, Cub Run’s Year to Date Chronic Absenteeism rate has increased to 10.9%, being in the yellow zone. As we finish out the remainder of this school year, we will continue to update this percentage with you in hopes that we can move into an acceptable chronic absenteeism rate of 10% or lower. 

There is a special kind of magic that happens in our classrooms every single day. When students are here, they aren't just hitting benchmarks—they’re building momentum! Did you know that missing just two days a month can make it harder for students to keep up with their peers?

As you plan for the coming weeks, please keep our upcoming break in mind so we can keep that learning spark glowing:

  • Spring Break: March 30 – April 3
  • Teacher Workday: Monday, April 6 (No school for students)

We can’t wait to see everyone back in their seats, ready to go, on Tuesday, April 7 at 8:40 am. Let’s make these final months the best ones yet!


Positivity Project

This week, our school is focusing on the character strength of Love of Learning. Love of learning means enjoying the process of learning new things, whether in school or on your own.

People with a love of learning are motivated because they find joy in learning itself, not just for rewards like grades or prizes. They are driven by the excitement of discovering and mastering new skills.

Developing a love of learning is important for students because it helps them stay motivated and engaged. It can also improve their mental and physical well-being as they take pride in overcoming challenges and growing.

To practice and encourage the character strength of Love of Learning at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.

Thank you for your support!


2025-2026 Yearbooks Are On Sales Now!

Yearbooks are available for purchase: $25 for a yearbook and $28 for a yearbook with a name imprinted on the front cover.

Please see the flyer below for the QR code for ordering.

Note: "Angel Donation" is an option too if you would like to purchase a yearbook that will be donated to a student that otherwise could not afford to purchase one.

2025 2026 Yearbook Ordering Information

Westfield High School International Night

Mark your calendars for Westfield’s International Night on March 26. It’s going to be a vibrant celebration of culture, food, and talent starting right at 5 PM.

Here is the breakdown of what’s happening and where:

The Details

  • Location: Westfield HS - 4700 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly, VA 20151
  • Admission: Entry is free for FCPS students. For adults and all other guests, tickets are $5

Evening Schedule

  • Potluck (5–6 PM): Cafeteria
  • Fashion Show (6–7 PM): Gym
  • Performances (7–9 PM): Gym
  • Food Trucks (5–9 PM): Outside
    • Halal Grill: Middle Eastern chicken and gyros
    • Pako’s Tacos: Mexican tacos and quesadillas
    • District Small Bites: Classic American
    • Brewster’s: American ice cream
    • DC Slices: Italian pizza

WHS International Night 2026

WHS International Night Food Trucks

International Night WF H
International Night food Trucks

PTA News

Cub Run Elementary PTA Science Fair – March 12!

Can water walk? Why do rainbows only have certain colors? How do crystals grow? Find out the answers to these questions and more at the Science Fair on Thursday, March 12 from 6:00–7:00 PM at Cub Run Elementary School.

Join us for an evening filled with curiosity, creativity, and hands-on discovery as our talented students showcase their science projects. From experiments and engineering designs to research displays and demonstrations, our Cubbies have been hard at work exploring the world of science!

But that’s not all — this year’s Science Fair will also feature interactive stations and representatives from outstanding local science and STEM organizations. Families will have the opportunity to explore programs, ask questions, and discover ways to continue learning beyond the classroom. Participating organizations include:

What to Expect

✔ Student science projects across grade levels ✔ Hands-on, interactive STEM activities ✔ Opportunities to connect with local science organizations ✔ A fun and inspiring evening for the whole family

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family for this exciting celebration of science at Cub Run. We look forward to seeing you on March 12 from 6–7 PM!

Science Fair

FCPS News

Rooted in Resilience, Echoes of Excellence: FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration

The spirit of heritage and the promise of the future filled the air at Carter G. Woodson High School as FCPS held its second annual Black History Month Celebration with the theme, Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence. This year’s event was especially significant as it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the movement that became Black History Month.

Students from across the division took center stage as the true "echoes" of this excellence. The program featured student-led Moments of Pride that connected local and national history to contemporary achievements. Vernon Walton, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Vienna, delivered a spirited keynote speech. Another highlight of the night was the FCPS Black Excellence video tribute.

Read more about the Black history event


Family Engagement Survey

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 received 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.


National Women’s History Month

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


April 21 - No School for Students

Due to the special election, Tuesday, April 21 is now a FCPS student holiday. This is a change from the original FCPS calendar, please mark this date on your calendars.


Celebrating Arts in Our Schools

Arts in Our Schools

The Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers Youth Art Month. Youth Art Month encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety. The program provides a medium for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences unlike any other curriculum subjects, including:

  • Problem solving
  • Creativity
  • Observation
  • Communication

Please make sure to join us for the Westfield Pyramid Art Show on April 8, 2026 where art by our Cub Run students will be featured.


Get2Green March Newsletter

Check out the Get2Green Newsletter for March with information on #FCPSEarthWeek and Get2Green's First Student Action Summit.


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.


FCPS CARES

Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in our region wins a staff celebration from HR. 


2026 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 your understanding.


Purple Up! Items for Sale

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. 


Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs

FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors, ages 6 weeks to 4 years, living in Fairfax County. 

  • Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30 of the same year.
  • Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at the program office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.  

If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).


Sleep Awareness Week

The National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week is March 8 to 14. The observance highlights the critical link between sleep and health, both physical and mental. Read more about sleep health and sleep strategies you can try at home.


Rising 7th Grade Immunization Clinic

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has partnered with Inspire Health Alliance, LLC (Inspire) to provide access to school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for FCPS students at multiple events taking place at designated FCPS locations throughout the school year. 

  • Immunizations will be provided at no out-of-pocket costs to the student or family. Families will be required to provide insurance information, if applicable, but students without insurance may still receive immunizations with no out-of-pocket costs. 
  • Participation in Inspire Immunization Events is voluntary.
  • Additional Immunization Resources are available in the community. 

 

Eligibility 

  • All students currently enrolled in an FCPS School or Center are eligible to receive immunizations at Inspire immunization events.

 

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Inspire’s School Health portal to schedule an appointment. Inspire’s portal is mobile friendly, accessible from any device, and available in multiple languages.

Schedule an Appointment

 

Upcoming Inspire Student Immunization Events

Current clinic dates are listed below for FCPS students. Additional dates will be made available 4-5 weeks prior to the event. 

Date 

Time

Location 

Saturday, April 18

9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Frost Middle School 4101 Pickett Road, Fairfax, VA, 22032

In the event that FCPS has a delayed opening, school closing, or is closed for evening or weekend activities on the day of a scheduled immunization event, the FCPS Inspire Immunization Event will also be canceled. Subscribe to News You Choose to receive updates on delayed openings and school closings.


TJ Twist Presents Techstravaganza

Techstravaganza is a free, hands-on STEM activity fair. From hands-on activities to mind-blowing demonstrations, Techstravaganza inspires students to explore their passion for STEM. This is a self-paced event, so students are free to visit whichever booths interest them! Students can look forward to raffles, merchandise, and goodie bags.

Techstravaganza will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10AM - 4PM at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, located at 6560 Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Techstravaganza

Reminders

Update Date Change: CRES vs VRES Volleyball Game 

We wanted to inform you about a scheduling change regarding the upcoming volleyball game. After careful consideration and in light of the recent success of the Westfield High School boys' basketball team, we have decided to move the volleyball game from March 6 to April 10.

We do recognize that April 10 is a teacher workday. However, our cheerleader/dance team coaches, physical education teachers, and administrative teams are fully committed to ensuring this will be a successful and enjoyable evening. We hope that having the day off will allow our students to be well-rested and excited for this great event.

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we make this adjustment. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Best regards,

Melissa Miller, Principal, Cub Run Elementary School

Dave Gerstner, Principal, Virginia Run Elementary School


Library Access for Students Fasting in Ramadan

For families who would like their student(s) to access the library during lunch, we are requesting this GOOGLE FORM to be completed. 


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. Please note other important details below:

  • Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day. 
  • Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
  • 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. 


Learn About Kindergarten at Cub Run

Our kindergarten information session is being held on May 13 at 5:00pm 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!

Kinder Info Session May 2026

Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…

FCPS registration is now available for rising kindergarten students. 

There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

  1. Determine eligibility (Your student must have turned 5 years old by 09/30/2026 to be eligible to be registered.)
  2. Identify your local school. 
  3. Gather documents. 
  4. Fill out forms. 
  5. Schedule an appointment.

Try Online Registration:

There are two ways to start the registration process :

  • You can submit intent form here and our Student Information Assistant (SIA) will contact you via email with further instructions.
  • Online registration for the 2026-27 school year is open for parents/caregivers. When registering, parents/caregivers will create (or log into an existing) SIS Parent VUE account. Follow the instructions on the page and complete the registration process.
  • Once you have submitted the registration packet online, our Student Information Assistant (SIA) Mrs. Namrata Saxena will contact you via email to set up an appointment to meet her in person.  You can also reach her at 703-633-7500.

If you need a paper copy of the registration packet, it can be picked up at the front office.


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ccares

Be Informed, Stay Involved!