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Kristen Rucinski - Principal Allison Ovalle - Assistant Principal
April 1st - 30th: Month of the Military Child
April 1st - 30th: Arab and Muslim American History Month
April 14th: PTA Spirit Night at Panera- 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
April 17th: PTA Family Night - Glow Party! - 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
April 20th - April 24: Gunston's Book Fair
April 21st: April Statewide Election: No School for Students
April 29th: Innovation and Stem Night - 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
April 30th: PTA Meeting - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
May 2nd: Run for a Reason! Gunston Trail Run
May 4th: Start of SOL testing
May 11th: PTA Spirit Night at Chipotle - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Gunston Gazette
SOLs
SOLs are coming up beginning Monday May 4 for students in grades 3-6.
Check the Gunston website calendar for month of May for specific tests and dates
Help your students remember to bring their laptops back to school.
Watch backpacks for FCPS SOL letters with more information and permissions for eligible retakes.
You can also look at the Virginia Department of Education for addition SOL information.
PTA News
Next PTA Meeting will be Thursday, April 30th, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please join us!
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3236608793?pwd=RF69mhfFopHSUu3kEZBm7Y3yt73zv0.1&omn=87273931486
Meeting ID: 323 660 8793
Passcode: Gunston
PTA Spirit Night - April 14, 2026
PTA next Spirit Night is at Panera on April 14, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Go order your favorite meals to help support Gunston ES. 25% of the proceeds will benefit our school. Enter promo code FUND4U at the online checkout or present this flyer.
PTA Family Night - April 17, 2026
Come and join the fun of the Glow Party! April 17th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
There will be music, snacks and lot of glow sticks. This is not a drop off event. Parents must stay and families are welcome to bring chairs and picnic blankets. It's going to be a glowing night of fun!
 No School April 21st/Meals for Students
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.
FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Tuesday, April 21, at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site, and enrichment activities will be available for the children. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
April 29 Three-Hour Early Release CANCELLED
Tuesday, April 21, is now a teacher workday and staff development day because of a recently announced special election that will impact all FCPS schools.
Students will now have a traditional full day of instruction and be released at the regular dismissal time on April 22 and April 29, which were previously early release Wednesdays for elementary schools.
This adjustment allows our staff to still have dedicated time for planning, collaboration, and professional learning without reducing instructional time on other school days. Read Dr. Reid’s letter to elementary parents for more details.
April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS resources for military families.
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In April, people throughout the United States celebrate Arab American Heritage Month. This history is a foundational part of American history. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of Arab Americans year-round, and the celebration of Arab American Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor diverse and important stories.
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In April, people throughout the United States will be celebrating Muslim American Heritage Month. The history of Muslims in America is a foundational part of United States history. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of Muslim Americans year-round, and the celebration of Muslim American Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor diverse and important stories.
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Benchmark/Literacy Updates
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📚 Halfway Through Our Legendary Journey in Language Arts 📚
We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 6 in sixth grade Language Arts! Students have been exploring what inspires someone to go on a quest.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: Which one of your readings had the most inspiring journey in this unit and why?
- Activity: Have your child draw a map of an imaginary world where a hero must travel. Include mountains, rivers, forests, and challenges (e.g., “The Swamp of Secrets” or “Dragon’s Peak”). Talk about how maps help heroes navigate their adventures.
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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AAP Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services for 2026-27
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners.
In the spring, schools review data on all students to determine services for the start of the next school year.
FCPS CTE Summer Learning Opportunity!
We're thrilled to invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience at one of the CTE summer enrichment programs! These week-long programs will introduce you to the wonderful world of Career and Technical Education, help you develop new skills, and make new friends.
Our programs offer a wide range of activities designed to spark your curiosity and keep you engaged. You will have the opportunity to learn coding, problem solving, cooking, and more! Our experienced and enthusiastic teachers are dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and fun environment where you can challenge yourself and discover new passions.
You can find more details about our programs on our camp websites below:
We are able to offer a limited number of students currently in grades 2-11 at a Code UP! grant school with a one-week registration at no cost! If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out the interest form linked below by April 15th. CTE Summer Enrichment Interest Form: https://forms.gle/ytfQWmR4MQ6FuvrBA
Families will be notified by the end of April to confirm whether they will receive one of the sponsored seats—students will be chosen by a lottery if there are more interested families than seats available.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Beth Mehr, CTE Educational Specialist at bgmehr@fcps.edu. We'd be happy to chat with you and your family.
(Please Note- These programs will not be held at Gunston. Click the links above for more details.)
Run for a Reason: Gunston Trail Run 2026
Support our students by joining the Gunston Trail Run on May 2, 2026, at George Mason's Gunston Hall in Lorton, VA. Whether you are a sprinter or a stroller, we have a race for you: choose from the 1k Fun Run ($20), 5k Trail Run ($35), or 10k Trail Run ($50), with virtual participation options also available. Every registration includes an event shirt and a finisher medal to celebrate your achievement at the finish line. Don't wait—register by the April 17th Early Bird deadline to lock in the best pricing and guarantee your official race shirt!
https://gunstones.fcps.edu/announcements/run-reason
FY 2027 Budget: Sustaining Excellence
Help FCPS Sustain Excellence: Make Your Voice Heard on the FY 2027 Budget
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There are several upcoming opportunities to provide feedback to the county on its budget before final adoption in May. This includes public budget hearings (April 14-16) and an online survey.
Learn how the FCPS budget helps us sustain our excellence.
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 Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s 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.
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Spanish:Conversaciones con la Comunidad: Comparta su Opinión con la Dra. Reid
- Siendo una líder que sabe escuchar, la Dra. Reid considera muy importante conectarse e involucrarse con miembros de la comunidad en toda la división escolar. Sus reuniones Conversaciones con la Comunidad representan oportunidades para que comparta sus ideas y opiniones y para que haga las preguntas que tenga. Los eventos se realizarán en estas fechas, durante la primavera (de 6:30 a 7:30 p.m. a menos se notifiquen cambios):
Se ofrecerán servicios de Cuidado de Niños y de Traducción. Estos eventos están abiertos para todas las personas. Visite la página de participación comunitaria de la superintendente para que encuentre la información más reciente.
 Special Education Family Conference
2026 Special Education Family ConferenceThe 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School.
Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.
Summer Learning
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.
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