The BULLS Bulletin (Week of 04/21)

An artwork of the Bull Run Elementary School grounds

Newsletter header: Bull Bulletin.  We see you. We welcome you. You belong here.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو


Principal's Message:

Hello Bull Run Families,

Thank you to everyone who participated in FCPS' Purple Up! Day; seeing that show of support for our military-connected students was a great reminder of the strength and diversity within our school community.

The energy continues tomorrow night with Bull Run’s Got Talent! Our students have put in hours of rehearsal to perfect their acts, and they are ready for a live audience. We are also having our Staff Masked Singer event. A few brave staff members will be taking the stage in costume to showcase their hidden talents...or possibly more accurately their "lack thereof." It’s shaping up to be a fun night for everyone!

As we look toward Monday, we’ll be shifting our focus to the environment for Earth Week. Please take a moment to review the upcoming spirit days listed below so your students can join in as they learn mini lessons in class.

I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow night for the show!

Reminders:

Tomorrow April 10, is Bull Run Spirit Day! We encourage every student and staff member to wear our school colors (blue & white), or school spirit wear! 

Also- Next Tuesday, April 21, there is no school for students due to the VA Statewide Election.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Mr. Marotta

 


upcoming events

 

 

April 17: PTA Variety Show/Staff Masked Singer- Bull Run’s Got Talent!  5:30pm

April 18: Field Day for Military Families (Annandale HS, 12:00pm) / All County Chorus Festival, Lake Braddock Secondary, 3:00pm

April 20-24: Earth Week (Spirit Week details below)

April 20: Full-Time AAP Orientation, 5:30pm

April 21: VA Statewide Election Day (NO SCHOOL) 

April 22: Administrative Professionals Day (Front Office Staff / Volunteer Appreciation Day / Spring Chorus Concert, 7:00pm / PTA Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night

April 23: PTA Meeting

April 28: Bus Driver Appreciation Day

April 30: Special Olympics Feet Meet (Madison HS, 9:30am-12:30pm /  Kindergarten Orientation, 5:30pm

 

Bright orange background with text highlighting Arab American Heritage Month

National Arab American Heritage Month

FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

 

 

Purple background with the FCPS logo with the hashtag for purple up FCPS

Month of the Military Child

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.

 

 

Image of a cloud and a rainbow with text

Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 31 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.


*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


purple paper flowers in a grey vase

Mrs. Kahle's 3rd grade class made flowers on Purpe Up! Day in support of our military connected families


Four students huddled around a "Uranium" science fair board, curiously reading facts and looking at a hand-drawn atomic Bohr model.

6th grade recently held their 3rd annual Element Expo , showing off their science project presentations of learning.

From deep dives into the properties of Uranium to exploring the basics of Boron, the kids did a fantastic job researching and presenting their findings to their peers. 


On April 6, you should have received an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Staff Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity for you to share anonymous feedback on key areas of our school, including:

  • Instructional Leadership
  • School Climate
  • Management (human resources and organizational)
  • Communication and Community Relations
  • Culturally Responsive and Equitable Leadership
  • Professionalism

The survey will be open April 6 – April 19 and will be collected online. When you receive the email from noreply@fcps.edu, please take a few minutes to complete it. 

Your feedback is valuable – thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!


five characters having a globe as their heads, dressed in different sprit wear clothing

Next week is Earth Week! While we all work hard to protect our planet each day, Earth Week gives us a chance to learn about new opportunities and make commitments to do even more. We will be doing activities at school and families can complete the BINGO board that was sent home by the teachers.

Each day next week has a theme and we will be having spirit days to match:

  • Monday, April 20 – Wildlife Day - wear nature print
  • Tuesday, April 21 – Zero Waste Day - wear white
  • Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day - wear green
  • Thursday, April 23 – Climate Change Day - wear red
  • Friday, April 24- Watershed Day - wear blue

PTA NEWS, CLUBS AND OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS


PTA logo and open positions

Join the Bull Run PTA Board for the 2026-27 School Year!

Do you want to have a direct hand in making Bull Run Elementary an even better place for our kids? We are officially looking for parent and teacher volunteers to join our 2026-27 PTA Board!

Open Positions Include:

President

Secretary

Treasurer

Marketing Coordinator

VP of Programs

VP of Ways and Means

Teacher Liaisons & Members at Large


Bull Run PTA flyer for recess coverage, May 4-8. Features a bright playground illustration, a smiling sun, and "Show our teachers appreciation!"

Help Wanted: Recess Coverage Volunteers!

We are looking for some extra hands on the playground! To show our amazing teachers some extra appreciation, the PTA is organizing Recess Coverage from May 4th through May 8th. It’s a great way to get some fresh air, see the kids in action, and give our hardworking educators a well-deserved break. If you have some time to spare during that week, we’d love to have you join us!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BADA623A1F9C25-63561702-teacher


talent show information displayed with a picture of a microphone

 

Bull Run’s Got Talent! 

It’s time to Be Bold and Be Heard! Come out and support your classmates at our upcoming talent show. It’s going to be an unforgettable evening filled with music, entertainment, and lots of fun!

Here’s the lineup:

  • Talent Show: See amazing student performances!

  • Teacher Masked Singer: Can you guess who's behind the mask?

  • BRES Art Showcase: Explore the incredible artwork from our students.

    Event Details:

  • Date: Friday, April 17, 2026

  • Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM)

  • Food: Snacks and food will be available for purchase!

    *Note: This is NOT a drop-off event. Parents must stay with their children.

We can't wait to see you there!


image of a cow with a sign on him, and bull run logo

Take a night off from cooking and support our PTA! Our next Spirit Night is happening soon, and we’d love to see you there.

When: April 22nd | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Where: Chick-fil-A (Chantilly Shopping Center)

How: Mention "Bull Run" at the register or use mobile code BullRun in the app.

Thanks for supporting our school—see you there!


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.


black text on white paper with green logo

Junior Engineering Adventures (Grades K-2) 

Looking for some after-school STEM fun? Engineering For Kids - NOVA is hosting a hands-on program where students build towers, cars, and even rockets!

When: Wednesdays, 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm (Room 109)

Dates: 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 6/3, and 6/10 (No class 5/20 & 5/27)

Price: $135 (Limited to 18 students!)

Register now: bull-run-elementary-school.square.site


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/


pictures of soccer players with a green background

Score Your Tickets for Bull Run PTA Night!

Looking for a fun way to support the school and enjoy some professional soccer? The Bull Run PTA is heading to a Washington Spirit game, and you’re invited!

It’s going to be an exciting night under the lights with our community. Here are the details:

When: Friday, May 30

Kickoff: 6:30 PM

Price: Tickets start as low as $30

Ready to join us? You can grab your seats by scanning the QR code in the flyer or visiting the purchase link.

Going with a big group? If you are looking to purchase 10 or more tickets, please reach out directly to Jordyn Petroff at jpetroff@washspirit.com for assistance.

Let’s get out there and show our Bull Run spirit!


Spring Sports SYA Multi Sports pictures

Spring Multi-Sport Clinic

Perfect for a quick skills boost! This one-day clinic covers a variety of sports in a high-energy environment.

When: April 19, 2026

Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Who: Grades 1–6

 

Spring multi sports SYA camp

Summer Multi-Sport Camp

Keep the momentum going all summer long at the SYA Sports Park. These camps are designed for all skill levels and are a great way to make new friends.

When: Sessions running in June & July

Options: Half-day and full-day sessions available

Who: Groups for Grades 1–3 and 4–6

 

Ready to play? Head over to syasports.org to grab your spot before they fill up!


BULL RUN SPIRIT DAYS


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!


CURRICULUM UPDATES AND INFORMATION


Subjects on books

Grade Level Curriculum 2025-2026


A painting of a staircase and a stack of books with number 6 on top.

BENCHMARK UPDATE

Finishing Up Journeys and Themes in Language Arts 

Benchmark Unit 6 in Language Arts is coming to a close! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about the different lessons that stories across cultures can teach us. 

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

  • Question: If you could go on an adventure like one of the characters you’ve read about in this unit, which one would it be and why?
  • Activity: Ask your child to imagine that they’re going on an adventure. Ask them to draw the items they’ll need to take with them. Would their supplies be different if the adventure was underwater or somewhere very cold?

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..


FCPS NEWS AND RESOURCES


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!

 


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.


Support Your Children During Important Spring Assessments 

Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes summative assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which measure what a student knows, and progress assessments like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which measure where they are in their learning. 

FCPS encourages all families to support their students in taking these tests. Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOLs, so when families choose not to participate in testing, it can impact a school’s accreditation, accountability ratings, and ability to measure student progress accurately.

Parents and caregivers can help their children perform their best on these tests by reminding them to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and the cell phone policy still applies during testing season. 

It is important that students attend school on scheduled testing dates. If you are aware of a conflict that may cause your student to miss a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible. 

Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters


SOLace Flyer

 

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:

  • Calendar Updates
  • Teacher on The Kelly Clarkson Show
  • Support Your Student During SOLs

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.