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Hello Bull Run Families,
This week our students in grades 3-6 started their Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. I am excited to see the growth our students have made throughout the school year! I'll share those results at the end of the school year with the community.
Speaking of improvement; we have made tremendous growth with improving our chronic absenteeism rate this year. One of our goals within our annual School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP) is to end the year with a chronic absenteeism rate under 10%. Currently we are at a 6.5% rate. This is an incredible statistic, and it is not just a testament to our hard work, but it is due to your commitment as families to your children's academic journey. I want very much to end the year as strong as possible, so please see our fun initiative to end the year!
This week was also Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the incredible educators and support staff who make our school community so special. Their dedication, compassion, and tireless efforts shape not only academic success but also the character and confidence of every student they serve. I also want to thank our families and community members for joining us in celebrating and supporting our staff this week. Together, we continue to build a strong, caring, and inspiring environment where everyone can thrive.
Reminders:
Tomorrow, Friday May 08, is Keep it Mellow – Wear yellow to celebrate your teacher in your own special way!
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Mr. Marotta
May 04-08: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!
May 18: Speech Language Pathology Appreciation Day
May 20: Three-Hour Early Release Wednesday
May 21: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
May 25: Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)
May 26: Teacher Work Day (NO SCHOOL) / Eid al-Adha (starts at sundown)
May 27: Eid al-Adha / School Planning Day (NO SCHOOL)
May 29: STEAM Night, 5:30-7:30pm
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month is about more than awareness. It’s about showing up for one another. It provides a chance to stand with your community and show that no one struggles alone. Everyone is invited to speak up against mental health stigma.
Learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website.
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Jewish American Heritage Month
May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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*The full FCPS 2025-2026 calendar can be accessed here.
Remaining 2026 SOL Testing Dates
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Friday, May 8
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3rd Grade Reading
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4th Grade Reading
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Tuesday, May 12
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5th Grade Math
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6th Grade Math
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Wednesday, May 13
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3rd Grade Math
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4th Grade Math
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Tuesday, May 19
Finish the School Year #ChargerSTRONG!
We are heading into the Final 4 (there are four full weeks of school, with a smaller week in between) — and we want every student to count! To celebrate Bull Run Elementary and keep our attendance soaring, we’re launching a special spirit challenge.
The Weekly Challenge:
If your student's class reaches at least 95% attendance for the week, they get to participate in a fun Spirit Day at the end of each week!
Mark your calendars for these themes:
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May 15: Pajama and Stuffed Animal Day! 🧸
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May 22: Crazy Hair or Hat Day! 🧢
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June 5: Mismatch / Backwards Clothing Day! 🙃
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June 11: Sunglasses at School Day! 😎
The Grand Prize:
We’ve saved the best for last. If the entire school maintains a 95% attendance rate throughout these four weeks, we get to tape Mr. Marotta to the wall! Let’s show up, have some fun, and see if we can get the Principal stuck!
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Strings registration for the upcoming school year is now open!!
Sign your rising 4th, 5th, or 6th grader up now!
STRINGS REGISTRATION 2026-27
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Call for Future Leaders (SCA Officers)
Is your student interested in making a difference at Bull Run? The SCA is looking for officers for the 2026-2027 school year!
Current 5th Graders can run for President, Vice President, or Secretary.
Current 4th Graders can run for Treasurer or Historian.
How to Apply:
1. Pick up an application packet from Ms. Brown or Ms. Diggs starting this Friday, May 1st.
2. Complete the packet and secure two teacher recommendation forms.
3. Turn everything in by the deadline: May 15th.
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On Friday, May 15, we will have a Community student parade followed by a night event where families can host tables to celebrate their cultures with one another! Celebrating the diversity of cultures within our school not only fosters unity but also gives everyone a chance to learn from one another.
Please REGISTER HERE for the event if you would like to host a table!
There was a flyer sent home last week with a QR Code; please disregard that link and use the one above only.
Thanks and I apologize for any confusion!
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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
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Join the Centreville HS Wildcats for a Festival to Fight Cancer! This "Carnival for a Cause" raises awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research.
The Details
When: Friday, May 8th | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Centreville HS Faculty Parking Lot (6001 Union Mill Rd, Clifton)
Entry: Donation-based! Pay what you can and stay as long as you’d like.
Fun for Everyone
Enjoy a night of ring toss, bowling, face painting, arts & crafts, Kona Ice, and more.
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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/
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Washington Spirit vs. Seattle Reign FC
When: Saturday, May 30th @ 6:30 PM
Where: Audi Field
Theme: It’s "Youth Nite"—a perfect chance to see some pro action in D.C.!
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!
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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!
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Looking for summer plans? HMC Equestrian in Centreville is now enrolling for their summer horse camps! It’s a fantastic way for kids to learn riding skills and horse care in a fun, hands-on environment.
The Details
Where: 6001 Bull Run Post Office Rd, Centreville, VA
Price: $725/week (Save $10 with code: CAMP10)
Levels: All abilities welcome—from beginners to advanced riders.
2026 Schedule
June 22 – Aug 7: Seven different weeks available.
Weeks 1, 3, 5, & 7: Open to all skill levels.
Weeks 2, 4, & 6: Focused on Intermediate and Advanced riders.
Sign up today: Visit hmcequestrianllc.com or email hmcequestrianllc@gmail.com for more info!
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Tackle the Summer at Wildcat Football Camp!
Calling all 2nd–8th graders! Join Centreville High coaches and players for our 1st Annual Youth Football Camp this June. It’s four days of drills, 7-on-7, and big-time fun.
When: June 8th – 11th | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: CVHS Football Stadium
Cost: $200 ($150 for a 2nd camper)
Bonus: Free T-shirt and awards on the final day!
REGISTER HERE
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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!
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https://bullrun.deco-apparel.com/ Order Bull Run Spirit Wear at any time throughout the school year!
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!
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BENCHMARK UPDATE
Halfway Through Uncovering History in Language Arts
We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 7 in Language Arts! Across grade levels, students have explored why the past is important, how communities evolve, and ancient cultures.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: What is one thing people in the past did differently from us? Would you want to live back then? Why or why not?
- Activity: Ask your child to pretend they’ve created a new world. What would they name it? Who would live there? What would it look like and how would it change over time? Have them draw a picture.
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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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!
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FCPS Caters to Food Allergies
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month. The FCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure every student has access to safe and nutritious school meals. Since 1 in 13 children in the U.S. has a food allergy, FNS works closely with families to provide reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs affect what they can eat at school.
To support students appropriately and safely, families are asked to submit medical documentation to FNS from a U.S. licensed health care provider so we can tailor meals to each child’s needs.
Learn more about the documentation required and the steps to develop a safe menu for students.
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.
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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.
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:
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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.
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FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
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Family Academy – Where families can learn and get support for their child's school journey. Learn more on our website.
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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.
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FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Caters to Food Allergies
- Immunizations Needed Before 7th
- Thank you Teachers and Staff!
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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#chargerSTRONG
Mr. Marotta, Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Rozzoni are proud of our #chargerSTRONG community!
Want to view previous Bull Run Bulletins? Click here.
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