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School Hours: 9:15 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
School building opens for students at 9:00 AM
Office: 703-988-8900
Attendance: 703-988-8989
May 6, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE
- Teacher Appreciation Week
- Positivity Project at Virginia Run
- Family Science Night at Virginia Run
- Summer Device Check Out Request
- SOL Results Process
- Benchmark Unit 7: Uncovering History in Language Arts
- Parent Input Form for 2026-2027 Class Placement Due on Friday
- Retirement Tribute for the Antoncic’s
- Kindergarten Registration
- Kindergarten & Grades 1-6 New Student Tours & Playdates
- Attendance is Important: Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
- PTA Board for 25-26 School Year
- Virginia Run Science Quest
- PTA Fundraisers
- PE Sports Camp - Summer 2026
- Westfield Theatre Presents Anastasia
- Important Upcoming Dates
- Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
- Monthly Lunch Menu
A poster of the Virginia Run Elementary School Vision and Mission Statements.
1. Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is Here! 🐤💛
The teachers have appreciated all the flowers, classroom items, and sweet treats! Thank you so much! Here are the events for Thursday and Friday.
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Thursday, May 7: Show Your Colors 🎨 Wear your teacher’s favorite color today!
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Friday, May 8: Friday Finale 🎁 End the week strong by bringing a thank-you note, a gift card, or any small gift of appreciation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out:
Skylar Ha [Skylar7981@gmail.com]
Teacher Appreciation 2026 Flyer
2. Positivity Project at Virginia Run
Character Strength: Enthusiasm
This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm means approaching life with energy and excitement, and it helps bring joy to those around us.
When people are enthusiastic, they show excitement about tasks, making it easier for them and others to stay involved. Enthusiastic people often inspire others, bringing fresh ideas and helping groups work better together.
Enthusiasm is contagious! It can lead to more success and happiness for both individuals and groups. When one person shows enthusiasm, it can encourage others to feel more energized and motivated, too.
To practice and encourage the character strength of enthusiasm 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.
3. Family Science Night at Virginia Run
🌟 Family Science Night Is Coming to Our School! 🌟 May 12th @ 6 pm
Join us for an exciting Family Science Night on May 12, brought to you by the Children’s Science Center Lab! This engaging evening is packed with hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and critical thinking while exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) themes.
📅 Date: Tuesday, May 12 ⏰ Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM (Come anytime!) 📍 Location: Cafeteria 👨👩👧👦 Who: K–6 students and their families - friends are welcome, too!
🔬 Featured Activities Include:
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Stacking Currency: Building Financial Literacy
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Electric Piano: Making Music with Circuits
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Monster Math: Creating with Probability
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Forensic Fun: Mystery Solved
- …and much more!
👏 A big thank you to our fantastic volunteers! We have successfully filled all volunteer spots.
Questions about the event? Email Kimberly Wilson at VRESVPEducation@gmail.com.
4. Summer Device Checkout Request
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is excited to support student learning over the summer. This Summer Learning Resources Webpage includes optional digital activities in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies for students in Grades K-6. The activities are grouped by grade level and match what students have learned in school this year. Families can use them anytime to review, practice, or explore new ideas at home.
Resources utilize digital tools that students may have used throughout the year such as Lexia, ST Math, Science A-Z, Pebble Go, Gizmos, Newsela, MyOn, and Britannica Elementary.
These activities require a device to access and some require students to log in through their FCPS Google account. Students may use a home device or their FCPS school device. If your child needs to borrow a device, they may check one out from their school no later than Friday, May 29th by filling out the VRES Student Device Checkout Form for Summer Technology below. (Devices will need to be returned by July 30.) Some digital resources in Clever may be temporarily unavailable in August in preparation for the new school year.
If you need technology support, please visit the Families: Tools and Technology page.
We hope everyone has a fun, safe, and learning filled summer!
VRES Student Device Checkout Form for Summer Technology
5. SOL Results Process
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we enter the SOL testing season, we know many of you are anxious to hear how your child performed. To help you navigate the results process, please see the timeline below:
- If you would like to know whether your child passed or failed their exam before the official reports are released, you may contact your child’s teacher starting the day after their test. They won’t be able to give you a score, however, they can share if the student was a pass/fail.
- Any students who are eligible for a retake will be notified through TalkingPoints. At that time, you can give permission for your child to participate in remediation and retakes.
- The formal, detailed score reports will be posted directly to ParentVUE. These reports are only uploaded once the state has officially certified all results. You will be notified as soon as they are available for viewing.
If you do not have a ParentVue account, please contact the office to set one up.
Thank you for your continued support during the testing season!
Chalk drawings for Teacher Appreciation Week!
6. Benchmark Unit 7: 📚 Uncovering History in Language Arts 📚
Benchmark Unit 7 in Language Arts is about the past, present, and future. Students in K-5 will be learning about history, culture, and geography. Grade six students will learn about the achievements of ancient cultures.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: If you could visit any time in history, when and where would you go?
- Activity: Walk around or think about your neighborhood and talk about how the buildings or other features have changed over time. How might it look in the future?
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.
7. Parent Input Form for 2026-2027 Class Placement
With the end of the year quickly approaching, we are already looking ahead to next school year. While we look at class placements for the coming year, we want you to be aware of the process. We place students in classrooms based on numerous criteria. Students are grouped so that classrooms are heterogeneous, having a balance of boys and girls, a balance of academic performance and ability, and groups that will allow for the greatest support from our resource teachers.
Classroom teachers will have input into the recommendations for next year, as will our counselors and specialists. Our staff has been told that we will not take requests for particular teachers because we base our placement on instructional criteria and individual student strengths and needs. It is unfair to give special consideration to some parents when it would be impossible to grant requests from all parents. Please be aware also that grade level assignments for staff sometimes change, due to late enrollments or other changes. Staff assignments are determined at the end of the summer. Our staff has been directed not to give out information about placement prior to that time to avoid disappointing parents and students when changes are made.
In addition, we also value parent input. If you feel there is pertinent information to support your child’s success for the upcoming school year, you may submit your input by clicking on this Parent Input Google Form. The parent input forms are due by May 8, 2026. We value and consider your insight into your child’s learning needs. Taken together with teacher input, your feedback informs class placements.
8. Retirement Tribute for the Antoncic’s
Dear Virginia Run ES Community, Friends, & Alumni,
We are excited to celebrate the retirement of Mr. Josh Antoncic & Mrs. Heidi Antoncic, who have dedicated their entire careers to our school community. As both educators and partners in life, their impact has been truly special—and we want to honor that in a meaningful way.
We are creating a tribute video and memory book, and we would love for you to be a part of it!
Here’s how you can contribute:
🎥 Submit a short video (30–60 seconds)
You might share:
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A favorite memory or story
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Something they taught you
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A moment you’ll never forget
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What made them special (individually or as a team)
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A message for their retirement
✉️ Write a note for the memory book
You can reflect on:
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How they made a difference in your life
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A meaningful moment
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What you’ll always remember about them
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Words of thanks or well wishes
📸 Optional: Share a photo from your time with them
**Submission Deadline: May 29, 2026
**Submit here: Retirement Tribute for Mr. and Mrs. Antoncic
Please feel free to share this with others who may want to contribute!
Thank you for helping us celebrate two extraordinary educators and the legacy they leave behind.
9. Kindergarten Registration
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
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Determine eligibility.
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Identify your local school.
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Gather documents.
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Fill out forms.
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Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation and any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.
💻 Try Online Registration
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account.
10. Kindergarten & Grades 1-6 New Student Tours & Playdates
Welcome NEW Virginia Run Vikings! You are invited to bring your families and come to Virginia Run on August 11, for a tour of the school and to informally meet new friends. The kindergarten session will be from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and the grades 1-6 session will be from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM. This event will include a bus ride around the neighborhood and a school tour by our very own staff members and administrators, followed by popsicles on the playground. Come out to meet new friends before the first day of school!
11. Attendance is Important: Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
Any student missing 10% of the school year — that is only 2 days per month on average — for any reason (excused or unexcused) is considered chronically absent and may require additional support or intervention.
As of April 29th, Virginia Run’s Year to Date Chronic Absenteeism is 7.6%, being 2.4% away from 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 join our Westfield pyramid schools for having an acceptable chronic absenteeism rate of 10% or lower.
REQUEST FOR PRE ARRANGED ABSENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
FCPS Excused absences include the following reasons: illness, injury, funeral, legal obligations, medical procedures, religious observances, deployment-related absences, or family emergency.
If the reason for this prearranged absence is different from the above, please indicate the reason for the absence. Parents must plan to arrange for their child to complete make-up work, tests, or projects. If the student's planned absences exceed five school days, a parent conference may be required. The conference will include a review of the student's academic and absence record. Students who are absent 15 or more consecutive school days will be withdrawn from enrollment.
Virginia Run Elementary School is committed to providing our students with a high quality education. Academic success relies upon excellent school attendance. Children who come to school on time every day are building critical life skills they will use throughout the rest of their lives. Like strengthening a muscle, building positive attendance habits early on make a difference for our children today and for our adults of tomorrow. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Virginia Run is teaming up with the other 9 schools in the Westfield Pyramid in an effort to make sure all of our students are in school, on time, each day.
Did you know?
- Regular school attendance in grades preschool through grade 6 makes it more likely that
your child will read on grade level.
scheduling vacations around the school year calendar.
- Absences impact learning: A pattern of absences (whether unexcused or excused) is
one of the main reasons children have lower academic achievement.
- Students who attend 90% or more of the school year are more likely to graduate from
high school on time.
- Absences can mask deeper struggles. For example; absences may be a sign that a
student is losing interest in school, he or she may be struggling with school work or peer
relationships, or possibly facing a medical or mental health concern.
Support is available:
All staff members at Virginia Run ES are committed to supporting attendance. Additional resources can be found online at http://www.fcps.edu/attendance. We know that parents are the experts on their own child and our school team is here to partner and help solve attendance-related concerns.
The school counselor, school social worker, psychologist, and family liaison are available:
Jenna DeKeuster, School Counselor: jldekeuster@fcps.edu
Rachel Wyllie, School Counselor: rlwyllie@fcps.edu
Stephanie Whittaker, Social Worker: swwhittaker@fcps.edu
Jini Kapur, Psychologist: jkapur@fcps.edu
Carolina Chavez, Family Liaison: cchavez@fcps.edu
12. PTA Board for 25-26 School Year
President - Matthew Reklau - virginiarunpta@gmail.com
Secretary - Laura McAndrews - secretary@vrespta.onmicrosoft.com
Treasurer - Kyle Jewett - treasurer.virginiarunpta@gmail.com
VP Education - Kimberly Wilson - vresvpeducation@gmail.com
VP Fundraising - Amanda Prindle - vresvpfundraising@yahoo.com
VP Social - Skylar Ha - vresvpsocial@gmail.com
13. Virginia Run Science Quest
🔬 Calling All Scientists! We’re excited to launch our annual Science Quest Exhibition—a chance for students to showcase their discoveries and creativity!
Project Guidelines: • Choose a science topic to explore • Conduct an experiment + analyze your results • Create a tri‑fold display to be exhibited in the school foyer May 11-May 15 • Students may participate individually or in groups
Important Dates: • April 30: Project registration deadline • May 6: Optional 1–2 min project video due (email video to VRESVPEducation@gmail.com) • May 8, 4–6 PM: Project drop‑off/setup in the foyer • May 11–15: Projects on display in foyer + student videos featured on morning news • May 15: Project pickup (4–6 PM or students may bring home at dismissal)
Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/ScienceQuestForm2026
We hope your scientist joins us for this exciting showcase! Please email Kimberly Wilson with questions: VRESVPEducation@gmail.com
Science Quest 2026 Flyer
14. PTA Fundraisers
VRES Spirit Wear
It’s time to refresh your school wardrobe! Show your Viking pride while supporting the Virginia Run PTA! Whether you’re looking for cozy loungewear or fresh gear for the spring, there is something for everyone. A portion of every spirit wear purchase goes directly to the PTA. All items are shipped straight to your doorstep.
What’s in the Shop?
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Apparel: Hoodies, "We Are Virginia Run" sweatshirts, baseball tees, V-neck shirts, and athletic shorts.
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Stay Cozy: Classic blue plaid pajama pants.
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Accessories: Tote bags, lunch boxes, and stylish insulated tumblers in white and light blue.
How to Order
15. PE Sports Camp - Summer 2026
Get ready for an action-packed 4-day adventure at Virginia Run Elementary School! Led by our amazing PE Teacher, Mr. Rosenfeld. Don't miss out on this opportunity to hang with your classmates, learn new skills, and have a blast! We will offer a variety of different sports and activities for students in all grades. This camp is open to all Virginia Run students.
Please note, registration is for one session only - morning OR afternoon.
When: June 22 - June 25
Option 1: Morning Session: 9 AM - 1 PM
Option 2: Afternoon Session: 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Every day we will try to increase the fitness level of each camper. We will do this in many ways, including fitness games, cooperative challenges, and individual fitness sessions where each camper will set a goal for themselves and try to achieve it during the week.
What to bring: Campers should wear proper P.E. clothing each day, which includes tennis shoes. No open toe shoes or Crocs, please. Campers should also bring a water bottle each day. Snacks, including drinks and pizza slices will be available for purchase each day. Contact Kimberly Wilson with registration questions: VRESVPEducation@gmail.com
Spots fill fast — register now and save the date for an unforgettable week of movement, teamwork, and summer fun! ☀️🏀🌈
PE Sports Camp - Summer 2026 Registration
16. Westfield Theatre Presents Anastasia
Westfield Theatre is officially bringing the magic of Anastasia to our stage!
If you’re looking for a "Journey to the Past," you won't want to miss this beautiful production. It’s got everything: mystery, romance, and that incredible music we all love. Come out and support our talented cast and crew as they bring this classic story to life.
Performance Dates & Times
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Evening Shows (7:00 PM): April 30, May 1, May 2, and May 8
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Matinee Shows (12:00 PM): May 3 and May 9
Run Time
2 hours and 30 minutes with a
15- minute intermission.
Special Note
We want everyone to enjoy the magic! There will be an ASL Interpreted Show on May 1st.
Tickets & Info
For tickets and more details go to www.westfieldtheatre.com.
A picture of former VRES students from the cast & crew of the Anastasia!
A picture of Virginia Run's Administration team: Dave Gerstner, Principal, Jessica Green, Assistant Principal, and Lauren Arreaza, Assistant Principal.
17. Important Upcoming Dates
5/4-5/8: Teacher Appreciation Week
5/12: Family Science Night, Cafeteria, 6:00 PM
5/20: Early Release Wednesday-Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM
5/25: Holiday - Memorial Day
5/26: Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
5/27: Holiday for Eid al-Adha
6/3: Field Day, All Grade Levels
6/5: 6th Grade Musical, Cafeteria, 7:00 PM
6/8: Westfield High School Senior Walk, 3:15-3:45 PM
6/10: Art Walk, 5:45 PM
6/10: Band Concert, Gym, 7:00 PM
6/11: Strings Concert, Gym, 7:00 PM
6/17: 6th Grade Promotion, 9:30-11:00 AM
6/17: 2 Hour Early Release (2:00 Dismissal) - Last Day of School!
8/11: Kindergarten & Grades 1-6 New Student Tours & Playdates
- Kindergarten Session: 9:00-10:00 AM
- Grades 1-6: 10:00-11:00 AM
SOL Schedule
May 7: Gr. 5-6 Reading
May 13: Gr. 3-4 Math
May 14: Gr. 5-6 Math
May 19: Gr. 5 Science
May 28 - June 3: Retakes
*Makeups will be held when students return from their absence.
18. Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
19. Monthly Lunch Menu
Please use this link to view the Virginia Run ES Lunch Menu.
A picture of the May Lunch Menu for Elementary School.
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