|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
June 24, 2026
Summer Office Hours
Our Virginia Run office will be open June 22 through July 31st, Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Please call the school office at 703-988-8900 if you need to unenroll and/or register a student for the 2026-27 school year or email Betty Bancroft at ekbancroft@fcps.edu.
**The office will be closed from June 29 - July 3.
IN THIS ISSUE
- Summer Reading Book Bingo 2026
- School Supply Pre-orders for 2026-2027
- Get2Green Needs Your Help
- Helping Your Child Learn at Home
-
Virginia Run 2026-2027 Strings Registration Now Open!
- Virginia Run 2026-2027 Band Registration Now Open!
- Kindergarten Registration
- Kindergarten & Grades 1-6 New Student Tours & Playdates
- New Cell Phone Policy Starts July 1
- FCPS Puzzle Hunt
- Important Upcoming Dates
- Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
A poster of the Virginia Run Elementary School Vision and Mission Statements.
1. Summer Reading Book Bingo 2026
Let’s keep reading all summer! Complete our fun VRES Summer Reading Bingo Board and return it to our librarian, Mrs. Siwert, the first week of school. Everyone who turns in a Bingo Board will be able to choose a prize! Bingo Boards will be sent home with students on the last day of school. Go here to print another copy in English or Spanish.
2. School Supply Pre-orders for 2026-2027
Get a head start on the 2026-2027 school year by pre-purchasing your child’s school supplies!
Five reasons to purchase a school supply kit:
- Teacher Requested Supplies: Your student will have the required supplies, including preferred brands, sizes, colors, and specialty items - delivered directly to the school.
- Headphone Guarantee: Worry-free headphone replacement program.
- Free supplies for the school: Every kit purchased results in additional free supplies for the school.
- Value-Driven Pricing: Competitively priced, with substantial time savings and community benefits.
- Classroom Efficiency: Uniform supplies streamline classroom management for teachers, maximizing learning time.
Kit Pricing (plus tax):
Kindergarten: $56
1st Grade: $72
2nd Grade: $66
3rd Grade: $68
4th Grade: $69
5th Grade: $70
6th Grade: $75
www.campussurvivalkits.com/virginiarun
Order online by July 15!
School Supply Pre-Order Form for School Year 2026-2027
3. Get2Green Needs Your Help
Get2Green has been working hard to bring our garden beds back to life. Please check Virginia Run’s Facebook or Instagram page to see pictures of our new and improved garden beds. If you are interested in helping water the garden beds this summer please email Ms. Berg, jmberg@fcps.edu.
4. Helping Your Child Learn at Home
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. 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 borrowed FCPS school device. 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.
Students will have access to familiar digital tools such as:
- Science A-Z
- PebbleGo
- Gizmos
- Newsela
- MyOn
- Britannica Elementary
- ST Math
Other fun learning opportunities this summer include:
-
FCPS Public Library Reading Adventure Keep students reading, learning, and exploring through books and activities from June 17 to August 19. Children and adults can earn badges and win prizes by reading, listening to books, or completing activities.
-
Book It! During the summer months of June, July, and August, any child that meets their parent-set reading goals can earn a free Pizza Hut® single topping Personal Pan Pizza® from participating locations.
-
Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards Get ten free play points for reading and filling out the Reading Rewards Calendar, these resources are also available in Spanish.
-
Barnes and Noble Participation is a fun and easy way for kids to earn free books by reading books, writing about them in Barnes & Noble's reading journal, and collecting their free book from a store near them during July and August.
We hope everyone has a fun, safe, and learning filled summer!
5. Virginia Run 2026-2027 Strings Registration Now Open!
Fairfax County Public School students in grades 4-12 can participate in their school’s String Orchestra Program. Strings classes take place once a week for an hour during the school day. Strings becomes part of the student's weekly specials schedule. Classroom instruction is not missed during strings class time. Music and method books are provided by the school.
Virginia Run Strings students have the opportunity to participate in many exciting events during the school year. Some events may include: Solo Spotlight, Strings Karate and School Concerts. Students who continue to participate in middle and high school are able to go on orchestra field trips, participate in county and state events, participate in Solo & Ensemble Festivals, and gain many lasting friendships.
Studies have shown that playing an instrument has many benefits especially for the brain. Music training improves cognitive abilities such as working memory and attention across our life span. Music training is a whole brain workout! Playing an instrument is also fun and rewarding! How awesome and rewarding is it to ‘hear” your hard work pay off? Strings students develop a sense of pride, accomplishment and experience being an important member of a group.
In order to participate in Strings, each student will need an instrument. You may rent an instrument from a local music store. It is recommended you rent an instrument instead of buying one. Instruments come in different sizes, so be sure to take your child with you to get sized correctly. Many local music stores offer rent-to-own programs in which you can trade for the next size when your student grows. It is important that a beginner student has a good quality instrument to play so that they do not experience unnecessary frustration trying to learn. Please do not purchase an instrument off the internet. These are often poor quality instruments. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! There is also a limited supply of cellos and basses at the school available to rent. Ask Mrs. Bonanno if you are interested.
Students who have applied for the county assistance program can receive an instrument (violin or viola) for a reduced fee of $20. If you are interested in this option, check the “County Instrument Rental” option on the registration form, and more information will be sent home to you in the fall.
Please use the link below to register.
Strings Registration 2026-27
6. Virginia Run 2026-2027 Band Registration Now Open!
Hello 5th and 6th grade Students and Parents!
All interested students in 5th and 6th grade have the opportunity to learn an instrument as part of the band program. No previous musical experience required! Students that choose to join the band will participate in a one-hour lesson once a week during our specials block. Participating in Band and learning to play a musical instrument is a really fun and rewarding activity that also provides innumerous benefits to a child's overall development. Participating in Band teaches students to be patient and persistent with difficult tasks, delay gratification by practicing in order to sound better, develop curiosity, problem solve, and develop their listening and teamwork skills. I hope you will consider signing your child up for Band!
CHOOSING AN INSTRUMENT
Students have the option of playing Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone/Euphonium, Tuba or Percussion.
PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE OR RENT AN INSTRUMENT FOR YOUR CHILD UNTIL THEY HAVE MET WITH ME FIRST! I will be meeting with all interested Beginning Band students individually during the first two weeks of school to allow them to try out the different instruments and mouthpieces to help them choose an instrument that is a good fit.
BAND CLASSES ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THE THIRD WEEK OF SCHOOL!
*6th GRADE STUDENTS WHO WERE IN BAND LAST YEAR AND CONTINUING ON THE SAME INSTRUMENT WILL BE SIGNING UP FOR ADVANCED BAND!*
RENTING AN INSTRUMENT FROM A LOCAL MUSIC STORE
Most music stores in the area provide an instrument rental/purchase plan. Fees paid during the rental period can be credited toward the purchase of the instrument at a later time. There are several quality music stores near GBE that offer rental of high quality instruments--I will provide you with a list of recommended music stores after your child has made a decision on what instrument they would like to play. DO NOT PURCHASE A CHEAP INSTRUMENT ON AMAZON OR ANYWHERE ONLINE! These instruments are poor quality, difficult to play, break easily, and are not repairable!
RENTAL ASSISTANCE - "Instruments For All" Program
If you have applied for financial assistance through FCPS (reduced field trip fees, school supplies provided to your family, etc.) then you also qualify to receive an instrument at a reduced rental fee through the FCPS Instruments for All program. The county can only provide Flutes, Clarinets, Trumpets, Trombones, or Percussion Kits through this program. There is an option you can click on in the online registration form if you would like more information on this program. If you qualify for the IFA program, I will provide your child with an instrument rental contract to take home after they meet with me and decide on an instrument.
FAQs
Q: Do you accept 6th grade beginners?
A: YES!!! We would love to have as many 5th and 6th graders as possible in our band program this year, which means many 6th graders will be taking on this opportunity for the first time.
Q: How much time outside of school will this take up?
A: All of our band classes happen during the school day and there will be only one evening concert in the Spring which all students will be required to attend—more information on this will come later. Beyond that, band students are expected to practice regularly at home (10-15 minutes per day) but that is done individually so your student is free to work it into their schedule however it best suits your family.
If you have any questions please email me anytime! I am looking forward to another fantastic year for the VRES Band Program!
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael Bandy
VRES Band Director
mlbandy@fcps.edu
Please use the link below to register.
Band Registration 2026-27
7. Kindergarten Registration
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
-
Determine eligibility.
-
Identify your local school.
-
Gather documents.
-
Fill out forms.
-
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.
8. 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!
9. New Cell Phone Policy Starts July 1
On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cell phone possession and use, in order to align FCPS’ cell phone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.
This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, cell phones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as airpods, earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day – thus, no cell phones from bell to bell. More details are available on FCPS’ Cell Phone Policy webpage.
10. FCPS Puzzle Hunt
Third Annual FCPS Puzzle Hunt Encourages Active Family Fun
The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the 3rd Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt, and it kicks off in only three weeks!
This free event is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving over the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation.
New this year: The school with the most solvers will win a special visit from Sue Doku! Sign up for the Puzzle Hunt!
Virginia Run's Administration team: Dave Gerstner, Principal, Jessica Green, Assistant Principal, and Lauren Arreaza, Assistant Principal.
11. Important Upcoming Dates
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
8/20: Open House & Picnic
8/24: First Day of School!
9/9: Back to School Night
10/21: Early Release Wednesday-Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM
12/2: Early Release Wednesday-Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM
2/10: Early Release Wednesday-Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM
5/5: Early Release Wednesday-Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM
12. Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
|
