Summer Updates

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


Kinder Camp

Popsicles, play, and smiles at our Kindergarten playdate!


Garden Camp

Dirt-covered hands and happy hearts at Garden Camp today.


Upcoming Dates

August 13: Kinder Camp (for registered Kinder Camp students)-8:30-11:30am 

August 13: Kindergarten Orientation (Parents) & Bus Ride (Students): 11:30-12:00pm

August 13: Kindergarten Popsicle Playdate - 12:00pm, Playground

August 20: New Family Orientation with Admin - 1:00pm

August 20: Open House - 1:30-3:30pm

August 20: Popsicles on the Playground - 3:00pm

August 24: First Day of School for the 2026-27 school year (Grades K-12)

August 24: First Day of School for Students in the Preschool Autism Classroom (PAC) Program

August 27: First Day of School for Students in the ECCB Program

September 4 & 7: No School - Labor Day 

September 17: Back to School Night

September 21: No School - Yom Kippur

View the 2026-27 school year calendar for additional important dates.      


Cubbie News

Dear Cub Run Families and Friends, 

We hope you are all enjoying a fantastic summer! Our team is eagerly gearing up for the 2026–27 school year, and we are counting down the days until we welcome our students back into our classrooms.

We had a wonderful kindergarten playdate this morning! It was exciting to meet many of our new Cubbies and watch them make new friends before the official start of the school year.

Our team continues to work hard getting the building ready, finalizing schedules, and planning for an exceptional year ahead. Please see below for continued updates and additional information on upcoming events as we prepare to kick off the new school year.

Looking ahead, you won't want to miss our Open House on Thursday, August 20! This is a wonderful opportunity for your student to get familiar with their learning space and for your family to connect with their teacher.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Enjoy these final weeks of summer break, and we look forward to seeing everyone very soon!

Warm regards,

Melissa Miller, Principal

Nausheen Haider, Assistant Principal

Stephanie Kaminsky, Assistant Principal


Kinder Camp - August 13

Our 2026 Kinder Camp is next week! This is a great opportunity for our Kinder Cubbies to get to know Cub Run, start learning our routines, and to ride a school bus! Spending time with your student before school starts will also help inform our Kindergarten class placement process for the 2026-27 school year. We look forward to seeing our Cubbies at Kinder Camp!

Date:  August 13, 2026

Time: 8:30 am - 11:30 am

Cost: Free

Transportation: Families are responsible for bringing their campers and picking them up.

Supplies:  Backpack, small snack, and water bottle (can be in a lunchbox or bag labeled with student's name)


Rising Kindergarten Summer Playdates

Our rising kindergarten Cubbies are invited to join us for our next kindergarten playdate on our playground this summer! It will take place at the conclusion of Kinder Camp on August 13 at 12:00pm. Come out to meet new friends before the first day of school!


New Family Orientation - August 20

Are you a new family joining us at Cub Run? We are looking forward to welcoming our new Cubbies to the school year! 

Our new Cub Run families with students in grades 1-6 are invited to join us for our Meet and Greet/New Family Orientation on Thursday, August 20 at 1:00 PM in our cafeteria. Families will have the opportunity to learn about Cub Run in preparation for Open House and our first day of school! 


Open House - August 20 

We are excited to welcome our families and students back for another wonderful school year! There’s nothing quite like the magic of meeting new and familiar faces, greeting our teachers, and coming together to welcome a new school year. 

Please join us for our annual Open House on Thursday, August 20. Come explore classrooms, meet teachers and staff, and reconnect with friends! Afterwards, join us for popsicles on the playground, a great chance for our community to mingle and celebrate the new school year. 

Thursday, August 20, 2026

1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cub Run New Family Orientation - Cafeteria 

1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cub Run Open House

To help create a comfortable experience for everyone, we recommend the following classroom visit schedule:

  • Last names A through L: 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Last names M through Z: 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Here’s to another fantastic year ahead! This year is extra special as we celebrate 40 years of Cub Run, and we are thrilled to learn, grow, and celebrate together. Thank you for making our community extraordinary. We look forward to seeing everyone! 


Teacher Assignments Available in ParentVUE - August 20

Families will be able to view their child's 2026-27 teacher assignment beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20 through their ParentVUE account. We encourage families to log in before arriving at Open House so you'll know which classroom to visit. We will also have many staff members available to help direct you to your child’s classroom.

If you have not yet activated your ParentVUE account, you can learn more and get started by visiting the FCPS ParentVUE information page: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/student-information-system-sis-fcps/sis-parent-account-overview

Don't have a ParentVUE account yet? No problem! We will have a ParentVUE assistance table available during Open House where staff members can help you create your account. 


26-27 School Supply Lists

Please visit our website to review grade level school supply lists. 


Tax Free Weekend

Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9, is a sales tax holiday in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Visit Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday webpage for details on eligible items, including school supplies and clothing.


Student Online Verification Update

The 2026–27 Online Verification/Update (OVU) packet is now available in ParentVUE. The OVU packet allows parents to electronically update phone numbers, emergency contacts, health conditions, and upload immunization records for their students via ParentVUE. 

Please take time in the next few weeks before Open House to update your student's information.  Instructions and detailed information are available here.

The OVU packet includes a section where parents can request childcare for the four elementary Early Release Wednesdays.  


Early Release Wednesdays for the 2026-27 School Year

FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number of days has been reduced from eight to four. 

Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students. 

Please view the dates for Cub Run's early release Wednesdays below:

  • October 21
  • December 2
  • February 10
  • May 5

Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays.


FCPS Mobile App

Download the FCPS App Today!

The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store

With the app, you can:

  • View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
  • Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
  • Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
  • Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
  • Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.

No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app


New ParentVUE Mobile App 

A new ParentVUE mobile app just became available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.

In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.

Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request


New Student ID Cards and Bus Navigation System

This fall, every FCPS student who will ride a school bus will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a division wide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school. 

Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card. Families can help by reinforcing this new habit with their child.

Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.


Apply Today for Free or Reduced-price Meals

Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. 

The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.

Meals for Students Available Through August 21

No-cost meals will be provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis through Friday, August 21, at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on site while eating their meals.


New Cell Phone Policy Started July 1

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 went into effect on July 1 and states that all schools must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.

This means that 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.


Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities Update 

Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.

Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.

Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.


Immunizations

Back-to-School Immunization Requirements

Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:

  1. Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
  2. If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
  3. Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.

Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date. 

Where to Receive Immunizations

If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider or one of the following immunization events. 

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.

If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit a Health Department clinic. Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) clinics offer immunizations to all Fairfax County students, as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations or need a booster. 

Summer back-to-school immunization clinics are also available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.

Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.

Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.


Creative Commonwealth Sticker Competition 

VA250 has announced The Creative Commonwealth Sticker Competition, a creative opportunity for students across Virginia to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

This contest invites students in grades K–12, as well as collegiate students enrolled in Virginia colleges and universities, to design an original sticker that reflects the spirit of Virginia’s history, culture, and contributions to the nation in honor of the Semiquincentennial. Submissions may be created through hand-drawn or digital artwork, allowing students flexibility in how they express their ideas.

Submission Deadline: October 1, 2026 Winners Announced: October 12, 2026

Students must submit:

  • A digital image or scanned copy of their artwork (or physical media submission)
  • Student name
  • Grade level or collegiate institution
  • City, county, or school division
  • Parent/guardian consent (required for minors)

Awards for Each Winner Include:

  • $250 worth of Virginia 250 merchandise
  • Production of their design as an official Virginia 250 sticker
  • Recognition through Virginia 250 promotional channels and events

The contest is open to students residing in Virginia in the following divisions:

  • Elementary School: Grades K–5
  • Middle School: Grades 6–8
  • High School: Grades 9–12
  • Collegiate: Students enrolled in any Virginia college or university

You will find the rules and regulations, a printable submission page, and the online submission link on the Virginia 250 website.


Reminders

Summer Literacy Resources

Students can join the Fairfax County Public Library Summer Reading Adventure! You can earn badges as you read books and complete various activities. Once you finish the program, you can receive prizes!

Students can also fill out a Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Journal to earn a free book!

And Pizza Hut has brought back their Book It! program! Earn a personal pan pizza as you read your way through the summer. 

We would love to hear about your reading adventures this fall when you return to Cub Run! Happy reading, Cubbies!

Summer Digital Learning Resources

To support continued student learning during the summer, FCPS is offering a variety of digital resources for students. Families can visit the Summer Learning Resources webpage to access grade-level, flexible, and engaging activities in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies for families to use at home.

Students will have access to familiar digital tools such as:

  • Science A-Z
  • PebbleGo
  • Gizmos
  • Newsela
  • MyOn
  • Britannica Elementary
  • ST Math

Families can visit the Families: Tools and Technology page on the public website for more information, or if you have questions about accessing these learning tools from a personal device over the summer, you can reach out to our School Based Technology Specialist, Maggie Brown at mmbrown1@fcps.edu.


CARES
Cubbie Den

Be Informed, Stay Involved!