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Dear Bull Run Families,
We are excited to welcome our students back and begin another year of learning, growth, and new experiences together. Before we look ahead, I want to celebrate what our students, staff, and families accomplished last year. Together, we achieved incredible things. Our students demonstrated outstanding academic growth, and these accomplishments reflect what is possible when students, families, and school staff work together toward a common goal:
- We achieved a 6.5% chronic absenteeism rate, reflecting stronger student engagement and family partnerships, as we improved from a 12.2% rate.
- Our multilingual learners demonstrated an 8.4% increase in overall WIDA growth.
- We saw a steady decline in students identified in the moderate and high-risk categories on the VALLSS, showing that our targeted reading interventions are making a real difference.
- On the MAP assessment, every grade level (1st through 6th) demonstrated above-average growth, with an outstanding Median Growth Percentile of 75, far exceeding the national average of 50.
- 75% of our third graders passed the Reading SOL, an incredible increase from 58% the previous year.
- 76% of students in grades 3-6 passed the Reading SOL, and 81% of students passed the Math SOL, up from 73%.
- Our commitment to the Portrait of a Graduate continued with 100% of students in grades 3-6 maintaining student portfolios and completing a Presentation of Learning.
This year's theme is All In, All Together. Imagine a line of dominoes; every domino plays an important role. When each one is aligned, even the smallest push creates incredible momentum. Our school community works the same way. Students, families, teachers, support staff, and community members all play an essential role in helping children succeed.
Together, we will continue fostering a safe, caring, and inclusive environment where every student feels welcomed, respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential. We believe that strong relationships between home and school are the foundation for student success, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us each day.
I hope to see you next Friday, August 21st, at our Open House (see details below). We can't wait to welcome both our returning and our new students and their families into the building!
Please see some important information in the Highlights section below.
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Mr. Marotta
August 21:
Popsicles on the playground and Open House (PreK and Kindergarten only) 10:30am-11:30am
Open House (Grades 1-6 only) 12:30pm-2:30pm
August 24: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
September 04 and 07: NO SCHOOL (Labor Day Holiday)
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*The full FCPS 2026-2027 calendar can be accessed here.
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We can't wait to see all of our students back officially on August 24th! Check out these back-to-school tips to make sure your child gets off to a great start. |
Welcome Back to Bull Run Elementary!
We are so excited to kick off another fantastic school year! As we gear up for day one, here are a few key dates to mark on your calendar:
Open House (August 21st):
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Pre-K & Kindergarten: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
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Grades 1–6: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
First Day of School: August 24th
Back to School Nights (Times TBD):
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Pre-K – Grade 3: September 15th
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Grades 4–6: September 17th
Let’s make this a great year! #chargerSTRONG
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Updated Visitor & Entry Protocols at Door 1
To align with new county-directed safety guidance and enhance security across our building, we are updating our main entry procedures.
The inner vestibule doors at Door 1 will remain locked at all times. Please review how to navigate Door 1 based on the purpose of your visit:
Scenario 1: Dropping Off Items for a Student
- Press the buzzer at Door 1 for access into the front vestibule.
- Place the item (clearly labeled with your student's full name and grade) on the drop-off shelf located inside the vestibule.
- Office staff will retrieve the item from the shelf and deliver it to your student.
Scenario 2: Early Student Pick-Up
- Press the buzzer at Door 1 for access into the front vestibule and wait inside.
- Office staff will communicate via the intercom to verify dismissal details (e.g., doctor’s note, prior email) and call your student to the main entry.
- Remain in the secure vestibule until your student is brought down to meet you.
Scenario 3: Meetings & Volunteer Opportunities
- Press the buzzer at Door 1 for access into the front vestibule.
- Scan your ID and check in using the Raptor Security System kiosk in the vestibule.
- Once cleared, a staff member will unlock the inner entry door to welcome you into the main office or direct you to your destination.
These updated steps are part of a county-wide effort to keep our students and staff safe while maintaining an organized, secure learning environment. We appreciate your partnership and cooperation in following these new guidelines!
TIPS AND REMINDERS:
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Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
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.
Special Diets
All dietary accommodation requests will be processed via centralized forms, which can be found at Dietary Accommodations | Fairfax County Public Schools. Any information about dietary accommodations, including menu communications, requests, etc, is to be sent to dietary.forms.fns@fcps.edu
Please note that forms will only need to be submitted once during the student’s enrollment, unless there are any medical changes.
Forms:
Medical Dietary Accommodation Form - This form is for any student who requires medical dietary accommodations (including allergies). A healthcare practitioner must sign this form.
Milk Substitution Form - This is for any student who cannot drink cow's milk. This form must be signed by a parent/guardian.
Medical Discontinuation Form: If a student no longer requires a medical accommodation that is still on file with FNS, parents must complete this form.
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Good News! There is still time to get a jump start on the new school year! 😊
Check out these fun activity boards and have your students hand them in to their new teachers OR to Mrs. Brown (Literacy Specialist) and Mrs. McPherson (Elementary Math Resource Teacher) when they return to school!
Math Board PDF
Math Board PDF (SPANISH)
Reading Board (SPANISH)
Reading Board
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We would like to welcome our new PTA Board Members for the 2026-2027 School Year!
President: Whitney Bell
Vice President of Ways & Means: Carlin Ferraro
Vice President of Programs: Libbie Shah
Treasurer: Matt Wylan
Secretary: Jessica Kollaros
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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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New Student ID Cards Coming This Fall
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.
The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 FCPS students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.
The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
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New ParentVUE Mobile App
On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app become 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.
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:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
- 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.
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.
- The FCPS Family Academy is where families can learn and get support for their child’s school journey. Check out its catalog for upcoming classes, workshops, and webinars to help families learn about FCPS, parenting, early literacy, and how to partner with schools.
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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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Study Help and Support Available to Students in Schoology: A new Schoology Study and Support Hub is available for students in Schoology. This space was developed by the FCPS Educational Technology Team with input from students. It is designed to provide essential study tools and academic support resources directly to our learners. Students can log in to Schoology and read their Schoology announcements or watch this video on the support hub for more information
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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:
- New Student Device Requirements
- Math Textbooks
- Football Game Safety Measures
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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