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Dear Cherry Run Families,
The first day of school is almost here!
It was wonderful to see many of you at the Open House today! Monday, we officially welcome our Cardinals back to Cherry Run for the start of the 2026–2027 school year! Our classrooms are ready, our hallways are waiting, and our staff cannot wait to see the smiling faces of our students as they walk through the doors.
We know the weekend before the first day can bring a mix of excitement, anticipation, and a few butterflies for students and families. Please know that our entire Cherry Run staff is ready to welcome, support, and care for every Cardinal as we begin the year together.
As you prepare for Monday, please take a moment to review important arrival and dismissal information, along with our beginning-of-the-year updates. We appreciate your patience and partnership during the first few days as everyone becomes familiar with new routines.
Enjoy the final weekend of summer break, get some rest, and get those backpacks ready! We are looking forward to a wonderful first day filled with new friendships, exciting learning, and lots of fun!
We can’t wait to see our Cardinals on Monday! Here’s to a fantastic 2026–2027 school year!
Warmly,
Maura Donahue and Dave Arthur
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8/24 First Day of School
9/9 Back to School Night |
Back to School Night
Back to School Night: Wednesday, September 9th 6:00 – 7:35pm These sessions are an opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn about grade level curriculum, classroom procedures, schoolwide expectations, and more.
- 6:00 – 6:45 pm: Kindergarten – 6th grade (Session 1)
- 6:50 – 7:35 pm: Kindergarten – 6th grade (Session 2) *This session will be a repeat of Session 1 for families who have more than one child.
Cherry Run Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival/DismissalBell Schedule: 9:20 AM - 4:05 PM (daily)
It is important that parents and caregivers make note of our start times. The school is unable to provide supervision or access to the building outside of these times. Daily attendance is critical for school success. Please refer to the linked FCPS calendar as a planning support.
9:05 AM- Doors open and all students may enter at their designated door (*see below)
9:20 AM- School starts. Students arriving at this time or later need to be escorted to the office with a parent/guardian. Parent/Guardian fills out a late slip in the lobby before coming into the office. Dropping students off alone is not permitted.
4:05 PM- Dismissal begins with students exiting their designated door (*see below)*Designated doors: students in grades K-3 will enter/exit through Door 1 (main entrance). Students in grades 4-6 will enter/exit through Door 2 (cafeteria doors).
Walkers and Bus Riders
Students will enter and exit through their designated door. Students in grades K-3 will enter/exit through Door 1 (the main entrance). Students in grades 4-6 will enter/exit through the cafeteria doors. Personalized 2026-2027 bus information (as applicable) will be available via ParentVUE/SIS and you will receive direct notification from the FCPS transportation office.
Kiss and Ride
Arrival Procedures: To keep morning drop-off safe and smooth, we use a Kiss and Ride system for families who drive their children to school.
Here’s how it works:
- Pull your car up in the Kiss and Ride lane at the front of the school.
- Your child should be ready to hop out quickly (shoes on, backpack ready).
- Once your car stops, your child can get out on the passenger side only. There will be staff members available to help.
- After your child exits safely, pull forward. **Reminder, the kiss and ride is a single file line, passing cars is not permitted.
Dismissal Procedures: Kiss and Ride students will be dismissed from Door 6 (SACC entrance).
Here’s how it works:
- Each family is assigned a car number to place in their front windshield.
- Each student has a matching number on their backpack.
- At dismissal, staff on duty will look at the number on the car and call for the student(s) with the same number.
- Students wait safely until their number is called, then walk to their car.
Please do not park or pass cars in the Kiss and Ride lane. This helps keep traffic moving for everyone and ensures the safety of our students.
Student ID Cards
Student ID Cards for Cherry Run Bus Riders
We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.
Student ID cards will be distributed by classroom teachers on the first day of school at the end of the day for bus riders only.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers will begin checking in students next week and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
FCPS Mobile App
Get Ready for Day One with the FCPS App! 🎒As we gear up for the first day of school, make sure you have the FCPS mobile app downloaded! It's the quickest way to check the school year calendar, view lunch and breakfast menus, find school contacts, and jump to ParentVUE or Schoology from your phone.Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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School Meals
Help Your Child Navigate the Lunch Line
Check out some tips to help your child get through the lunch line quickly and have more time to eat:
- Teach your child their student ID number to receive meals at school.
- Sign up for and add money to MySchoolBucks to purchase meals at school.
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Apply for free and reduced-price meals. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
If your child has any food allergies, learn how to submit accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergens.
Access menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.
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Lightspeed Updates
You Can Manage Student Web Access at Home
At Cherry Run ES, we acknowledge that parents are our students' first and most important teachers. Parents now have greater control over their child’s FCPS-issued device outside of school hours through Lightspeed Parent Portal.
In addition to monitoring weekly internet activity, parents can now also customize web access at home on FCPS devices through Lightspeed using Schedules and Web Rules.
With Schedules, you can set tailored times to automatically pause or restrict internet access. This makes it easier to enforce rules around homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
In Web Rules, you can create Custom Block Lists to block specific, individual websites they do not want your child accessing at home. This allows parents greater control over what is happening online, under their own roof.
These new custom controls take effect at home, outside of school hours, and when the device is off the FCPS network. They will not override standard district filtering policies during the instructional day.
Customize Your Lightspeed Settings
All parents should be receiving weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report emails. To set up these new features, click the “Log in or Register” button at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email.
Visit the FCPS Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide for more information. If you have additional questions, submit a Parent Technology Support Ticket.
Parents are encouraged to discuss internet boundaries with their children so that they can understand the reasoning behind any limits and the differences between access at home and at school. Get tips on talking to your children about technology safety.
Schoology
💻 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology
Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.
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SEL Screener
SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Notification
The Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 12 in October. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Family Information Phone Lines
Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
FCPS on WhatsApp
Follow FCPS on WhatsApp
Is WhatsApp one of the ways you stay connected with family, friends, and your community? Now you can use it to stay connected with FCPS, too.
Follow the new FCPS WhatsApp Channel for helpful information and reminders throughout the school year, including important announcements, upcoming dates, tips for families, and more.
Immunizations
Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records
Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Prior to the start of school on Monday, August 24, please submit your child’s immunization documentation. If your child has an appointment to receive their required immunizations after August 24, please submit an Immunization Action Plan to confirm the appointment.
You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. Please visit the FCPS How to Submit Immunization Documentation webpage for step-by-step instructions on how to submit each of these items.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
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.
Additional immunization resources are also available.
Dates for Early Release 26-27
Early release Wednesdays will start in late September 2026. Each elementary school will have a total of four early release days throughout the school year. Lunch will be provided on early release Wednesdays.
Days depend upon the pyramid under which a school falls. Check FCPS' Region and Pyramid Map for a breakdown.
Early release Wednesdays for elementary schools in the Annandale, Edison, Falls Church, Herndon, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, Lake Braddock, South Lakes, West Springfield, and Woodson pyramids:
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September 30
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November 18
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January 13
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April 7
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