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Kristen Rucinski - Principal Allison Ovalle - Assistant Principal
Sept. 4-Sept. 7: All FCPS School are closed for Labor Day Weekend
Sept. 9: Back-to-School Night - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15th: PTA Meeting - 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 21: All FCPS Schools Closed
Gunston Gazette
August 28, 2026
A letter from the Principals
Dear Gunston Families,
What an incredible start to the school year! Thank you for trusting us with your children and sharing your amazing Eagles with us each day. Our hallways and classrooms are once again filled with their energy, laughter, curiosity, personalities, and excitement, and we are so happy to have them back! During these first days, our teachers have intentionally focused on building strong classroom communities where every student feels welcomed, valued, and connected. An important part of that work is helping students learn how to communicate with one another with kindness and respect. We are practicing the small ways our words and actions can help others feel included, even when we may not want the same thing. For example, instead of ignoring a classmate who asks to work or play together, students might say, “Thank you for asking, but I would prefer to work by myself right now.” These may seem like small interactions, but they are the habits that help build a community where everyone feels they belong.
Families can help us strengthen these habits at home, too. As you head into the weekend, consider creating a little extra space for face-to-face connection—play a family game, take a walk, cook something together, or simply put the technology aside for a while and talk. These everyday moments give children opportunities to practice listening, taking turns, handling disagreements, sharing ideas, and enjoying conversation with others. Small moments of connection matter.
We are so proud of the way our students have returned ready to learn, reconnect, and become part of their classroom communities. A huge thank you to our families for helping make the opening of school such a success. From preparing students for new routines to showing patience during arrival and dismissal, your partnership makes a tremendous difference. We are excited about all that is ahead for our Eagles this year!
⭐ Believe in What's Possible
Our theme this year is Believe in What's Possible, and throughout the year you will also hear us talk about Small Habits. Extraordinary Growth.
We are helping students understand that success rarely comes from one big moment. It is built through the small choices and habits we practice consistently getting a little better each day, reflecting on our progress, and continuing to try when something is difficult.
We often talk about becoming 1% better each day. For students, that might mean reading a few more minutes, organizing their materials before leaving school, asking a question when they don't understand, practicing a math skill, using their notes to study, or setting a goal and taking one small step toward it.
Those small habits add up to extraordinary growth.
Help Your Eagle Soar
Families are an important part of building these habits! A few simple routines at home can make a big difference:
- Ask your child to show you their planner, folder, or other organizational system.
- Help them develop a consistent routine for completing homework and preparing materials for the next day.
- When a test or project is coming, ask, "What's your plan?" rather than simply, "Did you study?"
- Encourage your child to tell you how they are learning, not just what grade they received.
- Celebrate effort, improvement, perseverance, and the small steps along the way.
You don't need to recreate school at home. A few minutes of conversation can help students develop ownership of their learning.
🚗🍽️ Talk About It: Car Rides & Dinner Tables
Simple questions. Meaningful conversations.
💬 Try Asking This Instead of "How Was School?"
We all know how often "How was school?" gets us a one-word answer: Fine. 😊
Try one of these instead:
- What is something you learned today that you didn't know yesterday?
- What is a goal you would like to consider for yourself?
- Who did you help today? Who helped you?
- What is one thing you're proud of today?
- What is something you don't understand...yet?
- What is your 1% for tomorrow?
Those conversations help us reinforce the same habits of reflection, goal-setting, connection, and growth that students are developing at school.
🚗 Kiss & Ride: Help Us Keep Every Eagle Safe
Thank you for your patience as everyone learns our arrival and dismissal routines. Safety must remain our first priority, particularly during our busiest times of day.
Please remember to follow the established Kiss & Ride traffic pattern, remain attentive to staff directions, drive slowly, and avoid using cell phones while moving through the line. Students should enter and exit vehicles only in designated areas when directed by staff. Please do not drive around other vehicles or create an alternate drop-off or pick-up location for convenience. A few extra minutes of patience helps us keep every child safe. As routines become more familiar, the process will continue to become smoother and more efficient. A reminder from the police department that you may not block traffic on Gunston Road, please do not arrive too early and impede traffic flow. Having your child ready to exit the car in the morning and enter in the afternoon on the passenger side will help the flow of traffic.
⭐ One Week. So Many Possibilities.
The first days of school are about much more than schedules, supplies, and procedures. Our teachers have intentionally spent time building relationships, establishing classroom communities, teaching routines, and helping students know that they are seen, valued, and an important part of Gunston. We are incredibly proud of the start our Eagles have made. There will be challenges this year. There will be things that don't happen perfectly the first time. There will be moments when growth isn't immediately visible. That's okay. We will keep learning, reflecting, adjusting, and looking for that next 1%—together.
Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being such an important part of our Gunston community.
Every Student. Every Day. • Small Habits. Extraordinary Growth. • ⭐ Believe in What's Possible.
Warmly, Ms. Rucinski and Mrs. Ovalle
Labor Day Long Weekend Ahead!
Please note that next weekend will be a four-day weekend for all students and staff in FCPS. Schools and offices will be CLOSED Friday, September 4th, through Monday, September 7th, in honor of Labor Day. School will reopen on Tuesday, September 8th, at the regular time.
Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
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Back-to-School Night
Wednesday, September 9th,
⏰6:00pm - 7:30pm
Student ID Cards
Student ID Cards for Gunston Elementary School Bus Riders
On Monday, August 31, 2026, teachers will begin distributing student ID cards to all of our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.
ID cards should be worn or attached to your child’s backpack and brought to the bus each day.
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 are checking in students 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.
Gunston Elementary Chorus, Band and String Registration
At Gunston, students have the opportunity to join one or more musical group! Please consider joining us. Students can choose band OR strings and they can also sign up for chorus.
Chorus - Do you love to sing, perform, or just have fun making music? Join chorus! Chorus is a place to build confidence, make new friends, learn exciting songs, and share your voice. No experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to sing!
Click this link to join
If you have any questions contact Ms. Maguire almaguire@fcps.edu.
Band is open for registration until Wednesday, Sept 2.
Please fill out this on-line form to register or scan the QR code from the paper given to your child at the band instrument demo. Band will begin the week of Sept. 7th. Band instruments include, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion.
Classes will include embouchure building, sight-reading, scale pattern technique, concert marches, jazz improvisation, popular music, and early preparation for middle school district band auditions. Curriculum is designed for all skill levels.
Contact Mr. Lindsay pilindsay@fcps.edu with any questions
Orchestra is open for registration. Please fill out this on-line form to register. If your student was in orchestra last year, a new registration will need to be submitted. If you have multiple students in grades 4, 5, & 6, please submit a separate registration for each student. If you have any questions, please email the teacher of the group you wish to participate in. Contact Sandra Ragusa, sragusa@fcps.edu, Strings Teacher.
Girls on the Run
Attention 3rd-6th Grade Girls:
Registration is now open for the Girls on the Run/Heart & Sole program at Gunston ES. By using a curriculum that creatively integrates physical activity with life lessons, Girls on the Run empowers girls to develop the confidence and character they need to become strong and healthy young adults. Registration for the Fall 2026 program is open August 17 - September 14, and the season will run from the week of September 21 through November 22. GOTR NOVA's incurred cost per girl is $305; however, the standard registration fee is $225. GOTR NOVA offers adjusted program fees based on a sliding scale according to family income. For more information, go to the Girls on the Run of NOVA website (www.gotrnova.org) or contact the Girls on the Run/Heart & Sole team’s head coach, Heather Temple, at hatemple@fcps.edu.
Ya está abierta la inscripción para el programa de Girls on the Run a Gunston ES. Mediante el uso de un plan de estudios que integra de forma creativa la actividad física con lecciones para la vida, Girls on the Run capacita a las niñas para desarrollar la confianza y el carácter que necesitan para ser adultas fuertes y sanas. La inscripción para el programa de primavera de 2026 está abierta desde el 17 de agosto a 14 de septiembre, y la temporada se durará desde el 21 de septiembre hasta el 22 de noviembre. El costo incurrido de GOTR NOVA por cada niña es $305. Sin embargo, la tarifa de inscripción estándar es $225. GOTR NOVA ofrece tarifas ajustadas basadas en una escala móvil según los ingresos familiares. Para obtener más información, va al sitio web de Girls on the Run of NOVA (www.gotrnova.org/es) o contacta la entrenadora del equipo de Girls on the Run/Heart & Sole, Heather Temple, a hatemple@fcps.edu.
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Join the PTA
Together, we support our students, staff, and school community! Join the PTA. Make an impact. Every member makes a difference!
Thank you for supporting the Gunston PTA! First Meeting is September 15, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Membership access: https://tinyurl.com/Gunston-PTA-membership
Visiting Gunston - Driver’s License is Needed
The safety and security of our students and our staff are of utmost importance. Every visitor who enters the building is monitored. All visitors entering Gunston will need to have a valid driver’s license and sign-in using the Visitor Management System (VMS). The VMS will issue each visitor a sticker that should always be worn when in the building.
Lunch with your Child(ren)
To ensure school staff have time to teach and reinforce cafeteria routines and procedures, we will be delaying the visitation of family members during lunch until September 8th. We have a designated table for families and their student to sit together as the classroom tables need to be available for our students. You must sign into the office with your driver’s license and wear a visitor pass in order to be with your child in the cafeteria.
Communicating with Gunston
At Gunston, our priority is keeping students safe and learning. If you have an immediate need, please call the Front Office at 703-541-3600 so we can quickly connect you with the right staff member.
Families are always welcome to email teachers or use TalkingPoints, but please remember:
Teachers are not available during the school day as they are focused on teaching and supporting students.
School/Principal TalkingPoints is not monitored in real time and may not be seen until later in the day.
For all attendance, transportation, or urgent concerns, the front office is the best first contact. Our teachers and administration will do their best to respond to all emails, phone calls, and TalkingPoints messages within 24–48 hours.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure smooth and timely communication!
SIS ParentVUE
Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE
Are you working your way through back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find important forms and updates.
- Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in ParentVUE. To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
- Submit daylong absences by clicking “Report Absence.”
If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Todo lo que puede hacer en SIS ParentVUE
¿Está completando formularios para el regreso a clases? Asegúrese de tener una cuenta de SIS ParentVUE para usted y su familia e inicie sesión para revisar formularios importantes y actualizaciones.
- Sea de los primeros en recibir información acerca de suspensiones por cuestiones del clima, retrasos de autobuses y otras noticias importantes de su escuela y de FCPS. Para recibir estos mensajes, asegúrese de incluir su número de teléfono celular y correo electrónico en ParentVUE. Para actualizar su información de contacto en ParentVUE, haga click en la pestaña “Online Packets” en la parte superior derecha de la pantalla y luego seleccione el ícono “Online Verification/Update”.
- Si su estudiante no asistirá a la escuela por el día completo, puede reportar la ausencia en ParentVUE haciendo click en “Report Absence”.
- Revisar los registros de vacunación de su estudiante y enviar actualizaciones en caso de que sea necesario. Visite la página web Como enviar documentación de vacunación para ver instrucciones paso a paso.
Si no tiene una cuenta de ParentVUE, comuníquese con la escuela de su estudiante para solicitar un código de activación y siga las instrucciones en el sitio web Cuenta de SIS ParentVUE.
AAP Fall Newsletter
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
For the complete AAP newsletter information click here.
Parent Digital Consent
Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Opt In or Out to Student Devices Being Sent Home for Grades 1-6
New this year, families can opt out of having student laptops sent home with their student.
- If you do not want your student to bring their FCPS-issued device home, please toggle the Opt Out button to a check mark and confirm by pressing Save Selection.
- If you would like your student to bring their FCPS device home, no toggle action is needed. Confirm by pressing Save Selection.
Students whose families opt out will continue to have access to an FCPS-issued device during the school day. Please reach out to your student’s teacher to understand expectations for homework and any learning activities that may require access to technology outside of the school day.
No olvide completar los formularios de autorización para recursos escolares.
Las familias ahora pueden autorizar fácilmente el acceso de sus estudiantes a diversos recursos escolares a través del sistema de Consentimiento Digital para Padres. Puede acceder a esta herramienta en línea con los datos de inicio de sesión de su cuenta de SIS ParentVUE. Los padres pueden autorizar o rechazar fácilmente el acceso de sus estudiantes a distintos recursos como recursos educativos en línea, servicios de consejería escolar y muchos más.
Visite la página de Consentimiento Digital para Padres para acceder al sistema. Vea este video para aprender a utilizar la herramienta.
¿Tiene un estudiante en los grados del 1 al 6? Usted puede decidir si lleva su dispositivo de FCPS a casa.
Como novedad este año, las familias pueden decidir que las computadoras portátiles de los estudiantes se queden en la escuela.
- Si no desea que su estudiante lleve a casa el dispositivo proporcionado por FCPS, active la opción Opt Out hasta que aparezca una marca de verificación y confirme su selección presionando Save Selection.
- Si desea que su estudiante lleve a casa el dispositivo proporcionado por FCPS, no necesita activar ninguna opción. Confirme su selección presionando Save Selection.
Los estudiantes cuyas familias decidan que el dispositivo se quede en la escuela seguirán teniendo acceso a un dispositivo proporcionado por FCPS durante el día escolar. Comuníquese con el maestro o la maestra de su estudiante para conocer las expectativas relacionadas con las tareas y cualquier actividad de aprendizaje que pueda requerir acceso a tecnología fuera del horario escolar.
Transportation Patience and Safety
Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your child’s bus.
If your child’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
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Spanish:Paciencia y Seguridad en el TransporteMuchas gracias por su paciencia mientras todos nos acostumbramos a las nuevas rutinas de este año escolar. Apreciamos que nuestras familias sigan los procedimientos de Kiss and Ride, y que sean pacientes cuando esperan a los autobuses de sus hijos. Si el autobús de su hijo está retrasado, los padres pueden acceder el sistema de notificaciones de retrasos de autobuses o usar la aplicación móvil Here Comes the Bus para recibir el reporte de retraso de autobuses. Para reportar retrasos considerables de autobuses se enviará un correo electrónico. Contáctese con la Oficina de Transporte llamando al 703-446-2150 si tienen preguntas adicionales. Para cualquier preocupación después de horas (después de las 5:30 p.m.), comuníquese con la Oficina de Seguridad llamando al 571-423-2000.
Para asegurarse de que recibirán mensajes de correo electrónico cuando haya un retraso de autobuses, actualicen su información de contacto en SIS ParentVUE.
FCPS Mobile App
Have Children in Multiple FCPS Schools? 🏫
The FCPS mobile app lets you follow updates from all your children's schools in one place! Simply open the app, tap the teal pull-down menu, then tap the gear icon and select every school you want to follow. See this video of how to follow your school.
Find out about more features of the app. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
¿Tiene estudiantes en diferentes escuelas de FCPS? 🏫
La aplicación móvil de FCPS le permite seguir las novedades de todas las escuelas de sus hijos en un solo lugar. Simplemente abra la aplicación, toque el menú desplegable de color verde azulado, luego toque el ícono del engranaje y seleccione todas las escuelas que desea seguir. Vea este video sobre cómo seguir a su escuela.
Aprenda acerca de las demás funciones de la aplicación móvil y cómo pueden hacer más sencillo mantenerse al día con la información de sus hijos y escuelas. Descárguela desde la Apple App Store o Google Play Store.
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