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School Hours: 9:15 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
School building opens for students at 9:00 AM
Office: 703-988-8900
Attendance: 703-988-8989
September 9, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE
- Back to School Night TONIGHT
- Family Life Education Instructional Program Information
- FLE Parent Preview Night
- Positivity Project
- Advanced Academic Programs Fall Newsletter
- Superintendent's Family Vision Group
- ParentVue Update
- Elementary Early Release Wednesdays - Childcare Information via Student Online Verification/Update
- Stay in the Know with Here Comes the Bus
- Weather and Alerts From FCPS
- Lunch Family Visitor Expectations
- Free and Reduced Price Meals - Apply Now
- PTA Board for 26-27 School Year
- A Little Free Library Shines in The Meadows!
- Join the PTA
- PTA Fundraisers - SweetFrog Fundraiser Tomorrow!
- VRES Fall 2026 Clubs
- 18th Annual Asha Jyothi 5K
- Important Upcoming Dates
- Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
- Monthly Lunch Menu
Calendar Reminders
Yom Kippur (Holiday)
Monday, September 21, is a holiday, and schools and offices will be closed.
See the complete school year calendar.
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A poster of the Virginia Run Elementary School Vision and Mission Statements.
1. Back to School Night TONIGHT
Back to School Night will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Since we do have families with children in multiple grade levels, we are offering 2 sessions with a transition in between to give families time to get to the next teacher. Session times are below:
5:00-5:30 PM Full-Time AAP Information Session in the Library: We will have a Back to School Night Information Session for families who have students currently enrolled in the local full time advanced academic program grades 3-5.
Session I Grades PS, Kindergarten, 3 and 4: 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
Session II Grades 1, 2, 5 and 6*: 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
*Grade 6 session will begin in the library at 6:30 PM
PLEASE NOTE: It is strongly recommended that students not attend back to school night, however, if it is not an option, students can come to the event as long as they remain under the supervision of their parents during the entire event.
2. Family Life Education Instructional Program Information
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve. Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community.
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, nonpunitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices. If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt out forms are available in Parent Digital Consent. Paper opt-out forms are available from your child’s school. Students receiving special education services and accessing modified curriculum will receive a printed opt-out form for modified FLE lessons.
Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at Elementary (K-6) , Middle School (7-8) , and High School (9-12). FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in Schoology. Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account. Grade level-specific lessons are also available at the City of Fairfax Regional Library (this location does not have media). Grade level-specific lessons and media that is not streamed online are available for review at your child’s school library. Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media online.
Program questions may be addressed at your child’s school or by contacting Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or by email to fle@fcps.edu.
3. FLE Parent Preview Night
Students in grades K-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their classroom teacher. Students in kindergarten through grade three receive instruction in an emotional and social health unit. For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed grade-level program descriptions at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle.
In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review in multiple locations.
You are invited to attend an evening opportunity to preview the Family Life Education media and lessons and to talk with school staff about the program. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 9th from 4:30-5:30 at Virginia Run in the library. This will take place before Back to School Night. All program materials and media for all grade levels will be available for your review at this time.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please complete the opt-out form available in Parent Digital Consent (PDC) at https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent/directions. If you are unable to access PDC, a paper opt-out form may be requested from the main office.
4. Positivity Project
This week, our school will focus on the character strength of Open-Mindedness. This means being willing to consider new ideas and try new things. It involves looking at situations from all sides and not jumping to conclusions.
Open-mindedness is about seeking out and fairly weighing evidence, even if it goes against our own opinions or goals. Open-minded people listen to different viewpoints, including those that are less popular. They are often good listeners and provide balanced advice, which makes them great friends and confidants. This strength helps individuals form meaningful and lasting relationships.
To practice and encourage the character strength of open-mindedness at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions.
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5. Advanced Academic Programs 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.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Kelly Coulter School Testing Coordinator, at kmcoulter@fcps.eduby September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Brittany Wade our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: 9/29/26 at 9:45 AM in the Cafeteria. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: 11/10/26 at 6:00 PM in Room 225. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Brittany Wade, AART, at bwade@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
6. Superintendent's Family Vision Group
Virginia Run Elementary School is seeking one more parent or caregiver representatives to serve on the Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent's Family Vision Group for the 2026–27 school year.
The Superintendent's Family Vision Group provides families with an opportunity to partner directly with FCPS by sharing perspectives, providing feedback, and helping strengthen the connection between schools, families, and the division. Representatives serve as consistent voices for our Virginia Run community and participate in meetings throughout the school year.
We encourage all interested parents and caregivers to consider this opportunity. You do not need to be a PTA member or have previously served in a leadership role to apply.
Representatives are expected to:
- Attend Family Vision Group meetings throughout the school year.
- Serve as one of Virginia Run's designated representatives.
- Share ideas and feedback that help strengthen family engagement across FCPS.
If you are interested in being considered as one of Virginia Run Elementary School's representatives, please email Principal Dave Gerstner at drgerstner@fcps.edu.
7. ParentVue Update
New ParentVUE Mobile App
A new ParentVUE mobile app has 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.
8. Elementary Early Release Wednesdays - Childcare Information via Student Online Verification/Update
The 2026–27 Online Verification/Update (OVU) packet will be available in ParentVUE starting July 24.
The OVU packet includes a section where parents can request childcare for the four elementary Early Release Wednesdays.
We encourage all families to sign up for a ParentVUE account. This will give you direct access to essential student information and allow you to submit your childcare requests.
The Virginia Run Early Release Wednesday days are as follows:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
9. Stay in the Know With Here Comes the Bus
Even though FCPS has launched a new bus navigation system, some aspects like the new FCPS My Ride mobile app are still in development. Families should still use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track the location of their child’s bus. This app is still compatible with the new system.
FCPS will notify families and schools when the new app is ready to download and use. In the meantime, everyone should reinforce with students that they need to tap on and off the bus with their student ID cards.
Did you already download the new app? That’s okay! The new app is in the final stage of testing, so some features are not yet fully functional. At this time, you should refer to Here Comes the Bus for the most accurate information.
10. Weather and Alerts From FCPS
Receive weather closings and other important updates from FCPS by text and email.
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Log in to SIS ParentVUE.
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Click “My Account”at the top of the page.
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Review your contact information.
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Click “Update Account” to make edits.
For more information, go to https://www.fcps.edu/weather.
11. Lunch Family Visitor Expectations
We love welcoming families to join their children for lunch! To help ensure that lunchtime remains a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for all students, we are introducing a new procedure for family lunch visitors.
Beginning this school year, families visiting for lunch will be asked to review our Lunch Family Visitor Expectations when signing in and follow these expectations throughout their visit. Having shared expectations helps us protect student safety and privacy, support our cafeteria routines, and create a welcoming environment for everyone.
When visiting for lunch, we ask families to:
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Follow cafeteria expectations and directions provided by school staff.
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Remain with your child for the duration of your visit.
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Do not share outside food or drinks with other students. Outside food is discouraged but, if brought, may only be consumed by your child. This helps protect students from known or unknown food allergies.
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Model our school-wide behavior expectations by using appropriate language and demonstrating respectful behavior.
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Follow visitor safety procedures by signing in at the front office, wearing your visitor badge, and signing out before leaving.
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Allow your child to return to class independently at the end of lunch. Students should follow their normal cafeteria dismissal procedures.
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Refrain from taking photos or videos that include other students in order to respect student privacy.
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Keep lunchtime focused on enjoying time with your child. Conversations about academic progress, concerns, or other school matters should be scheduled with your child's teacher or appropriate staff member outside of lunchtime.
We value having our families as part of our school community and appreciate your partnership in following these expectations consistently. Together, we can make lunchtime a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable experience for all of our Vikings!
12. Free and Reduced Price Meals - Apply Now
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school 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. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. 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.
13. PTA Board for 26-27 School Year
President - Matthew Reklau - virginiarunpta@gmail.com
Secretary - Logan Young - vressecretary@gmail.com
Treasurer - Aimee Gibson - treasurer.virginiarunpta@gmail.com
VP Education - Melissa Wells - vresvpeducation@gmail.com
VP Fundraising - Amanda Prindle - vresvpfundraising@yahoo.com
VP Social - Theresa Nam - vresvpsocial@gmail.com
14. A New Little Free Library Shines in The Meadows!
VRES, the PTA, and Scouting America Troop 30 (Centreville Presbyterian Church) are thrilled to celebrate a wonderful milestone: the installation of a second Little Free Library for our school community! The first library, located in front of VRES, was recently restored by Skylar Ha. Now, a brand new library stands proudly in The Meadows community — one of the five neighborhoods VRES serves — bringing books and joy even closer to families.
Little Free Library at Virginia Run and The Meadows.
Project Details
This project began when the VRES reading team reached out to the PTA with a heartfelt idea: build a Little Free Library in The Meadows to make reading more accessible for students. The neighborhood is several miles from other libraries, and reaching them requires crossing major roads. A local library would make a world of difference.
PTA President, Matt Reklau, researched the idea and immediately recognized it as a perfect Eagle Scout project. As an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 30, he introduced the opportunity — and Jimmy Bonta‑Reavis stepped up with enthusiasm. Jimmy fondly remembers using Little Free Libraries at Deer Park as an elementary student and was excited to give today’s students the same spark of inspiration.
Throughout the summer, Jimmy led the charge. He secured permissions from community management, gathered donated materials from local home‑supply stores, and organized Troop 30 scouts for multiple build sessions. Scouts cut wood, stained and assembled the library, dug the post hole, and cemented the structure firmly in place. On Labor Day, the library was officially installed — and lovingly stocked with 30 bilingual books (30 books for Troop 30!) donated to kick off its mission.
The Little Free Library is registered to the VRES PTA and can be found here: https://map.lflapp.org/ty8URC9xf6b
This project is a shining example of what happens when a school, dedicated educators, a supportive PTA, and Scouting America come together with a shared purpose. It’s a celebration of community, service, and the belief that access to books can change lives.
Note: At this time, the school is not accepting additional book donations due to limited storage space. Future needs may arise, and the community will be notified. In the meantime, everyone is warmly invited to “Take a Book * Share a Book” from any Little Free Library.
The Little Free Library in The Meadows being built by Eagle Scouts.
15. Join the PTA
Join the Virginia Run Elementary School PTA today to help support our students, teachers, and school programs. Your membership dues fund essential educational enrichment, teacher appreciation, and fun student activities throughout the year. Joining doesn't require any volunteer time—your financial support makes all the difference.
Membership Options:
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Family Membership (two members): $30.00
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Single Membership (one member): $20.00
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Tax-Deductible Donation: Any amount you would like to give
Two Ways to Join:
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Online: Scan the QR code on the paper flyer or visit vrespta.ptboard.com to sign up instantly.
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Paper Form: Fill out the membership form and send it back to your child's teacher with your cash or check payment.
Incentives & Contests:
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Raffle Entry: Join by September 11 to be automatically entered into a special raffle!
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Popsicle Party: The classroom with the highest percentage of PTA memberships will win a Popsicle Party for the whole class!
PTA Membership Form 26-27
16. PTA Fundraisers
Spirit Day at SweetFrog
The next Spirit Night is on Thursday, September 10th at sweetFrog, 14215 Centreville Square, Suite P, Centreville, VA 20121. This fundraiser runs all day. Don’t forget to mention VRES when ordering!
"No Fuss" Fundraiser
Would you like to support our school but not have to fuss with any fundraising events this year, guilt-free? The VRES PTA has you covered with this year’s No Fuss Fundraiser! Every bit helps, and no donation is too small (or too large!).
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Where to Donate: Visit vrespta.ptboard.com or simply scan the QR code on the flyer to give online.
PTA No Fuss Fundraiser 26-27
Show Your Virginia Run Viking Pride!
You can now order your official Virginia Run Elementary spirit wear online!
It’s a fantastic way to show your school spirit while directly supporting our students—a portion of every single purchase goes straight to the VRES PTA to help fund programs for our school.
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Special Perk: Order before September 11 to get free shipping directly to the school!
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How to Shop: Go to www.campussurvivalkits.com/virginiarun or scan the QR code on the flyer to browse the full store.
www.campussurvivalkits.com/virginiarun
17. VRES Fall 2026 Clubs
Fall Clubs are now open for registration, and we have an amazing lineup! This is your chance for students to explore new interests, build skills, and have fun with friends outside of the classroom. We have Pickleball, Acting, Crochet, Soccer, Chess, STEM Stars, 3D Printing and Cooking to highlight a few! There's something for every Viking to explore!
Weekly Club Schedule
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Monday: LEGO , Pickleball (Grades 4–6)
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Tuesday: Acting Out! Jr. (Grades K–2), Art & Craft (Grades K–3), Crochet (Grades 4–6)
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Wednesday: Soccer (Grades K–3)
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Thursday: Acting Out! (Grades 3–6), Chess (before school), STEM Stars (before school)
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Friday: 3D Printing (Grades 1–6), Tiny Chefs
👉 See the full list of clubs here:
https://tinyurl.com/VRESFall2026Clubs
Join the adventure. Be a Viking! ✅ Clubs start in September! To view full details or sign up, scan the QR code on the flyer that came home in the Wednesday folder.
Questions? Email us at vresvpeducation@gmail.com - we’re happy to help.
18. 18th Annual Asha Jyothi 5K
Join our Virginia Run Staff and Community for the 18th Annual Asha Jyothi 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run.
Where: Fairfax Corner Race Date: Sunday Sept 20th, 2026
Asha-Jyothi (meaning Ray of Hope) is a volunteer based non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the underprivileged by providing access to Education and Healthcare. Their mission is guided by Asha-Jyothi’s core values of strength, commitment, collaboration and integrity.
100% of your registration fee is donated back to Virginia Run.
Coupon Code: AJ4Schools
Registration includes AJ T-Shirt, Kids' Medals, Food and Bollywood Music.
Bonus Incentives- Additional donations to CR
25 - 49 Registrations = additional $500
50 - 99 Registrations = additional $1,000
100 - 249 Registrations = additional $2,000
250+ Registrations = additional $10,000
All proceeds raised will go towards student field trips, and family and community engagements and to support Virginia Run student needs.
Register before September 8th
Coupon code: AJ4Schools Get a $10 discount applied
Register here - Asha Jyothi - 5K Registration
Asha Jyothi - Route Map
Virginia Run's Administration team: Dave Gerstner, Principal, Jessica Green, Assistant Principal, and Lauren Arreaza, Assistant Principal.
19. Important Upcoming Dates
9/9: Back to School Night
9/10: SweetFrog Spirit Night, Centreville Location, all day
9/24: Red Robin Spirit Night, Chantilly Location
9/25: Victory Martial Arts Parents Night Out
10/6: PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM, Library, also available virtually
10/7: Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day
10/16: Trunk or Treat/Fall Fest, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
10/16: Book Fair Family Night, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
10/21: Early Release Wednesday-Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM
10/29: Red Robin Spirit Night, Chantilly Location
11/10: PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM, Library, also available virtually
11/12: Boosterthon Kickoff During School
11/13: Bingo Night, Cafeteria
11/20: Boosterthon Fun Run During School
12/1: PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM, Library, also available virtually
12/2: Early Release Wednesday-Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM
12/17: Red Robin Spirit Night, Chantilly Location
1/22: Free Family Movie Night, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Cafeteria
2/10: Early Release Wednesday-Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM
4/2: VRES/Cub Run Volleyball Game, 6:30 PM, Westfield HS Gym
4/30: Viking Dash Fundraiser and Family Fun Run
5/4: PTA Meeting and PTA Board Elections
5/5: Early Release Wednesday-Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM
20. Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
21. Monthly Lunch Menu
Please use this link to view the Virginia Run ES Lunch Menu.
- Explore School Meals in the New Menu Platform
Experience an easier way to view your child’s school menus using MealViewer:
- View what is being served each day.
- View the nutritional information for each meal.
- See if any specific allergens are being served.
- Get notified when your student’s favorite meal is being served.
Printable menus are always available on the Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
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