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Cub Run staff brought extra sparkle to our 9-to-5 with an underground spirit day and "Dolly Day!"
Congratulations to our cubbies who earned the September C.A.R.E.S. certificates and were celebrated by staff and families!
Upcoming Dates
September 26-October 4: Blue Star Welcome Week
September 30: Review and Sign SR&R in ParentVUE
September 30: AAP Parent Information Session - Continuum of Services- 5:30pm; Library
October 2: Westfield High School Homecoming Parade- 4:30pm
October 7: Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day
October 12: No School for Students - School Planning Day
October 21: Early Release Wednesday - Dismissal at 12:25pm
October 22: Parent Coffee- AAP Full-time Identification- 9:15am; Cafeteria
October 27: Fall Picture Day
October 30: Cub Run-a-thon (during school)
October 30: End of the First Quarter; 2-hour early release-Dismissal at 1:25pm
View the 2026-27 school year calendar for additional important dates.
Cubbie News
Advanced Academics Programs
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 Nausheen Haider, School Testing Coordinator, at NFHaider@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Naomi Egerton Baker, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: September 30 at 5:30 PM in the Library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: October 22 at 9:15 am in the cafeteria. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Naomi Egerton Baker, AART, at nhegertonbak@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Review and Sign SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their child(ren).
Families should review the SR&R and sign the acknowledgement form by next Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or by signing and returning the Signature Sheet to their child’s school.
WHS Homecoming Parade-Oct. 2
Show Westfield and Cub Run your support by coming out to cheer for the Homecoming Parade. The parade route begins and ends at Stone Middle School.
Road closures from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Expect traffic delays on Sully Park Drive, Kamputa Drive, Cranoke Street and Braddock Road.
Early Release Wednesday - October 21
Cub Run’s first early release Wednesday is on October 21. To confirm or change how your child is being dismissed on October 21, 2026, please utilize this GOOGLE FORM by Friday, October 16.
Monthly C.A.R.E.S. Celebrations
We have kicked off our monthly C.A..R.E.S celebrations which highlights students exhibiting our C.A.R.E.S. expectations across learning settings. Each month, our teachers and staff will recognize cubbies who are fostering a sense of Community, Acting Responsibly, being Empathetic towards others, and making Safe choices. We look forward to celebrating and reinforcing our school wide expectations each month with our students, families and staff.
Please take a moment and talk to your child about what C.A.R.E.S expectation they are working on this month!
Blue Star Welcome Week
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate, and schools are a primary way they get integrated into their new location. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS will help ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 26 through October 4, 2026, and throughout the year! #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS
Pictures Needed for Veterans Day
Calling all Cub Run connected Veterans! We would love to honor you on our Veterans’ week “Wall of Honor” this year. If you have previously submitted a photo, you do not need to resubmit- we save them! If you are new or would like to honor a Veteran in your family, please send the photo to me, Tracy Cousino, at the following email: tacousino@fcps.edu. Thank you and we hope you will join us at our Veterans Day assembly in November. Stay tuned for more information!
Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day - October 7
Remember the thrill of riding a bike for the first time or walking or rolling to school on the first day? There’s a feeling of joy and independence—a sense of adventure—that doesn’t fade. Of course, there are many other benefits to walking, biking or rolling to school, too.
Active trips to school enable children to incorporate the regular physical activity they need each day while also forming healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Regular physical activity helps children build strong bones, muscles and joints, and it decreases the risk of obesity. In contrast, insufficient physical activity can contribute to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke.
Join the fun by walking, biking or rolling to school on October 7th.
Fall Picture Day - October 27
Our fall picture day is coming up on October 27! You can now pre-order pictures following the below steps:
- Go to strawbridge.net/ Ir a strawbridge.net
- Click “Order Pictures & Yearbooks” / Haga clic en "Solicitar Fotografías y Anuarios"
- Enter the code below and click “Find” to order / Introduzca el código a continuación y haga clic en "Buscar" para realizar el pedido
CODE: PX525717
PTA News
Yearbook Cover Contest
Get creative, artists! This year marks our school’s 40th Birthday, and we need a cover design that celebrates four decades of memories.
Submit your original artwork for a chance to have your design featured on the front of this year's yearbook.
Requirements:
- Must be on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of white paper.
- Create a vertical piece of art – horizontal pieces cannot be used on the cover.
- You may use crayons, colored pencils or markers.
- If you use crayon or colored pencil, press hard! You want your colors to be dark and vibrant. Lightly colored artwork will not print well.
- Include the school’s name, Cub Run Elementary, and the school year, 2026 - 2027.
- Artwork must be original and it must reflect a vision of the theme: 40th Birthday!
Submit your artwork:
- Give your original artwork to your teacher before the contest deadline, October 30.
- Use a pencil to write your name, grade and teacher’s name on the back of the artwork.
Winners will be announced in November.
The first-place winner’s artwork will be featured on the front cover of the yearbook!
QUESTIONS? Contact Corinne Stanley at yearbook@cubrunpta.org
FCPS News
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Literacy Webinar Series
Fairfax County Public Schools is presenting a literacy webinar series to help families understand reading assessments, reading plans, and how to support their child at home. The series and topics:
- October 20, 10 a.m.- Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
- December 15, 10 a.m.- What is a Reading Plan?
- February 19, 10 a.m.- How Do I Support My Child With a Reading Plan at Home?
- May 14, 10 a.m.- Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer.
Set Screen Time Limits & Monitor Online Activity With Lightspeed
The free Lightspeed Parent Portal makes it easy for you to see and manage how your child uses their FCPS-issued device outside of school hours. New Lightspeed Parent Portal features for this school year include:
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Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times, such as during homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
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Web Rules: Block specific websites you don’t want your child accessing at home.
Be sure to check your email (subject line: “Filter Portal Weekly Report”) each Sunday for the Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report, a weekly summary of the websites your child has visited. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Learn About Applied Behavior Analysis & Teaching New Skills at Home
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join a session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: a Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
Fall into Flavor with FCPS’ New Breakfast & Lunch Menu
FCPS’ new September and October menu items are packed with classic favorites and fresh global inspiration. Check our new online menu system to see when you can try new recipes based on student feedback, and developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts.
Menu items include:
- Breakfast items such as honey chicken biscuits, guava pastelitos (whole-grain pastries filled with tropical guava fruit), and roasted apple parfaits, made with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola.
- Lunch items such as crunchy beef or fiesta tacos, ramen bowl with diced chicken or hard-boiled egg, beef or vegan banh mi burger, and southwest fiesta soup with corn chips.
Stay up to date on FCPS menus and nutrition news by subscribing to the Food and Nutrition Services newsletter.
Reminders
Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15
The Advanced Academic Program (AAP) fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3 to 8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time AAP services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Naomi Egerton Baker, AART, at nhegertonbak@fcps.edu by Thursday, October 15. Late referrals will not be accepted.
For students who are not new to FCPS, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2 to 7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by Tuesday, December 15.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.
Other Advanced Academic Services
At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.
At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.
For more information, please contact Naomi Egerton Baker, AART, at nhegertonbak@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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