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Dear Cherry Run Families,
It was wonderful to see so many of our Cardinals showing their spirit during Blue Star Spirit Week! This week, we also held our first Early Release Wednesday, and our Cardinals did a great job adjusting to the schedule.
Our Green Team met and began learning about the native plant garden and flower beds around our campus. As the seasons change, so do the plants on our school grounds. It was great to see our students learning about those changes and how to support our natural environment on school grounds.
We are also adjusting to changes in arrival and dismissal with our newly assigned crossing guard. The crossing guard’s role is to support students and families as they cross; they are not authorized to direct traffic. We appreciate your patience as we all become familiar with the new crossing procedures. Please follow posted signs and traffic laws, and allow extra time as we work together to keep arrival and dismissal safe.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Maura Donahue and Dave Arthur
10/12 Student Holiday
10/16 Fall Picture Day
10/30 End of Quarter
11/2 Student Holiday
11/3 Student Holiday
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Superintendent Community Conversations
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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Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)
Cherry Run Fall Picture Day
Let's Make 2026-2027 Picture Day a Success at Cherry Run Elementary School!
School Picture Day is Coming!
📅 Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416928
📧 Questions about Ordering? www.vosphoto.com/contact-us
Calendar Change
Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
Transportation Survey
Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey
As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
AAP Expansion
FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Franklin Middle: Monday, October 5, at 6 p.m.
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Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) at Home
Growing Together: Talking About Social-Emotional Learning at Home
Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join a workshop for parents and caregivers to:
- Understand your child’s Fairfax County SEL Screener results.
- Use the results as a starting point for meaningful conversations at home.
- Support your child’s social and emotional development.
- Build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills together.
Learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Skyview High School and Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu.
Cherry Run Book Fair Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Cherry Run Book Fair. Please use this Sign-Up Genius link: Cherry Run Book Fair Volunteers
We greatly appreciate your willingness to volunteer. The Cherry Run Book Fair couldn’t happen without you!
All profits directly benefit the Cherry Run Library. Any questions? Please contact Lisa Hammond, Cherry Run ES Librarian – ldhammond@fcps.edu
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Cherry Run Elementary AAP Parent Orientation
AAP Parent Orientation
Families are invited to attend an AAP Parent Orientation, led by Debbie Hollings, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Information about the Advanced Academic Program and the Screening Process for the 2026-2027 school year will be presented.
AAP Referral Window for New Families
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 Debbie Hollings Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at dahollings@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 Debbie Hollings, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at dahollings@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Attendance
Understanding the FCPS Calendar
Help your child prepare for future success by encouraging them to develop positive attendance habits. Regular attendance supports learning and helps students stay on track for college, careers, and other opportunities after graduation.
Take a look at the FCPS calendar. Try your best to schedule any vacations or planned family events on weekends and school holidays. If the appointment needs to be during the school day, when possible, schedule it for the beginning or end of the day to minimize time missed.
If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, please report the absence to our school as early as possible. Find out how to report an absence on our homepage or call the front office.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please let us know.
We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
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Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Home
Learn About Applied Behavior Analysis and 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.
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:
November 18
January 13
April 7
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Digital Literacy for Families
Digital Literacy Resources for Families
As part of FCPS’ continued support for digital literacy, families can access lesson materials that introduce the concepts students will explore throughout the school year. These resources include student lessons and supporting materials organized by grade level. Resources will be shared on a quarterly basis through Schoology.
The All Parent/Guardian Course is available in Schoology through a parent or guardian account. Schoology and ParentVUE use the same login credentials. Families who need assistance can review How Do I Log in to and Access Schoology? or watch the brief walkthrough on the Schoology Snippets page.
Families can also learn more about FCPS guidance and practices on the Educational Technology in FCPS webpage.
From the Cherry Run Family Liaison
Schools' Community Events
Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School Community Resource Fair
Everyone is invited to Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School Community Resource Fair.
The event will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Lake Braddock Secondary School cafeteria. Attendees should enter through Door 15.
Families will have the opportunity to connect with valuable Fairfax County resources related to health and wellness, recreation and activities, education and careers, and school and family partnerships. Interpreters will be available to support. Please visit Lake Braddock Secondary School website for more information.
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Community Partners and Organizations
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) (Upcoming: October 7 and October 21, 2026)
Special Education Webinar Series
PEATC’s 2026 virtual webinar series will help families better understand the special education process, including eligibility, IEPs, 504 Plans, and family-school collaboration. Families may attend only the sessions that best meet their needs.
Dates and Topics: October 7, Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings; October 21, Cracking the Code: 504s and IEPs
Time: 6:30 p.m. Each session lasts approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Registration: Register for the webinar series
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