Gunston Gazette - October 19, 2026

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/19/2026 08:54 AM EDT

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          Kristen Rucinski - Principal         Allison Ovalle - Assistant Principal         

mark calendar

 

Oct.: Disability Awareness Month

Oct: National School Principals' Month

Oct. 17: Meadowood 25th Birthday Party - 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Oct. 20: PTA Spirit Night at Chipotle - 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Oct. 21: Early Release Wednesday 3-hour Release - 12:20 p.m.

Oct. 22: AVID Family Night - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 22: PTA Spirit Night at Yafa Mediterranean Grill - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Oct. 23: School Picture Day

Oct. 29: PTA Spirit Night at Yafa Mediterranean Grill - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Oct. 30: Fill the Truck! 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Oct. 30: End of First Quarter 2-hour Early Release - 1:20 p.m.

Nov. 17: PTA Meeting - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

Gunston Gazette

October 16, 2026

early

Please fill out Gunston's Early Release Wednesday Dismissal Plan form so we can ensure your child is dismissed correctly on these days. You must submit the form by Oct. 19 if you wish for your child to stay at school for supervision on Oct. 21.

General information about Early Release Wednesdays, including all the dates for this year, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/safety-and-transportation/limited-early-release-wednesdays

Preschool Students will follow their regular Wednesday schedule.
picture day

School Picture Day

Friday, October 23, 2026

Visit https://strawbridge.net/ to order online. 

Use access code PX526003

DARE TO CARE WEEK: OCTOBER 26TH - 30TH

MAKE KINDNESS LOUDER

FILL THE TRUCK - Bring any item on any day!!

Daily Schedule & Item Donations:

  • Monday – PJ Day
    • Theme: Taking care of ourselves helps us recharge so we can show patience and care for others.
    • Items: Cereal, Oatmeal
  • Tuesday – Super Hero Day
    • Theme: Honor the people who serve in our community or dress as a super hero. We want to help too!
    • Items: Canned Meat, Beans
  • Wednesday – Blue Day
    • Theme: Unite against bullying! Blue shows we stand together for a safe community.
    • Items: Soup, Pasta Sauce
  • Thursday – Team Day
    • Theme: Wear your favorite team jersey or Gunston shirt. Teamwork means including others.
    • Items: Rice, Pasta
  • Friday – Book Character Day
    • Theme: Dress as your favorite character. Be a sweet character in someone’s story.
    • Items: Canned Fruit, Boxed Mixes

Portrait of a Graduate: Ethical & Global Citizen

We are building empathy and helping our local community through LCAC (Lorton Community Action Center)

Outstanding Employee Awards Program

Nominations will open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards on Tuesday, October 13, 2026! To submit a nomination for a Gunston ES Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through this Google form LINK

All that is required is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work. You may nominate up to one employee per category.

  • Outstanding Teacher Teachers or librarians with at least three full years of teaching experience
  • Outstanding New Teacher Teachers or librarians with up to three full years of teaching experience 
  • Outstanding Principal 
  • Outstanding School Professional Staff Leader Non-instructional position with at least one year in their current position at their current work location. Includes Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Director of Student Services, Director of Student Activities, Resource Teacher and Special Education Department Chair and Multilingual Learners Department Chair who serves in a non-instructional role for more than 50% of their time, After-School Specialist, Dean of Students, Assessment Coach, Athletic Trainer, Career Center Specialist, Career Experience Specialist, College and Career Specialist, Crisis Resource Teacher, Instructional Coach, School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Reading Specialist, Safety and Security Specialist, Social Worker, Speech Language Pathologist, School Counselor, Systems of Support Administrator
  • Outstanding Educational Services Employee Schedule-A, Schedule-H, or Classroom Instructional Support (CIS) with at least one year in their current position at their current work location. Includes Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, Student Information Assistant, Finance Technician, School Finance Assistant, Student Services Assistant, Instructional Assistant, Family Liaison, and Public Health Training Assistant.
  • Outstanding Operational Services Employee Schedule-A or Schedule-H employee  with at least one year in their current position at their current work location. Includes Custodian, Building Supervisor, Food Services staff, and Safety and Security Assistant.
  • Ineligible Employees Substitute teachers, Athletic coaches/employees paid on supplemental contracts, employees of Fairfax County Government (including SACC employees, School Resource Officers, School Nurses, and School Health Aides)

The deadline to submit a nomination is October 29, 2026.  If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Fahy at kjfahy@fcps.edu 

 

Meadowood 25th Birthday Party!!

Celebrate 25 years of the Bureau of Land Management's Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area!  Join us for a FREE family friendly day full of interactive activities including:

  • Rock Climbing
  • Bounce House
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Fishing
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Meet our Partners and Volunteers

October 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mustang Trialhead, 10702 Harley Rd., Lorton, VA  22079

flyer

Attendance Reminder

Gunston families, we know life happens and sometimes your student needs to miss school. Please be sure to notify the main office when your student is absent. Sending a message to your student’s teacher only can lead to inaccurate attendance recording. Reporting attendance is easy as you can call the 24/7 attendance line at 703-541-3636, email GunstonElem.Attendance@fcps.edu, or submit directly through ParentVUE.

Please leave a specific message about why your student is not attending. Be sure to include symptoms if they are ill, especially if they have fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and/or cough. Save, Share, and Remember!

Gunston PTA:

Join us for the 2026-2027 School Year! 

Meeting Essentials:

Tuesdays, every other month - Meetings are held bimonthly on Tuesday evenings throughout the school year. 

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Join us for ninety minutes of collaboration and school updates. 

Location: Gunston Cafeteria - All meeting will be held on-site in the school cafeteria. 

2026-2027 Dates to Remember: 

November 17th, January 26, March 16th and May 25th. 

Chipotle Fundraiser for Gunston ES PTA

25% of event sales get donated to the Gunston ES. 

Tuesday, October 20th, from 4-8 p.m.

9447 Lorton Market St., Lorton, VA  22079

Order Online for pickup using code RQ7C4MD or show the flyer that was sent home in restaurant. 

Gunston ES PTA Spirit Day - Yafa Grille! 

Join us for Spirit Day at Yafa Grille and support our school while enjoying a delicious meal! A portion of proceeds (15%) will be donated back to our school. Dine in or take out every Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., bring your family and friends, and don't forget to mention Gunston Elementary Spirit Day when ordering. Every meal helps support our students and school programs! 

When placing online orders, please mention #gunston15 in the comment box. Order online at YafaGrille.com 

Yafa Mediterranean Grill

9033 White Spruce Way

Lorton, VA 22079

(703) 690-1058

spirit day

Superintendent Community Conversations

Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life. 

A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):

Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. 

Conversaciones con la Comunidad: Su voz es importante

La superintendente, Dra. Michelle Reid, quiere escucharle. En FCPS, las familias y la comunidad son nuestros aliados. Cuando trabajamos juntos, podemos brindarles a nuestros estudiantes las herramientas que necesitan para tener éxito en la escuela y en la vida.

Las Conversaciones con la Comunidad son espacios donde las familias, los estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad pueden compartir sus ideas, hacer preguntas y conversar directamente con la Dra. Reid. Ella estará allí para escuchar sus experiencias, conocer sus necesidades y trabajar con la comunidad para apoyar a nuestros estudiantes.

Acompáñenos en una de estas conversaciones, que se llevarán a cabo en diferentes escuelas del distrito. Por favor, vea a continuación el horario de las Conversaciones con la Comunidad. 

Habrá servicios de cuidado infantil e interpretación de idiomas para apoyar su participación. Cada conversación durará aproximadamente una hora y media.

¡Esperamos contar con su presencia! Todas las familias, estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad están invitados. También puede conocer otras oportunidades para comunicarse con la Dra. Reid.

Virginia Quality Birth to Five Guidelines

FCPS Is Participating in Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5) 

Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.

FCPS participa en Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5)

Virginia Quality Birth to 5 es el sistema de Virginia para medir y apoyar la calidad de los programas de educación para la primera infancia, con el objetivo de que los niños lleguen al kindergarten preparados para aprender. VQB5 se basa en los estándares de salud y seguridad y también mide la calidad de las interacciones entre maestros y estudiantes, así como el uso del currículo. Para obtener más información, consulte el folleto VQB5 para Familias en inglés o español.

Literacy and Lexia Webinars

Help Your Child Become a Stronger Reader: Upcoming Family Learning Opportunities

Want to better understand how your child learns to read and how you can support them at home? FCPS is offering several free virtual sessions to help families learn about reading instruction, literacy resources, and strategies to build strong reading skills. Explore the opportunities below and register for the sessions that interest you.Lexia Family Information Sessions

Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? These virtual sessions share how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the division this school year to support students’ literacy growth and give families a chance to ask questions.

Every one-hour session covers the same content. Choose the option that works best for your family:

  • Wednesday, October 21, at 5 and 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.

Join a Lexia Family Information Night Session.  Literacy Webinar Series

Join us for a series of family-friendly webinars designed to help you understand reading assessments, reading plans, and ways to support your child at home. Learn what assessment results mean, how reading plans guide instruction, and practical strategies to strengthen decoding, language, comprehension, and literacy skills, including support for multilingual learners.

  • October 20, 2026: Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
  • December 15, 2026: What Is a Reading Plan?
  • February 19, 2027: How Do I Support My Child With a Reading Plan at Home?
  • May 14, 2027: Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer

Register for the Literacy Webinar Series.

Introduction to Dyslexia Webinar – What Is It and What Does It Mean for My Student?Participants will look at the definition of dyslexia and its impact on students, including the different types of dyslexia and what support students with dyslexia require. Participants will also leave with activities and tips to support their students at home.Join us on Friday, October 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Register for the Introduction to Dyslexia webinar.

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:

  • 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.

FCPS solicita la opinión de la Comunidad sobre los Centros AAP en las Escuelas Intermedias

FCPS está explorando un plan para ofrecer servicios del Programa Académico Avanzado (AAP) de Tiempo Completo en todas las escuelas intermedias. Según la propuesta, los estudiantes que reúnan los requisitos podrían asistir a la escuela intermedia de su vecindario y tomar clases avanzadas junto con otros estudiantes de AAP. La Junta Escolar ha aprobado un proceso de participación comunitaria en las escuelas intermedias Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key y Whitman, donde estos programas podrían comenzar durante el año escolar 2027-28. La propuesta continúa bajo consideración y se espera que la Junta Escolar tome una decisión en diciembre de 2026.

Cada reunión comunitaria ofrecerá opciones de participación presencial y virtual. Las próximas reuniones están programadas para:

  • Escuela Intermedia Whitman: jueves, 22 de octubre, a las 6 p.m.

Cada reunión contará con una opción presencial y otra virtual. Los estudiantes que actualmente cursan la escuela intermedia permanecerán en sus centros AAP asignados hasta completar este nivel escolar. Conozca más y encuentre los formularios de inscripción para las reuniones en la página de Centros AAP de las Escuelas Intermedias.

Renovation Queue Survey

Share Your Thoughts on Schools and Buildings in the Renovation Queue Survey

The Office of the Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs is seeking input from community members, families, and employees about school facility needs and how FCPS prioritizes facility improvements. 

Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective. The survey asks about building conditions, how facilities affect teaching and learning, renovation priorities, and what information would help you better understand this process.

Look for the survey in your email on Friday, October 16. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will remain open until Saturday, October 31. 

Did You Know? Bond Referendums Fund Facility Renovations

FCPS does not pay for facility renovations out of its general operating budget. Instead, Fairfax County voters decide on how much money FCPS can spend on capital improvement projects through bond referendums. Bonds are issued by the county to the school division and allow FCPS to renovate buildings without increasing taxes.

Learn more about bond referendums and how they support our schools on the Bond Referendum webpage.

Comparta su opinión sobre las escuelas y edificios en la lista de renovación

La Oficina del Director de Servicios de Instalaciones y Programas de Capital solicita la opinión de miembros de la comunidad, familias y empleados sobre las necesidades de las instalaciones escolares y la manera en que FCPS establece prioridades para las mejoras de sus edificios.

Ya sea que trabaje en una escuela de FCPS, tenga un estudiante inscrito o viva cerca de una escuela de FCPS, le invitamos a compartir su perspectiva. La encuesta incluye preguntas sobre las condiciones de los edificios, cómo las instalaciones afectan la enseñanza y el aprendizaje, las prioridades de renovación y qué información le ayudaría a comprender mejor este proceso.

Busque la encuesta en su correo electrónico el viernes, 16 de octubre. Completarla toma aproximadamente 15 minutos. La participación es voluntaria y todas las respuestas se mantendrán confidenciales. La encuesta estará disponible hasta el sábado, 31 de octubre.

¿Sabía que los referéndums de bonos financian las renovaciones de instalaciones?

FCPS no paga las renovaciones de sus instalaciones con su presupuesto general de funcionamiento. En cambio, los votantes del condado de Fairfax deciden cuánto dinero puede usar FCPS para proyectos de mejoras importantes mediante referendos sobre bonos. El condado emite estos bonos para la división escolar, lo que permite que FCPS renueve sus instalaciones sin aumentar los impuestos. Conozca más sobre los referéndums de bonos y cómo apoyan a nuestras escuelas en la página sobre el Referéndum de Bonos.