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Dear Bull Run Families,
Last week I shared our updated School Performance and Support Framework for the new school year. For those that missed the email, I am excited to share that Bull Run has an improved overall framework score of 91.5 out of a possible 100 points, which falls into the “Distinguished” state performance category. However, because we also received a federal designation of Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) for special education performance, our state performance category was lowered to “Meets Expectations” automatically. Please see below for a closer look at the metrics.
Our TSI designation means we will receive additional federal resources that support improvement for specific student groups within our school. Additionally, our School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP) centers on inclusive, equitable tier-1 and targeted tier-2 and 3 instruction. The plan includes methods of integrating proactive scaffolds, sentence frames, and visual supports into daily lesson design for all students. Utilizing small-group instruction and evidence-based interventions during intervention/enrichment blocks, tailored to specific student goals, will also lead to student improvement.
While our school is meeting expectations set by the state for student performance, I’d like to share that our students are much more than the results of standardized tests and point systems. Every day in our classrooms our amazing teaching staff are leading instruction all while creating lasting memories, fostering a love of learning, and instilling Charger STRONG values that will last far beyond their time at our school.
This building has made tremendous growth over the past few years, and while the DATA speaks for itself, my hope is that families feel the deep sense of pride, community, and commitment behind every single one of those numbers.
We remain committed to transparent communication with a continued focus on academic rigor, and supporting each and every student’s learning. Our students are working hard and making progress every day. Thank you for your trust and partnership in this journey. I am proud to lead our school and even prouder to be a part of this community.
Reminders:
Tomorrow, Friday October 16th, is Bull Run Spirit Day! Wear school spirit wear or school colors to show your pride!
Next week our Read-A-Thon begins (see information below)! We hope EVERYONE participates!
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Mr. Marotta
*The full FCPS 2026-2027 calendar can be accessed here.
October 16: Kindergarten Field Trip - Maple Tree Farm / Woodson Planetarium Field Trip - 6th Grade (Ward, Monnin, Rasdolsky)
October 19-23 - Digital Citizenship Week
October 19: READ-A-THON BEGINS!
October 21: Early Release Wednesday, Dismissal at 1:00pm
October 23: FIELD DAY (Gr. 1-6)
October 27: Occupational Therapy Appreciation Day
October 28: 4th Grade Field Trip - GMU Center of the Arts / Woodson Planetarium Field Trip - 6th Grade (Youngberg/Smith, Leary, Vest)
October 30: CHARACTER DRESS UP SPIRIT DAY / Qt 1 Ends / 2-Hour Early Dismissal, 2:00pm / PTA TRUNK OR TREAT, 5:30pm
November 2-3: Teacher Workday / School Planning Day (NO SCHOOL)
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Bull Run Elementary School has decided to hold a Read-A-Thon this year!
Read-A-Thons get your reader excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more. All proceeds raised will go directly to the students to support literacy at Bull Run!
Our Read-A-Thon starts Monday October 19, 2026.
We encourage you to activate your reader’s account by clicking on https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/323835323433/1?utm=email and following the simple instructions.
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Starting this week, nominations will be open for the FCPS Honors Outstanding Employee Awards!
To submit a nomination for a Bull Run ES Outstanding employee, please complete the nomination through this GoogleForm link: https://bit.ly/BRESAwards2627
Categories that our staff qualify for include:
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher (3 years experience or less)
- Outstanding New Principal
- Outstanding School Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
If you have any questions about whether an employee falls under a certain category, don't worry- our committee will make sure it lands in the correct one!
To learn more (and see our amazing 2024 winner, Mr. Leonard), check out the county website: https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/employees/recognition-programs/outstanding-employee-awards or the Google form for more details
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. Not sure about category? We will make sure your nominee is recognized properly!
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 2nd.
If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Plaugher at lcplaugher@fcps.edu
How Our SPSF Score Breaks Down:
Our overall score of 91.54 points is made up of three main areas:
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Mastery: 59.00 out of 65.00 points
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Growth: 23.18 out of 25.00 points
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Readiness: 9.34 out of 10.00 points
1. Mastery (59.00 / 65.00 points)
Mastery measures all student achievement across core subjects and progress for English Learners:
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Reading Performance: Earning a Mastery Index of 94.54, 75.86% of our students passed their reading assessments (with 19.02% reaching the Advanced level).
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Math Performance: Earning a Mastery Index of 97.06, 81.59% of students passed their math assessments (with 20.91% reaching Advanced).
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Science Performance: Earning a Mastery Index of 101.32, 77.87% of students passed (with 27.43% reaching Advanced).
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English Learner (EL) Progress: 57.58% of our English Learners made progress toward language proficiency.
2. Academic Growth (23.18 / 25.00 points)
Growth tracks how much progress students make over the course of a school year:
3. Readiness & Attendance (9.34 / 10.00 points)
At the elementary level, readiness focuses heavily on consistent school attendance:
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93.48% of our students maintained good attendance, missing less than 10% of school days.
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Only 6.51% of students experienced chronic absenteeism (missing more than 10% of school days).
Thank you to our amazing school community for your ongoing support as we work together to help every student succeed!
 
Upcoming PTA Events:
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Trunk or Treat: October 30
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Family Skate Night: November 20
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Winterfest: December 4
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Host a Trunk
We're looking for creative families, staff members, clubs, and community groups to decorate a trunk and hand out treats. Whether you go all out with a themed display or keep it simple and festive, every trunk helps create a memorable experience for our students.
Reserve Your Trunk Spot Today
Candy Donations Needed
We need lots of candy and things to hand out!
Trunk hosts should plan to bring their own candy or treats to distribute. The PTA will supplement candy supplies to help ensure every trunk has enough goodies throughout the event.
Not hosting a trunk? You can still help by donating bags of individually wrapped candy. We have added several things to our Amazon Wish List. Any and all donations are welcome!
Donate Candy
The PTA Needs You!
Join the PTA to have a voice in shaping your child’s school, build lasting connections with families and teachers, and help create opportunities that make every student’s experience stronger and more successful.
- Volunteer for PTA "Power Hours" - Sign Up Today
- Can't volunteer time? The PTA has an Amazon Wishlist for event supplies for the upcoming events.
Support Bull Run Elementary PTA by enjoying dinner at Chipotle!
When: Wednesday, October 21st, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Chipotle located at 6317 Multiplex Dr Ste A, Centreville, VA 20121
How to Participate:
1) In-Restaurant: Show the fundraiser flyer at checkout.
2)Online Pickup: Order online or through the Chipotle app for pickup using the promo code R2DEG4B.
Chipotle will donate 25% of all event sales directly back to the school PTA.
*Please note that delivery orders, gift card purchases, and orders placed outside the event time or location do not qualify.*
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It’s time to design the 2026–2027 Bull Run Yearbook Cover!
What You Can Win: The winning artwork will be featured on the cover of this year's yearbook, and the winner will receive a free yearbook plus an art set!
Submission Guidelines:
- Format your artwork on 8.5" x 11" paper in portrait orientation.
- Be sure to include these elements on your cover:
-2026–2027
-Charger STRONG
- Write your Name, Teacher Name, and Grade on the back of your sheet.
Deadline & How to Submit:
Due Date: December 4th
Drop off your physical entry at the Bull Run front office or email a digital copy to bullrunyearbook@gmail.com.
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SYA Winter Sports Programs
Who: Boys and girls, ages 5–18
Sports Offered: Basketball, Wrestling, and Soccer Camp
How to Register: Visit www.syasports.org or email info@syasports.org
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Need a night out? The Westfield High School Dance Team is hosting a Parents Night Out!
Here are all the details:
When: October 17th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Who: Kids in 2nd through 8th grade
Cost: $50 for the first child, and $40 for each additional child
Activities: Dance party, TikTok dances, crafts, and a movie with the dance team
What to Wear/Bring: Kids should wear their pajamas and bring a blanket, pillow, and their favorite stuffy
You can scan the QR code on the flyer to register your spot!
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Trunk or Treat
Date & Time: October 17th, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Location: 4700 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly, VA.
Host: Hosted by the Westfield High School Home Economics Club.
Details: Come dressed in your favorite Halloween costumes for free candy, plus healthy snacks and treats for all ages! If you have any questions, feel free to email westfieldhomeecclub@gmail.com.
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Enjoy a night out while your kids have a blast with the Wildcat Dance Team! Here are the details for the upcoming Parents' Night Out:
Date & Time: November 14, 5:30–9:00 PM
Location: Centreville Dance Academy (6031 Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121)
Who Can Attend: Kids aged 5+ (must be potty trained)
Activities & Refreshments: Pajama party, arts & crafts, glow night, plus pizza, juice, and snacks
Cost: $30 for the first child, $15 for each sibling
You can register online at https://tinyurl.com/cvhsdance or scan the QR code on the flyer. Please make sure to note any dietary restrictions during registration.
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Jersey Day! Every First Friday of the Month!
Bull Run Elementary encourages every student and staff member to wear a jersey, shirt or colors of their favorite team or sport!
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BULL RUN FRIDAYS!
Bull Run Elementary encourages every student to wear our school colors (blue & white), or school spirit wear every Friday! This is a simple way we can show our community pride! Make a plan with friends and see how many of you can participate! Staff often wear their blue and white or Spirit Wear on Fridays too!
https://bullrun.deco-apparel.com/ Order Bull Run Spirit Wear at any time to get ready for the school year!
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Bull Run Elementary Spirit Day: Dress Like Your Favorite Character Day!
Date: October 30th.
Theme: Dress up as your favorite book, TV, or movie character to show your school spirit!
Costume Rules:
-No masks.
-No weapons (real or fake).
-No blood or gore.
Please keep all costumes fun and school-appropriate!
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Benchmark Advance Weekly Update:
Uncovering Characters in Language Arts
Benchmark Unit 2 in Language Arts is about why characters matter. Students in K-5 will be learning about different characters, and how they shape stories and face challenges. Grade six students will learn about how characters are changed and inspired by others.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
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Question: How does the way you act change the way people think about you?
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Activity: Pretend you are a talk show host and interview your child as if they are the main character of their favorite book.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchhmark Families website.
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Want to learn how FCPS uses Lexia Core5 and PowerUp to support reading growth, device usage, and AI? Join a virtual session on Zoom at bit.ly/2627FamilyZoom
Oct 21: 5:00 – 6:00 PM or 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Nov 4: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
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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.
Federal Impact Aid Program
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) receives federal Impact Aid grant money due to the significant federal employment and military presence within our community. Because federal property is not taxable, school divisions with military installations, federal lands, or federally supported housing lose local tax revenue. Federal Impact Aid helps local school districts offset the cost of educating students in areas affected by federal activity. These funds are added to the school division’s general operating budget and are essential to maintaining the high-quality education FCPS provides to all students by providing additional financial support for essential services such as:
- Staffing and classroom instruction
- School facilities and maintenance
- Student transportation
This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding.
Identifying Federally Connected Students
To qualify for these funds, FCPS must collect information on federally connected students through the Federal Impact Aid Survey.
- In October, the survey will be available electronically through SIS ParentVUE for all eligible families.
- Families without ParentVUE access, or those who prefer a paper form, will receive a paper survey from their child’s school in November.
For more information, click https://www.fcps.edu/impact
Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students
Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.
Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
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
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.
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:
- 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.
Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families
Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:
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School Age Child Care (SACC) – This Fairfax County government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
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FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
- The FCPS Family Academy is where families can learn and get support for their child’s school journey. Check out its catalog for upcoming classes, workshops, and webinars to help families learn about FCPS, parenting, early literacy, and how to partner with schools.
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Do You Know About Family Liaisons – Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. Find out how family liaisons can support you and your family.
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Study Help and Support Available to Students in Schoology: A new Schoology Study and Support Hub is available for students in Schoology. This space was developed by the FCPS Educational Technology Team with input from students. It is designed to provide essential study tools and academic support resources directly to our learners. Students can log in to Schoology and read their Schoology announcements or watch this video on the support hub for more information.
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FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Facilities Survey
- Transportation Survey
- Health Department Letter on Preventing the Spread of Illness
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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Recognizing BRES staff who go above and beyond
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Bull Run Elementary. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!
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#chargerSTRONG
Mr. Marotta, Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Rozzoni are proud of our #chargerSTRONG community!
Want to view previous Bull Run Bulletins? Click here.
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