The BULLS Bulletin (Week of 2/23)
The BULLS Bulletin
An artwork of the Bull Run Elementary School grounds

Newsletter header: Bull Bulletin.  We see you. We welcome you. You belong here.

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Principal's Message:

Hello Bull Run Families,

Ramadan Mubarak to those in our community who observe!

 새해 복 많이 받으세요! 新年快乐! Chúc mừng Năm Mới! Wishing good fortune to those in our community who celebrate Lunar New Year!

This week was short but we made the most of it. I heard we are supposed to get more snow in the forecast, and I feel like I speak for everyone when I say, "no, thank you"!

Reminders:

Tomorrow, Friday February 20th, is Bull Run Spirit Day! We encourage every staff member and student to wear our school colors (blue & white), or school spirit wear .

This Wednesday, February 25, is our next Three-Hour Early Release day.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Mr. Marotta

 


upcoming events

 

February 25: Three-Hour Early Release Wednesday  (1:00pm dismissal)

February 26: School Wide Spelling Bee

 

FCPS Celebrates Black History Month.  The words "Black, History, Month" are in red green and yellow lettering

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Learn more about Black History month.


*The full FCPS 2025-2026 calendar can be accessed here.

School Year Calendar

See the complete school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.

  • Days marked with blue Hs are student holidays. 
  • Days marked with orange Os are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). 
  • Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.

HIGHLIGHTS AND WHAT'S NEW AT BULL RUN


Three girls talking with each other with laptops in front of them on a table.

Students demonstrating their Portrait of a Graduate skills, by collaborating and communicating with each other!


New Visitor Management System

We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our school’s and FCPS’ ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our school. The VMS ensures that no visitor is on the sex offender registry. 

For most visitors, the user experience will be the same when you check-in at the front office.

But now there is also an app, which can make check-in’s even faster at school. Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use when you check-in at school. 

If you have questions or need assistance with the new system, please contact our front office. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!


Student Fasting Meal Kits

From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.

Important Meal Kit Information: 

  • Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
  • Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
  • Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
  • Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.

Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

  • February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
  • March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
  • March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.


Purple Up! Day - Month of the Military Child

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is gearing up to honor and celebrate its military-connected youth in April, the Month of the Military Child, and on Purple Up! Day! 

This year, Virginia will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Purple Up! Day is a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military.  

FCPS Purple Up! T-shirts and other items are available for purchase now through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in our Custom Ink online store. These items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS!  

For more information and/or to connect with FCPS resources, email us at militaryfamilies@fcps.edu


PTA NEWS, CLUBS AND OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS


cartoon bull playing basketball with a cartoon ram

 

Get ready to rumble! Our very own Bull Run ES Staff will be taking on Centre Ridge ES Staff in an epic elementary school basketball face-off! Bring the whole family for a night of hoops, concessions, prizes, and school spirit!

  • When: March 6th @ 6:00 PM

  • Where: Centreville High School


Spelling Bee Information

It’s time to get those study lists ready—the Spelling Bee is coming to Bull Run Elementary! We have two big dates for our students to mark on their calendars:

School-Wide Bee: The top spellers from their classroom Bees will move on to the big event on February 26th!

We can't wait to see our students show off their skills!


information about parenting class.  a picture of a mother helping a child

Parenting Education Program at Bull Run ES

We are excited to invite our Bull Run families to a special Parenting Education Program. This session is designed to offer actionable techniques for building self-esteem in children, encouraging positive behavior, and managing family stress. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain confidence and connect with a supportive community of fellow parents.

When: Monday, March 02 | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Note: This program is FREE and also offered in Spanish.

Sign Up: Spots are limited! Please contact our Family Liaison, Lilith Albornoz, at 703-227-1417 or email llalbornoz@fcps.edu to reserve your place.


Yearbook pre order form

Pre-orders for the '25-'26 Bull Run Elementary Yearbook are officially open. Buying early ensures your student gets their copy before they sell out.

Deadline: Order by April 26

Yearbook ID: 15367026

How to Order: Head to ybpay.lifetouch.com and use the ID code above.


IMPORTANT LINKS, CURRICULUM UPDATES AND INFORMATION


Subjects on books

Grade Level Curriculum 2025-2026


A wall with a mathematical pie symbol and numbers and a number 5 sitting on a stack of books

BENCHMARK UPDATE

Halfway Through Exploring Technology and Society in Language Arts 

We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 5 in Language Arts! Across grade levels, students have explored why we use technology, how we take responsibility when making advances in technology, and where ideas for inventions come from. 

Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:

  • Question: What’s the most interesting fact you learned from this unit so far? Why is it interesting to you?
  • Activity: Ask your child to draw a picture of how they would improve a common piece of technology (cell phone, car, etc.).

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 Benchmark Families website.

 


cares

 

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!

 


BULL RUN SPIRIT DAYS


Bull Run Logo

 

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 throughout the school year!

 

 

Jersey Day

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!


FCPS NEWS AND RESOURCES


mural of historical figure. invitation for FCPS black history month celebration

 

 

Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School

The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.

 


Register Today With Volunteer FCPS

Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at Bull Run ES.

All volunteers must:

  • Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS. 
  • Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS. 
  • Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.  

At the Volunteer FCPS site, you can complete a volunteer orientation. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.


Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

Registration is open or will be available soon for