March 6, 2026 - Gunston Gazette
Gunston Gazette - March 6, 2026

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Kristen Rucinski - Principal        Ashley Nelson - Assistant Principal     

March 1st - 31st: Women's History Month

March 8th: Daylight Saving Time (Spring Forward)

March 20th: All FCPS Schools are closed - Eid al Fitr

March 20th: GES Yearbook Cover Submissions Due

March 23rd: Kindergarten Orientation 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

March 25th: 3 hour Early Release - 12:20 p.m.

March 26th: PTA Meeting - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

March 27th: End of 3rd Quarter - 2 hour Early Release - 1:20 p.m.

March 30th - April 3rd: All FCPS Schools are close for Spring Break

April 6th: FCPS Teacher Workday - No Students

 

Gunston Gazette

PTA News

Next PTA Meeting will be Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please join us! 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3236608793?pwd=RF69mhfFopHSUu3kEZBm7Y3yt73zv0.1&omn=87273931486

Meeting ID: 323 660 8793

Passcode: Gunston

PTA

PTA Yearbook Cover Contest

Would you like your artwork featured on the cover of Gunston's 2025-2026 yearbook? How about a FREE 2025-2026 Yearbook for the cover WINNER! We are inviting ALL Gunston Elementary Students to enter their drawings. 

ENTRIES DUE BY 20 MARCH 2026, NO Extensions

Submission requirements

  1. 8.5x11 sheet of white paper
  2. Portrait orientation (this paper is printed Portrait – do not turn it sideways)
  3. Only on the back: write your name with pencil
  4. Paper cannot be folded
  5. No use of commercial graphics, logos, licensed characters, or offensive material
  6. Digital designs are welcome but need to be original and cannot be copied materials
  7. All entries must include the following text:

Gunston Elementary

2025-2026

Title related to this year’s theme: Empower | Inspire Excellence | Unlock Possibilities

Suggestions/Tips:

  • Try to think of a design that will appeal to all Gunston students.
  • Letters – dark colors and outlining each letter with black work best.

Entries that do not meet the submissions requirements above, cannot qualify for the cover. We cannot guarantee artwork submissions will be returned.  For questions: E‐mail gunstonptaevents@gmail.com.

PTA Cover
kinder

Date: Monday, March 23   Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm

This is a special afternoon for you and your rising kindergarten student to meet school administrators, kindergarten team and other school resource staff.

  • Complete registrations are not required to attend this event but are encouraged.
  • All questions are welcome!  Please call or email our registrar, Lynn Warner, at lawarner@fcps.edu or 703-541-3603

We look forward to seeing you!

It's Kindergarten Registration Time!

Kindergarten helps children learn and practice the social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. 

Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, in the spring. Eligible children can be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps schools prepare and ensure they have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

If your child will attend our school, please gather necessary documents and complete registration forms as soon as possible. Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Monday, March 23rd from 4:30PM - 6:30pm.  More details forthcoming!

FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, please visit the FCPS Registration webpage. 

women's history month

National Women’s History Month

Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids.

Community Conversations

Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on: 

Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.

  • Spanish:Conversaciones con la Comunidad: Comparta su Opinión con la Dra. Reid
  • Siendo una líder que sabe escuchar, la Dra. Reid considera muy importante conectarse e involucrarse con miembros de la comunidad en toda la división escolar. Sus reuniones Conversaciones con la Comunidad representan oportunidades para que comparta sus ideas y opiniones y para que haga las preguntas que tenga. Los eventos se realizarán en estas fechas, durante la primavera (de 6:30 a 7:30 p.m. a menos se notifiquen cambios):

Se ofrecerán servicios de Cuidado de Niños y de Traducción. Estos eventos están abiertos para todas las personas. Visite la página de participación comunitaria de la superintendente para que encuentre la información más reciente.

pre-K

Pre-K and Early Head Start

Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs 

FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors, ages 6 weeks to 4 years, living in Fairfax County. 

  • Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30 of the same year.
  • Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at the program office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.  

If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).

 

Programas para Pre-K y de Atención Integral para la Primera Infancia 

Los programas para Pre-K y de Atención Integral para la Primera Infancia proveen experiencias educativas tempranas de alta calidad a niños que califiquen para ellos, que enfrenten factores de riesgos económicos y educacionales, que estén entre las edades de 6 semanas a 4 años, y que vivan en el Condado de Fairfax. 

  • Los programas para Pre-K priorizan aquellos solicitantes de 4 años de edad, pero también acepta solicitudes para niños que cumplan 3 años antes del 30 de septiembre del mismo año.
  • Los programas de Atención Integral para la Primera Infancia están ubicados en tres escuelas primarias; Clearview, Crestwood y Dogwood, y acepta solicitudes de cupo desde el embarazo y hasta los 2 años de edad.

Animamos a las familias a solicitar cupos lo más pronto posible; el espacio es limitado y se otorga basado en el nivel de necesidad, no en el orden de llegada.

Las solicitudes se aceptan de forma online, por email, por correo, o en persona en la oficina del programa en la dirección 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.  

Si tiene preguntas acerca del proceso de solicitud o sobre el estatus del suyo, por favor llame en inglés al 703-208-7900, o en español al 703-208-7901.

2026 Special Education Family Conference banner

Special Education Family Conference

2026 Special Education Family Conference: RescheduledFCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.

student sleeping

Sleep Awareness Week

Sleep Awareness WeekThe National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week is March 8 to 14. The observance highlights the critical link between sleep and health, both physical and mental. Read more about sleep health and sleep strategies you can try at home.

 

Measles

Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update

Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports. 

If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations. 

Family Engagement Survey

Family Engagement Survey to Open March 9

FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools. 

Survey topics include:

  • Welcoming environment.
  • Communication.
  • Student success.
  • Advocacy.
  • Family and school partnerships.
  • Community partnerships.

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. 

Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.

Summer Learning

Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. 

Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps

Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.

Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes. 

New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.