Dear Cherry Run Families,

It has been wonderful to have a full five-day week together with our Cardinals (even with a two-hour delay mixed in!).

Last Friday we hosted the CRES Spelling Bee, congratulations to all of our talented spellers! We are so proud of each student who participated, and we are grateful to the volunteers and families who came out to support and cheer on our Cardinals.

I hope you are able to get outside this weekend and enjoy the beautiful, spring-like weather!

Wishing you a relaxing weekend ahead!

Sincerely,

Maura Donahue 

3/18 Early Release Wednesday 3/20 Holiday-No School 3/27 End of 2nd Quarter-2 hour early       release  3/30-4/3 Spring Break 4/6 Student Holiday 4/10 Student Holiday

Upcoming State Testing at CRES

As we approach spring testing season, we want to share two important upcoming assessment dates:

• Friday, March 13 – Our 4th grade students will participate in the NAEP State Assessment.
• Monday, March 23 – Our 5th grade students will take the IRW SOL (Integrated Reading and Writing Standards of Learning) assessment.

Please help your child do their best by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time on their testing day.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students succeed!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Katy Harvey, our School Testing Coordinator – ksharvey@fcps.edu

Countdown to Kindergarten Countdown to Kindergarten: Supporting a Smooth Transition Is your child heading to kindergarten this fall? Join FCPS staff for Countdown to Kindergarten, a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! The webinar will take place on Friday, March 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support their child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools. Register to receive the event link.  Kindergarten Registration There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten: Determine eligibility.  Identify your local school.  Gather documents.  Fill out forms.  Schedule an appointment (the student and one caregiver must be present). Read more about the registration process.

Kindergarten Registration Learn About Kindergarten at Cherry Run ES Our kindergarten open house is being held on April 14, 2026 to give parents of students entering school in August an opportunity to learn more about kindergarten at our school.  We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Resources on the School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage provide parents with ways to support their children to help ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten.  There’s also an easy-to-follow five-step process outlined for registering your child for kindergarten. Register your child today! Contact our registrar, Yasmin Naldo, at 703-923-2800 or ymnaldo@fcps.edu with any questions.

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.

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. 

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.

Special Education Family Conference-Rescheduled FCPS’ 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

Black History Month Event Rooted in Resilience, Echoes of Excellence: FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration: The spirit of heritage and the promise of the future filled the air at Carter G. Woodson High School as FCPS held its second annual Black History Month Celebration with the theme, Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence. This year’s event was especially significant as it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the movement that became Black History Month. Students from across the division took center stage as the true "echoes" of this excellence. The program featured student-led Moments of Pride that connected local and national history to contemporary achievements. Vernon Walton, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Vienna, delivered a spirited keynote speech. Another highlight of the night was the FCPS Black Excellence video tribute. Read more about the Black history event.

CRES PTA Corner

Active Learning Corridors at Cherry Run ES.
The CRES PTA is excited to announce a new permanent art wall in our school to celebrate what is possible through community. This “Legacy Wall” will honor families and businesses that support Cherry Run’s aspirations and continued success. We reach new heights when we work as a team. TOGETHER We Soar! 

All students, staff and community members are invited to add your name to the Legacy Wall, a large hand-painted cardinal mural featuring the names of those who donate at least $100 by March 15th.

Check out ALC’s website to read more about this transformative project that will impact all students!

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 FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her 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: 

• Tuesday, March 3, at Waples Mill Elementary School.
• Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
• Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
• Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
• Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.

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.

Purple Up FCPS Purple Up! Items Available for Purchase 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!  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. The color purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military.  FCPS Purple Up! items include: T-shirts Hoodies Pajama pants Keychains Yard signs These items are available for purchase now through Monday, March 9, 2026, through Custom Ink. The items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our over 14,000 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS!  Cherry Run Military Families Hello Cherry Run Military Families, We are excited to celebrate Month of the Military Child this April across the county and here at Cherry Run. Mark your calendars for our Purple UP celebration on Wednesday April 15th after school. More details to follow! If you are currently experiencing a deployment or anticipate an upcoming deployment or extended TDY, please let us know. We care very much about our military families at Cherry Run and are here to support you in any way we can. Feel free to reach out to me directly at dshuisman@fcps.edu. Thank you for being such an important part of our Cherry Run  community! Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS): A Military Family Orientation - Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and Thursday, March 12, 2026 Military families new to FCPS or moving to FCPS soon may attend this interactive presentation. Families will learn about: FCPS programs, school staff, and digital resources Strategies to support student success Early enrollment for military families The Military Interstate Compact This virtual presentation will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m., and Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Please fill out this Google form to register and receive the Zoom link. Preparing for Your PCS Virtual Workshop - March 24, 2026 It’s PCS season! We want to help you prepare for your move, so your child’s transition to their next school is a little easier. FCPS Family & School Partnerships staff and Fort Belvoir School Liaison Officers (SLOs) will explain: How to withdraw from FCPS How to obtain unofficial student records from your current school How to connect with the SLO at your next duty station This virtual event will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m. Please fill out this Google form to register and receive the Zoom link.

Military Family Field Day - Saturday, April 18, 2026 FCPS is excited to celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a good, old-fashioned field day! We invite all military-connected families with FCPS students to a special field day to honor our military-connected children. Join us for an afternoon of fun and community at Annandale High School (4700 Medford Dr, Annandale, VA 22003) on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. Enjoy field day games and crafts at the football and track stadium. Food and beverages will be available for purchase to support various FCPS school clubs and organizations. This is a great opportunity to connect with other military families across the division! To RSVP, please complete this Google form by Friday, March 27, 2026.

Sibshops

The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun. A similar program called SibTeen is also offered to students in grades 6-9.

The next Sibshops and SibTeen sessions will be held on Friday April 10, 2026 9:30 am-12:30 pm at Gum Springs Elementary (8100 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA). Families should visit https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-academy/catalog to register for the session.

Summer Learning

Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for StudentsRegistration 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 CampsCareer 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.