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          Kristen Rucinski - Principal         Allison Ovalle - Assistant Principal         

Gunston Gazette

August 14, 2026

School Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sign-Up for a Welcome Back

Gunston Staff Breakfast.

Please donate breakfast items for our staff. 

How to help:

• Sign-up to bring or a baked yummy item 
• Drop OFF your breakfast items(s) at the front office on: Friday, August 14th (8 am to 4 pm) or the morning of Monday, August 17th (7:30 am to 8 am)

Please use the sign-up link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B48AAAE2CA7F58-65120327-gunston

Open House

Friday, August 21st

9:00am - 10:15am

Back to School Night

Wednesday, September 9th

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Back-to-School Checklist

We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!

As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready! 

☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE - Needed for Bus Numbers

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at 703-541-3600 if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. Also, download the new ParentVUE mobile app so you can access your child’s records easily from anywhere! 

Update Your Contact Information

Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts. 

☑️ Update Immunizations and Records

Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy. 

When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.

☑️ Learn About School Meals

Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.

☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:

• Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
• Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
• Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.

Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.

¡Estamos entusiasmados por recibir a todos de vuelta en la escuela!

Mientras el verano llega a su fin, nosotros nos preparamos para darles la bienvenida a los estudiantes en nuestros salones de clase. ¡Revise esta lista para que se asegure de que su niño está listo para el primer día!! 

☑️ Inscríbase en SIS ParentVUE-Necesario para los números de autobús

Tenga acceso a los récords de asistencia, calificaciones y tareas asignadas a su estudiante, cuando lo necesite a través de SIS ParentVUE. Contacte al registrador de la escuela llamando al [email/phone number] si necesita un código de activación. Conozca más sobre SIS ParentVUE. Además, recuerde que puede descargar la nueva aplicación móvil ParentVUE para acceder fácilmente a la información de su estudiante desde cualquier lugar.

Actualice su información de contacto

¡Asegúrese de que pueda recibir información que es importante! Actualice sus números telefónicos y direcciones email haciendo clic en “Mi Cuenta” y revisando lo que aparece en la sección “Verificación/Actualización Online”. En este formulario, usted también puede actualizar los récords de vacunación, la información de salud y los contactos de emergencia.

☑️ Revise las Vacunas y los Récords de Vacunación

Las vacunas son obligatorias para todos los estudiantes que van a la escuela en Virginia. Este es un paso importante para protegerlos de ciertas enfermedades y mantenerlos saludables. 

Cuando le ponga alguna vacuna a su niño, recuerde pedir una copia de su récord de vacunación y entréguela en la oficina principal de la escuela o envíela a través de SIS ParentVUE lo más pronto que le sea posible. Encuentre más información en la página web de FCPS.

☑️ Conozca más sobre las Comidas Escolares

Las familias deben darles dinero a sus estudiantes para comprar comidas en la escuela o enviarles un almuerzo preparado en casa. Como alternativa, pueden solicitar los beneficios de comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido, sujetos a aprobación.

☑️ Ponga el Calendario del Año Escolar en sus Favoritos

Asegúrese de poner en sus favoritos el calendario del año escolar de FCPS para que esté al tanto de los días feriados escolares, las vacaciones y las fechas especiales religiosas y culturales:

• Los días marcados con una “H” azul, son feriados para los estudiantes. Las escuelas estarán cerradas esos días.
• Los días marcados con una “O” naranja son días de observancia religiosa y cultural (o tardes, si solamente se marca medio día). Habrá clases esos días, pero ciertos eventos que no puedan reprogramarse, podrían no realizarse esos días.
• Los días marcados con las letras TW, SD, y SP en color rosa son feriados para los estudiantes, pero son días de trabajo para maestros y personal escolar.

Por favor, note que algunos días feriados o fechas especiales como Eid al Fitr, podrían cambiar y el calendario sería ajustado.

Food Service Updates for New School Year:

New Prices

Meal Prices:

Forms:

UPDATE. ONLY MILK will be served with lunch. Water is no longer a free substitution. If your child cannot MEDICALLY drink milk fill out the “Milk Substitution Form” linked Below.

• Medical Dietary Accommodation Form - This form is for any student who requires medical dietary accommodations (including allergies). A healthcare practitioner must sign this form.
• Milk Substitution Form - This is for any student who cannot drink cow's milk. This form must be signed by a parent/guardian.
• Medical Discontinuation Form: If a student no longer requires a medical accommodation that is still on file with FNS, parents must complete this form.
• Once the dietary accommodation form is submitted to our centralized email, our Registered Dietitians will create a tailored menu that aligns with the cafeteria offerings. These menus, along with ground and pureed meals prepared on-site in separate containers, will be shared with our Kitchen Manager and families before service.

Free and Reduced-Meals (FRM)

FRM eligibility from SY 25-26 lasts for the first 30 days of school or until a new application is processed. Households must submit a new application by October 7, 2026. SY 26-27 FRM applications are available online at Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) | Fairfax County Public Schools. Limited paper applications and fliers will be distributed, but online applications are encouraged.

○ Kitchen Managers cannot share free and reduced information, with penalties including fines or imprisonment.

○ Reports for students whose parents have completed the FCPS Consent to Share will be available in EDSL for school administrators.

First-Day Ready

Be First-Day Ready

The first day of school, Monday, August 24, is just around the corner! Check out these back-to-school tips to make sure your child gets off to a great start. Doors open at 8:20 a.m.

Also find out what will be new this school year. 

Study Help and Support in Schoology

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. 

FCPS App

Download the FCPS App Today!

The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

With the app, you can:

• View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
• Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
• Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
• Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
• Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.

No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app.

New ParentVUE App

New ParentVUE Mobile App Launching July 28 On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app will become available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.

In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.

Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.

Student IDs/Bus Tracking

New Student ID Cards Coming This Fall 

This fall, every FCPS student will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a divisionwide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school. 

Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card. Families can help by reinforcing this new habit with their child.

All students at our school will need to wear their student ID cards throughout the school day. We will be handing out the new student ID cards the first few weeks of school. More details will be shared soon.

Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.

Family Academy

Building a Brighter Future, Together: FCPS Family Academy

The FCPS Family Academy is where families can learn and get support for their child’s school journey. 

We know that parents and caregivers are critically important in their child’s education. The Family Academy lists classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. The Family Academy also includes information about resources available to help every family ensure their child has what they need to succeed. 

Visit the Family Academy webpage. 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. 

FCPS on WhatsApp

Follow FCPS on WhatsApp

Is WhatsApp one of the ways you stay connected with family, friends, and your community? Now you can use it to stay connected with FCPS, too.

Follow the new FCPS WhatsApp Channel for helpful information and reminders throughout the school year, including important announcements, upcoming dates, tips for families, and more.

SR&R Updates

Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates: New Universal Grade Matrices for Families - Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.

Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.

Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.

Entendiendo las Actualizaciones a los Derechos y Responsabilidades de los Estudiantes: Nuevas Matrices Universales