Phone Numbers

Office Staff

Dave Gerstner, Principal

Lauren Arreaza, Assistant Principal

Nick Rousos, Assistant Principal

Shannon Soria, Administrative Assistant

Betty Bancroft, Student Information Assistant

Sheri Weber, Office Assistant

Veronica Treadwell, Office Assistant

Estefania Perugachi, School Health Aide

Carolina Chavez, Family Liaison

School Hours

Main Office Hours:  8:00 am. – 4:30 pm

PreK-6th Grade (In-Session School) Hours: 9:15 am. - 4:00 pm

Preschool Hours

         AM: 9:15 am-12:35 pm

         PM: 12:40 pm-4:00 pm

SACC Hours: 7:00 am—6:15 pm 

Advanced Academic (AAP) Program

AAP offers a continuum of advanced academic services to meet a broad range of student needs. We take a holistic approach that uses a variety of assessments to determine the level of service to match the child’s current needs. The AAP continuum of services develops and builds on students’ current strengths and talents. Students’ advanced academic needs may change over time.

Some students need a differentiated curriculum to address their cognitive and social-emotional needs. These students receive additional AAP services based on:

• Academic needs beyond peers at their grade level.
• Strengths in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
• A need for increased depth, complexity, and pace of instruction.

The K-2nd grade school-based program offers a series of Response Lessons in critical and creative thinking for all students.  Certain individual students who exhibit characteristics of emerging giftedness are provided with differentiated services.  These services are specifically planned for the identified child and offer changes in the child's instructional program that provide more challenging content, alternative resources, activities, assignments, and/or instructional groupings.

The 3rd-6th grade school-based program offers a series of process lessons to all students to increase their critical and creative thinking skills.  Thinking skills are emphasized at each grade level, and the skills are integrated into various areas of content instruction.  The school-based program offers a weekly session with an advanced academic resource teacher for students identified by committee review.  Expansion of critical and creative thinking skills as well as training in creative problem solving is provided in these weekly sessions.

The 3rd-6th grade center-based program offers students a highly challenging instructional program, and curriculum differentiation in the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction matched to particular students and content areas. 

Third and fourth-grade VRES students who are eligible for level IV services through the central selection process will have the option to stay at VRES. Students who are eligible for level IV services will be cluster-grouped with other students who are eligible for level IV services. The Local Level IV Program is designed to enhance the current school-based Advanced Academic Program (AAP) by providing access to full-time (level IV) AAP services in addition to levels I, II, and III in the continuum of services at the local school.

School-based AAP programs are located in every elementary and middle school.  Center-based programs are located in certain schools, but all children have equal opportunity to be screened for eligibility into this program.

AAP Referral Deadlines 

School-Based Screening (AAP levels II, III) 

All students are evaluated for school-based services using multiple measures during the spring screening window in May.

For consideration outside of the May screening window:

• Contact Virginia Run’s AART for questions regarding student eligibility or placement in school-based services.
• Submit the Level II-III Referral Form to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) 

Full-Time Level IV Services 

• The screening pool will be announced in early December. 
• If you would like your student screened you may submit a referral from August 21-December 15, 2023. No exceptions to the referral deadline are made.

Arrival and Dismissal

Buses

Bus service is provided for children living outside the walking boundaries. Bus riders are expected to:

• Avoid crossing over or playing on private property.
• Arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
• Remain seated, and talk quietly after boarding the bus.
• Cooperate with the safety patrols and bus drivers.

Procedures for safe transportation are discussed with all students at the beginning of the school year. Parents/guardians are responsible for supervision for safety at bus stops.  It is also important that families review with their children the information included on the form provided to all students who use school transportation. Parent/guardian reinforcement of the rules for safe loading and unloading of buses and of standards for behavior on buses and at bus stops is essential and will promote safety.

Student failure to exhibit acceptable standards of conduct while riding a school bus can result in a suspension of bus transportation.

Please note that FCPS transportation services anticipate the continuation of longer drive times for routes or the potential for changes to the am/pm schedule. 

Kindergarten Families: For your child’s safety, the bus driver will return your child to their school if your child is not met at the door of the school bus by an adult or middle school or older student who calls for the child by name. All kindergarten students will receive a yellow tape that will be attached to their backpacks so the bus drivers can identify those students.  

FECEP-Head Start -PreK Families: PreK, Early Childhood Program (FECEP), and  Headstart students will be returned to school unless they are met at the bus door by a parent or another responsible adult who is 18 years of age or older and named in writing by the parent. All Headstart students will receive a colored tape that will be attached to their backpacks so the bus drivers can identify those students.  

Walkers 

Parents/guardians are responsible for selecting their children’s walking routes to and from bus stops, schools, and homes. Parents/guardians are also responsible for providing supervision that is appropriate to the student’s age, the student’s maturity, and conditions on the route. 

FCPS staff does not assess all possible walking routes, supervise those routes, or guarantee the safety of any particular route. Staff members provide general safety information to school communities and respond to requests for specific information and advice when practicable. 

Walkers will enter the school through the main entrance.  Students should not arrive at school before 9:00 am but no later than 9:15 am. Our morning staff is on duty from 9:00-9:15 am.  There will be no supervision before 9:00 am. The first bell rings at 9:00 am. The tardy bell rings at 9:15 am. All students should be in their classroom by 9:15 am when the tardy bell rings. 

Parents/guardians escorting their children to school or picking them up at the end of the day may not walk the child to the classroom.  Staff members will monitor students upon entering the building to ensure their safety.

Car Riders

Car riders must use the Kiss-N-Ride area near Door 1. Families are required to drop students off using the circular driveway in front of the school. If you choose to not use Kiss-N-Ride, you must bring your child to the front of the building, park your car in the back/side parking lot, and use designated crosswalks. For safety reasons, please do not use cell phones while in the Kiss-N-Ride line.

The Kiss-N-Ride is a designated area (identified by signs) for families picking up or dropping off their children by private vehicle.  The area is separate from the bus loading/unloading location so there is no conflict between the two operations.  For the Kiss-N-Ride to function properly, several procedures must be followed:

• Drivers should remain in their vehicle at all times. Staff will assist students in entering and exiting vehicles on the right side of the car, along the curb.
• For dismissal, students wait in the designated waiting area for Kiss-N-Ride. (Children should not bypass the Kiss-N-Ride loading area and get into cars past the loading area.) 
• Families may park in the back lot by the buses and come to meet their child at the front entrance/exit as a walker. Please adhere to walking on sidewalks and crosswalks. 
• Please do not walk into/across the Kiss-N-Ride loading area. 
• There is one area for Kiss-N-Riders to wait: the left walkway (pictured in orange). The right walkway (purple arrows) is for walkers/bicycle riders. Parents are welcome to wait on the right side of that sidewalk to meet their walker. Children should cross only at designated crosswalks.

Staff members will be stationed at the Kiss-N-Ride to help students get out of the cars safely and enter the building through the front doors.  The staff member will not help buckle or unbuckle your student.  The Kiss-N-Ride area becomes very congested. The following is a suggested route to aid in the flow of traffic:

1. Come down Hidden Canyon Road towards school.
2. Make a left-hand turn onto Martins Hundred Drive.
3. Then make the third right-hand turn into the front of the school.
4. When exiting school, please make a right-hand turn onto Martins Hundred Drive.

Please treat our staff members monitoring Kiss-N-Ride respectfully.  Remember that Kiss-N-Ride is offered as a courtesy to our families and our staff members make it possible to offer this service.

Kiss-N-Ride families are expected to pick their students up on time.  Car riders who have not been picked up by 4:10 pm will be escorted to the school office until a parent or guardian arrives.

Bicycles

The decision of whether a student can ride their bicycle to school should be left up to the parent/guardian. Families should consider the following:

• Their child’s age, maturity level, and physical condition.
• Has the child demonstrated proficiency in riding a bike?

Before your child riding a bicycle to school, determine the riding route to school. Discuss alternate routes in the event the primary route is inaccessible.

Students riding bicycles to school must agree to assume the following responsibilities:

• Fairfax County requires the use of bicycle helmets.  Fairfax County Code Section 82-6-38.1 defines the use of a protective helmet while operating a Bicycle: Any person under the age of fifteen years of age shall wear a protective helmet that meets the standards promulgated by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation while riding or being carried on a bicycle on any highway, sidewalk, or public bicycle path.
• Students must walk their bicycle to the bicycle rack when arriving on school property.  No bike riding is permitted on the sidewalks of the school.
• Students should secure their bikes to the bike rack with a lock.  Bikes may not be stored in the school building.
• Students should plan a timely arrival to school.  Students should arrive no earlier than 9:00 am and should be in their classrooms by 9:15 am
• Students and parents/guardians must assume full responsibility for personal property brought to school.  The school will not assume any responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of bicycles brought onto school property.

Change in Transportation Arrangement

We are unable to process changes in transportation for play dates. Arrangements for play dates and visits to friends should be scheduled after students arrive safely home from school. 

However, should an emergency require that a child walk or ride home with a friend, the parent should send a note to the main office on the morning of the day permission is requested. A note is required from the parent/guardian of each student involved. Please send your requests in writing, including the date, the children’s first and last names, the homeroom teacher, and what the change is “Kiss and Ride with ____”, “Walking home with __________.” The note should be signed by the parent/guardian and include a phone number where you can be reached for questions or further information. We are unable to process changes in transportation unless both students have a note. In the absence of both students having notes, each student will be instructed to go home as they normally would go home. The students will be allowed to make a phone call to a parent to inform them of the situation.

Students who ride the bus to school are assigned a bus and a bus stop by the Office of Transportation Services.  If you need to make a permanent change to your bus you must fill out a Request for Exception to Ride a School Bus form.  https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/tr52.pdf.  This form should be turned into the school office and will be forwarded to the Office of Transportation.  If you are changing your bus stop but remaining on the same bus, you need to speak with the bus driver and inform the school of the change.  

Early Dismissal

The end of the school day is very busy in both the classrooms and in the school office. Teachers provide homework and end-of-the-day instructions. The office staff ensures all changes in transportation are processed so every student arrives home safely.  Therefore, if you would like your child to be released before dismissal you must arrive at the school no later than 3:40 pm.  For additional information please see Release of Students on page 18.

Attendance

In Virginia, all students aged five (5) through eighteen (18) are required to attend school regularly. Students may be absent for identified reasons, such as the following:

1. Illness
2. Medical procedures that cannot be scheduled outside of school hours
3. Religious and cultural observances
4. Civic engagement (secondary students only)
5. Funerals

Attend today, achieve tomorrow!  Learn how to encourage regular attendance by clicking on this link.

Parents/guardians can submit absences online, via email, or by calling the main office. Please contact the school office each time a child is absent or tardy.  To submit an absence online, please visit https://virginiarunes.fcps.edu/attendance-form. To email an absence, please email @email. To call, please use the attendance hotline at 703-988-8989 between the hours of 4:30 pm until 8:30 am and leave a message to report a student absence.  After 8:30 am, families can call the school office at 703-988-8900.  Parents/guardians of students not reported absent by 9:30 am will receive an attendance notification message.

Excused Absence

An excused absence is an absence of an entire assigned instructional school day with a reason acceptable to the school administration that is provided by the parent.  If circumstances permit, the parent should provide the school administration with the reason for the nonattendance prior to the absence.  Examples of an excused absence may include, but are not limited to, the following reasons: illness (including mental health and substance use illnesses), injury, funeral, legal obligations, medical procedures, suspensions, religious observances, military obligation, deployment of a military family member, or visit from a family member who has immediately returned from deployment, emergency conditions in the student’s home which require temporary help from the student to care for a sick or injured family member, or other reason deemed acceptable by the principal.  The principal determines whether or not absences will be excused and may require a physician’s note in cases of repeated or long-term absence due to illness.

Unexcused Absence

An unexcused absence is an absence where (i) the student missed his or her scheduled instructional school day in its entirety and (ii) no indication has been received by school personnel within three days of the absence that the student’s parent is aware and supports the absence, or (iii) the parent provides a reason for the absence that is unacceptable to the school administration.  The school administration may change an unexcused absence to an excused absence when it determines that the parent has provided an acceptable reason that meets the criteria for the student’s absence or there are extenuating circumstances.  Examples of unexcused absences include but are not limited to, all day or period absence with or without parent knowledge, family vacations, and absences where the parent has not provided appropriate explanation or requested documentation, such as a physician’s letter.  

Chronic Absence

Chronic absence is the accumulation of absences that occur for any reason to a total of ten percent or more of the school year. Chronic absence, missing more than ten percent of the school year for any reason, has been associated with lower reading and math achievement in elementary grades. Students with chronic absences will require a conference with the principal, parent, and when appropriate, the school counselor.  

Prearranged Absences

Parents/guardians are encouraged to minimize absences during school hours and to plan family trips and vacations during school holidays. Requests for prearranged absences for longer than one school day must be submitted to the principal within a reasonable time for the school to review. Due to varied demands on teachers for make-up work, teachers shall have discretion to decide the type and amount of work and when students shall make up work for preapproved absences.  Teachers shall not be required to provide assignments in advance of the absences but may do so at their discretion. Parents/guardians and students are encouraged to work with teachers prior to the absence to develop a plan for making up missed work, including expected deadlines. There is a required form to fill out for prearranged absences.  The Request for the Prearranged absence form can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se291.pdf. Hard copies are available in the front office. 

Important: According to state law, any student absent from school for 15 consecutive days regardless of reason will be withdrawn from school.  Parents/guardians will need to reenroll their students on their own.   There is no guarantee the student will be placed in the same class upon return.  

Tardy

Students arriving at school late must first report to the office for correction of attendance records. Car riders arriving tardy should be brought to the front of the school building and accompanied into the office by a parent/guardian. The first bell rings at 9:05 am. The tardy bell rings at 9:15 am. Students who arrive in their classroom after 9:15 am will be marked tardy. If the student continues to be tardy a meeting with the principal, counselor, student, and parent will be held to discuss the situation.

Birthday Celebrations

More and more of our students are diagnosed with severe food allergies, and many of our parents/guardians want to limit their children’s intake of sweets.  If you wish to bring a small treat to celebrate your child’s birthday, please send a non-food treat for your child to share with his/her classmates (Pencils, stickers, eraser, bookmark, etc.).  This will allow all students in the class to participate in the celebration while keeping all our students safe.  

If your child is inviting classmates to his/her birthday party, please do not have your child distribute invitations at school. Please note that teachers cannot provide student contact information. 

Cafeteria

Students may bring lunch from home or purchase lunch at school.  Nutritious school breakfasts and lunches are served daily in the cafeteria.  

A calendar menu is available here (https://fcps.nutrislice.com/menu/).  You are encouraged to review the menu with your child.  The complete lunch consists of a main item, two choices from the fruits and vegetables of the day, and milk.  A la carte items, such as cookies and low-fat ice cream, may be available for student purchase for an additional fee.

Parents/guardians can make special arrangements for students with milk allergies.  Juice will be substituted for milk with the daily lunch after a letter from a physician is presented to the cafeteria manager.  Parents/guardians of students with a severe food allergy (such as peanut allergy) should contact the main office. Special seating is provided in the cafeteria for students with nut allergies. 

For information on Free and Reduced lunch, visit https://www.fcps.edu/frm. Applications are available in English and several other languages. 

Classroom Parties and Celebrations

Parents/guardians are requested to work with classroom teachers and room parents regarding classroom policies and possible food allergies when sending food items in for classroom parties.  Please be advised that each classroom is permitted to have 2 classroom parties per year.  Individual birthday celebrations will not occur in classrooms during the school day.

Clinic Information (School Health Room)

Clinic services in the school, including the administration of medication and modified first aid, are performed by the school health aide, parent volunteers, and office staff. The clinic is not staffed with a licensed practitioner and therefore is not able to serve as a source of medical diagnosis, care, or guidance.  They provide care only for minor illnesses and injuries.

Illness or Injury

If your child is injured or becomes sick at school, we will notify you immediately.  If we cannot reach a parent, we will call a person you have listed on your Emergency Care Form. It is important that we have an Emergency Care Form on file for each student and that the information is updated as changes occur. Students sent home with a fever must be fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication to return to school. 

 Contagious Illnesses

In accordance with the communicable disease policy for Fairfax County Public Schools, students with symptoms such as rashes, skin eruptions, watery and inflamed eyes, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea should stay home until the doctor evaluates their symptoms and determines whether they are contagious or the symptoms are no longer present. Students with an elevated temperature, vomiting, or diarrhea should be symptom and fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.

Parents/guardians will be contacted and expected to take their child home if he/she is sent to school with symptoms of an illness, becomes sick, or develops a rash.

Please notify the school office if your child should contract chicken pox, strep throat, measles, head lice, or any other contagious disease. 

Medication

If your child MUST receive medication during school hours, you are required to complete the appropriate Fairfax County Public Schools authorization forms available in the school office or at http://www.fcps.edu/forms.htm#hea.  

Medication will not be dispensed without proper authorization from a physician.

Please complete all medication forms accurately before bringing medication to school.  The label on the prescription bottle/package must match the orders on the medication form.

A student may carry and use an inhaler for asthmatic conditions when the student’s physician and parent have both completed the necessary form available from the school clinic.

The first dose of any new medication must be given at home. Parents/guardians are responsible for submitting a new form to the school each time there is a change in the dosage or in the time at which the medication is to be taken.

Parents/guardians are reminded that children may not transport or possess any prescription or over-the-counter medication, at any time.  ALL MEDICATION, PRESCRIPTION OR OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION MUST BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL BY A PARENT.  However, students may ONLY bring over-the-counter cough drops or throat lozenges provided that they are in the original container or packaging (Medication Authorization form is not required). Students must not share cough drops or throat lozenges under any circumstances with other students.  Guidelines are outlined in Regulation 2102.11.  Any child, regardless of age, who brings or possesses medication or any drug-related paraphernalia to school, will be disciplined according to FCPS Regulation 2610 (Removal (suspension, expulsion, or exclusion) of students from school). 

Communication

Good communication between home and school is vital to a successful school experience for each child. Questions relating to your child should be directed to the classroom teacher. All teachers have voice mail and an e-mail address. Refer to https://virginiarunes.fcps.edu/staff-directory 

• Talking Points

Talking points is our new communication tool FCPS has added to communicate between staff and parents.  What makes this unique is that it is an easy and safe way for families to communicate in their home languages with their child’s teacher. 

For your convenience, many FCPS forms can be found on the internet (see website links below).  Choose the form you need, complete it, print it, and send it in with your child. This will save time if you need to complete forms for more than one child. 

COVID-19

Students demonstrating fever (100.4 or greater) will be sent home from school.  The parent/guardian will be notified and the FCPS Guidance for Student Sent Home with a Fever form will be sent home along with a Covid test. This form will need to be filled out and sent back to school along with a picture of the negative test.

Students demonstrating respiratory symptoms and NO FEVER will return to class as determined by the School Public Health Nurse or School Health Aide based on updated FCHD guidance. Parents can ask for a Covid test to be sent home with their child, but we do not require any paperwork back.  

Directory Information

Federal law permits the disclosure of “directory information” from a student’s records prior to written consent unless the parent has opted out of such disclosure. Directory information is routine information that is generally not considered harmful to disclose. Unless you have opted out, this type of information may be included in school publications and disclosed to outside requesters.  School yearbook photos are included in this category. The following items of student information are established as "directory information":

• Name
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Height and weight, if a member of an athletic team
• Attendance records
• Awards and honors received
• School and grade
• Photographs and other images
• Name of parent or guardian or individual with whom the student lives

In addition, parent email addresses are classified as "directory information" but may be released to others only for school-related activities such as PTA, room parents, volunteer activities, and Fairfax County agencies. If parents/guardians do not wish any or all directory information items to be released, they must return an Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public in the Annual Notice. Parents/guardians can choose a Comprehensive option or a Limited Opt-Out option. Comprehensive Opt-Out Option would completely exclude your child from all school publications including the school yearbook. 

During the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) may produce or participate in videotape, motion picture, audio recording, or still photograph productions, which may involve the use of students' names, likenesses, or voices.  Such productions may be used for educational or exhibition purposes by FCPS, may be sold to other school systems or education professionals, and may be copied, copyrighted, edited, and distributed by FCPS.

Parents/guardians have the right to object to the use of their child's name, picture, or voice in these productions.  To do so, they must return the Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public in the Annual Notice. 

Annual Notice opt-out booklet can be accessed online list at: 

https://www.fcps.edu/registration/opt-out-forms

The Virginia Run PTA publishes a student directory.  When you join the PTA, you will receive this directory for free (1 per household).  

Dress Code

FCPS respects students’ right to express themselves in the way they dress. It is important, however, that their appearance is tasteful and appropriate for a K-12 school setting. Discussion about dress code violations shall be held privately and maintain the dignity of the student. Clothing and accessories should not:

 • Display vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images

 • Promote illegal or violent conduct

 • Contain threats or gang symbols

 • Promote the unlawful use of weapons, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or drug paraphernalia

 • Expose private parts or show an excessive amount of bare skin (see-through clothing) • Contain studs or chain belts

 • Include hats or other head coverings unless worn for significant religious, cultural, or medical purpose       

- School administration may reach out to a student’s family if clarification is needed regarding the purpose of a head covering.

Please be advised that students participate in outdoor recess activities even in cold weather.  Students should be dressed appropriately for cold weather by wearing jackets, hats, and gloves.  Outdoor activities are only limited during a Wind Chill Advisory and Wind Chill Warnings.

Electronic Use by Students

FCPS-borrowed Student Devices should be used only in conjunction with projects relating to the educational programs of FCPS. It may not be used as a personal or social device for the student.

All personal devices should be turned off and put inside backpacks during the school day. If a student needs to call home, the teacher will assist the student.

Emergency Care Form

This form is our “lifeline”.  We cannot emphasize enough the importance of having accurate, up-to-date parent information on this form.  Your child’s well-being at school depends on it!  

We appreciate your assistance in providing complete and current information.  

If you do not have access to email, please let the main office know so we can use alternative methods to contact you.

In your first Wednesday envelope that you will receive during the Welcome Walk, there will be a few forms you will need to fill out and return to us. One of the forms is a pre-printed Emergency Care Card. 

Please look it over very carefully, make any changes necessary, sign, date and return to your child’s teacher no later than Friday of the first week of school.  We need this form back for every student.  This form replaces the form filled out at registration.  

We will not release any child to any adult other than the parent/guardian or persons listed on the emergency care form.  Please list several friends and/or relatives whom we may contact in the event of an emergency if we cannot reach you at home or work. We greatly appreciate your cooperation in completing this form.

Emergency School Closing, Delayed Opening or Early Dismissal

In the event of an emergency, such as extreme heat, cold or snow, the Division Superintendent may decide to:

• Close schools for the day.
• Open schools two hours late.
• Close schools two hours early.

All emergency closings and delayed openings shall be announced in the following ways:

• Listed on the Fairfax County Public Schools website: www.fcps.edu
• Social Media (Facebook and Twitter)
• Sent by electronic mail (e-mail or e-notify messages)
• Carried on the division’s public access channel, Cox Cable Channel 21
• Closings and delayed openings are provided to local radio and television stations no later than 5:30 a.m. 
• Early closings are provided to local stations no later than 10:30 a.m.

 All-Day Closing

• All schools including SACC shall be closed for the day.
• Extracurricular activities, interscholastic contests, team practices, field trips, adult and community education classes, and recreation programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled.
• All offices are open unless the closing of offices is specified.

Two-Hour Delayed Opening 

• Students in grades K - 6 shall report two hours later than their regular schedule.  School hours are 11:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Morning field trips are canceled.
• All offices and SACC are open on time.

With any delayed opening the buses will arrive to pick up the students two hours later than the regularly scheduled time.

Two-Hour Early Closing 

• All students shall be dismissed two hours early.  School hours are 9:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• AM preschool will report on time, have a 2-hour and 15-minute day, and will dismiss 1 hour earlier than their normal schedule. PM preschool is canceled.
• Field trips are canceled.
• SACC will remain open until all students are picked up.

e-notify Messages

e-notify messages are an important school-home communication system for families, students, and community members that enable them to receive timely information from the school system and individual schools. E-notify messages are sent when there is an emergency or an unusual situation at a school. E-notify also sends attendance notification messages to parents/guardians. To ensure you receive messages from Virginia Run Elementary it is vital that you keep your contact information updated. To update your e-notify information, families have two options:

1. Fill out or update your child’s emergency care card form and return it to    school.
2. Update your child’s emergency care contact information via weCare@School, (you must have a SIS Parent Account.)
3. Call the main office to let them know that you need assistance changing your email address in SIS.

If you do not have access to email, please let the main office know so we can use alternative methods to contact you.

Equal Opportunity Statement

No student at Virginia Run Elementary School shall, on the basis of sex, race, religion, natural origin, or parental status be excluded from or denied enrollment in any academic activity or course offering.

Fire Drills

An emergency drill for fire is held every week during the first month of school and thereafter on a monthly basis.  No advance notice is given to staff or students.  Drills occur at different times during the day and are timed.  Everyone, including adults, in the building is expected to evacuate immediately, regardless of task.  Children do not stop for coats and are returned to classrooms as soon as possible.  Parent volunteers should assist teachers as students walk quickly and quietly while exiting the building.  Home fire drills are encouraged so that there is continuity of experience.  

 Gum Policy

To preserve the beautiful school grounds, as well as the interior, please refrain from allowing students to chew gum to the greatest extent possible.

Homework

Homework should serve a positive purpose for learning and support the instructional program. Homework should be a vehicle through which students practice skills introduced in the classroom or expand knowledge through research, application, experimentation, or reflection.  All students are expected to complete homework assignments. On average, homework across disciplines should not exceed 0.5 hours at the primary level, 1 hour at the upper elementary level, and 1.5 hours at the middle school level.

Families can help students develop effective study skills and complete homework assignments by:

1.  Providing space for doing homework and a specific time for study.

2.  Providing books and opportunities to read.

3.  Reading to the child.

4.  Encouraging the exploration of the world outside the classroom.

5.  Maintain communication with teachers and counselors.

If you feel that your child is spending an undue amount of time on his/her homework, please contact your child’s teacher to discuss the matter immediately.

Lost and Found

Please label all clothing and lunch boxes so lost items can be quickly identified and returned to the owner.  Articles found in classrooms are temporarily held by the teacher until identified by the child.  After a reasonable time, these articles are placed in the "lost and found area" in the cafeteria.  Families are encouraged to come to school to check for lost items.  All unclaimed articles remaining in the lost and found area at the end of each semester will be given to charity.

Meeting with Teachers

Please remember when you are coming to drop your child off or pick your child up at school, that this is not a time for teacher conferences. In the morning and afternoon, teachers need to attend to the students. Planning time is used for arranged meetings, collaboration with colleagues, and instructional planning.

If you have a concern that you wish to discuss with your child’s teacher, please arrange a time for a meeting through e-mail or a phone call. Teachers are happy to meet with parents during a mutually agreed upon time.

News You Choose

News You Choose will provide you with important information from the school and PTA events.   You are automatically signed up for News You Choose with the email that was supplied at registration. If your email has changed since you registered your child, you will need to subscribe using your new email address http://www.fcps.edu/VirginiaRunES/.  

You can opt out of News You Choose at any time by clicking on the opt-out option at the bottom of the email.  Please take time to read it. If you do not have access to the Internet, please let the office know.

News You Choose will not replace the essential information FCPS communicates using e-notify messages. Parents/guardians will continue to receive emergency messages, delayed openings and school closings, attendance messages, low lunch balances, and other critical information to the email address listed on a student’s emergency care card. 

Parents/guardians are automatically signed up to receive this essential information and will continue to receive messages. 

Anyone can subscribe to News You Choose. As a subscriber, you can select which schools you want to receive information from and how often – as it happens, once a day, or once a week.

Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)

The Virginia Run PTA is a member of the local, state, and National Parent Teacher Associations.  The goals of the PTA are to encourage the involvement of the community with the school, its students, teachers, and administrators and to serve as a network of communication between families and school personnel.  Parent involvement with the school, as classrooms or library volunteers, or directly through support of PTA activities helps enrich the school experience for all of our children.  

At Virginia Run Elementary School there is a close relationship between families, the community, and the school.  Much work and many volunteer hours have been needed to develop and maintain the kind of organization, which has enabled the community and the school system to work together for the benefit of our children.  We urge you to join in this effort. For a list of the current PTA officers, please visit the PTA website at https://vrespta.ptboard.com/. 

Opportunities for involvement with the school are also available through membership on the various PTA committees.  Your “Starting School” information packet contains a listing of all PTA committees and chairpersons.  The PTA has adopted the following motto:  “There is no better investment of time and money than in the life of a child.”  If you would like to be part of the effort, please visit the website.

Personal Property

Students are responsible for the personal property that they bring to the school building, on school grounds, on a school-sponsored function such as a field trip, or a school bus.  Fairfax County Public Schools does not assume responsibility for the personal property of students and does not insure their property or otherwise reimburse students for loss of or damage to their property.  Students and their families should carefully consider the value of property brought to school.  Electronic games, expensive equipment, and excess money should not be brought to school.  Students may not bring toys or stuffed animals to school unless the items are related to a current unit of study or approved by the classroom teacher.  Staff members may not accept responsibility for student property on behalf of the school. 

Positivity Project

The Positivity Project is a character education program that is part of the socio-emotional learning curriculum at VRES. The Positivity Projects’ mission is “to empower America’s youth to build positive relationships and become their best selves.” The Positivity Project is based on the work of Dr. Chris Peterson and his book,  Character Strengths and Virtues. Dr. Peterson writes that 24 character strengths are evident in the most widely influential traditions of thought in human history and in all cultures of the world. A main tenet of the Positivity Project is that the 24 character strengths exist in every individual. 

Another main component of the Positivity Project is the #OtherPeopleMindset. This mindset emphasizes five elements intended to help people understand ways to build positive relationships in their own lives: 1) identifying and appreciating the good in others, 2) knowing my words and actions affect others, 3) supporting others when they struggle, 4) cheering others’ successes, and 5) being present and giving others my attention. VRES focuses on a few character strengths every month. The Positivity Project also has parent resources available at: https://posproject.org/p2-for-families/ 

Progress Reports 

Progress reports are issued four times per year at the completion of each grading period for students. These are also available in SIS ParentVue.

The FCPS elementary progress report is based on curriculum standards.  The report will:

• Provide parents/guardians with comprehensive information about how their child is learning.
• Align with the Program of Studies (POS) curriculum students are learning.
• Provide teachers with resources to communicate a more exact and consistent assessment.
• Provide parents/guardians with comprehensive information about how their child is learning.
• Incorporate research-based best practices in student grading and reporting.
• Report Life, Work, and Citizenship skills separately from academic achievement.

• Interim Reports

Interim reports are a method we use to communicate to parents any behavior or academic concerns.  Interim reports are sent home in the Wednesday envelope in the middle of each quarter.  You may also request a conference with a teacher after receiving an interim or at any point throughout the school year.

• Conferences

Conferences are part of the reporting and student evaluation process.  A parent-teacher conference is held during the first quarter and additionally, may be requested by either the teacher or parent at any time.  Parents/guardians requesting a conference are asked to write a note to the teacher, leave a telephone message, or email him/her. Drop-in visits for conferences during the school day is discouraged. Please make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher for parent/teacher conferences.

Release of Students

If a child must leave early, families are requested to send a note in advance and must sign the child out in the office at the appropriate time. To protect instructional time, students will not be called to the office until a parent arrives at school to pick them up. You must arrive no later than 3:40 pm. Please allow sufficient time for your child to get to the office and for you to arrive on time for your scheduled appointment.  

We will not release any child to any adult other than the parent/guardian or persons listed on the emergency care form.  Adults should have identification ready for pick-up of students. Students may be released to either parent unless prohibited by a court order. If restricted custody has been legally established, a parent must furnish a copy of the custody order to be kept on file in the school office.

Responsive Classroom

At VRES, we utilize the Responsive Classroom (RC) approach to create a safe, more effective school community. RC is an evidence-based approach to education that is proven to increase student achievement through improved teacher effectiveness while generating a warmer, more nurturing school climate. RC focuses on increasing teacher competency in three key areas. Teachers create and deliver engaging academic lessons for all students. Teachers and staff foster and maintain a positive community in the classroom which resonates throughout the building. Lastly, teachers and staff utilize an effective, orderly management repertoire for the students throughout the school. 

To find out more about RC, please visit the website www.responsiveclassroom.org or scan the code with your mobile device.  

Safety and Security

All persons entering the building during the school day must report to the office.

Visitors to the school will only be able to gain access to the school through the main door (Exit #1) at the front of the school. There is a bell for visitors to ring on the right side of the door. One of the office staff will be able to view the visitor through a camera phone. After being “buzzed” into the school, the visitor will be directed to the office to sign in and obtain a visitor’s badge. Families who wait for students during afternoon dismissal time must remain outside Door 1, on the left side (the left sidewalk as one exits the building). 

Social Media

FCPS expects students to be responsible members of society and to always display good citizenship when using social media.  In such activities, students are to respect the rights of others and refrain from the use of profanity and hurtful messaging.  Depending upon the specific circumstances, failing to adhere to these standards can lead to consequences under the SR&R.

Student Council Association (SCA)

Virginia Run School's students in grades 3-6 have an opportunity to participate in the Student Council Association.  SCA officers will be elected to serve each school year.

The officers and classroom representatives meet regularly and are involved in many aspects of the school program.  School faculty members and the school administration sponsor the SCA.

Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account

The SIS (Student Information System) Parent Account is an online tool families can use to access information about their child’s attendance, class schedule and performance, discipline incidents, health information, and more. 

Families new to Virginia Run will receive a letter in the mail with instructions on how to create an account. Information Parents/guardians will be able to access includes:

• Attendance
• Class schedules (elementary will only show homeroom teacher)
• Grade book, including assignments, quizzes, and tests with scores (high school and secondary schools)
• Health information
• Discipline incidents

In addition, parents/guardians will also be able to view school information, including teacher email addresses, the FCPS calendar, and emergency contact information. 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (Regulation 2601)

A safe learning environment is essential for all children. We believe that demonstrating respect, responsibility, and kindness towards self and others is essential for learning.  Classroom expectations and school rules will be discussed in detail on the first day of school and the administration team will present the SR&R to each grade level during the week of the school year..  We want all children to have a positive experience at school.  Please encourage your child to set high standards for behavior and discuss the importance of respect and tolerance toward others.  They can download and digitally sign the SR&R in ParentVUE. Every parent/guardian with a ParentVUE account, regardless of relationship to the student, will see the SR&R upon login to PVUE until the SR&R acknowledgment has been completed and/or until the acknowledgment made inactive by IT at the client’s request. If the parent chooses, he/she/they may “skip” the SR&R acknowledgment by clicking on “Remind me later!” The next time the parent/guardian logs in the SR&R acknowledgment will appear again.

Parents / Guardians can also download the signature sheet (pg. 1) in the SR&R from the FCPS public website. If a parent/guardian needs assistance accessing the signature sheet, they may contact their child’s school and ask that the school provide the form.

The SR&R Parent / Guardian Signature Sheet is due September 29, 2023.

Vandalism

As a parent or concerned citizen, please call the School Security Office at 571-423-2000 if you see suspicious activities at our school, such as persons on the school roof, persons throwing objects at the schools, etc.  Give the name and location of the school and a description of what is happening.  It is not necessary to give your name.  School security personnel or police will investigate.

Trash collection receptacles on school grounds are for the use of the school only.  Community use of these receptacles is forbidden.

Visiting Pets

Any animal visiting must have prior approval from the school administration and be accompanied by a parent. Dogs and cats may stay only as long as the parent is present. If a pet such as a rabbit, hamster, or bird is to spend the day, it must be suitably caged, (this means an enclosed cage, not one where fingers can be put between bars on the cage). In addition, the teacher will check with all the families to determine if any student has an allergy. No pet shall remain overnight.

Visitors 

Visitors are welcomed in the classroom; however prior arrangements should be made coordinated with the teacher and principal. To protect the instructional program from interruption, visits are to be limited to 30 minutes. School-age visitors (i.e. family relatives and friends) are not permitted to attend school as classroom guests or to ride the school bus.

Volunteers

Volunteers are encouraged at Virginia Run ES. Many enriching and worthwhile experiences are afforded to our children through the volunteer help from families.  With this support, teachers can provide more direct instruction. It is at each teacher’s discretion when and how they use volunteers in the classroom. 

Volunteer sign-up sheets are available in the classrooms at BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT.  However, volunteers are needed throughout the year, so please contact your child’s classroom teacher or the PTA board if you missed the initial sign-up.  Please remember when you are coming to volunteer this is not a time that teachers can meet with you. If you have a concern that you wish to discuss with your child’s teacher, please arrange a time for a meeting through email or a phone call. 

Volunteers are strongly discouraged from bringing younger children with them when volunteering. Volunteers bringing very young children with them are usually not able to adequately focus on the educational process for which they volunteered. There simply are too many distractions for them, for their very young children, as well as for our students, for much meaningful education to take place.

Volunteers must sign in and out of the office each time they come to volunteer.  You are required to bring a valid driver’s license or DMV-issued ID. You must also wear your identification badge so you are easily identified as a volunteer. 

If you are unable to come in at your assigned time, please call the school office as early as possible and they will notify the teacher.  Remember, the teachers and children count on your help.

Confidentiality

As per Policy 2730.1: All employees and volunteers are expected to maintain personally identifiable student information, whether oral, written, or automated, in a confidential manner. Personally identifiable student information shall be disclosed within the school division only to individuals who have a legitimate educational interest and a bona fide need for access to the information. Such information shall not be otherwise disclosed within or outside the school division without appropriate consent or as otherwise authorized by law. For purposes of these requirements, volunteers shall be held to the same standards as are employees.

Wednesday Envelope

On Wednesday, each student will bring home a large yellow envelope of important communications from the school and PTA.  Samples of classwork will be enclosed on a weekly basis.  Please review the contents, sign and date the envelope, and ask your child to return the envelope to school the next day.  This system has been instituted in cooperation with the PTA to help families manage the volume of information exchanged between home and school.  Occasionally, you will receive information from non-profit organizations; this information will be distributed one per household.  If you have more than one child, it will be sent home with your oldest child.

FCPS School Calendar

The virtual version of the calendar below is also available here.