Cub Run Family Newsletter

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10232025 collage

Cubbies in their pajamas for Digital Citizenship week! Read through today's newsletter to find out more about how you can support digital citizenship at home.


Upcoming Dates

October 21-24: Digital Citizenship Spirit Week

October 24: PTA Cub Run-a-thon

October 27: Fall Individual Pictures

October 31: End of 1st Quarter - 2-hour Early Release

October 31: Cub Run-a-thon Donations Due

October 31: Deadline to submit a nomination for our Outstanding Employee Awards

November 2: Daylight Saving Time Ends

November 3 & 4: Teacher Workdays- No School for Students

November 6: Den Meetings for Den of Adventure and Den of Wonder

November 7: Den Meetings for Den of Discovery and Den of Exploration

November 10: Veterans Day Concerts

November 11: Veterans Day - No School

November 14: Principals Walking Club-8:05am-Gym

November 18: Family Life Education Preview Night

November 19: Early Release Wednesday - Dismissal at 12:25pm

November 21: Thanksgiving Lunch

November 26-28: No School - Thanksgiving Break

2025-26 school year calendar


Cubbie News

Calendar Reminders

Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two hour early release for students. Students are dismissed at 1:25pm.

Monday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 4 are teacher workdays, no school for students.


Cub Run Purple Star Designation 2nd Award

Purple star

We are excited to share that the Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children voted on October 1, 2025, to approve Cub Run Elementary School as a recipient of the SY 2025-2026 Purple Star 2nd Award!  

This prestigious designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to supporting our military-connected students and their families. Earning the Purple Star is a testament to our ongoing, school-wide dedication to creating a truly welcoming and supportive environment for all children, especially those whose parents or guardians serve our nation.

This honor is valid for the next three school years, starting with the 2025-2026 year. We are incredibly thankful for every student, staff member, and family who helps make Cub Run a fantastic and supportive place for everyone!


Digital Citizenship Week

It's Digital Citizenship Week, and our students are busy learning what it means to be responsible with their devices, both online and offline!

Digital citizenship isn't just something we practice at school; it's a vital skill to develop at home too. We encourage you to continue these important conversations as a family.

Here are some great questions to get the ball rolling with your child(ren) this week:

  • How can you be responsible and safe online?
  • What are the three rules for being safe online?
  • How do you balance your time with technology?
  • Why is it important to balance our time with technology?
  • How can you keep yourself from getting distracted while working on a device?
  • How do you know if something you see or hear online is true?
  • How does your online activity represent who you are?

Having these discussions helps reinforce the lessons learned in school and ensures your child is equipped to navigate the digital world safely and thoughtfully.

For more resources on digital citizenship and technology in FCPS, please visit our Cub Run Family Digital Resources Page.


Calling Cubbie Artists for a Get2Green Logo Design

Get2Green Logo Design

Lost & Found

Our Lost & Found has been relocated to the Cafeteria this year so students can walk by and locate their belongings easier. Parents are welcome to come look after school (3:35-4:15p).  Unclaimed items will be donated to a local shelter on November 3.


Elementary Language Arts Grades

You might notice that your student's progress report grades in English language arts (ELA) look a little different. Progress report grades in English language arts (ELA) have changed to reflect the 2024-25 curriculum, assessments, and Standards of Learning.

FCPS is raising the bar and setting high goals! We are teaching and grading students on the skills they need by the very end of the school year. Think of it as a growth chart and each quarter students are measured in progress toward end of year expectations. In light of this, first quarter grades are often lower than the other quarters as students work to reach grade-level mastery. 

Please know that this is a positive, expected part of the learning journey. We are here to support every student as they grow and achieve. We are celebrating the effort and growth toward these new, higher standards! Learn more about this change in ELA grading and reporting.


Nominations are now open for 2025-2026 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!

To submit a nomination for a Cub Run Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link. You may nominate one employee or multiple. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a short paragraph about how the employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Thank you for helping us recognize the exceptional staff we have at Cub Run!

Outstanding Teacher

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)                       

Outstanding Leader 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location

Common positions in this category: Assistant Principals

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location

Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor. Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs, and Reading Specialists.

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Parent Liaison

Please Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, October 31.

If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Sisk at jeschoensisk@fcps.edu 


Fall Picture Day - October 27 

Picture Day

Storybook Character Day - October 31

On October 31st students are encouraged to dress like a favorite storybook character. 

Don't have a favorite storybook character? Wear your Halloween costume (no masks permitted) OR your Cub Run spiritwear and colors!

*Please remember all costumes should be school appropriate. 

Storybook Character Day

November Den Meetings

Each of our Cubbie Dens will be coming together on November 6 or November 7. Our Den families will be getting to know each other while also reinforcing our school-wide expectations, by doing fun activities together. We are encouraging each of our dens to wear their den color on their meeting day!

nOVEMBER 6
den mtg nov 7

To Honor Our Veterans - November 10 

Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.

We are looking forward to honoring our Cub Run veterans during our Veterans Day concerts on November 10 and showcasing them on our main office windows. Please submit pictures of our Cub Run veterans (parents, guardians, aunts, uncles, siblings, grandparents, etc.) at the link below.

Submit pictures


Cub Run Food Drive

flyer

Family Life Education & Parent Preview Night

Students in grade K-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction. Students in Kindergarten through grade three receive instruction in an emotional and social health unit. For more information about FCPS' Family Life Education program, please see the detailed descriptions here. In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review in Schoology. To find those lessons, log into your Schoology account with your SIS login.

Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please fill out the opt out forms online here. If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons in ParentVue, you do not need to complete another form. 

A virtual parent preview night will be held on Tuesday, November 18 from 6:30 - 7:30 (link will be sent out via an e-Notify email).


Save the Date for Our Thanksgiving Lunch

We are looking forward to hosting our families for our annual Thanksgiving Lunch on Friday, November 21! Please save the date and stay tuned for additional details.


Positivity Project

This week, our school is focusing on the character strength of Integrity. Integrity means being honest, truthful, and genuine.

Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. People with integrity tell the truth and align their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They have the courage to stick to their beliefs, even if it means not following the crowd. Integrity is closely related to honesty and authenticity. 

Integrity is essential for personal growth and well-being. When your thoughts, feelings, and actions are in harmony, you can grow and achieve your goals. Being authentic and genuine makes you more likable and trusted by others, improving your relationships.

To practice and encourage the character strength of integrity at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.

Thank you for your support!


PTA News

Cub Run-a-thon is Here!

The Cub Run-A-Thon is this Friday! Remember to have your Cubby wear sneakers and spirit wear or the color red! We have hit 89% of our goal and raised almost $27,000 that goes directly towards supporting our students and staff! Donations are accepted through October 31, 2025!

Our final raffle was this week! Check your child’s backpack to see if they won a FunLand play card.

We have 3 more classes who met their goals and have earned a popsicle party! 

  • Ms. Cummings (Kindergarten)
  • Ms. Lee (2nd grade)
  • Mr. Taylor (2nd grade)

Ms. Powers’ preschool class, Ms. Wang’s kindergarten class, Ms. Lee’s kindergarten/first grade class, and Ms. Hagen’s fourth grade class are all so close to meeting their goals! 

We are still looking for volunteers for the Cub Run-a-Thon that will take place on Friday, October 24th. Sign up here! Cub Run PTA: Cub Run-a-Thon Event Volunteer Sign Up

A pizza party will take place on Wednesday, October 29, during lunch! Pizza will be ordered from Costco for all students and staff. The PTA is only providing pizza so everyone should plan to bring in their own sides and drinks (or purchase from the school cafeteria). Please contact Mrs. Miller at mhmiller@fcps.edu if you would like to opt-out your child from receiving pizza during this event. 

We are looking for volunteers to help hand out pizza during lunch on Wednesday, October 29th. Cub Run PTA: Cub Run-a-Thon Pizza Party Lunch Volunteers

Thank you for your support! 


FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • Immunization Events for FCPS Students
  • How AI is Shaping Technology
  • Blueprints for Success, How Bonds Build Communities

Attendance Matters

When Should Your Child Stay Home?

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your student succeed by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. So when should your child stay home? Visit the FCPS website for helpful ideas regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school. 

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify our school and your child’s teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with our public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be ab