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Kristen Rucinski - Principal    Allison Ovalle - Assistant Principal         

May 1st-31st: Jewish American, Asian

                        American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May 10th-16th: Food Allergy Awareness Month

May 16th: Annual 6th Grade Carwash - 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

May 20th: 3-hr Early Release - 12:20 p.m.

May 18th-May 22nd: We Are Gunston Spirit Week

May 21st: We Are Gunston Night - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

May 25th: Memorial Day - All FCPS Schools are closed

May 26th: Teacher Workday - No Students

May 27th: Eid - All FCPS Schools are closed

Gunston Gazette

Friday, May 15, 2026

Last 3-hr Early Release Wednesday, May 20, 2026  Wednesday, May 20, 2026 is the last 3-Hour Early Release at 12:20 p.m. Dismissal time and transportation will follow the same arrangements as the last March's early release day. Preschool Students will follow their regular Wednesday schedule.

Thank You for an Amazing Staff Appreciation Week!

Thank you to all of the families that so generously showered our amazing staff members with gifts, cards, and other types of appreciation last week. We definitely felt the love and are grateful to be part of a such a supportive, giving community!

Morning and Afternoon Kiss & Ride at Gunston

Morning Kiss & Ride opens at 8:25 a.m. and closes 8:35 a.m. Once kiss & ride is closed at 8:35 a.m., please park your car and walk your student into the office (Door 1) to sign in.  Please do not park in the reserved parking spaces or the fire lane. 

Afternoon Kiss & Ride opens at 3:20 p.m. and closes at 3:30 p.m. 

We Are Gunston: Spirit Week

We are excited to celebrate "We Are Gunston: One School, Many Stories" next week. Students are invited to participate in daily activities focused on culture, inclusion, and community.

Spirit Week Schedule

• Monday, May 18: Colors of Me – Wear colors that represent you, your culture, or sports teams.
• Tuesday, May 19: Different Brains, Different Strengths – Celebrate neurodiversity with comfy clothes, mismatched socks, or hats.
• Wednesday, May 20: Heritage & Home – Wear clothing connected to your family heritage or a place you have visited.
• Thursday, May 21: Heroes Among Us – Honor community helpers by wearing red, white, and blue, camouflage, or career-themed clothes.
• Friday, May 22: Unity Day – Celebrate school spirit and friendship by wearing school colors or friendship bracelets.

We Are Gunston: A Celebration of Diversity

Join Us: Family Celebration Night

• When: Thursday, May 21, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Entry is FREE. Join us to sample new foods, enjoy multicultural sing-alongs, and participate in family activities.

We Need Your Help! We are still looking for families to contribute food for the event. Please click the link below to sign up and share a dish:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffYzokGDVkSzbJbgbso9PM0pcSgnwSw0KKbW-4EcRK5UerxQ/viewform?usp=header

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month     People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Jewish American Heritage Month       May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

SOLs at Gunston

SOLs are beginning Monday May 4th for students in grades 3-6.

Check the Gunston website calendar for month of May for specific tests and dates

Help your students remember to bring their laptops back to school.

Watch backpacks for FCPS SOL letters with more information and permissions for eligible retakes.

You can also look at the Virginia Department of Education for addition SOL information.

Yearbooks are available for purchase NOW!

Use code :15576026

Click here for the yearbook order form.  

Gunston Yearbook - Parent Shout Outs 

Notes from the Eagles Nest 200 characters of text $5.00

PTA News

Next PTA Meeting will be Thursday, May 28, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please join us! 

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

Meeting ID: 323 660 8793

Passcode: Gunston

Budget Update

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update

On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget. 

Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.

New Cell Phone Policy

New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1

On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.

This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell. 

High school students will no longer be able to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage. 

Other SR&R Changes for the 2026-27 School Year

Visit the FCPS website or the School Board agenda to learn about additional updates, including:

• Added guidance and procedures for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and discipline investigations, including supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. 
• Expanded guidance and standardized disciplinary procedures (“Universal Grade Matrices”) related to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and Title IX reporting requirements.
• Responses to incidents involving intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing, and drug policy violations.

Family Information Phone Lines

Family Information Phone Lines

FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. 

Call the phone line with questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.

Attendance

Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance! 

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools appreciates your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with their teachers and peers, and finish the school year strong. 

Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom.

If your child needs to miss school, please remember to report the absence. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Families may also report absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address.

If your child is experiencing challenges that are affecting attendance, we are here to help. Please contact your child’s school so staff can partner with you to provide support and resources. Learn more about attendance resources. 

Required Immunizations

Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and Rising 12th GradersThe following immunizations are required for students entering 7th and 12th grade each school year. 

All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 

• To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
• To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
• To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 to 12 or as early as 9 years old. 
•  As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child will not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.

All students entering 12th grade are to receive two doses of the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school. To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, one dose must be administered at age 16 or older. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and healthcare providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.

Immunization Events for FCPS StudentsFCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. 

Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available. 

Equity Award

Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity AwardNominations are now open for the 2026 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.

Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 18.  

The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. 

Full details and the nomination information form can be found at the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage. 

Summer Extravaganza

Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School. 

Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family. 

For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.