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Kristen Rucinski - Principal Allison Ovalle - Assistant Principal
Sept. 15-Oct. 15: National Hispanic American Heritage
Oct.: Disability Awareness Month
Oct: National School Principals' Month
Oct. 9-16: Gunston Fall Book Fair
Oct.12: School Planning Day for Staff (Student Holiday)
Oct. 15: PTA Spirit Night at Yafa Mediterranean Grill - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Oct. 17: Meadowood 25th Birthday Party - 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Oct. 20: PTA Spirit Night at Chipotle - 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Oct. 21: Early Release Wednesday 3-hour Release - 12:20 p.m.
Oct. 22: AVID Family Night - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 22: PTA Spirit Night at Yafa Mediterranean Grill - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Oct. 23: School Picture Day
Oct. 29: PTA Spirit Night at Yafa Mediterranean Grill - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Oct. 30: Fill the Truck! 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Oct. 30: End of First Quarter 2-hour Early Release - 1:20 p.m.
Gunston Gazette
October 9, 2026
A letter from the Principals
Believe in What's Possible
Dear Gunston Families,
It's hard to believe we are already in October! Our Eagles have been busy learning, growing, building friendships, and settling into the routines that make Gunston such a special community. As we visit classrooms, we continue to see students engaging in meaningful conversations, collaborating with classmates, and developing the skills that help them become more independent learners.
Our theme, Believe in What's Possible, continues to guide our work, along with our focus on Small Habits. Extraordinary Growth. We often remind students that getting just 1% better each day can lead to incredible growth over time. Whether it's learning to organize materials, studying a little more intentionally, showing kindness, or making a better choice when something is difficult, those small habits matter.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we help every Eagle grow!
Helping Students Build Healthy Digital Habits
Thank you to the families who joined us last night for our virtual session, Helping Students Build Healthy Digital Habits: Practical Guidance for Social Media, Gaming, and Technology at Home.
This is such an important conversation for families, especially as our children begin navigating social media, online gaming, digital communication, and increased access to technology. One important message from our work is that healthy digital habits don't happen automatically. Just like the learning habits we're teaching at school, they develop through intentional routines, modeling, conversations, and consistent expectations.
As you think about your family's technology habits, consider a few simple starting points:
- Model healthy technology use. Children notice when and how adults use their devices.
- Create predictable routines for when devices are used and when they are put away.
- Talk with your child about the games, apps, and online communities they enjoy. Ask them to show you what they are doing.
- Keep conversations open about online interactions, friendships, privacy, and what to do when something feels uncomfortable.
- Make time for screen-free connections, whether it's a family game, a walk, reading together, or simply talking.
You don't have to change everything overnight. Start with one small habit that could make a difference for your family.
Hayfield Pyramid Virtual Session: Helping Students Build Healthy Digital Habits
Thank you to the Hayfield Pyramid families and caregivers who joined FCPS Instructional Services and the Hayfield Pyramid principals for a conversation about helping students build healthy digital habits on Thursday evening. The session explored practical ways to navigate social media, gaming, and screen time, including setting healthy boundaries while fostering independence, establishing device routines at home, and hearing students’ perspectives.
If you were unable to attend, you can watch the recording using this link . Passcode :zh4KMcu3#t
AVID Night: October 22
Helping Your Eagle Learn How to Learn
Mark your calendars! We hope you will join us on October 22 for our AVID Family Night.
As an AVID National Demonstration School, we are proud of our commitment to helping students develop the skills and habits that lead to independence, confidence, and ownership of learning.
During AVID Night, families will have opportunities to learn more about AVID in action at Gunston, including how we teach students to:
- Organize their materials and use agendas as planning tools.
- Develop effective study habits instead of simply being told to "study for a test."
- Take notes, process information, and use their notes to strengthen learning.
- Set meaningful goals and monitor their progress.
- Think critically, communicate, and collaborate with others.
We want families to understand not only what students are learning, but how we are teaching them to become successful learners. We hope to see you there!
Building a Community of Kindness and Respect
Small Habits Matter Everywhere
One of the most important things we teach at Gunston is that being part of a community comes with shared responsibilities. Our Student Rights and Responsibilities expectations help students understand how their words, actions, and choices affect others. We need your partnership in reinforcing that expectations for behavior at school may look different from those at home, in the neighborhood, or during organized sports. For example, playing soccer or football at recess is different from playing on a team with coaches, referees, and established competitive rules. At school, we expect students to keep their hands and bodies to themselves, play safely, include others, and resolve disagreements respectfully. We are also spending time helping students understand that words matter. Teasing, hurtful jokes, and comments that embarrass or upset others are not acceptable simply because someone calls it "roasting" or says they were only joking. We want students to recognize the difference between laughing together and laughing at someone else's expense. These expectations apply throughout the entire school day: in classrooms, at recess, in the cafeteria, during specials, on the bus, and when working with guest teachers and other staff members.
As we prepare to share first-quarter progress, we also want to reinforce that a 4 in Life, Work, and Citizenship reflects behaviors that are consistently demonstrated across school settings. It is not simply about following expectations in the classroom or when a familiar teacher is present. It is about showing responsibility, respect, and positive citizenship throughout the day.
Families can help by having simple conversations at home:
- What does it mean to be respectful even when you disagree with someone?
- How can you tell whether a joke is funny to everyone or hurtful to someone?
- How do you show respect to a substitute teacher, bus driver, cafeteria staff member, or another adult?
- What can you do when a classmate makes a choice you know isn't appropriate?
Our Eagles are still learning, and mistakes will happen. Our responsibility as adults is to teach, model, reinforce, and hold students accountable while helping them develop better habits. We are a village, and our children benefit when the messages they hear at home and school reinforce one another. Thank you for helping us build a community where every Eagle feels safe, respected, and valued.
Kiss & Ride: Minutes Matter!
Thank you to our families who continue to demonstrate patience and follow our arrival and dismissal procedures. We recognize that Kiss & Ride can be busy, and we appreciate your help keeping our students, staff, and community safe.
We continue to work closely with Fairfax County Police, FCPS Security, and Transportation to monitor traffic patterns and improve safety around Gunston.
Fairfax County Police have asked us to share several important reminders:
The Fairfax County Police have received these complaints and continue to collaborate with our staff on the best way to safely queue for and rotate through the Kiss and Ride area. Through recent observations, the police would like to remind everyone that motorists stopping on Gunston Road in such a manner as to impede the use of the roadway are doing so in violation of state code and are subject to citation. Minutes Matter! Officers have said that parents blocking Gunston Road prior to drop off time of 8:20 AM or pick up time of 3:20 PM could be cited. After those times, during the normal pick-up times, a simple, brief, back-up in traffic is not a violation.
Thank you for your continued attention to this matter and please remember to inch-up closely to the car in front of you. A couple extra feet in front of your car, multiplied by everyone in line, adds up fast. The police will be spot checking the surrounding areas for continued compliance so please follow these reminders and, as always, buckle up everyone in the car!
We know everyone's mornings and afternoons are busy. A few small adjustments from each driver can make a tremendous difference for the safety of our entire community.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation!
Talk About It: Car Rides & Dinner Tables
Simple questions. Meaningful conversations.
As we continue our focus on Small Habits, consider asking your Eagle a few questions that connect what we're teaching at school with the conversations you're having at home.
- What is one thing you're getting 1% better at?
- What is something you learned this week that you could teach someone else?
- How did you show kindness or respect to someone today?
- What is one habit our family could practice to make our time together even better?
- What is something you're proud of that took practice or perseverance?
Sometimes the smallest conversations lead to the most meaningful connections.
⭐ Every Eagle Soars, One Small Habit at a Time
As we move further into the school year, we want to thank you for the trust you place in us each day. Your children bring so much joy, energy, curiosity, and possibility to Gunston, and we are grateful to be part of their journey. We know that growth doesn't happen all at once. It happens through the small choices we make, the habits we practice, the relationships we build, and the way we respond when things don't go as planned. Thank you for helping us reinforce those habits at home, for supporting our teachers, and for being such an important part of our Gunston community.
Every Student. Every Day. Small Habits. Extraordinary Growth.
Warmly,
Ms. Rucinski and Mrs. Ovalle
No School on Monday, October 12, 2026
There will be no school on Monday, October 12th due to teacher workday.
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National Hispanic
American Heritage
Each September 15th - October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of Hispanic and Latin Americans year-round. The celebration of National Hispanic American Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor these diverse and important stories.
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Early Release Wednesdays
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year, however the number has been reduced from eight to four days.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Here are the early release dates for Gunston Elementary School. Students will be dismissed at 12:20 p.m. on the following days:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
Please fill out Gunston's Early Release Wednesday Dismissal Plan form so we can ensure your child is dismissed correctly on these days. You must submit the form by Oct. 19 if you wish for your child to stay at school for supervision on Oct. 21.
General information about Early Release Wednesdays, including all the dates for this year, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/safety-and-transportation/limited-early-release-wednesdays
Outstanding Employee Awards Program
Nominations will open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards on Tuesday, October 13, 2026! To submit a nomination for a Gunston ES Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through this Google form LINK
All that is required is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work. You may nominate up to one employee per category.
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Outstanding Teacher Teachers or librarians with at least three full years of teaching experience
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Outstanding New Teacher Teachers or librarians with up to three full years of teaching experience
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Outstanding Principal
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Outstanding School Professional Staff Leader Non-instructional position with at least one year in their current position at their current work location. Includes Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Director of Student Services, Director of Student Activities, Resource Teacher and Special Education Department Chair and Multilingual Learners Department Chair who serves in a non-instructional role for more than 50% of their time, After-School Specialist, Dean of Students, Assessment Coach, Athletic Trainer, Career Center Specialist, Career Experience Specialist, College and Career Specialist, Crisis Resource Teacher, Instructional Coach, School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Reading Specialist, Safety and Security Specialist, Social Worker, Speech Language Pathologist, School Counselor, Systems of Support Administrator
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Outstanding Educational Services Employee Schedule-A, Schedule-H, or Classroom Instructional Support (CIS) with at least one year in their current position at their current work location. Includes Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, Student Information Assistant, Finance Technician, School Finance Assistant, Student Services Assistant, Instructional Assistant, Family Liaison, and Public Health Training Assistant.
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Outstanding Operational Services Employee Schedule-A or Schedule-H employee with at least one year in their current position at their current work location. Includes Custodian, Building Supervisor, Food Services staff, and Safety and Security Assistant.
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Ineligible Employees Substitute teachers, Athletic coaches/employees paid on supplemental contracts, employees of Fairfax County Government (including SACC employees, School Resource Officers, School Nurses, and School Health Aides)
The deadline to submit a nomination is October 29, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Fahy at kjfahy@fcps.edu
Meadowood 25th Birthday Party!!
Celebrate 25 years of the Bureau of Land Management's Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area! Join us for a FREE family friendly day full of interactive activities including:
- Rock Climbing
- Bounce House
- Scavenger Hunt
- Fishing
- Arts and Crafts
- Meet our Partners and Volunteers
October 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mustang Trialhead, 10702 Harley Rd., Lorton, VA 22079
Attendance Reminder
Gunston families, we know life happens and sometimes your student needs to miss school. Please be sure to notify the main office when your student is absent. Sending a message to your student’s teacher only can lead to inaccurate attendance recording. Reporting attendance is easy as you can call the 24/7 attendance line at 703-541-3636, email GunstonElem.Attendance@fcps.edu, or submit directly through ParentVUE.
Please leave a specific message about why your student is not attending. Be sure to include symptoms if they are ill, especially if they have fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and/or cough. Save, Share, and Remember!
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