May 22, 2026 - Gunston Gazette
Gunston Gazette - May 22, 2026

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Kristen Rucinski - Principal    Allison Ovalle - Assistant Principal         


mark

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

May 26th: Teacher Workday - No Students

May 27th: Eid al-Adha - All FCPS Schools are closed

May 28th: PTA End-of-the Year Meeting and Board Vote - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

June 3rd: Spring Music Concert - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

June 11th: 6th Grade Promotion - 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

June 16th: Field Day - All Day 

June 17th: Last Day of School- 1:20 p.m. Early Release

June 30th: Last Day to order School Supplies

 

 


Gunston Gazette

Friday, May 22, 2026


memorial day graphic
 

Memorial Day Holiday

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.


Calender Reminder

Teacher Work Day

Tuesday, May 26, is a teacher work day. There is no school for students. See the complete school year calendar.


Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha Holiday

Eid al-Adha begins at sundown on Tuesday, May 26. Wednesday, May 27, is a holiday for Eid al-Adha and schools and offices are closed. See the complete school year calendar.


lost and found

Lost and Found

The lost and found items will be donated to a local organization on the last day of school. 


GUNSTON ELEMENTARY PTA END-OF-YEAR MEETING & BOARD VOTE

Next PTA Meeting will be Thursday, May 28, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please join us!  Join us for our final PTA meeting of the year as we celebrate a successful year together and vote on next year’s PTA Board Members! Please RSVP by May 26th so we can get an accurate headcount for appetizers. We hope to see you there!

Thank you for supporting the Gunston Elementary PTA this year! We appreciate all of our families, volunteers, and staff who helped make this year a success.

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showRSVPSignUp/5080844A8AF2CA0FF2-64215680-gunston?useFullSite=false 


Gunston Yearbook Cover Artists Winners

Thank you to all the students who submitted artwork for the yearbook cover! 

The winners are: 

Cover Artwork: Meredith Heath, 4th grade

Back Cover Artwork: Scarlett McGeough, 6th grade, Shyla Mollah, 6th grade, Bella Cordova, 5th grade and Areesha Mahmood, 5th grade.

 

yrbk winners

Get a Head Start on Next Year! 

Make your back-to-school transition a breeze by ordering your teacher-approved school supplies NOW!  By stocking up on the essentials you'll be well-prepared for the new school year and can focus on what really matters - supporting your child's education. Order now and enjoy a stress-free start to the new school year!  

Deadline: June 30th | www.EducationalProducts.com/ShopPacks | School ID: GES008

epi

Lunch Balance

Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance

It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals

Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer. 

If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year.

 

¡No Olvide Revisar el Saldo del Almuerzo de su Estudiante A medida que nos acercamos al final del año escolar, es importante que las familias recuerden revisar la cuenta MySchoolBucks de sus estudiantes y pagar cualquier balance de comida escolar restante.

Las familias que ganan menos del 185% del nivel de pobreza califican para comidas gratis o a precio reducido. Sin embargo, hay que cumplimentar y presentar una nueva solicitud cada año escolar para recibir ese beneficio.La solicitud para el año escolar 2026-27 estará disponible este verano.

Si las familias tienen un balance actual y piensan que pueden ser elegibles para recibir comidas gratis o a precio reducido, por favor llenen la solicitud FRM para el año escolar 2025-26. Obtenga más información sobre el almuerzo gratuito y a precio reducido.


Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

 

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

 

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.



Mental Health Resources

Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services

Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services. 

Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov

Additional Mental Health Resources

FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number. 

Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts. 

And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.

La Salud Mental de su Niño es muy Importante: Tenga Acceso a Servicios Integrales

Comuníquese con la “Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, CSB, para que reciba servicios de salud mental para jóvenes diseñados para ayudar a su niño a lograr el éxito. La CSB cuenta con consejería individual y familiar, Evaluación y diagnóstico psiquiátrico, manejo de prescripciones, grupos de apoyo para padres, grupos de apoyo de semejantes, respuesta a crisis, apoyo para la recuperación, incluyendo “medication assisted treatment”, MAT, servicios intensivos y más.

Para comenzar, contacte a la oficina de Admisión y Referencia de CSB, llamando al 703-383-8500 o escribiendo a la dirección csb@fairfaxcounty.gov


Puzzle Hunt

Third Annual FCPS Puzzle Hunt Encourages Active Family Fun

The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the 3rd Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt, and it kicks off in only three weeks!

This free event is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving over the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation.

New this year: The school with the most solvers will win a special visit from Sue Doku! Sign up for the Puzzle Hunt! 


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. 


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.