A Message From Dr. Hicks:

Greetings from the administration and staff at Virginia Run Elementary School. At our school, we strive to provide the highest quality education in a caring and supportive environment. The teachers and administrators are dedicated to addressing the educational needs of each individual child within the curricular framework provided by the Fairfax County Public Schools' Program of Studies. Our academic goal is to provide each child with success and challenge across all subject areas daily. To accomplish this, we have built a strong framework of teacher collaboration and a team approach to planning. Grade level teacher teams include general education teachers and specialists who plan together to align instruction across the grade and disciplines. We want to present instruction in a way that captures the interest and imagination of all of our students.

In the primary grades, teachers insure that the instruction presented is appropriate for young learners by providing learning stations, flexible learning groups, and a focus on development of reading and writing skills. Mathematics skills are developed through the frequent use of manipulative materials and experimentation with number concepts. Teachers strive to nurture the development of each child and to recognize the differences in the pace of their learning.

In the upper grades, special attention is given to integration of the curriculum across subject areas. Language arts and social studies lessons are linked in ways that allow students to use their reading and writing skills as tools for learning and communication. Math and science lessons are often integrated so that experimentation in science requires the application of mathematical skills. In this way, students are able to see the ways that their newly developed skills can be applied to real-world information and problem solving.

Throughout the year, there are grade-level events and thematic presentations that allow students to enjoy and display the fruits of their endeavors. In Kindergarten, students present a Winter Songs concert to parents and participate in a Bug Parade in the spring. In first grade, reading achievement is emphasized during Muffins for Mom and Doughnuts for Dad. In second grade, the fall brings the character parade, and the spring trip to the zoo is a culminating activity for the study of habitats. Third grade presents the Celebration of Ancient Civilizations showcasing social studies and language arts. Fourth grade enjoys Colonial Days in the spring, and fifth grade presents the Museum of World Cultures in June. Sixth grade culminates their year with the Viking Mall in which students display and "sell" goods that they have developed and produced in support of their math and social studies curricula.

Character education is a schoolwide focus. Students learn character virtues of honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion, self-discipline, perseverance, and giving. They learn to recognize these virtues as they have been displayed by historic and heroic figures. They learn to recognize these virtues in others in their daily lives. They learn to display these virtues through their own actions as they participate in daily school life.

Many of the wonderful opportunities provided in our classrooms depend upon the cooperation of parents. In the primary grades, parent volunteers assist classroom teachers during language arts so that teachers can meet more frequently for small group lessons in guided reading. Parents often volunteer to assist classes in the computer lab and for special events. Our doors are always open to parents as volunteers, supporters, and collaborators in the process of educating our children. We encourage frequent and open communication between teachers and parents.

The staff and administrators at Virginia Run Elementary School are proud to serve the children of the community.