10 Paws-sitively Perfect Reasons to be a Cubbie!

Cub Run is a place of belonging and learning rooted in equity, compassion, connection, and engagement. Here are ten ways that we build up our Cub Run community.

A Caring and Positive School Culture

To build a constructive school climate, our foundation includes our positive behavior approach which explicitly teaches and encourages all students to engage in specific behaviors and responsive classroom, which fosters social emotional learning and a sense of community. Our C.A.R.E.S. expectations help students strive to do their best daily by being part of the Cubbie community, acting responsibly, being ready to learn, showing empathy, and making safe choices.

Opportunities for Student Engagement

We have a number of student programs at Cub Run that meet the interests and needs of many students. Opportunities that are available to our students through Cub Run programs include:

• Community Peer Preschool Program
• Strings, Band, and Chorus
• Mentor programs with Cub Run staff and Westfield High School students
• Green Team
• Cubbie Nation News
• Extracurricular activities and after-school programs organized through the PTA

A Strong Sense of Community

Cub Run has a variety of events throughout the school year to engage with our families and communities, starting with our annual Welcome Walk. Each fall, staff visit Cub Run students at their homes to introduce themselves to their new students and to get our Cubbies excited for the new school year. 

Parents and local businesses actively support the school through events including: 

• Cub Run & Read-a-thon
• Veterans Day events
• Summer Kindergarten playdates and Kinder camp
• Principals' Walking Club
• Family Engagement Night
• BINGO Night
• Family Game Nights
• Spring Fling
• Storywalk on school grounds
• Watch D.O.G.S. Program

Meeting the Needs of Our Learners

Cub Run Elementary School is fully accredited, meeting or exceeding state standards in core areas such English, math, and science. 

The availability of academic programs at Cub Run is broad and inclusive. We offer full-time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services in grades 3 to 6. The program is designed to meet the needs of advanced learners.

Our school includes preschool class-based services which focuses on early literacy and social development of a child. In addition to class-based services we have our Preschool Autism Classes which provide systematic instruction in a highly structured setting for students with autism. In our elementary (K-6) setting, we have a continuum of services which include Enhanced Autism classes, noncategorical classes and a learning disability program in an inclusive environment.

We have a diverse student and family population, with more than 30 languages spoken in our school community. Multilingual learners who receive ESOL services are provided with explicit English language development instruction that maintains an asset-based approach and celebrates multilingualism as a strength.

Cub Run also features flexible learning spaces, including outdoor classrooms and gardens. Every student at Cub Run enjoys breaks on the inclusive playground and the interior of the school is brightened with paintings, murals, and live plants throughout the building.

Brain Lab

The Brain Lab is a proactive intervention that helps students work on self-regulation skills while also learning different strategies to assist in their social & emotional health. Our Brain Lab involves teaching students how to understand and manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in a way that promotes learning and well-being. The brain lab, which has expanded to include outdoor spaces and the 'Cub Run Gardens', is designed and cultivated by students.

STEAM Classes

Our STEAM education program is an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to learning that provides hands-on project-based instruction and relevant learning experiences for students.  These projects are a series of design and engineering challenges that utilize engineering concepts, the principles of physical and environmental science, high- level mathematical skills and creativity.  The purpose of these challenges are to provide important practice in applying scientific ideas and mathematical skills while finding creative solutions to a variety of real-life problems. 

We have a diverse student and family population, with more than 30 languages spoken in our school community. Multilingual learners who receive ESOL services are provided with explicit English language development instruction that maintains an asset-based approach and celebrates multilingualism as a strength.

Cub Run also features flexible learning spaces, including outdoor classrooms and gardens. Every student at Cub Run enjoys breaks on the inclusive playground and the interior of the school is brightened with paintings, murals, and live plants throughout the building.

Cubbie Compass Crew

The Cubbie Compass Crew is a student ambassador program that welcomes new students and provides tours of classrooms and the building. Our crew helps students become familiar with school routines and rules, and encourages new peer relationships.

Purple Star School

Cub Run is recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as a Purple Star School. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families.

Watch D.O.G.S Program

The Watch D.O.G.S. Program (Dads of Great Students) began in 1998 in one school and has grown to a nationally recognized program that brings in fathers and father figures into schools as volunteers. The goals of the program are to provide positive male role models for students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important and to provide additional eyes/hands to enhance student safety and support. Cub Run is proud to have Watch D.O.G.S. who care about our students and are frequently throughout our building supporting our school community.

Staff Recognition

Our Staff has been recognized for their outstanding work throughout the years:

Tracy Cousino, first grade teacher, was the Westfield Pyramid and Region 5 Finalist for Outstanding Teacher in 2024.

 
Jorge Velasquez-Alvarez, building supervisor, was awarded the Outstanding Operational Employee Award for the Westfield Pyramid in 2023. 

Carol Ann Timpson, special education department chair, won the Outstanding Professional Employee Award for the Westfield Pyramid in 2023.