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A Note from the Principal
DRES Families,
Congratulations to our 5th and 6th grade Band and Stings students on their wonderful performance this week. Thank you for all the hard work and dedication of our band teachers, Ms. Meltzer and Dr. Mincer and Strings teachers, Ms. Reilly and Mx. Sevilla. We also welcomed the Fairfax HS Carolers to DRES today for a performance as well.
FCPS will not have virtual learning when school is closed due to inclement weather for the 2023-24 school year. Eleven snow days are built into our existing calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will enable us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.
Enjoy your weekend,
Chris Smith
DRES Principal
Outstanding Employee Award Winners!
Dear Dragon Families and Students!
We are so excited to announce the Daniels Run ES nominees for the following FCPS Honors awards:
Congratulations - DRES Outstanding Employee Winners:
Outstanding Teacher: Kim Morrison, Kindergarten Teacher
Outstanding NEW Teacher: Federicka Algarme, 4th Grade Teacher
Outstanding Professional Employee: Caleb Lee, Technology Support Specialist
Outstanding Operational Employee: Tammy Sparks, General Education Instructional Assistant
Outstanding Principal: Chris Smith, Principal
Attendance Matters
Missing School Over the Holidays
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, please speak with your child’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. However, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom.
Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
AVID Tips: How to Make Homework Less Stressful
Oftentimes students do not want to complete homework after being at school all day. Since homework provides practice to continue developing a skill and mastering it, it’s important that students find a way to get it done. Here are some tips to make homework feel more doable and less stressful.
- Make note of how long a homework assignment is taking your student. If it appears to be taking a lot of time, communicate with the teacher. This will inform the teacher of concepts that appear to be a struggle or concepts that seem too easy.
- Organize supplies - identify an area that works for your student and your family. Work with your child to check folders, binders, and to do weekly backpack clean out.
- Weekly schedule - Once you have an idea of how long homework takes, work with your student to schedule homework time at a time of day that works for your family. Have a discussion with your student about upcoming assignments and encourage them to jot these items in a planner or family calendar.
- Have a plan for big assignments. Example: If your student has an upcoming project that is due a week or two down the road, work with them to break the project into smaller parts and schedule those smaller tasks on the planner/calendar.
These tips can help make homework less stressful and can help students learn to manage their time.
Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2023
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may email or turn in to the front office the AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form to Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Danni James, [email protected] no later than December 15, 2023.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Danni James, [email protected].
Referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific AAP or part-time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for full-time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Keep Learning Over Winter Break with Tutor.com
Does your child need help getting up to speed in high school math, science, or English? Tutor.com offers diagnostic quizzes to help students test their knowledge and find areas where they may need help. Quizzes can be taken anytime, and students can connect immediately to a tutor.
Test prep is also available for students preparing for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
FCPS students have unlimited access, 24/7, to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Students can connect online any time, any place, and in most K-12 subjects for however long they need.
Lost and Found
Are your children missing any clothing? Our lost and found is located in the main lobby. Please stop by to take a look if you are missing something before Friday, December 15th. After December 15th, anything left will be packed up and donated.
Parents please write your child’s first and last name on the inside of winter coats to ensure they can be returned to your child during the frigid winter months!
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener in October, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.
The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.
In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.
For more information about the screener please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.
Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
Cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses often rise this time of year. It is important for students to wash their hands regularly and cover their coughs and sneezes. Please monitor your child’s health daily and keep them at home if they are sick. Visit FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage for more tips.
Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
FCPS will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-25 school year. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.
You may access the resources in person and online from Wednesday, November 15, until Friday, December 15, at noon. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review webpage. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the webpage during the review period.
Visit FCPS' website for instructions on how to view hard copies of the instructional materials at Pimmit Hills Center. The Elementary Language Arts team will be there to answer questions Friday, December 1, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and School Board.
Music News
🎵 The December Musician of the Month is German English composer, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). He is most famous for The Messiah & The Water Music Suite.
🎵 All are invited to the Chorus Winter Concert on Thursday, December 14 in the Café. Three concerts: 9:30-10am, 10:15-10:45am & 6:30-7pm.
🎵 All School Song: Deck the Halls: Ask your child to sing for you. The chorus will lead the whole school in singing this at our Chorus Winter Concert on Thursday, December 14. Click here for the sing along video.
🎵 Thank to the Fairfax High School Carolers who performed music for students this morning!
🎵 Bravo to the 5th & 6th Grade Advanced Band & Strings Concert on Tuesday night!
Positivity Project (P2)
Dear Families,
Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Self-Control. Self-control means you can control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.
Self-control is the act of managing behavior in a way that positively influences goal attainment and living up to standards. Possessing this strength protects people from destabilizing emotional extremes. Those with self-control can limit impulsive behavior. They are able to experience and navigate difficulty while remaining poised. Self-control does not mean a lack of thoughts, feelings, or impulses; it just means you have command over them.
A group’s ability to demonstrate self-control often appears in the form of “self-monitoring.” This means the individuals demonstrate honesty with one another about successful group practices. When things are unsuccessful, group members can adjust roles in the interest of overall group success.
To practice and encourage the character strength of self-control with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.
Have a wonderful week!
Food Insecurity Resources
Food insecurity impacts more than 60,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Find out how to receive or offer support on the Fairfax County website, or view their Human Services Resource Guide for assistance with food, clothing, housing, and other services.
Spanish:
La inseguridad de alimentos afecta a más de 60,000 residentes del Condado de Fairfax. Hay muchos recursos disponibles para apoyar a aquellos que necesitan asistencia alimentaria. Averigüe cómo recibir u ofrecer apoyo en el sitio web del Condado de Fairfax, o consulte con su Guía de Recursos de Servicios Humanos para obtener asistencia con los alimentos, ropa, vivienda y otros servicios
Important Dates
December 14 - Chorus Winter Concert
December 18 - January 1 - Winter Break
3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030 | Main Office: 703-279-8400
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