FCPS

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A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

Congratulations to our 6th grade students as they head to Katherine Johnson MS!  We had a wonderful promotion ceremony and we wish them the best in their transition to middle school.   

Take a couple minutes to view my final weekly message to students.

Thank you to our PTA, staff, students, and families for the warm farewells I have received. Daniels Run ES is a special community and I am humbled to have a small part in contributing to the success of our school community.  The strength of our community lies with the all the staff, students, and families and I look forward to seeing DRES students at Katherine Johnson MS.   

Enjoy the summer,

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

Summer Office Hours

Our front office will be open daily from 10:00 am-2:00 pm.  Please contact Mrs. Ashya Otero [email protected] or 703-279-8400 if you need to make an appointment to register students for the 24-25 school year. 

☎️ Family Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs

Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5 and older with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:

• Saturday, June 29, at ICC for Children - Manassas
• Saturday, July 20, at ICC for Children - Herndon
• Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church

Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.

Ferias de Salud Pediátrica de INOVA para el regreso a clases

La Clínica Inova Cares (ICC) ofrecerá a los niños mayores de 5 años exámenes físicos y vacunas gratuitas para el ingreso a la escuela en las ferias de salud de verano para niños con Medicaid o que no tienen seguro. Las clínicas tendrán lugar de 9 a.m.-1 p.m. en las siguientes fechas:

• Sábado 29 de junio, en ICC-Children - Manassas
• Sábado 20 de julio, en ICC-Children - Herndon
• Sábado 17 de agosto, en ICC Children - Falls Church

Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations

This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 24, through Friday, August 2. Any FCPS parent or secondary student will have an opportunity to schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. 

Parents of students in any grade level can request a consultation to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.

Students in middle or high school can request a consultation to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.

We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.

📈 SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE

Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:

• For all students, the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
• For grade 3-8 students, the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year.

Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

PTA News Music News

🎵Bravo to the band & string students for their fantastic performances this week.  Click here for the band video.  The string video will be posted to social media soon.

🎵2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!

🎵6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

🎵 Musician of the Year: Drum roll please!  The results are in – the musician of the year is….Taylor Swift!   Here are the full results from the 318 people that voted, or click here.

Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation

The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. 

They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities. 

Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing [email protected], or visiting the FRC webpage.

Other Summer Learning Opportunities

Chantilly Academy will host an AFA CyberCamp from Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp would be a great fit for rising fifth through eighth graders of all skill levels interested in learning more about the importance of cybersecurity and gaining skills to protect themselves and others from cyber threats. Discounts are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Visit the camp website for more information.

Registration is also still available for the Institute for the Arts (IFTA) and Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps (See below), and Credit Recovery Academy.

Strings Summer Camp Opportunity

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program

William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to share its Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) with your family. SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. There are in-person and virtual courses available in the areas of engineering, music, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. 

We are now registering for:

Summer 

June 24th-28th

July 8th-12th

August 12th-16th 

For more information, and to see what classes are available please visit our website!

🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.

FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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June 12th: Last Day of School and 2 hour early release

Students will be dismissed 2 hours early today at 1:45pm. Please make sure you have made the necessary arrangements for your student's pick up. 

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

As we approach the end of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible journey we've shared. This final full week is a significant milestone, marking a year filled with learning, growth, and countless memories.

To our dedicated families, thank you for your unwavering partnership and support. Your involvement and encouragement have been invaluable in creating a nurturing and successful environment for our students. Together, we've navigated challenges and celebrated achievements, always with our children's best interests at heart.

Our band and strings students did an excellent job performing this past week and we look forward to our Kindergarten and 6th grade promotion ceremonies next Tuesday!  A reminder that students are dismissed at 1:45 on Wednesday, June 12th.  

Peaking ahead to the 2024-25 school year,  view our 2024-25 school supply lists, identified by grade level.  Order your complete list of supplies with a 2024-25 Campus Survival Kit, available for pre-purchase until July 15, 2024.

Take a couple minutes to view my weekly message to students. 

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at [email protected]

Enjoy the weekend,

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

Yearbook Distribution

June 10th - Yearbooks will be distributed to 6th graders.

June 11th - Yearbooks will be distributed to students in grades K-5 who ordered them.

If there are any yearbooks remaining, they will be offered to all students. "First come, first serve". Please bring $20 in cash or a check made out to Daniels Run ES. Yearbooks will be sold in the office.

End of School Year Medication Reminder

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than 1:45 p.m. on June 12, 2024, the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. 

If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s) at the time of pickup.

Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services. 

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow

• Please remember the importance of late-year attendance for school success.  While we acknowledge that many students may be experiencing year-end burnout, it is important that all students need to be in school.  On time.  Everyday.
• The last day of the school year is Wednesday, June 12th.  We expect all students to be in school until the last day.  Please plan any trips and appointments accordingly.

☎️ Family Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs

Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5 and older with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:

• Saturday, June 29, at ICC for Children - Manassas
• Saturday, July 20, at ICC for Children - Herndon
• Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church

Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.

Ferias de Salud Pediátrica de INOVA para el regreso a clases

La Clínica Inova Cares (ICC) ofrecerá a los niños mayores de 5 años exámenes físicos y vacunas gratuitas para el ingreso a la escuela en las ferias de salud de verano para niños con Medicaid o que no tienen seguro. Las clínicas tendrán lugar de 9 a.m.-1 p.m. en las siguientes fechas:

• Sábado 29 de junio, en ICC-Children - Manassas
• Sábado 20 de julio, en ICC-Children - Herndon
• Sábado 17 de agosto, en ICC Children - Falls Church

Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations

This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 24, through Friday, August 2. Any FCPS parent or secondary student will have an opportunity to schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. 

Parents of students in any grade level can request a consultation to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.

Students in middle or high school can request a consultation to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.

We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.

📈 SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE

Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:

• For all students, the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
• For grade 3-8 students, the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year.

Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

PTA News Music News

🎵Bravo to the band & string students for their fantastic performances this week.  Click here for the band video.  The string video will be posted to social media soon.

🎵2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!

🎵6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

🎵 Musician of the Year: Drum roll please!  The results are in – the musician of the year is….Taylor Swift!   Here are the full results from the 318 people that voted, or click here.

Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation

The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. 

They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities. 

Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing [email protected], or visiting the FRC webpage.

Other Summer Learning Opportunities

Chantilly Academy will host an AFA CyberCamp from Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp would be a great fit for rising fifth through eighth graders of all skill levels interested in learning more about the importance of cybersecurity and gaining skills to protect themselves and others from cyber threats. Discounts are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Visit the camp website for more information.

Registration is also still available for the Institute for the Arts (IFTA) and Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps (See below), and Credit Recovery Academy.

Strings Summer Camp Opportunity

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program

William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to share its Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) with your family. SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. There are in-person and virtual courses available in the areas of engineering, music, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. 

We are now registering for:

Summer 

June 24th-28th

July 8th-12th

August 12th-16th 

For more information, and to see what classes are available please visit our website!

🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.

FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

Important Dates

June 11- 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony

June 12- Last Day of School/ 2 Hour Early Dismissal

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

This is the time of year we we start celebrating end of the year events.  Yesterday we hosted the Fairfax High School “Grad Walk”.  Our students and staff line the hallways and cheer on students from the FHS class of 2024 as they make their way back through our halls.  It is truly one of the great events of the year and we are thankful to be able to participate in this annual celebration.  It is wonderful to see FHS students reconnecting with staff as well as seeing the jubilation in the halls as they see siblings and friends. FHS graduation is next Tuesday (6/4), best of luck FHS class of 2024!

We have a busy couple weeks ahead with many opportunities for families to connect with DRES. We have success days, class parties, promotion ceremonies (for our Kindergarten students and sixth grade students), as well as a strings concert and band concert over the next couple weeks.

Take a couple minutes to view my weekly message to students. 

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at [email protected]

Enjoy the long weekend,

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

Yearbook Distribution

June 10th - Yearbooks will be distributed to 6th graders.

June 11th - Yearbooks will be distributed to students in grades K-5 who ordered them.

If there are any yearbooks remaining, they will be offered to all students. "First come, first serve". Please bring $20 in cash or a check made out to Daniels Run ES. Yearbooks will be sold in the office.

End of School Year Medication Reminder

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than 1:45 p.m. on June 12, 2024, the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. 

If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s) at the time of pickup.

Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services. 

☀️ Enjoy Fun and Resources at the Summer Extravaganza

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moonbounce, alpaca petting, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost! Additional food trucks will be on site selling a variety of treats. 

Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and growth. Community organizations will be providing tips, resources, and helpful information. Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it’s helpful for planning purposes.

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow

• Please remember the importance of late-year attendance for school success.  While we acknowledge that many students may be experiencing year-end burnout, it is important that all students need to be in school.  On time.  Everyday.
• The last day of the school year is Wednesday, June 12th.  We expect all students to be in school until the last day.  Please plan any trips and appointments accordingly.

☎️ Family Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

School Board Votes to Adopt Fiscal Year 2025 Approved Budget

The Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Approved Budget at their last board meeting. The FY 2025 Approved Budget totals $3.7 billion — a net increase of $233.2 million or 6.6% over the previous year. 

The FY 2025 Approved Budget focuses on providing educational excellence for all students and ensuring that employees’ hard work and dedication are acknowledged through competitive compensation. Both of these efforts fully align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. Key budget highlights include funding for a 4% compensation increase for all employees; maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students; and expanding athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Let’s learn more about how to celebrate the vibrant collection of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) cultures in May.

The month of May was chosen to recognize the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843, as well as Golden Spike Day, the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States on May 10, 1869, which was largely constructed by Chinese immigrants.

There are 24 million people in the United States who identify as Asian, with 1.6 million identifying as Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or a combination. According to  Pew Research Center (2021), Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the U.S. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made significant contributions to American culture and society.

The following are a few resources to celebrate and learn more about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage.

• Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Reading List
• 10 Ways to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Kids & Teens
• Make Us Visible for the AAPI contributions and histories in K-12 classrooms
• National Portrait Gallery’s Asian Pacific American Portraiture (Artists & Sitters)
• Teacher’s Guide: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History in the U.S.

For more information, contact Family and School Partnerships at [email protected].

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.

View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Jewish American Heritage Month. 

📝 Student Testing Results Coming Soon

Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website. 

How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.

📈 New SOL Growth Reports for Grade 3-8 Tests

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) test results, along with other student data, help demonstrate in which subjects or topics students may need additional academic support.

In order to help interpret SOL results for parents, the Virginia Department of Education has released new Standards of Learning Growth Parent Reports for families of students who took grade 3-8 SOL math and reading tests this spring. 

The Growth Parent Report ties together scores from fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) with the student’s current spring SOL results to show their trend in academic progress this year. 

Learn how to understand your student’s grade 3-8 SOL results and find resources to support their ongoing learning.

Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE

Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success. Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video explains the steps. Find out more. To create a new account, please contact [school registrar’s name] for an activation letter. 

If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View more information.

PTA News Music News

🎵Upcoming Spring Music Concerts

• Band: June 4
• 2:30 in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community
• Strings: June 6:
• 2:30pm:  in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community

🎵 Musician of the Year: Who was your favorite musician this year? Click here to review the nine we studied and click here to vote for your favorite musician of the month.  Parents, students, staff & community can vote.  You can also recommend a musician for next year.

🎵2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!

🎵6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

Other Summer Learning Opportunities

Chantilly Academy will host an AFA CyberCamp from Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp would be a great fit for rising fifth through eighth graders of all skill levels interested in learning more about the importance of cybersecurity and gaining skills to protect themselves and others from cyber threats. Discounts are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Visit the camp website for more information.

Registration is also still available for the Institute for the Arts (IFTA) and Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps (See below), and Credit Recovery Academy.

P2 News

Dear Families,

Next week, our school community will focus on a review of the 24 character strengths and the Other People Mindset. 

Over the course of this year, we have gained an understanding and appreciation of the 24 character strengths that are in all of us. Every 1–2 weeks we learned about a different character strength or Other People Mindset element. This knowledge has helped us build strong relationships with other people and become our best selves. People who have strong positive relationships do five things consistently — these are the five practices of the Other People Mindset. 1. Recognize the good in other people, 2. Recognize that everything you say or do affects other people, 3. Support others when they struggle, 4. Cheer people on when they succeed, 5. Remain present when giving people your attention. People who have a strong Other People Mindset are able to build and maintain strong, positive relationships with others.

This year, our school community has deliberately and consistently taught students that relationships are important and that positive relationships are cultivated through character and the Other People Mindset. We have experienced firsthand how positive relationships help us become happier, healthier, and more resilient.

To practice and encourage the character strength of perspective with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families, where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.

Have a wonderful week!

Strings Summer Camp Opportunity

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program

William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to share its Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) with your family. SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. There are in-person and virtual courses available in the areas of engineering, music, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. 

We are now registering for:

Summer 

June 24th-28th

July 8th-12th

August 12th-16th 

For more information, and to see what classes are available please visit our website!

🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.

FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

Important Dates

June 4- Band Concert at 7pm

June 6- Strings Concert at 7pm

June 11- 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony

June 12- Last Day of School/ 2 Hour Early Dismissal

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

A reminder today is the last day to complete our parent input form for the 2024-25 school, additional details are below.   Ashya Otero has been promoted from Student Information Assistant (SIA) to our principal Administrative Assistant (AA) position, congrats Mrs. Otero! Take a couple minutes to view my weekly message to students.

Thank you to our community partners who provided items for our PTA to raffle to staff during staff appreciation week:

Toute Petite

 Never Perfect Resin: light plate covers: IG: @art_resination

Penguin Bean Designs: Apple mini shelf and suncatcher 

Forever Enchanted Candle

Bottles to Bottles

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at [email protected]

Enjoy the long weekend,

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

Parent Input for 2024-25 School Year 

As the 2023-2024 school year is coming to a close, it is time for Daniels Run  staff to start preparing for the 2024-2025 school year.  When it comes to class placements, we cons

ider many things, such as heterogeneous groupings, balancing academic abilities, and how to maximize the support our resource teachers can provide students. 

If you feel that there is pertinent information to support your child’s success, please complete this optional Parent Input Form by Friday, May 24th. Please note that this system is not intended for families to request specific teachers. Your child’s current classroom teacher, specialists, counselors, and administrators will collaborate to make well-balanced classes. We value and consider your insight into your child’s learning needs. 

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school—a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD HAVE GOOD ATTENDANCE?

• Don’t let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
• Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up.
• Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school

☀️ Enjoy Fun and Resources at the Summer Extravaganza

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moonbounce, alpaca petting, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost! Additional food trucks will be on site selling a variety of treats. 

Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and growth. Community organizations will be providing tips, resources, and helpful information. Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it’s helpful for planning purposes.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Let’s learn more about how to celebrate the vibrant collection of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) cultures in May.

The month of May was chosen to recognize the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843, as well as Golden Spike Day, the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States on May 10, 1869, which was largely constructed by Chinese immigrants.

There are 24 million people in the United States who identify as Asian, with 1.6 million identifying as Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or a combination. According to  Pew Research Center (2021), Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the U.S. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made significant contributions to American culture and society.

The following are a few resources to celebrate and learn more about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage.

• Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Reading List
• 10 Ways to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Kids & Teens
• Make Us Visible for the AAPI contributions and histories in K-12 classrooms
• National Portrait Gallery’s Asian Pacific American Portraiture (Artists & Sitters)
• Teacher’s Guide: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History in the U.S.

For more information, contact Family and School Partnerships at [email protected].

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.

View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Jewish American Heritage Month. 

 

🗓️ SOL Testing Dates 🗓️ Our Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are this month.

These assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards. The content tested varies by grade level.

See below for the upcoming scheduled dates this Spring.

SOL Retakes: May 28-31

If you have any questions about SOL tests, please reach out to our School Testing Coordinators, Sara Van Aalst ([email protected]) or Janelle Alabi ([email protected]).

📝 Student Testing Results Coming Soon

Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website. 

How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.

📈 New SOL Growth Reports for Grade 3-8 Tests

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) test results, along with other student data, help demonstrate in which subjects or topics students may need additional academic support.

In order to help interpret SOL results for parents, the Virginia Department of Education has released new Standards of Learning Growth Parent Reports for families of students who took grade 3-8 SOL math and reading tests this spring. 

The Growth Parent Report ties together scores from fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) with the student’s current spring SOL results to show their trend in academic progress this year. 

Learn how to understand your student’s grade 3-8 SOL results and find resources to support their ongoing learning.

Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE

Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success. Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video explains the steps. Find out more. To create a new account, please contact [school registrar’s name] for an activation letter. 

If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View more information.

PTA News Music News

🎵Upcoming Spring Music Concerts

• Band: June 4
• 2:30 in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community
• Strings: June 6:
• 2:30pm:  in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community

🎵 The May Musician of the Month is the American strings duo: Black Violin.  They play the violin and viola , and are also singers, and composers.  The group formed in 2004 & their musical style is classical and hip hop fusion.

🎵 Musician of the Year: Who was your favorite musician this year? Click here to review the nine we studied and click here to vote for your favorite musician of the month.  Parents, students, staff & community can vote.  You can also recommend a musician for next year.

🎵2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!

🎵6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

P2 News

Dear Families,

Next week, our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Leadership. Leadership means you value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.

Leadership can be both formal and informal. It is concerned with getting others to do what needs to be done while maintaining group morale to ensure readiness to act in the future. This character strength’s focus is on the personal qualities of leaders rather than the practice of leadership. These qualities include the ability to understand others and inspire them toward a common goal, the capacity to mitigate conflict and mold consensus, and the desire to lead other people.

For individuals, leadership is a way to achieve what you know is important, as groups of people invariably achieve more than individuals. If you want to achieve your vision for the future, you need to inspire others to join you. As an individual’s ability to lead develops, so does that person’s confidence and sense of self-efficacy.

To practice and encourage the character strength of leadership with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families, where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.

Have a wonderful week!

Strings Summer Camp Opportunity

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program

William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to share its Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) with your family. SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. There are in-person and virtual courses available in the areas of engineering, music, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. 

We are now registering for:

Summer 

June 24th-28th

July 8th-12th

August 12th-16th 

For more information, and to see what classes are available please visit our website!

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

• Tuesday, May 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.

FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

Important Dates

May 27- Memorial Day/ No School

May 28-31- SOL Retakes (Grades 3-6)

June 4- Band Concert at 7pm

June 6- Strings Concert at 7pm

June 11- 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony

June 12- Last Day of School

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

We received wonderful news this week as we were named a 2023-24  "Green Shield" school by the Positivity Project (P2). This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our staff, students and school community.  A special thank you to 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Oris, for her leadership of P2 at DRES!  An excerpt from the communication from P2:  

"The Green Shield School designation sets a high standard, emphasizing the integration of character strengths education into every aspect of the school environment. Daniels Run Elementary's commitment to the six key categories – Classroom Implementation, Schoolwide Implementation, Student Leadership, Family Engagement, Professional Learning, and The P2 Movement – reflects its holistic approach to building a culture grounded in character and relationships.

Schools like Daniels Run serve as centers of excellence, showcasing the transformative power of character strengths education. By fostering individual strengths and nurturing positive relationships, they enrich students' lives and create environments conducive to personal and academic growth. We are grateful for the dedication and support of you and your team in developing a positive school culture grounded in character strengths and positive relationships."

I was away for a few days last week celebrating my daughter's graduation from college so I was unable to make a video message for students.  Look for one next week!

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at [email protected]

Enjoy your weekend,

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

Parent Input for 2024-25 School Year 

As the 2023-2024 school year is coming to a close, it is time for Daniels Run  staff to start preparing for the 2024-2025 school year.  When it comes to class placements, we cons

ider many things, such as heterogeneous groupings, balancing academic abilities, and how to maximize the support our resource teachers can provide students. 

If you feel that there is pertinent information to support your child’s success, please complete this optional Parent Input Form by Friday, May 24th. Please note that this system is not intended for families to request specific teachers. Your child’s current classroom teacher, specialists, counselors, and administrators will collaborate to make well-balanced classes. We value and consider your insight into your child’s learning needs. 

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school—a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD HAVE GOOD ATTENDANCE?

• Don’t let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
• Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up.
• Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school

🎓 Calling All Alumni and Friends!

Educate Fairfax is proud to introduce FCPS Alumni & Friends, an online network of alumni, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members with ties to Fairfax County Public Schools. Whether you are a recent FCPS graduate or you’ve returned to Fairfax to work or raise your own family, this network will celebrate our alumni and friends of FCPS through stories, news and events, reunions, homecoming, and other activities. It’s also a great way to rekindle old friendships and build new ones. Join FCPS Alumni & Friends today!

Preschool Opportunity

Daniels Run ES is pleased to announce that we will have community peers in our preschool program. The early childhood special education staff members have been investigating the possible opportunities for our students to participate in integration activities with typically developing peers. This will involve teaching preschoolers with delays and without delays in the same classroom. It can provide young children with a more stimulating environment, teach skills for coping with different situations, and provide the opportunity to learn appropriate social skills. 

Our program will invite a limited number of community preschoolers (1-2 per class), who are age 3 ½ -5 years, to participate in our daily preschool activities. The children from the community will have the opportunity to make new friends and share experiences with current early childhood special education students. Our students will, in turn, benefit from being with community peers who can model appropriate language, motor, and social skills.

         All children learn through their play. Intellectual growth occurs in a social context, influenced strongly by the quality of social interactions. The goal of this program is to encourage active learning and promote social interaction and acceptance through shared experiences between the community children and our preschoolers with special needs. 

If interested contact Chris Smith [email protected]  by May 17th. Interested families will be invited for a playdate for their child to interact with the current class to assess readiness for the program.

 

🗓️ SOL Testing Dates 🗓️ Our Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are this month.

These assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards. The content tested varies by grade level.

Students have completed our scheduled reading and math SOLs!

See below for the upcoming scheduled dates this Spring.

Grade 5:

• 🔬 Science: Tuesday, May 21

 

SOL Make Up Testing: May 22-24

SOL Retakes: May 28-31

If you have any questions about SOL tests, please reach out to our School Testing Coordinators, Sara Van Aalst ([email protected]) or Janelle Alabi ([email protected]).

PTA News Music News

🎵Upcoming Spring Music Concerts (updated May 2)

• Band: June 4
• 2:30 in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community
• Strings: June 6:
• 2:30pm:  in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community

🎵 The May Musician of the Month is the American strings duo: Black Violin.  They play the violin and viola , and are also singers, and composers.  The group formed in 2004 & their musical style is classical and hip hop fusion.

🎵2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!

🎵6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

P2 News

Dear Families,

Next week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm means approaching life with excitement and energy. It means energizing people around you.

Enthusiasm is the ability to bring life and excitement to different situations. It often leads to a higher level of involvement and engagement for individuals and groups. Those who demonstrate enthusiasm bring energy and intensity to individual and group work. As a result of their outward excitement about a task or project, these people are often identified as early leaders and innovators. Look for these people to recruit new group members and generate ideas.

Enthusiasm is contagious, and it can directly tie to high levels of success, happiness, and achievement for groups. One person’s enthusiasm can spark others to think, speak, and act with more energy and conviction. Groups that are enthusiastic about tasks are much more likely to spend longer periods of time serving the group’s overall goals.

To practice and encourage the character strength of enthusiasm with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families, where together you will watch a video, read a quote and talk about the answers to three questions.

Have a wonderful week!

Strings Summer Camp Opportunity

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program

William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to share its Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) with your family. SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. There are in-person and virtual courses available in the areas of engineering, music, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. 

We are now registering for:

Summer 

June 24th-28th

July 8th-12th

August 12th-16th 

For more information, and to see what classes are available please visit our website!

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

• Tuesday, May 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule: 

• Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
• Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School. 

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.  

The Northern Virginia Mineral Club will be hosting a Geology of the Upper Accotink Creek at the Commons!

Our next field trip focuses on the upper part of a major watershed in Fairfax County, VA. Accotink Creek, 25 miles long, straddles two geologic provinces in our area, the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain. The stream originates just north of the city of Fairfax and crosses onto the Coastal Plain near Lorton, then joins the Potomac estuary near Gunston Hall (home of Founding Father George Mason). Upper Accotink Creek traverses Piedmont bedrock more than half a billion years old. We will meet at a small park near Fairfax city and walk to Accotink Creek, where we will see outcrops of metamorphic bedrock. We will also examine gravel bars along the creek for quartz in various hues and for fine-grained, greenish-gray pieces of bedrock ranging from meta-siltstone to phyllite and metatuff. Club members will lead the trip, explaining the origins of the bedrock, its context within the geology of our area, and the general history of the creek itself.

When: Saturday, May 18th, 10:00 a.m. (Rain Date: May 19)

Where: Country Club Hills Commons Park, 10050 Spring Lake Terrace, Fairfax, VA (has street parking)

The walk to the creek is short, but the vegetation is dense, so wear appropriate clothing, such as long sleeves and pants. The creek is small but has no bridges and we will cross it, so wear rubber boots or sturdy shoes. (Without rubber boots, your feet might get a little wet.)

🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.

FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

Important Dates

May 21 - Science SOL (Grade 5)

May 22- PTA Meeting at 7pm in the library

May 27- Memorial Day/ No School

June 4- Band Concert at 7pm

June 6- Strings Concert at 7pm

June 12- Last Day of School

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

PTA Meeting Update-Join us!

 

Please join us for our final PTA meeting of the 2023-2024 school year on Wednesday, May 22nd @ 7pm in the Library at Daniels Run! Please note the date change from May 15th. 

We will have a brief PTA meeting and a farewell reception for Mr. Smith. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

 

Daniels Run PTA

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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DRES Families, 

All staff and families are invited to attend a virtual informational meeting on Wednesday, May 15th at 5:30 PM.  We also invite you to review this video developed by our Department of Human Resources providing an overview of the principal selection process.

Date/Time

Link to Join the Meeting

May 15th

5:30 p.m.

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/98428564598?pwd=ZWZKenptMDBhNHFFT3k5ZG5SNVpiZz09&from=addon

The Daniels Run Principal Advisory panel will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024. We invite you to offer your individual, written input regarding the skills, experience, and leadership characteristics needed for Daniels Run Elementary School.  You might also address any challenges or issues that a new principal will need to address.  Input is confidential and will not be discussed at the meeting.  We welcome your input now, upon receipt of this letter, and are hopeful that many of you will share your thoughts using the Google form link Principal Input and Advisory Panel Interest by May 22nd.  In addition, this form also offers the opportunity to express whether you might be interested in serving as a member of the advisory panel.  Staff and community members selected to be panelists or alternates for this panel will be contacted by the Human Resources department overseeing this process.

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

Kudos to our PTA, parents and students for making Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week special. Our PTA really went above and beyond to show our amazing DRES educators and staff that they are appreciated for all they do for our students. 

I am currently traveling to celebrate my daughter's college graduation. We always look forward to stopping at Buckey's BBQ on the way there (see pic).

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible moms and women who deserve recognition and appreciation not just this Sunday, but every day! 

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at [email protected]

Enjoy your weekend,

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

Parent Input for 2024-25 School Year 

As the 2023-2024 school year is coming to a close, it is time for Daniels Run  staff to start preparing for the 2024-2025 school year.  When it comes to class placements, we cons

ider many things, such as heterogeneous groupings, balancing academic abilities, and how to maximize the support our resource teachers can provide students. 

If you feel that there is pertinent information to support your child’s success, please complete this optional Parent Input Form by Friday, May 24th. Please note that this system is not intended for families to request specific teachers. Your child’s current classroom teacher, specialists, counselors, and administrators will collaborate to make well-balanced classes. We value and consider your insight into your child’s learning needs. 

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow

As we prepare for testing season, school attendance is crucial for your student's success and comfort.  Please plan any appointments and trips for non-testing days.  It is challenging for staff to accommodate many students for make-up testing and for the students, who miss instruction time for their make-up test.

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD HAVE GOOD ATTENDANCE?

• Don’t let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
• Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up.
• Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school

Preschool Opportunity

Daniels Run ES is pleased to announce that we will have community peers in our preschool program. The early childhood special education staff members have been investigating the possible opportunities for our students to participate in integration activities with typically developing peers. This will involve teaching preschoolers with delays and without delays in the same classroom. It can provide young children with a more stimulating environment, teach skills for coping with different situations, and provide the opportunity to learn appropriate social skills. 

Our program will invite a limited number of community preschoolers (1-2 per class), who are age 3 ½ -5 years, to participate in our daily preschool activities. The children from the community will have the opportunity to make new friends and share experiences with current early childhood special education students. Our students will, in turn, benefit from being with community peers who can model appropriate language, motor, and social skills.

         All children learn through their play. Intellectual growth occurs in a social context, influenced strongly by the quality of social interactions. The goal of this program is to encourage active learning and promote social interaction and acceptance through shared experiences between the community children and our preschoolers with special needs. 

If interested contact Chris Smith [email protected]  by May 17th. Interested families will be invited for a playdate for their child to interact with the current class to assess readiness for the program.

 

🗓️ SOL Testing Dates 🗓️ Our Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are this month.

These assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards. The content tested varies by grade level. See below for the scheduled dates this Spring.

  Grade 3:

• 📖 Reading: Thursday, May 9
• 🧮 Math: Friday, May 17

  Grade 4:

• 📖 Reading: Wednesday, May 8
• 🧮Math: Thursday, May 16

  Grade 5:

• 📖 Reading: Friday, May 10
• 🧮 Math: Wednesday, May 15
• 🔬 Science: Tuesday, May 21

  Grade 6:

• 📖 Reading: Tuesday, May 7
• 🧮 Math: Tuesday, May 14

 

SOL Make Up Testing: May 22-24

SOL Retakes: May 28-31

If you have any questions about SOL tests, please reach out to our School Testing Coordinators, Sara Van Aalst ([email protected]) or Janelle Alabi ([email protected]).

PTA News Music News

🎵Upcoming Spring Music Concerts (updated May 2)

• Band: June 4
• 2:30 in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community
• Strings: June 6:
• 2:30pm:  in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community

🎵 The May Musician of the Month is the American strings duo: Black Violin.  They play the violin and viola , and are also singers, and composers.  The group formed in 2004 & their musical style is classical and hip hop fusion.

🎵2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!

🎵6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

P2 News

Dear Families,

Next week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence. Appreciation of beauty and excellence means you notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.

Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence is the ability to identify and enjoy that which is admirable in the world. There are three types of goodness in which positive psychology focuses: physical beauty (e.g., a sunset, a song, or a building); an exceptional skill or talent; and moral goodness (e.g., a character strength). Appreciation of beauty can generate awe; appreciation of a skill can generate admiration; and appreciation of moral goodness can generate moral elevation. All of these feelings (awe, admiration, and moral elevation) help us forget ourselves and find increased joy and meaning in the world. 

Appreciating excellence and beauty helps individuals experience positive emotions and connect to the world around them. It’s an outward-facing strength, meaning the individual is focused on the world outside their head. Not only is the individual outwardly focused, but they are often deeply absorbed in a sense of awe or admiration, freeing them to forget anxieties and troubles. It is associated with other strengths, such as gratitude, curiosity, love of learning, and purpose.

To practice and encourage the character strength of Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families, where together you will watch a video, read a quote and talk about the answers to three questions.

Have a wonderful week!

Strings Summer Camp Opportunity

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program

William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to share its Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) with your family. SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. There are in-person and virtual courses available in the areas of engineering, music, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. 

We are now registering for:

Summer 

June 24th-28th

July 8th-12th

August 12th-16th 

For more information, and to see what classes are available please visit our website!

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

• Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
• Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule: 

• Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
• Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School. 

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.  

🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.

FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

Important Dates

May 14-17 - Math SOLs (Grades 3-6)

May 21 - Science SOL (Grade 5)

May 27- Memorial Day/ No School

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

As the 2023-2024 school year is coming to a close, it is time for Daniels Run  staff to start preparing for the 2024-2025 school year.  When it comes to class placements, we consider many things, such as heterogeneous groupings, balancing academic abilities, and how to maximize the support our resource teachers can provide students. 

If you feel that there is pertinent information to support your child’s success, please complete this optional Parent Input Form by Friday, May 24th. Please note that this system is not intended for families to request specific teachers. Your child’s current classroom teacher, specialists, counselors, and administrators will collaborate to make well-balanced classes. We value and consider your insight into your child’s learning needs. 

We look forward to celebrating our teachers and staff this upcoming week for teacher/staff appreciation week!  Our PTA has some great things planned.  I encourage you and your students to take a couple minutes and send a thank you email/note/card to your child's teachers for all the time and effort they devote to making DERS a great place to learn!

Take a couple minutes to view my weekly message to students, thanks to Mr. Toskovich's 3rd grade class for hosting me! 

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at [email protected]

Enjoy your weekend,

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

Attendance Grade Level WINNERS! 

As we approach the end of the school year, it’s important for students to stay engaged, attend school, and finish strong! Visit our website for attendance resources.

CONGRATULATIONS to our Fifth Grade students!!! They have won our first attendance competition. Fifth grade had the highest percentage of students with good attendance for the month of April.  89.9% of our Fifth graders attended school in the month of April with 2 or less absences.  They will have a donut party next Friday, May 10th to celebrate!  

 

🗓️ SOL Testing Dates 🗓️ Our Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are this month.

These assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards. The content tested varies by grade level. See below for the scheduled dates this Spring.

  Grade 3:

• 📖 Reading: Thursday, May 9
• 🧮 Math: Friday, May 17

  Grade 4:

• 📖 Reading: Wednesday, May 8
• 🧮Math: Thursday, May 16

  Grade 5:

• 📖 Reading: Friday, May 10
• 🧮 Math: Wednesday, May 15
• 🔬 Science: Tuesday, May 21

  Grade 6:

• 📖 Reading: Tuesday, May 7
• 🧮 Math: Tuesday, May 14

 

SOL Make Up Testing: May 22-24

SOL Retakes: May 28-31

If you have any questions about SOL tests, please reach out to our School Testing Coordinators, Sara Van Aalst ([email protected]) or Janelle Alabi ([email protected]).

PTA News Music News

🎵Upcoming Spring Music Concerts (updated May 2)

• Band: June 4
• 2:30 in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community
• Strings: June 6:
• 2:30pm:  in school concert for 3rd-6th graders
• 7pm: evening concert for community

🎵 The May Musician of the Month is the American strings duo: Black Violin.  They play the violin and viola , and are also singers, and composers.  The group formed in 2004 & their musical style is classical and hip hop fusion.

🎵 Congratulations to the Chorus & Daniels Run Singers for 3 fantastic concerts last week!  Check out pictures and audio here!

🎵2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!

🎵6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

P2 News

Dear Families,

Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Purpose. Purpose means you have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

Purpose gives individuals the sense that they are put on this earth for a reason and that they are somehow connected with humanity or the universe. People who possess a sense of purpose believe that they were put on earth for a reason. That reason can have all kinds of variety. It could be to create a unique invention, bring joy through art or music, or raise their children to become good people. These people have a true calling.

Having a clear sense of purpose in life and believing that you’re connected to a larger meaning gives individuals strength. It allows them to persevere and find courage in trying circumstances or lead with kindness and love even when it’s not reciprocated. Those with a sense of purpose have more meaning in their life -- and are more fulfilled.

To practice and encourage the character strength of purpose 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!

Strings Summer Camp Opportunity

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program

William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to share its Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) with your family. SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. There are in-person and virtual courses available in the areas of engineering, music, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. 

We are now registering for:

Summer 

June 24th-28th

July 8th-12th

August 12th-16th 

For more information, and to see what classes are available please visit our website!

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

• Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
• Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
• Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
• Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
• Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
• Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule: 

• Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School. 
• Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
• Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
• Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School. 

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.  

🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.

FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

Important Dates

May 6-10 - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 7-10 - Reading SOLs (Grades 3-6)

May 14-17 - Math SOLs (Grades 3-6)

May 21 - Science SOL (Grade 5)

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

We held our Spring Chorus Concerts this week and it was a delightful showcase of talent, dedication, and the joy of music. Our talented students, under the guidance of our wonderful music teachers, Ms. McCarten and Mr. Tilman, worked hard on this excellent performance.

But the celebration doesn't end there! We also want to extend our sincere thanks to our incredible PTA for organizing a fantastic Spring Book Fair. Your hard work and dedication in promoting literacy and a love for reading among our students are truly commendable.

And mark your calendars because next Wednesday morning, we invite all our families to join us for "Donuts for Dragons." It's a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy some tasty treats, and share in the joy of being a part of the Daniels Run community.

Take a couple minutes to view my weekly message to students, thanks to Mrs. Morrison's Kindergarten class for hosting me! 

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at [email protected]

Enjoy your weekend,

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

As we approach the end of the school year, it’s important for students to stay engaged, attend school, and finish strong! Visit our website for attendance resources.

Tuesday, April 30th marks the end of the month.  We will find out which grade level won our first ever attendance competition for the month of April. The grade level that has the highest percentage of students in attendance for the month of April will win a donut party! 

 

🗓️ SOL Testing Dates 🗓️ Our Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are coming up in May.

These assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards. The content tested varies by grade level. See below for the scheduled dates this Spring.

  Grade 3:

• 📖 Reading: Thursday, May 9
• 🧮 Math: Friday, May 17

  Grade 4:

• 📖 Reading: Wednesday, May 8
• 🧮Math: Thursday, May 16

  Grade 5:

• 📖 Reading: Friday, May 10
• 🧮 Math: Wednesday, May 15
• 🔬 Science: Tuesday, May 21

  Grade 6:

• 📖 Reading: Tuesday, May 7
• 🧮 Math: Tuesday, May 14

 

SOL Make Up Testing: May 22-24

SOL Retakes: May 28-31

If you have any questions about SOL tests, please reach out to our School Testing Coordinators, Sara Van Aalst ([email protected]) or Janelle Alabi ([email protected]).

PTA News Music News

🎵 Congratulations to the Chorus & Daniels Run Singers for 3 fantastic concerts yesterday!  Check out pictures and audio here!

🎵Upcoming Spring Music Concerts:

• April 25:  Chorus Spring Concerts in the morning & 6:30pm
• June 4: 7pm Band Concert
• June 6:
• 2:30pm:  5th & 6th grade performers: Band & Strings Concert for 3rd-6th grade audience
• 7pm: 4th-6th grade strings concert.
• 2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!
• 6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

P2 News

Dear Families,

Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Fairness. Fairness means you believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.

Fairness is the product of moral judgement — the process by which people determine what is morally right and what is morally wrong. Moral reasoning has been explored and analyzed in two main traditions: the justice reasoning approach and the care reasoning approach.

For individuals, cultivating the character strength of fairness is correlated with highly desirable developmental outcomes. It helps people to become trustworthy friends, responsible citizens, and generally moral people. 

To practice and encourage the character strength of fairness 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!

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

FCPS students in grades 3-12 took the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener during March, providing updated information on skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. 

In late April, individual student SEL Screener results will be available for families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail. 

Get more information about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s school counselor; Ashleigh Fisher, [email protected] - Grades 2,3,4,6 and Louise Robinson, [email protected]. - Grades K,1,5,6.  

🗳️ Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. Read more about Dr. Bussey

This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.

Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1.  The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium on Tuesday, June 18.

Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

• Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
• Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
• Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
• Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
• Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
• Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule: 

• Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School. 
• Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
• Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
• Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School. 

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.  

🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.

Order your Yearbook Here! FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

Important Dates 

May 3 - Teacher Work Day/ No School

May 6-10 - Teacher Appreciation Week 

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

I am thrilled to share some wonderful highlights from our recent events and extend heartfelt congratulations to all involved.

Last Wednesday, we proudly celebrated Purple Up Day, where we came together to honor and appreciate our military families. It was truly inspiring to see the outpouring of support and recognition for the sacrifices made by these families.

Additionally, I am delighted to congratulate all the students who were honored at the Fairfax Pyramid art show. Your talent and dedication shine brightly, and we couldn't be prouder of your achievements. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our exceptional Art teachers, Mrs. Byrne, and Mrs. Bank, for their tireless efforts in ensuring the success of the night for our students and families.

As we continue to celebrate our community's achievements, I invite you all to join in commemorating the 10-year anniversary of Portrait of a Graduate (POG) with our upcoming POG spirit week next week. Let's come together once again to showcase our spirit, unity, and commitment to fostering excellence in education.

Take a couple minutes to view my weekly message to students, thanks to Mrs. Hollis-Hescht’s first grade class for hosting me! 

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at [email protected]

Enjoy your weekend,

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

Volunteer Appreciation Week

We would like to give a big shoutout to all the amazing volunteers at Daniels Run Elementary School! 🙌🏼 Thank you for your hard work and dedication throughout the school year. Your selflessness and commitment make a real difference in our school community. We are so grateful for everything you do! 💜🩵

Portrait of a Graduate Ten-Year Anniversary: Celebrate the Past, Elevate the Present, Innovate for the Future

This month marks the ten-year anniversary of Portrait of a Graduate's (POG) division-wide adoption in FCPS. Since 2014, POG has transformed from an aspiration to an integral part of instruction through the use of durable skills that students apply and reflect upon in the classroom, their daily lives, and in preparation for the jobs of the future.

We will be celebrating the anniversary of POG next week by participating in a 10th Birthday Spirit Week. Please refer to the flyer for more information on how we plan to commemorate this special event.

 

 

🗓️ SOL Testing Dates 🗓️ Our Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are coming up in May.

These assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards. The content tested varies by grade level. See below for the scheduled dates this Spring.

  Grade 3:

• 📖 Reading: Thursday, May 9
• 🧮 Math: Friday, May 17

  Grade 4:

• 📖 Reading: Wednesday, May 8
• 🧮Math: Thursday, May 16

  Grade 5:

• 📖 Reading: Friday, May 10
• 🧮 Math: Wednesday, May 15
• 🔬 Science: Tuesday, May 21

  Grade 6:

• 📖 Reading: Tuesday, May 7
• 🧮 Math: Tuesday, May 14

 

SOL Make Up Testing: May 22-24

SOL Retakes: May 28-31

If you have any questions about SOL tests, please reach out to our School Testing Coordinators, Sara Van Aalst ([email protected]) or Janelle Alabi ([email protected]).

PTA News

Volunteer for the Daniels Run BOGO Book Fair here! The fair will be open April 22-26 and cannot run without volunteers!

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0944ACAF2EA3FD0-48987680-bogo

AAP News

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners. Students may be screened for subject-specific and part-time AAP services at any time in the school year. However, in the spring, schools review data on all students to determine services for the start of the next school year.  Because all students are screened in the spring, it is not necessary to submit a referral form.   Families will be notified of eligibility of newly-identified, part-time services during the second week of June.

The AAP spring newsletter can be viewed on our Daniels Run All Parents/Guardians Course in Schoology. Parents/guardians can login to Schoology using the same username and password as your Student Information System (SIS) parent account. 

If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact Daniel Run’s Advanced Academic Resources Teacher (AART), Ms. Danni James at [email protected].

Music News

🎵 Congratulations to Hannah Hyland-Eddy & Luke O’Donnell who are in the Fairfax High School performance of Anastasia (also many former Daniels Run students).  The 4th & 5th graders will attend a matinee performance next Friday!  Families may attend any of the performances this weekend or next – purchase tickets here. 

 

🎵 Congratulations to all the International Day/Night performers!  If you have any pictures to share, please send them to Michelle McCarten.

🎵 The April Musician of the Month is American pop singer/songwriter, Taylor Swift. 

🎵Upcoming Spring Music Concerts:

• April 25:  Chorus Spring Concerts in the morning & 6:30pm
• June 4: 7pm Band Concert
• June 6:
• 2:30pm:  5th & 6th grade performers: Band & Strings Concert for 3rd-6th grade audience
• 7pm: 4th-6th grade strings concert.
• 2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!
• 6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

P2 News

Dear Families,

Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Perspective. Perspective means you appreciate when people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.

Perspective is also referred to as wisdom and is distinct from intelligence. People with this strength are sought out for advice because they see the big picture and can make sense of the world’s complexity. This strength of perspective gives individuals the ability to see to the heart of difficult matters and achieve clarity. Most importantly, they are honest and behave in an ethically consistent manner. 

Perspective helps an individual make sense of the world. It provides clarity on what matters and what does not. Being able to see things from multiple angles helps individuals remain calm and learn from mistakes; they are typically highly self-aware. Reflecting on their own feelings, thoughts, and motives helps them understand and empathize with other people. These individuals are strong listeners and ask great questions. Individuals with the strength of perspective help their group get through difficult or uncertain circumstances because they’re poised and can identify opportunities for success.

To practice and encourage the character strength of perspective 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!

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

FCPS students in grades 3-12 took the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener during March, providing updated information on skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. 

In late April, individual student SEL Screener results will be available for families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail. 

Get more information about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s school counselor; Ashleigh Fisher, [email protected] - Grades 2,3,4,6 and Louise Robinson, [email protected]. - Grades K,1,5,6.  

Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) School Health Services Internal Survey

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians of FCPS students. Parents/guardians will be asked for feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health services provided to the school community. The survey will be distributed electronically via FCPS This Week. The survey window is April 15 - April 26, 2024. Survey link: http://www.redcap.link/FCHDSchoolHealthSurvey

Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of School Health services. The data-driven process is in alignment with the FCPS Strategic planning process, and the survey results will contribute positively to the FCPS Strategic Plan that reflects a shared consensus among stakeholders.

🗳️ Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. Read more about Dr. Bussey

This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.

Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1.  The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium on Tuesday, June 18.

Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.

Safe, Supported, and Included — the FCPS Family Summit 2024

• Register Today for the FCPS Family Summit Registration is open for the FCPS Family Summit, which will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families.

Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The theme — Safe, Supported, and Included — aligns with Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

• Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
• Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
• Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
• Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
• Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
• Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule: 

• Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School. 
• Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
• Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
• Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School. 

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.  

Order your Yearbook Here! FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

Important Dates 

April 22-26 - Spring BOGO Scholastic Book Fair

April 25- Spring Concert at 6:30pm

May 3 - Teacher Work Day/ No School

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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A Note from the Principal 

DRES Families, 

What a wonderful week of events for our DRES community.  Thank you to our hosts at Fairfax High School and our opponents from Providence ES for a great night of basketball and fun.  Thank you to our PTA for all their work in organizing this event and all of our students, staff and families who participated in the event. 

We went outside Monday afternoon to view the eclipse, read more about the excitement of our students.  Thanks to our staff for taking the time to organize this event and keep students safe.  

Last night we hosted our annual International Night and celebrated the many cultures that comprise our diverse community.  I know we all enjoyed the food and learning about each culture that was represented.   The night was capped off with outstanding student performances.  Thank you to Ms. McCarten and Mr. Tilman for all their work organizing this event along with our PTA as well as everyone that attended.

Our 6th graders begin their celebration of leaving 6th grade with the 6th grade dance this evening!  Thanks to all the 6th grade families who have helped organize this event.   

A reminder our of our spirit day next Wednesday (4/17).  Please join FCPS for Purple Up! Day on April 17, 2024, as we proudly wear purple as a sign of our appreciation for military families.  

Take a couple minutes to view my weekly message to students.

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at [email protected]

Go Dragons!

Chris Smith 

DRES Principal

 

🗓️ SOL Testing Dates 🗓️ Our Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are coming up in May.

These assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards. The content tested varies by grade level. See below for the scheduled dates this Spring.

  Grade 3:

• 📖 Reading: Thursday, May 9
• 🧮 Math: Friday, May 17

  Grade 4:

• 📖 Reading: Wednesday, May 8
• 🧮Math: Thursday, May 16

  Grade 5:

• 📖 Reading: Friday, May 10
• 🧮 Math: Wednesday, May 15
• 🔬 Science: Tuesday, May 21

  Grade 6:

• 📖 Reading: Tuesday, May 7
• 🧮 Math: Tuesday, May 14

 

SOL Make Up Testing: May 22-24

SOL Retakes: May 28-31

If you have any questions about SOL tests, please reach out to our School Testing Coordinators, Sara Van Aalst ([email protected]) or Janelle Alabi ([email protected]).

PTA News

Save the Date for our Spring BOGO Scholastic Book Fair April 22nd-26th during school

Keep an eye out for a volunteer sign up genius and more details to follow!

Save the Date for Donuts with Dragons- May 1st 8-8:45am(behind the school)

Join us on the back blacktop behind the school for a community building event.  Our dragons and their grownups are invited to come enjoy a donut with us on the back blacktop before school starts on May 1st from 8-8:45am.  

Parents will be required to stay with their children until school opens at 8:45am. 

You DONUT want to miss this great event!

AAP News

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners. Students may be screened for subject-specific and part-time AAP services at any time in the school year. However, in the spring, schools review data on all students to determine services for the start of the next school year.  Because all students are screened in the spring, it is not necessary to submit a referral form.   Families will be notified of eligibility of newly-identified, part-time services during the second week of June.

The AAP spring newsletter can be viewed on our Daniels Run All Parents/Guardians Course in Schoology. Parents/guardians can login to Schoology using the same username and password as your Student Information System (SIS) parent account. 

If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact Daniel Run’s Advanced Academic Resources Teacher (AART), Ms. Danni James at [email protected].

Music News

🎵 Congratulations to all the International Day/Night performers!  If you have any pictures to share, please send them to Michelle McCarten.

🎵 The April Musician of the Month is American pop singer/songwriter, Taylor Swift. 

🎵Upcoming Spring Music Concerts:

• April 25:  Chorus Spring Concerts in the morning & 6:30pm
• June 4: 7pm Band Concert
• June 6:
• 2:30pm:  5th & 6th grade performers: Band & Strings Concert for 3rd-6th grade audience
• 7pm: 4th-6th grade strings concert.
• 2nd-5th Grade: Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!
• 6th Grade:  FCPS Institute of the Fine Arts Summer Program

Summer Choir Camp Offer:  Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!

P2 News

Dear Families,

Next week our school community will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Identifying and Appreciating the Good in Others. It’s important to deliberately work to identify and appreciate others’ character strengths.

Identifying and appreciating the good in others is a core tenet of the Other People Mindset. This isn’t always what comes naturally. Often, it’s easier to blame others for our problems or find flaws in others to use as excuses for our own jealousy, bitterness, or resentment. The problem is that this negativity usually leads to problems -- for ourselves, for the other person, and for our relationships. 

Identifying and appreciating the good in other people helps you see the world through a more positive -- and less threatening -- lens. If you’re constantly seeing the negative traits of people, you’re going to think the world is comprised of bad people -- and you’re going to operate from a defensive posture. This isn’t to say that we should be naive or see the world, and its people, through “rose-colored glasses.” It’s just that we should strive to understand people’s intent. If you see the good in another, they are likely to see the good in you.

To practice and encourage the character strength of perspective 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!

Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) School Health Services Internal Survey

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians of FCPS students. Parents/guardians will be asked for feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health services provided to the school community. The survey will be distributed electronically via FCPS This Week. The survey window is April 15 - April 26, 2024. Survey link: http://www.redcap.link/FCHDSchoolHealthSurvey

Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of School Health services. The data-driven process is in alignment with the FCPS Strategic planning process, and the survey results will contribute positively to the FCPS Strategic Plan that reflects a shared consensus among stakeholders.

🗳️ Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. Read more about Dr. Bussey

This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.

Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1.  The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium on Tuesday, June 18.

Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.

Safe, Supported, and Included — the FCPS Family Summit 2024

• Register Today for the FCPS Family Summit Registration is open for the FCPS Family Summit, which will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families.

Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The theme — Safe, Supported, and Included — aligns with Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

• Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
• Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
• Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
• Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
• Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
• Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule: 

• Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School. 
• Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
• Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
• Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School. 

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.  

Order your Yearbook Here! FCPS Calendar Dates

FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here

Important Dates 

April 22-26 - Spring BOGO Scholastic Book Fair

May 3 - Teacher Work Day/ No School

3705 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-279-8400
Attendance: 703-279-8484 | Web | Twitter | Facebook