The Principal's Desk!
Greetings Families,
We have had a busy few weeks preparing for the first day of school on Tuesday, September 8th. It was great connecting with many students and families during our Beep and Greet earlier this week and I hope you have found the individual meeting with your child's teacher beneficial. Our staff has worked extremely hard to prepare lessons that will build classroom community, establish routines and engage students. I also want to thank all of our families for everything you have done to help our students have a successful start to the school year. We all need to grant each other patience and grace as we navigate the first ever virtual start to the school year together.
I also want to give you more information about the schedule for Mondays (starting Monday, September 14th).
Purpose
- Provide ALL students an opportunity to have access to teachers with an emphasis on students who need additional supports
- All students will be expected to complete assigned asynchronous tasks
- Tasks may include assignments such as practice activities, readings, projects, research, viewing videos, assessments, computer programs, etc.
All Students
- Participate in morning announcements/class meeting (9:00-9:40); teachers take attendance
- Have access to an extension/enrichment opportunities
- Have access to their classroom teacher for questions about Monday asynchronous work during the synchronous instruction in the morning.
Some Students
- Will have more direct instruction from teachers based on needs
Schedule for Mondays (Starting September 14th)
- Two blocks will have an academic focus
- One block will focus on extension/enrichment with Specials/resource teachers (PE, Music, Art, Spanish, Science, Innovation Space)
- Clubs may occur on Monday afternoons
9:00-9:40 – Morning Announcements and Social/Emotional Lesson
10 minute screen break
9:50-10:25 – Block #1
10 minute screen break
10:35 – 11:10 – Block #2
10 minute screen break
11:20-11:55 – Block #3
Feel free to reach out to me directly at cmsmith@fcps.edu if there is anything we can do to help.
Thanks for your support,
Chris Smith
Daniels Run ES Principal
Office Hours
In observance of the Labor Day Holiday our office will be closed on Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7. The office will reopen at 8:00am on Tuesday, September 8.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Beep and Greet Bags
If you were not able to make our Beep and Greet. You can still pick up your welcome back bags. Please call the office to schedule a time to pick yours up.
Band and String Information
Band & Strings Parent Information Night
Monday, September 14th
6:30 – 7:30 PM
https://meet.google.com/uwz-tftn-fsg
Is your student interested in participating in Band or Strings this year? Ms. Meltzer and Ms. Emery will be available to answer questions about how these programs will look this year.
Sign up for Band & Strings!
Available to all 4th, 5th, & 6th Grade Students
Watch the Google Slide presentation to find out about the instruments you can learn this year.
Sign Up for Band & Strings Here!
** You must be logged in with a fcpsschools.net account to view the presentation**
Positivity Project!
Hello Positivity Project families!
The Positivity Project and Daniels Run elementary are excited to share an exciting new resource P2 For Families!
This year marks the fifth year in our journey with The Positivity Project. The Positivity Project seeks to build positive relationships within youth by helping them see the good in themselves and in others. During the school year, students spend time each week learning, discussing and thinking about 24 different character traits.
P2 for Families is an easy and effective way for families to discuss the importance of character strengths and positive relationships, especially during these unique times of virtual learning. We encourage families to use the quotes, videos and discussion questions at home each week.
If you have any questions about the Positivity Project please contact Alex Dilldine (adilldine1@fcps.edu)
Need Internet Connectivity?
Cox Communication has announced new customers that qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company's low-cost internet, for two months at no cost. New customers must sign up between July 21 and September 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support.
A summary of enhancements and benefits of Cox's Connect2Compete program include:
- 2 months of free Connect2Compete service and remote desktop and phone support through Cox Complete Care for eligible new customers who apply between July 21 and September 30, $9.95/month thereafter
- Easy referral for discounted, refurbished equipment through PCs for People
- Student and family access to the Cox Digital Academy, which provides computer literacy training and educational resources for students
- Free WiFi modem rental
- Access to over 3M+ Cox Hotspots nationwide
This summer, Cox announced a new digital learning platform available to Connect2Compete customers to keep kids engaged in academics this summer.
The Cox Connect2Compete program is available to families who:
- Have at least one child that is a K-12 student at home
- Participate in one of these government subsidies programs: The National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF, Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, or Public Housing
Families can qualify for Connect2Compete easily from anywhere whether on their mobile device or desktop by visiting www.cox.com/c2c
Parental Consent for Select Digital Resources
At Little Run, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. You can find our school’s list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://danielsrunes.fcps.edu/adopteddigitalresources
Included on this page is also a link to a form, https://isweb.fcps.edu/iscontacts/techpermform.cfm?secure where the enrolling parent or guardian will need to indicate whether or not their student is allowed to use the list of digital resources this year. This page also provides more information about how FCPS carefully reviews digital resources for approval and why we must request your consent before using certain tools. We encourage you to complete the parental consent for digital resources form as soon as possible, as your child will not be able to use the digital resources until we have received your permission. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have questions or concerns about the digital resources we’ve chosen to use this year.
Public Library Equity Access Pass
As part of the One Fairfax initiative, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), and FCPS Library Information Services have partnered in the Library Equity Access Pass (LEAP) pilot program.
On October 1, 2020 the LEAP program will go division-wide, providing FCPS PreK-12 students with public library checkout privileges for books automatically, without the need to register for a physical library card. Student names and ID numbers will be provided to FCPL through an automated data download. Families who do not wish to participate can select the opt-out for LEAP in the 2020-21 SR&R document.
Participating in the LEAP program provides:
- The ability to checkout up to three public library books at a time. At any FCPL library branch, students or parents simply share their name and indicated they are an FCPS student. A virtual account exists and identification is not required.
- Lost or overdue books will not be charged a fine or replacement fee. However, only three books can be on a virtual account at a time.
- Checkouts are limited to physical books. eBooks and public library digital resources cannot be accessed through this account. Students are welcome to establish a standard public library card for full access.
The Fairfax County Public Library is open for Express services and offers curbside checkout.
Parent/Student Tech Support Portal
To support families who are working with their children during distance learning, Fairfax County Public Schools is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered by staff 7 a.m.to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If the help desk is unable to solve the issue on the phone with the parent or guardian, they will enter a ticket on the parent’s behalf and the request for help will be transferred to the appropriate FCPS team.
Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English should let help desk staff know, and a interpreter will join them on the line. (FCPS also has existing parent information phone lines, available in eight different languages, that can assist with general questions about FCPS.)
FCPS has also set up an online portal to allow older students and parents and guardians to request technology help directly.
Get more information about the new Parent Technology Help Desk.
DRES Daily Schedule
We are providing our daily schedule so families have a clearer vision of what their child’s day will look like. Please note that schedules may see minor changes as our goal is to remain as transparent as possible as we make adjustments to fit the needs of our students, families, and staff.
Forms Turn-In
Due to the virtual start for this school year, all forms, required and optional, will have to be completed and submitted electronically. It is more important than ever that parents have their own Parent SIS Account. If you do not yet have an account, you can learn more about how to obtain one at ParentVue New Account Registration
Required Forms:
Emergency Care Form (via WeCare): Emergency Care Form-WeCare
(Please note that weCare@school is a part of FCPS 24-7 Learning : Parent View. In order to log into Parent View it is necessary to have an active SIS Parent Account. Once the SIS Parent Account is created the same log in credentials will also work for FCPS 24-7 Learning : Parent View.)
Health Information Form (to be completed only if student has a health concern). Please return form to anunez@fcps.edu: Health Information Form
Military Connected Students Form (if applicable): Military Connected Students Form
Student Rights & Responsibilities: COMING SOON
Clinic/Health Room Forms (complete as applicable):
Scoliosis Fact Sheet (English): Scoliosis Fact Sheet (English)
Scoliosis Fact Sheet (Spanish): Scoliosis Fact Sheet (Spanish)
Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy & Related Rights
Opt- Out Options (if applicable) :Opt-Out Forms (English)
Attendance Matters!
FCPS welcomes new and returning families for the 2020-21 school year. Our September 8 virtual opening poses some interesting challenges, so we hope this will help families understand the new attendance routines.
In Virginia, public school students aged 5-18 are required to attend school regularly. That is true whether FCPS is offering distance learning or in-person instruction. Teachers will take attendance during learning sessions and ensure that all students are counted. Parents can assist with this process by doing the following:
- Ensuring that their student(s) logs in to classes on time, and throughout the day.
- Calling or emailing the school attendance line if their student(s) are unable to participate.
- Communicating any concerns to the school, such as difficulty logging in or having access to FCPS classes.
- Reporting any hardship, such as student illness or any issue that might prevent the student from participating regularly.
- Returning phone calls or emails when notified that their student(s) did not participate that day.
- Ensuring that your student(s) submit activity logs as directed.
If your child is unable to login to live, face-to-face online instruction with their teacher, the teacher will be recording the class and posting the video within Blackboard/Google Classroom so it can be viewed at a different time. The video can also be used to provide review for all students.
If a parent calls and indicates their student will not be there for a certain class period, they are excused for the class period. Accessing the material later will not change the status of the absence.
If there is no parent contact, and the student failed to log in, the student is unverified for that class period. FCPS bases attendance for secondary students on “present” one or more periods of the day, and reports which periods a student did not appear in class.
FCPS staff members will work with parents to ensure that the transition to virtual learning is as smooth as possible. Help us to help you set your students up for success.
More information about attendance is available online.
Letters for Rose
Students and families, a group of Fairfax students are looking for volunteers to write letters to local nursing home residents! Nursing homes are currently unable to host visitors, which has created a great sense of loneliness in nursing homes. Letters for Rose of Fairfax can give 1 service hour for every letter or artwork created! See the attached flyer for more information. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10bMdDeZ8Pt_oc-p_d2IbbVQAGM3EEOaZfm4_OB2CRb4/viewform?edit_requested=true
 Park(ing) Day 2020
Fairfax City’s Economic Development Office announces the 2nd Annual Park(ing) Day, a global event where citizens, artists, and businesses collaborate to temporarily transform parking spaces into pop-up parklets from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday, September 18 at Fair City Mall.
Fair City Mall businesses, Fairfax City offices, and George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts will participate in finding alternative uses for parking spaces to challenge everyone to rethink the way urban space can be used to celebrate people and open space. The park will feature musical performances, activities, giveaways, and raffle drawings. Stop by Fair City Mall at 9650 Main Street for fun or simply to relax.
Park(ing) Day began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco. It has since evolved into a internationally celebrated movement with creative forms of temporary public space in urban settings.
Parking Day 2020
Webinar Series for Families of English Learners
Supporting School at Home for English Learners
The Virginia Department of Education's (VDOE) English Learner Instruction Program will offer a new series of webinars geared to support families as they prepare for the upcoming school year, specifically supporting learning at home. You can access the webinars through this link https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VADOE/bulletins/299b9b5
Family Life Education Instructional Program Information
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve. Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community.
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, nonpunitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices. If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt out forms will be included in your child’s back-to-school/orientation packets and are available online for Elementary (K-6) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/elementary-family-life-education , Middle School (7-8) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/family-life-education-fle, and High School (9-12) https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/family-life-education-fle. Please fill in the opt-out form and return it to your child’s school prior to Family Life Education instruction.
Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at Elementary (K-6) , Middle School (7-8) , and High School (9-12). FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in FCPS 24-7 (Blackboard) Parent View https://fcps.blackboard.com/. Account information is available at your local school or online at http://www.fcps.edu/is/instructionaltechnology/247help/parents.shtml. Grade level-specific lessons are also available at the Fairfax County Regional Library in the City of Fairfax (this location does not have media). Grade level-specific lessons and media that is not streamed online are available for review at your child’s school library. Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media online.
Program questions may be addressed at your child’s school or by contacting Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or by contacting Carrie Reynolds, Health and Physical Education Coordinator at cfreynolds@fcps.edu.
*More information and Opt-Out forms will be available in the DRES Beep and Greet bags on September 2. If you do not want your child to participate in any or all of the FLE lessons, please fill out the opt out form and either scan/email to your child’s teacher OR just email the teacher the classes you do not want your child to participate in*
Office Hours - Appointment Only
The Daniels Run office will be open daily. Office hours are daily from 8:30am- 4:00pm, appointment only. Visitors will need to call the main office line, 703-279-8400 to schedule appointment. Thanks!
Important Dates
September 8th - First Day of School
September 14th-Band/Strings Information Session
September 15th - Back To School Night (Pre-K-2nd grade)
September 16th - Back To School Night (3rd grade-6th grade)
October 12-Indigenous Peoples' Day-Student Holiday
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