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The Principal's Desk!
Greetings Families,
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate Distance Learning together. The best part of my day is visiting our classrooms through Google Meet and witnessing first hand the learning that is occurring. I attribute this to the hard work of our staff and our collaboration with our families.
As we move forward with instruction and specifically assessments, it is important that your child thinks, interacts, and answers questions on their own. Teachers need to know where students are during assessments. It is expected that students will miss items, not be able to answer certain questions, or even get items wrong. That is ok and part of assessments. Please allow the teachers to work through this with the students. Productive struggle is part of learning. Once again, thank you for your continued encouragement and flexibility as we move through this journey together.
We are making preparations for our youngest students to return to school on October 20th. We will welcome a small group of preschool to our classrooms while practicing all health precautions.
Our next PTA meeting is Tuesday, October 13th at 7:00 pm. I will continue our question and answer sessions that we had in August as part of our PTA meetings.
Feel free to call our main office 703-279-8400 or reach out to me directly at cmsmith@fcps.edu if there is anything we can do to help.
Thanks for your support and we miss all of our students!
Chris Smith
Daniels Run ES Principal
Parent Technology Help Desk: 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS)
DRES Parent Portal
Watch Mr. L's videos for students
Watch Mr. L's video for parents
FCPS Return To School Resources
Calendar Reminder: Student Holiday on Monday, October 12, for School Planning Day
As a reminder, Monday, October 12, is a school planning day and a student holiday. Teachers will participate in a variety of professional development and planning activities and will not be available for office hours. Students are not expected to complete asynchronous assignments on this student holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 13.
See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
Let's Meet Our Staff!
Let's meet our new fifth grade teacher Kiley Barone
Hello! My name is Kiley Barone. I was born and raised near Princeton, New Jersey. I attended the University of Delaware to receive my Bachelors in Elementary Education. After college, I moved to DC in order to be closer to my sister, and because I’d always wanted to live in a city. While living in DC, I worked as a 5th grade teacher in Manassas Park, VA for three years. After driving that long commute for a few years, I decided to move to Arlington, VA, and to make the switch to Daniels Run Elementary School. This will be my fourth year teaching 5th grade, and I already love it here!
I enjoy playing with my two cats, Aspen and Washington. I recently went skydiving and I have plans to go white water rafting in the future. I enjoy reading adventure novels and trying out new vegetarian recipes. My quarantine hobby was knitting a blanket and trying to watch all of the movies that I have never seen, such as The Matrix and The Terminator.
I have loved getting to know my new coworkers and amazing students so far! This year is going to be virtually impossible to beat!
Positivity Project!
On Tuesday, we'll begin learning about the Other People Mindset (OPM) element of being present and giving others our attention.
This OPM element means that when I’m with other people, I’m present and give them my full attention. A deliberate focus on being present is so important today due to the increasing number of distractions vying for our time and attention. Phone calls, text messages, emails, social media notifications all have the formidable capacity to pull us away from the present moment and what’s most important – our relationships with other people. How dangerous is this to our well-being and the fabric of our society? Very.
So, this week, instead of watching a video, I challenge you to take 5 minutes to reflect on the following questions:
- How am I doing at being present with my family, my friends, my students, and my co-workers?
- How can I improve?
- How will being more present impact my relationships with others -- and my relationship with myself?
So, why does this matter? Just like plants need sunlight to grow, our relationships need attention. The research is crystal clear, relationships are the cornerstone of health, happiness, and resilience. And, if we don’t give our attention to the people we’re building relationships with – whether family members, close friends, or even distant colleagues – we can’t build those relationships.
Advanced Academic Program
If you were unable to attend last week’s AAP Parent Information Meetings, you can use the links below to view either session.
AAP Parent Information AM Session Recording
AAP Parent Information PM Session Recording
You can also review the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information about AAP services.
Testing Questions
Will students in 2nd grade take the Cognitive Ability Assessment (CogAT) this year?
Answer: FCPS will not be administering the Cognitive Ability Assessment (CogAT) this year for 2nd grade students or any retakes for students in 3rd-6th grade.
What ability test scores will be used for Level IV screening?
Answer: For 2nd grade students, scores from the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) taken in 1st grade will be used for the Level IV screening process. For students new to FCPS without an abilities test on file, there will be a process to take the NNAT in December 2020. Local schools will determine which students require the NNAT and will reach out to families to schedule safe and socially distanced testing.
Will students in 1st grade take the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) this year?
Answer: The Naglieri Nonverbal Assessment (NNAT) is scheduled to be given to 1st graders in April 2021. We will keep families updated if any changes to this schedule occur.
School Based Services (Level II and Level III) Questions
What do Level II Differentiated Services look like in the virtual setting?
Answer: Students who are identified for Level II receive their services directly from their classroom teachers as part of their daily instruction. To meet the needs of these students, teachers may adjust, or “differentiate” instruction. They might provide different assignments or use different resources. They may also group and work with students by their strengths, interests, and readiness.
Level II services vary across grade levels and teacher’s schedules. In the virtual setting, Level II instruction may include….
- Asynchronous activities or assignments to extend or enrich for specific students.
- Small group breakout sessions with classroom teacher during Math or Reading workshop.
- Independent work on programs such as ST Math or Imagine Literacy that adapt challenges to meet a student's individual needs.
- Flexible groupings across grade levels for units or lessons.
My student has been identified for Level II services. Will they be participating in any separate pull-out groups or lessons in the 2:35-3:35 PM time block?
Answer: No. Students who are identified for Level II do not participate in weekly pull-out group sessions or PM lessons with the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher. They receive their Level II differentiated services directly from their classroom teacher as part of their daily instruction.
What do Level III Part-time AAP Services look like in the virtual setting?
Answer: Students in 3rd -6th grade who are identified for Level III services participate in weekly hour-long group lessons with Ms. McCrodden using AAP curriculum and thinking routines. Students also engage in differentiated instruction that extends and enriches learning with their classroom teachers.
Some advanced learning opportunities for Level III students may include…..
- Socratic Seminar
- Genius Hour/Passion Project
- DeBono's Thinking Hats Routine
- The Great Debate
- Document-Based Question Units
- JASON Science/STEM challenges
How are students identified for Level II and Level III School-Based services?
Answer: Each year a local school-based screening committee meets to consider and review information for every student in the school to determine if they should be receiving school-based AAP (Level II or Level III) services. The school committee includes the classroom teacher, resource teachers, and other staff. We consider many factors to determine the appropriate level of AAP service for each child including…
* academic performance and areas of strength
* observed advanced behaviors using the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale
* assessment data
All students are considered each spring for school-based services, so they do not have to be referred to be screened. Parents/guardians can refer a student for Level II or Level III services to be considered earlier in the year.
What is the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale (GBRS) and how is it used in the screening process?
Answer: The Gifted Behavior Rating Scale is a tool used in FCPS as one factor in determining appropriate services for students. School committees record the frequency with which they observe exceptional advanced behaviors demonstrated by students as compared to their peers of similar ages and background. Student behaviors are considered across 4 areas:
- Ability to Learn
- Application of Knowledge
- Creative/Productive Thinking
- Motivation to Succeed
Level IV Full-time Services and Screening Questions
What do Level IV Full-time services look like at Daniels Run?
Answer: Daniels Run is a Local Level IV school with services available at 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. Students identified for Level IV full-time services are cluster grouped together within a mixed-level class. They receive advanced instruction from their classroom teacher in all core subject areas using the AAP extended standards and curriculum. They also participate in weekly hour-long group lessons with Ms. McCrodden.
Level IV full-time services in the virtual setting include….
- Concept-based interdisciplinary units integrating Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science standards using the AAP curriculum such as...
- William and Mary Gifted Education
- Document Based Questions
- JASON Learning Science
- Jacob's Ladder Reading Program
- Advanced Mathematics instruction with standards accelerated one grade level above.
- For 3rd grade, standards from both 3rd and 4th grade are taught.
How does the Level IV screening process differ from screening for school-based services?
Answer: Screening decisions for Level II and III school-based services are determined at the local school level. Screening decisions for Level IV full-time services are determined by a countywide central selection committee. You can find more information about the Level IV screening process in the parent presentation here:
AAP Level IV Screening Parent Slides (with 2020-21 updates)
Daniels Run will also be holding more parent information sessions that focus on the Level IV screening process in early November.
What steps should I take if I believe that my student should be screened for Level IV services?
Answer: A referral form is required for any student (grades 2-7) whose parent would like them screened for full-time services but is not in the 2nd grade screening pool. Parents will be notified by the local school if their second grade student is in the pool by November 1, 2020. Parents whose child is in the pool may submit the referral form but are not required. Referral Forms should be emailed to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) and principal at the local school. The email will count as a digital signature for the referral.
Parents may also submit additional optional materials to include in the screening file.
The Level IV Referral Form and optional materials must be submitted within the September 8 – December 1 2020 window. Referrals cannot be accepted after the December 1 deadline.
Additional Questions?
Please contact Ms. Beth McCrodden at bamccrodden@fcps.edu for any additional questions.
Library Curbside Pick Up!
Library curbside pickup days are Mondays (1-4pm) and Wednesdays (4-6pm). Information on how to place books on hold and sign up for a pickup time was emailed from your classroom teacher. You may return books during your checkout time OR you can drop them off in the bin outside the front of the building at any time. If you have any questions about how to get books for your child please email Sheila Brosnan scbrosnan@fcps.edu”
A Place to Stand
Virtual learning isn’t the only change for some students this school year. Those who rely on weekend food bags at Daniels Run ES, Providence ES, and Lanier MS and the food pantry at Fairfax HS have been significantly impacted. A Place to Stand is filling this gap and continuing to help City of Fairfax school students and their families by delivering groceries directly to students and their families on a biweekly basis.
Do you want to help? Donations of food and funds as well as volunteer drivers to deliver food are needed to support their October and November activity. They've made it easy to find out more information or to sign up to help.Three links in one sign up, check out the tabs up top. www.signupgenius.com/tabs/93D74DF04A2CDEFC53-aplace
If you have any questions about this program, please contact Katy Malesky, Program Director-A Place to Eat, katy@aplacetostand.org
Safe Routes to School-Walking Wednesday!
FCPS Safe Routes to School in collaboration with Fairfax County Park Authority’s Move Your Way and Healthy Strides campaign will be promoting Walking Wednesdays during the 2020-2021 school year to encourage physical activity.
Walking Wednesdays is a county-wide community program designed to promote physical and mental health. FCPS Safe Routes to School in collaboration with Fairfax County Park Authority’s Move Your Way and Healthy Strides campaign encourages students and parents/guardians to take time each Wednesday to walk and connect with friends, neighbors and classmates before the school day and workday begins. Whether your walk takes you around the block, to the bus stop, or to your school, we hope you will find others out walking and can greet one another from a distance.
Walking Wednesdays will kick off on October 7, 2020, which is International Walk to School Day. Coming in November will be Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 18, 2020. More information about Walking Wednesdays can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/safety-and-transportation/transportation-services/safe-routes-school-srts.
Families, neighborhoods or schools can register their participation in International Walk to School Day on October 7, 2020 at http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/registration/
Volunteers needed for VolunteerFest at Daniels Run Elementary!
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 9:00am-12:00pm
This in-person event supports environmental education. Volunteers will be laying down mulch and weeding the vegetable garden or other grounds beautification projects in the schoolyard habitat at Daniels Run Elementary School.
For more details and to sign up for VolunteerFest, go to: https://volunteerfairfax.civicore.com/index.php?section=volunteerFest&action=main
Bus Route Meal Delivery
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) buses are delivering grab and go meals along some bus routes. School buses will stop at designated intersections to deliver these meals.
All FCPS students (regardless of age) are eligible for free grab and go breakfast and lunch, as well as other county children, under the age of 18. Adults picking up meals for children should let staff know how many children meals they need. Adults may pay $2 for the meals as well.
The service will be available Monday - Friday only. New for this fall: meals for Saturdays and Sundays will be distributed at all sites and on all bus routes each Friday.
PLEASE NOTE: Updates to bus routes are posted each afternoon by 5 pm. Changes will be marked as "new" or "updated". When changes are made, an effective date is posted with the route information.
Arrival times at bus stops may be delayed several minutes due to unexpected issues.
Go Paperless!
The “Go Paperless” option is now available to all ES parents to allow them to only receive online progress reports starting the first quarter of SY 20/21. This will not impact any other mailings from FCPS other than the progress reports for ES students and report cards for secondary students. To take advantage of the paperless options, parents and/or guardians will need to log into ParentVUE, then go to “My Account” and select "Go Paperless" All parents and/or guardians who live with the student and share the same address must have a SIS ParentVUE account and must select the paperless option to prevent mailing of the printed progress reports. The “Go Paperless” option will apply to all their associated students, no matter what school level. If the associated parent and/or guardian has already selected “Go Paperless” for their secondary student, the option will now apply to any ES siblings as well.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
: Parents and guardians, please review the Student Rights and Responsibilities and related resources at www.fcps.edu/srr. After reviewing the information, fill out the SR&R Parent Acknowledgement Form using this link we have provided. The form must be filled out one time per student.
Parental Consent for Select Digital Resources
At Daniels 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.
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)
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
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!
PTA NEWS!
PTA Meeting – Next Tuesday at 7 pm
Please join us for our next PTA meeting on October 13th at 7 pm. Join via Google Meet (meet.google.com/qki-himd-jec).
October's meeting will feature Q&A time with Mr. Smith, an update from 6th Grade, and a presentation by our school counselors on the social and emotional learning program.
Drive-Thru Pumpkin Patch – Friday, October 30th – 6-9 pm
Daniels Run PTA, in partnership with Providence PTA and the City of Fairfax Parks and Rec, will be hosting a Drive-Thru Pumpkin Patch on Friday, October 30th from 6-9 pm on Lions Run at Fairfax High School.
We are seeking donations of carved pumpkins for the event. Bring your carved pumpkins to Lion Run between 1 and 4 on Friday, October 30 and be part of this fun event. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094cafae2da31-carved. We are also seeking additional volunteers to assist with the event – please consider signing up! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A45ABAE23A75-volunteer
Pumpkins will be lit for a fun drive-thru display available for viewing from 6-9 pm. We will also be collecting food donations for A Place to Stand.
Order your Daniels Run Spirit Wear Today!
Hey Dragons! Check out the new spirit wear site with tons of fun Daniels Run gear available - t-shirts, sweatshirts, pjs, accessories & more! https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/dragons-289254?_k=7ivywe
Online Directory Opt-Out
The PTA will be publishing an online directory of our students this fall via our online platform, Memberhub. If you do not wish to be included in the directory, please complete the opt-out form by September 25th. https://forms.gle/jNEPzyyfv1dxpHGt9 (spanish link- https://forms.gle/NnFvTwcpB2Bof3bu9) Any questions can be sent to dresecretary@gmail.com.
Join the PTA
Membership fees are $10 Individual, $18 Family, and $5 Staff. Join online at dres.memberhub.store or by mail (send your contact information and a check to Daniels Run PTA at the school office).
Important Dates
October 12-Indigenous Peoples' Day-Student Holiday
October 13-PTA Meeting 7:00pm
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