For a translated version of this newsletter, please click HERE. Next click on the language con in the upper left corner to choose your preferred language.
Para obtener una versión traducida de este mensaje, haga clic AQUÍ. Luego, haga clic en el icono IDIOMA en la esquina superior izquierda para elegir su idioma preferido.
From the desk of Mr. Smith!
Dear DRES Families,
We have had an excellent week of learning as we return from the extended winter break! We sent an email yesterday outlining our schedule in case we have a virtual learning day due to weather. All of our K-6 students will be coming home this afternoon with their laptops and chargers in case we are impacted by weather on Tuesday. Students are expected to bring their charged laptops and chargers back to school the next day we have in-person instruction.
A reminder FCPS schools and offices are closed Monday, January 17th to honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dedication to equality and serving others.
We also have a two early dismissal (1:45 pm) on Thursday (1/20) and student holidays on Friday (1/21) and the following Monday (1/24).
Always feel free to contact me directly at cmsmith@fcps.edu if you have any questions, concerns, or if there is anything our team can do to support you.
Chris Smith
DRES Principal
Upcoming Lockdown Drill
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. We have a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan for our school that is reviewed and updated regularly. Our plan includes procedures on how to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Students and staff regularly practice these drills every school year. We also practice lockdown drills.
A new Virginia Law (22.1-137.2) requires schools to notify parents at least 24 hours before a school practices a lockdown drill. However, we are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. We are required to practice lockdown drills two times a year. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of active shooter scenario training, they are instruction and classroom based.
We will conduct a lockdown drill at our school soon. Our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are exempt from mandatory participation in lockdown drills during the first 60 days of the school year. They will participate in this drill.
Additional information on our lockdown drill program to include parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this content, you should discuss the value of these safety drills with your child.
Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe.
Superintendent Search Town Halls
FCPS is conducting a nationwide search for a new superintendent to lead the school district when Superintendent Brabrand's contract expires at the end of the 2021-22 school year. Your input is an important part of the search process! Please attend a Superintendent Search Virtual Town Hall to provide feedback on the characteristics and personality traits you would like to see in the new superintendent.
The town halls will be hosted on Zoom on January 13 and 18. Visit FCPS’ Superintendent Search webpage to register.
Also, please take the Superintendent Search Survey if you haven’t already. FCPS parents/guardians, staff, and high school students were sent their own survey link via an email from “FCPS and GR Recruiting.” Community members can access the survey link on our website.
COVID Vaccination Status
You may wish to voluntarily share your child’s COVID-19 vaccination information with Daniels Run ES. However, we do not require your child’s vaccination information and no school employee will ask for your child’s vaccination status. If you would like to provide us with your child’s vaccination status, please bring your child’s COVID-19 vaccination card or a photocopy of the card to Aysha Otero in the front office. COVID-19 vaccination documentation contains Protected Health Information and should not be emailed.
Counselor's Corner
Dear DRES Families,
Happy 2022! I write this as 8” of snow blankets our sidewalks and lawns, giving kids and adults all over a little boost of unexpected joy. We hope this January Counselor Corner finds you well—both emotionally and physically.
So… what have the school counselors been up to--you ask-- in terms of counseling activities for all Daniels Run Students? Ashleigh Fisher and I are wrapping up Lessons 10 and 11 in the Second Step curriculum in January, which puts us at about halfway through the year-long refresher on learning and social interaction skills. Specifically, Grades K-2 are finishing up their unit on Empathy and Grades 3-6 are beginning a unit on Emotions Management.
As you may know, each grade will have the opportunity to complete a service-learning project this year to support members of our Greater Fairfax community. At the end of January, the 2nd grade students will be complete their grade level service-learning project. Holly Senn, the Child Life Specialist at INOVA Fairfax, will answer student questions about the experiences of children who have serious illnesses. If your 2nd grader would like to contribute a question, contact Ashleigh Fisher at (amcpherson@fcps.edu) and she will send the QR Code so your student can record a question for Holly Senn.
After Mrs. Fisher edits all the questions and answers together, she will work with the 2nd grade students to record Flip Grid messages filled with jokes, funny stories and warm greetings to send—electronically--to kids who are in long term treatment programs. Their mission is to bring them a little good cheer while going through treatment. Due to Covid restrictions, no physical items—cards or otherwise, can be sent to students. But we think these virtual cards will give the kids the chance to express their creativity, humor and empathy.
May the year 2022 be full of hope and optimism, even as we experience some setbacks in our physical wellness. To quote a Charlie Brown cartoon I once read, “Always remember that your present situation is not your destination. The best is yet to come.”
Until next month…
Louise Robinson and Ashleigh Fisher (formerly McPherson)
Attendance Matters!
This is the time of year when winter weather and children’s illnesses can take a toll on school attendance. But it’s important to get your children to school every day possible.
- If you are unsure whether to send your children to school, consult your doctor or this website for guidance: https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/policies-regulations-and-notices/attendance-policies/attendance-when-should-i-send-my. Our school nurse is also a terrific resource for chronic health conditions.
- Do what you can to keep your children healthy. Dress them warmly for the cold weather and make sure they’ve got hats and gloves. Encourage them to wash their hands regularly, and send them to school with a bottle of hand sanitizer.
- Help your child learn to persevere. Today, he learns to overcome a snowdrift. In the future, he will have the grit to triumph over even greater obstacles to his dreams.
A Note About Music!
This month all 3rd-6th Graders will begin learning how to play the ukulele in their general music classes. Each child will have a ukulele to play during music class thanks to generous grants from the PTA, Skip Chaples & his non-profit Music for Life.
The January musician of the month is the Hawaiian musician Israel IZ Kamakawiwo’ole . He was a singer and ukulele player who performed contemporary and traditional music. He is known around the world for his versions of Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World.
 
PTA News!
Ice Skating with the PTA - Saturday, January 29th 6:45-8:15 pm
Join us at Fairfax Ice Arena for ice skating with the Daniels Run PTA. DRES students will be free including skate rental! Masks are required. This is NOT a drop off event. Students must be supervised by an adult. Please note: We are hopeful to be able to hold this event but will adjust if needed based on current covid conditions. Please RSVP at www.danielsrunpta.org/events
Join the PTA and Win a Grocery Gift Card!
It is not too late to join the PTA and support our programs and projects! Joining does not obligate you to anything, it simply is a way to show your support for our Daniels Run community. As a bonus - all new members (including staff!) who join between now and March 1st will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 grocery store gift card to the store of your choice. Join today at https://dres.memberhub.com/store.
Important Dates
January 17-Martin Luther King Jr, Holiday
January 20-2 Hour-Early Release
January 21-Teacher Workday/Student Holiday
January 24-Professional Development Day/Student Holiday
February 1-Lunar New Year
February 21-President's Day Holiday
March 3-2 hour Early Release
March 4-Student Holiday
April 1-Student Holiday
April 3-Ramadan
April 4-8-Spring Break
April 15-Good Friday
April 16-Theravada New Year
April 22-Orthodox Good Friday
May 3-Eid al Fitr
May 30-Memorial Day
June 10-Last Day of School-Early Release
|
