Daniels Run Down-Family Edition-May 20, 2022


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From the desk of Mr. Smith!

DRES families,

We are looking forward to seeing everyone tonight at International Night at 6:00pm. We can't wait to celebrate with our families. 

We had our last PTA meeting of the 21-22 school year this past week.  A special thank to our PTA board members Lacey O'Donnell, Kara Custis, Maureen Szente, Beth Brixius, and Leslie Woods for all their time and effort this past year. 

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) continues to monitor cases and report COVID-19 outbreaks, as outlined by the Virginia Department of Health. Currently, Fairfax County's Community Level remains low as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our layered prevention strategies are being implemented based on our COVID-19 Community Level, as recommended by the CDC.

However, FCPS has seen a recent increase in COVID-19 cases and outbreaks and parents/legal guardians are reminded of the daily health screening requirement to check their students for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. Parents and guardians are advised to keep their students home if sick and get them tested to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 

VaxUp

We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated or boosted as soon as they are eligible. COVID-19 vaccination keeps children safely in school and childcare settings, and also while participating in sports, playdates, extracurricular activities, and other group activities. Strong community vaccination rates help keep our schools safe for in-person learning. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, or to find a vaccine provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website.

Masking

As a reminder, students may return to school after five days of isolation if they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving. As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) individuals should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for five additional days (day six through day 10) after the end of the five day isolation period. If individuals are unable to wear a mask when around others, they should continue to isolate for a full 10 days at home. While not required, wearing a mask while indoors is still considered an important way to protect yourself and others. Families are encouraged to discuss mask wearing as an additional layered prevention strategy.

Additional recommendations to prevent COVID-19 are available online

A reminder to see the announcement below regarding the parent input form for next school year, the form will close May 27th.   

Have a great weekend!

 

Chris Smith

DRES Principal 

 


2022-23 Parent Input Form 

We are in the planning stages for the 2022-23 school year and to help determine the appropriate educational environment for your child, we invite you to share information regarding your child’s needs by completing the Daniels Run Parent Input Form for the 2022-23 School Year.  The form will be open and available to be completed through Friday, May 27th.  Your input is appreciated but it is not required to complete the form.  Every effort will be made to place your child in the environment you request, but please keep in mind that not all requests can be granted. Please do not request specific teachers, for this does not take into account the many variables to be considered. It is far more valuable to share particular academic or behavioral information.


COVID

Clinic Procedures for End of Year!

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school (June 10th, dismissal at 1:45).  Medication left in the health room after that time will be discarded.  It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian.  Medication cannot be sent home with your student. 

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.   A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school.  Please be sure medication orders are clear.  All information on the form must be completed.  Part I must be signed and dated by the parent or guardian.  Part II must be signed and dated by your physician.  Over-the-counter medication given for headache, muscle pain, orthodontic pain, or menstrual cramps and antibiotic or anti-viral medication do not need a physician signature.  More detailed information is available on the back of the medication authorization form.

Over-the-counter medication must be in the original container and clearly labeled by the parent or guardian.  All prescription medication, including physician’s samples, must be labeled by the pharmacist or physician.  Please make sure that the label clearly states your student’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage of the medication, and the time interval for administration.

If your child will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, your existing long-term medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program.  Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).

Your cooperation will ensure that we can safely give your student his or her medication.  If you have any questions, please contact the health room at 703-279-8410.

Thank you for your cooperation and have a good summer.


Counselor's Corner

Hello Families,

It is crazy to think that we have under 20 days left in our school year!   At this time of year, the school counseling team takes time to reflect on the counseling services and to take stock of how well the lessons went this year.  We chose to do most of our classroom-level social-emotional learning through morning meeting videos that teachers played and discussed with their students.  Survey results of student’s comprehension of the Second Step lessons suggest that more than 80% of students really learned the concepts that were covered—from developing empathy and perspective taking skills to managing big emotions to engaging in social problem solving.  During a pivotal year in our students’ learning—the year we returned to the school setting after virtual learning—it was great to have every student learning the same skills so we could all reset and re-connect.  The Yoga 4 Classroom videos shown on Friday gave students the chance to practice breathing, guided meditation and yoga poses to promote mindfulness.

That said, Mrs. Fisher and I miss being in each classroom on a monthly basis; based on what the students tell us, they miss seeing us on a regular basis too! Therefore, we are planning on a return to face-to-face, monthly lessons in each classroom next fall.  We will be meeting with each grade level to learn about what skills they believe their grade level needs to work on moving forward and we will plan accordingly.  You are welcome to share your thoughts as well by emailing me at lbrobinson@fcps.edu or Ashleigh Fisher at amcpherson@fcps.edu.   We will be doing our planning meeting at the end of May and will take all feedback into consideration.

Also remember that if you need community counseling resources over the summer, they can be found on the DRES website at the following link:  https://danielsrunes.fcps.edu/student-services/school-counseling

We hope you have a wonderful summer!

Sincerely,

Ashleigh Fisher and Louise Robinson


Summer Camp Opportunity

Nova Labs MakerSchool has summer camp opportunities.  Visit their website for additional information. 


Summer Basketball Camp

Fairfax High School will be hosting a Girls Basketball Camp this summer July 18-22.  Feel free to call the Activities Office at 703-219-2201 or reach out to the New Head Girls Coach Tim Lucas at Tflucas@fcps.edu  if you have any questions.


Summer Strings Opportunities

Hello strings families! Are you looking for something to do this summer? There are plenty of exciting musical opportunities in NOVA this summer! Check out the attached page to see what’s going on!

Many students also choose to take private lessons over the summer, by doing so, they do not forget what they have learned throughout the year and advance further on their instrument. If your child is interested in private lessons this summer, please reach out to the strings teacher, Ms. Venne for more information! 😊

strings

PTA News!

2022-2023 PTA Board Elected

The new 2022-2023 PTA Board was elected at the PTA Meeting on May 18th.

Lacey O'Donnell, President

Kara Custis, Vice President

Beth Brixius, Second Vice President

Amanda Adams, Secretary

Leslie Woods, Treasurer

International Night

International Night is tonight - May 20th. The schedule is as follows:

6:00 pm - Event Begins, Family Table Displays in Lobby

6:30 pm - Native American performers

7:00 pm - Chorus Concert and International Student Performances

 


international

Tutor.com

 All FCPS students will soon have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost.

Students can connect online any time, and in most subjects for as long as they need. Tutoring is focused instruction provided to students in a one-on-one format through voice or text chat. Tutors will focus on developing students’ strengths and capabilities in reading, mathematics, or other specified subjects. Tutoring services may be accessed before, during, or after school hours and/or on weekends through a link in Schoology. 

All tutors must pass a rigorous application process including an extensive background check. No personal information is shared between a student and tutor. All sessions are recorded and transcripts are available for review by teachers and parents/guardians. 

Students will automatically have access to the Tutor.com tutoring service unless a parent/guardian submits an opt-out request.  Please submit the opt-out request by April 11th. An email from FCPS went to all families yesterday with information on the program and the link to the opt-out form.  A hard copy of the opt-out form will go home in the Wednesday folders today.  For additional information, visit the FCPS online tutoring services website.


Electronic Device Policy 

Phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day. They may be utilized on campus only before and after school. Teachers may allow usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool, such as video creation or QR Code activities.  


attendance

SOL Dates!

As you plan for upcoming appointments we wanted to be sure you have the SOL dates. We encourage you to schedule appointments and any absences that can be avoided with these dates in mind. Thank you!

Make-Up SOL's and Re-Takes will take place from May 19-27


Reminder! Animals on School Grounds

As a reminder FCPS Regulations state that in order to protect the health and safety of students, employees, and visitors, animals are prohibited on school property. Exceptions will be made for service animals to accommodate
a person’s disability. Thank you for your cooperation. 


UMC

Important Dates 

May 30-Memorial Day Holiday-No School

June 9 -Kindergarten Promotion

             6th Grade Promotion @ FHS - 2:00

June 10-Last Day of School-Early Release