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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.
Principal's Message
DRES Families,
This week's highlights:
- Thank you for your support of our PTA fundraiser, we greatly appreciate the generosity of our PTA towards our staff and students!
- Our FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Reid, highlighted our science resource teacher, Lori Huberman Hayes, in her weekly email to FCPS staff. Dr. Reid recognized Mrs. Huberman Hayes for all her efforts with our environmental program which have resulted in DRES being recognized as a "Virginia Naturally School" for 14 years in a row.
- We have a two early release today (1:45 dismissal).
- No school for students on Monday, October 31st.
If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-279-8400 or contact me directly at cmsmith@fcps.edu
I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Halloween!
Chris Smith
DRES Principal
Level IV Referral Family Information Night
On Wednesday, November 9th at 7pm, DRES will be hosting a virtual level IV information night (Zoom link to follow). This event will go through how a student can be considered for level IV placement, what families can add to files, the school’s role in the referral and screening process and other questions you may have. Referrals are due on December 15th. You can also go to fcps.edu and search AAP for up to date information. We look forward to seeing you!
Opportunity for Students to Help Inform FCPS’ Future
You may have heard FCPS is developing a Strategic Plan that will serve as the school division’s roadmap for the future. We encourage every parent/caregiver, student, employee, and community member to participate in this important work.
The first engagement opportunity will be an optional survey, which will be open to students in grades 3-12. Knowing what is important to students will be very helpful to Dr. Reid, as she leads the planning of FCPS’ future. All schools, including ours, will schedule a date and time during the school day to administer the survey between November 2-18. If you would prefer that your child not participate, you may opt your child out of taking the survey. Please visit FCPS’ website for more information.
- We especially appreciate everyone’s efforts to avoid taking extra days off during the Thanksgiving holiday. Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and leave your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.
- We know it’s tempting to extend your vacation by a few days on either side of the holiday. However, this holiday season, the best gift you can give your child is a good education. And the best place to get that education is in school. Every day. On time.
AVID Tips
How to Make Homework Less Stressful
Oftentimes students do not want to complete homework after being at school all day. Since homework provides practice to continue developing a skill and mastering it, it’s important that students find a way to get it done. Here are some tips to make homework feel more doable and less stressful.
- Make note of how long a homework assignment is taking your student. If it appears to be taking a lot of time, communicate with the teacher. This will inform the teacher of concepts that appear to be a struggle or concepts that seem too easy.
- Organize supplies - identify an area that works for your student and your family. Work with your child to check folders, binders, and to do weekly backpack clean out.
- Weekly schedule - Once you have an idea of how long homework takes, work with your student to schedule homework time at a time of day that works for your family. Have a discussion with your student about upcoming assignments and encourage them to jot these items in a planner or family calendar.
- Have a plan for big assignments. Example: If your student has an upcoming project that is due a week or two down the road, work with them to break the project into smaller parts and schedule those smaller tasks on the planner/calendar.
These tips can help make homework less stressful and can help students learn to manage their time.
Positivity Project!
Dear Families,
This week our school community will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Knowing That My Words and Actions Affect Others. Everything that you say and do can affect others -- and your relationships with them.
Everything we do, say, text, tweet, snap, or post can positively or negatively impact other people. Our words and our actions are our choices to make, but they can have ripple effects long after we make them. Words and actions have the power to lift others up or tear them down, but, our words and actions also impact ourselves. When a group is comprised of individuals who are thoughtful about their words and actions -- individuals who show respect and consideration for the people around them -- we’re likely to have a happier and healthier culture.
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!
A Note from the Music Department
Honor Daniels Run Military 2023:
Deadline: Nov 6. Do you have a family member that serves or has served in the US armed forces? Daniels Run will honor all active, reserves and veterans on Veteran's Day 2022. Your information will be written on a star and placed on a Veteran's Day bulletin board (inside the school building). Your Daniels Run child will be excited to see their loved one honored and on display to the entire school. Click here to submit a name. Thank you for your service.
Music News:
🎵 The November Musician of the Month is Indian tabla musician, Zakir Hussain. Click here for a performance.
🎵 All School Song: Winter Walk: Ask your child to sing our new all school song for you. Click here to sing-along.
Did you know that October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month?
What You Can Do to Prevent Substance Misuse
It’s true- youth are more inclined to listen to their peers than their parents. This is part of the way the brain develops. When a baby is born, their brain’s sole responsibility is keeping them alive. As they grow into adolescence, finding their tribe becomes important. Think of your top three happiest memories. What were you doing? How did you feel? Who was there? Each of these memories was likely a shared experience. You were laughing and smiling with loved ones, maybe food was even involved. Now think of your three worst memories. What was going on? How did you feel? Who was there? In each of these memories, you likely were alone or felt alone.
Substance use becomes a problem for some because they either are alone or felt alone. Connection has been shown to be important in our everyday lives- again think of your happiest memories. Fairfax County’s “Three to Succeed” describes protective factors that youth need to achieve their higher selves. If a child has at least three of these protective factors, they are more likely to succeed in life: having high personal integrity, having community adults to talk to, performing community service, participating in extracurricular activities, having teachers recognize good work, and having parents available for help. What you notice is five of the six protective factors involve connection with someone else, while the first protective factor describes connection with oneself.
Here’s Some Helpful Resources:
Knowing the Signs: Substance Abuse & Today’s Youth
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Substance Use Prevention & Encouraging Healthy Brain Development
REVIVE Training for Opioid Overdoses
FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270 and be sure to follow us on Twitter at @FCPSSAPS.
For further Information & support:
De’Ja Ruffin (McNeil), MSW
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
dsmcneil@fcps.edu
PTA News!
Volunteer this Fall with PTA
We have lots of opportunities to get involved with the PTA this fall. Please take a look at this signup and consider volunteering! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A45ABAE23A75-fall
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We are TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. We will be hosting our 10th anniversary science fair on March 18th, 2023 and we would like to invite 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on March 18, 2023. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, presenting, writing an experiment summary, statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc. Our first interest/brainstorming session is Friday November 4th, 2022 at 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person and virtually. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://forms.gle/kDHmtqUefP2WdFey5
Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us tjhsstsciencefair@gmail.com
Important Dates
October 28 - 2 Hour Early Release (1:45)
October 31 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
November 8 - Election Day Holiday
November 11 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
November 23-25 - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 19-January 2-Winter Break Holiday
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