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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,
I hope all of our students, families and staff had a relaxing and enjoyable winter break. I am excited to start the 2023 portion of our school year. We are taking time the next couple weeks to review our schoolwide behavior expectations with students. A few other updates/reminders:
- The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Daniels Run.
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FCPS Family Math Week! Mark your calendars for January 9-13, 2023! It’ll be an exciting full week of family time with free stories, games and math activities. This week is a chance to put away the worksheets, paper/pencil formulas, and calculators. Simply engage with math as a family through delightful games and stories~ all from the comfort of your own home. https://www.mindresearch.org/fcps-math-week
- 1st-6th grade will administer the midyear iReady assessment in math and reading during the month of January.
- January Sprit Days -
1/13 Snuggle up & Read! – Wear your favorite comfy clothes and bring a favorite book from home or your classroom library.
1/20 New Year/New Moves! – Wear your favorite work out clothes to get up and move.
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
Enjoy your weekend,
Chris Smith
DRES Principal
 PTA Information
Ice Skating with the PTA - January 14th
Please join the PTA for Ice Skating on Saturday, January 14th at 6:45 at the Fairfax Ice Arena (3779 Pickett Road). DRES students will be FREE including skate rental! Please note: this is not a drop off event. Students must be supervised by an adult.
RSVP at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A45ABAE23A75-iceskating1 (you may need to copy and paste the link!)
Save the Date - PTA Meeting - February 2nd
Our next PTA meeting will be Thursday, February 2nd at 7 pm at Daniels Run. Save the date and plan to join us!
Send In Your Yearbook Pictures!
We need your pictures for our yearbook. If you have any pictures from Welcome Walk, field day, Dragon Day, Back to School Night or another fun filled DRES event, please forward.
We cannot guarantee all pictures will be included, however we will include as many as we can.
Please email your pictures to DRESYearBook@fcps.edu
Thank you!
Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 23. Current pre-k students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2023-24 school year.
Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Visit the DLI registration page for more information on where the programs are offered.
Parents who are interested in the DLI programs in FCPS are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at their school site. Meetings will begin on January 11. Details regarding access to virtual meetings will be available on the Dual Language Immersion registration page by the meeting date.
Get more information on DLI programs and registration.
Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
SEPTA, the Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association, was created to empower and connect families, students, and educators to ensure students with disabilities develop their full potential as individuals and community members. Learn more or become a member on the SEPTA website.
The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is a state mandated Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Parents/guardians, students, teachers, administrators, staff, and others interested in special education at FCPS are welcome and encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and/or public comment related to the unmet needs of students with disabilities.
FCPS’ Office of Special Education Procedural Support provides guidance to staff, families, and students in areas related to the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
Families of students in special education programs can find more resources in the Special Education Handbook for Parents. (Translations are available from the Parent Resource Center (PRC).)
The PRC offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their YouTube channel includes videos of workshops and webinars for families and educators to support student success. Sign up for their newsletter to receive information on upcoming webinars and other resources. Please contact the PRC with any questions at prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-2941.
Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to parents/caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Staff in the Office of the Ombuds believe that by being transparent and connecting families with available supports and services, children with special needs can equitably access public education.
Contact the ombuds by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Strategic Planning Community Forums Scheduled
Beginning January 30, FCPS will host a series of community forums as part of our Strategic Plan development process. The schedule and locations for the sessions are posted on FCPS' Strategic Planning webpage. Planning teams, which include a diverse range of voices from the FCPS community, are continuing to review student achievement, access, and survey data;and crafting a collective vision for the school division. Key communicators will soon receive strategic planning materials to share with their groups and networks. Preparations for divisionwide student focus groups are underway, and there will be opportunities for employees to engage in a survey and “reality check” sessions in the upcoming months. For the latest information, please visit the Strategic Planning web page and check it often.
A Note from the Music Department
🎵 Congratulation to the 5th & 6th Grade Chorus for their fantastic performances on Thursday and Friday! We are proud of their outstanding musicianship! Stay tuned for pictures.
🎵 Congratulations to the Daniels Run Band & Dragon Orchestra for an awesome performance last week. We are proud of their excellent playing! Click here to see parts of the concert. (3 minute version click here; 11 minute version click here).
🎵 The January Musician of the Month is famous English rock band: The Beatles. Get ready to rock out with the Beatles in January!
🎵 Last month we said farewell to our assistant principal, Mr. Parker. Click here to see the special musical surprise students prepared for him.
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 Tutor.com
Students have unlimited access to 24/7, on-demand, online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Students can connect online any time, any place, and in most K-12 subjects for however long they need. Tutoring may be on-demand and/or scheduled at a time convenient for the student and/or family. https://www.fcps.edu/resources/online-tutoring-services
Tutoring is focused instruction provided to students in a one-on-one format (voice and/or text chat). Tutors will focus on developing student’s strengths and capabilities in reading, mathematics, or other specified subjects.
Learn more on FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
New Year’s Resolutions
In December, many people will head to their local Target or Michaels to find a new planner. The crisp, fresh feeling of new paper to write new and improved goals gets some of us excited. When thinking of your goals consider making them SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound), this method breaks your goals down into specific objectives and makes it easier for you to track your progress. What goals would you like to share with your child, to show them examples of healthy adult introspection? Introspection, looking within, is necessary to learn how to manage stress in a healthy manner. What regular coping skills can be implemented into your daily/ weekly routine? Some goals may be physical, spiritual, financial, or emotional. Would it be easier to have serious conversations over a family dinner? Or maybe regular family dinners, spark joy and connection that’s often missing.
Research has shown that family therapy is the best treatment option for young people who misuse drugs and alcohol (SAMHSA). Many people use drugs to manage life’s hardships when they feel disconnected from themselves or others. The opposite of addiction is connection, and young people benefit from connection with their families. Families who have a common mission based on autonomy and openness instead of secrecy and silence thrive. Families teach young people how to manage stress when they communicate honestly and openly with one another. Learning how to manage stress early in life could be a major factor in whether a young person decides to use drugs.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Sources & Resources
Why Small Conversations Make a Big Difference
SMART Goals Quick Overview
Knowing the Signs: Substance Abuse & Today’s Youth
For further information & support:
De’Ja Ruffin (McNeil)
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
dsmcneil@fcps.edu
Positivity Project (P2)
Dear Families,
The week of January 9th our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Prudence. Prudence means you plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.
Prudence is the ability to do the right thing for the right reason, at the right time. It’s a future-oriented way of thinking that helps a person set goals, make plans, and have the discipline to accomplish them. It is cognitive -- more a strength of the head than of the heart.
Prudence supports effective individual self-management. Whether aspiring for an athletic record, academic grade, or purchasing a car, foresight and planning are necessary. However, even with a plan, long-term goals can only be obtained by overcoming those impulses and desires that steer you away from your goals. Prudence provides the wisdom to know which character strength to leverage, at which time, to achieve your desired end state.
To practice and encourage the character strength of prudence 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!
Important Dates
January 16-Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
January 18 - 4th Grade Strings Concert (7:00pm)
January 25-Two Hour Early Release (1:45 dismissal)
January 26-Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
January 27-Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
February 20 - President's Day Holiday
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