Daniels Run ES - January 20, 2023


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,

It was great seeing so many families last weekend at our family skating night and tanks to our PTA for organizing the event. I am not much of a skater so I am always impressed by the skating skills of our students! Our 4th grade strings students performed for the first time in front of a crowd this past week  and did an excellent job.  Next week is a short week for students with a two hour early dismissal (1:45) on Wednesday (1/25) and student holidays on Thursday (1/26) and Friday (1/27).

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 


FCPS Equitable Access to Literacy Plan

We wanted to share an overview of the vision of the FCPS Equitable Access to Literacy Plan with you since you might have heard the term Science of Reading.

  • FCPS is unified in our commitment to a division-wide, comprehensive, and culturally responsive PreK - 12 literacy program that uses evidence-based practices, is grounded in science-based reading research, and intentionally expands learning opportunities in accordance with students’ needs.
  • FCPS ensures students receive explicit instruction in reading and writing to achieve proficiency in literacy and eliminate disproportionate outcomes based on race, gender, zip code, ability, socioeconomic status, or languages spoken at home.

At FCPS' approach to literacy acquisition is grounded in science-based reading research, implemented through a structured literacy model, and guided by three anchors; The Simple View of Reading (Gough, P. B., & Tunmer, W. E. 1986), The Four-Part Processing Model (Seidenberg & McCLelland 1989), and The Reading Rope (Scarborough, 2001). For more information please click HERE

Our Literacy team will present at the next PTA meeting (2/2) and provide information about literacy instruction at DRES.


Magnet School Application and Lottery Information

The Magnet Program registration window will be open from Wednesday March 1, through Wednesday, April 12, 2023.  No late applications are accepted.

To learn more about the programs and the registration process, families are encouraged to attend one of the Parent Informational Nights:

  • Hunters Woods Elementary, February 13, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. - In-person
    • Snow date: February 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
  • Bailey’s Upper, February 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. - Virtual only
  • Bailey’s Primary, February 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. - In person
    • Snow date: February 23, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Action Required

Share the following link, by Friday, February 3, 2023, to interested parents in your community, https://www.fcps.edu/registration/elementary-magnet-school-lottery.


COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan Meetings for Families of Students with Disabilities

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to implementing a plan for COVID-19 compensatory education as part of its obligation to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. Please join us at an informational meeting for parents/guardians and other stakeholders:

Visit our website to see what language interpretation services will be available at each meeting and to learn more about the COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan.


PTA Information 

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!


School Board Reviews Draft School Year Calendar Options

At their January 17 work session, the School Board discussed draft calendars that were created for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Draft calendars were developed using the following criteria as a framework:

  • Federal, state, and Virginia Department of Education guidance.
  • Superintendent’s priorities.
  • School Board input.
  • Student absentee data.
  • Staff absentee data.
  • Surrounding jurisdictions’ calendars.
  • Survey results.
  • Calendar Feedback Committee input.

You may view the draft calendars and other related documents in Boarddocs. The calendars will be presented as new business during the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 26. The Board is scheduled to vote on the calendars during their meeting on Thursday, February 9.


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.


Strategic Planning Updates

Strategic Plan: Make Your Students’ Voice Count! Strategic Planning is in process and will incorporate feedback from school staff, families, students, and community partners and organizations. Please encourage your students to participate in this unique opportunity to share their voices.

FCPS is currently seeking secondary students in grades 7-12 who are interested in participating in a Strategic Plan focus group. This focus group provides an opportunity to share feedback in a small group with other FCPS students and a trained facilitator. FCPS is hosting four virtual focus groups for secondary students in February and March:

February 9, 3:30-5 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.

March 16, 3:30-5 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.

Interested students should check their email for a form to sign up for the focus groups. Students will be asked to provide their student ID, so their parents/caregivers can be identified and contacted to ask for consent to participate.

If you have any questions about the student focus groups or you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact strategicplan@fcps.edu.  

Register Now to Attend a Community Forum! 

Check out the schedule of Community Forums and register for the one that is most convenient for you. Community Forums will provide every resident an opportunity to participate in and influence the direction of FCPS’ Strategic Plan, prior to its completion and formal adoption by the School Board. Learn more about our strategic planning process.


Notes from the Music Department

🎵  Did you attend a college or university? If so, please complete this very short form. Music teacher, Miss McCarten is planning a special music unit to support the school's participation in AVID.  The mission of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)  is to prepare all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.

🎵 The January Musician of the Month is famous English rock band: The Beatles.  What is your favorite song by the Beatles?

🎵 You are cordially invited to the 4th Grade Strings Concert: 7pm, Wednesday, January 18 in the Café.

🎵 Congratulations to the FIVE 6th graders who will represent DRES in the 6th Grade All County Choral Festival at Lake Braddock Secondary School on March 24-25.

🎵 Congratulations to the NINE chorus students who will represent DRES in the Organization of Kodály Educators National Conference Choirs in Jacksonville, FL on March 15-18.


Positivity Project (P2)

Dear Families,

Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Social Intelligence. Social intelligence means you are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.

Social intelligence refers to a person’s ability to understand and manage interpersonal relationships. It is distinct from a person’s IQ or “book smarts.” It includes an individual’s ability to understand, and act on, the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of other people. This type of intelligence can take place “in the moment” of face-to-face conversations but also appears during times of deliberate thinking. It involves emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

Social intelligence helps individuals build relationships -- and is important to numerous aspects of a person’s life. It allows an individual to form friendships and alliances. And it assists a person against being taken advantage of. People with social intelligence can “read” other people’s faces and know what motivates them. Social intelligence builds over time and as a person ages. In this sense, it is similar to the character strength of perspective.

To practice and encourage the character strength of social intelligence 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!


How to Talk With Your Child About Alcohol Safety

Stores have been packed with holiday savings, credit cards have been charged, and food has been consumed. The holidays are often a time for family and friends to come together and create lasting memories with one another. The matching holiday pajamas leave a lasting impression on social media, but what impression does your relationship with alcohol leave on your child. Although difficult, conversations about alcohol safety are necessary. When consuming alcoholic beverages around young people, consider the message you would like for them to receive. Have you caught yourself saying any of the following: “I need a drink,” “a drink would help me relax,” or “wine helps me sleep better at night”. These statements could inadvertently cause your child to believe that alcohol is a suitable replacement for healthy coping strategies. 

It’s never too early to have age-appropriate conversations with your child about alcohol. About 10% of children say they have tried alcohol and that number increases to 50% by the time they are 15 (SAMHSA). Early and frequent conversations about alcohol and other drugs tend to be more effective than having “the talk” once. If you choose to not have the conversation with your child as a parent, they will still have the conversion with their peers. Silence communicates as loudly as a verbal conversation, so it’s up to you to decide what message is explicitly shared. 

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 You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and Other Drugs

Talk, They Hear You 

FCPS SAPS Program

For further Information & support:

De’Ja Ruffin (McNeil)

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

dsmcneil@fcps.edu


Important Dates 

January 25-End of 2nd Quarter/Two Hour Early Release (1:45 dismissal)

January 26-Student Holiday/Teacher Workday

January 27-Student Holiday/Teacher Workday

February 2 - PTA Meeting, 7:00pm

February 9 - Spring Picture Day

February 20 - President's Day Holiday