Daniels Run ES - February 17, 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,

Congratulations to our DRES Singers who did a phenomenal job last week singing our National Anthem at the FCPS School Board meeting and the FHS basketball game.  Pyramid night at FHS was a great success and it was great to see many of our future Lions supporting the current Lions! 

Tonight is our PTA  Bingo and Baskets Night that benefits one of our community partners, A Place to Stand.  The event starts at 6:00 PM and I hope to many of our families can attend.  

The Fairfax County School Board approved a calendar for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years at their February 9 meeting. Learn more about the approved calendar.   The first day of the 2023-24 school year will be Monday, August 21, and the last day will be Wednesday, June 12

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 


Calendar Reminders: Presidents Day

As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 20, for the Presidents Day holiday. Learn more about Presidents Day in Britannica.com. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 21. See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar


Lost and Found

When the weather is warm, children have a tendency to forget their jackets and coats, and our Lost and Found is growing! Please remind your child to check the Lost and Found (located in lobby).


Kindergarten Parent Information Session

Do you have a kindergartener starting DRES in the fall?  If so, please join us for our Kindergarten Parent Information Session.  You will learn about our Kindergarten day, get your questions answered, and have the opportunity to register your student for the upcoming school year.  This session is intended for parents and guardians.  In the summer, we will have opportunities for students to tour the school and visit kindergarten classrooms.

Date: Friday, April 14th

Time: 9:00am – 9:30am (teacher presentation)

          9:30am – 11:00am (registration)

Place: DRES Cafeteria

 

Sesión informativa para padres de kínder

¿Tiene un niño de kindergarten que comience DRES en el otoño? Si es así, únase a nosotros para nuestra sesión de información para padres de kínder. Aprenderá sobre nuestro día de kinder, obtendrá respuestas a sus preguntas y tendrá la oportunidad de inscribir a su estudiante para el próximo año escolar. Esta sesión está dirigida a padres y guardianes. En el verano, tendremos oportunidades para que los estudiantes hagan un recorrido por la escuela y visiten las aulas de kindergarten.

Fecha: viernes 14 de abril

Hora: 9:00 am – 9:30 am (presentación del maestros)

          9:30 am – 11:00 am (registro)

Lugar: Cafetería DRES

 

*Habrá traductores de español disponibles para ayudar a las familias.


K EK S

Tutor.com - Extra Help for Students at No Cost to Families

With Tutor.com through Schoology, FCPS students are able to get learning help at any time, even from bilingual tutors! Students in FCPS meet with tutors thousands of times each week to practice reading, prepare for an upcoming math test, write computer programs, study for the SAT, or to get feedback on scholarship essays–all at no cost to their families! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take just a few minutes to connect with a tutor with your child. More info about Tutor.com in FCPS is available here. 


PTA

PTA News

Bingo Night

Join us tonight for BINGO and BASKETS Night at DRES. Starts at 6 pm.

International Night - We NEED you!

We are seeking families to set up a booth/table representing your cultural heritage at International Night in March. Please reach out to us at dresecretary@gmail.com if interested in participating.

Get More involved in PTA Next Year!

It is time once again for the PTA Nominating Committee to recruit candidates for next year's PTA Board and committees. Being in a PTA leadership position is rewarding, important and fun! The Board is a great way to get involved at Daniels Run, get to know our staff and admins, work with other parents, and support our students and school community. Please join us! Email drenominatingcommittee@gmail.com for more information.


February is Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.  Learn more about Black History month.

Black history month graphic

Animal Shelter Coin Drive

Miss Barone’s 5th grade class is raising money for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter

When: February 6- 28

Where: In the cafeteria during lunch

Who: 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students

What: Upper grade students will be able to donate coins.

The grade level who donates the most money will receive extra recess and an icicle party!


Text-to-Speech Available on FCPS Websites

FCPS is introducing an innovative way to address the diverse needs of the community. A new text-to-speech feature, available on the FCPS website and each school website, will read the words aloud from webpages.  

The feature will help those with accessibility needs, such as visual impairments, dyslexia, or other difficulty reading large amounts of online text. The text-to-speech feature is available for English, Spanish, and Korean. Learn more and try out the new feature.


Girls on the Run 

We are excited for the Girls on the Run Spring 2023 season at Daniels Run Elementary School. The program uses a curriculum that creatively integrates running with life lessons. As a result, the Girls on the Run program empowers girls to develop the confidence and character they need to become strong and healthy young adults.

Registration for the Spring 2023 program is open from February 6th to 28th, and the season will run from the week of March 6 to May 21st. Practices will be held on Wednesday afternoons from 3:45-4:45 and Friday mornings from 7:45-8:45. The standard program fee is $185. We also offer military and sibling discounts and financial assistance for all families. For more information, go to the Girls on the Run of NOVA website at www.gotrnova.org or contact the Girls on the Run coach, Kate Hebert, at klhebert@fcps.edu.


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.

Visit the website to learn more. 


Send In Your Yearbook Pictures!

 

yearbook

Strategic Planning Updates

 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

🎵 Would you like to perform for International Day & Night? Teachers, students and parents are invited to sing, dance or play an instrument that honors any country or people group. It is Thursday night, March 30 and Friday morning, March 31.  Email Michelle McCarten here or call (703) 279-8457 to schedule an audition.

 

🎵  The First Grade is proud to present a musical:  Love in Many Languages at 9:30am on Friday, February 17 in the Café.  First Grade families and friends are invited to attend.

 

🎵  What college/university did you attend? Please complete this very short form. Michelle McCarten is planning a special music unit that will also 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. Thanks for your help!

 

🎵 The February Musician of the Month is legendary jazz vocalist: Ella Fitzgerald! Click here for an Ella Fitzgerald Playlist on YouTube.


Positivity Project (P2)

Dear Families,

Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Humility. Humility means you do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

Humble people have an accurate (not underestimated) sense of their abilities and achievements. They hold the capacity to acknowledge their mistakes and limitations, and are open to advice and new ideas. They do not show off their possessions or accomplishments.

Developing humility is associated with positive developmental outcomes in individuals. It allows a person to honestly reflect on their abilities and acknowledge how and where they can improve. Humility opens them up to new ideas, advice, and (consequently) abilities that pride, arrogance, or pretentiousness often block. Therefore, humility makes them desired members of a team. 

To practice and encourage the character strength of humility 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 

February 17 - PTA Bingo Night 

February 20 - President's Day Holiday 

March 2 - 2 Hour Early Release- 1:45 Dismissal

March 3 - Student Holiday

March 27- PTA Meeting, 7:00pm

March 30 - International Night 

April 3-7 - Spring Break