Principal's Message
Dear Families,
The rainy Friday weather has brought some changes to our event with the GMU baseball team. They are not able to play their game today so they are playing two games tomorrow (11:00 and 2:30). Our chorus will perform prior to the second game. We will send communication if additional changes occur to the schedule. You can purchase tickets using this link:
https://am.ticketmaster.com/gmu/quickbuy?e=QlMyMzA0Mjk=&promoCode=RFJFUw==
Also, a reminder that all visitors must use entrance #1, have an ID, and check-in at the main office.
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
Birthday Celebrations
We ask that families consider ways to celebrate student birthdays in a joyful manner while minimizing the impact on instructional time and creating a safe and equitable environment for all of our students. There are a multitude of health issues that were taken into consideration. There are many students who are at risk when outside food is brought into the school environment due to diabetes, food allergies (peanut, milk, etc.), and chronic illnesses such as Celiac disease, etc.
To make the environment safe and comfortable for all students, while still allowing for a celebration of each child’s birthday, we ask families to adhere to donating a book, board game, or piece of recess equipment in their child’s honor or students may bring in ONE non-edible treat for each of their classmates, such as a pencil, bookmark or sticker (balloons, treat bags, etc., may not be sent in or distributed).
This treat-free policy does not apply to other special classroom parties and events. As homeroom teachers and parents work together to plan other special classroom celebrations, we ask that everyone take into account the individual needs of students in the classroom.
Attendance Information
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
According to a recent study of elementary and middle schools, there is a 5.8% difference between April and June attendance rates. Let's work together to end the school year successfully! Visit our website for attendance resources.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Say “Thank You!” to Your Favorite Teacher
The first full week of May (May 8 to 12) is Teacher Appreciation Week. You can submit a recorded message thanking and celebrating our school’s amazing teachers and staff.
Your video message may be selected to share with our teachers and community on FCPS’ website and social media channels throughout Teacher Appreciation Week. Surprising our teachers and staff with these messages of gratitude and support is part of the fun, so keep your contribution under wraps until May.
Community Conversation: School Safety and Security
FCPS will host a community conversation to discuss our approach to safety and security, and the work we do every day to keep our schools safe. Join us Monday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South Lakes High School. Registration information will be available soon..
FCPS staff and experts will review our risk assessment processes, the physical measures we already have in place to protect our students and staff, pilot programs to detect vaping, and how we communicate and collaborate with our partners when there is an incident at our schools.
SOL Schedule
As you plan for upcoming appointments, we want 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.
3rd Grade: Reading- May 12th; Math- May 18th
4th Grade: Reading- May 11th; Math- May 17th
5th Grade: Reading- May 10th; Math- May 16th; Science- May 23rd
6th Grade: Reading- May 9th; Math- May 19th
Family Resource Center
Parent Resource Center Is Now the Family Resource Center
FCPS’ Parent Resource Center has changed its name to the Family Resource Center (FRC), as a way to acknowledge and support the broad diversity of families in our community. The FRC continues to offer a wide range of essential resources and education for caregivers and students including:
Families can find printable resource guides and details about the center’s free lending library on FRC’s homepage. They may also sign up to receive the FRC newsletter for updates on webinars, resources, and other information. If you have questions, please contact the FRC via email at frc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941.
Upcoming FRC Webinars
The FRC is hosting the following upcoming webinars. Events are virtual unless stated otherwise.
Click on the titles above for more information or to register for a webinar.
 
PTA News
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.
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.
Strategic Planning Updates
Registration Open for Virtual Strategic Planning Community Forums
We invite parents/caregivers, students, employees, and community members to join us for a virtual community forum to discuss the first draft of proposed goals for the new Strategic Plan. Forums are scheduled for Monday, April 10, at noon; Tuesday, April 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (in Spanish); and Monday, April 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Click on the date to register for the event.
Notes from the Music Department
🎵 American trombonist, Trombone Shorty is the April musician of the month. He plays funk, jazz & hip hop. Listen to his music here.
Positivity Project (P2)
Dear Families,
Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Purpose. Purpose means you have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.
Purpose gives individuals the sense that they are put on this earth for a reason and that they are somehow connected with humanity or the universe. People who possess a sense of purpose believe that they were put on earth for a reason. That reason can have all kinds of variety. It could be to create a unique invention, bring joy through art or music, or raise their children to become good people. These people have a true calling.
Having a clear sense of purpose in life and believing that you’re connected to a larger meaning gives individuals strength. It allows them to persevere and find courage in trying circumstances or lead with kindness and love even when it’s not reciprocated. Those with a sense of purpose have more meaning in their life -- and are more fulfilled.
To practice and encourage the character strength of purpose 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
May 8-12- Staff Appreciation Week
May 10- PTA Meeting
May 29 - Memorial Day Holiday - Schools Closed
June 1st - Chorus Concert, 7:00 pm
June 6th - Band Concert, 7:00 pm
June 7th - Strings Concert, 7:00 pm
June 15th - Kindergarten Promotion (morning); 6th Grade Promotion @ FHS (2:00 pm)
June 16th - Last day of school for students; two hour early release (1:45 dismissal)
August 21 - First day of school for students
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