A Note from the Principal
DRES Families,
It was wonderful to see so many families attend our Back to School Open House and PTA Picnic. We have had numerous events over the last few weeks to connect as a school community and I hope all of our families feel welcomed at DRES. Thank you to our staff for all their time and effort to welcome families last night, as well as our PTA for organizing a great event outside. Cherry and grape Kona ice is my personal favorite!
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
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Students Are Learning Every Day
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during long breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits.
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PTA Membership
Don't forget to support the PTA by joining as a member!
Membership is just $10 for an individual and $18 for a family.
Members must join each year.
Your membership helps to support all the programs and events the PTA organizes for our students throughout the year.
Click to learn more and join: Join | website (danielsrunpta.org)
Girls on the Run
We are looking for a few volunteers to help organize our Girls on the Run club. Contact cmsmith@fcps.edu if you are interested.
The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan
Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence
FCPS’ 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in our schools. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.
Under Goal 3, every student will learn to use critical and creative thinking. They will meet or exceed academic goals. Students will reach their full potential.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information. Watch this video to learn more about the many voices that came together to create the plan.
✔️ Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:
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Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
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Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
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Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on:
- Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
- Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
- Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
- Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
- The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.
Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.
Music News
Musician of the Month Project
🎵 In all Daniels Run music classes, students study the same musician at the same time, with different listening activities modified by grade level. Throughout the year, different styles that exist in the world’s musical tapestry are explored. Listening activities are meant to involve or inspire active music making, rather than acting as a “music appreciation” curriculum. Students and families can engage with the Musician of the Month at home through listening, dancing or singing. Many families, staff and students voted for their favorite musician of the month last year and also recommended other musicians to study.
The September Musician of the Month is Gloria Estefan. She is a Cuban American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman. She was born in 1957 and her musical style is Latin Dance & Pop. Click here to listen, sing-along and dance!
🎵 Chorus has begun! Any 5th or 6th grader is invited to come and sing in the chorus. This optional vocal ensemble meets Thursdays during school once a week. There is no cost. Registration due September 28. Click here for chorus registration.
Save the Date
We invite all children and parents to join us October 14, 2023 at Old Town Hall, City of Fairfax, for this once-a-year, thrilling event. Join us for learning activities and book talks with some of today’s favorite authors!
Patriot Day
September 11 National Day of Service With the upcoming 22nd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.
Get started this fall with two great opportunities: Public Lands Day (September 23) and Volunteer Fairfax’s VolunteerFest (October 21). Information on service projects can be found on the Volunteer Fairfax website.
Important Dates
September 22 - Fairfax High School Family Fun Fest, 5:30
September 25 - Yom Kippur - FCPS Schools and Offices Closed
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