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A Note from the Principal
DRES Families,
I hope all of our students enjoyed the bonus days off last week due to the snow. A big thank you to our custodians for their work last week to clear the snow and ice. A couple reminders as we come to the half point of the school year:
- Consistent attendance is critical for the success of our students. There is information below with guidance on when to keep students home due to illness.
- Please send students with jackets, hats, gloves, etc. on cold weather days as we go outside for recess unless their is a cold weather/wind chill warning
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 the weekend,
Chris Smith
DRES Principal
AAP News
Attendance Matters
This is the time of year when winter weather and children’s illnesses can take a toll on school attendance. But it’s important to get your children to school every day possible.
If you are unsure whether to send your children to school, consult your doctor or this website Health and Safety Guidance webpage for guidance. Our school nurse is also a terrific resource for chronic health conditions.
Do what you can to keep your children healthy. Dress them warmly for the cold weather and make sure they’ve got hats and gloves. Encourage them to wash their hands regularly and send them to school with a bottle of hand sanitizer.
PTA News
Save the date for PTA Ice Skating Saturday, February 3rd
Save the date for PTA Bingo Night on Friday, February 23rd
Music News
🎵 THIS SUNDAY: We are going to a GMU Women’s basketball game! Join us!
Click here to purchase $5 tickets or scan below!
🎵 The January Musician of the Month is South Korean pop group BTS. Google Slides here. Spotify playlist here.
Magnet School Application and Lottery Information
The Magnet Program registration window will be open from Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12, 2024. No late applications are accepted.
If you are interested in this opportunity click this link to learn more about the Magnet School Lottery
To learn more about the programs and the registration process, families are encouraged to attend one of the Parent Information Nights:
- Bailey’s Upper, February 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (Virtual only)
- Hunters Woods Elementary, February 12, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. (In-person)
- Snow date: February 26, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
- Bailey’s Primary, February 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)
- Snow date: February 21, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
💻 Upcoming Webinars and Events for Families
The Family Resource Center offers free webinars for adults to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Upcoming events include:
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Meet the Author Series: Mind in The Making with Ellen Galinsky – Help your children learn how to take on life's challenges, communicate well with others, and remain committed to learning. Friday, February 2, 10-11 a.m.
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Youth Mental Health First Aid – This in-person course teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. Friday, February 9, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Family Resource Center.
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Behavior Solution Series for Elementary and Secondary Families – Join FCPS Behavior Intervention Services staff for help encouraging positive communication and behavior at home. Webinars will be held at 10 a.m.:
- Elementary Webinars:
- Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication, Friday, February 16
- Taming Tantrums and More, Friday, March 15
- Secondary Webinars:
- Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication, Friday, April 19
- Taming the Teen-Aged Brain, Friday, May 31
Free Resources for Families
Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities?
Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).
Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter.
Food Insecurity Resources
Food insecurity impacts more than 60,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Find out how to receive or offer support on the Fairfax County website, or view their Human Services Resource Guide for assistance with food, clothing, housing, and other services.
Spanish:
La inseguridad de alimentos afecta a más de 60,000 residentes del Condado de Fairfax. Hay muchos recursos disponibles para apoyar a aquellos que necesitan asistencia alimentaria. Averigüe cómo recibir u ofrecer apoyo en el sitio web del Condado de Fairfax, o consulte con su Guía de Recursos de Servicios Humanos para obtener asistencia con los alimentos, ropa, vivienda y otros servicios
Immersion Registration
Dual Language Immersion Program Registration Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. 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 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for the most current information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16.
A virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.
Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page.
Safety Information
Fairfax County Public Schools believes that academic success is built on the foundation of a safe learning environment. This includes physical safety, and mental health and wellness.
FCPS has a comprehensive approach to safety that involves physical security measures, online monitoring by security staff, and crisis intervention support. The division has created the Safe Students, Safe Schools Brochure (PDF) to enhance your awareness of potential hazards and to equip you with practical tips for how you can help. Visit the FCPS website for more information.
P2 News
Dear Families,
Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Forgiveness. Forgiveness means you forgive those who have done wrong and you accept that people make mistakes.
Forgiveness is the ability to move past being injured, and allow yourself to reconcile with the person who hurt you. Forgiveness can often be seen as a selfless act, but it also carries many benefits for those who practice it. Those who demonstrate forgiveness have the ability to move forward after someone has hurt them. Forgiveness is often rooted in the idea that all people are valuable and worthy of a second chance. Many who forgive have the ability to consider things from another’s perspective.
The ability to reconcile differences and move forward positively is a trait of any effective group. When people work together, conflict is inevitable. However, when people value each other’s contribution and believe in the group’s goal, they become more capable of moving past conflict toward genuinely positive behavior. A group member’s willingness to forgive imperfections of both other members and the group as a whole contribute to overall success.
To practice and encourage the character strength of forgiveness 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!
 
FCPS Calendar Dates
 FCPS 2023-2024 Calendar: Click Here
Important Dates
February 19 - President's Day- Student Holiday
February 20 - Spring Portrait Day
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