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A Note from the Principal
DRES Families,
There are several wonderful events and achievements that we would like to celebrate together as a school community. First and foremost, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for our dedicated school counselors, Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Fisher. They play a crucial role in supporting our students' social and emotional well-being, guiding them through challenges, and helping them navigate their academic journey. Let's take a moment to thank our incredible counselors for their hard work, empathy, and commitment to our students' success. Your efforts truly make a difference!
Can you believe it? We've reached the 100th day of school! It's a fantastic milestone that showcases the dedication and enthusiasm of our students, teachers, and staff. Each day contributes to the growth and development of our young learners. Here's to the next 80 days of curiosity, discovery, and collaboration!
Our Beginning Strings Concert was last night and it was a wonderful showcase of the musical talent within our school. Our young musicians have been working hard under the guidance of Ms. Reilly and Mx. Sevilla!
We also want to thank our wonderful PTA for sponsoring Skate Night last Saturday. It was great so to see so many families at the event. I enjoyed watching our skilled skaters and was inspired by our first time skaters giving a new skill their best effort!
Finally, save the date for Friday, April 5th as the DRES Staff basketball team takes on the staff of Providence ES. Tip-off is 6:30 at Fairfax High School and we will share more details as they are finalized in the upcoming weeks.
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 Super Bowl weekend!
Chris Smith
DRES Principal
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.
Spring Portraits and class pictures will take place Tuesday, February 20th. This is a one time event, a makeup day will not be scheduled.
Volunteers are needed! Please contact Carlos Camacho at ccamacho1@fcps.edu if you are interested in volunteering. All volunteers will receive a discount on photo packages.
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Spread the LOVE on Valentine’s Day!
We have a few fun ways to send some extra love to your Dragons this Valentine’s Day, with a bonus of helping to raise funds for the 6th Grade Promotion Activities. Order online, or come visit us at the Valentine booth in the lobby between 8:45-9:00AM Monday-Friday, February 5-9. Online valentine sales close Saturday, February 10 at midnight. Available options:
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Pass a Note: $1 Have a note delivered to your friends in their classrooms with a valentine lollipop. Click here to order online
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Send a Valentine Telegram: $5 Special heart-shaped note with a treat or toy delivered to your students, teachers, or special staff members with a custom message from you (great option to send from parents and grandparents). Click here to order online
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Classroom visit from “Pickle” the Dragon: $25 Pickles is getting his dancing shoes ready! Treat your teachers and classmates with a surprise visit from our favorite dancing dragon! Pickles will bring a custom note from each sponsoring family. Click here to order online
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Make a donation to the 6th grade class: Donate an amount of your choice to help the 6th grade fund their spring activities. Click here to donate
Attendance Matters
There’s not much we can do about the winter weather, but there are two key steps every parent can take to help avoid absences this year: Make back-up plans for bad weather and keep your children healthy.
Absences, even if they are excused, can add up to academic trouble. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.
Children who miss too much school in kindergarten are less likely to read well by third grade. By middle school, absenteeism can predict who will graduate from high school.
 
Music News
🎵 Congratulations to the Chorus for their National Anthem performance at the GMU basketball game last Sunday!
🎵 The February Musician of the Month is American rapper, singer, songwriter, and drummer Anderson.Paak.
Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts.
If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School.
Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.
Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.
💻 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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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.:
- Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication, Friday, February 16
- Taming Tantrums and More, Friday, March 15
- Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication, Friday, April 19
- Taming the Teen-Aged Brain, Friday, May 31
- Elementary Webinars:
- Secondary Webinars:
📚 Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read
FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools to use as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support, and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize.Attend an information night on Monday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m., at Thoreau Middle School. Parents/caregivers will learn more about Lexia, and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom and supporting student growth in reading. Attendees will also get tips for supporting their students at home.
Register to attend or submit a question in advance. Unable to attend in person? Join on Zoom.
Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.
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
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 Love. Love means you value close relationships with others and being close to people.
The character strength of love represents the way we think, feel, and behave towards the people with whom we have close relationships. When one person loves another person, that person: comforts and makes the other feel safe; sacrifices on the other’s behalf; supports the other during struggles; and places the others' needs ahead of their own. If you love a person, that person makes you feel safe and secure. You can be yourself with that person. You miss that person when they are not around.
On a group level, love is vital for the wellbeing of society. The world is endlessly interconnected. We are all dependent upon each other for survival and happiness. Love produces positive feelings, which help negate loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Without love, we cannot form strong relationships with our families, friends, or communities. A world without love is a dangerous world.
To practice and encourage the character strength of love 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!
 🚍 Here Comes the Bus
Want to know if your child's bus is on schedule or where the bus is? Here Comes the Bus® is an easy-to-use website and app that enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus — almost in real time — on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.
Parents can track multiple buses if their children don’t all ride the same bus; know exactly when children arrive at school or the bus stop; and receive customized text and/or email notifications about bus locations, schedule changes, or delays.
To get started, download the app from the Apple iOS or Android app store. Check out the Here Comes the Bus and Frequently Asked Questions webpages for more information.
Already using the Here Comes the Bus app? Send your feedback to HCTB@fcps.edu.
Note: eNotify text messaging will continue to be used for reporting bus delays and bus incidents.
🥁 Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps
Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
Tech Adventure Camp is available for current grade K-5 students to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.
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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