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A Note from the Principal
DRES Families,
We are excited to welcome the month of March and share a few updates.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in making Read Across America Week a tremendous success! It was heartwarming to see our students, teachers, staff and community members coming together to celebrate the joy of reading. Your creativity and enthusiasm truly made this week special, fostering a love for literature among our students. A big thank you to our librarian, Mrs. Irons, for planning and organizing a great week!
Another big thank you to our PTA for a wonderful Bingo Night last Friday. Our cafeteria was overflowing with families doing their best to win prizes. Thanks to all those that attended and made the night great!
A friendly reminder that there will be no school on Tuesday, March 5th, due to the primary election. Take a couple minutes to view my weekly message to students, thanks to Mrs. Horn's class for hosting me!
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 first weekend of March!
Chris Smith
DRES Principal
Attendance Matters
- Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after spring break. It’s time to break that cycle.
- Make sure your child is in school every day, right up until vacation starts. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning. But it’s harder to teach and it’s harder to learn when too many students are absent.
- Please remember, Tuesday, March 5th is a school holiday. We are eager to welcome your children back in school on Wednesday, March 6th.
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.
International Night - We NEED you!
We are seeking families to set up a booth/table representing your cultural heritage at International Night on April 11th. Please reach out to us at drepresident@gmail.com if interested in participating.
Save the Date:
April 5, 2024 Daniels Run vs. Providence Staff Basketball Game
April 11, 2024 International Night
Music News
🎵 International Night & Day: Thursday night, April 11 and Friday morning, April 12: Would you like to sing, play an instrument or dance to honor a certain country? Students, families, and staff are invited to audition. Email Michelle McCarten here or call (703) 279-8457 to schedule an audition. Audition deadline is March 15.
🎵 The March Musician of the Month is legendary R&B/Soul musician, Stevie Wonder. He is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
🎵Upcoming Spring 🎵 Concerts:
- April 25: Chorus Spring Concert in the morning & 6:30pm
- June 4: 7pm Band Concert
- June 6:
- 2:30pm: 5th & 6th grade performers: Band & Strings Concert for 3rd-6th grade audience
- 7pm: 4th-6th grade strings concert.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
- Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
- Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
- Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
- Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
- Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
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.
School Board Adopts Fiscal Year 2025 Advertised Budget
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At their last regular business meeting, the School Board voted to adopt the Fiscal Year 2025 Advertised Budget.
The Advertised Budget is a needs-based budget that represents the funding needed to support schools in the upcoming year. It focuses on educational excellence for each and every student and competitive compensation for our hard-working, dedicated, and results-driven staff.
The budget is closely aligned with FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which seeks a strong academic start for our youngest students and prepares our graduates for a thriving future. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction.
Learn more about the budget and stay up-to-date by following the budget development calendar.
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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.
🎤 Join a Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs
A community conversation addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools will be held Wednesday, March 18, 6:30-8 p.m., in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Please enter through Door #14.
All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
This discussion will provide families, staff, and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl. The material discussed is suitable for students in grades 6-12. Together as a community, we aim to explore collaborative strategies to minimize the impact of these harmful and too-often fatal substances.
Language interpretation services are available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed. Learn more about the event and register online.
Ramadan
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact our assistant principals, Janelle Alabi, jgalabi@fcps.edu and Sara Van Aalst, smvanaalst@fcps.edu regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
P2 News
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!
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: Tuesday, April 2nd
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: martes 2 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.
Family Engagement Survey to Open March 3
FCPS is partnering with independent research firm K12 Insight to administer a Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Sunday, March 3, to Friday, March 22. Your feedback is critical in helping FCPS to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs throughout the district. Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment
- Communication
- Student success
- Advocacy
- Family and school partnerships
- Community partnerships
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive the survey link via email from K12 Insight. A public link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available in our front office. Please stay tuned for more information.
💭 Share Your Thoughts on Schoology
FCPS will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22. Surveys will be delivered to:
- Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
- Secondary students via email from Naviance.
Student feedback will inform the school division’s use of Schoology and help improve its processes, communication, and professional learning for staff. FCPS’ Instructional Services Department will also be reaching out to families through focus groups.
Please contact Schoology@fcps.edu if you have questions.
🥁 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
March 5 - Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday
March 25-29 - Spring Break
April 1 & 2 - Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday
April 5 - DRES Staff vs. PES Staff Basketball Game
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