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A Note from the Principal
DRES Families,
As we approach the much-awaited Spring Break, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you for a safe and joyful Spring Break.
Before we embark on this well-deserved break, I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the incredible students from Fairfax High School – Alexandra, Yashavi, Veera, Maddie, Chi, and Lyla – who poured their hearts into organizing our afterschool drama club. Also a big thank you to our students who participated in the club as the performance they delivered last week was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing their talent, dedication, and creativity.
Additionally, I want to extend a huge congratulations to our remarkable 5th-grade students for their outstanding presentations at the career fair this past week. Your hard work, dedication, and passion for learning were evident in every presentation. You have demonstrated incredible maturity and determination as you explored various career paths and shared your insights with enthusiasm. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you.
Congratulations to ten of our chorus students who had the opportunity to travel to Chicago and sing in the Organization of American Kodaly Educators national conference honor choir!
If you haven’t already, please take FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey today! Survey results will help us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. The survey is available in 10 languages. Please check your email for a message from FCPS partner, K12 Insight, with a link to the survey or access the survey now. Your voice matters!
Take a couple minutes to view my weekly message to students, thanks to Mrs. Oris' 5th grade 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 Spring Break!
Chris Smith
DRES Principal
Updated COVID Recommendations
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations in accordance with the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance.
The COVID-19 isolation period of 5 days is no longer recommended.
The new respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, to include COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Students who have symptoms of, tested positive for, or have been diagnosed with, a respiratory virus e.g., COVID-19, influenza, RSV may return to school when:
- Student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND
- Student’s symptoms have improved or resolved
- Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities
Office Closed During Spring Break
Our front office will be closed during Spring Break, March 25-29. Our front office will reopen on Monday, April 1st at 8:00am.
🗓️ SOL Testing Dates 🗓️
Our Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are coming up in May.
These assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards. The content tested varies by grade level. See below for the scheduled dates this Spring.
Grade 3:
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📖 Reading: Thursday, May 9
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🧮 Math: Friday, May 17
Grade 4:
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📖 Reading: Wednesday, May 8
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🧮Math: Thursday, May 16
Grade 5:
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📖 Reading: Friday, May 10
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🧮 Math: Wednesday, May 15
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🔬 Science: Tuesday, May 21
Grade 6:
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📖 Reading: Tuesday, May 7
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🧮 Math: Tuesday, May 14
SOL Make Up Testing: May 22-24
SOL Retakes: May 28-31
If you have any questions about SOL tests, please reach out to our School Testing Coordinators, Sara Van Aalst (smvanaalst@fcps.edu) or Janelle Alabi (jgalabi@fcps.edu).
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
This year, spring break is March 25-29. We will be eager to welcome your children back to school on Wednesday, April 3, after two teacher work days. Student attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources.
PTA News
Music News
🎵 The April Musician of the Month is pop singer/songwriter, Taylor Swift.
🎵Upcoming Spring 🎵 Concerts:
- April 11 & 12: International Night & Day Concerts
- April 25: Chorus Spring Concerts during school & 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.
Summer Choir Camp Offer: Come sing with Miss McCarten this summer!
🏐 New Athletic Opportunities for Students
The FCPS advertised budget for next school year expands high school athletics with boys volleyball and girls wrestling, giving students more ways to nurture their passion and enhance their well-being. FCPS is now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. See the Budget Calendar for details. Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget.
🤧 Updated COVID Recommendations
In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations.
The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended.
New respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Students who have symptoms of, test positive for, or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus may return to school when the student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND the student’s symptoms have improved or resolved.
Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities.
Should I Send My Child to School?
Please refer to the chart on this attendance webpage if your child is experiencing symptoms or illnesses, and you are unsure if they should go to school.
Thank you for helping keep our students and staff healthy.
Safe, Supported, and Included — the FCPS Family Summit 2024
The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families.
Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The conference is being planned by several FCPS offices in collaboration with the Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators, Black Women’s Educational Alliance - DC Chapter, Hispanic Educators Association, and Asian Educators Association.
This year’s theme is Safe, Supported, and Included, which aligns with Goal 2 of the FCPS Strategic Plan. More details will be available after spring break.
📖 Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read
FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools 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 a virtual information night on Tuesday, April 9, to learn more about Lexia and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom to support student growth. Participants will also get tips for supporting their students at home. Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.
2024 Techstravaganza
Each year, Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) promote STEM through their annual flagship outreach event, Techstravaganza.
Techstravaganza is a free, public, hands-on STEM activity fair for elementary and middle school students in Northern Virginia. In previous years, they've hosted more than 4,500 students and 70 labs presenting STEM activities. Their exhibitors range from TJHSST clubs and their own TWIST volunteers to organizations like NASA SCAN, Art of Problem Solving, George Mason University, American Society of Naval Engineers, and the National Air and Space Museum.
This year, the 20th annual Techstravaganza will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10 AM to 4 PM at TJHSST. Admission is free, food will be for sale.
Click on the registration link if interested: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav24
More information about the event can be found at tjtechstrav.org.
🎤 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.
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.
🥁 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 25-29 - Spring Break
April 1 & 2 - Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday
April 5 - DRES Staff vs. PES Staff Basketball Game
April 10 - No School/Religious Holiday
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