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A Note from the Principal
Dear Daniels Run Families and caregivers,
It has been a busy week, filled with many exciting developments at Daniels Run Elementary School! I'm thrilled to share some of the highlights with you.
Our morning show is officially up and running, providing students with a dynamic way to start their day. It's wonderful to see our students involved and enthusiastic about this initiative. Additionally, our Positivity Project trait for next week is teamwork. We encourage you to talk with your children about what teamwork means and how they can embody these qualities in their daily lives.
Security Updates
We are implementing several security enhancements to ensure the safety and well-being of our school community. Soon, you will notice the installation of a new vestibule and cameras. Additionally, our staff will undergo training from the FCPS Office of Security to tighten up procedures and ensure that every employee is well-prepared. Thank you to the community members who have supported these efforts, especially those who shared valuable experiences that can help us improve.
I will be available to discuss these updates and answer any questions you may have at the upcoming PTA meeting on October 9th in the Daniels Run Art Room at 7:00 PM. Your input and support are invaluable as we work together to strengthen our school's security.
Early Release Monday
Next week marks our first early release Monday. We have prepared a list of students for these days, moving forward. If there are any changes to your child’s schedule, please ensure that both your child's teacher and the front office are informed.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration. It is through our collective efforts that we create a nurturing and secure learning environment for our students.
Warm regards,
Susan Mullen
Principal, Daniels Run Elementary School
Field Day is October 11th Volunteers are Needed!
We’re still looking for volunteers to help run stations and chaperone classes throughout field day. If you are interested and available, please use the links below to sign-up:
Chaperone Volunteer Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EAAAD2EA1F85-50969253-daniels#/
Station Volunteer Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EAAAD2EA1F85-50971807-field#/
Thank you to all our volunteers. We couldn’t do this without you and are so appreciative of your time and support.
*If a station and/or class you’d like to volunteer for is filled, reach out to Mrs. Heffron dmheffron@fcps.edu or Mr. Murray twmurray@fcps.edu and we will add an additional slot for you!
PTA News
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning
FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students.
After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office.
Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact our school psychologist, Marquita Lashley- mlashley@fcps.edu, our school social worker, Emily Carleton at etcarleton@fcps.edu, or our school counselors, Ashleigh Fisher- anfisher@fcps.edu and Joseph Gayl- jgayl@fcps.edu to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
We All Belong at School
Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school.
Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Blue Star Welcome Week
Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. Fairfax County Public Schools will intentionally celebrate and acknowledge Blue Star Welcome Week.
When: Saturday, September 21 - Sunday, September 29, 2024
Why: Blue Star Welcome Week empowers military families to thrive as they serve. There are approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. One-third of our military families transition into or out of our district each year. Blue Star Welcome Week allows schools to welcome and connect with their military families. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and ensure our military families feel celebrated and welcomed into their school communities.
AAP News
Please mark your calendars for Thursday, September 26 at 6:30pm in the DRES Library, for a parent AAP information meeting. Ms. James, our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, will be discussing the different levels of advanced differentiation offered in Fairfax County Public Schools. She will explain the screening processes, and answer questions about advanced academic services.
Another presentation will be conducted on Wednesday, October 9 at 6:30pm in the DRES Library to discuss the Full-Time AAP screening process. Ms. James will provide detailed information about the Full-Time screening process, and answer questions about Full-Time advanced academic services.
Please be sure to access the AAP Fall Newsletter found here.
P2 News
Dear Families,
Next week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Teamwork. Teamwork means you work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.
Teamwork involves prioritizing group success. Those strong in teamwork help all group members succeed, committing time and resources to the group's goals. They often delay personal accomplishments to ensure the group's overall success, which fosters positive feelings and counters selfishness and egotism.
For individuals, teamwork often means deferring or delaying individual accomplishments in order to ensure that the group maintains a high level of success. Their commitment to the larger group effort makes them good teammates. The positive feelings associated with being part of a larger whole — can be highly beneficial and combat selfishness and egotism.
To practice and encourage the character strength of teamwork at home, please visit the Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families. There, you will watch a video clip together and discuss a quote and three questions related to teamwork.
Thank you for your continued support!
Yearbook Help Needed
Do you attend student activities at DRES and enjoying taking pictures?
We are looking for volunteers to support our yearbook coordinator, primarily taking and collecting pictures throughout the year. No special skills, cameras or equipment needed. Aside from uploading your pictures, no additional time required (unless you'd like to help with design too!).
If you are interested, please reach out to Angie Xhakolli at angelaxhakolli@gmail.com.
POETRY CONTEST - 2024 Arbor Day
In celebration of 2024 Arbor Day on October 26th, 2024, Fairfax City Environmental Sustainability Committee is planning a poetry contest. The focus of the poetry contest is "Protect the Environment Around You". Focus of poetry can be about nature, the importance of trees, climate change, human impact on nature, global warming, decline in various species, or anything else related to environmental awareness and stewardship.
This poetry contest is open to all students of Daniel's Run ES, Providence ES, Johnson MS, and Fairfax HS.
One poetry winner from each city school will receive the award of $50. The winner will also be invited to read their poetry at the Fairfax City Arbor Day Celebration on October 26th, 2024, at Van Dyck Park. (Details will be shared later)
Poetry submissions are due Monday, October 7.
Music News
🎵 The September Musician of the Month is Duke Ellington. He was an American jazz composer, pianist & bandleader.
🎵 Fairfax Pyramid Choir: All 4th-6th graders are invited to sing! Invitation letter here. Register here (deadline is this Saturday). Rehearsals are 4:45-6pm every Tuesday only in October. The free concert is 7pm, Tuesday, October 29 at Fairfax High School!
FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture
Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
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Monday, September 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Newington Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
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Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
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Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
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Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School.
Events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
FCPS 2023-2030 Strategic Plan
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Our third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful. For example, making sure they are readers by third grade and taking courses that challenge them throughout their education will help prepare them for lifelong success. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Accessing Intervention Plans
- Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning
- Update Immunizations Today!
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
FCPS Calendar
 FCPS School Calendar 2024-2025
Important Dates
September 23- Early Release at 12:45pm
October 3- Rosh Hashanah/Holiday (No School)
October 4- Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday
October 10- Fall Picture Day
October 11- Field Day
October 14- Indigenous Peoples' Day/Student Holiday
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