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A Note from the Principal
Dear Daniels Run Families,
As we approach the end of the year, I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude and warm wishes to each and every one of you. This year has been filled with learning and growth, and I am incredibly proud to be part of such a dedicated school.
I want to extend a special thank you to the Fairfax Rotary Club. Their generosity in providing dictionaries to each of our 3rd-grade students has been immensely appreciated. It was truly a joy to see the excitement in our students' eyes as they explored their new dictionaries, wandering around the school with their newfound resources. This gift has not only enriched their learning experience but also inspired a love for words and knowledge.
As we head into the winter break, I hope you all have the opportunity to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones.
Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome the new year with renewed energy and commitment to providing the best possible education for our students. Thank you all for your continued support, dedication, and involvement in making Daniels Run Elementary School a wonderful place to learn and grow.
Wishing you a wonderful winter break and a happy new year!
Warm regards,
Susan Mullen
Let it Snow!
Our Daniels Run ES admin team pictured left to right: Mrs. Van Aalst, Mrs. Mullen, and Ms. Alabi dressed up as Frosty the Snowman and celebrated the light snowfall this morning!
❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings
Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.
🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year.
Dual Language Immersion is 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. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.
Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in a virtual meeting:
- Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
Language interpretation will be available.
All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.
Music News
🎵 The January Musician of the Month is Man Wu. She is a Chinese American pipa player and composer. The pipa is a 2000-year-old Chinese instrument named after the plucking sounds of its strings.
🎵 The 2nd grade enjoyed a holiday sing-along in music! Click here to view video overview of each one:
Sing-Along #1, Sing-Along #2, Sing-Along #3 (check social media later today 😊)
🎵 The Daniels Run Singers invite you to VOKE Children’s Choral Festival in Manassas next month. Come to their free concert 5pm, Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Osbourn Park High School.
⛄Student and Family Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue!
FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.
🙋♂️ Attendance Is Important Every Day!
The weeks surrounding winter break often include more empty seats in classrooms. Every hour of every school day is a unique opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow. Let’s nurture a rock-solid attendance habit.
A big thank you to:
- 🌟 Students who show up daily and the parents/caregivers supporting them.
- 👩🏫 Teachers who create a welcoming environment for learning.
- 👨💼 Administrators who provide a safe and engaging place to grow.
- 👏 Bus drivers, support staff, and volunteers who help our learners.
If you or your child need support, please contact a school counselor, social worker, or family liaison.
If your child is not feeling well, please refer to our guidance on when to keep your child home.
Find more attendance resources.
Webinar on Overcoming School Resistance
Does your child resist going to school or refuse to go? If so, join the Family Resource Center’s School Resistance webinar on Friday, January 10, 10-11:30 p.m. The webinar will explore how to take care of yourself in the heat of the moment and set supportive boundaries at home. Register in advance.
✨ Student attendance is one measure of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
PTA News
PTA UPDATES:
Save the Date for our first meeting of 2025!
Thursday, January 16th @ pm Virtually (Google Meet Link will be sent after winter break)
Welcome to the PTA Daniels Run Elementary Spirit Wear Shop!
Delivery on orders placed after Dec. 15 is not guaranteed before winter break. Orders placed after winter break will be delivered to your designated shipping address with a $5 shipping fee.
Order Here: www.campussurvivalkits.com/danielsrun
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Daniels Run Outstanding Employee Award School Winners
Outstanding New Teacher
Natalie Wilson
Outstanding Teacher
Erin Denton
Outstanding Principal
Susan Mullen
Outstanding Professional Employee
Joseph Gayl
Outstanding Operational Employee
Carlos Camacho
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Daniels Run Komodo Karate
Dear Daniels Run Elementary Families,
The DRES Komodo’s Karate program begins in less than six weeks.
The program runs once a week for eight weeks. The first 8 week session will take place in the gym afterschool starting on January 14th-March 4th. Mr. Gayl will be facilitating and teaching the karate program.
There are a few things you should know before signing up for karate.
- Your child must be picked up after karate! Karate ends at 4:50 pm and pick up will be in the Kiss and Ride parking lot. I will reach out to you to find out how your child is being picked up.
- There will be three 8 week sessions of karate between January and June. If you sign the karate waiver, I will put your child in one of the three 8 week sessions.
- You must fill out and return a karate waiver by Friday December 20th. You can either email me the signed waiver or bring it to school.
Please reach out to me at jgayl@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Joseph Gayl
Certification American Freestyle Karate Instructor
School Counselor
Actualización para padres de Daniels Run Komodo Karate
Hola, padres y familias de Daniels Run, a partir del martes 14 de enero, comenzará el programa de Karate Daniels Run. Los estudiantes se dirigirán a la cafetería a las 4:00 pm. El karate se llevará a cabo de 16:05 a 16:55 horas. Los estudiantes serán recogidos de la entrada de kiss and ride a las 5:00 pm.
Por favor, asegúrese de que su hijo lleve algo cómodo para el karate. El programa es gratuito y los estudiantes no necesitan traer ningún equipo, uniforme o cinturón durante la clase de karate. Durante el karate, los estudiantes calentarán, aprenderán los conceptos básicos del karate, participarán en charlas de personajes y jugarán un juego activo.
El Programa de Karate Daniels Run se llevará a cabo durante ocho semanas y concluirá con una graduación de karate. Los estudiantes obtendrán sus cinturones amarillos una vez que concluya el programa.
Por favor, preséntese en la entrada de Kiss and Ride a las 4:55 pm. La última sesión tendrá lugar el martes 4 de marzo.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con el maestro del salón de clases de su hijo o envíe un correo electrónico a jgayl-fcps.edu.
Gracias, Joseph Gayl
Certificación Instructor Americano de Karate Freestyle Consejero Escolar
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📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!
The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.
🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
P2 News
Dear Families,
When we return from break, our school community will focus on the character strength of Optimism. Optimism means that you expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.
Optimistic people have hope and confidence about the future. They believe good things will come and stay positive even when faced with challenges. They turn obstacles into steps toward their goals.
Optimism isn't just seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. It's about focusing on the good in any situation, staying open to opportunities, and managing emotions. Optimistic people make great leaders and can inspire others with their positive outlook and ability to find meaning in difficult times.
To practice and encourage the character strength of optimism at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.
Thank you for your support!
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
- Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
- Fall 2024 Sports Champions
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
December 23-January 5- Winter Break- School and Office Closed
January 16- PTA Meeting (virtual)
January 20- No School (Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day)
January 29- No School/ Teacher Work Day
Quick Links
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