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A Note from the Principal
Dear Daniels Run Elementary School Community,
I hope this message finds you well and warm during what has been a great, albeit chilly, week here at Daniels Run. Our International Night was an enormous success, with a standing-room-only turnout that celebrated the rich diversity of our school community. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our amazing PTA for organizing such a wonderful event, and to our dedicated music teachers, Mr. Tilman and Ms. McCarten, for orchestrating a spectacular show. It was truly inspiring to see so many of our talented students shine through singing, dancing, and instrumental performances representing cultures from around the globe.
Looking ahead, please note that on Monday, we have an early release day. Students will be dismissed according to the plans we have on file. If there are any changes to your child's dismissal plan, kindly inform their teacher as soon as possible to ensure a smooth and safe transition.
We are also eagerly anticipating our Bingos and Baskets Night this coming Friday, hosted by our wonderful PTA. This event has always been a favorite among our families, and we are excited to come together once again for a night of fun and community spirit.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in making Daniels Run a vibrant and inclusive community.
Warm regards,
Susan Mullen Principal
International Night Assembly
PTA News
Baskets & Bingo Night Friday, February 28th 6:00-8:00 (Doors open at 5:30)
Mark your calendars for Baskets & Bingo Night! All profits from this event are donated to local food pantries and charities that directly impact students and families in our Daniels Run Community.
This year, each classroom will be building a themed basket to enter into the raffle. Please consider volunteering to help at the event or to be a Basket Coordinator for your child’s classroom. It is a fun and easy way to get involved in the cause! Click here for more information and to sign up
Not able to volunteer? Be on the lookout for information in February about how you can contribute to your classroom basket theme. Pre Order Pizza and Bingo Cards HERE!

We are excited to announce that the public library will be joining us for our upcoming Bingo Night! They will be on hand to help sign your children up for a library card. This is a wonderful opportunity to encourage a love of reading and learning in your child. Please come and take advantage of this valuable resource while you enjoy BINGO!
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, we want to ensure that we are providing the necessary support and accommodations for our students who may be observing this special time.
If your child plans to participate in Ramadan this year, please inform us by February 27, 2025. This will help us better understand their needs and make any necessary arrangements.
For those students who will be fasting, we kindly request that you fill out the DRES Ramadan Participation Form. This form will allow you to provide us with important information regarding your child's health, dietary requirements, and any specific needs they may have during this period.
Meal Kits: This year students who are fasting can take meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24.
We understand that Ramadan is a time of great significance for our Muslim families, and we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders
As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
- A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.
Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
🤧 Protect Yourself and Your Community From the Flu
Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department.
The health department suggests taking the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:
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Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.
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Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
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Clean frequently touched surfaces.
According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit this Attendance webpage for guidance on when your child should go to school.
📐 Breaking Down the Budget: Supporting Academic Growth and Algebra by Eighth Grade
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has seen a 9.5% increase in eighth graders taking Algebra I or more advanced math and a 6.8% increase in fifth graders in advanced math.
Studies show that students who complete algebra in middle school have more opportunities to take advanced math and science courses in high school. This can open up new academic paths for students! Watch a video that shows why eighth grade algebra matters.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget.
🐻 It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, between January and April. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us prepare and ensure we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.
Families should prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms on the FCPS kindergarten registration webpage. FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, visit the kindergarten registration webpage.
✨ A strong start is Goal 1 of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Spring Clean-Up
Join the Daniels Run community for a rewarding community event! Our school is hosting a Spring Clean-up Day on April 1st. Families are invited to come together to beautify our school grounds. We'll be weeding gardens, raking leaves, cleaning up litter, and improving the grounds around our school building. Bring the whole family, wear comfortable clothes, and don't forget your gloves! Let's show our school some love and make it shine!
Music News
🎵 Congratulations to all of the International concert performers! The community and students enjoyed International Night yesterday and school concerts today.
🎵 The February musicians of the month are the Huntertones. They are a 6 member American jazz fusion ensemble.
🎵Ages 6-12. SUMMER CHOIR CAMP: 1 week camp at George Mason University

P2 News
Dear Families,
Next week, our school community will focus on the Other People Mindset of Cheering Others’ Successes. This means when someone else does well, we are happy for them and show our support.
It's normal to sometimes feel jealous or envious when others succeed, but learning to genuinely celebrate their accomplishments can improve our own happiness and relationships. Supporting others not only helps them feel good but also strengthens our community and creates a positive environment.
Encouraging your child to be happy for others can start with simple actions, such as congratulating a friend, noticing feelings of envy and asking why, or learning from others’ successes. These steps build a supportive culture in families, teams, schools, and communities.
To practice and encourage this Other People Mindset 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:
- Middle School Start Times
- New Lunch Items
- Talking to Teens About Tough Topics
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
February 24- Early Release Day (Students dismissed at 12:45pm)
February 28- Bingo Night
Quick Links
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