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A Note From the Principal
Dear Daniels Run Families,
It was so nice to have a full week back together with our students! Classrooms were active with learning, and it was wonderful to see everyone back in a regular routine. We also had fun celebrating Valentine’s Day and the 100th day of school this week. From creative classroom activities to exciting 100th-day projects, there was plenty of joy and school spirit throughout the building!
I also had the opportunity to watch our chorus perform the National Anthem for the FCPS School Board last night. They represented Daniels Run beautifully—we are so proud of them!
Club & Group Photo Day – Volunteers Needed We are looking for 2–4 wonderful volunteers to help our Club and Group Photo Day run smoothly on Monday, March 23.
With 26 clubs and groups at Daniels Run, our volunteers play a vital role in organizing students and keeping us on schedule so every group gets their moment in the spotlight!
Shift Options: Full Day: 8:45 AM – 3:45 PM Morning Shift: 8:45 AM – 12:45 PM Afternoon Shift: 12:45 PM – 3:30 PM
If you are able to help, please contact mmmccarten@fcps.edu We truly appreciate your support!
OWN YOUR ACTIONS Celebration We recently celebrated our focus on Own Your Actions in the cafeteria! Students worked hard to demonstrate positive choices during lunch. Congratulations to the classes that earned the most Cafeteria SOAR Tickets:
- Kindergarten: Ms. Beach
- Grade 1: Ms. Viernes & Ms. Hollis-Hescht (tie)
- Grade 2: Ms. Godfrey
- Grade 3: Ms. Lowery, Ms. Milman & Ms. McCrodden (three-way tie)
- Grade 4: Ms. Barron & Ms. Gleason (tie)
- Grade 5: Ms. Brixius
- Grade 6: Ms. Zaman
This next quarter, we will focus on Acting Kindly as part of our Daniels Run Dragon SOAR expectations:
- Show Up
- Own Your Actions
- Act Kindly
- Reach for Excellence
Thank you for reinforcing these important values at home as well.
A reminder that Monday is a President’s Day holiday and Tuesday is a teacher workday (no students). We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Best regards,
Susan Mullen, Principal
Upcoming Dates
February 16: President's Day Holiday- No School
February 17: Teacher Workday- No School
February 25: 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday (Dismissal at 12:45pm)
February 27: PTA Bingo Night
March 7: PTA Ice Skating Night
March 20: Eid-al-Fitr Holiday- No School
March 25: 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday (Dismissal at 12:45pm)
March 30- April 3: Spring Break- No School
April 6: Teacher Workday- No School
April 10: Teacher Workday- No School
April 10: Kindergarten Parent Information Session at 9-11am
6th Grade Field Trip to GMU
 On Tuesday, our 6th graders traded their desks for the campus of George Mason University. From learning the ins and outs of the college application process to exploring the campus, they’re already picturing themselves as future GMU Patriots. The highlight for many students was getting a literal taste of college life at the dining hall.
Daniels Run Singers at the School Board Meeting
 Daniels Run Singers performed at the school board meeting on Thursday evening.
Wear Red Day
On Friday, February 13th Daniels Run Staff wore red to show their support for heart health.
Middle School Transition Fair
Hello families,
You are invited to FCPS' Middle School Transition Fair, an evening for families of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services to learn about planning for the future.
At this event, families can meet Career and Transition Services (CTS) representatives and other support staff, learn about postsecondary education, employment, and community supports, and hear from a student and parent panel sharing real transition experiences.
The fair will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School. Language support will be available.
This is a great opportunity to ask questions, connect with resources, and feel more confident about your child’s next steps. We hope to see you there!
Event Flyer and Translations
Event registration link
Ramadan Information
Dear Parents,
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 16, 2026. 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.
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.
Meal Kits for Fasting Students
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
 Valentines Parents Night Out
Enjoy your Valentines date night and drop your kids off at Fairfax High School on Friday, February 13th. Drop off is 5:00-5:30PM. Pick up is 8:30-9:00PM. Drop off and pick up at Door 23 to the right of the main entrance. $10 per kid and cash only. Scan QR code to register.
Black History Month Celebration
 Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
 Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History month.
PTA News
PTA Baskets & Bingo Night- Friday, February 27th
Mark your calendars, a favorite event is just around the corner!
We are looking for volunteers to help out the night of OR to help put classroom baskets together.
Please click the link below for more information. We will reach out to all volunteers with additional information.
Baskets & Bingo Volunteer Sign Up
Here is a link to preorder Bingo Items:
Click Here to Pre Order your Bingo Night Cards, Raffle Tickets & Pizza!
 
Girls on the Run
🌎 Join Us for This is Us- International Night! 🌍
Celebrate our community at "This is Us - International Night" on Thursday, March 12th (5:30–7:30 PM)!
We are looking for families to represent their heritage:
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Host a Cultural Table: Share your country’s traditions, history, or food.
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Get Reimbursed: The PTA will provide a $50 reimbursement for your table display supplies!
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Click Here to Sign-Up for a: Table Display
Come travel the world with student "passports" and stay for our community concert starting at 6:30 PM. We can’t wait to see you there!
Music News
🎵 On Friday, February 20 the 5th & 6th grade choruses will perform canons (rounds) on the steps in the lobby. Parents are welcome to sign in at the office and join us for this stand-up concert in the lobby.
 🎵 The Musicians of the Month are the Canadian folk/bluegrass band The Wailin' Jennys. They are a band of three singers who also play the acoustic guitar, banjo, accordion, bodhrán, ukulele, harmonica, and upright bass. Click here to play their music in your class.
🎵Congratulations to the following band students who participated in the Fairfax Pyramid Area Band Day on Saturday, January 31. They played and performed advanced repertoire at Katherine Johnson Middle School: 5th graders: Liam & Jayden. 6th graders: Benjamin, Elliot, Mekail, Andrew O.T, Connor M. & Connor B!
🎵 Congratulations to the Daniels Run Singers who performed 2 songs at the FCPS School Board Meeting on Thursday night, February 12.
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES:
🎵 SUMMER CHOIR CAMP: 1 week camp at George Mason University: Grades 1-8.
🎵 E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students currently in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in 4 daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
🎵 IFTA is a 2- or 3-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11.
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Learn About Kindergarten at Daniels Run ES
Our kindergarten open house is being held on April 10th at 9-11am to give parents of students entering school in August an opportunity to learn more about kindergarten at our school.
We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Resources on the School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage provide parents with ways to support their children to help ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten.
There’s also an easy-to-follow five-step process outlined for registering your child for kindergarten. Register your child today! Contact our registrar at vvien@fcps.edu, (703) 279-8400 with any questions.
 
  Poetry Contest- Arbor Day 2026
In celebration of Arbor Day on April 25, 2026 Fairfax City Environmental Sustainability Committee is planning a poetry contest. The focus of the poetry contest is "Protect the Environment Around You". Such as, 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 Daniels Run ES, Providence ES, Katharine 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 April 25, 2026 at Pat Radio Park in Fairfax City at 9AM. (Details will be shared closer to the date)
Poetry Submission deadline is March 8th, 2026. See google form for details.
Link to Poetry Contest Submission: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrjsabGOyuxhd86kkcQd68udc6KRd-Pd2ZYRlHOeL5CercrQ/viewform?usp=header
Submit Photos for DRES Yearbook
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Do you have photos you want to submit to the DRES yearbook?
Upload your photos using the Lifetouch community upload site and enter our school’s unique school code DRES-DRAGONS-26-26.
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Student Experience Survey
 Hello DRES 3rd-6th grade families,
Soon our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 3-6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 23, and Friday, March 6. While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in this survey, please complete the opt out information HERE.
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals. Thank you!
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS at the Olympics
- Coaches Making History
- Divisionwide Spirit Day
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 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar
Quick Links
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