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A Note from the Principal
Dear Families,
Last night, our halls were filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of the world during our "This Is Us" International Night. It was a truly spectacular evening dedicated to food, culture, and community. I am incredibly proud of the more than 80 students who took to the stage to perform, showcasing both their own heritage and the traditions of others. We want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to organize such a vibrant and memorable celebration.
As you plan your upcoming week, please keep in mind that Friday, March 20th is a school holiday. We hope our students and staff enjoy the well-deserved break and the long weekend!
Fairfax City is an extraordinary community, and that spirit was on full display during our Read Across America Day on March 6th. While we highlighted some of our guests last week, I want to ensure every individual who shared their love of reading with our students is properly recognized.
First, we must share a massive "Rock Star" thank you to our librarian, Amanda Irons, for her tireless work in coordinating the week’s festivities. We also want to express our deepest gratitude to our partners from across the city and county. From City of Fairfax Schools, we were joined by Superintendent Dustin Wright, Assistant Superintendent Dan Philips, and Board Member Amit Hickman. Representing Fairfax County Public Schools were Superintendent Michelle Reid and Board Member Kyle McDaniels.
Our local heroes from the City of Fairfax Police and Fire departments were also out in full force, including Chief of Police Raul Pedroso, Fire Chief John O’Neal, and team members Brock Rutter, Andrew Hawkins, Kevin Bartechko, Chuck Mills, and Janet Jaworski. We were further honored by the presence of our local leadership, including Mayor Catherine Read and Council Members Rachel McQuillen, Billy Bates, Stacy Hall, and Anthony Amos. We also thank Assistant City Manager Melanie Zipp, Former Mayor David Meyer, and Chief Deputy Treasurer Becky McNaughton for their support.
The connection with our local schools remains strong, and we were thrilled to welcome Fairfax High School Principal Georgina Aye, Assistant Principal Troy Ketch, and former FHS coach and City School Board Member, Mitch Sutterfield.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated community members who gave their time: Joyce Holden, Katie MacCammon, Erin Dreyfuss, Wendy Forstall, Zoya Lucas, Kathy Shankle, Christie He, Kelsey Hunt, Tyler Murray, Danielle Heffron, and Chris Todd. Your willingness to share a story made the day deeply meaningful for our students. We truly appreciate your partnership.
Warmest regards,
Susan Mullen, Principal
"This is Us"- International Night
Upcoming Dates
March 20: Eid-al-Fitr Holiday- No School
March 24: Spring Picture Day
March 25: 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday (Dismissal at 12:45pm)
March 27: End of 3rd Quarter- 2 Hour Early Dismissal
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
April 10: Community Clean Up Event at 9-12pm
April 21: Student Holiday (VA Statewide Election)
April 29: 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday (Dismissal at 12:45pm)
April Statewide Election: No School for Students
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.
A Note From Our PTA
Dear DRE Families,
As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, the DRE PTA Nominating Committee is working to identify parents and caregivers who are interested in serving in leadership and support roles for next year.
The DRE PTA plays an important role in our school by supporting student programs, community events, teacher appreciation efforts, and many activities that make Daniels Run Elementary such a special place for our students and families. In order for the PTA to continue this work, we rely on volunteers who are willing to step into leadership and support roles each year.
We understand that stepping into a PTA leadership role can feel like a big commitment. Several current board members, including our president, are happy to stay involved next year to mentor and support new volunteers as they learn the roles. Most positions are collaborative and the time commitment is often much smaller than people expect.
At this stage, we are simply looking for parents who are open to having a conversation with the Nominating Committee to learn more about the roles and how they help support Daniels Run Elementary. You do not need prior PTA experience to explore these opportunities.
If you are interested in learning more or would like to talk through how you might be able to help, please contact the Nominating Committee at drenominatingcommittee@gmail.com
Even a brief conversation can help us ensure a strong leadership team for next year.
Thank you for considering how you might help support the future of the DRE PTA. Our school community is strongest when many families are involved.
Warm regards,
DRE PTA Nominating Committee
Daniels Run Spirit Wear is Back!
Show your school pride in style and support your PTA at the same time! With every purchase, a portion of sales goes directly to your PTA! Browse the latest spirit wear styles for students, parents, and staff. Enjoy FREE school delivery on orders placed from March 5th through March 19th!
Community Clean Up Event
Roll up your sleeves and join us for our Community Clean-Up Event on Friday, April 10th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Daniels Run! This is a fantastic opportunity for families to come together and help prepare our gardens and school grounds for spring.
It’s also a day of hands-on learning; you can participate in interactive sessions to learn more about composting, assist in planting a new tree, and even sharpen your nature skills by learning how to identify the various tree species that reside in our city.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just looking to give back, we’d love to see your family there helping our local environment bloom.
This is a family event. Students may not attend without someone 18 years or older.
This event is weather dependent.
A schedule will be shared as the date gets closer.
Families that would like to participate must register through the sign-up genius and complete the level 1 or level 2 volunteer form. See link below:
https://volunteer.fcps.edu/custom/501/opp_details/3076
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Visitor Reminder
When you visit our school, please sign in using our new Raptor system and don’t forget to sign out when you leave. This helps us keep everyone safe and make sure everyone in the building is accounted for.
We also ask that all visitors exit through Door 1 after signing out. Thank you for helping us keep our school safe!
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SOL Test Schedule
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3rd Grade Reading: May 6th
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3rd Grade Math: May 12th
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4th Grade Reading: May 5th
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4th Grade Math: May 15th
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5th Grade Writing: March 19th
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5th Grade Reading: May 7th
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5th Grade Math: May 14th
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5th Grade Science: May 19th
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6th Grade Reading: May 4th
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6th Grade Math: May 11th
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6th Grade Algebra: May 18th
Music News
MUSIC NEWS:
🎵 Congratulations to the 80 students who performed, displayed their artwork or hosted a table in the This is Us: A Night of Cultural Celebration.
🎵 The March Musician of the Month is world-famous South African singer Miriam Makeba. She was known as Mama Afrika & sang Afropop, jazz & world music. She was the first African to singer to receive a Grammy Award. She was also known for speaking out against apartheid and racism everywhere.
SUMMER OPPORTUNTIES:
🎵 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 parent information session 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.
 
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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⚽ Girls Soccer Clinic at Fairfax High – April 10
Fairfax High School Girls Soccer is offering an upcoming clinic for players ages 7–14. Participants will work on ball skills, footwork, strategy, teamwork, and enjoy fun games and scrimmages. Full-Day Clinic (April 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., $85) For more information or to register visit http://www.givebutter.com/futurelionsgirlssoccer
Phones Off, Learning On
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students focus, learn, and engage. When students put their phones away, they have more face-to-face interactions with their peers and teachers and more opportunities to develop resilience and problem-solving skills. Please remind your child that:
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Cell phones and personal devices (earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
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Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our front office at 703-279-8400 Visit our cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Family Engagement Survey to Open March 9
FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open through Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment.
- Communication.
- Student success.
- Advocacy.
- Family and school partnerships.
- Community partnerships.
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
Connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
2026 Special Education Family Conference: Rescheduled
FCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.
 
Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors, ages 6 weeks to 4 years, living in Fairfax County.
- Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30 of the same year.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at the program office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
 
 
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Family Engagement Survey
- Student Honors
- County Seeking Budget Input
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
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