Daniels Run ES- March 27, 2026


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A Note from the Principal

Dear Daniels Run families,

I hope you had a wonderful week! It’s hard to believe we are already wrapping up the third quarter of the school year.

We are proud to share that Kylie Horn has been recognized as the Region 5 New Teacher of the Year! Ms. Horn, a second-grade teacher and Daniels Run alumna, represents the very best of our community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

As we head into spring break, I wish all of our families a relaxing and enjoyable week filled with beautiful weather and quality time together. Students will return to school on Tuesday, April 7. That day, we will also hold our SOAR celebration assemblies to recognize the many kind acts demonstrated by our Daniels Run Dragons.

Looking ahead, our wonderful PTA will be hosting the Spring Book Fair beginning April 13. The fair will be open late on Wednesday, April 15, and we are excited that staff members will be serving as ice cream scoopers from 4:00–6:00 PM that evening—a fun event you won’t want to miss!

Speaking of the PTA, they are currently seeking a treasurer for next year. If you would like to help ensure that beloved events like Bingo Night continue, please consider getting involved. If you are interested, please contact the PTA and see the flyer below for more information.

As a reminder from our office staff, if you need to pick your child up early from school, please plan to do so by 3:15 PM. After this time, the office becomes very busy with our regular dismissal procedures, and our staff needs to focus on ensuring a safe and smooth dismissal for all students. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

 

Have a fantastic spring break!

 

Warm regards,

Susan Mullen, Principal


Upcoming Dates

March 27: End of 3rd Quarter- 2 Hour Early Dismissal at 1:45pm

March 30- April 3: Spring Break- No School

April 6: Teacher Work Day- No School for Students

April 10: School Planning Day- No School for Students

April 10: Kindergarten Parent Information Session at 9-11am

April 10: Community Clean Up Event at 9-12pm

April 15: PTA Ice Cream Scoop Night at 4-6pm in the Cafeteria

April 15: PTA Meeting at 6:15pm in the Art Room

April 13-17: BOGO Book Fair

April 21: VA Statewide Election Day- No School for Students


spring break

Spring Break

🌷 Schools and school offices will be closed March 30 to April 3 for spring break. Monday, April 6, is a teacher work day and there will be no school for students. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! See the complete school year calendar


Elementary Early Release Wednesday Update for April

Tuesday, April 21, is now a teacher workday and staff development day because of a recently announced special election that will impact all FCPS schools.

Students will now have a traditional full day of instruction and be released at the regular dismissal time on April 22 and April 29, which were previously early release Wednesdays for elementary schools.

This adjustment allows our staff to still have dedicated time for planning, collaboration, and professional learning without reducing instructional time on other school days.

Read Dr. Reid’s letter to elementary parents for more details.


Congratulations to Ms. Kylie Horn!

Ms. Kylie Horn has been recognized as the Region 5 New Teacher of the Year 

Kylie New Teacher Award

Reno Review

Daniels Run ES families: Join us for a virtual renovation update on Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Meet with the superintendent and renovation team to hear project updates, see progress, and ask questions.

The meeting link will be shared soon.


 PTA News

BOGO BOOK FAIR- April 13-17th

Check it out and click on the link below:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/danielsrunelementaryschool

 

Book Fair Schedule

Monday 10am-3:45pm(classes will shop)

Tuesday 10am-3:45pm ( classes will shop)

Wednesday 8:45am-3:45pm (classes will shop)

Wednesday 4-6pm( Family Book Fair Night)

Wednesday 4-6pm(PTA Ice Cream Social- Cafeteria, get a scoop on us!)

Thursday 10am-3:45pm(classes will shop)

Friday 8:45am-12pm(classes will shop)

 

We need VOLUNTEERS to run a successful bookfair- VOLUNTEER HERE: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A45ABAE23A75-63173841-daniels

Questions? Email Beth @ drepresident@gmail.com

Book Fair 2026Book Fair 2026 Spanish

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

We Need you

Trex Challenge- Goal Reached!

Thank you to everyone who sent in plastic for the Recycle Beyond the Bag program. We have reached our goal and will be receiving a bench from Trex! No more plastic bags are needed here at school!

The plastic that you collected for this program can still be deposited at any location that plastic bags are collected, such as Giant, Safeway and Goodwill.  If you would like some help finding a local center that collects this type of plastic, please reach out to Megan Oris mloris@fcps.edu 

trex challenge goal reached

Science Lab Request

The Science Lab would love the following materials replenished:

  • Paper towel tubes
  • Toilet paper tubes
  • Cereal boxes (please collapse)
  • Cardboard egg cartons

Materials can be dropped off at the science lab door. Thank you in advance!


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

Spring Clean

raptor

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!


sol dates 2026

SOL Test Schedule

  • 3rd Grade Reading: May 6th 
  • 3rd Grade Math: May 12th
  • 4th Grade Reading: May 5th 
  • 4th Grade Math: May 15th
  • 5th Grade Writing: March 19th 
  • 5th Grade Reading: May 7th
  • 5th Grade Math: May 14th 
  • 5th Grade Science: May 19th
  • 6th Grade Reading: May 4th
  • 6th Grade Math: May 11th 
  • 6th Grade Algebra: May 18th

Music News

UPCOMING MUSIC EVENTS:

April is a very big month of music concerts.  Please mark these on your calendar:

Sat,, 4/11:  Fairfax Pyramid Stringapalooza

Wed, 4/22:  Strings Spring Concert Rehearsal (during school) 

Thurs, 4/23 Strings Spring Concert in evening

Mon, 4/27:  Band Spring Concert Rehearsal in the gym (during school)

Tues, 4/28:  Band Spring Concert in the gym (upper grades attend afternoon concert) & evening concert

Thurs, 4/30: Chorus Spring Evening Concert  (6:30pm)

Fri, 5/1:  Chorus Spring Concerts in the café (morning, during school)

Summer choir

SUMMER MUSIC 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.


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.

Kinder Informationkindergarten information spanish

Submit Photos for DRES Yearbook

Yearbook pics

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.


FHS Soccer Clinic April

⚽ 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 

girls soccer

Arbor Day Celebration

Provide the County Government With Feedback on its Budget

About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget and considering possible adjustments before adoption in May. Opportunities to provide feedback to the county include Budget Town Hall Meetings airing on Channel 16 on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m., (Springfield District) and Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m., (Franconia District).

You can also provide your input during the county’s Budget public hearings on Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m. at the Government Center Board Auditorium. Register in advance to speak

Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn more about the county’s FY 2027 Budget.


2026 Special Education Family Conference banner

2026 Special Education Family Conference

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School

Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.

Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.


Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

Dr. Reid high-fives student

As a listening leader, 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. on: 

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.


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).

community peersCommunity peers (Span)

TJ TwistTJ Twist (Span)

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • School Weather Safety
  • Science Fair Winners
  • Summer Internships at FCPS

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

mar_apr26

FCPS 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar


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