Dranesville's Tuesday Connection

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Happy Book Birthday

Happy Book Birthday and congratulations to Ms. WIlliams' authors on the publication of their class cookbook.

During third quarter third grade mathematicians learned about measurement. They applied their knowledge of measuring liquid and mass by helping their families prepare a meal. Students shared a favorite family recipe to create a class cookbook. Students' understanding of measurement and their recipes are both 5 star.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


End of Year Reminders

✔️ Check lost and found located inside of the Door 1 Lobby.

✔️ Check your child's lunch balance.

✔️ Pick up your child's medication from the school clinic.

✔️ Sign up to participate in Dranesville's Summer Reading Program.

✔️ Last Day of School is Wednesday, June 17th. Dismissal is at 2:05 PM.


Let's Finish Strong

100% Presence Every Dragon, Every Day

Day 158 Attendance Update

Dranesville's chronic absentee rate as of the 158th day of school is 7.0%. Without IPFIT, our chronic absentee rate would be 9.3%. On the 158th day of school in the 25-25 school year, our chronic absentee rate was 11.0%. On the 158th day of school in the 23-24 school year our chronic absentee rate was 7.2%.

 

Based on the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) School Performance and Support Framework, Readiness is a vital component of school success. In elementary schools, Readiness accounts for 10% of a school’s total performance rating. Within that category, student attendance is the primary metric.

Consistent attendance is a critical pillar of school readiness. Research shows that missing as few as two days a month, just 10% of the school year, can significantly impact academic growth. Students who reach this threshold for any reason are considered "chronically absent."

Our students only have 18 days left in the 2026-2027 school year. Every one of these remaining days is an opportunity for students to firm up their foundation of learning in preparation for next school year. Every day of school through our last day, June 17th, counts.

Thank you for your partnership in prioritizing your child's daily attendance.


Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance

it’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.

Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer. 

If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year


2026-2027 Family Class Placement Input

If your child will be attending Dranesville next school year, we offer you the opportunity to share any comments you would like regarding class placements. If you know that your family will not be joining us for the 2026–2027 school year, please reach out to Mrs. Agana at amagana@fcps.edu or 703-326-5200 to let us know.

Our staff will be working on tentative class groupings this spring, with classroom assignments finalized the week of August 17, 2026. As we make these placements, we consider many factors, including individual student strengths, needs, and services, as well as teacher and family input. Every classroom community will be inclusive of students with diverse strengths and needs. Due to the many factors we must consider when creating classroom placements (including teacher staffing), requests for a specific teacher cannot be honored.

Family Class Placement Input Due June 5th


Dranesville's Summer Reading Program

Summer Reading

Dranesville Summer Reading: Wild Robot, Wishtree, A Boy Called Bat, One and Only Ivan, Wonder, Crossover, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Earlier this school year, we presented our students with an exciting challenge: we asked our Dragons to read 6 or 7 books between October and December. Our students delivered, our Principal was taped to a wall to celebrate, and our students kept reading.

We watched an incredible transformation happen in our classrooms and across our school. Students went from being reluctant readers to confident readers. As they continued reading, our Dragons developed their vocabulary, expanded their comprehension, and sparked a genuine excitement about reading.

We are so proud of that growth, and we are committed to continuing to nurture our readers as a community of readers. To keep that momentum going, Dranesville Elementary School invites all rising Kindergarten through Sixth-grade students to participate in our Summer Reading Program.

📋 How to Participate

  1. 💡 Connect: Please talk with your child about our reading challenge and look over the book choices together.

  2. 📝 Select: Submit the online form to select the book that your child//family will be reading this summer and let us know how you will access the book.

  3.  ⏰ Complete: Please finish your reading by Open House on Friday, August 21st.

We are looking forward to celebrating 100% participation of Dranesville's Summer Reading Challenge.


Reporting Preliminary SOL Scores (All)

OSARA and Information Technology (IT) staff are loading preliminary SOL scores for grade 3-8 and end-of-course (EOC) tests into SIS Test History. 

  • For SOL grade 3-8 tests, beginning May 6, scores will be visible in SIS ParentVUE, StudentVUE, and TeacherVUE every Wednesday and Friday.
  • For SOL EOC tests, loads occur each Monday and Friday beginning May 1. Each score loaded reflects scores received
  • In the event of an irregularity resulting in a score being removed by VDOE, the central process will remove the score from SIS Test History, so it is no longer reported in the student record. 

As a reminder, some SOL forms are not yet equated by VDOE, which means that some scores will be delayed. Score delays are normal and expected for the following:

  • Gr 5 Science
  • Gr 8 Science
  • All EOC tests (including Algebra 1)

Expanding Learning Opportunities for All Students

Student on her laptop

At Dranesville Elementary School, we're committed to providing every student with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive both during the school year and over the summer.   

This summer, all students will be allowed to check out a technology device that will support continued growth. 

This will ensure continued access to tools such as ST Math and Benchmark Universe that allow students to work at their own pace and level. Programs like these adapt to each child's needs, providing extra support in areas where they're building skills and advancing them when they're ready for more challenges. This opportunity will allow students to continue their personalized learning at home, to develop digital literacies and important routines around managing their technology. 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Paulina Hidalgo at 703-326-5236 if you would like your child to check out their FCPS laptop this summer.


Digital Tools to Support Student Learning

Lexia Core 5
Digital Tools

Students have access to a robust suite of digital resources for learning across the content areas. Here is information about resources by grade level that can support learning aligned to the curriculum both in the classroom and at home. 


New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1

On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.

This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell. 


Prepare Now:

Order Your Child's 2026-2027 School Supplies

School Supplies

Get a head start on the 2026-2027 school year by pre-purchasing your child’s school supplies online! School supplies will be delivered to Dranesville. They will be available for pickup during Open House, Friday August 21, 2026 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

Click here to order your child's school supplies.


Calendar Reminders

May 5 - June 6: Standards of Learning Assessments for Grades 3 through 6

May 26: Teacher Workday | No School

May 27: Holiday | No School | SACC Closed

June 4: Spring Music Concert Strings 6:00 PM Band and Chorus 7:00 PM

June 11: Fairfax 250 Dranesville Elementary School  Picnic 5:00 - 7:00 PM

June 12: Out of the Box Day

June 15: Career Day

June 17: Last Day of School | 2 Hour Early Release 2:05 PM

August 19: Family Resource Night 4:00 - 6:00 PM

August 20: PTA Back to School Party 5:00 - 7:00 PM

August 21: Open House 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

August 24: First Day of School

September 3: Back to School Night 6:00 - 7:30 PM

25-26 School Year Calendar

25-26 SACC Calendar