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Strong Focused Kindergarten Writer
Patriot Day Friday, September 11th
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With the upcoming 25th anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks. |
On the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we remember and honor the victims, families, heroes, and survivors of 9/11, and the courage and determination of our nation's first responders. We invite all members of our school community to wear red, white, and blue show on Friday, September 11, 2026 to show our love and respect for #NeverForget
❤️🤍💙
Limited 3-Hour Early Release Days
Early release Wednesdays will start in late September 2026. Each elementary school will have a total of four early release days throughout the school year. Lunch will be provided on early release Wednesdays.
Early release Wednesdays for Dranesville Elementary School:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
If you have not yet, please submit this form to confirm your dismissal plan for your child on these four early release Wednesdays.
Families, Thank You for Volunteering!
Whether you are serving as a chaperone for a field trip or lending a hand in the cafeteria, volunteers are tremendously support of our school programming and student success. If you are interested in volunteering at Dranesville, please sign up here to complete the application process.
If you need assistance or would like to confirm your volunteer application status, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Erika MacVicar by phone 703-326-5200 or email emacvicar@fcps.edu.
Student ID Cards for Dranesville Bus Riders
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ID cards have been distributed to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.
ID cards should be worn or attached to your child’s backpack and brought to the bus each day. We will hold them during the day, then return them to students for their bus trip home./Ask your child to put their student ID card away until the end of the day.
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Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers are checking in students and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your child’s bus.
If your child’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at (703) 249-7100 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Families
Thank you for working with your students on arrival and dismissal routines. Please read the information below carefully.
We will be collecting information about how students get home on Friday at Open House. If there is a dismissal change, please our main office team at 703-326-5200 as early in the day as possible and before 3:00 PM.
- K - 6 Bus Riders enter and exit Door 1
- K- 6 Walkers enter and exit Door 7
- Kindergarten Kiss and Ride students enter and exit Door 5
Important Message about Kiss and Ride
If you drive your student to school, it is important that you use the new Kiss and Ride lane located in the parking lot off of Powells Tavern. Students are to remain in the car until 9:05 AM when staff are present to welcome them. Students are to exit the car from curbside. This is critical for the safety and supervision of your student.
Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE
Are you working your way through back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find important forms and updates.
- Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in ParentVUE. To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
- Submit daylong absences by clicking “Report Absence.”
If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Parent Digital Consent
Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Opt In or Out to Student Devices Being Sent Home for Grades 1-6
New this year, families can opt out of having student laptops sent home with their student.
- If you do not want your student to bring their FCPS-issued device home, please toggle the Opt Out button to a check mark and confirm by pressing Save Selection.
- If you would like your student to bring their FCPS device home, no toggle action is needed. Confirm by pressing Save Selection.
Students whose families opt out will continue to have access to an FCPS-issued device during the school day. Please reach out to your student’s teacher to understand expectations for homework and any learning activities that may require access to technology outside of the school day.
School-Wide Agreements
Our school-wide agreements are grounded in Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills that students need to succeed in school and life.
At Dranesville:
- We will consider the feelings of others when communicating by using respectful words.
- We will be responsible by taking ownership of our learning and community.
- We will be caring by listening to, learning about, and valuing others.
These agreements support a positive learning environment for all members of our school community.
To reinforce these agreements at home, consider these questions:
- How did you show respect for others today?
- Did you take responsibility for your actions?
- How did you demonstrate care for others?
By engaging in these conversations, you can help your child develop the skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.
Student Rights & Responsibilities
As we kick off the new school year, we are committed to partnering with families to foster a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment for every student. Please review the important district policies, school expectations, and required forms below.
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The Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document outlines behavioral expectations, rights, and responsibilities for all Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students. It helps ensure consistent, fair, and positive learning environments across FCPS. You can review the full document and guidelines on the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities page. |
Key Policy Focus: Cell Phones & Personal Devices
To promote student focus, social interaction, and a distraction-free learning environment, FCPS enforces clear expectations regarding personal electronic devices (including cell phones, smartwatches, and headphones):
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Off and Away: Personal devices must be turned off/silenced and put away throughout the entire school day.
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Focus on Learning: Keeping devices away helps students stay fully engaged with their teachers, peers, and classroom activities.
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Accommodations: Exceptions are made for documented medical needs or approved IEP/504 plans.
We encourage families to talk with their children at home about these device expectations.
Action Required: SR&R Acknowledgement Form
Every school year, parents and guardians are required to review the SR&R document with their child and submit the official acknowledgment form.
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Due Date: September 30th
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How to Submit: Sign electronically via ParentVUE or complete and return a paper copy to the main office.
For additional insights and context on school guidelines and district expectations, please take a moment to watch this video resource.
Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15
The Advanced Academic Program (AAP) fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3 to 8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time AAP services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to [AART Name], Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at [AART email] by Thursday, October 15. Late referrals will not be accepted.
For students who are not new to FCPS, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2 to 7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by Tuesday, December 15.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.
Other Advanced Academic Services
At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.
At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.
For more information, please contact Tracey Jenkins, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at tljenkins1@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
AAP Fall Newsletter English | AAP Fall Newsletter Spanish
Join our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher on the following evenings to learn about Advanced Academics Services:
September 17: AAP Family Information Meeting Introduction to AAP and Continuum of Services
October 15: AAP Family Information Meeting Understanding Full-Time AAP Screening Process
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Calendar Reminders
September 8: Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus Begins
September 11: Patriot Day ❤️🤍💙
September 16: PTA Meeting 6:00-8:00 PM
September 17: Advanced Academics Levels of Service 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
September 17: FLE Parent Preview Night 5:30 PM
September 21: Yom Kippur School and Office Closed
September 30: Three-Hour Early Release Dismissal 1:05 PM
October 12 - School Planning Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Student Holiday
October 14: Celebration of Community, Culture. Language & Literacy 6:00-7:30 PM
October 15: AAP Full-time Meeting 6:00-7:00 PM
October 30: 1st Quarter Ends Two-Hour Early Release Dismissal 2:05 PM
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