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September 24, 2026
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Save the Date for
Fall Picture Day!
October 1st, 2026
Pictures will be available to purchase approximately two weeks after photo day. You can pre-order a package online now at Victor O'Neill Studios
Questions about ordering? underclass@vosphoto.com
Re-takes will be November 10th
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Fun Fit Fridays!
October 2nd - December 4th
We are excited to begin using our Deer Park track again for our morning community building each week.
As part of our wellness initiative, we invite you and your child(ren) to Fun Fit Friday. Students in all grade levels (PS-6) are welcome to participate, as well as parents and teachers!
Fun Fit Friday will meet on Friday mornings from 8:10 - 8:30 AM beginning on Friday, October 2nd and run through Friday, December 4th. We will then resume in March.
If it is raining or the track surroundings are too muddy, then we will cancel for that Friday. There will be communication sent out the morning of by 7:45 a.m.
Hope to see you on the track!
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Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day!
October 7th
Remember the thrill of riding a bike for the first time or walking or rolling to school on the first day? There’s a feeling of joy and independence—a sense of adventure—that doesn’t fade. Of course, there are many other benefits to walking, biking or rolling to school, too.
Healthier Habits
Active trips to school enable children to incorporate the regular physical activity they need each day while also forming healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Regular physical activity helps children build strong bones, muscles and joints, and it decreases the risk of obesity. In contrast, insufficient physical activity can contribute to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke.
Join the fun by walking, biking or rolling to school on October 7th. Ms. Marco will be at the front door to greet students and tally up our participants!
Deer Park ES Highlights and Progress Report
2025-2026
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Student Demographics and Attendance
Chronic Absence Enrollment, down from 61 students in 2024-25 to 42 students in 2025-26.
Attendance decline from 12.6% to 8.2%
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Multilingual Learners Progress (MLs)
WIDA Best Plan provided incentives and consistent instruction.
ESOL Teachers met built into schedule (no interruption to Tier 1).
Students knew goals, understood the WIDA test and were motivated
Overall WIDA progress from 54.4% to 76.7%
Students reaching English Proficiency:
6.1% to 19.3%
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Math Intervention & SOL Scores
HITs were a huge asset for math intervention.
Additional Funding: Before-School Math Program
77% SOL Pass Rate (Participants)
Math SOL Scores: 72% up to 77%
Pass Advance Rate:
6% up to 12%
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Reading SOL Scores
Reading SOL scores increased by 3%
68% to 72%
Pass Advance Rate was 13%
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Discipline Referral Summary
144 Reported Discipline Incidents; 66 students received referrals.
38% in the Classroom
15% at Recess
8% in the Cafeteria
39% - other
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Social-Emotional Well-Being (SEL)
92% Favorable scores for Supportive Relationships!
Advanced Academic Information
Twice Exceptional Students
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.
More information is available on the FCPS website.
For questions, please contact Kim Verazin @ kmverazin@fcps.edu
AAP Parent Information Night
October 7th
Families are invited to attend the AAP information meeting on the AAP Continuum of Services and Full-Time AAP Identification led by Kimberly Verazin, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) on October 7th at 5:00 p.m. in the Deer Park library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students and the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Deadline to submit Full-Time AAP referral forms – December 15th, 2026
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
ParentVue Update
New ParentVUE Mobile App
A new ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVue app here. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
Hopes and Dreams
During Back to School Night, we distributed a family Hopes and Dreams sheet. This is designed for parents to write their own hopes and dreams for their child. We welcome them to be written in your preferred home language. Students can receive more than one if multiple members of the family want to participate. Completed forms can be returned any time. They can be returned in an envelope to the Literacy Team, included in the Thursday folder, dropped off with the teacher or office. All forms will come to the Literacy team regardless of how they are turned in. If you were unable to attend or need additional copies, please email sjjennings@fcps.edu and the copies will be sent home for you.
Stephanie Jennings
Deer Park Elementary
Reading Specialist
Attendance Matters
Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School
School is better when your child is here! But we do understand that some days, they may feel unwell. Learn more about which symptoms are ok at school (like sneezing or sniffles), and when your child should stay home (if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, for example).
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify the school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let them know how long you think they will be out.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Movie Night - Tomorrow!
Friday, September 25th at 6:00 PM
NO Outside Food Allowed. Pre-order consessions at this link:
PTA Movie Night! with our new Zeffy system. Every dollar comes back to Deer Park - No fees taken.
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Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Admission is FREE !
Bring your pillows, blankets, stuffies and an adult chaperone!
Pre-order concessions and whole pizza for movie night here our new Zeffy system.
zeffy.deer-park-movie-night
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After School Clubs
Registration is open for all Fall Clubs. Click the link for details. Clubs meet starting the week of October 6 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Baroody Camps/Cooking Club: https://bc-ffx-deerpark.jumbula.com/
Creative Kids Club/Art Club: peaceloveandpaint.com
Baroody Camps/Minecraft Club: https://bc-ffx-deerpark.jumbula.com/
Fun Run Registration
Fundraiser Kickoff - September 30th
Event day - October 9th
It’s time! You can sign up your student for our Deer Park Fun Run! Our goal is to raise $25,000 for providing hands-on, screenless classroom tools for interactive learning and subsidizing field trip transit costs so every single student can participate. Signing up is easy and comes with a fun prize for your student!
Thank you for being a part of our Deer Park Elementary community and helping us make a difference for our students. We are grateful for your support! Follow our social pages for fun progress updates in the coming weeks.
Sign up on MyBooster.com
Need help signing up? View Video instructions here.
Our school is working toward a BIG goal and Great Wolf Lodge wants to celebrate with us! Registered families will have the chance to earn some awesome rewards. Log in to mybooster.com today and share your student’s donation page with your whole pack. Just for receiving their first donation, students can earn their very own Wolf Ears!
Key Dates to Remember:
Fundraiser Kickoff in School - 9/30/2026
Event Day - 10/9/2026
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Charleston Wrap
We are half way through our fundraiser with Charleston Wrap® – and we need YOUR help! To reach our goals and make this fundraiser a success, we need everyone to do their part. Luckily, it’s super easy!
Register here - Using school id - 26166 and put your order in today!
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Brick Fundraiser
Be a permanent part of our school’s history with the Deer Park Elementary Brick Fundraiser. Your personalized brick will be displayed on school grounds for years to come, creating a lasting "pathway" of support.
Find out more and how to order:
DP PTA Design your Brick!
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Membership
Yearly Membership renewal for 2026-2027 school year is open! Your annual membership gives the PTA the ability to help kids dream big — even yours! And the best part? No extra obligations required! Let's Get You Signed up for the PTA!
Spirit Wear and Spirit Days
Spirit Wear Store is open online. Grab some spiritwear for the school year!
Click here to order! Email pta.deerparkes@gmail.com if there is something you would like to see as an option.
Girl Scouts
You're invited to our Girl Scout Recruitment Event! Thursday, October 1st from 6:00-7:15 p.m. in the Deer Park Cafeteria. Questions? megankdurst@gmail.com
Sponsors
A huge thank you to our sponsors for Deer Park! Your support is greatly appreciated as we move towards our goals for the school! Want to be a sponsor? click here for more information.
Mt. Kim Martial Arts and After School
Card My Yard Centreville
Victory Martial Arts
BOWA
Centreville Aquarium
DJ Bounce
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Upcoming Dates |
September
25 - PTA Movie Night - 6:00 PM
October
1 - Fall Picture Day
1 - Preschool Picnic - 5:00-6:30 p.m. Next to small playground in back.
1 - PTA Fun Run Fundraiser through October 16th
2 - First Fun Fit Friday - 8:10 a.m on the track
2 - Westfield Homecoming Parade - 4:00 p.m.
7 - Walk, Roll and Bike to School day
7 - Advanced Academics Parent Information Meeting - 5:00 p.m.
9 - PTA Domino's Night
12 - Student Holiday/School Planning Day for Staff
21 - Early Release Wednesday - 3 hr Early Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.
23 - PTA Fall Festival
30 - 1st Quarter Ends / 2 hr Early Dismisal at 1:25 p.m.
November
2 and 3 - Teacher Workdays / No School for students
10 - Fall Picture Make-Up Day
11 - PTA Meeting - 6:30 p.m. Deer Park Library and Virtual
19 - Bucky's Bash - During your child's scheduled lunchtime
25 - 27 - Thanksgiving Break / No School
Contacts
Bob D'Amato, Principal: rjdamato@fcps.edu
Heather Hitz, Assistant Principal: hahitz@fcps.edu
Laurie Holmberg, Administrative Assistant: laholmberg@fcps.edu
Laura Zirzow, Student Information Assistant: lezirzow@fcps.edu
Lynn Heick, Office Assistant: lmheick@fcps.edu
Jessica Arevalo, Parent Liaison: jmarevalo@fcps.edu
Attendance line: deerparkelem.attendance@fcps.edu
Attendance voicemail: 703-802-5011
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