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A Note from the Principal
Dear Daniels Run Families,
What a wonderful start to the 2026–27 school year! This week, we welcomed close to 750 Dragons through our doors, and it has been so much fun seeing familiar faces, meeting new students and families, and watching our hallways come back to life. There is nothing quite like the energy and excitement of the first week of school!
We were also fortunate to have some special community partners help us welcome students on the first day. A huge thank you to the City of Fairfax Police Department for being here to greet our Dragons. We were especially pleased to welcome Fairfax City Police Chief Raul Pedroso and Acting Fire Chief Shawn Dunstan. It was wonderful for our students to see firsthand the strong partnership we have with the City of Fairfax and to meet some of the community helpers they learn about in school.
As we settle into our routines, I have a few important reminders and updates for families.
FCPS-Issued Devices
Beginning this school year, students should use only FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day, in accordance with a new School Board requirement. Personal devices, including smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and laptops, may only be used when required as part of an approved IEP or Section 504 accommodation. We appreciate your partnership as we help students adjust to this new expectation.
Lunch with Your Child
We love having our families visit Daniels Run, and we know that joining your child for lunch can be a special experience. During these first few weeks, however, we ask families to hold off on lunch visits while our students and teachers establish routines and build classroom and cafeteria communities. For some students, separating from a loved one after a lunchtime visit can also be difficult during these first weeks of transition.
Beginning September 22, families are welcome to join their child for lunch. When visiting, please remember that food may not be shared with other students due to food allergies and dietary restrictions. Thank you for helping us keep all of our Dragons safe.
New Bus Tags
Beginning Monday, students who ride the bus will start receiving bus tags. This new system is designed to help us better account for students as they travel to and from school. Students should bring their tags with them on the bus each morning, and we will make sure they have them for their ride home each afternoon.
As with any new system, we expect there will be a short transition period as everyone gets accustomed to the process. If your child rides the bus and has not yet received a tag, please do not worry. We are still receiving the materials needed to print additional tags here at school. Once the system is fully up and running, every bus rider will have one. We appreciate your patience as we get this new process in place.
PTA Meeting and Membership
Our first PTA meeting of the school year will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 1, at 7:30 p.m. We encourage all families to join the PTA and become involved in our school community.
Save the Date: Back to School Night and PTA Family Picnic
Please mark your calendars for Thursday, September 17. Back to School Night will take place from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., and our PTA Family Picnic will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
City of Fairfax Construction Reminder
As a reminder, the City of Fairfax continues its roadwork on Blenheim Boulevard. Work is scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., so we do not anticipate it interfering with our regular arrival and dismissal times. If you are coming to school during the day for a late arrival, early dismissal, volunteer opportunity, or other visit, please allow a little extra travel time.
Thank you to our students, families, and staff for making our first week such a positive one. I hope everyone enjoys a relaxing weekend.
Warm regards,
Susan Mullen
Principal
Upcoming Dates
September 1: First PTA Meeting at 7:30pm (Virtual)
September 4: Friday Labor Day Holiday- No School
September 7: Labor Day Holiday- No School
September 17: Back to School Night and PTA Family Picnic at 5:00pm
September 21: Yom Kippur Holiday- No School
October 2: Fall Picture Day
October 6: PTA Meeting at 7:30pm (In-person)
October 9: Field Day
October 12: Indigenous Peoples' Day- Student Holiday
Student ID Cards for Daniels Run ES Bus Riders
We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.
Student ID cards will be distributed to students by their classroom teacher on Monday, August 31st.
ID cards should be worn or attached to your child’s backpack and brought to the bus each day. Ask your child to put their student ID card away in their backpack until the end of each school day.
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.
Kiss & Ride Procedures 2026-27
Please review the Kiss & Ride policies with your children and all potential drivers to avoid confusion. The safety of our children is our primary goal. If all drivers cooperate, we can accomplish a safe and efficient Kiss & Ride process.
General Kiss & Ride procedures
- Proceed through the parking lot one way, in a single lane.
- Do not pass other vehicles in the Kiss & Ride line for ANY reason.
- Cars enter and remain in a single line through the entire Kiss and Ride loop
- Pull as far forward in the marked Kiss & Ride station as possible.
- Load and unload students from the passenger side of the vehicle; children should NOT cross in front or between vehicles; adult assistance will be available for younger students if necessary.
- Drivers, do not exit your vehicle while at the Kiss & Ride drop-off or loading station. Staff and safety patrols will assist with car doors.
- Wait in the Kiss & Ride loading/unloading area until signaled to proceed by an adult supervisor.
- Do NOT park in the Kiss & Ride line and leave your car unattended at any time.
Morning Kiss & Ride
- Drop off will begin at 8:45 AM. (Students may not be dropped off before 8:45 AM)
- Students should be ready to exit the vehicle with a backpack and coat on.
- Students may only exit the vehicle in the Drop-Off Zone located anywhere between the red paint.
- Vehicles need to drive all the way up at the direction of a staff member before stopping to let their student out of the vehicle.
Afternoon Kiss & Ride
- Students may enter the vehicle in the Loading Zone located between the red paint. Cones are set out to designate where vehicles can stop.
- If your children are not present at the afternoon Kiss & Ride station when your car arrives, you will be asked to repeat the final loop of the parking lot to keep the line moving. Other cars should yield to these drivers who have been asked to circle around. NOTE: You do not have to exit the parking lot and move to the back of the line.
- Cars parked in the parking lot during the dismissal process must wait until the entire Kiss & Ride line has cleared. Staff personnel will not disrupt the flow of Kiss & Ride traffic to accommodate drivers of parked cars.
- Please pull all the way forward as space allows rather than stopping where you see your child. We will direct your child forward to where your car stops. This allows us to fill more cars at once.
- No one (parents or children) is permitted to walk through the Daniels Run parking lot during the afternoon Kiss & Ride process. Please walk only on the designated walkways circling the parking lot and bus circle. This is for the safety of all, and it avoids setting a bad example for young observers.
- After 4:00 PM, Kiss & Ride staff will be taking any students remaining into the main office. Parents will need to park and come inside to pick them up.
- Be sure all occupants are buckled before you exit the Daniels Run parking lot. All students need to be able to buckle/unbuckle any seat belts independently.
Explore the City Schools Difference
Daniels Run ES is a City of Fairfax school. What does that mean for your student and your family? Explore the unique partnership between the City of Fairfax and FCPS and discover the programs, opportunities and investments that make our schools special. Click here to find out more.
William-Sherwood Path Closed Due to Construction
Dear Families,
We wanted to make you aware of construction that began on Monday, August 3.
As part of the Willard-Sherwood Community Health Center project, the walking path between the Sherwood Center and the Police Station that connects to the Layton Hall Apartments will be closed. This construction zone is expected to remain in place for approximately three years, through Fall 2030.
The sidewalk next to the Willard Health Center along Layton Hall Drive will also be closed during this time.
Please see the attached map for alternative walking routes to and from the area. We encourage families who normally use these paths to plan a little extra travel time while this detour is in place.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as this project moves forward.
About the Project: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Development/Projects/Willard-Sherwood-Health-Community-Center
Sendero William-Sherwood Cerrado Por Obras
Estimadas familias,
Les escribimos para informarles sobre la próxima construcción que comenzará el lunes 3 de agosto como parte del proyecto del Willard-Sherwood Community Health Center. El pequeño camino que conecta el Sherwood Center y la estación de policía con los departamentos de Layton Hall estará cerrado durante aproximadamente tres años, hasta el otoño de 2030.
Además, el pequeño camino al lado del Willard Health Center y Layton Hall Drive también estará cerrado durante este tiempo.
Adjuntamos un mapa con la ruta alternativa que pueden tomar. Les pedimos a las familias que normalmente usan estas rutas que planeen con anticipación y tomen más tiempo mientras estén vigentes los desvíos.
Agradecemos su comprensión y paciencia mientras se lleva a cabo este proyecto.
Acerca del Proyecto: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Development/Projects/Willard-Sherwood-Health-Community-Center
PTA News
Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K to 12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3 to 7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2 to 7 may be referred by December 15.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services:
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Ms.Gaby Auza, school testing coordinator, at GMAuza1@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings led by Ms. Danni James, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
For more information, please contact Ms. Danni James, AART, at DFJamesfcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Girls on the Run Fall Season is Here!
Hi Daniels Run Families!
My name is Natalie Wilson and I am a first grade teacher here at DRES. I am so excited to be the Girls on the Run site liaison and head coach for the fall season. I can’t wait for the opportunity to get to know each of the girls and watch them grow through quality time together, setting collective goals, and building lifelong relationships. I am so excited to get to work with some of my past students and learn about all the awesome things they are doing now! We will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school at 4:15-5:15pm. For questions about financial assistance, please email info@gotrnova.org or call 703-273-3153. Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to this season!
Ms. Wilson
nwilson@fcps.edu
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Paws & Claws Craft Club
Fairfax High School Leadership students are bringing their creativity to Daniels Run! Students in grades 1–3 are invited to join the free Paws & Claws Craft Club, an after-school program led by FHS students. The club will meet Thursdays from 3:45–4:45 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 24 and Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22. Snacks and all craft supplies are included. Space is limited, so families are encouraged to register early!
Little Lions Night
Join Fairfax High School Cheer for Little Lions Night on Thursday, September 3! Cheer alongside our Varsity Cheerleaders, perform at halftime, enjoy pizza, and take home a Little Lions bow. Open to ages 6–12 and just $50 per Little Lion. Registration closes September 2.
Register for Little Lions Night at www.givebutter.com/littlelionscheer
Help Your Child Navigate the Lunch Line
Check out some tips to help your child get through the lunch line quickly and have more time to eat:
- Teach your child their student ID number to receive meals at school.
- Sign up for and add money to MySchoolBucks to purchase meals at school.
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Apply for free and reduced-price meals. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
If your child has any food allergies, learn how to submit accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergens.
Access menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.
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Fall Picture Day is October 2nd
FCPS Calendar
FCPS 2026-2027 SY Calendar
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE
- Permission Forms for School Resources
- Follow Multiple Schools in the App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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