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Martin Luther King Day (Holiday)/Inauguration Day
We honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dedication to equality and serving others. #MLKDay #OurFCPS
Schools and offices will be closed on
Monday, January 20,
for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
See the complete school year calendar.
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2nd Quarter End
Tuesday, January 28th is the last day of the 2nd quarter and is a full day of school.
Wednesday, January 29th is a Teacher Workday,
NO School for Students.
See the full school year calendar here.
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Literacy News
Benchmark
The literacy team presented at a PTA meeting to introduce parents and families to the new Benchmark curriculum that we are using this year. The slide deck of the information is available if you need a refresher or were unable to attend.
Lexia
We have had many students complete levels in Lexia. We enjoy celebrating the students by putting their names on the morning news and giving them a certificate with a small token. However, we have noticed that students are racing through the levels to get the achievement mark, but they are not actually learning the content. This is causing many of our students to be working in areas that are currently too difficult. At Deer Park, we are going to have students who score below 80% on the level skills check repeat that level. We will deliver certificates for students once they have achieved 80% or higher. Students should not be completing Lexia at home without teacher permission. Parents are reminded that any Lexia work should be done independently so we are able to tell exactly where the student is struggling and succeeding.. Students were not reassessed for their Lexia level at the beginning of the year so there are students that are currently placed too low or too high. If your child is telling you the lessons are too easy or too difficult, please reach out to either the classroom teacher or the literacy team.
Mid-Year Assessments
We are going to be starting our mid-year assessments soon. Once the window closes, you will be able to find your student scores under the documents tab of Parent View. Please communicate absences to the teacher so we can make sure we are getting the students assessed by the deadlines. Once that data has been completed an analyzed, additional students may qualify for reading plans. We will be in touch if your student is on a reading plan. For students that have already been on a reading plan, the progress monitoring assessments have been uploaded so please check out their progress. The current reading plans will continue so we will only be in touch if there are changes. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions about the plan.
Literacy Night
Literacy Night is coming! We are excited to announce that we will have a Literacy Night on January 22 from 6-8 PM. We are planning to have activities for each area that supports reading for all levels. We are also going to be providing family resources to support families working together to strengthen reading skills. This event is designed for families to experience together. Our theme is a cozy winter. We are inviting all families to come in school appropriate pajamas.
Questions? Please reach out to Stephanie Jennings or Beka Hartl with any questions.
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Happy Times at DP
Check out all the fun events from November & December at Deer Park!
Deer Park Events!
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Unified Special Olympics
We are excited to build an inclusive and empathic school community through our Unified Special Olympics team. We will hold a special event on May 30th (time TBD).
The whole school and community will participate in a spirit parade for our athletes. We are excited to pair students with disabilities from all grades and buddy coaches from 4th, 5th and 6th grades.
Practices will be during school hours. Forms were sent home before the winter break to sign up athletes and buddy coaches. The deadline to return these forms is tomorrow, FRIDAY, January 17th!
Practices will start in February. Parents of all students are welcome to volunteer for practices, fundraising, or to volunteer the day of the event.
Please contact Karey Dennis (kadennis1@fcps.edu) if you have additional questions or would like to receive volunteer information. Forms are available in the front office or via email.
Family Math Week
MIND Research is hosting family math week January 13 - January 17. During that time, students are encouraged to log onto the FCPS Family Math Website to engage in math activities with their families at home that include stories with mathematical concepts connected to a variety of different math games from around the world. All activities are available in English and Spanish.
To learn more about Family Math Nights check out this video.
Kindergarten 2025-2026
Do you have rising Kindergartener who will be 5 by September 30th?Registration has begun and we are excited to meet them.
Families with rising Kindergarteners currently in preschool need to complete an updated registration packet. Please contact our Deer Park Registrar by emailing Laura Zirzow, or by phone, 703-802-5002 to set up an appointment to enroll your child.
Registration forms can be found at this link or can be picked up in the main office.
We will have a Kindergarten Orientation meeting in the Spring when you and your child will be invited to meet our Principal, Mr. D'Amato, Assistant Principal, Mrs. Hitz and other staff members. While the students visit the Kindergarten classrooms, you will learn about the Kindergarten program and discuss administrative matters such as schedules and buses.
For support in Spanish, please contact our family liaison, Mrs. Jessica Arevalo.
Please share this information with your neighbors! We are looking forward to welcoming our new Kindergarteners in August!
Attendance Matters!
As our 2nd Quarter draws to a close, we will acknowledge students with perfect attendance on February 6th with a special treat.
These students will have attended every day from November 6th through January 28th!
While we do not want sick children at school, we want to remind our families that all absences count and full day attendance will help your child reach their learning goals.
Find out more about FCPS' health policy here and make every day count!
Learn more about the importance of daily attendance here.
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Winter Dance Party!
Join us for our annual FREE family dance party on Friday, February 7 from 6-8pm in the cafeteria! Dress in your best 90s! Admission is free, but bring some cash or card for concessions! Check out the event list and donate if you can!
Please donate here.
Volunteer link will be posted on the Deer Park PTA Facebook page soon!
 First Annual Deer Park Spelling Bee!
Sign Up Now!
DPES will be holding its first annual Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday, February 13th at 9:00am in the library (during school hours!). There will only be one school-wide competition and your student must be signed up to participate. Study guides and resources to prepare for the Bee will be shared via email upon sign-up. The last day to sign up is Friday, February 7, 2025.
The Spelling Bee is open to all students grades K-6 and the winner will represent Deer Park at the Fairfax County Spelling Bee in March 2025. Participating is a fun and competitive intellectual challenge for students that will build confidence, reward study and preparation, and increase vocabulary! If you are interested in being a judge, the pronouncer, or an event helper, or if you have any other questions, please email kim.graham@gmail.com.
Sign up here!
Deer Park Book Drive
The PTA is holding a Book Drive to replenish its book inventory for Bucky’s Bonus Books [BBB], Deer Park’s free book distribution during Book Fair weeks. Every student receives a gently used book of their choice twice per school year at BBB. This is made possible by book donations from Deer Park families and our Centreville community. Donate books from January 13th thru February 22nd in the bin in front of the school’s main entrance. Tax receipts and/or book pick-up available upon request by emailing kim.graham@gmail.com
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Spirit Wear
Deer Park Spirit Store is open online year round! Celebrate Deer Park’s 30th anniversary with this fun shirt and coordinating leggings featuring a cool 90s vibe. Choose a t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, crewneck or leggings. Orders ship to your house! All traditional Bucky spiritwear is available too!
Click here to order.
Email pta.deerparkes@gmail.com if there is something you would like to see!
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Membership
Come and join us to make this year a RAD one for the kids! We are not a scary PTA, we promise! Help Deer Park reach our member goal! Tell your friends to join with a ONE time donation! Your membership gets you access to the members only MemberHub with features like an online directory and discounts.
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Membership gifts have been distributed to teachers to send home in backpacks. |
Volunteer
Got you laughing, right? We know you think the PTA is scary, but we aren’t “that” PTA!
Volunteer here today!
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Girl Scouts
Attention Kindergarten Parents!
Are you interested in joining your child(ren) up for Girl Scouts? We have a new Deer Park Kindergarten troop formed that meets Thursday at 6pm, twice a month at Deer Park Elementary. If you are interested in joining this troop, please email Megan Durst at megankdurst@gmail.com (Deer Park GS Troop Organizer).
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OTA Summer Camp Pass
Overtime Athletics Summer Camp Pass is back to allow you the MOST flexibility and LOWEST prices that you can find in the Northern Virginia Camp scene! Just choose how many weeks of camp you would like to join us for this summer and reserve your spot today. These can be used for any of our traditional day camps (and you don’t even have to choose just one!). All Families will receive an email from the OTA Team in February for final week/location selection. Any Add-ons may be purchased at this point
Click here to view flyer
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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!
Mt. Kim Martial Arts
Card My Yard Centreville
L and V Cleaning
BOWA
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Thank you to our Deer Park Educational Partner, Jessica Fauteux, with Re/Max Allegiance for your support of our PTA Programs! |
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Upcoming Dates |
January
20 - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday & Inauguration Day - Holiday
22 - Literacy Night - 6:00 p.m.
24 - PTA Spirit Wear Day
28 - End of Second Quarter (full day)
29 - Teacher Workday - No School for Students
30 - Strings Concert - 6:00 p.m.
February
5 - Rising 7th Grade Parents only - Stone MS Curriculum Night - 6:00 p.m.
6 - 2nd Qtr Perfect Attendance Acknowledgement
6 - Rising 7th Gr Students only - Stone MS tour - 9:30 a.m.
6 - Progress Reports go home
12 - Stone MS Counselors visit DP 6th Grade
13 - Spelling Bee during the school day
17 - Washington's Birthday/Presidents' Day - Holiday
24 - Early Release Monday - Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.
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