Who: Deer Park Students of all abilities in grades 4-6. Sign up is first-come, first-served. The first 40 students to sign up will be notified by Mrs. Katchmark.
What: An after-school wellness running club for students to build relationships with peers and Deer Park staff members through fitness activities and running. The club will conclude in June with a 5k race in the Deer Park neighborhood to celebrate the efforts of our students alongside their families & friends. Please send any further questions along to Club Coordinator Kelsey Katchmark at kmkatchmark@fcps.edu.
When: Practices will be held every Wednesday, 3:45-4:30, March 26th - May 28th, 2025. Our end of season 5k will be held on Sunday, June 1 at 8:30 am.
Where: All practices will be held at Deer Park Elementary.
Cost: Registration fee is $50 per child (includes T-shirt & 5K race fee). Registration fees are due after participation is confirmed. Payment information will be provided to club members by Mrs. Katchmark or Mrs. Cooley.
Registration: Please register using this link no later than Thursday, March 20th.
We would also like any student, who participates in Bucky’s Run Club to also join us on September 21 for the Asha-Jyothi Fairfax 5K!
School Name: Students, as well as their friends and families, should select "Deer Park" from the School Name dropdown during registration to ensure their entries are correctly associated with Deer Park Elementary.
Discount Code: BIRD2025 (Save $15 per registration)
Early Release Monday
Monday, March 17, 2025 Dismissal at 12:25 PM
Your child will follow the same dismissal procedure (staying or leaving early) as you indicated for the first early release date, with the exception of those students attending SACC which is open at dismissal time.
In order to ensure student safety, please do not make any last minute changes to your child's dismissal plan.
Students receive lunch daily, including early release days.
Students in grades 3-6 will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in May.
Please avoid scheduling trips or appointments that would take your child out of school during this time period.
Please save the dates:
Thursday, May 1st
3rd Grade LA
5th Grade LA
Thursday, May 8th
3rd Grade Math
4th Grade LA
5th Grade Math
6th Grade LA
Thursday, May 15th
4th Grade Math
5th Grade Science
6th & 7th Grade Math
Spring Portraits and Class Groups
Victor O'Neill Studios will be taking Spring Pictures and classroom groups on Friday, March 21, 2025. There is no makeup day for spring photos & classroom groups.
You will be able to view and order your child’s photos in their online gallery approximately ten days after picture day. If you have any questions leading up to picture day, please reach out to Victor O’Neill Studios by emailing underclass@vosphoto.com
🎟Pre-Order Admissions and Concession Tickets here! Closes tonight, Thursday 3/13!
🚨Remember this is not a drop-off event.
Original Works
Get creative and make a masterpiece in class, then turn it into a keepsake! With our art fundraiser, families can order custom treasures online through our special school website. Choose delivery to school or straight to your home — either way, students artwork become a lasting memory while supporting Deer Park!
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.
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 contact directory and discounts!
Membership gifts have been distributed to teachers to send home in backpacks and still available!
Volunteer
Got you laughing, right? We know you think the PTA is scary, but we aren’t “that” PTA!
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).
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.
Texas Roadhouse Restaurant Night
Tonight, March 11th / 5:00-9:00 PM
Do you hate answering the question “ What’s for dinner?” We got you covered! Support Deer Park at our restaurant night on Tuesday, March 11 from 5-9pm. Share this with all your social platforms and groups (you don’t have to be a Deer Park family to participate)!
PTA Meeting and The Smart Talk
Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 12
Let's Talk Digital Safety!
Hey Deer Park Families!
Are you wondering how to set healthy boundaries around screen time, social media, and online safety? Join us for The Smart Talk Family Conversation—a fun and interactive event designed to help families navigate technology together!
Wednesday, March 12 (during the PTA Meeting) 7:00 PM In-Person at Deer Park ES or online through the Zoom meeting link Join Zoom Meeting here.
Meeting ID: 812 4855 1021 Passcode: 370836
At this event, families will:
Learn how to make informed online choices Have open and honest conversations about technology use Set tech rules that work for the whole family
Plus, we’ll have refreshments to enjoy while we chat!
Let’s work together to create a safer, healthier digital world for our kids! Don’t miss out—join us tomorrow and invite a friend!
Deer Park Math & Art Night
March 7, 2025 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Deer Park is hosting a math night and art show tomorrow, Friday, March 7 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the school!
Come out with your family to explore math games and different ways to engage your students with math at home. Your student’s artwork will also be on display for everyone to see as well.
Our wonderful cafeteria staff serves healthy breakfasts and lunches daily. At times substitutions need to be made and we try and notify the community as they occur
Last week there was a vendor shortage of Chickenless Bite options. Good news, it's back!
March 12 - Chickenless Bites (plant based) or Chicken Philly Sandwich
March 13 - Orange Chicken or Orange Chickenless Bites (plant based)
Your child will follow the same dismissal procedure (staying or leaving early) as you indicated for the first early release date, with the exception of those students attending SACC which is open at dismissal time.
In order to ensure student safety, please do not make any last minute changes to your child's dismissal plan.
Students receive lunch daily, including early release days.
There are two more Early Release Mondays this year:
April 28th and May 19th
Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
Hey Deer Park families! Are you wondering how to set healthy boundaries around screen time, social media, and online safety? Join us for The Smart Talk Family Conversation—a fun and interactive event designed to help families navigate technology together!
Wednesday, March 12 (during the PTA Meeting) 7:00 PM In-Person at Deer Park ES or online through the Zoom meeting link
At this event, families will: Learn how to make informed online choices Have open and honest conversations about technology use Set tech rules that work for the whole family
Plus, we’ll have refreshments to enjoy while we chat!
Let’s work together to create a safer, healthier digital world for our kids! Don’t miss out—mark your calendars and invite a friend!
Texas Roadhouse Restaurant Night
Do you hate answering the question “ What’s for dinner?” We got you covered!
Support Deer Park at our restaurant night on Tuesday, March 11 from 5-9pm.
Share this with all your social platforms and groups (you don’t have to be a Deer Park family to participate)!
Basketball Game
Across Town Staff Basketball Game 🏀 at Westfield
Come out and support our Deer Park’s Staff Basketball Team and help keep spirits high alongside the student cheer squad. GO DEER PARK!
Get creative and make a masterpiece in class, then turn it into a keepsake! With our art fundraiser, families can order custom treasures online through our special school website. Choose delivery to school or straight to your home — either way, students artwork become a lasting memory while supporting Deer Park!
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!
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 contact directory and discounts!
Membership gifts have been distributed to teachers to send home in backpacks and still available!
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).
Overtime Athletics
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.
Deer Park has been awarded the 2024 Energy Star award in recognition of superior energy performance. Energy Star certified buildings generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings.
Snow Sculpture Contest Winner
And the Winner is.... Jose in 3rd Grade with the most votes for best snow sculpture on our Snow Day. Congratulations to Jose and his class for winning the pizza lunch and frozen treat!
Deer Park Math Night
March 7, 2025 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Deer Park is hosting a math night and art show on Friday, March 7 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the school!
Come out with your family to explore math games and different ways to engage your students with math at home. Your student’s artwork will also be on display for everyone to see as well.
Hope you can join us!
Reading Challenges
Get your kids excited to read! We have two Reading Challenges going on at Deer Park!
Students who read 5 of the books will get their picture on the Library Wall of Fame. Students that read all 10 books will be invited to a pizza and dessert party at the end of the year. For a list of books and more details, pick up a flyer in the Deer Park library or your student can log into Schoology and visit the Library Course. This program will end April 1st.
Grades K-2: ABC Reading Challenge
Students who read 26 books (one for each letter of the alphabet) and turn in the form before May 2nd, will get their picture on the Library Wall of Fame. Interested students can pick up a flyer in the library for more details.
Honoring Black History Month
To celebrate Black History Month at Deer Park, classes PK-6 chose a famous Black American across various careers (arts, sciences, entertainment, education, literature, politics, etc.) to read and learn more about as a class. Classes in grades PK-3 created posters with their learning to display on the first floor of Deer Park and classes in grades 4-6 created Google slides that are being shown on the lobby.
Proposed FY 2026 Budget
Please join Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith for a joint town hall as the proposed FY 2026 Budget is presented and takes your comments. If you would like to ask a question regarding the FY26 Budget, please send an email to Sully@FairfaxCounty.gov with "Budget Town Hall" in the subject.
When: Monday, March 10, 2025
Time: 7 - 9 pm EST
Where: Rocky Run Middle School Lecture Hall
Address: 4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, VA 20151
*If American Sign Language or language interpretation is needed, please submit your request by March 6th.
Attention 5th & 6th Grade Families
Eating Disorder Parent Information
In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system provide information to parents annually about eating disorders. This information is given to parents of students in the fifth through twelfth grades.
Eating disorders can have a serious effect on health and affect every aspect of the child’s life. They are not identified based on weight changes as much as behaviors and attitudes.
Find out more about risk factors and key things to look for on the
As required by the Code of VA, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend at a Virginia public school.
In addition, all students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older;
Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older;
A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents or guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a healthcare provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.
Rising Kinders and parents are invited to Deer Park on April 1st at noon for an in-person orientation. Our Kindergarteners will visit the library while parents meet our incredible Administrative and Kindergarten Team. Then parents and students will meet again for a tour of the building and classrooms. This event will finish with a school bus ride around the neighborhood and a treat upon returning.
Deer Park has an inclusive PreK/Head Start program to provide a quality preschool experience with comprehensive services at no cost to qualifying families, who reside in Fairfax County. Though families may qualify, spaces are limited, and selection is based on need, not “first come, first serve”, with PreK priority given to 4 year olds and Deer Park based students. More information and the application in both Spanish and English can be found at this link, early childhood/preK/early Headstart application.
This program will be in addition our existing preschool Special Education Class Based program and our Preschool Autism Program. If you think your preschooler has a developmental delay or a disability contact Child Find for FCPS. Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs. Child Find screenings are free to residents of FCPS whose child is 2 through 5 years old early childhood/child find. If you have a child who is under the age of 2, who may have a delay, contact neighborhood community services/infant toddler connection for a free screening.
All Ages Read Together (AART)
AART is enrolling for the upcoming school year in Centreville! Classes are held twice a week for 90 minutes. AART’s FREE part-time preschool program is specifically designed for children who fall in the gap between those who qualify for publicly funded programs and those families who cannot afford preschool.
To qualify for AART, your child must be: 4 or 5 years old, not enrolled in another preschool program, Head Start, STEP, or PreK.
Our wonderful cafeteria staff serves healthy breakfasts and lunches daily. At times substitutions need to be made and we try and notify the community as they occur.
Due to the shortage from the vendor, we will not have Fish Taco on Tuesday 3/4/25. We will be serving Turkey Barbacoa w/Loco Bread instead of Fish Taco.
Due to a vendor shortage, we will be substituting any Chickenless Bite option with Veggie Dumplings until Chickenless Bite is back in stock on the following days:
March 12, March 13, March 20 and March 24
Menus are subject to change based on availability.
Ramadan Mubarak to those in our community who observe! In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity, and good deeds. Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad. #OurFCPS
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28 Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day.Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.
Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
Deer Park PTA Information www.deerparkespta.org
After School Clubs
Early registration is open!
Join us for our February/March Meeting on Wednesday March 12 at 7pm in the Library.
Families are welcome at this meeting for our special The Smart Talk presentation. The Smart Talk is a National PTA program with Norton providing families an understanding of healthy and safe digital practices that can help your family thrive. National PTA and Norton want to help families facilitate positive conversations and set smart boundaries.
We will need family participants (member and non-member) to send feedback to our National PTA. Childcare will be available for the portions of the meeting that the kids do not wish to sit in on. Refreshments available too!
Across Town Staff Basketball Game 🏀 at Westfield
Come out and support our student cheer Squad and our Deer Park Teams!
It's coming soon! This online school fundraising program combines in-class artwork creation, online ordering through a customized school website, and order delivery back to the school or directly to the home.
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!
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 contact directory and discounts!
Membership gifts have been distributed to teachers to send home in backpacks and are still available.
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).
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.
Join us for a FREE family Bingo Night tonight hosted by the 6th grade on Friday, February 21st at 6 PM in the Deer Park Cafeteria. Lots of great prizes to be won. First Bingo Card is free. Pre-purchase more Bingo Cards and food here to save time in line at the event. Whole Pizzas and hot dogs are available for pre-order and concessions will be for sale.
Early Release Monday
Monday, February 24th / Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.
Your child will follow the same dismissal procedure (staying or leaving early) as you indicated for the first early release date, with the exception of those students attending SACC which is open at dismissal time.
In order to ensure student safety, please do not make any last minute changes to your child's dismissal plan.
Students receive lunch daily, including early release days.
Deer Park LOVES Math
This a reminder of our Deer Park Math Challenge for the month of February! This math challenge has 1 problem per day during the month of February for students to review number sense concepts for their grade level. Have your student complete the calendar by Monday, March 3 and turn it in to their teacher to receive a reward for their effort. Students who turn in the completed calendar by the due date will earn a pizza party during their lunch period.
We have attached electronic copies of the calendar to this message for your reference.
Spelling Bee Winners!
Middle School Transition Fair for Students in Special Education
For families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services. It's never too early or too late to start preparing for the future.
This event also includes two speakers who will discuss IEP transition planning, special education services, and postsecondary options for younger students as they navigate FCPS and plan for their future. A questions/answer session will follow.
Meet and ask questions about programs and services for students with disabilities and long-term postsecondary supports. Click here to Register.
Westfield High School (WHS) holds a Mulch Sale fundraiser every year. This important fundraiser enables the PTSA to provide a safe and sober All-Night Grad Party for Westfield Seniors and other vital PTSA programs. This year, the PTSA is again partnering with Meadows Farms to deliver the mulch. The same high-quality mulch will be packaged in Meadows Farms bags and DELIVERED to your driveway. More information can be found in the attached flyer.
🤧 Protect Yourself and Your Community From the Flu
Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department.
The health department suggests taking the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:
Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.
Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
Clean frequently touched surfaces.
According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit this Attendance Webpage for guidance on when your child should go to school.
Student Fasting Meal Kits
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28
Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.
To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
Join us for our February/March Meeting on Wednesday, March 12 at 7pm in the Library. Families are welcome at this meeting for our special The Smart Talk presentation.
The Smart Talk is a National PTA program with Norton providing families an understanding of healthy and safe digital practices that can help your family thrive. National PTA and Norton want to help families facilitate positive conversations and set smart boundaries.
We will need family participants (member and non-member) to send feedback to our National PTA. Childcare will be available for the portions of the meeting that the kids do not wish to sit in on.
Family Bingo Night
Join us for a FREE family Bingo Night hosted by the 6th grade class on Friday, February 21st at 6 PM in the Deer Park Cafeteria.
Lots of great prizes to be won. First Bingo Card is free. Pre-purchase more Bingo Cards and food HERE to save time in line at the event. Whole Pizzas and hot dogs are available for pre-order and concessions will be for sale.
Prices:
Book of 10 bingo cards sheets $8
Pre Order Whole Costco Cheese Pizza $18
Pre Order Whole Costco Pepperoni Pizza $18
Pre Order Hot Dog $3
Concession or bingo card sheet ticket $1 each
Pizza Slice 3 tickets
Hot Dog 3 tickets
Candy 2 tickets
Drinks 1 ticket
Chips 1 ticket
1 Bingo Card Sheet: 1 ticket
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.
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!
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 contact directory and discounts!
Membership gifts have been distributed to teachers to send home in backpacks and still available!
Volunteer
Got you laughing, right? We know you think the PTA is scary, but we aren’t “that” PTA!
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).
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.
Over our recent snow day, students were asked to be snowman/snow creature designers, igloo architects, snowball makers or snow fort engineers. Wow! Everyone did an amazing job. Thank you for sending in your submissions. You will be able to view these below.
Please take time to vote for your favorite and most creative creation by completing this form.
Below you will notice that each photo(s) has a number listed next to it. Use this number to identify your first choice creation on our google form. The winner with the highest number of votes will get to treat his/her class to a pizza lunch and frozen treat.
You may only vote one time for your top choice. Voting will close on Friday, February 21st! Good Luck!
Early Release Monday
Monday, February 24th/12:25 p.m.
Your child will follow the same dismissal procedure (staying or leaving early) as you indicated for the first early release date, with the exception of those students attending SACC which is open at dismissal time.
In order to ensure student safety, please do not make any last minute changes to your child's dismissal plan.
Students receive lunch daily, including early release days.
Learn more about Early Release Mondays at this link.
Reading Plan Updates
We have completed our winter testing. The literacy team will be contacting parents to discuss adjustments to current reading plans. They will also be reaching out to discuss plans for students who qualified after this assessment window. If you would like to reach out to set up a meeting, please email Stephanie Jennings – sjjennings@fcps.edu or Beka Hartl- rlhartl@fcps.edu
The PTA 90's Winter Dance was so RAD!
We hope you joined the fun last Friday!
Westfield High School Annual Mulch Sale
Westfield High School (WHS) holds a Mulch Sale fundraiser every year. This important fundraiser enables the PTSA to provide a safe and sober All-Night Grad Party for Westfield Seniors and other vital PTSA programs. This year, the PTSA is again partnering with Meadows Farms to deliver the mulch. The same high-quality mulch will be packaged in Meadows Farms bags and DELIVERED to your driveway. More information can be found in the attached flyer.
Greetings to all our Rising Kindergarten Families,
Rising Kinders and parents are invited to Deer Park on April 1st at noon for an in-person orientation. Our Kindergarteners will visit the library while parents meet our incredible Administrative and Kindergarten Team. Then parents and students will meet again for a tour of the building and classrooms. This event will finish with a school bus ride around the neighborhood and a treat upon returning.
At the event, FCPS students are invited to showcase projects and advocacy efforts around inclusivity in schools. This is a great resume-building opportunity, and students can earn service hours as well. Students may share their work in a share-fair environment using posters, essays, videos, songs, or art. They will interact with attendees through conversations about their work, ideas, and efforts to foster inclusivity in school communities.
Students must use this Google Form to participate by Monday, February 17. A list of possible projects is also on the form. More information will be provided after the student’s submission is received. Please contact Manuel Gomez Portillo with any questions.
Centering student voice is part of FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
SYA Spring Lacrosse
Registrations Open, forming teams now. Start the new year right with SYC Spring Lacrosse.
The February PTA meeting scheduled for yesterday was postponed due to the weather and will be rescheduled. More information to come soon.
Winter Dance Party
Thank you all for the support with donations, time and participation. The event was a success!
Family Event
Due to low participation numbers, this event was canceled. However, as soon as your crafts come to school they will be sent home with the student to complete at home. Thank you to all for the support!
6th Grade Bingo Night
Join us for the 6th Grade Bingo Night Fundraiser on Friday February 21st at 6 PM in the Deer Park Cafeteria. Lots of great prizes to be won. First Bingo Card is free. Pre-purchase more Bingo Cards and food here. to save time in line at the event. Whole pizzas and hot dogs are available for pre-order and concessions will be for sale.
Prices:
* Book of 10 bingo card sheets $8 * Pre Order Whole Costco Cheese Pizza $18 * Pre Order Whole Costco Pepperoni Pizza $18 * Pre Order Hot Dogs $3 * Concession or bingo card sheet ticket $1 ea * Pizza Slice 3 tickets * Hot Dog 3 tickets * Candy 2 tickets * Drinks 1 ticket * Chips 1 ticket * 1 Bingo card sheet: 1 ticket
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.
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!
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 contact directory and discounts!
Membership gifts have been distributed to teachers to send home in backpacks and are still available.
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).
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.
Deer Park's First annual snow sculpture competition!
Are your children expert snowman and snow creature designers, igloo architects, snowball makers, or snow fort engineers? Be creative!
Send in your snow day sculpture pictures by Thursday at 5:00 p.m. and the community/school will get to vote on the most creative snow sculpture. The winning student will get to treat his/her class to a pizza lunch and frozen treat!
All Fairfax County public schools and offices will close three hours early today.
Deer Park will dismiss at 12:25 p.m.
Morning and afternoon preschool (special education) classes are canceled.
Full-day preschool (special education) and Family and Early Childhood Education Program/Head Start classes will be dismissed three hours earlier than the usual time.
SACC centers will open at the time of school dismissal for children enrolled in the After School session and close at 6:15 p.m. Due to the possibility of hazardous road conditions, NCS administration requests families make every effort to pick up children as soon as possible.
Principal Coffee Postponed
Due to the weather forecast, the Principal/Parent coffee scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed.
Our wonderful cafeteria staff serves healthy breakfasts and lunches daily. At times substitutions need to be made and we try and notify the community as they occur.
On Tuesday, February 11th, the cafeteria will be serving beef tacos and cheese quesadillas instead of fish tacos.
You can find the menu at this link, use the school drop down in the upper right hand corner to find Deer Park.
Principal's Coffee
Wednesday, February 12th
Weather permitting, please join Principal D'Amato for light breakfast refreshments from 9:00-10:30 AM in the Deer Park Library. Hear all the news on the exciting things happening at Deer Park.
Friday, 2/14: Valentine’s Day - Wear red, pink or hearts
Principal's Coffee Rescheduled
Please join us next Wednesday, February 12th in the Deer Park Library.
Light breakfast refreshments from 9:00-10:30 AM
We hope you can join us.
National School Counseling Week
February 3-7 is National School Counseling Week, and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.
Thank you Mrs. Cottrell and Mrs. Franconceri, for all you do for the students and families at Deer Park!
Bucky's Celebrations - 3rd Quarter
Families!
Have you ever wondered about those little blue “bucks”?
When Deer Park students are following Bucky’s Behavior Expectations, they can earn Bucky Bucks! 🦌 When a class earns the goal listed below, the class celebrates! Here are the celebrations for the 2nd quarter! You can help by reminding your child to follow the Behavior Expectations and to turn in Bucky Bucks to their teacher!
It BE-HOOVES you to BEHAVE!
How's it going?
In November, Deer Park instituted a positive behavior incentive plan to increase respectful, responsible and safe behavior in the cafeteria. We posted expectations, gave examples of good behavior and staff who work in the cafeteria, and reported how each grade level was doing. Grade levels could earn extra recess for good behavior! Each month, we have seen an increase in great behavior! In December, three grade levels earned extra recess and in January, four grade levels earned extra recess with ALL classes making marked improvement! We are so proud of our Deer Park students! Parents, you can help by modeling and discussing being respectful, responsible and safe!
Missing a jacket, sweater, coat, lunch box, hat, etc? Stop by the front foyer tomorrow, February 7th from 6-8 PM (during the PTA Winter Dance) when all items left in lost and found will be displayed.
This is the last chance to claim lost items. Anything left will be donated.
Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. Parents/caregivers may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.
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. Arevalo.
Please share this information with your neighbors! We are looking forward to welcoming our new Kindergarteners in August!
Preschool/Headstart 2025-2026
Do you have a Preschool student?
Deer Park has inclusive PreK/Head Start program to provide a quality preschool experience with comprehensive services at no cost to qualifying families, who reside in Fairfax County. Though families may qualify, spaces are limited, and selection is based on need, not “first come, first serve”, with PreK priority given to 4 year olds and Deer Park based students. More information and the application in both Spanish and English can be found at this link, early childhood/preK/early Headstart application.
This program will be in addition our existing preschool Special Education Class Based program and our Preschool Autism Program. If you think your preschooler has a developmental delay or a disability contact Child Find for FCPS. Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs. Child Find screenings are free to residents of FCPS whose child is 2 through 5 years old early childhood/child find. If you have a child who is under the age of 2, who may have a delay contact neighborhood community services/infant/toddler connection for a free screening.
All Ages Read Together (AART)
AART is enrolling for the upcoming school year in Centreville! Classes are held twice a week for 90 minutes. AART’s FREE part-time preschool program is specifically designed for children who fall in the gap between those who qualify for publicly funded programs and those families who cannot afford preschool.
To qualify for AART, your child must be: 4 or 5 years old, not enrolled in another preschool program, Head Start, STEP, or PreK. AART / enroll here
Save the Date!
March 14th, 2025 @ Westfield HS
Crosstown Rivals Staff Basketball Game
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact the office if accommodations are needed including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times.
SYA Little League
Spring is just around the corner and SYA is looking for athletes to join the fun in Little League.
Join us for our annual FREE family dance party on Friday, February 7 from 6-8pm in the cafeteria! Dress in your best ‘90’s drip and bust a move! Admission is free, but bring some cash or card for concessions! Check out the event list and donate if you can. Volunteers needed ! Please click here to help! Pre-order large pizza (cheese or pepperoni) and concession tickets here.
Parents (or an 18+ adult) MUST enter with and accompany ALL students for the entire event.
Family Event
Join us February 8th from 2-4 pm for Craft Night at Craftspace. Bring friends and family. Choose from four crafts. You can craft at the event or pick up your crafts at Deer Park and craft at home!
Join us for the 6th Grade Bingo Night Fundraiser on Friday February 21st at 6 PM in the Deer Park Cafeteria. Lots of great prizes to be won. First Bingo Card is free. Pre-purchase more Bingo Cards and food here to save time in line at the event.
Whole Pizzas and hot dogs are available for pre-order and concessions will be for sale.
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.
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.
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!
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 contact directory and discounts!
Membership gifts have been distributed to teachers to sent home in backpacks and are still available.
Volunteer
Got you laughing, right? We know you think the PTA is scary, but we aren’t “that” PTA!
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).
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.
Thank you for your partnership and event support! Check out their class specials here or give them a call (703-988-9300). Ask about the Deer Park family free classes! Victory Martial Arts will help your student build focus, discipline and confidence.
Thank you to our Deer Park Educational Partner, Jessica Fauteux, with Re/Max Allegiance for your support of our PTA Programs!
Upcoming Dates
February
3 - 7 - National School Counselor Week
7 - Winter Dance Party - 6:00 p.m.
8 - Family Craft Night @ Craftspace
10 - 14th - Kindness Week
12 - Principal's Coffee - 9:00 a.m.
12 - Stone MS Counselors visit DP 6th Grade
13 - Spelling Bee during the school day
17 - Washington's Birthday/Presidents' Day - Holiday/No School
21 - Rising 7th graders visit Stone MS
21 - 6th Grade Bingo Night Fundraiser - 6:00 p.m.
24 - Early Release Monday - Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.
Please join Principal D'Amato and Assistant Principal Hitz on Thursday, February 6th
Light breakfast refreshments from 9:00-10:30 AM
We hope you can join us!
FCPS Cares
The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community.
Congratulations to Deer Park's Mrs. Bruch, Multiple Disabilities Teacher and Mrs. Cottrell, School Counselor!
2nd Quarter Awards Celebration
Today we celebrated students excelling in academics, citizenship, work habits, respectful behavior and communicating ideas!
Congratulations students and parents.
Deer Park LOVES Math
Coming home today, January 30, in your child’s Thursday folder is a math calendar. This math challenge has 1 problem per day during the month of February for students to review number sense concepts for their grade level. Have your student complete the calendar by Monday, March 3 and turn it in to their teacher to receive a reward for their effort. Students who turn in the completed calendar by the due date will earn a pizza party during their lunch period.
We have attached electronic copies of the calendar to this message for your reference.
On February 6th, we will celebrate those students with perfect attendance for the 2nd Quarter of School. These students attended daily 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.
Deer Park has inclusive PreK/Head Start program to provide a quality preschool experience with comprehensive services at no cost to qualifying families, who reside in Fairfax County. Though families may qualify, spaces are limited, and selection is based on need, not “first come, first serve”, with PreK priority given to 4 year olds and Deer Park based students. More information and the application in both Spanish and English can be found at this link, early-childhood/prek-and-early-head-start-application
This program will be in addition our existing preschool Special Education Class Based program and our Preschool Autism Program. If you think your preschooler has a developmental delay or a disability contact Child Find for FCPS. Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs. Child Find screenings are free to residents of FCPS whose child is 2 through 5 years old. early-childhood-child-find If you have a child who is under the age of 2, who may have a delay contact neighborhood-community-services/infant-and-toddler-connection for a free screening.
All Ages Read Together (AART)
AART is enrolling for the upcoming school year in Centreville! Classes are held twice a week for 90 minutes. AART’s FREE part-time preschool program is specifically designed for children who fall in the gap between those who qualify for publicly funded programs and those families who cannot afford preschool.
Friday, 2/14: Valentine’s Day - Wear red, pink or hearts
Lost and Found - Last Chance
Missing a jacket, sweater, coat, lunch box, hat, etc? Stop by the front foyer on February 7th from 6-8 PM (during the PTA Winter Dance) when all items left in lost and found will be displayed.
This is the last chance to claim lost items. Anything left will be donated.
VA SOL Summary
Virginia’s Student Assessment Summary for Families
This month, families of students who took any Standards of Learning (SOL) test between school years 2015-16 and 2023-24 will receive a Student Assessment Summary Report.
The report shows a student’s state percentile ranking for each test. This allows families to see how their child ranked compared to all Virginia students who took the same test that year.
Reports are available now in SIS ParentVUE Documents. They will be distributed by schools this month to students whose families do not have ParentVUE access. Learn how to access ParentVue.
The report is intended to help families reflect on how their child performed across all tested subjects over the years. Our schools and staff are committed to working with families to support every student to succeed at their highest potential. Learn more about student assessments in FCPS.
Join us for our annual FREE family dance party on Friday, February 7 from 6-8pm in the cafeteria! Dress in your best ‘90’s drip and bust a move! Admission is free, but bring some cash or card for concessions! Check out the event list and donate if you can. Volunteers NEEDED!! Click here!
Pre-order large pizza ( cheese or pepperoni) and concession tickets here.
Parents (or an 18+ adult) MUST enter with and accompany ALL students for the entire event.
Family Event
Join us February 8th from 2-4pm for Craft Night at Craftspace. Bring friends and family. Choose from four crafts. You can craft at the event or pick up your crafts at Deer Park and craft at home!
Rope Motion creates Emotion! Take your spirit to a higher level! Learn routines, cheers, motions and jumps that promote teamwork, fitness and FUN. We'll work on basic cheer and dance movements that have participants smiling from ear to ear and bouncing from head to toe! We bring the sidelines to center stage with cheers that include: “Who Rocks the House”, “G-O Yell GO”, “Dynamite”, and many more. Our pyramid of activity will include cheers, routines, jump roping, and warm up games. Deer Park Elementary cheer team will cheer on the Deer Park vs Coates
Staff Basketball Game on 3/14 with a half time performance. Come be a part of something bigger, sign up today!
6th Grade Bingo Night
Join us for the 6th Grade Bingo Night Fundraiser on Friday February 21st at 6 PM in the Deer Park Cafeteria. Lots of great prizes to be won. First Bingo Card is free. Pre-purchase more Bingo Cards and food here to save time in line at the event. Whole pizzas and hot dogs are available for pre-order and concessions will be for sale.
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.
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.
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!
Please 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 contact directory and discounts!
Membership gifts have been distributed to teachers to send home in backpacks and still available!
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).
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.
Thank you for your partnership and event support! Check out their class specials here or give them a call (703-988-9300)! Ask about the Deer Park family free classes! Victory Martial Arts will help your student(s) build focus, discipline and confidence!
Thank you to our Deer Park Educational Partner, Jessica Fauteux, with Re/Max Allegiance for your support of our PTA Programs!
Upcoming Dates
February
5 - Rising 7th Grade Parents only - Stone MS Curriculum Night - 6:00 p.m.
6 - Principal Coffee - 9:00 a.m. - Library
6 - 2nd Qtr Perfect Attendance Acknowledgement
6 - Rising 7th Gr Students only - Stone MS tour - 9:30 a.m.
6 - Progress Reports go home
7 - Winter Dance Party - 6:00 p.m.
8 - Family Craft Night @ Craftspace
10 - 14th - Kindness Week
12 - Stone MS Counselors visit DP 6th Grade
13 - Spelling Bee during the school day
17 - Washington's Birthday/Presidents' Day - Holiday/No School
21 - 6th Grade Bingo Night - 6:00 p.m.
24 - Early Release Monday - Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.
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.
Math Challenge
Hello Deer Park Families,
Starting in February we will hold our first annual Math challenge. Be on the lookout for papers to come home on January 30th in Thursday folders. This challenge is to encourage students to practice their math skills at home with their family. There will be ONE math question each night. Please work with your student to complete the calendar. All calendars are due Tuesday, March 4th to the main office!
Fairfax County Public Library Cards Are In!
If you or your child filled out an application for a public library card in December, please have your child stop by the Deer Park library to pick it up.
Applications are no longer being accepted at Deer Park, but you can always fill one out when you are at the Centreville Public Library. The temporary password for all newly issued public library cards is: 1111. After logging in for the first time, you can change the password.
Click on the flyer to find out how to access eBooks and audiobooks from a Fairfax County library: Libby app information
Keeping Kids Warm
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. Schools monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact our family liaison, Mrs. Arevalo, at jmarevalo@fcps.edu . You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
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
The survey will be available from January 21 to February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!
Menu Substitution
Our wonderful cafeteria staff serves healthy breakfasts and lunches daily. At times substitutions need to be made and we try and notify the community as they occur.
On February 26, 2025 Turkey Barbacoa will be replaced with Nacho instead of Nacho w/Taco Beef & Cheese Sauce.
You can find the menu at this link, use the school drop down in the upper right hand corner to find Deer Park.
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!
Join us February 8th from 2-4pm for Craft Night at Craftspace. Bring friends and family. Choose from four crafts. You can craft at the event or pick up your crafts at Deer Park and craft at home!
The PTA is throwing a Winter Breakfast to thank our staff for all of their hard work during the first half of the school year on Wednesday, January 29th (which is a Teacher Work Day). Please sign up to bring in breakfast items to make this celebration a success!
Thank you to Victory Martial Arts for their donations from Panera Bread! Check them out here!
Spirit Squad for Staff Basketball Game
Rope Motion creates Emotion! Take your spirit to a higher level! Learn routines, cheers, motions and jumps that promote teamwork, fitness and FUN. We'll work on basic cheer and dance movements that have participants smiling from ear to ear and bouncing from head to toe! We bring the sidelines to center stage with cheers that include: “Who Rocks the House”, “G-O Yell GO”, “Dynamite”, and many more. Our pyramid of activity will include cheers, routines, jump roping, and warm up games. Deer Park Elementary cheer team will cheer on the Deer Park vs Coates Staff Basketball Game on 3/14 with a half time performance.
Come be a part of something bigger, sign up today Register 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.
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!
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 contact directory and discounts!
Membership gifts have been distributed to teachers to sent home in backpacks and are still available!
Volunteer
We know you think the PTA is scary, but we aren’t “that” PTA!
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)
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.
Please join us for Literacy Night tonight, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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.
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!
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).
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
FIRST ANNUAL SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE AT DEER PARK
Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 9:00am in the DPES library
Deer Park is having its first annual Spelling Bee! There is only one school-wide Spelling Bee (no classroom competitions) and your student must be signed up by Friday, February 7th in order to participate.
The Spelling Bee is open to all students in grades K-6 and the winner will represent Deer Park at the Fairfax County Spelling Bee in March 2025! There are many resources to prepare for the Spelling Bee; some will be provided upon sign-up via email and I've included a couple in this email as well.
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 at kim.graham@gmail.com.
**PLEASE Do not post this word list on the internet per the instructions of Scripps
A portion of the words in the School Spelling Bee competition on February 13th will come from this word list. Studying these words will improve performance at the Bee.
Download "Word Club" from the App Store or Google Play
Sign up to participate and receive additional resources, word study lists, and guidance
