Dr. Charles R. Drew

Bookworm Central Book Fair
2025-10-13, 2025-10-14, 2025-10-15

Drew PTA Meeting (In-Person/Virtual)
2025-10-14 18:15 - 19:15, 2026-01-13 18:15 - 19:15, 2026-03-10 18:15 - 19:15, 2026-05-12 18:15 - 19:15 (America/New_York)

Humanities Performance Cantare' -Mucha Musica-A Musical Journey to Latin America
2025-10-17 14:30 - 15:15
Program Summary: Cantaré introduces audiences to the beautiful songs and rhythms of Latin America in an exciting interactive performance. Drawing from the musical heritage of the Caribbean, Central and South America, Cantaré performs songs in Spanish and Portuguese, while sharing the music’s cultural and historical background. Audiences learn about the history of Latin America and the different cultures that shaped their music – Native American, European and African – while becoming familiar with the languages, rhythms and musical instruments from the different countries.The music of Cantaré communicates the inter-dependency of people and cultures and the rich fusion that results when diverse traditions come together.

Drew Unity Day
2025-10-22

Read-a-Thon Assembly
2025-10-23

Kindergarten Field Trip
2025-10-27

Drew Food Market
2025-10-28 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-18 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-16 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-20 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-21 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-19 18:00 - 19:00 and 1 more date

Drew Parent Information Meeting
2025-10-29 09:00 - 10:00

3rd-5th Grade Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
2025-11-05 09:20, 2025-11-12 09:20
Purpose of Assessment: The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) appraises the cognitive development of students by measuring students’ learned reasoning abilities in the three symbol systems most closely related to success in school: Verbal reasoning, Quantitative reasoning and Nonverbal reasoning. Students in grade 2-8 who do not have a CogAT ability score participate in the CoGAT.
Learn More

2nd Grade Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
2025-11-06 09:20, 2025-11-13 09:20, 2025-11-20 09:20

PTA Bingo Night
2025-11-07

Fall Picture Day
2025-11-10

Advanced Academics Engagement Session
2025-11-13 18:15 - 19:00
Advanced Academics Engagement Session – November 13th
Before attending we kindly ask that you use the QR codes to get an overview of Advanced Academics in APS, the Role of the Advanced Academics Coach (AAC) and the gifted screening and identification process. Many of your questions will be answered. If you are unable to access the QR codes, click the links below:
The Role of the Advanced Academics Coach
Screening and Identification Process
This year, the session will follow a new, more interactive format designed to engage families in the experience. Spanish interpreters will be available. Our November 13th night will conclude with a Q&A session, providing parents with the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of AATD (Advanced Academics & Talent Development). We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this engaging experience with our families.
Kristina Farrell
Advanced Academics Coach
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School
Arlington Public Schools
703-228-5825
Kristina.Farrell@apsva.us

1st Grade Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT)*
2025-11-17 09:20 - 10:20, 2025-11-18 09:20 - 10:20, 2025-11-19 09:20 - 10:20
The Naglieri General Ability Test (NNAT) test is a nonverbal measure of general ability that yields a norm-based score, helpful in identifying students with the potential for advanced scholastic achievement. All 1st grade students participate in the NNAT.
Learn More

Progress Reports Available in ParentVUE
2025-11-18

Garden Day at Drew
2025-11-20 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-18 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-22 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-19 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-19 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-23 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-21 16:00 - 17:00

Drew Winter Luncheon
2025-12-05

Grade 4 Swimming
2025-12-09 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-10 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-11 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-12 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-15 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-16 09:00 - 12:00

Parent Meeting Support Your Child’s Self Awareness, Anxiety, and Attendance
2025-12-10 09:00 - 10:00

Drew Picture Retakes
2025-12-12

Drew Blizzard of Books
2025-12-12

Winter Sing Along 2025 (for Staff and Students)
2025-12-17
Next week we will have a Winter Sing Along— where all Prek-5 students will sing some winter songs together right before break! In music class, students have been learning the songs and hand motions and getting ready to sing 😊.
Please feel free to play the songs at home to help familiarize your children with the songs. Enjoy your very own Winter Sing Along at home.
Slides (with lyrics and mp3s embedded), mp3 files, and printed lyrics are below:
Links:
Slides | https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UxvzHVBqtr1u-E69L-s8fXA3Da76b60uBGxTiuIFznI/edit?usp=sharing
Mp3’s | https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jHBwfsZ-qashhcUbZiQEJBOq_yeovzvv?usp=drive_link
Lyrics | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GU01159ettMulp16M8_nBsQ0M5OXztA5/view?usp=drive_link
Contact: Matthew Worden, Music Teacher

4th Grade Poetry Slam
2025-12-18
Drew 4th grade
📅 **December 18, 2025 ⏰
Block 1- 10:00- 10:45am
Block 2- 11:15- 12:00pm
Block 3- 2:45- 3:30pm
📍 **Mrs. Darden’s classroom 321**
────────────────────────────────────────────
🌟 4th Grade Parents/Guardians YOU’RE INVITED! 🌟Join us for an exciting time, as our 4th-grade poets take the stage to perform their original poems! Students have worked hard exploring rhythm, figurative language, voice, and performance—and now it’s their time to shine!
Contact: Delicia Darden

Annual Title I Family Partnership Information Session
2025-12-18 18:30 - 19:15
Please join us for our Annual Title I School-Family Partnership Meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The meeting will be held virtually from 6:30pm to 7:15pm via MS Teams. Click here to join the meeting. Each year we invite all Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School families to participate in our Title I School-Family Partnership Meeting. During the meeting, we will discuss

our school Title I program,
how we support your child’s academic success, and
what opportunities we provide for family participation, partnership, and input.

In addition, we will collect your input to review and revise our School-Family Partnership Principles. We believe Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School families play an important role in your child’s education. We invite you to preview the content, review the partnership principles, and take our survey on our website in advance. Your voice matters to us. We welcome your participation in any or all parts of the process. Please click on the survey link to have your voice heard.
Contact: carlette.bethea@apsva.us

Humanities Performance Synetic Theater "The Miraculous Magical Balloon"
2025-12-19 09:30 - 10:30
Program:
The Miraculous Magical Balloon, a series of hilarious sketches synthesizing music, ballet, clowning, and audience participation. Students will discover the art of acting without words, opening the door to their imaginations. Expressed through body and facial masks, pantomime illusions, and unique choreography, ‘Balloon’ tells a wonderful story of a traveling actor and his magical trunk of tricks and toys.
About Synetic Theater:
Through partnerships with schools, libraries, community centers, and theaters across the region, Synetic brings touring shows, residencies and workshops to approximately 6,000 youth annually. Synetic is proud to have partnerships with Arlington Public Libraries, Alexandria City Public Schools, Fairfax County Schools, DC Public Schools, Young Audiences of Maryland, The National Theatre, Rosslyn BID, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, and the Smithsonian.

Winter Concert
2026-01-15 18:30

4th-5th Grade NWEA MAP Reading Mid-Year Universal Screener
2026-01-21 09:00

3rd Grade NWEA MAP Reading Mid-Year Universal Screener
2026-01-22 09:00

2nd Grade NWEA MAP Math Mid-Year Universal Screener
2026-01-23 09:00

1st Grade NWEA MAP Math Mid-Year Universal Screener
2026-01-26 09:00, 2026-01-28 09:00

1st/4th/5th Grade NWEA MAP Math Mid-Year Universal Screener
2026-01-27 09:00

3rd Grade NWEA MAP Math Mid-Year Universal Screener
2026-01-29 09:00

NWEA MAP make-ups Mid-Year Universal Screener
2026-02-02 - 2026-02-06

Love is a Language Dance
2026-02-06 17:45 - 19:45

1st-2nd Grade ACCESS Testing Reading
2026-02-09 09:00

4th-5th Grade ACCESS Testing Reading/Listening
2026-02-10 09:00

3rd Grade ACCESS Testing Reading/Listening
2026-02-11 09:00

Smile Dental Exams at Drew
2026-02-12
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Great news! Our school has partnered with Smile Programs, the mobile dentists, to offer dental care at school on February 12, 2026.
Best of all, in most cases, there is no cost to you if your child is insured with Medicaid/CHIP! Private insurance and affordable self-pay options are also available. Self-pay care is available for $74 per student, covering cleaning, screening, and fluoride treatment. If you cannot afford any of those options, please contact the school clinic or set aside $10 each week. To help cover the exam fees, families can apply for Medicaid and FAMIS in advance. See the flyer below.
Easy & Convenient Having your child seen by the dentist at school saves you valuable time. Top-quality care is provided by local, licensed dentists in the familiar surroundings of your child’s school. Dental care includes a complete exam, x-rays, cleaning, and fluoride.
Keep Your Child Healthy Children who see a dentist regularly may have fewer health issues like:

Early tooth loss due to dental decay
Gum disease
Heart disease
Impaired speech development

Sign up today! Return the attached permission form to your student’s backpack or sign up online now at www.MySchoolDentist.com
Don’t wait. Be sure your child is signed up and ready to see the dentist at no cost to you (for children with Medicaid/CHIP.)

Thank you!

1st-2nd Grade ACCESS Testing Listening
2026-02-12 09:00

4th-5th Grade ACCESS Testing Speaking
2026-02-17 09:00

3rd Grade ACCESS Testing Speaking
2026-02-18 09:00

1st-2nd Grade ACCESS Testing Speaking
2026-02-19 09:00

Walk in My Shoes Event
2026-02-23

1st Grade ACCESS Testing Writing
2026-02-23 09:00

4th-5th Grade ACCESS Testing Writing
2026-02-24 09:00

3rd Grade ACCESS Testing Writing
2026-02-25 09:00

2nd Grade ACCESS Testing Writing
2026-02-26 09:00

3rd Grade Outdoor Lab Field Trip
2026-02-27

Drew Class Picture Day
2026-03-17

Grade 3 Swimming Field Trip
2026-04-06 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-08 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-09 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-10 09:00 - 12:00

Drew PTA Talent Show
2026-04-10 18:30 - 20:30

Drew Multicultural Night
2026-05-01 18:00 - 20:00

Dr. Drew Day
2026-05-30 09:45 - 13:00

Drew Annual Peace Walk
2026-06-18 09:30 - 22:30
