Dr. Charles R. Drew

Emergency Preparedness Week - Lock & Talk
2024-10-30 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Lock and Talk is a suicide prevention strategy designed to limit access to firearms, poisons, and medication for someone who may be at risk of suicide. It is part of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in Arlington County.
Join us in-person or virtually on Wednesday, October 30th from 6:00pm-7:00pm
for a Lock & Talk presentation by the Arlington County Department of Human Services at:
Kenmore Middle School
200 S. Carlin Springs Rd.
Arlington, VA 22204
Virtual: Live stream link: https://youtube.com/live/PDqrUi9kI1U

Holiday - Diwali
2024-11-01

No School for Students - End of 1st Quarter & Professional Learning
2024-11-04

No School for Students - Grade Prep Day
2024-11-05, 2025-01-31, 2025-04-21

Holiday - Veterans Day
2024-11-11

School Board Meeting
2024-11-14 19:00 - 22:00, 2024-12-12 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-01-16 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-01-30 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-02-13 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-02-27 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-03-13 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-03-27 19:00 - 22:00 and 20 more dates
School Board meetings are broadcast live below and live feed is available on Comcast Cable Channel 70 and Verizon FIOS Channel 41. The meetings are re-broadcast on Fridays at 9 p.m. and Mondays at 7:30 p.m. immediately following the meeting.
Please click on this link to watch live-stream: https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/.
Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

School Board Work Session
2024-11-19 09:00 - 16:30
9:00 Program Capacity Study and Class Size
10:45 Non-Traditional Secondary Programs
1:00 Boundaries and Options Programs
2:45 Budget
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Holiday - Thanksgiving Break
2024-11-27 - 2024-11-29

Fall Festival
2024-11-30 15:00 - 17:00
Details

Early Release for All Students - Professional Learning for Staff
2024-12-11, 2025-01-15, 2025-02-05

Winter Break
2024-12-23 - 2025-01-03, 2025-12-22 - 2026-01-02

Holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
2025-01-20

Summer Activities Fair 2025
2025-01-27 18:00 - 20:00

School Board Work Session
2025-01-28 18:30 - 20:30
Subject: Advisory Council on Teaching and Learning (ACTL) #1
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

No School for Students - End of 2nd Quarter & Professional Learning
2025-01-30

School Board Work Session (CANCELED WILL BE RESCHEDULED)
2025-02-11 18:00 - 20:00
Subject: Advisory Council on Teaching and Learning (ACTL) #2
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.
Note: If APS is closed due to inclement weather, the Work Session will be rescheduled for a later date.

Holiday - Presidents Day
2025-02-17

School Board Work Session
2025-02-25 18:30 - 20:30
Subject: Advisory Council on Teaching and Learning (ACTL) #2
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage.
Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Early Release for All Students – Professional Learning for Staff
2025-03-05

Joint School Board/County Board Budget Work Session
2025-03-12 13:00 - 16:30

Elementary Early Release for Parent-Teacher Conferences
2025-03-13

No School for Students – Elementary & Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences and High School Professional Learning for Staff
2025-03-14

School Board Budget Work Sessions
2025-03-25 13:00 - 16:00
1:00 Budget Work Session #1
2:45 Budget Work Session #2
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Holiday - Eid al Fitr
2025-03-31

School Board Budget Work Session
2025-04-03 15:45 - 17:15
3:45 Budget Work Session #3
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2026 Budget
2025-04-03 19:00 - 21:00

New Date: School Board Budget Work Session w/ BAC
2025-04-08 18:30 - 20:30
Budget Work Session with the Budget Advisory Council (BAC)
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

End of 3rd Quarter
2025-04-11, 2026-04-10

Spring Break
2025-04-14 - 2025-04-18, 2026-03-30 - 2026-04-03

School Board Meeting (Action Item -Adopt FY 2026 Budget - Tentative)
2025-05-01 19:00 - 22:00

School Board Meeting (Action Item-Adopt FY 2026 Budget)
2025-05-15 19:00 - 22:00

Holiday - Memorial Day
2025-05-26

School Board Work Sessions
2025-05-29 14:45 - 20:30
Subjects:
2:45 p.m. Special Education Inclusive Practices
6:30 p.m. Advisory Committees End-of-the-Year Reports
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Elementary Early Release
2025-06-04, 2025-06-11, 2026-06-03, 2026-06-10

School Board Work Sessions
2025-06-10 18:30 - 20:30
Subject: Preparations for 2027-36, the Pre-Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

School Board Meeting - New Date
2025-06-12 19:00 - 22:00

Last Day of School (All Students) - Early Release
2025-06-18

Holiday - Juneteenth
2025-06-19

School Board Meeting - CANCELED
2025-06-26 19:00 - 22:00

Holiday - July 4th
2025-07-04

First Day of Summer School
2025-07-07, 2026-07-06

School Board Meeting/Organizational Meeting
2025-07-08 10:30 - 12:30

Last Day of Summer School
2025-08-01, 2026-07-31

First Day of School K-12
2025-08-25

First Day of School PreK and VPI
2025-08-26

Holiday: Labor Day
2025-08-29 - 2025-09-01

Drew Grandparents' Day Breakfast
2025-09-08 08:00 - 08:55

Drew PTA Meeting (Virtual)
2025-09-09 18:15 - 19:15, 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

Elementary School Back-to-School Night
2025-09-11

Special Guest - Author Visit Jerry Pallotta K-5 Student Assembly
2025-09-11

Drew Back to School Night
2025-09-11 18:00 - 19:30

4th Grade NWEA MAP Reading Universal Screener
2025-09-16 09:20

3rd/5th Grade NWEA MAP Reading Universal Screener
2025-09-17 09:20

3rd-5th Make-up NWEA MAP Reading Universal Screener
2025-09-18 09:20, 2025-09-19 09:20

Holiday: Rosh Hashanah
2025-09-23

4th/5th Grade NWEA MAP Math Universal Screener
2025-09-24 09:20

2nd/3rd Grade NWEA MAP Math Universal Screener
2025-09-25 09:20

2nd-5th Make-ups NWEA MAP Math Universal Screener
2025-09-26 09:20

1st Grade NWEA MAP Math Universal Screener
2025-09-29 09:20, 2025-09-30 09:20, 2025-10-01 09:20

Work Sessions
2025-09-30 09:00 - 16:00
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Work Session on Planning Factors – Planning for Phase 2 Implementation
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. – Work Session on the Human Resources Audit Report – Update on Implementation
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Work Session on the Feasibility Studies
2:45 – 4:00 p.m. – Work Session on FY 2027-36 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Direction
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Holiday: Yom Kippur
2025-10-02

PTA Coffee in the Courtyard
2025-10-03 08:40 - 09:00
Our PTA is sponsoring Coffee in the Courtyard on October 3rd from 8:40 to 9:00 a.m. Come out and connect with other Drew parents.

1st-5th Make-ups NWEA MAP Reading and Math Universal Screener
2025-10-03 09:20

Bookworm Central Book Fair
2025-10-06, 2025-10-07, 2025-10-08, 2025-10-09, 2025-10-10, 2025-10-13, 2025-10-14, 2025-10-15

AI in APS: Virtual Community Town Hall
2025-10-08 19:00 - 20:00
As part of our Year of Empowered AI Learning in APS, we are excited to invite you to a virtual Community Town Hall on Artificial Intelligence on Wed, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.

At this session, you can learn more about our adopted instructional platform, SchoolAI, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Learn more.
Spanish, Mongolian, Amharic and Arabic interpretation is available.
If you have questions that you would like to have addressed during the live event, please add them here: Community Pre-event Questions for APS AI Town Hall

Elementary/Middle Early Release for Parent-Teacher Conferences
2025-10-10, 2026-03-12

No School for Students
2025-10-13
Elementary/Middle Parent Teacher Conferences; Professional Learning for HS staff

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.

Holiday: Diwali
2025-10-20

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

Early Release for All Students
2025-10-29, 2026-01-14
Countywide professional learning for staff

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

End of 1st Quarter
2025-11-03

No School for Students (Grade Preparation Day)
2025-11-04, 2026-01-30, 2026-04-13

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

Holiday: Veteran's Day
2025-11-11

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

School Board Work Sessions
2025-11-18 09:00 - 16:30
Subject:
9:00 a.m. – Advisory Committee Working Group
10:45 a.m. – Non-Traditional Secondary Program
1:00 p.m. – Grace Hopper Center Site Programming
2:45 p.m. – High School Schedules
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Garden Day at Drew
2025-11-20 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-18 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-08 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

Thanksgiving Break
2025-11-26 - 2025-11-28

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

Early Release for All Students
2025-12-10, 2026-02-11
School-based professional learning for staff

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.

5th Grade Renaissance Faire
2026-01-14 11:15 - 12:15
5th Grade Parents/Guardians: Volunteer Here

APS Summer Activities Fair
2026-01-14 18:00 - 20:00

Winter Concert
2026-01-15 18:30

Holiday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
2026-01-19

School Board Work Session #1 with ACTL
2026-01-20 18:30 - 20:30
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

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

End of 2nd Quarter
2026-01-29

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

🖤Feel the Love Dance🖤
2026-02-06 18:00 - 20:00
Tap here to RSVP by Jan 30th

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

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

School Board Work Session #2 with ACTL
2026-02-10 18:30 - 20:30

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

Holiday: Presidents Day
2026-02-16

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

Holiday: Eid al-Fitr
2026-03-20

School Board Work Sessions
2026-03-24 09:00 - 16:00
Subject:
9:00 a.m. – Educational Technology – Focus on AI
10:45 a.m. – Inclusive Practices (Special Education)
1:00 p.m. – Budget Work Session #1
2:45 p.m. – Budget Work Session #2
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

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

School Board Work Sessions
2026-04-14 09:00 - 16:30
Subject:
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Budget Work Session #1
10:45 a.m. – Budget Work Session #2
1:00 p.m. – Budget Work Session #3
2:45 p.m. – Budget Work Session #4
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

School Board Work Session with BAC
2026-04-21 18:30 - 20:30

Early Release for High School Students Only
2026-04-22
Full day for Elementary/Middle school students
Professional learning for high school staff

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

School Board Work Session with Advisory Committees - End of Year Reports
2026-05-21 18:30 - 20:30

Holiday: Memorial Day
2026-05-25 - 2026-05-26

Holiday: Eid al-Adha
2026-05-27

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

School Board Work Sessions
2026-06-02 13:00 - 16:30
Subject:
1:00 p.m. – Early Childhood
2:45 p.m. – FY 2027-36 CIP
Work Sessions are live-streamed and can be viewed any time after the meeting by visiting the School Board Work Sessions webpage. Agendas and background information are posted one week prior to the Board Meeting on BoardDocs.

Last Day of School (Early Release)
2026-06-18

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

Holiday: Juneteenth
2026-06-19

Holiday: July 4 (Observed)
2026-07-03
