The Weekly Roar - Monday, February 3, 2025
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The Lion's Roar Monday, February 3, 2025Upcoming Events
- Tuesday, 2/4 – Rising 7th Grade Parent Coffee at Hayfield Middle School, 6 – 8 p.m. (snow date: Wednesday, 2/12)
- Monday, 2/10 – Early Release Monday, dismissal at 1:05 p.m.
- Tuesday, 2/11 & Wednesday, 2/12 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Chick-fil-A, 4 - 9 p.m.
- Thursday, 2/13 – Spelling Bee, 4:45 p.m. (Snow date: Thursday, 2/20)
- Monday, 2/17 – President’s Day Holiday, school, office, and SACC CLOSED
-
Thursday, 2/27 – Winter Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
In This Issue
- February Administrators' Message
- Early Release Monday Next Week
- Celebrate Our School Counselors This Week!
- Save the Date for Upcoming Cultural Events and Plan to Participate!
- February Is Black History Month
- Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
- 6th Grade Middle School Transition Now Underway
- PTA News: Valentine’s Day Grams on sale, "paper" PTA Meeting this month, Chick-fil-A Restaurant Nights next week, and more!
- Parent Resources: Kindergarten registration information, FCPS Ombuds Office, Family Resource Center webinars
- FCPS News & Activities: 2025-2026 Budget, SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey, and more!
News & Notes
February Administrators' Message
Dear Lane Families,
Happy February! As we step into a new month, we want to take a moment to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students. With the end of the quarter behind us, progress reports reflect the growth and achievements of our learners. We encourage all families to review these reports together, celebrate successes, and set new goals for the weeks ahead. Your ongoing support plays a key role in your child’s academic journey.
This month, we are excited to continue our new Schoolwide Behavior Matrix, reinforcing our commitment to a culture of Respect for Self, for Others, and for Our School. By embracing these values, we create a positive and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. Teachers and staff will be incorporating these principles into daily routines, and we encourage families to have conversations at home about what respect looks like in our school community.
February also brings exciting events! We look forward to cheering on our talented students in the Annual Spelling Bee, where they will showcase their hard work and vocabulary skills. Later in the month, we are excited to host our second Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night, which will focus on Black History Month, Lunar New Year, and Ramadan. This event offers a chance for all families to learn more about these cultural holidays, which many of our families celebrate and observe. Watch for more information coming soon, and we hope you will be able to join us.
As always, we encourage you to stay connected with your child’s teacher to find ways to support their learning and growth. Your partnership makes a tremendous impact, and together, we can help every student succeed.
Wishing you a fantastic month ahead, filled with learning, respect, and celebration!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Opie, Interim Principal
Mr. Dickens, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Kubiak, Assistant Principal
Early Release Monday Next Week
On Monday, February 10th, we will have our next scheduled 3-hour Early Release Monday. We will dismiss at 1:05 p.m. UNLESS we have received instructions from you to keep your child at school. (SACC students will go to SACC as usual.) Please note that we will follow the dismissal guidance you provided in November (dismiss at 1:05 or keep at school until 4:05) unless we hear from you that a change is needed. Please let us know no later than Wednesday, February 5th.
Celebrate Our School Counselors This Week!
February 3rd through 7th is National School Counseling Week, during which we highlight and celebrate the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and plan for a career.
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.
At Lane we are lucky to have two terrific counselors, Mrs. Kasparek (in the photo above on the left) and Dr. Perry. Thanks to both of them for everything they do for all Lane Lions every day!
Save the Date for Upcoming Cultural Events and Plan to Participate!
Over the next few months we will host two special family events that focus on the diverse cultures that make our school unique.
Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night – Thursday, February 27th, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Our second Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night of the year will be held on Thursday, February 27th and will focus on information and activities related to three major winter cultural celebrations: Lunar New Year, which started last Wednesday, January 29th; Black History Month, which we observe throughout the month of February; and Ramadan, which officially begins on Saturday, March 1st and runs through Monday, March 31st, which is the Eid-al-Fitr holiday. This interactive, family-friendly event will take place from 6 to 7:30 that evening.
If your family celebrates one of these cultural holidays and you would like to join us to share information or lead an activity (craft, game, performance, etc.), please reach out to one of our family liaisons, Melanie Crosby Hardy at [email protected] or Andrea Howard at [email protected].
Celebration of Cultures Night – Thursday, April 3rd, 6 – 8 p.m.
Celebration of Cultures Night, one of our most popular annual events, is all about YOU – our Lane Lion families! That night, which will be Thursday, April 3rd this year, we invite all families to share their unique culture with us. You can showcase the culture of:
- your home country
- a country or countries of your ancestral heritage or that you’ve lived in or visited
- a city or state in the U.S. where you have lived or visited
- the traditions and celebrations of your family.
You do not have to be from another country or have an international
background to participate! All types of culture are welcome!
The evening will include information displays, delicious food samples, musical performances, and our family-favorite “Parade of Nations.”
Celebration of Cultures Night will serve as our spring CARE Night. During the event, we will feature information stations and activities for springtime cultural holidays and awareness months, including Month of the Military Child and Arab-American Heritage Month (April); Jewish-American Heritage Month and Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May); and Caribbean-American Heritage Month (June).
Watch for more information about both of these events coming soon and plan how your family might participate!
February Is Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. You can learn more about Black History month here.
During this month-long recognition, we would like to showcase and honor our Lane Black students and families and their family histories! Please share your pictures and stories with us so we can add them to our display. You can email information to one of our family liaisons: Melanie Crosby Hardy at [email protected] or Andrea Howard at [email protected]. You can also send photos and information through Talking Points. We look forward to learning about your history during Black History Month!
If you would like to share your family story as part of our Black History Month display on CARE Night on February 27th (as mentioned in the article above), please contact Melanie Crosby Hardy at the address above.
Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration Now Open
Registration for the countywide lottery for the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program is now open. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the 1st grade immersion program for the 2025-26 school year.
Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.
Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage.
6th Grade Middle School Transition Activities Now Underway
Our oldest Lane Lions – our 6th graders – are beginning the process of moving on to middle school soon, as course selection continues. Our 6th graders will attend either Hayfield Secondary School or Mark Twain Middle School, depending on where they live.
If your 6th grade Lane Lion will attend Hayfield Secondary School, please make note of these upcoming Parent Coffees for rising 7th grade parents/guardians:
- Tuesday, February 4th, 6 – 8 p.m., Middle School Lecture Hall (snow date: Wednesday, February 12th)
- Friday, March 14th, 9 – 11 a.m., Middle School Lecture Hall (snow date to be determined)
You can find more information, including the 7th grade course catalog and a Virtual Curriculum Fair on the Hayfield website. Please contact Lane counselor Stephanie Kasparek or Bessie Fealey, Hayfield school counselor, if you have questions.
The Parent Coffee for Mark Twain will be held on Tuesday, June 4th, at 9 a.m.
Please feel free to contact Mrs. Kasparek at Lane or Stephen Fitzgerald, Director of Student Services at Twain, if you have any questions.
PTA News
Valentine’s Day Grams on Sale This Week
Valentine's Day Grams are now available! New this year, caregivers may purchase a special Valentine's Day treat for their student for classroom delivery on Friday, February 14th. The link to purchase will be open through Friday February 7th.
There's also an option to purchase for an entire classroom. (If a classroom is selected they will be removed from the list but you may still purchase individual grams.)
Each Valentine's Gram costs $5 and includes a small plush toy, a pencil, and lollipop. Click here to order.
“Paper” PTA Meeting This Month!
The PTA had scheduled a virtual PTA meeting for this Thursday, February 6th, but as there are no items to vote on this month, they have decided to have a “paper” meeting instead. This means that the information that would be shared at the meeting will be sent out electronically. Watch your email for more information coming soon!
The PTA Needs Your Help to Make PTA Meetings More Accessible
As part of their ongoing effort to make monthly meetings more engaging and accessible, the PTA wants to hear from you! Your feedback is incredibly valuable as they look for ways to improve attendance and involvement in their meetings, whether virtual or in person.
The PTA has created a short survey to discover what would encourage you to attend PTA meetings. It will only take a few minutes to complete, and your responses will help the group tailor future meetings to better fit family schedules and preferences.
Please feel free to share any additional thoughts or suggestions you may have.
Thank you for your continued support!
February Restaurant Nights at Chick-fil-A Kingstowne February 11th & 12th
Chick-Fil-A is hosting Lane for Restaurant Nights next week. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 11th and Wednesday, February 12th from 4 to 9 p.m. Dine-in, drive-thru, and mobile orders count; just be sure to mention Lane Spirit Night so we receive credit. If placing a mobile order, use the code word "Lions" to ensure we get credit.
Love Basket Bingo? Join the Planning Committee!
Basket Bingo is coming in March 2025, and the PTA is looking for creative minds to join the Basket Bingo Planning Committee! Help us make this year’s event the best one yet by brainstorming fun themes and planning the event. If interested, please contact Wendy at [email protected].
Parent Resources
Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one guardian must be present), the student will be ready for our Kindergarten Orientation, which will be held later this spring. Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact Jami O’Hagan, our school registrar at [email protected].
Try Online Registration
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.
When registering, parents/caregivers will need to create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.
Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools. They do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
FREE Webinars from the Family Resource Center
Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Upper Elementary (Grades 3 – 6)
Discover how to support your child’s executive function skills in our webinar series. We will present information on understanding your child’s developmental milestones, recognizing signs of executive dysfunction, and implementing effective strategies to support their learning at home and in school.
Friday, February 7, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Comprendiendo el Trama en su Hijo
(presented in Spanish: Understanding Trauma in Your Child)
Aprendemos sobre el Trauma en este semanario de web de 3 partes y sobre los diferentes tipos de trauma, las respuestas naturales y los efectos que esto puede tener tanto en los niños como en los padres y estrategias que los padres pueden usar para apoyar a sus hijos.
Friday, February 14, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 – Risk Prevention
Review how FCPS Risk Prevention processes and procedures support a safe and healthy school community. Learn about risks assessments when a child expresses threats of harm to self and threats of harm to others and/or demonstrates concerning behaviors. Families and caretakers will be provided practical information and strategies to support building factors for those in their care.
Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Nurturing Adolescent Growth: Part 4 – Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens
Join us for Part 4 of our Teen Series with Dr. Unnatti Jain, a Certified Behavior Change Expert / TEDx speaker / Author / Keynote speaker who studies behavioral patterns. Dr. Jain will help caretakers and families be able to identify mental health symptoms, enhance communication skills, and explore professional and self-care strategies.
Friday, February 21, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
SibShops
For children grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. An opportunity to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs. Share sibling experiences, while receiving peer support. Enjoy games and have fun!
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your Child
This session will equip caregivers with the knowledge and skills to identify signs of suicidal ideation in their children and respond effectively to these crises. Caregivers will learn how to respond if they learn or observe that their child may be experiencing thoughts of suicide. This session will provide practical tools and strategies to help caregivers navigate these challenging situations with compassion and confidence.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
FCPS News & Activities
Proposed Budget Presented to School Board
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 23rd. Watch a video of the presentation.
As Dr. Reid noted in her January 24th letter to families, “The budget is fiscally responsible and invests in excellence — not just for FCPS, but for all of us in Fairfax County who want a strong community with successful young people, dedicated educators and support staff, and a thriving economy.”
The proposed budget reflects the needs of and FCPS’ commitments to Fairfax County students, families, and community members. It focuses on competitive compensation, including a 7.0% salary increase for all staff to recruit and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students; investing in students who require additional support; and continuing multiyear initiatives such as inclusive preschool and safety and security updates.
Learn more on the Budget webpage.
Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards
First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.
Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19th
SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey Closes Today
All FCPS families and middle and high school students have received an invitation to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey closes today, February 3rd. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!
Comprehensive Boundary Review Update
If you have not been able to attend a Community Boundary Review meeting yet, it’s not too late! The last virtual meeting will be held on Monday, February 10, 6:30-8 p.m.
Click on the date link to register and receive your unique Zoom link. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700