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The Weekly Roar - Friday, September 22, 2023

GovDelivery2 days 13 hours ago

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

The Lion’s Roar September 22, 2023
Baby Bugs and Mathematical Munchies

Students in Ms. Brusick’s 3rd grade class spent the week keeping eyes on their baby ladybugs and enjoying some tasty crunchy counters during “Munchable Math.”

Upcoming Events

Friday, 9/15 – Sunday, 10/15 – Hispanic Heritage Month (Share your Hispanic heritage with us! See the article below for details!)
Monday, 9/25 – Yom Kippur Holiday – School and Office CLOSED
Tuesday, 9/26 – Friday, 9/29 – Read-a-Thon Spirit Week!
- Tuesday: Tie-Dye Day! Shine bright for reading!
- Wednesday: Dress Like a Teacher Day! And Read, Read, Read!
- Thursday: Lane Spiritwear Day! We are reading and raising for LANE!
- Friday: Popsicles on the Playground – FriYAY Edition to celebrate our first-ever Read-a-Thon!
Tuesday, 9/26 – Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Families” Reception, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Tuesday, 9/26 – 5th Grade VGA Math Test (rescheduled from last week)
Friday, 9/29 – PTA Read-a-Thon ends
Monday, 10/2 – Thursday, 10/12 – Fall Picture Days during class library time (See article below for details)
Wednesday, 10/4 – Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
Thursday, 10/5 – Virtual Parent Coffee: Special Education at Lane, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Monday, 10/9 – Indigenous People’s Day – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
Friday, 10/13 – Field Day
Thursday, 10/19 - Fall Picture Day make-ups

In This Issue

Yom Kippur Holiday on Monday
Get Ready for a Spirited Final Read-a-Thon Week
Fall Picture WEEKS Start October 2nd!
Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” – Tuesday, September 26th
“Our Schools, Our Future”: Community Conversations with the Superintendent Kick Off at Hayfield September 26th
Spotlight on Special Education Virtual Parent Coffee – Thursday, October 5th, 6:30 p.m.
Bikes Are Back in P.E. Starting October 3rd!
Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day Is Wednesday, October 4th!
Hispanic Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) Parent Acknowledgement Due September 29th
Save the Date! Field Day 2023 Is Friday, October 13th!
Parent Resources: Attendance reminders, free webinars
Community Events & Activities: Girl Scouts at Lane, STEAMOLOGY STEM Fest

News & Notes

Yom Kippur Holiday on Monday

All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 25th for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. According to Jewish tradition, Yom Kippur is when God decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. You can learn more about Yom Kippur on Brittanica.com. We hope all in our Jewish community observing Yom Kippur have an easy and meaningful fast.

Get Ready for a Spirited Final Read-a-Thon Week!

The PTA Read-a-Thon FUN-draiser is entering its final week! The PTA has reached a third of its goal and is excited to make a BIG difference at our school with 100% of the money raised. As we go roaring into a three-day weekend, they are looking forward to making some big gains!

Every Lane Lion that has received a donation by the start of school on Tuesday, will be entered into an early-bird raffle with several available prizes!

Donate Today to the Read-a-Thon! Share with family and friends!

To really have some fun this final week of the Read-a-Thon, we’ll celebrate with daily spirit days:

Tuesday: Tie-Dye Day! Shine bright for reading!
Wednesday: Dress Like a Teacher Day! And Read, Read, Read!
Thursday: Lane Spiritwear* Day! We are reading and raising for LANE!
Friday: Popsicles on the Playground – FriYAY Edition to celebrate our first-ever Read-a-Thon!

Don't forget to log the minutes you're reading at home!

Every Lane Lion that submits their total minutes read by October 5th will receive a FREE kids meal to Panda Express!

*Good news! The Lane Spiritwear Back-to-School order has arrived! It will be going home on Tuesday!

Fall Picture WEEKS Start October 2nd! Volunteers Needed!

Yes, you read that right. This year we are having Picture WEEKS rather than just a Picture Day. The reason is that we are trying something new. This year will be taking our fall student portraits in house rather than having a photography company come for the day to take them. This means that all families will receive a digital copy of their student’s photo for FREE! Once you receive it, you can use it to have prints – or other objects – made at local photo product retailers.

Students’ individual Picture Day during Picture Week will be their class library day. Most students will have their pictures taken the week of October 2nd through 6th, although some classes will be the following week. Here is the schedule:

Monday, October 2nd: Kindergarten and 3rd Grade classes
Tuesday, October 3rd: 2nd Grade classes
Wednesday, October 4th: 1st Grade, Ms. Black’s and Ms. Gill’s classes only; 5th Grade, Mr. Benzelock’s and Mr. Morris’ classes only
Thursday, October 5th: 6th Grade, Mr. Crocamo’s and Ms. Wilson’s classes only
Friday, October 6th: 4th Grade and 1st Grade, Ms. Hartbarger’s and Mrs. Kaine’s classes only
Tuesday, October 10th: Mrs. Ferguson’s, Mr. Holmes’, and Ms. Scott’s classes
Wednesday, October 11th: 5th Grade, Ms. McGregor's and Ms. Benton’s classes only
Thursday, October 12th: 6th Grade, Ms. Sperry’s and Ms. Fitzgerald’s classes only

Thursday, October 19th will be a make-up day for students who were absent on their assigned class day.

We will still need some volunteers, as we usually do, to help this process run smoothly. If you are available to assist on one of the days, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B45A9A72CABF85-2023.

Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” Breakfast Reception – Tuesday, September 26th

On Tuesday, September 26th we will host a Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” reception before school from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the cafeteria. At this event you’ll be able to learn about resources and supports both here at Lane and throughout the county, meet military family specialists from FCPS and Fort Belvoir, and connect with other Lane military lions. All military families are welcome – parents and students.

If you plan to attend this event, please RSVP here. This will ensure we have enough food and drink for everyone. We hope you’ll be able to join us!

“Our Schools, Our Future”: Community Conversations with the Superintendent Kick Off at Hayfield September 26th

You are invited to join Superintendent Reid for “Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation” at Hayfield Secondary School on Tuesday, September 26th, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions!

This event is part of a series of Community Conversations this fall and spring in each region. There will be another session at Whitman Middle School on Wednesday, September 27th also at 6:30 p.m. Days and times for the additional region events will be shared soon. Visit FCPS’ webpage to find out when and where you can engage with Dr. Reid.

Register to attend here. Pre-registration is not required. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability.

Spotlight on Special Education Virtual Parent Coffee – Thursday, October 5th, 6:30 p.m.

Are you interested in learning more about special education services at Lane and in FCPS? Do you have concerns about how your child is learning, but aren’t sure where to turn? Would you like to meet other special education parents?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, please plan to attend our virtual parent “coffee” focusing on special education on Thursday, October 5th at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Lane’s principal Christine Prahl and special education lead Dr. Patrick Ledesma will join us to provide an overview of special education at the school; Lane PTA Inclusion Committee Chair Jee Deogracias will discuss upcoming PTA-sponsored inclusion activities; Emily Sachdev from Special Education PTA (SEPTA) will talk about the organization and their initiatives and supports; and the manager of the FCPS Family Resource Center will present information about their wide array of supports and resources available to families for free.

There won’t actually be coffee at this event (unless you make your own at home), but important information will definitely be brewing!

Bikes Are Back in P.E. Starting October 3rd!

The P.E. program will once again have bikes available for students in grades 3 through 6 from Tuesday, October 3rd to Friday, October 20th (excluding Field Day).

There will be helmets to share (with hairnets). If students would like to use their own helmets, they may do so, but the helmet needs to fit correctly. Helmets can be brought in on Thursday, September 28th or Friday, September 29th for fitting. Please note that hairstyles can affect sizing and fit of helmets. Helmets are legally required for all people under the age of 15 in Fairfax County.

Students who do not know how to ride a bike yet will have the opportunity to learn during class.

Closed-toed shoes are required for participation, and loose clothing is not advised as it could get caught in the gears.

Montgomery Co., MD Fire

Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day Is Wednesday, October 4th!

And speaking of bikes, schools across Fairfax County will participate in Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 4th, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Students and staff are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work, where safe to do so, that day. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The celebration runs through October 15th.

We would like to mark this special month in two ways:

First, we invite our students who identify as Hispanic to share something from that culture with their Lane friends and families. Students are encouraged to bring in an item to put on display throughout Hispanic Heritage Month. The item must be:

Specific to a Hispanic culture
No larger than a lunchbox or heavier than 10 pounds
Unbreakable (to protect the item when taking it back and forth to school)
Appropriate for elementary-aged students.

Sharp items or weapons of any kind are prohibited.

Each item must be accompanied by a large index card or half-sheet of paper that includes the following information:

Student’s name
Student’s teacher’s name
What the item is
What country/culture the item is from
One or two sentences about why this item is important to the student and/or how it relates to the particular Hispanic culture.

Items will be displayed in the glass case outside the Lane Library until October 15th. Items without written information will not be displayed. Please note that Lane and FCPS are not liable for loss of or damage to any item brought in to display.

Second, we will end our Hispanic Heritage Month in October with a slide show featuring our Hispanic students. If you would like for us to include a picture of your child, please email it to our family liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at [email protected] no later than Friday, October 6th. The slide show will be shown in the school after October 15th.

We hope your student will participate and look forward to learning more about your family and culture!

Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) Parent Acknowledgement Due September 29th

FCPS’ updated Student Rights and Responsibility (SR&R) booklet is available online and in SIS ParentVUE. The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.

Each year, we ask parents/caregivers to review and sign the SR&R. The SR&R will be visible upon logging in to SIS ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgment has been completed.

Signatures are due by Friday, September 29th. Please contact our front office if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet.

Thank you to all the parents/guardians who’ve already completed this task.

Save the Date! Field Day Is Friday, October 13th! Volunteers Needed!

Our annual Field Day event will be held on Friday, October 13th during the school day. Students will have an hour to rotate through different stations with their classmates. Here is the grade-level schedule:

9:45 – 10:45 a.m.: 5th & 6th Grade
11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.: 3rd & 4th Grade
12:50 – 1:50 p.m.: Kindergarten
1:55 – 2:55 p.m.: 2nd Grade
3 – 4 p.m.: 1st Grade

Students in multiple-abilities classes will attend with their inclusion class or during Small-Group P.E. Classes Field Day on Monday, October 16th.

Volunteers are needed to help with our Field Day stations throughout the day. If you’re available, and would like to help, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAE2BA6FA7-field1#/.

Celebrate Hayfield’s Homecoming by Participating in Halftime Parade – Friday, October 13th!

On Friday, October 13th at 7 p.m. the Hayfield Hawks will play their homecoming football game. All Hayfield pyramid elementary schools are invited to attend the game and participate in the halftime parade. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Parent Resources

September Is Attendance Awareness Month: We All Belong at School!

This month, at the beginning of the school year, it’s important to focus on how on how regular school attendance can support student success.

Attending school every day, throughout the year, is critical to students reaching their fullest potential.
Regular attendance helps students engage in learning that builds proficiency in reading and math, which will help them to graduate from high school.
Students who attend school regularly do better academically in middle school. They are also more likely to graduate on time from high school, if they miss less than a week of school each semester.
Being in school helps students to get to know peers, teachers, and school staff, and to create trusting relationships that motivate students to participate in learning.
Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school. There are solutions.

Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance, tips, and strategies. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

FREE Family Resource Center Webinars

The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars for parents and families each month. Here is the remaining line-up for September.

Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions

Do you have a child who is bossy, melts down over changes in plans or transitions?
Acts like a sore loser when playing games?
Wears the same clothes and eats the same foods?
Likes to say, "That's not fair!" and won't stop following you until they prove a point?

Calm Parenting podcast founder Kirk Martin explains why all of these behaviors have the same root...and similar solutions.

Friday, September 29, 2023, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

October webinars have been released and are now registering. Visit the Family Resource Center website for details and watch this newsletter for highlights!

Community Events & Activities Girl Scout Troop Information Meeting – Thursday, September 28th, 6 p.m.

STEAMOLOGY STEM Fest Offers Hands-On Activities for Students

Students are invited to participate in STEM FEST on Saturday, October 14th, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South County High School. Students in kindergarten through 8th grade can participate in robotics demonstrations, coding experiments, and more. High school students are invited to volunteer. Visit the STEAMOLOGY website for more information.

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Friday, September 15, 2023

GovDelivery1 week 2 days ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

The Lion’s Roar September 15, 2023

Colors, Characters, and Community!

What a terrific week we had at Lane! We started off the week on Monday honoring Patriot Day, wearing red, white, and blue; kicked off our Read-a-Thon on Tuesday with storybook characters filling the halls during the day and bounce houses, frozen treats, and loads of Lane Lion fun filling the fields during the evening; lit up a rainbow throughout the week wearing colors for our kindergarteners; and wrapped it up today with not one, not two, but THREE spirit days – Bring a Stuffed Animal and Your Favorite Book to School Day, Creative Reading Day, and Kindergarten Blue Day. The stuffed animals and creative reading opportunities happened because the generosity of our community skyrocketed us past two Read-a-Thon goals in just three days!

Check out these scenes from Tuesday's excitement!

“Shanah tovah!” to our Jewish community celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which began at sundown tonight. Meaning “head of the year,” Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that ends with Yom Kippur on Monday, September 25th, a holiday for all FCPS students and staff.

Upcoming Events

Friday, 9/15 – Sunday, 10/15 – Hispanic Heritage Month
Monday, 9/18 – Friday, 9/22 – Kindergarten Color Week 2
- Monday, 9/18: Yellow
- Tuesday, 9/19: Pink/Brown
- Wednesday, 9/20: Orange
- Thursday, 9/21: Black/White
- Friday, 9/22: Rainbow/Favorite Color
Monday, 9/18 – 4th Grade Math VGA Test
Tuesday, 9/19 – 5th Grade Math VGA Test
Wednesday, 9/20 – 6th Grade Math VGA Test
Thursday, 9/21 – 3rd Grade Math VGA Test
Monday, 9/25 – Yom Kippur Holiday – School and Office CLOSED
Tuesday, 9/26 – Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Families” Reception, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Friday, 9/29 – PTA Read-a-Thon ends
Monday, 10/2 – Friday, 10/6 – Fall Picture Week 1 (See article below for details)
Wednesday, 10/4 – Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
Thursday, 10/5 – Virtual Parent Coffee: Special Education at Lane, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Monday, 10/9 – Indigenous People’s Day – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
Friday, 10/13 – Field Day

In This Issue

Lane Readers Rock! PTA Read-a-Thon Tops $12,000 in Just Three Days!
Fall Picture WEEKS Start October 2nd!
Help Wanted: Still Seeking Dining Assistant and Student Monitor
Hispanic Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” Breakfast Reception – Tuesday, September 26th
Spotlight on Special Education Virtual Parent Coffee – Thursday, October 5th, 6:30 p.m.
Advanced Academics Program Parent Information Session Presentation
Keep the Colors Coming for Kindergarteners!
Save the Date! Field Day 2023 Is Friday, October 13th!
PTA News: Read-a-Thon details, first meeting news, Restaurant Night reports
Parent Resources: Substance Abuse Specialists, free webinars
Community Events & Activities: Upcoming meeting about Girl Scout troops at Lane
FCPS Events & Announcements: Information session for substitutes and instructional assistants, county bond referendum

News & Notes

Lane Readers Rock! PTA Read-a-Thon Tops $12,000 in Just Three Days!

Our Lane Lion readers are off to a roaring great Read-a-Thon start! We are nearing the $13,000 mark for funds raised, and the stories we are hearing of all the reading happening at home are fantastic!

As we've noted in previous newsletters and messages, our PTA is shooting for the stars this year. The goal is to only ask for financial support this one time. If the Read-a-Thon can raise $75,000, they have promised not to ask for any further donations this year, AND they guarantee that every child will receive $10 to use at the Lane Book Fair in November. AND (yes, there's more!) they will be able to purchase shade structures for the school playground in addition to the many other school requests for support!

Has your child registered? If not, click here to register. They must be registered to get credit for donations. Check the PTA News section below for more details on getting donations.

Is your child reading and tracking their minutes? Make sure your child is logging the minutes they read at home! On October 2nd, they will need to turn in their minutes log from home at school to submit their total number of minutes read. The minutes log and other resources, like a reading challenge calendar, are included in the Read-a-Thon packet that was sent home in Wednesday Folders. You can also download a PDF copy of the packet here.

Thank you for all of your generous support so far!

Fall Picture WEEKS Start October 2nd! Volunteers Needed!

Monday, October 2nd: Kindergarten and 3rd Grade classes
Tuesday, October 3rd: 2nd Grade classes
Wednesday, October 4th: 1st Grade, Ms. Black’s and Ms. Gill’s classes only; 5th Grade, Mr. Benzelock’s and Mr. Morris’ classes only
Thursday, October 5th: 6th Grade, Mr. Crocamo’s and Ms. Wilson’s classes only
Friday, October 6th: 4th Grade and 1st Grade, Ms. Hartbarger’s and Mrs. Kaine’s classes only
Tuesday, October 10th: Mrs. Ferguson’s, Mr. Holmes’, and Ms. Scott’s classes
Wednesday, October 11th: 5th Grade, Ms. McGregor's and Ms. Benton’s classes only
Thursday, October 12th: 6th Grade, Ms. Sperry’s and Ms. Fitzgerald’s classes only

Thursday, October 19th will be a make-up day for students who were absent on their assigned class day.

Help Wanted: Still Seeking Dining Assistant and Student Monitor

We are still in need of one dining assistant for our cafeteria. The job is 3.5 hours a day (approximately 10:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.), Monday through Friday. Duties include monitoring students, assisting them as they clean up and clean tables, and interacting with them in a positive way to assist them with their social skills.

We are also searching for one student monitor who can travel to various classrooms and other school locations to help assist students as needed. This position is full-day, Monday through Friday. The minimum requirement is high school graduation.

We are looking for dedicated people who can be patient, caring, structured, and fair. Would you like to join our team? If so, please contact Kelly Tolley at [email protected].

Hispanic Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!

We would like to mark this special month in two ways:

Specific to a Hispanic culture
No larger than a lunchbox or heavier than 10 pounds
Unbreakable (to protect the item when taking it back and forth to school)
Appropriate for elementary-aged students.

Sharp items or weapons of any kind are prohibited.

Each item must be accompanied by a large index card or half-sheet of paper that includes the following information:

Student’s name
Student’s teacher’s name
What the item is
What country/culture the item is from
One or two sentences about why this item is important to the student and/or how it relates to the particular Hispanic culture.

We hope your student will participate and look forward to learning more about your family and culture!

Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” Breakfast Reception – Tuesday, September 26th

If you plan to attend this event, please RSVP here. This will ensure we have enough food and drink for everyone. We hope you’ll be able to join us!

Spotlight on Special Education Virtual Parent Coffee – Thursday, October 5th, 6:30 p.m.

There won’t actually be coffee at this event (unless you make your own at home), but important information will definitely be brewing!

Advanced Academics Parent Meeting Presentation

If you were not able to attend last night’s Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Parent Meeting with Ms. Simon, you can view the full slide presentation here. Please reach out to Ms. Simon with any questions, [email protected].

Keep the Colors Coming for Kindergarteners!

What a colorful week we’ve had! It was wonderful to see so many students in other grade levels wearing the color of the day to support our littlest lions who are learning their colors. The vibrant fun continues next week, and we hope all students in all grades will continue to join in. Here is the schedule for the remaining color days:

Monday, September 18th: Yellow
Tuesday, September 19th: Pink/Brown
Wednesday, September 20th: Orange
Thursday, September 21st: Black/White
Friday, September 22nd: Rainbow/Favorite Color

Save the Date! Field Day Is Friday, October 13th! Volunteers Needed!

9:45 – 10:45 a.m.: 5th & 6th Grade
11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.: 3rd & 4th Grade
12:50 – 1:50 p.m.: Kindergarten
1:55 – 2:55 p.m.: 2nd Grade
3 – 4 p.m.: 1st Grade

Students in multiple-abilities classes will attend with their inclusion class or during Small-Group P.E. Classes Field Day on Monday, October 16th.

Watch for more Field Day information coming soon!

PTA News

Read-a-Thon Starts with a Roar!

Thank you, Lane! Within the first three days of our Read-a-Thon, we already achieved TWO school rewards! Today, students brought in a stuffed animal and got to creatively read in their classrooms. Look at all of those stuffed animals!

The next school reward is $15,000. If we reach it, students can bring in a fidget to show their class. Hopefully we can celebrate that level on Monday!

Please ensure your child is registered and then ask family and friends to support them and Lane Elementary! Your child can make a video, write a letter, or have you email a note. Video chat with a grandparent and read a story to them for $20. Or, for every $50 donated, have your child read for an hour. There are so many options to also spark their reading! Get creative on how the fundraising piece can pair with the reading piece!

Don't forget ... The PTA gets 100% of the money raised during the Read-a-Thon, and it will be invested right back into our school in many different ways.

If each child at Lane sets a goal of raising $100, the PTA will definitely reach their goal!

Read-a-Thon Kick-off Event Success!

WHAT A NIGHT! As you can tell from the pictures above, Lane came alive Tuesday night. It was incredible to see all the families with kids running around from bounce house to bounce house! All the teachers and staff in attendance made it even more special! We hope this event sparked a new level of excitement in your children to read for our school so that we can continue to support our kids and families!

The PTA would like to send a big THANK YOU to the Read-a-Thon Kick-off sponsors: Big Country Amusements, Rita's, Sign Gypsies, and Three Wishes Bookshop. Without them (and the food trucks!) this amazing event wouldn't have been as fun and magical as it was!

First PTA Meeting Notes

After getting together for the Read-a-Thon Kick-Off Event, the PTA business followed in an email. We are really pleased with the response to our Google Form voting method and love that we saved our parents and teachers an hour-long meeting! Our PTA members voted to approve the 2023-2024 Lane PTA budget and voted to financially support the new Bus Loop Garden initiative, as well as some needed items for our classrooms.

Restaurant Nights

Our Lane Lion community is certainly showing up for Restaurant Nights!! Hangry Burger was THE place to be on September 6th and 7th! Our school raised $753, and the restaurant even asked if they could partner with us again in the spring! Way to go, Lane families!

Parent Resources

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) Introduction

Each school pyramid has a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) assigned to provide substance abuse prevention, education, and intervention services. Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists are part of the FCPS Office of Student Safety and Wellness. Like school social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors, they do not provide treatment services but do support students while they are in the buildings.

Key roles of a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist:

Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug education for students, parents, staff, and the Fairfax County community
Intervention services upon violation of the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook or suspected substance use involvement
Assessing a student’s level of substance use and, if appropriate, making referrals to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board for additional services or other community resources as appropriate
Group and individual interventions for students and in addition prevention services for students, staff, parents, and the Fairfax County community
Most importantly, building positive relationships with students to provide support and encouragement.

Resources:

Free Virtual Parent Support Group

Free Online Narcan Training for Opioid Overdoses (English & Spanish)

Free Lock Boxes for Medications & Firearms

Spiritual Support by Phone for Adults

Spanish Podcast: Tips on How Parents Play an Important Role in Substance Abuse Prevention

Juvenile Court Parent Support Group

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.

For further information and support, contact Bryan Villalobos, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, at [email protected]

FREE Family Resource Center Webinars

The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars for parents and families each month. Here is the remaining line-up for September.

Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions

Do you have a child who is bossy, melts down over changes in plans or transitions?
Acts like a sore loser when playing games?
Wears the same clothes and eats the same foods?
Likes to say, "That's not fair!" and won't stop following you until they prove a point?

Calm Parenting podcast founder Kirk Martin explains why all of these behaviors have the same root...and similar solutions.

Friday, September 29, 2023, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

October webinars have been released and are now registering. Visit the Family Resource Center website for details and watch this newsletter for highlights!

Community Events & Activities Girl Scout Troop Information Meeting – Thursday, September 28th, 6 p.m.

FCPS News & Announcements

Information Session for Substitute Teachers and Instructional Assistants

Learn more about becoming a substitute teacher or instructional assistant at a virtual information session on Wednesday, September 20th from 2 to 3 p.m. Register for this session. Visit the Recruitment Events calendar for a list of all FCPS job fairs.

School Bonds Benefit Students

A bond referendum to benefit Fairfax County Public Schools will be on the ballot this election season. The building and renovation of schools are not financed through the school system’s operating funds, but through bonds.

Similar to an individual or a family obtaining a mortgage on a residence to spread the cost of home buying over several years, bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over a number of years. This ensures that current and future residents and users share in the payment. The county’s bonded debt is not likely to be a contributing factor to any increase in local taxes.

Hear from teachers how FCPS prioritizes safety with bond funding.

Read more about the FCPS 2023 Bond Referendum. Learn about registering to vote. Vote on Tuesday, November 7th.

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Lockdown Drill Follow-Up

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Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Every school in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan in place. Keeping students and staff safe is a priority. We practice a number of safety drills throughout the school year, including lockdown drills, which helps us know what to do if there is a potentially violent intruder inside the school or on school property.

Today our school conducted a lockdown drill, and teachers talked to students to prepare them for the drill. As a part of our safety training, we also showed students a video regarding lockdown drills so they would know what a lockdown looks like in the school.

I am very proud of our students today. They listened to directions, and the drill was conducted in a calm and orderly fashion. Our students did a great job, and I encourage you to discuss the drill with them. Additional guidance on discussions with your child about lockdown drills can be found in the Parent/Guardian tip letter, as well as on the frequently asked questions (FAQs) page.

Our emergency preparedness plans have been developed in coordination with the FCPS Office of Safety and Security, local law enforcement, emergency management officials, and FCPS mental health professionals. The plans are regularly reviewed and updated and include procedures on how to respond to critical incidents such as fires, tornadoes, and other events. Students and staff regularly practice safety drills.

I will continue to keep you informed of safety and security measures in place at our school. If you have questions, please call or contact the school office. I appreciate your continued support in these matters.

Sincerely,

Allen Dickens, Jr.
Assistant Principal
Lane Elementary

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Don't Miss the Read-a-Thon Kick-Off Celebration TONIGHT 6 - 8 p.m.!

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Tonight Is the Night!

Lane's Read-a-Thon Kick-Off Event!

Families may arrive anytime between 6 and 8 p.m. You must register your child for the Read-a-Thon first, then they will get some Lane swag and have access to all the fun outside! Details below.

How the Event Works:

If you pre-register your child(ren) for the Read-a-Thon: Enter through Door 5 (near the gym) and go through the Fast Pass lane in the Gym. Once your registration is confirmed, we will give your child a bracelet that gives them access to the bounce houses and a raffle ticket that they will redeem outside to get their complimentary Rita's.

Read-a-Thon Registration Link: https://lanepta.memberhub.gives/readathon/

If you do not pre-register your child(ren) for the Read-a-Thon: You can enter through Door 5 (near the gym) and go to the registration tables in the Cafeteria. We will have volunteers available to help you register your child. Once your child is registered, we will give your child a bracelet that gives them access to the bounce houses and a raffle ticket that they will redeem outside to get their complimentary Rita's.

PLEASE NOTE: Your child(ren) cannot go on the bounce houses or get their complimentary Rita's without their Read-a-Thon registration being verified.

ALSO ...

Bring water bottles! In an effort to help save the environment, we have opted not to purchase hundreds of plastic water bottles. Please plan to bring your own.

In addition to the bounce houses and Rita's and photo spot, there will be food trucks and a mobile book truck with items available for purchase.

ONE LAST THING ...

We do expect heavy attendance. If walking is an option, we recommend it.

Event Map

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Friday, September 8, 2023

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletin en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

The Lion’s Roar September 8, 2023

Upcoming Events

Monday, 9/11 – Patriot Day– Wear red, white, and blue
Monday, 9/11 – Friday, 9/15 – Kindergarten Color Week 1

Monday, 9/11: Red, White, and Blue (Patriot Day)
Tuesday, 9/12: PTA Storybook Character Day for Read-a-Thon
Wednesday, 9/13: Green
Thursday, 9/14: Red
Friday, 9/15: Blue

Tuesday, 9/12 – PTA Meeting and Read-a-Thon Kick-Off Celebration, 6 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, 9/14 - Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Parent Information Meeting, 6 p.m., Library
Friday, 9/15 – Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown (FCPS half-Observance Day)
Monday, 9/18 – Friday, 9/22 – Kindergarten Color Week 2
- Monday, 9/18:Yellow
- Tuesday, 9/19: Pink/Brown
- Wednesday, 9/20: Orange
- Thursday, 9/21: Black/White
- Friday, 9/22: Rainbow/Favorite Color

Monday, 9/25 – Yom Kippur Holiday – School and Office CLOSED
Tuesday, 9/26 – Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Families” Reception, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Thursday, 10/5 – Virtual Parent Coffee: Special Education at Lane, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Monday, 10/9 – Indigenous People’s Day – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday

In This Issue

Lane Elementary Read-a-Thon Live Now! Storybook Character Day and Evening Celebration on Tuesday, September 12th!
Patriot Day and September 11th National Day of Service
Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Parent Meeting Thursday, September 14th, 6 p.m.; Fall AAP Newsletter
UPDATED Kindergarten Color Weeks – Help Our Littlest Lions Learn Their Colors!
Save the Date for Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” – Tuesday, September 26th
Notification of Testing and Retest Permission Form, State Assessments, Grades 3 – 8: VGA Testing Begins Next Week
Required Parent/Guardian Consent for Use of Digital Resources
From the Shelves of the Lane Library: Volunteers Needed and Call for Missing Books!
Parent Resources: Tutor.com, free webinars

News & Notes SURPRISE!! The Lane Read-a-Thon Is Live NOW!! Storybook Character Day and Evening Celebration on Tuesday, September 12th!

The Lane teachers are excited to get the Read-a-Thon party started, so the PTA is releasing the Read-a-Thon registration link EARLY!!!

You can register your child using the link/instructions below. If you register BEFORE the Read-a-Thon Kick-off Event on Tuesday, September 12th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lane, you can use the Fast Pass line at the event to confirm your child is registered and get them a bracelet and a ticket for bounce house access and their free Rita's.

Once your child is registered, you can start collecting donations with either of the methods offered below. Minute collection will still begin September 12th. The hard-copy Read-a-Thon packet will be sent home in Wednesday Folders for minute tracking.

How to Register

Step 1: Go to https://lanepta.memberhub.gives/readathon.
Step 2: Click Register.
Step 3: Scroll down to "Student Registrations." Adjust the number to reflect the number of children you have at Lane. Click Add to Cart.
Step 4: Click "Check out now." Fill in information *for all registrants* to include grade level (even though it says optional).
Step 5: Verify information and click Submit. Your child is ready to receive donations!

How to Donate

Option 1: Using your child's specific link you created when you registered, you can send that link out to family, friends, and neighbors and they can make a direct donation to your child. *This is the preferred/most-direct method.*
Option 2: Share the fundraising page website: https://lanepta.memberhub.gives/readathon, and family, friends, and neighbors can click "Donate" and select your child's name from a drop-down menu.

To kick off the Read-a-Thon in style, the Lane PTA has planned two big events on Tuesday, September 12th – a reading-centered spirit day and a community celebration featuring food, fun, bounce houses and – of course – books! Read on for the details.

Dress Like Your Favorite Storybook Character Day!

To celebrate the first day of our Read-a-Thon, all students are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook character and bring in the matching book to show their class. As an added benefit, they can read it and start collecting Read-a-Thon minutes!

As a reminder, Lane is an elementary school with kids ranging from ages 5 to 12. It is important to be courteous, respectful, and appropriate with storybook character choices. Costume masks are not allowed. Violent characters are not appropriate, nor allowed. Our Lane Lions know how to make good choices. Please help us ensure those good choices are made.

Read-a-Thon Kick-Off Event, 6 to 8 p.m.

You don't want to miss this event! The PTA has partnered with:

Big Country Amusements, and they are bringing FIVE bounce houses (think obstacle courses, slides, and a moon house!);
Rita's, which will have Italian Ice for ALL Lane attendees;
SignGypsies to create a photo spot to share with family and friends that our Read-a-Thon has begun;
Three Wishes Mobile Bookshop to have a selection of fun, new books available for purchase for our Read-a-Thon readers;
THREE FOOD TRUCKS!

The PTA is still looking for some volunteers to help with this event. Please click here to see where help is needed.

How the Read-a-Thon Kick-Off Event Will Work

When you arrive at the event, you must first register for the Read-a-Thon fundraiser (if you haven't already) before your child(ren) can use the bounce houses or get their complimentary Rita's. There will be registration tables set-up for the PTA to assist in the registration process, but there will also be QR codes set-up around the event. Scan one of the QR codes and follow the instructions to pre-register your child(ren). If you pre-register before arriving at the registration area, you can go through the Fast Pass line.

Once registered, children will receive a Lane Lions bracelet, which gives them access to the bounce houses and a ticket for Rita's. That's it! The rest of the night is yours to enjoy!

And in case you missed it, the PTA is SO EXCITED for this event! We hope you will be too!

The Read-a-Thon will run from September 12th through September 29th. Our goal is to have each student raise $100. Once they achieve their goal, they will receive $10 to use at the Lane Book Fair in November!

Patriot Day and September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance

With the upcoming 22nd anniversary of the sad events that occurred on September 11, 2001, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country.

The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

We will observe Patriot Day here at Lane by wearing red, white, and blue. We encourage your child to participate.

All FCPS students are also encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Here are two Fairfax County volunteer opportunities to get started this fall: Public Lands Day (Saturday, September 23rd) and Volunteer Fairfax’s VolunteerFest (Saturday, October 21st ). Information on service projects can be found on the Volunteer Fairfax website.

Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Parent Meeting, Thursday, September 14th, 6 p.m.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extension of the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide four levels of services. More information can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary/advanced-academic-programs.

You can learn more about AAP at Lane and in FCPS at a parent information session on Thursday, September 14th at 6 p.m. in the Lane library. At this meeting Linda Simon, Lane’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, will provide information about the continuum of AAP services in Fairfax County as well as a brief overview of the screening process for both part-time and full-time AAP placement. This meeting is open to all interested parents with students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

You can also get additional information about the AAP program in the Fall 2023 Advanced Academics Newsletter.

UPDATED Kindergarten Color Weeks – Help Our Littlest Lions Learn Their Colors!

Wearing red, white, and blue on Patriot Day also kicks off Kindergarten Color Weeks, during which our youngest students celebrate and learn about a different color every day. Staff and students in other grades are encouraged to showcase the rainbow along with them these two weeks by wearing the designated color of the day. Here’s the schedule:

Monday, September 11th: Red, White, and Blue (Patriot Day)
Tuesday, September 12th: PTA Storybook Character Day for Read-a-Thon
Wednesday, September 13th: Green
Thursday, September 14th: Red
Friday, September 15th: Blue
Monday, September 18th: Yellow
Tuesday, September 19th: Pink/Brown
Wednesday, September 20th: Orange
Thursday, September 21st: Black/White
Friday, September 22nd: Rainbow/Favorite Color

Please encourage your child – no matter what grade level – to join the colorful fun!

NOTE TO KINDERGARTEN PARENTS: Because Kindergarten is also working on listening skills, students will be told what color to wear before the following day. Our hope is that students will listen and tell you the color at home. Please don’t share the secret!

Save the Date for Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” – Tuesday, September 26th

Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. We are honored to have many military-connected lions in our school community and look forward to celebrating them during this special week. On Tuesday, September 26th, we will host a Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” reception before school. If you are a military family, please save the date and stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Notification of Testing and Retest Permission Form, State Assessments, Grades 3 – 8 VGA Testing Begins Next Week

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

Fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) standardized tests in reading and mathematics. More information is available on the VGA webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43932);
Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021);
Ongoing local alternative assessments (LAAs) including performance-based assessments (PBAs) completed as part of classroom instruction in science, writing, and social studies. More information is available on the LAA and PBA webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/45043).

The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) testing for students in grades 3 through 6 begins next week. Here is the schedule:

Monday, September 11th – 6th Grade Reading VGA
Tuesday, September 12th – 4th Grade Reading VGA
Wednesday, September 13th – 5th Grade Reading VGA
Thursday, September 14th – 3rd Grade Reading VGA
Monday, September 18th – 4th Grade Math VGA
Tuesday, September 19th – 5th Grade Math VGA
Wednesday, September 20th – 6th Grade Math VGA
Thursday, September 21st – 3rd Grade Math VGA.

Make-up tests will be available, but it’s best for children to take these tests with the rest of their classmates. Please avoid scheduling appointments on these days and make sure your child arrives at school on time. Also, please ensure that your child get’s a good night’s sleep the night before a test and eats a healthy breakfast that morning.

If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s teacher or the school test coordinators, Assistant Principals Julie Kubiak and Allen Dickens.

Required Parent/Guardian Consent for Use of Digital Resources

Thank you to all the parents and guardians who have already signed off on the Digital Resources Parent Consent Form, which is required for each student enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). If you have not yet signed this form, please do so as soon as possible. You must fill in the form for each child enrolled at Lane.

FCPS uses a variety of resources to support student learning. FCPS conducts the same technical evaluations for all products that use student information. In cases where FCPS contracts with a vendor to host student information, FCPS requires that the vendor adheres to the security and privacy requirements specified in a confidentiality agreement included in their contracts. FCPS does not have contracts with every instructional tool vendor. Many valuable instructional tools are governed by Terms of Service (TOS) and include both free and paid tools. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year require parental consent. Your child may use digital tools that do not collect, use, or share any personal information.

You can find more information about digital resources on the FCPS website: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent. This page also contains a link to the consent form. You can access the consent form directly at this link: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/is01/r/pdcp/login?session=6788411365219. Please note that you must use your ParentVUE credentials to access this form.

If you do not yet have a ParentVUE account, please contact our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at [email protected] to receive an access code and instructions for setting up your account.

From the Shelves of the Lane Library: Volunteers Needed and Call for Missing Books!

Our librarian, Mrs. Chozick, is in need of volunteer help in the library. Most of the work will be shelving books (training will be provided); occasionally other help will be needed, like making copies or taking down displays, but expect to be shelving books most of the time.

If you can spare just one or two hours once a week, that would be splendid! As it is most helpful to have volunteers throughout the day and week, so that books can be continuously shelved, volunteer times are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please contact Mrs. Chozick at [email protected] to let her know what times you might be available or if you should have any questions. Thanks so much for considering helping in the library!

On another note, we are still looking for many books that were checked out last school year and never returned. The library does not have fees for overdue books; however, families are expected to pay the replacement cost for books that are lost or returned damaged.

Please take another look to see if any Lane Library books surfaced at your house during the summer. If you’re not sure what books you still have checked out, please contact Mrs. Chozick.

Parent Resources

How to Access Free Resources from Tutor.com

All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.

Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to [email protected].

FREE Family Resource Center Webinars

The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars for parents and families each month. Here is the line-up for September.

Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud

Are you working harder than your children to solve their problems? Do you need strategies to help children make their own decisions? Join Dr. William Stixrud while he discusses his book, The Self-Driven Child.

Webinar highlights include:

Learning how to support the development of resilience in your child
Understanding the elements of a healthy mental life
Supporting your child's decision-making skills
Learn how to help your child deal with stressful situations
Learning how to make your child feel loved, trusted, supported, and capable

Friday, September 15, 2023, 10 – 11:15 a.m.

Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions

Do you have a child who is bossy, melts down over changes in plans or transitions?
Acts like a sore loser when playing games?
Wears the same clothes and eats the same foods?
Likes to say, "That's not fair!" and won't stop following you until they prove a point?

Calm Parenting podcast founder Kirk Martin explains why all of these behaviors have the same root...and similar solutions.

Friday, September 29, 2023, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Thursday, August 31, 2023 - Special Thursday Labor Day Edition

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REMINDER! Labor Day Long Weekend Ahead, No School Tomorrow or Monday

Please note that there is no school tomorrow or Monday in honor of the Labor Day holiday. School will reopen on Tuesday, September 5th at the regular time. Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September each year. It's the day to honor and remember all working people and celebrate those who've fought for workers' rights. We hope your family enjoys a restful holiday.

Upcoming Events

Friday, 9/1 through Monday 9/4 – Labor Day Holiday Break, school and office CLOSED
Wednesday, 9/6 & Thursday, 9/7 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger, 4 – 8 p.m.
Monday, 9/11 – Patriot Day/Start of Kindergarten Color Weeks – Wear red, white, and blue (see article below for details)
Tuesday, 9/12 – PTA Meeting and Read-a-Thon Kick-Off Celebration, 6 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, 9/14 – Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Parent Information Meeting, 6 p.m., Library
Friday, 9/15 – Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown (FCPS Observance Half-Day)
Monday, 9/25 – Yom Kippur Holiday, school and office CLOSED

In This Issue

Safety Drills During the School Year
Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Parent Meeting, Thursday, September 14th, 6 p.m.
Patriot Day and September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance
Would You Like to Volunteer at Lane? Please Review Our Volunteer Orientation Online
From the Shelves of the Lane Library: Volunteers Needed and Call for Missing Books!
Kindergarten Color Weeks – Help Our Littlest Lions Learn Their Colors!
Talking Points Additional Outreach Form Update
Health Information and Emergency Care Forms
PTA News: Membership, Restaurant Nights, and Read-a-Thon
Parent Resources: Signs of drug use and danger of overdose; free webinars for parents/guardians
Community Events & Activities: Hayfield Little Hawks Cheerleading Clinic, September 6th & 7th

News & Notes Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.

You can learn more about safety and security protocols and language by watching these two videos:

FCPS also provides information on its Frequently Asked Questions about Lockdown Drills page and in the document Parent/Guardian Tips to Support Students Before, During, and After Required Lockdown Drills.

Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Parent Meeting, Thursday, September 14th, 6 p.m.

You can learn more about AAP at Lane and in FCPS at a parent information session on Thursday, September 14th at 6 p.m. in the Lane library. At this meeting Linda Simon, Lane’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, will provide information about the continuum of AAP services in Fairfax County as well as a brief overview of the screening process for both part-time and full-time AAP placement. This meeting is open to all interested parents with students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Patriot Day and September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance

With the upcoming 22nd anniversary of the sad events that occurred on September 11, 2001, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

We will observe Patriot Day here at Lane by wearing red, white, and blue. We encourage your child to participate.

Would You Like to Volunteer at Lane? Please Review Our Volunteer Orientation Online

The spirit of service and volunteerism is strong at Lane, too! We always appreciate any support you can provide and offer a variety of ways that you can help.

We ask that all family members who’d like to volunteer at school complete an orientation that covers responsibilities and expectations. We understand that it can be difficult for families to attend information sessions, both during the school day and in the evenings, so this year we have put the information online. Please review these slides at your convenience before scheduling your first day of volunteering.

Once you have reviewed the slides, please fill out our Lane Volunteer Form. Once that is complete you can reach out to your child’s teacher or others on staff to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Thank you for your cooperation and generous support!

From the Shelves of the Lane Library: Volunteers Needed and Call for Missing Books!

Please contact Mrs. Chozick at [email protected] to let her know what times you might be available or if you should have any questions. Thanks so much for considering helping in the library!

Please take another look to see if any Lane Library books surfaced at your house during the summer. If you’re not sure what books you still have checked out, please contact Mrs. Chozick.

Kindergarten Color Weeks – Help Our Littlest Lions Learn Their Colors!

Wearing red, white and blue on Patriot Day also kicks off Kindergarten Color Weeks, during which our youngest students celebrate and learn about a different color every day. Staff and students in other grades are encouraged to showcase the rainbow along with them these two weeks by wearing the designated color of the day.

Here’s the schedule:

Monday, September 11th: Red, White, and Blue (Patriot Day)
Tuesday, September 12th: Orange
Wednesday, September 13th: Green
Thursday, September 14th: Red
Friday, September 15th: Blue
Monday, September 18th: Yellow
Tuesday, September 19th: Purple/Gray
Wednesday, September 20th: Pink/Brown
Thursday, September 21st: Black/White
Friday, September 22nd: Rainbow/Favorite Color

Please encourage your child – no matter what grade level – to join the colorful fun!

NOTE TO KINDERGARTEN PARENTS: Because Kindergarten is also working on listening skills, students will be told what color to wear before the following day. Our hope is that students will listen and tell you the color at home. Please don’t share the secret!

Talking Points Additional Outreach Form Update

Thanks to the parents who notified us that the link to the form to sign up for additional outreach via text we sent out last week was not working! We have fixed it, and it's working now.

This year, in addition to our regular timely reminders and announcements, we are also offering additional information such as parenting tips, learning opportunities, and community resources to families who wish to receive it. If you would like to receive this additional information, please fill out this short form.

These additional texts will begin the week of September 11th.

Health Information and Emergency Care Forms

The Health Information Form (HIF) (SS/SE-71) and the Emergency Care Information form (SS/SE-3) provide valuable information regarding student health conditions. These forms are critical in the early identification of students who may need healthcare support in the educational environment. Along with the development of Healthcare Plans (HCP) and Action Plans, the Public Health Nurses (PHNs) utilize the information contained in the HIF to develop teaching strategies for FCPS staff in order to meet the requirements of Regulation 2104 Health Services-School Health-Related Needs.

These forms are required for all students. You should have received a copy of your child’s Emergency Care Form at Open House or on the first day of school. If you have not yet signed off on it, please do so as soon as possible. If you did not receive your form, please contact the school or download one here, fill it out, and send it in to school with your child.

Enrolling parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account may submit their Health Form electronically by using the Online Verification/Update packet. Paper copies can be downloaded here.

Thank you to all of the families who have already returned all of their back-to-school forms!

Join the PTA!

The Lane PTA is your opportunity to help make decisions for your child(ren) in support of their education. This all-volunteer organization is built around a partnership between school staff and families. It funds field trips, school programs, and school improvements and offers fun opportunities for all to connect outside of the classroom.

The PTA would love to see more parent involvement this year, so please join today!

Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger September 6th and 7th!

Please join the Lane PTA and other Lane families and staff at our next Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger on Wednesday and Thursday, September 6th and 7th, from 4 to 8 p.m. This restaurant is new to our line-up, but is donating a portion of ALL sales during that time, so be sure to tell your friends and neighbors to visit, too! After all, who doesn't love a planned dinner option right after a long holiday weekend?!

Read-a-Thon Kicks Off on September 12th!

Two years ago, Lane raised a whopping $60,000 through a fun run fundraiser. Unfortunately, it was organized through a third party company, which ended up taking 50% of the money our Lane Lions raised.

This year, the PTA is taking matters into its own hands by developing a fundraiser of its own – a Read-a-Thon! This fundraiser will be run by the PTA itself through its website to ensure that 100% of the profits go right back into Lane.

The ultimate goal is to raise $75,000, which – with 100% of the profits – will help provide three key things:

Shade structures for the school playground;
A $10 gift certificate for every child for the Lane Book Fair in November;
Zero requests for donations to the PTA for the rest of the school year!

We hope your family will participate as much as you are able.

A big community kick-off celebration is planned for Tuesday, September 12th (which is also the night of the first PTA meeting of the year). Watch for more details coming soon!

If you already know you’d like to volunteer to help with this project, please visit the sign-up page at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/261963752074/false#/invitation.

Get ready to read!

Parent Resources From the Office of Student Safety & Wellness: When Is a Nap Not a Nap?

Overdoses touch people and communities in many ways. Today, August 31st, is International Overdose Awareness Day, which is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose and remember those who have died without stigma while also acknowledging the grief of their loved ones. An overdose means having more of a drug(s) than the body can handle. Unfortunately, opioid misuse is now the leading cause of unnatural death in Fairfax County, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Don’t allow it to go unnoticed in your home and in our community.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as Percocet, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others (NIH). Opioids slow the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. When taken in excess amounts or in combination with other central nervous system depressants, they greatly suppress breathing and the heart rate.

Signs of an overdose include:

Loss of consciousness
Unresponsive to outside stimulus
Awake, but unable to talk
Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped
Skin tone turns bluish purple (for lighter-skinned people) or grayish or ashen (darker-skinned people)
Choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise (sometimes called the “death rattle”)
Vomiting
Body is very limp
Face is very pale or clammy
Fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black
Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic, or not there at all.

A person may appear as though they are just napping, and it may be difficult to tell if it’s just napping or potentially overdosing, especially if the person is snoring.

If someone is making unfamiliar sounds while “sleeping,” it is worth trying to wake him or her up. Many loved ones of users thought a person was snoring, when in fact they were overdosing. Snoring and gurgling can indicate that a person is having trouble breathing. These situations are a missed opportunity to intervene and save a life. With substance use, especially with opioids that slow down the systems of the body, snoring may indicate a serious and potentially life-threatening obstruction of the airway.

In the context of substance use, snoring is not something that should be seen as “normal.” Don’t let people “sleep it off” if they are snoring; this may be a sign of a significant and life-threatening emergency. You should attempt to wake them immediately.

If they do wake up, then the snoring (airway obstruction) will resolve. If they do not wake up, call 911 immediately.

As we are about to embark on another school year, it is important to bring awareness to our families and students about what to look for in regard to substance use. Take confidence in the fact that you know what is normal for your student and what is not in terms of their behavior.

Potential signs that something may be off with your student:

Acting withdrawn or seeming tired, depressed, or mad for no reason
Changing friends
Not caring about personal appearance
Slipping grades, skipping classes
Losing interest in favorite activities
Behavioral or academic trouble at school or with the law
Changes in eating or sleeping habits
Not getting along with family members
Lying or stealing.

These signs do not always mean there is a drug or alcohol problem, but they may be cause for concern. Try to find out what is going on. Do not be afraid to have open and non-judgmental conversations with your student. Get to know their teachers, friends, and their friends' parents. A new school year means new opportunities. Let’s work together to make this year great.

Resources:

Everything you Need to Know about Opioids

Spanish: Todo lo que necesita saber sobre los opioides en menos gracias a una hora

Narcan Training (English & Spanish)

Office of Student Safety and Wellness or 571-423-4270

Fairfax County Public Schools: Alcohol and Other Drugs

For further Information & support, contact Bryan Villalobos, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, at [email protected].

FREE Family Resource Center Webinars

The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars for parents and families each month. Here is the line-up for September.

New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year

Students' grades are typically lowest in the first quarter of the year because many find it hard to start the new year with confidence. It's crucial to help your child start back strong because it could set the tone for their best year yet! Join author and educator Ann Dolin, M.Ed,. to uncover strategies to instill greater confidence in your child at the start of the school year.

Webinar highlights:

How to increase your child's likelihood of earning good grades in the first quarter and beyond
Strategies to establish a motivated, positive outlook towards school (for the whole family!)
Proven techniques to effectively set up (and keep up with!) your family's weekday routines and busy schedules

September 8, 2023, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud

Webinar highlights include:

Learning how to support the development of resilience in your child
Understanding the elements of a healthy mental life
Supporting your child's decision-making skills
Learn how to help your child deal with stressful situations
Learning how to make your child feel loved, trusted, supported, and capable

Friday, September 15, 2023, 10 – 11:15 a.m.

Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions

Do you have a child who is bossy, melts down over changes in plans or transitions?
Acts like a sore loser when playing games?
Wears the same clothes and eats the same foods?
Likes to say, "That's not fair!" and won't stop following you until they prove a point?

Calm Parenting podcast founder Kirk Martin explains why all of these behaviors have the same root...and similar solutions.

September 29, 2023, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Community Events & Activities Little Hawks Cheerleading Clinic

Do you have a little cheerleader at home? If so, consider signing up for Hayfield Secondary’s Little Hawks Cheer Clinic on September 6th and 7th. Sponsored by Hayfield Athletic Boosters and led by the Hayfield High School cheerleaders, the clinic will include instruction on cheers and chants, jumps, motions, dance, and spirit activities. All children in grades K through 6 are welcome!

This two-day clinic (attendees should attend both days) costs just $75. It will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hayfield. Please see the flyer below for more details and registration information. (Click the image to download to view larger.)

Completed registration form and full payment must be received by Monday, September 4th. Please contact Brittany Reigelsperger at [email protected] with questions.

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Friday, August 25, 2023

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The Lion’s Roar August 25, 2023

Welcome Back, Lane Lions!

We were thrilled to welcome our Lane Lions on Monday morning for the first day of the new school year! Many parents enjoyed escorting their children on this special day, and teachers greeted their new students at every classroom door. Special thanks to the PTA for sponsoring a First Day Coffee for parents, who were able to grab a comforting cup of coffee and sweet treat and mingle with other parents. Here are few scenes from the day.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, 8/31 – PTA Back-to-School Spiritwear Sale ends
Friday, 9/1 through Monday 9/4 – Labor Day Holiday Break, school and office CLOSED
Wednesday, 9/6 & Thursday, 9/7 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger, 4 – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, 9/12 – PTA Meeting and Read-a-Thon Kick-Off Celebration, 6 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, 9/14 – Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Parent Information Meeting, 6 p.m., Library
Friday, 9/15 – Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown (FCPS Observance Half-Day)
Monday, 9/25 – Yom Kippur Holiday, school and office CLOSED

In This Issue

Thank You for a Great First Week!
Keeping the Conversation Going with Talking Points
2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities
Required Back-to-School Forms
Labor Day Long Weekend Ahead
Transportation Update: Buses and Delays
PTA News: Membership, Restaurant Nights, Spiritwear Sale, and Read-a-Thon
Parent Resources: Making the most of your parent-teacher conference, conversation starters, device activity reports, free webinars
Community Events & Activities: Hayfield Little Hawks Cheerleading Clinic, September 6th & 7th
FCPS News & Announcements: 2023–2030 Strategic Plan, Goal 1

News & Notes

Thank You for a Great First Week!

We would like to start this issue of The Lion’s Roar with a huge thank you to our school community! It was so great to see so many of you at our back-to-school events over the last two weeks – our Open House last Thursday; our First Day Coffee; our Back-to-School Night classroom and information sessions on Wednesday; and, of course, our first day of school on Monday! We have already made so many important connections and started important conversations. We hope that our partnership with you continues to grow throughout the year ahead.

Keeping the Conversation Going with Talking Points

Next week, we will once again start using an additional platform called Talking Points to communicate with families to keep them informed in a timely fashion. Talking Points allows us to send text messages directly to cell phones, which we know are the preferred method of communication for most families today. An app that offers additional features is also available for families to download.

Many teachers are already using Talking Points for classroom communication. Schoolwide information will come from our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy. She will send important reminders and announcements when needed to make sure families receive the information. This year we are also offering additional information such as parenting tips, learning opportunities, and community resources to families who wish to receive it. If you would like to receive this additional information, please fill out this short form.

Please note that Talking Points messaging is only available to families of enrolled students.

2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year, which include a revision of dress-code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance-abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29th.

Required Back-to-School Forms

The SR&R parent/guardian signature sheet is one of several important back-to-school forms required at the beginning of each year.

As a reminder, our First Day Packets – which contain those forms – are virtual this year. You can find the required forms (except for the Emergency Care Form) and other information on the Virtual First Day Packet page on our school website.

These two forms, along with the SR&R signature sheet mentioned above, must be reviewed, updated (if needed), and signed for each student enrolled through your ParentVUE account or using a paper form (linked below if available):

Parent Consent for Digital Resources (must be completed through ParentVUE)
Health Form

These optional forms may also be completed or updated as needed:

Military-Connected Student Form
Homeless Student Referral Form
Free and Reduced Priced Meals (apply online)
FCPS Privacy and Opt-Out Forms.

If you’re using a paper form, please return it to school with your child or scan it and email it to our registrar Jami O’Hagan at [email protected].

Emergency Care Form

If you were not able to attend Open House on August 17th, you should have received a copy of your child’s Emergency Care Form on the first day. Please review it, update it (if needed), sign it, and return it as soon as possible, if you have not done so already. This important form provides critical contact information we may need during the school day.

Thank you to the families who have already completed all of their required back-to-school forms. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.

Labor Day Long Weekend Ahead!

Please note that next weekend will be a four-day weekend for all students and staff in FCPS. Schools and offices will be CLOSED Friday, September 1st through Monday, September 4th in honor of Labor Day. School will reopen on Tuesday, September 5th at the regular time.

Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.

Transportation Update: Buses and Delays

Please be aware that all of us are getting used to new routines at the start of the school year. Thank you for your patience as those routines are established.

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. E-Notify (School Messenger) email messages will also be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.

Join the PTA!

The PTA’s membership drive is off to a great start! So far, 90 families have joined, along with 55 teachers and staff. But did you know Lane has over 500 Families?!? The PTA would love to see more parent involvement this year, so please join today!

The PTA will raffle off a $10 gift card to Hangry Burger for a family in each grade level that reaches 75% membership by August 31st! (Fun Fact: Hangry Burger is our host for Restaurant Nights September 6th and 7th!) Once September starts, the focus shifts from membership to the Read-a-Thon, so please don't wait! Members will receive early access to the Read-a-Thon Kick-Off event on September 12th as well as other popular events throughout the year! Join today! (Click the flyer below view larger or download.)

Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger September 6th and 7th!

Speaking of Restaurant Nights, those are also off to a fantastic start. Lane Elementary and the Kingstowne community definitely love their desserts! The summer event at Sweet Frog brought in $680, and the back-to-school edition at Rita’s brought in $581.46. Considering we are one week into the school year, this is incredible!

Next up are the September Restaurant Nights hosted by Hangry Burger on Wednesday and Thursday, September 6th and 7th, from 4 to 8 p.m. This restaurant is new to our line-up, but is donating a portion of ALL sales during that time, so be sure to tell your friends and neighbors to visit, too! After all, who doesn't love a planned dinner option right after a long holiday weekend?!

Spiritwear Sale Ends August 31st!

Last call for free shipping! The PTA’s Back-to-School Spiritwear Sale will end on Thursday, August 31st. If you haven't yet gone online and looked at all the new products offered, don't delay! If you order by the 31st, you'll save the shipping costs; all orders will be shipped to the school in September and distributed to your student. If you miss the 8/31 deadline, have no fear! You can order spiritwear all year long; you'll just pay for shipping to your house.

Read-a-Thon Kicks Off on September 12th!

The ultimate goal is to raise $75,000, which – with 100% of the profits – will help provide three key things:

Shade structures for the school playground;
A $10 gift certificate for every child for the Lane Book Fair in November;
Zero requests for donations to the PTA for the rest of the school year!

We hope your family will participate as much as you are able.

A big community kick-off celebration is planned for Tuesday, September 12th (which is also the night of the first PTA meeting of the year). Watch for more details coming soon!

If you already know you’d like to volunteer to help with this project, please visit the sign-up page at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/261963752074/false#/invitation.

Get ready to read!

Parent Resources “Making the Most of Your Parent-Teacher Conference” Presentation Video Posted

Our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, has created a short video presentation for parents and guardians entitled “Making the Most of Your Parent-Teacher Conference.” In it, she offers some tips and suggestions for how you can prepare for your upcoming conversation with your child’s teacher as well as things to keep in mind during the conference itself and for follow-up. You can view the presentation here.

Your child’s teacher will be reaching out to you soon to schedule a time to talk. Your input is vitally important to us, because no one knows your child as well as you do. Sharing information and working together allows us to best support your child at school and offers great opportunities for you to learn how to support your child’s learning at home.

Would You Like to Learn More from Your Child about What’s Happening at School? Try These Conversation Starters!

(Click the image to view larger.)

Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

FREE Family Resource Center Webinars

The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars for parents and families each month. Here is the line-up for September.

New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year

Webinar highlights:

How to increase your child's likelihood of earning good grades in the first quarter and beyond
Strategies to establish a motivated, positive outlook towards school (for the whole family!)
Proven techniques to effectively set up (and keep up with!) your family's weekday routines and busy schedules

September 8, 2023, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud

Webinar highlights include:

Learning how to support the development of resilience in your child
Understanding the elements of a healthy mental life
Supporting your child's decision-making skills
Learn how to help your child deal with stressful situations
Learning how to make your child feel loved, trusted, supported, and capable

Friday, September 15, 2023, 10 – 11:15 a.m.

Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions

Do you have a child who is bossy, melts down over changes in plans or transitions?
Acts like a sore loser when playing games?
Wears the same clothes and eats the same foods?
Likes to say, "That's not fair!" and won't stop following you until they prove a point?

Calm Parenting podcast founder Kirk Martin explains why all of these behaviors have the same root...and similar solutions.

September 29, 2023, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Community Events & Activities Little Hawks Cheerleading Clinic

Completed registration form and full payment must be received by Monday, September 4th. Please contact Brittany Reigelsperger at [email protected] with questions.

FCPS News & Announcements

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.

Our first goal in the strategic plan is to help all students develop academic skills, curiosity, and a love for learning. These skills and attitudes are crucial for success from pre-K to 12th grade. Our related equity commitment is to ensure authentic and affirming partnerships with families and key stakeholders through collaborative decision making that results in each student's success.

Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 1.

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Back-to-School Night Is Tomorrow Night - Wednesday, August 23rd - 6 to 8 p.m. Plus Rita's Restaurant Nights!

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Please make plans to join us for Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 23rd, from 6 to 8 p.m.

This event is very important for parents and guardians, as it offers a chance to meet teachers and hear directly from them about plans for the year ahead and classroom policies.

We will offer two sessions during the evening so those with multiple children at Lane will be able to visit more classrooms. In addition, we will offer the following presentations that you may wish to attend:

Information on social/emotional learning and support, presented by our counselors, school psychologist, and social worker;
Math and literacy information, presented by our math and literacy resource teachers;
An orientation for new families, presented by our family liaisons.

Each session will be presented three times – at 5:30, 6:15, and 7 – so you can attend all three if you are interested. Here is the full schedule for the event:

5:30 – 6 p.m.: Family Information Sessions

Clinical Team (counselors, social worker, school psychologist) – Library
Literacy and Math Resource Teachers – Cafeteria
New Family Orientation with Family Liaisons – Room 105 (Computer Science Lab)

6 – 6:45 p.m.: Classroom Session 1 in individual classrooms

6:15 – 6:45 p.m.: Family Information Sessions

Clinical Team (counselors, social worker, school psychologist) – Library
Literacy and Math Resource Teachers – Cafeteria
New Family Orientation with Family Liaisons – Room 105 (Computer Science Lab)

7 – 7:45 p.m.: Classroom Session 2 in individual classrooms

7 – 7:30 p.m.: Family Information Sessions

Clinical Team (counselors, social worker, school psychologist) – Library
Literacy and Math Resource Teachers – Cafeteria
New Family Orientation with Family Liaisons – Room 105 (Computer Science Lab)

Please note that Back-to-School Night is designed for adults only and that childcare will not be available. If you bring your children with you, they will need to remain with you throughout the evening.

If you'd like to have a sweet treat and support the Lane PTA too, head on down to Rita's Italian Ice at 7592 Telegraph Road tonight or tomorrow night (before or after Back-to-School Night) between 5 and 9 p.m. A percentage of ALL sales during that time will be donated back to our school!

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

First Day of School Reminders!

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We're Looking Forward to Seeing Your Children Tomorrow!

All of us at Lane are so excited to welcome our students back tomorrow for the start of the new school year!

In order to make the first day as smooth as possible, we are sending out a few key reminders again. If you'd like to review additional information presented at our Town Hall last week, or weren't able to attend, you can view a recording of the session here.

Parents Are Welcome Tomorrow!

On the first day, parents are welcome to bring their children into the building, or meet them in the building if they ride the bus, and walk them to their classroom or hallway. Once the bell rings at 9:20, all adults are invited to attend the PTA’s First Day Coffee in the Cafeteria.

Bell Schedule:

Students may not be dropped off before 9:05 a.m., when our doors open. There is NO supervision prior to that time.
Starting at 9:05 a.m., students enter the building and walk to their classrooms.
The bell rings at 9:20 a.m. Students who arrive after that time are considered tardy and will need to be walked in by their parent/guardian to be signed in in the office. (Enter through Door 1).
Our dismissal bell rings at 4:05 p.m. Students will be dismissed in groups by the way they go home (walkers, Kiss and Ride, daycare, bus, etc.). Please remember that bus transportation may take a little longer during these first weeks as routes and schedules are finalized.

Student Entry/Exit Doors:

Buses arrive on the south side of the building, and bus riders enter and exit through Door 10
Kiss and Ride students enter and exit through Door 2 on the north side of the building. (See the map below for the route. Remember the main entrance is closed during arrival and dismissal times.)
Walkers enter through Door 2 with car riders but exit through Door 5 (near the gym) at the end of the day.

If you did not fill out the transportation form during Open House, please download it here and send it in with your child tomorrow so that we know how to send them home at the end of the day.

Have a great evening, and we'll see you tomorrow!

Lane Kiss and Ride Map

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Friday, August 18, 2023

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletin en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

Are you receiving Lane ES updates but no longer have students here? Now is the time to update your FCPS News You Choose here.

The Lion's Roar August 18, 2023 Thanks for Coming to Open House!

It was wonderful to see so many happy, smiling faces at our Open House last night! We could feel the excitement as students met their new teachers, checked out their new classrooms, caught up with old friends, and met some new ones. Music teachers Mr. Griffin and Mr. Crouch jammed together on the piano and drums throughout the event, providing a lively, upbeat soundtrack throughout the evening.

All of us at Lane are looking forward to seeing your children on the first day of school next Monday, August 21st!

Upcoming Events

Monday, 8/21 – First Day of School! Doors open 9:05 a.m.; bell rings at 9:20 a.m.
Monday, 8/21 – First Day Coffee, sponsored by the Lane PTA, 9:20 a.m. in the Cafeteria
Tuesday, 8/22 & Wednesday, 8/23 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Rita’s Italian Ice, 5 – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, 8/23 – Back-to-School Night, 6 – 8 p.m., plus optional 5:30 session (see article below for details)
Friday, 9/1 through Monday, 9/4 – Labor Day Holiday Break – School and office CLOSED

In This Issue

First Day of School Is Monday, August 21st!
Transportation Patience and Safety
Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 23rd, 6 – 8 p.m.
Required Back-to-School Forms
ParentVUE Makes Updates Easy
Attention 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Families: There’s Still Time to Sign Up for Lane Music Programs!
Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights
PTA News: Membership, First Day Coffee, Restaurant Night

First Day of School Is Monday, August 21st!

The countdown is on! Just three more days until the first day of school! We are so excited to welcome all our students back next week. To make that day as smooth as possible, here are some important tips and reminders.

Student Arrival/Dismissal

Students arrive at and leave school in three main ways: riding a school bus, walking, or riding in cars (“Kiss and Ride”). It’s important that we know how students travel home each day so that we know where to send them at dismissal time. This year, each student will be given a backpack tag that identifies their method of transportation.

If you did not fill out the transportation form during Open House, please download it here and send it in with your child on the first day. We will provide your child with the appropriate tag.

Please Note:

Reminders:

Students may not be dropped off before 9:05 a.m., when our doors open. There is NO supervision prior to that time.
Starting at 9:05 a.m., students enter the building and walk to their classrooms.
Students arriving after 9:20 a.m. are considered tardy and will need to be walked in by their parent/guardian to be signed in in the office (Door 1).
Student entry/exit doors:
- Buses arrive on the south side of the building, and bus riders enter and exit through Door 10.
- Kiss and Ride students enter and exit through Door 2 on the north side of the building.
- Walkers enter through Door 2 with car riders but exit through Door 5 (near the gym) at the end of the day.

Kiss and Ride:
- There is a specific traffic pattern during arrival (9:05 – 9:20 a.m.) and dismissal (4 – 4:20 p.m.). The main entrance on Beulah Street is CLOSED at these times.
- Have your child unload and load on the curbside. Stay in your car for your safety. All Kiss and Ride parents are expected to be in the Kiss and Ride line.
- Be respectful of the pacing of the line. Do not try to pass other cars in the line.
- Do not park on Kingstowne Commons Drive or in neighborhoods adjacent to the school grounds to wait for your child. Use only the official Kiss and Ride lane. Do not drop off or pick up your child anywhere else.
- Do not use your cell phone while in the Kiss and Ride area during arrival or dismissal.

Transportation Patience and Safety

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families being patient as they wait for their children’s buses.

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150 with any additional questions. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.

To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE.

Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 23rd, 6 – 8 p.m.

Please make plans to join us for Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 23rd, from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is very important for parents and guardians, as it offers a chance to meet teachers and hear directly from them about plans for the year ahead and classroom policies.

Information on social/emotional learning and support, presented by our counselors, school psychologist, and social worker;
Math and literacy information, presented by our math and literacy resource teachers;
An orientation for new families, presented by our family liaisons.

Each session will be presented three times – at 5:30, 6:15, and 7 – so you can attend all three if you are interested.

Here is the full schedule for the event:

5:30 – 6 p.m.: Family Information Sessions

Clinical Team (counselors, social worker, school psychologist) – Library
Literacy and Math Resource Teachers (Location to be determined)
New Family Orientation with Family Liaisons – Cafeteria

6 – 6:45 p.m.: Classroom Session 1 in individual classrooms

6:15 – 6:45 p.m.: Family Information Sessions

Clinical Team (counselors, social worker, school psychologist) – Library
Literacy and Math Resource Teachers (Location to be determined)
New Family Orientation with Family Liaisons – Cafeteria

7 – 7:45 p.m.: Classroom Session 2 in individual classrooms

7 – 7:30 p.m.: Family Information Sessions

Clinical Team (counselors, social worker, school psychologist) – Library
Literacy and Math Resource Teachers (Location to be determined)
New Family Orientation with Family Liaisons – Cafeteria

Please note that Back-to-School Night is designed for adults only and that childcare will not be available. If you bring your children with you, they will need to remain with you throughout the evening.

Required Back-to-School Forms

Our First Day Packets are all virtual this year. You can find the required forms (except for the Emergency Care Form) and other information on the Virtual First Day Packet page on our school website.

These forms must be reviewed, updated (if needed), and signed through your ParentVUE account or using a paper form (if available):

Parent Consent for Digital Resources (must be completed through ParentVUE)
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet
Health Form

If you’re using a paper form, please return it to school or scan it and email it to our registrar Jami O’Hagan at [email protected].

Emergency Care Form

Thank you to all the parents and guardians who signed off on their child’s Emergency Care Form for the new school year at Open House last night. If you were not able to attend this event, you will receive a copy of this very important form on the first day of school. Please review it, update it (if needed), sign it, and return it as soon as possible.

Additional Optional Forms

Thank you for your prompt action and your support!

ParentVUE Makes Updates Easy

This year, FCPS is offering a new online option where parents can easily update their child’s information. The Online Verification Update packet (OVU) allows enrolling parents to review and update phone numbers, emergency contacts, and health information (such as health conditions and immunizations) for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Once you have signed into your ParentVUE account, simply select the “Student Info” tab and click on “Edit Information.”

If you need to set up your ParentVUE account, you can create one online via the FCPS ParentVUE Registration page. If you need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account, this video walks you through the steps. You can also find out more about SIS ParentVUE on the FCPS website.

If you need a new registration code, contact family liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at [email protected].

Attention 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Families: There’s Still Time to Sign Up for Lane Music Programs!

Welcome to a new school year! Your child has the opportunity to participate in the Lane BAND (grades 5 and 6) or STRINGS (grades 4, 5, and 6) programs this year! We already have MANY students who signed up in the spring, but if you forgot to sign up, or if you are new to Lane, please sign up here.

The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, August 23rd, so don’t delay! SIGN UP NOW so you don’t miss out on these exciting programs!

Questions? Email Mrs. Hicks (Strings) at [email protected] or Mr. Woessner (Band) at [email protected]

We’re looking for singers, too! Students in grades 5 and 6 can join CHORUS as well as one of the instrumental programs. If your child is interested, just email our General Music teachers, Mr. Crouch ([email protected]) and Mr. Griffin ([email protected]).

Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights

Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.

In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available — a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.

Get more information and view the 2023-24 Opt-Out Booklets.

PTA News
Join the PTA!

We hope all members of the Lane community will consider joining the PTA this school year. Being a PTA member has numerous benefits – it's a great way to meet new friends and become more involved in your child's school and community. Join on their website!

First Day Coffee on Monday, August 21st, 9:20 – 10:30 a.m.

After the first day of school begins at 9:20, the PTA will host a First Day Coffee in the cafeteria for all parents and family members who would like to attend. It’s a great way to meet other parents and learn about many of the programs happening at the school and opportunities to get involved.

Make Your Back-to-School Week Extra Sweet at Rita’s Italian Ice!

All Lane Lions are invited to a special back-to-school two-night event! Tuesday, August 22nd and Wednesday, August 23rd, Rita's Italian Ice (Address: 7592 Telegraph Road) is celebrating Lane Elementary's first week of school by hosting Back-to-School Restaurant Nights! Between the hours of 5 and 9 p.m. each day, a portion of ALL sales generated will be donated to Lane. And who knows? Maybe you'll a see a new friend from your class, and you can enjoy your sweet treat together!

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

REMINDER: Open House Is Tomorrow - Thursday, August 17th!

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We're Ready to Welcome You to the New School Year, Lane Lions! See You at Open House Tomorrow!

Students and their families are invited to come to school tomorrow evening to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers, drop off supplies, and reconnect with Lane friends.

To manage our capacity for this popular event, we have divided our school community into three groups, by student last name. (If you have children with different last names, your family may choose a session based on any of the names.)

Last names that begin with A through H: 5 – 5:30 p.m.
Last names that begin with I through Q: 5:45 – 6:15 p.m.
Last names that begin with R through Z: 6:30 – 7 p.m.

Parking will be limited, so please walk to school or carpool if possible.

**********

Please note: Special education students who would prefer a less-crowded, less-intense Open House experience are welcome to come earlier between 3:30 and 4 p.m. (We are not able to flex this time
due to staff schedules.)

**********

Please feel free to bring your child's school supplies to this event so you won't have to worry about carrying them on the first day of school.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening!

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Join Us for These Back-to-School Events This Week!

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

Thanks for Coming to Our Popsicle Playdates!

Good Sunday evening, Lane families!

Our back-to-school events kicked off last week with our annual Popsicles on the Playground playdates. Despite weather and rescheduling challenges, they were a huge success! It was great to see Lane Lions of all ages reconnecting and enjoying a cool summer sweet treat courtesy of our amazing Lane PTA!

More events are scheduled this week, as the first day of school – Monday, August 21st – rapidly approaches. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us.

Back-to-School Town Halls, 6 – 7 p.m.
Virtual Town Hall in English via Zoom – Tuesday, August 15th

Join us online to hear the latest news about the upcoming school year from Lane Principal Christine Prahl. We will have time for questions as well.

Join the Zoom session here.

In-Person Town Hall in Spanish in the Lane Library – Wednesday, August 16th

Mrs. Prahl and family liaison Lupe Fuentes will present this special back-to-school presentation for our Spanish-speaking families.

Open House Thursday,
August 17th, 5 – 7 p.m.

Students and their families are invited to come to school during this time to see their classrooms, meet their teachers, and reconnect with Lane friends.

Last names that begin with A through H: 5 – 5:30 p.m.
Last names that begin with I through Q: 5:45 – 6:15 p.m.
Last names that begin with R through Z: 6:30 – 7 p.m.

Please feel free to bring your child's school supplies to this event so you won't have to worry about carrying them on the first day of school.

Parking will be limited, so please walk to school or carpool if possible.

First Day Coffee on Monday, August 21st, 9:20 – 10:30 a.m.

Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 23rd

We will offer two sessions during the evening so those with multiple children at Lane will be able to visit more classrooms. In addition, short presentations by our family liaisons, counselors, and other specialists are also planned. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Please note that these events are designed for adults only and that childcare will not be available. If you bring your children with you, they will need to remain with you throughout the evening.

We look forward to seeing you and your family at these events!

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Help Wanted at Lane: Looking for Cafeteria Hosts/Hostesses!

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

Good evening, Lane families!

We are in the final stages of getting everything ready to welcome your children back to school on Monday, August 21st!

Nearly all of our open staff positions have been filled, but we are still looking for two hosts/hostesses for our cafeteria. The job is 3.5 hours a day (approximately 10:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.), Monday through Friday. Duties include monitoring students, assisting them as they clean up, and interacting with them in a positive way to assist them with their social skills.

We are looking for dedicated people who can be patient, caring, structured, and fair. Would you like to join our team? If so, please contact principal Christine Prahl at [email protected] or office assistant Kelly Tolley at [email protected].

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Friday, June 16, 2023 - Last Day of School Edition!

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

The Lion’s Roar June 16, 2023

The Last Week in Pictures Getting into the Summer “Glow”

Last Friday the Lane PTA lit up the night and kicked off summer with a Glow Dance. Check out these colorful, bright, and shining smiles!

Congratulations to Our 6th Grade Lions!

On Monday morning our 6th grade students celebrated their completion of elementary school at a Promotion Ceremony. Here are just a few pictures from that special event. We wish all of our 6th grade Lane Lions great success in middle school!

Senior Lane Lions Walk the Halls Again with Pride

On Tuesday, former Lane students graduating this year from Hayfield Secondary School and Edison High School came back to visit their old elementary school as part of the celebration of this educational milestone. Current students lined the hallways clapping and cheering for their fellow Lane Lions.

See You in August, Lane Lions!

Each year ends with the entire Lane staff cheering on students and waving goodbye as the buses load and then pull away. Thankfully, today's stormy weather pattern allowed the sun to shine at just the right time!

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, 6/28 through Friday, 6/30 – School office CLOSED for maintenance
Monday, 7/3 & Tuesday, 7/4 - School office CLOSED for July 4th holiday
Monday, 8/7 – Popsicles on the Playground: New Kindergarten Families, 7 – 8 p.m., Main Playground
Tuesday, 8/8 – Popsicles on the Playground: Grades 1 & 2, 7 – 8 p.m., Main Playground
Wednesday, 8/9 – Popsicles on the Playground: Grades 3 & 4, 7 – 8 p.m., Main Playground
Thursday, 8/10 – Popsicles on the Playground: Grades 5 & 6, 7 – 8 p.m., Main Playground
Tuesday, 8/15 – Virtual Back-to-School Town Hall with Mrs. Prahl, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, 8/16 – In-person Back-to-School Town Hall with Mrs. Prahl (in Spanish), 6 p.m.
Thursday, 8/17 – Open House, 5 – 7 p.m.
Monday, 8/21 – First Day of School! 9:20 a.m.
Monday, 8/21 – First Day Coffee for parents and guardians, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Cafeteria

In This Issue

Have a Great Summer!
Save the Date for Back-to-School Summer and Fall Events!
Sign Your Child Up for Band or Strings Next Year!
Does Your Child Like to Sing? Sign Up for Chorus Next Year!
PTA News: Thank yous and spiritwear sale
Parent Resources: Summer supports for families

News & Notes

Have a Great Summer!

Special thanks to Sign Gypsies who set up this wonderful lawn sign to celebrate our last day!

We would like to wish all of our Lane lion families a terrific summer vacation. It’s been a great school year, and our partnership with you was essential in making it successful.

To those students and families who are moving on, including our oldest lions who are moving up to middle school, we wish you all the best in your new adventures. Never forget: Once a Lane lion, always a Lane Lion!

To those families who are returning to Lane next year, we look forward to seeing you when school resumes in August.

Please note: The school office will be open limited hours this summer, from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. Be sure to call before you visit to make sure the person you need to see is available.

The office will be CLOSED completely Wednesday, June 28th through Friday, June 30th for maintenance, as well as on Monday, July 3rd and Tuesday, July 4th for the Independence Day holiday.

Save the Dates for Summer and Back-to-School Events!

We have started planning some community events for the summer and the school year ahead! Please be sure to put these events on your calendars if you’d like to attend.

Popsicle Playdates: Monday, August 7th through Thursday, August 10th, 7 – 8 p.m. on the Main Playground
- Monday, August 7th – New kindergarten families
- Tuesday, August 8th – Grades 1 & 2
- Wednesday, August 9th – Grades 3 & 4
- Thursday, August 10th – Grades 5 & 6
Back-to-School Town Halls with Mrs. Prahl, 6 – 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 15th – virtual in English
- Wednesday, August 16th – in person with Spanish interpretation
Open House – Thursday, August 17th
Students and their families are invited to come to school during this time period to see their classrooms, meet their teachers, and reconnect with Lane friends. In order to manage our capacity for this popular event, we have divided our school community into three groups, by student last name. (If you have children with different last names, your family may choose a session based on any of the names.) Parking will be limited, so please plan to walk to school or carpool if possible.
- Last names that begin with A through H: 5 – 5:30 p.m.
- Last names that begin with I through Q: 5:45 – 6:15 p.m.
- Last names that begin with R through Z: 6:30 – 7 p.m.
PTA First Day Coffee – Monday, August 21st, 9:20 – 10:30 a.m.

More details about these and other events will be sent out in the weeks ahead.

Sign Your Child Up for Band or Strings Next Year!

If your child is interested in learning how to play an instrument next school year in the Band or Strings program, please sign up TODAY! Lessons take place during the school day, during your child’s specials time! Students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade can learn to play strings instruments. Students in 5th and 6th grade can learn to play band instruments.

Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of one of these special programs! CLICK HERE to sign up!

If you have any questions before you sign up, please reach out to the Band or Strings teachers.

Amber Hicks, Strings: [email protected]
Ryan Woessner, Band: [email protected]

We hope your child will participate!

Does Your Child Like to Sing? Sign Up for Chorus Next Year!

Students going into 5th or 6th grade next year can sign up for Chorus as an elective. This can be in addition to learning to play an instrument in Band or Strings. If your child likes to sing, be sure to sign up now for Chorus next year using this form.

We look forward to hearing your child’s voice in Chorus next year!

Juneteenth Holiday on Monday

Monday, June 19th, is a holiday for FCPS employees. Schools and offices will be closed.

Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 that word of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, effectively marking the end of slavery in the United States. Learn more about Juneteenth.

Eid al-Adha, the “Feast of Sacrifice,” June 28th – 29th

Eid Mubarak to all who observe! Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is the second of two main holidays celebrated in Islam. Eid al-Adha signifies the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham in Christianity and Judaism, to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as ordered by Allah. It focuses on sacrifice, the pilgrimage to Mecca, and giving to those less fortunate. Learn more in this video from PBS Kids.

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are and free to be their authentic self.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

PTA News

Thanks from the Lane PTA!

The Lane PTA would like to thank all the families for their support of its programs and events this year! The new Executive Board is already hard at work on planning more fun and educational programming for the year ahead. Stay tuned for information coming later in the summer!

PTA Launches New Lane Spiritwear Fashions on New Year-Round Website!

Lane spiritwear has a fresh new look and a new year-round website! The Lane PTA is excited to announce its new Spiritwear Store for the 2023-2024 school year! The items in the store have SO MANY fun color choices that they couldn't wait until next year to show off what they have to offer! To see all of the items, check out this link: https://shop.printyourcause.com/campaigns/lane-elementary-school.

You can purchase items now for next year and have them shipped directly to you, OR, if you’d like to save on shipping costs, you can shop now but order during the PTA’s spiritwear sale at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year in which items will be sent to the school and distributed to students through their teachers.

Parent Resources FCPS Summer Support Contacts

If you have questions this summer when schools are closed, use these year-round resources to get the answers you need!

Mental Wellness Summer Supports

The FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from June 26th to August 4th. Any FCPS parent or secondary student can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. Consultations will be offered in two ways:

Directly to parents of students in any grade level. This consultation provides an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.
Directly to students in middle or high school. This consultation provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.

All parents and secondary students are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Consultations can be requested online or by calling 703-503-2520 and leaving a message.

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Friday, June 9, 2023

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يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

The Lion’s Roar June 9, 2023

Under the Big Top – The Lane Kindergarten Circus Returns to Town!

Monday morning our kindergarteners transformed into clowns, lions, jugglers, tightrope walkers, and many more classic circus acts as the Lane Kindergarten Circus made a triumphant return after several years. Check out these amazing performers!

See more circus pictures at the end of this newsletter!

The Sounds of Lane Music

This week was also concert week at Lane as the 5th & 6th Grade Choruses; 4th, 5th & 6th Grade Strings students; and 5th & 6th Grade Band students performed their spring concerts for other students during the day and friends and families in the evening. Congratulations to all of our talented musicians!

Upcoming Events

Monday, 6/12 - Friday, 6/16 – SCA "Lane!" Spirit Week
- Monday, June 12th: “L is for Lane Lion Day” – Wear your favorite Lane spiritwear or blue
- Tuesday, June 13th: “A is for Any Other Animal Day” – Dress up/wear animal prints for any other animal EXCEPT a lion
- Wednesday, June 14th: “N is for Neon or Tie-Dye Day” – Wear neon and/or tie-dye
- Thursday, June 15th: “E is for Extra-Curricular Day” – Wear something that shows an extra-curricular activity (e.g., team uniform, martial arts clothing, dancewear)
- Friday, June 16th: “! is for Be Yourself Day” – Wear something that shows you being you
Monday, 6/12 – 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony, 9:30 a.m.
Friday, 6/16 – Last day of school, 2-hour early release at 2:05 p.m.

In This Issue

SCA Spirit Week Next Week!
Last Day of School Next Friday, June 16th; 2-Hour Early Release at 2:05 p.m.
Yearbook Distribution Next Week
Please Return All Library Books ASAP!
School Medication End-of-Year Pick-Up
Sign Your Child Up for Band or Strings Next Year
Does Your Child Like to Sing? Sign Up for Chorus Next Year
Save the Date for Back-to-School Summer and Fall Events!
Take Tutor.com on the Road
PTA News: New Spiritwear Fashions Available Now
Parent Resources: Mental wellness summer supports; summer camps
FCPS News & Announcements: Strategic Plan update

News & Notes

SCA Spirit Week Coming Soon!

The SCA will sponsor a full week of spirit days next week to celebrate the last week of school – Monday, June 12th through Friday, June 16th. The overall theme is LANE! Here are the individual themes for each day.

Monday, June 12th: “L is for Lane Lion Day” – Wear your favorite Lane spiritwear or blue
Tuesday, June 13th: “A is for Any Other Animal Day” – Dress up/wear animal prints for any other animal EXCEPT a lion
Wednesday, June 14th: “N is for Neon or Tie-Dye Day” – Wear neon and/or tie-dye
Thursday, June 15th: “E is for Extra-Curricular Day” – Wear something that shows an extra-curricular activity (e.g., team uniform, martial arts clothing, dancewear, etc.)
Friday, June 16th: “! is for Be Yourself Day” – Wear something that shows you being you!

As always, school-appropriate shoes are required.

All students are encouraged to participate to enjoy the spirited end-of-year fun!

Last Day of School Is Next Friday; Early Dismissal at 2:05 p.m.

The 2022 – 2023 school year will officially come to a close next Friday, June 16th. That day, students will be dismissed two hours early at 2:05 p.m. Please be sure you have this schedule change on your calendar.

Yearbook Distribution Next Week

The yearbooks have arrived! All books that were pre-ordered online will be distributed to students on Tuesday the 13th.

We have a very limited number of books available for purchase. They will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis in the office on the following schedule:

Wednesday, June 14th, 9:30 – 10 a.m. – 6th GRADERS ONLY
Thursday, June 15th, 9:30 – 10 a.m. – all grades
Friday, June 16th, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. – all grades.

Each book will be $20, CASH ONLY.

Please Return All Library Books ASAP!

All library materials were due last Friday, June 2nd. If your child still has books that need to be returned, please make sure that happens as soon as possible. Paper notices will be sent home on Monday, so be sure to check your child’s backpack.

As a reminder, the library does not have fees for overdue books; however, families are expected to pay the replacement cost for books that are lost or returned damaged.

Contact Mrs. Chozick, Librarian, at [email protected] with questions.

School Medication End-of-Year Pick-up

All medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school, 2:05 p.m. on June 16th. Medication left in the health room after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student.

If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).

If you have any questions, please contact our health room aide, Jovanna Velez, at 703-924-7710.

Sign Your Child Up for Band or Strings Next Year!

Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of one of these special programs! CLICK HERE to sign up!

If you have any questions before you sign up, please reach out to the Band or Strings teachers.

Amber Hicks, Strings: [email protected]
Ryan Woessner, Band: [email protected]

We hope your child will participate!

Does Your Child Like to Sing? Sign Up for Chorus Next Year!

Our 5th & 6th Grade Lane Choruses put on a fantastic performance Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, and we look forward to carrying that momentum into next school year.

We look forward to hearing your child’s voice in Chorus next year!

Save the Dates for Summer and Back-to-School Events!

We have started planning some community events for the summer and the school year ahead! Please be sure to put these events on your calendars if you’d like to attend.

Popsicle Playdates: Monday, August 7th through Thursday, August 10th, 7 – 8 p.m. on the main playground
- Monday, August 7th – New kindergarten families
- Tuesday, August 8th – Grades 1 & 2
- Wednesday, August 9th – Grades 3 & 4
- Thursday, August 10th – Grades 5 & 6
Back-to-School Town Halls with Mrs. Prahl, 6 – 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 15th – virtual in English
- Wednesday, August 16th – in person with Spanish interpretation
Open House – Thursday, August 17th
Students and their families are invited to come to school during this time period to see their classrooms, meet their teachers, and reconnect with Lane friends. In order to manage our capacity for this popular event, we have divided our school community into three groups, by student last name. (If you have children with different last names, your family may choose a session based on any of the names.) Parking will be limited, so please plan to walk to school or carpool if possible.
- Last names that begin with A through H: 5 – 5:30 p.m.
- Last names that begin with I through Q: 5:45 – 6:15 p.m.
- Last names that begin with R through Z: 6:30 – 7 p.m.
PTA First Day Coffee – Monday, August 21st, 9:20 – 10:30 a.m.

More details about these and other events will be sent out in the weeks ahead.

Take Tutor.com on the Road!

Tutor.com continues to be available to all students, at no cost, to continue summer learning. Visit the Summer Access Tutor.com webpage for more information on how to access the online service throughout the summer.

PTA News

PTA Launches New Lane Spiritwear Fashions on New Year-Round Website!

Parent Resources Mental Wellness Summer Supports

Directly to parents of students in any grade level. This consultation provides an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.
Directly to students in middle or high school. This consultation provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.

All parents and secondary students are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Consultations can be requested online or by calling 703-503-2520 and leaving a message.

Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation

The Family Resource Center has recently published a list with dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities.

The Family Resource Center (FRC) provides resources and support for all families and school staff. They offer a free library, confidential consultations, and informational webinars. For more information, call 703-204-3941, email [email protected] or visit their website.

FCPS News & Announcements Strategic Plan to Be Voted on at Next School Board Meeting

Superintendent Reid recently presented FCPS’ new Strategic Plan to the School Board. The School Board will vote on the plan at their meeting on Thursday, June 15th. Find out how to view the Board meeting.

More Kindergarten Circus Fun

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

29 minutes 37 seconds ago

Lane Elementary School News and announcements

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