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The Weekly Roar - Monday, December 16, 2024

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The Lion's Roar Monday, December 16, 2024

Upcoming Events

Continuing through Friday, 12/20 – SCA Spirit Week!
- Tuesday, 12/17: Sports Jersey Day
- Wednesday, 12/18: Scarf vs. Hat Day (which one will win?)
- Thursday, 12/19: Candy Cane Day (wear red and white)
- Friday, 12/20: Pajama Day!
Thursday, 12/19 – Lane Band and Strings Concert (6th grade musicians only), 6:30 p.m.
Monday, 12/23 through Friday, 1/3 – Winter Break
Monday, 1/6 – School reopens after Winter Break
Thursday, 1/9 – PTA Meeting (virtual), 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 1/14 – PTA Restaurant Night at La Fiamma, 5 – 9 p.m.
Monday, 1/20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Holiday and Inauguration Day, School, Office, and SACC CLOSED
Wednesday, 1/29 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday, students do not report

In This Issue

A Message from Our Administrators: Well Wishes to Mr. Griffin and a Warm Welcome to Ms. McCormick!
Winter Break Is Next Week!
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue
Pre–Winter Break SCA Spirit Days Start Seasonal Fun
Winter Break Holidays
Looking for the Perfect Holiday Treat for Your Child’s Teacher or Other Lane Staff?
“Walk in My Shoes” Coming in January! Volunteers Needed!
6th Grade Middle School Transition Begins in January!
Help Wanted: Seeking Dining Assistant for Our Cafeteria
Save the Date for the 2025 Lane Spelling Bee – Thursday, February 13th
PTA News: Regal fundraiser, donations for specialists
Parent Resources: Winter Break resources for families, upcoming webinars
FCPS News & Activities: Special Education Newsletter, boundary review meetings

News & Notes

A Message from Our Administrators: Well Wishes to Mr. Griffin, and a Warm Welcome to Ms. McCormick!

As the year progresses, we often find ourselves reflecting on the incredible individuals who have shaped our school in countless ways. Today, we write to honor and thank one such person, Mr. Griffin, for his dedication, passion, and service to our school and community.

Mr. Griffin has been a remarkable part of our team, bringing boundless enthusiasm and energy to his role as our music teacher. His passion for kids and learning has been evident in every note played, every song sung, and every moment spent fostering a love for music among our students. His ability to inspire creativity, build confidence, and create lasting memories in his classroom and beyond has truly enriched our school.

While we will deeply miss Mr. Griffin and all he has done for Lane, we are so grateful for the legacy he leaves behind. His work has touched the lives of so many students and families, and his presence in our hallways and on our stage will not be forgotten.

We wish him all the best in his future endeavors and know that his talent and dedication will continue to make a difference wherever he goes.

We would love to extend a warm welcome to Ms. McCormick who will officially be joining us following Winter Break. Ms. McCormick comes highly recommended and has already been working closely to help students during the transition by being present and collaborating with our music team. We look forward to the passion and expertise she will bring to our music program.

With gratitude,
Mrs. Opie
Mr. Dickens
Mrs. Kubiak

Winter Break Starts Next Week!

Winter Break is nearly upon us! Please note that school and the office will be CLOSED Monday, December 23rd through Friday, January 3rd. The last day before the break – Friday, December 20th – will be a regular full day of school, with dismissal at 4:05 p.m. as usual.

We understand that there are many events happening at this time of year. Please remember that if you have to pick your child up early for any reason it’s important to send a note or email to your child’s teacher that morning. This helps ensure that your child will be ready to leave the classroom when you arrive at school. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

School will reopen on Monday, January 6th at the regular time. Please make sure you have these dates on your calendar.

We wish all our Lane Lion families a warm and wonderful Winter Break!

Pre–Winter Break SCA Spirit Days Start Seasonal Fun

The SCA has scheduled a set of spirit days this week to help us get into a celebratory mood for Winter Break. We kicked off the fun today with “Animal Day.” Here’s a list of themes for the remaining days this week:

Tuesday, 12/17: Sports Jersey Day
Wednesday, 12/18: Scarf vs. Hat Day (which one will win?)
Thursday, 12/19: Candy Cane Day (wear red and white)
Friday, 12/20: Pajama Day!

We hope your child will get into the spirit and participate!

Even If School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during Winter Break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during Winter Break or weather-related school closures.

Winter Break Holidays

There are several cultural holidays coming up in the next few weeks. We wish very happy holidays to all who celebrate this time of year!

A very Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the person who stands at the heart of the Christian tradition. It is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world on December 25th, most commonly by the joyous giving of gifts. Learn more about Christmas here.

Chanukah, an eight-day Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for eight days. This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25th. See the complete school year calendar.

Happy New Year to all our Lane families! We look forward to working with your children and building our partnership with you in 2025!

Looking for the Perfect Holiday Treat for Your Child’s Teacher or Other Lane Staff?

If you’d like to give your child’s teacher or other staff member a token of appreciation during this holiday season but aren’t sure where to start, we can help! Thanks to the PTA, we’ve collected “Teacher Favorites” lists to guide you! You can find the lists, organized by grade level/department, on our school website.

Please note that gifts are completely optional. And remember … sometimes the best gifts are the simplest – a homemade card, a letter of thanks, a special treat your child helped to bake, or even a heart-felt “Happy Holidays!” wish.

“Walk in My Shoes” Coming January 27th! Volunteers Needed!

As part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion and raising awareness about disabilities, Lane will host “Walk in My Shoes” during P.E. classes on Monday, January 27th. The purpose of this event is to give general-education students a broader understanding of the daily situations faced by some of their friends with developmental challenges and learning differences. The program fosters empathy for others and gets students thinking about how they might be able to help a friend.

Walk in My Shoes requires a lot of adult support to be successful. We are looking for volunteers to assist with many different activities. Help is needed during the times below.

9:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (3rd through 6th Grade)
12:45 – 4 p.m. (Kindergarten through 2nd Grade and Ms. Slomka’s 3rd Grade)

Each volunteer will receive a script and information regarding the activity and the challenge being explored. Depending on need, you may be asked to understudy a second station. Stations will be confirmed January 23rd. Please review the available slots and activity descriptions at the link below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

Volunteer link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAE2BA6FA7-54027507-walk#/.

For more information about the Walk in My Shoes program visit http://www.walkinmyshoes.net/about-us/.

6th Grade Middle School Transition Begins in January!

Once we return from Winter Break, our oldest Lane Lions – our 6th graders – will begin the process of moving on to middle school. Information on course selection will be sent home by our counselors soon, and course request forms will be due near the end of January. Our 6th graders will attend either Hayfield Secondary School or Mark Twain Middle School, depending on where they live.

If your 6th grade Lane Lion will attend Hayfield Secondary School, please make note of these upcoming middle school transition events:

Hayfield tour for students (during the school day) – Tuesday, January 14th
Rising 7th and 8th Grade Curriculum Night – Thursday, January 9th, 6 – 8 p.m. in the Hayfield Auditorium (Snow Date: Monday, January 13th)
Parent Coffees:
- Tuesday, February 4th, 6 – 8 p.m., Middle School Lecture Hall (Snow Date: Wednesday, February 12th)
- Friday, March 14th, 9 – 11 a.m., Middle School Lecture Hall
  (Snow Date: Thursday, March 20th).

You can find more information, including the 7th grade course catalog and a Virtual Curriculum Fair on the Hayfield website. Please contact Lane counselor Stephanie Kasparek or Bessie Fealey, Hayfield school counselor, if you have questions.

If your 6th grader will attend Mark Twain Middle School, please make note of these upcoming events:

Mark Twain Middle School Curriculum Night for rising 7th grade parents – Monday, January 13th, 6 p.m., Twain Cafeteria (Snow Date: Tuesday, January 21st)
- 6 – 7 p.m.: Departmental presentations on electives, English, ESOL, Health & P.E., the IB program, math, science, social studies, special education, student services, and world languages
- 7 p.m.: Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Level IV information for parents of eligible students, Cafeteria; AVID (Advanced via Individual Determination) program presentation for parents of students who have been recommended by their current teachers for the program
Electives Extravaganza and school visit for students (during the school day) – Wednesday, January 15th (Snow Date: Wednesday, January 22nd)
Parent Coffee – Tuesday, June 4th, 9 a.m.

Please feel free to contact Mrs. Kasparek at Lane or Stephen Fitzgerald, Director of Student Services at Twain, if you have any questions.

Help Wanted: Seeking Dining Assistant for Our Cafeteria

Lane needs dining assistants to support our lunchtime routines in the 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 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].

Save the Date for the 2025 Lane Spelling Bee – Thursday, February 13th!

The Spelling Bee buzz has begun! If your child might be interested in participating this year, please mark Thursday, February 13th on your calendar. The bee is open to all students in grades 1 through 6 and is completely optional. Practice sessions will be held before school for several weeks prior to the bee, which will be held after school.

Watch Wednesday Folders this week for basic bee information and a parent permission and registration form, which should be signed and returned as soon as possible if your child would like to participate. Forms are due by January 17th; no late forms will be accepted. Study packets will be sent out to registered students on Wednesday, January 22nd.

PTA News December Regal Movies Fundraiser

Looking for a gift for friends and families that gives back to Lane as well? The PTA has a great one — Regal Movie Ticket Bundles! For just $30 you get 2 Standard 2D Movie tickets redeemable at any Regal location nationwide. Lane receives 25% of the sale. This fundraiser runs through December 31st. Buy your bundle here!

Specials Teachers Holiday Collection

Have your kid's specials teachers (Art, STREAM, Music, etc.) on your mind this giving season? Help us provide gift cards for them this holiday season by donating $10 here.

Parent Resources

Winter Break Resources for Families

A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for Winter Break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

FREE Webinars from the Family Resource Center

Help! My Kids Won’t Go to School!

A roadmap to help parents unravel the underlying causes of their child’s school resistance.

Parents will learn how to take care of themselves in the heat of the moment and how to set supportive boundaries at home. In addition, families will discover key facts and root causes for school refusal.

Friday, January 10th, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

A Series on Supporting Your Child’s Executive Function Skills

Discover how to support your child’s executive function skills in our webinar series. We will present information on understanding your child’s developmental milestones, recognizing signs of executive dysfunction, and implementing effective strategies to support their learning at home and in school.

Friday, January 17th, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Depression in Teens

Practitioners will discuss the prevalence of major depressive disorder and how to identify depression in teenagers as well as elements of recovery and strategies for treatment.

Friday, January 24th, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Comprendiedo el Trauma en su Hijo

Aprendemos sobre el trauma en este semanario de web de 3 partes y sobre los diferentes tipos de trauma, las respuestas naturales y los efectos que esto puede tener tanto en los niños como en los padres y estrategias que los padres pueden usar para apoyar a sus hijos de manera efectiva.

Parte #1: 31 de Enero de 2025 10-11:30 a.m.

Parte #2: 14 de Febrero de 2025 10-11:30 a.m.

Parte #3: 21 de Marzo de 2025 10-11:30 a.m.

FCPS News & Activities
Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
SEL Screener Results
New Accessibility Resources
Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
Executive Functioning Webinars
Early Literacy Resources
ESY and Assessment Webinar
COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.

Community Meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review

If you did not get a chance to attend one of the recent community meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review, please consider attending the final meeting in this first phase of the boundary review process. The Region 1 meeting will take place Wednesday, December 18th, 6:30 – 8 p.m., in the Madison High School cafeteria. Register today. If you are unable to participate, stay tuned for details about virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings coming early next year.

View FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Weekly Roar Update!

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Good afternoon, Lane families!

Please note that there are a couple of updates/corrections to The Lion’s Roar sent out last evening.

First, the Band and Strings concert next Thursday, December 19th, will include just our 6th grade musicians (not our 5th grade students as previously advertised). We will include 4th grade and 5th grade Strings and 5th grade Band students in the spring concert.
Second, in the “Winter Break Is Coming Soon” section the return-to- school-date was incorrectly listed as Monday, January 3rd. The correct date that school will reopen after the break is Monday, January 6th.

Thank you for noting these items on your calendar.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Monday, December 9, 2024

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The Lion's Roar Monday, December 9, 2024

Book Bonanza at the Annual Lane Library Book Fair!

Students of all ages enjoyed the Lane Book Fair last week, where the shelves were filled with hundreds of new books and reading-related goodies and gadgets. Dozens and dozens of families braved the cold, windy weather on Wednesday Night to join us for Family Night, and students were busy Thursday and Friday making their special purchases. Thank you to all the staff and family volunteers who helped make this year’s Book Fair a success, especially our awesome Lane librarian, Mrs. Chozick, who put it all together!

Ancient Civilization Comes Alive in 3rd Grade

Before the Thanksgiving Break, Lane special education teacher Mrs. Elsisi shared information about and artifacts from her native Egypt with Mrs. Brusick's 3rd grade class, who are exploring Egypt as part of their study of ancient civilizations. This up close and personal experience helped bring the learning to life!

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, 12/10 – Potluck Breakfast Meet & Greet with Mrs. Opie, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Tuesday, 12/10 & Wednesday, 12/11 (Corrected dates!) – PTA Restaurant Nights at Kumo Asian Bistro, 5 – 9 p.m.
Thursday, 12/12 – Cookies & Coffee/Cocoa Meet & Greet with Mrs. Opie, 6 p.m., Lane Lobby
Thursday, 12/12 – Lane Chorus Concert, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, 12/13 – PTA Holiday Party, Kingstowne Synder Center, 6 - 9 p.m.
Sunday, 12/15 – Advanced Academics Program Referrals due by 11:59 p.m. (grades 2 – 6)
Monday, 12/16 through Friday, 12/20 – SCA Spirit Week!
- Monday, 12/16: Animal Day (dress like an animal and/or bring in a stuffed animal)
- Tuesday, 12/17: Sports Jersey Day
- Wednesday, 12/18: Scarf vs. Hat Day (which one will win?)
- Thursday, 12/19: Candy Cane Day (wear red and white)
- Friday, 12/20: Pajama Day!
Thursday, 12/19 – Lane Band and Strings Concert (5th and 6th grades only), 6:30 p.m.
Monday, 12/23 through Friday, 1/3/25 – Winter Break

In This Issue

A Message from Our New Interim Principal, Ebony Opie!
Meet Mrs. Opie at Meet & Greets This Week!
Winter Break Is Coming Soon!
Pre-Winter Break SCA Spirit Days Start Seasonal Fun
Looking for the Perfect Holiday Treat for Your Child’s Teacher or Other Lane Staff?
Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024
Glue Sticks Needed for STEAM!
National Special Education Day
Help Wanted: Seeking Dining Assistant for Our Cafeteria
PTA News: Holiday party, Restaurant Nights, Town Hall update, fundraisers, and more!
FCPS News & Activities: SEL screener results, middle school start times update, community boundary meetings, winter weather reminders, and more!

News & Notes

A Message from Our New Interim Principal,
Ebony Opie!

Dear Lane Families,

I hope this message finds you rested and recharged after a wonderful Thanksgiving break and looking forward to the holidays ahead. I’m thrilled to introduce myself as your new interim principal and am excited to serve alongside our fantastic administrative team. It’s an honor to join this incredible school community, and I look forward to meeting and connecting with each of you—students, families, and staff—over the coming weeks.

December is such an exciting time of year, and we’re ready to make the most of it! While the winter break is just around the corner, there’s still plenty of time to learn, grow, and celebrate all the great things happening at Lane. Let’s make every day count!

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our administrative team is here to support you and your student every step of the way. Together, we’ll ensure Lane continues to be a place where everyone feels valued, challenged, and inspired to succeed.

Thank you for welcoming me into this wonderful community. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things we’ll accomplish together!

Warmly,

Mrs. Opie, Interim Principal
[email protected]

Mr. Dickens, Assistant Principal
[email protected]

Mrs. Kubiak, Assistant Principal
[email protected]

Meet Mrs. Opie at Meet & Greets This Week!

Our new interim principal, Mrs. Ebony Opie, is eager to meet the families of Lane! Please plan to join us at one of our Meet & Greets scheduled for this week. We’re just asking each family to bring an item to share.

Tuesday, December 10th, 8:30 to 9 a.m. – Potluck Breakfast: Meet Mrs. Opie and enjoy a morning snack with other Lane families. Please sign up here to let us know how many will attend and what breakfast item you plan to bring.
Thursday, December 12th, 6 to 6:30 p.m. – Cookies & Coffee/Cocoa: Meet Mrs. Opie, enjoy a tasty snack and a warm drink, then stay to listen to our Lane Chorus perform. Please sign up here. Bring a sweet treat to share!

We hope to see you there!

Winter Break Is Coming Soon!

It’s hard to believe that Winter Break is less than two weeks away! Please note that school and the office will be CLOSED Monday, December 23rd through Friday, January 3rd. The last day before the break – Friday, December 20th – will be a regular full day of school, with dismissal at 4:05 p.m. as usual.

We understand that there are many events happening at this time of year. Please remember that if you have to pick your child up early for any reason it’s important to send a note or e-mail to your child’s teacher that morning. This helps ensure that your child will be ready to leave the classroom when you arrive at school to pick him or her up. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

School will reopen on Monday, January 3rd at the regular time. Please make sure you have these dates on your calendar.

Pre-Winter Break SCA Spirit Days Start Seasonal Fun!

The SCA has scheduled a set of spirit days next week to help us get into a celebratory mood for Winter Break. Here’s a list of the fun that’s coming!

Monday, 12/16: Animal Day (dress like an animal and/or bring in a stuffed animal)
Tuesday, 12/17: Sports Jersey Day
Wednesday, 12/18: Scarf vs. Hat Day (which one will win?)
Thursday, 12/19: Candy Cane Day (wear red and white)
Friday, 12/20: Pajama Day!

We hope your child will get into the spirit and participate!

Looking for the Perfect Holiday Treat for Your Child’s Teacher or Other Lane Staff?

Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Lane’s AART, Linda Simon ([email protected]), no later than 11:59 p.m. on December 15, 2024.

Please email Ms. Simon ahead of time if you plan to submit a referral for your child, even though you have until the 15th to submit the referral form. It’s helpful for her to know as soon as possible.

Similarly, if you have questions, please email them to Ms. Simon as soon as possible. This eliminates the chance she will not be able to get back to you with an answer in time to meet the referral deadline.

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15th, annually. Forms for Full-Time and Part-Time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Ms. Simon.

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

Glue Sticks Needed for STEAM!

Mrs. Christopher and Mrs. Sperry are in need of glue sticks for students in all grade levels to use in the STEAM Lab. If you'd like to donate some, please send them in with your student or drop them off in the front office. Glue sticks of any size and any brand are welcome. Thank you!

Help Wanted: Seeking Dining Assistant for Our Cafeteria

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].

National Special Education Day

Last Monday, December 2nd, was National Special Education Day, which is recognized each year and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975.

Each and every day we appreciate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students receiving special education services, as well as our families who are partners in the education and support of those students! Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Special Education Resources for Families

Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to help assist families of students with special needs.

The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
The Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Sign up for the FRC newsletter. Contact the FRC at [email protected] or call 703-204-2941.
Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing [email protected].

Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education, including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.

Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day, December 8th, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali. We hope those in our community who celebrate enjoyed the holiday this weekend.

PTA News & Announcements

Get Ready to Celebrate the Season with the PTA and Lane Friends on Friday, December 13th!

You’re warmly invited to the PTA’s very first holiday party on Friday, December 13th! It will be held at the Kingstowne Snyder Center from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature music, dancing, a family-style spaghetti dinner, and lots of surprises!

Due to fire-code regulations, everyone who attends MUST have a ticket. Cost is $20 for each adult and $10 for each child. (This event is not a fundraiser; it's purely for fun and community building.) Use the QR code to the left to purchase tickets or visit the PTA website at

https://lanepta.givebacks.gives/laneholidayparty/Campaign/.

See the flyer below for more details. All families are welcome!

Restaurant Nights at Kumo in Manchester Lakes Tuesday, December 10th and Wednesday, December 11th!

Gather your family and friends and enjoy a fun night out at Kumo! Remember, a portion of all sales goes back to Lane, so don’t forget to bring the flyer sent home in Wednesday Folders last week.

December Regal Movies Fundraiser

Looking for a great gift for friends and families that gives back to Lane as well? The PTA has a great one — Regal Movie Ticket Bundles! For just $30 you get 2 Standard 2D Movie tickets redeemable at any Regal location nationwide. Lane receives 25% of the sale. This fundraiser runs through December 31st. Buy your bundle here!

Specials Teachers Holiday Collection

Have your kid's specials teachers (Art, STREAM, Music, etc.) on your mind this giving season? Help us provide gift cards for them this holiday season by donating $10 here.

Town Hall Update

At the November 20th Town Hall, Mrs. Prahl explained why funds raised for playground shade during last year’s Read-A-Thon must be reallocated due to unforeseen county regulations and logistical challenges. The PTA proposed alternative capital improvement projects, including repairing the electronic sign, updating chalkboards to whiteboards, replacing cafeteria tables, adding a fob lock for easier access, and upgrading outdated SMART Boards, with next steps involving teacher input and a membership vote to prioritize initiatives.

Show Your Lane Lion Pride with the New PTA Car Magnets!

Lane Lion car magnets are now up for grabs on the PTA’s website! When you order, be sure to add your child's name and their teacher's name so the PTA can send them home.

FCPS News & Activities

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

Cell Phone Feedback Opportunity

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10th, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center.

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region (Region 6), which will take place on Thursday, December 12th from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. at Annandale High School. If you are unable to attend on this date, you can view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date above. Language interpretation will be available.

Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind-chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care. You may also call the school office (703-924-7700) and ask to speak with our school social worker, Mrs. Earl.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15th, 2024

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Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15th!

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs (AAP) may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Lane’s AART, Linda Simon ([email protected]), no later than 11:59 p.m. on December 15, 2024.

Similarly, if you have questions, please email them to Ms. Simon as soon as possible. This eliminates the chance she will not be able to get back to you with an answer in time to meet the referral deadline.

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15th, annually. Forms for Full-Time and Part-Time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

A Message from the Lane PTA - Support Our Amazing Specialists This Season!

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This message is sent on behalf of the Lane PTA.

Hello Lane Families!

What a special time of year for our teachers, as many receive thoughtful holiday gifts prior to our Winter Break. This year, we also want to bring awareness to the many non-primary/specials teachers (50+!!!) that our Lane Lions spend time with and learn from each and every day!

We've set up a collection link here with a proposed $10 donation. The PTA will distribute 100% of the collection to our Lane Specials Teachers (PE, Art, Library, STREAM, Reading Specialist, Front Office, etc.) to share our appreciation with them as well this holiday season!

We know it can be overwhelming to think about all the teachers your child knows and loves here at Lane, so we're hopeful this method will afford the opportunity to recognize them collectively as a student body.

As always, we appreciate your ongoing support!

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Monday, November 18, 2024

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The Lion's Roar Monday, November 18, 2024

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, 11/19 - Fall Picture Retake Days, grades K-3
Wednesday, 11/20 – PTA funding reallocation meeting, 6 p.m., Lane Library
Thursday, 11/21 – LionsGiving Family Potluck, 6 – 8 p.m., Cafeteria
Wednesday, 11/27 through Friday, 11/29 – Thanksgiving Holiday, School and Office CLOSED
Monday, 12/2 through Friday, 12/6 – Book Fair
- Wednesday, 12/4 – Book Fair Family Night, 5 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, 12/12 – Lane Chorus Concert, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, 12/19 – Lane Band and Strings Concert (5th and 6th grades only), 6:30 p.m.
Monday, 12/23 through Friday, 1/3/25 – Winter Break

In This Issue

Giving Thanks
LionsGiving Potluck Family Dinner Is This Thursday, November 21st! Sign Up by Tuesday!
Native American Heritage Month
The Lane PTA Book Fair Is Coming to the Library! Volunteers Needed!
Lane Literacy News
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
PTA News

News & Notes

Giving Thanks

There will not be a newsletter next week due to the shortened school week for the Thanksgiving holiday, so we would like to begin this Lion’s Roar with heartfelt words of thanks to all of you – our Lane Elementary families – for being such supportive and dedicated members of our school community. It is truly a gift to be a part of such an amazing partnership, and we are honored to work with your children every day.

Please remember that school and the office will be CLOSED next Wednesday, November 27th through Friday, November 29th for Thanksgiving. (SACC will be open regular hours on Wednesday.) School will reopen on Monday, December 2nd, at the regular time.

We wish you a warm and wonderful holiday, filled with family, friends, and – of course – lots of good food!

LionsGiving Potluck Family Dinner Is This Thursday, November 21st! Sign Up by Tuesday!

Our grade-level “Breakfast Bites” morning potlucks have been very successful this fall, so we thought we would create an event for the evening as well, one where families from all grade levels can come together and share an evening meal in the spirit of November’s most famous meal — Thanksgiving. We’re calling it “LionsGiving,” and it will be held on the evening of Thursday, November 21st.

If you’d like to attend, please bring a dish to share — either an appetizer, main dish, side dish, or dessert — big enough to serve 6 to 8 people. Sign up here by Tuesday night to let us know what you’ll be bringing and how many will attend.

We look forward to sharing this meal with our Lane Lion families!

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced, both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

As part of our celebration, we would like to post photos of our students of Native American heritage. If your family is connected to these important cultures, please email a photo of your child to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at [email protected] as soon as possible.

The Lane PTA Book Fair Is Coming to the Library! Volunteers Needed!

Monday, December 2nd through Friday, December 6th – In Person
Tuesday, November 26th through Monday, December 9th – Online

Please visit the fair website: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/lanees

You will find information about:

volunteering (or you can go directly to the electronic sign-up)
setting up an eWallet
online shopping.

Here’s what’s happening:

Monday, December 2nd – Wednesday, December 4th: Student Preview Days (no purchasing during the school day). Students will get a chance to look at fair items and create wish lists.

Wednesday, December 4th, 5 – 8 p.m.: Family Night! Purchasing begins for students and families.

Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th: Student Purchasing Days. Students will have a chance to purchase items during the school day at a scheduled time.

Family members may also come in on Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to purchase items. (PLEASE NOTE: These times are different from what was listed in last week’s Lion's Roar.) If you come in during these times to purchase items, please do not pull your child out of class to join you. This will minimize interruptions of learning in the classroom.

We accept cash, credit cards, checks (payable to Lane PTA), and we have a digital payment option: eWallet. Now your student can shop the Fair cash-free! Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and to create an account. We strongly encourage the use of eWallet to avoid lost money, Unused money turns into a Scholastic gift certificate that can be used for other Scholastic items.

Please note that the in-school fair ends at 3:45 p.m. on Friday, December 6th.

We will also hold an online book fair, with items available for purchase Tuesday, November 26th through Monday, December 9th.

Proceeds from both the in-person and online fairs support the Lane Library, which is used by all students and teachers at Lane, and the larger Lane community as well.

We’re so excited about the fair! For more information, please also visit https://www.scholastic.com/bf/lanees.

Questions? Please contact Sue Chozick, Librarian.

Thank you for your support!

Lane Literacy News

Would you like to learn more about how reading is taught at Lane? If so, please watch this video created by Lane Reading Specialist Mrs. Randolph.

Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid

The Impact Aid Program is a federal program designed to directly compensate local school districts that have been financially impacted by federal activities. The program’s mission is to reimburse local school districts for local revenues lost due to the presence of federally owned, and therefore tax exempt, property.

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is available electronically through your ParentVUE account. Paper copies were also sent home in Wednesday Folders last week. Please fill out the form online or on paper and return it to school as soon as possible!

Watch the video here for more information: https://youtu.be/dwJCXpMB0EU.

Follow these steps to complete the form online:

Step 1: Log in to SIS ParentVue.
Step 2: Select the 'Online Packets' tab, located on the top right of the ParentVue screen.
Step 3: From the tiles at the bottom of the page, select the “2024-2025 Federal Impact Aid Survey.”

NOTE: If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. In ParentVue, you will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen.

You can find more detailed steps as well as more information about Impact Aid on the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/impact.

Thank you to all the families who've already completed this important form!

PTA News & Announcements
2023 Read-a-thon Funds Reallocation Town Hall – Wednesday, November 20th, 6 p.m.

Please join the Lane PTA next Wednesday, November 20th, at 6 p.m. for a Town Hall Meeting in the Lane Library with school administrators to discuss reallocating funds raised during the 2023-2024 Read-a-thon fundraiser for playground shade.

Learn how the PTA and administrators work together to make school improvements, get your questions answered, and share your thoughts!

A virtual option will be shared via email soon.

Show Your Lane Lion Pride with the New PTA Car Magnets!

Lane Lion car magnets are now up for grabs on the PTA’s website! When you order, be sure to add your child's name and their teacher's name so the PTA can send them home.

Support the Lane PTA on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd

As you celebrate Giving Tuesday this year, we invite you to make a difference by contributing to the Lane PTA Fund through their website. Your generous donations will help support classroom supplies, community engagement events, school programs, staff appreciation events, and so much more!

The Book Fair Is Coming December 2nd through 6th!

As you read above, the Book Fair is coming soon! Don't forget that if your child raised $100 or more for the Read-a-thon, they have a $10 credit to the Book Fair this year!

PTA Christmas Party Coming Soon!

Watch for more information on PTA social media and in your email about this year's exciting PTA Christmas party! We can't wait to celebrate with you!

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Wednesday, November 13, 2024

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The Lion's Roar Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Honoring Our Lane Lion Veterans and Military Service Members

Last week ended on a patriotic note as we celebrated Veterans Day by honoring the many veteran and current members of the military in our Lane community. We started Friday morning off with a special pancake breakfast, and then classes across all grade levels got to hear the personal stories of our local heroes when they visited classrooms. Some students even got to meet a military service dog!

Thank you to all the family members who joined us that day, and to all the service members, past and present, who help protect our freedoms and keep our country safe!

Lane Strings Students Perform at Hayfield ORCHtoberfest

On October 30th, some of Lane's 5th and 6th grade Strings participated in ORCHtober Fest at Hayfield Secondary School with other students from across the Hayfield Pyramid, including secondary school students. They got to dress up in their favorite costumes and had a lot of fun playing music from Mary Poppins. The students had only one rehearsal one hour before the concert before performing for hundreds of people in the Hayfield auditorium. Congratulations to our talented musicians!

Upcoming Events

Monday, 11/18 – Early Release Monday, students dismissed 3 hours early at 1:05 p.m.
Monday, 11/18 & Tuesday, 11/19 - Fall Picture Retake Days
Wednesday, 11/20 – PTA funding reallocation meeting, 6 p.m., Lane Library
Thursday, 11/21 – LionsGiving Family Potluck, 6 – 8 p.m., Cafeteria
Wednesday, 11/27 through Friday, 11/29 – Thanksgiving Holiday, School and Office CLOSED
Monday, 12/2 through Friday, 12/6 – Book Fair
- Wednesday, 12/4 – Book Fair Family Night, 5 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, 12/12 – Lane Chorus Concert, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, 12/19 – Lane Band and Strings Concert (5th and 6th grades only), 6:30 p.m.
Monday, 12/23 through Friday, 1/3/25 – Winter Break

In This Issue

Missing Something?
Next Early Release Monday Is November 18th
Sign Up for LionsGiving Potluck on Thursday, November 21st!
The Lane PTA Book Fair Is Coming to the Library! Volunteers Needed!
More News from the Lane Library
National School Psychologists Week, November 11th through 15th
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
School Health Room Needs Clothing
PTA News: Read-a-thon reallocation Town Hall next Wednesday
FCPS News & Activities: IEP Palooza this weekend, boundary changes, resources for the hard of hearing and visually impaired, tutoring resources

News & Notes Missing Something?

Our Lost & Found is overflowing, and we need your help to clear it out.

If your child is missing a coat, a jacket, a sweatshirt, or other apparel, please have them check the items on display in the bus lobby to see if it is there. Lost water bottles are in the cafeteria.

We will keep the items out through next Friday, November 22nd. All items that remain after that date will be donated.

Thank you for your help in getting these lost items back to their owners.

Next Early Release Monday Is November 18th

Our third Early Release Monday is scheduled for next Monday, November 18th. We will send your children home or to daycare or keep them at school as you previously instructed for the Early Release Mondays in September and October. All families should have received a message yesterday or today to confirm.

If you need to change your child’s plans for dismissal on November 18th, please contact the school office at 703-924-7700 by 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 14th.

Please note that there are no Early Release Mondays in December or January. The next one for our school will be Monday, February 10, 2025.

Our grade-level “Breakfast Bites” morning potlucks have been very successful this fall, so we thought we would create an event for the evening as well, one where families from all grade levels can come together and share an evening meal in the spirit of November’s most famous meal – Thanksgiving. We’re calling it “LionsGiving,” and it will be held on the evening of Thursday, November 21st.

If you’d like to attend, please bring a dish to share - either an appetizer, main dish, side dish, or dessert - big enough to serve 6 to 8 people. Sign up here and let us know what you’ll be bringing and how many will attend.

Please note that, due to fire marshal capacity limits, we will need to cap this event at 300 people, so space is limited. Sign up today!

We look forward to sharing this meal with our Lane Lion family!

The Lane PTA Book Fair Is Coming to the Library! Volunteers Needed!

Monday, December 2nd through Friday, December 6th – In Person
Tuesday, November 26th through Monday, December 9th – Online

Please visit the fair website: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/lanees

You will find information about:

volunteering (or you can go directly to the electronic sign-up)
setting up an eWallet
online shopping.

Here’s what’s happening:

Monday, December 2nd – Wednesday, December 4th: Student Preview Days (no purchasing during the school day). Students will get a chance to look at fair items and create wish lists.

Wednesday, December 4th, 5 – 8 p.m.: Family Night! Purchasing begins for students and families.

Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th: Student Purchasing Days. Students will have a chance to purchase items during the school day at a scheduled time.

Family members may also come in on Thursday, December 5th from 9:45 a.m. to noon, and on Friday, December 6th from noon until 3:45 p.m. to purchase items. We accept cash, credit cards, checks (payable to Lane PTA), and we have a digital payment option: eWallet. Now your student can shop the Fair cash-free! Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and to create an account. We strongly encourage the use of eWallet to avoid lost money, Unused money turns into a Scholastic gift certificate that can be used for other Scholastic items.

Please note that the in-school fair ends at 3:45 p.m. on Friday, December 6th.

We will also hold an online book fair, with items available for purchase Tuesday, November 26th through Monday, December 9th.

Proceeds from both the in-person and online fairs support the Lane Library, which is used by all students and teachers at Lane, and the larger Lane community as well.

We’re so excited about the fair! For more information, please also visit https://www.scholastic.com/bf/lanees.

Questions? Please contact Sue Chozick, Librarian

Thank you for your support!

More News from the Lane Library

Dear Lane Readers,

With the start of second quarter, please note that the library emailed overdue notices yesterday. Students who have books that were due on or before October 31st received a notice. Please do your best to look for these books and return them in good condition! It is also possible that books have been sent to school but have not yet made it to the library. If this is the case, apologies in advance for the crossed communication.

As a reminder, there are no fines for overdue books, however families are expected to pay the replacement cost for lost or damaged books.

Contact Sue Chozick, Librarian ([email protected]) with any questions.

National School Psychologists Week, November 11th through 15th

This week we celebrate the important work school psychologists do to help all students thrive. Dana Martino is our school psychologist, and we are so lucky to have her on our staff! She helps support the social-emotional learning of all our Lane Lions.

You can learn more about the work school psychologists do from the National Association of School Psychologists.

Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is available electronically through your ParentVUE account. Paper copies were also sent home in Wednesday Folders today. Please fill out the form online or on paper and return it to school as soon as possible!

Watch the video here for more information: https://youtu.be/dwJCXpMB0EU.

Follow these steps to complete the form online:

Step 1: Log in to SIS ParentVue.
Step 2: Select the 'Online Packets' tab, located on the top right of the ParentVue screen.
Step 3: From the tiles at the bottom of the page, select the “2024-2025 Federal Impact Aid Survey.”

You can find more detailed steps as well as more information about Impact Aid on the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/impact.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

School Health Room Needs Clothing!

During the school day, many students have mishaps that mess up their clothes from spilled milk in the cafeteria to mud on the playground, and many things in between! In these situations, our School Health Room supplies a change of clothes, which students then wash and return.

Our current supply is wearing thin, so we’re reaching out to request donations of new or gently used clothing. Sizes for students of all ages – kindergarten through 6th grade – are welcome! Items should be clean and free of tears or other major damage. Underwear should be new.

If your fall cleaning has you clearing out clothes that no longer fit your child, please send them to Lane! Just bag them up and send them in!

Thank you!

PTA News

Learn how the PTA and administrators work together to make school improvements, get your questions answered, and share your thoughts!

A virtual option will be shared via email soon.

FCPS News & Activities IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School.

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.

Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Weekly Roar has been delayed!

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Good evening, Lane families!

Please note that this week's Lion's Roar has been delayed. Please look for it in your inboxes tomorrow.

Thank you for your patience!

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Nominations for FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards

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Nominate a Lane Staff Member for FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!

We invite you to nominate any Lane Elementary School staff member (bus driver, cafeteria staff, custodial staff, school counselor, instructional assistant, teacher, office assistant, attendance assistant, case manager, librarian, assistant principal, principal, or any adult with whom you interact at Lane) for this year's FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards.

If an adult has made a positive impact or is making an impact with your family or student, you can nominate that person!

Employee Award nominations are open through next Wednesday, November 13th at 11:59 p.m. Nominations are open for the following categories:

Outstanding Teacher (all subject areas and case managers)
Outstanding New Teacher (all subject areas)
Outstanding Principal
Outstanding School-Based Leader (assistant principal or associate principal)
Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee (school counselor, librarian, technology specialists, speech therapist, school nurse, family liaison, school social worker, or school psychologist)
Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee (registrar, office assistant, instructional assistant, attendance assistant, custodian, bus driver, or cafeteria staff)

You can nominate people by completing this form, which also includes descriptions of each category.

Please contact Tara Barbiere ([email protected]) or April Stephens ([email protected]) with questions.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Monday, November 4, 2024

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The Lion’s Roar Monday, November 4, 2024

A Spirited End to the First Quarter

Thanks to the SCA for sponsoring a series of school spirit days last week to celebrate the end of the first grading quarter. Pajama Day offered a great opportunity for relaxing and reading, and Twin Day had us seeing double or triple (or even more!) around the school. Watch for more spirited fun coming soon!

Student Ambassadors Share Program Positives

On October 24th, two of Lane's Student Ambassadors participated in a National Purple Star Convening online conference session to share information about Lane's program with people who serve and support military families across the country. They did an awesome job of explaining how our Student Ambassadors help new students — and all Lane Lions — feel welcome and included in our school community.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, 11/5 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday, students do not report
Thursday, 11/7 – PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m., virtual via Google Meet
Friday, 11/8 – Veterans Day Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., and Classroom Visits, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (See article below for how you can participate)
Friday, 11/8 – PTA Play & Chat for Families and Students with Disabilities, 5:30 p.m., main playground
Monday, 11/11 – Veterans Day Holiday, School, Office, and SACC CLOSED
Tuesday, 11/12 & Wednesday, 11/13 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Taco Bamba, all day
Monday, 11/18 – Early Release Monday, students dismissed 3 hours early at 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, 11/21 – LionsGiving Family Potluck, 6 p.m., Cafeteria
Wednesday, 11/27 through Friday, 11/29 – Thanksgiving Holiday, School and Office CLOSED

In This Issue

Last Call for Veterans Day Activities and Photos!
2024-2025 Yearbook Cover Contest Entries Due This Friday, November 8th!
Sign Up for LionsGiving Potluck on Thursday, November 21st!
News from the Lane Library
November Is National Family Engagement Month
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
School Health Room Needs Clothing!
PTA News: November meeting, Play & Chat for special needs families Restaurant Nights

Last Call for Veterans Day Activities and Photos!

Our Veterans Day family breakfast will be held before school in the cafeteria from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. If your family would like to attend, please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/wKamkNkd3yj7ReUq9 by Wednesday, November 6th. Be sure to tell us how many in your family will attend with you (including you).

If you would like to visit classrooms on the 8th, please sign up using one of these methods:

Sign up online
Scan the QR code at right.
Fill out this paper form and return it to our parent liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, no later than Wednesday, November 6th.
RSVP via email to [email protected].

We will schedule you for two different classrooms, one of which will be that of the student to whom you are connected. This is to ensure that all classrooms have at least one visitor. Be sure to tell us which grade level is preferred for the second session. (If you are connected to more than one child at Lane, we will place you in those classrooms.) Classroom presentations will be about 15 to 20 minutes long.

We need your photographs!

As part of our Veterans Day celebration, we would also like to create an electronic “Gallery of Honor” slide show featuring photographs of the active-duty and veteran members of the military in our school community. To be included please email a photo of your military family members by 5 p.m. tomorrow – November 5th – to our family liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at [email protected].

Please note: These photos will be included in a video that will be featured on our school news show. The video will be housed on YouTube, however only people with the link will be able to view it. It will not be shared publicly. Please let us know if it is OK to include your family’s name with your photo in the slide show.

Thank you for participating in this very special event and thank you for your service! We hope to see you on November 8th!

2024-2025 Yearbook Cover Contest Entries Due This Friday, November 8th

Have a budding artist at home? If so, encourage your child to enter this year’s yearbook cover-art competition. It’s open to all grade levels.

An overall winner and grade-level winners will be selected. The overall winner’s work will appear full-size on the front cover of yearbook, which will be distributed at the end of the year. Grade-level winners’ works will appear in a reduced size on the back. You can find entry guidelines on the flyer sent home last week in Wednesday Folders.

This artwork should be done by your child alone. Any entries that are obviously drawn by parents or older siblings will be disqualified. All parents must sign this artwork release form (also on the back of the flyer) in order for the design to be considered.

All entries must be turned in to the office by this Friday, November 8th. Late entries will not be accepted!

Our grade-level “Breakfast Bites” morning potlucks have been very successful this fall, so we thought we would create an event for the evening as well, one where families from all grade levels can come together and share an evening meal in the spirit of November’s most famous meal – Thanksgiving. We’re calling it “LionsGiving,” and it will be held on the evening of Thursday, November 21st.

If you’d like to attend, please bring a dish to share — either an appetizer, main dish, side dish, or dessert — big enough to serve 6 to 8 people. Sign up here and let us know what you’ll be bringing and how many will attend.

Please note that, due to fire marshal capacity limits, we will need to cap this event at 300 people, so space is limited. Sign up today!

We look forward to sharing this meal with our Lane Lion family!

News from the Lane Library

Dear Lane Readers,

With the start of second quarter, please note that the library will be emailing overdue notices on Tuesday, November 12th. Students who have books that were due on or before October 31st will receive a notice. Please do your best to look for these books and return them in good condition! It is also possible that books have been sent to school but have not yet made it to the library. If this is the case, apologies in advance for the crossed communication.

As a reminder, there are no fines for overdue books, however families are expect to pay the replacement cost for lost or damaged books.

Contact Librarian Sue Chozick ([email protected]) with any questions.

November Is National Family Engagement Month!

November is Family Engagement Month! This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Over 40 years of research shows that the most effective way to increase student achievement is for families to be actively involved in their children's education.

Family engagement is a shared responsibility between home, school, and the community. Here at Lane we take it very seriously. We want families to be part of our team! Your voice is important in your children’s education! We value the time that you take to become connected with the school and support your child’s learning and build community with us. Our “LionsGiving” event, coincidentally, will be held on National Family Engagement Day, November 21st. It is just one of many opportunities to connect and build relationships that we offer.

The FCPS Family and School Partnerships Office has created this calendar of ideas to encourage families to engage this month. (Translations of calendar: Spanish, Arabic). We look forward to partnering with you!

Did You Know That Every School Has a Family Liaison?

Family liaisons welcome and orient families who are new to the school and community and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can also help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

Many of you already know our long-time family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy. You see her name in The Weekly Roar frequently because she is involved in many family-related activities at Lane. A former Lane parent herself, she has been in her position for over 20 years and knows our community extremely well.

We are lucky here at Lane to have TWO family liaisons. Andrea Howard recently joined our team and works closely with Melanie to support our families. She is fluent in Spanish and helps to support many of our Spanish-speaking families.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to either of our liaisons anytime you might need assistance or have questions. If they can’t help, they can help connect you with someone who can. You can reach Melanie at [email protected] and Andrea at [email protected].

Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is available electronically through your ParentVUE account. For families that do not have access to ParentVUE or prefer to complete a paper form, a printed form will be provided by the school after October 31st.

Watch the video here for more information: https://youtu.be/dwJCXpMB0EU.

Follow these steps to complete the form online:

Step 1: Log in to SIS ParentVue.
Step 2: Select the 'Online Packets' tab, located on the top right of the ParentVue screen.
Step 3: From the tiles at the bottom of the page, select the “2024-2025 Federal Impact Aid Survey.”

NOTE: If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen.

You can find more detailed steps as well as more information about Impact Aid on the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/impact.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

School Health Room Needs Clothing!

If your fall cleaning has you clearing out clothes that no longer fit your child, please send them to Lane! Just bag them up and send them in!

Thank you!

PTA News & Announcements
November Meeting on November 7th!

All Lane families are invited to join the PTA for its November meeting on Thursday, November 7th at 6:30 p.m. Discussion will focus on some exciting events on the horizon, along with opportunities for you to get involved and join the fun. This meeting will be completely virtual, so feel free to join from wherever you are.

Here’s the link to join the meeting: https://meet.google.com/oms-zqww-csr

Join Us for PTA Restaurant Days at Taco Bamba, November 12th & 13th

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors and enjoy a tasty meal while raising money for our school! A percentage of all sales generated by Lane all day long will be donated back to our school!

Join us at Taco Bamba in Springfield (6691-A Backlick Road) next Tuesday and Wednesday, November 12th and 13th. Mention Lane Elementary if dining in or use code GIVE20 for online orders. You can check out their menu here.

Play and Chat on Friday, November 8th

Please join other Lane families and students with disabilities (visible and invisible) for an informal get-together, hosted by the Lane PTA, at the big Lane playground this Friday, November 8th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – and there will be snacks (and hopefully leftover Halloween candy).

This gathering will give children a chance to play together outside of school and caregivers a chance to connect. Although this gathering is geared towards families and students with disabilities, all are welcome!

To gauge interest (and get a headcount for snacks), please fill out this form.

For any questions or to connect, please contact Kristyn King ([email protected]).

It’s Not Too Late to Join the Lane PTA!

We may be nearing the end of the first grading quarter, but it’s never too late to join the Lane PTA. The cost is just $10 per adult member. Visit their website to join today!

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Monday, October 28, 2024

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The Lion’s Roar Monday, October 28, 2024

Thanks for a Sweet PTA "Trunk or Treat"!

The Lane PTA held its first-ever "Trunk or Treat" yesterday, to the delight of kids and grown-ups alike. Mrs. Schadle's Chick-fil-A–themed truck was just one highlight of the night. Thanks to all the families who attended, and especially to the Lane PTA.

"Breakfast Bites" and Beyond!

Thanks to all the families who joined us last Friday for our final "Breakfast Bites" potluck for the fall. This one was held for 5th and 6th grade families, and the turnout was great!

In fact, the turnout for all of these events has been so good, that we're going to host a bigger potluck get-together in November called "LionsGiving." It will be held in the evening on Thursday, November 21st. Check the "Save the Date" article below and watch Wednesday folders for more details coming soon!

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, 10/29 – SCA Spirit Day: “Pajama Day”
Wednesday, 10/30 – SCA Spirit Day: “Twin Day”
Thursday, 10/31 – SCA Spirit Day: “Orange and Black Day”; End-of-Quarter 2-hour Early Release, dismissal at 2:05 p.m. (SACC open regular hours, no other onsite child care available)
Friday, 11/1 – Diwali Holiday, FCPS Schools and Offices CLOSED, SACC open
Monday, 11/4 & Tuesday, 11/5 – Student Holidays/Teacher Workdays, students do not report
Friday, 11/8 – Veterans Day Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., and Classroom Visits, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (See article below for how you can participate)
Friday, 11/8 - NEW DATE! PTA Play & Chat for Families and Students with Disabilities, 5:30 p.m., main playground
Monday, 11/11 – Veterans Day Holiday, School, Office, and SACC CLOSED

In This Issue

School Spirit Days This Week!
Upcoming Holiday and Staff Workdays; 2-Hour End-of-Quarter Early Release on Thursday
2024-2025 Yearbook Cover Contest Now Accepting Entries
Honoring Our Lane Lion Veterans and Active Military Service Members for Veterans Day on Friday, November 8th
Fall Portrait Distribution
Full-Time AAP Screening and Placement Process Resources
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
Save the Date for LionsGiving Potluck on Thursday, November 21st!
PTA News: November meeting, Play & Chat for special needs families

News & Notes

School Spirit Days This Week!

It’s hard to believe that the first grading quarter comes to an end on Thursday this week. To celebrate this milestone and the colors of the season, SCA is sponsoring a week of school Spirit Days. It kicked off today with “Switch Day,” where students dressed like teachers and teachers dressed like students, and continues through Thursday. Here are the themes for each of the remaining days:

Tuesday, October 29th: “Pajama Day” – Get ready for the long weekend ahead by wearing comfy sleepwear to school (no slippers, please)
Wednesday, October 30th: “Twin Day” – Find a friend or two (or more!) and dress alike for the day
Thursday, October 31st: “Orange and Black Day” – Break out the black and orange for this seasonal celebration

We hope your child will join the fun and participate!

Upcoming Holiday and Staff Workdays; 2-Hour End-of-Quarter Early Release at 2:05 p.m. on Thursday

Don’t forget that there’s an extra-long weekend for students coming at the end of this week.

Students will be dismissed two hours early at 2:05 p.m. this Thursday, October 31st. Please note that this is our standard end-of-quarter early release day and no child-care options will be offered.

Diwali Holiday - Friday, November 1st

On Friday, November 1st, schools will be CLOSED for all students and staff in observance of the Diwali holiday. Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Happy Diwali to all who celebrate!

Learn more about Diwali here.

Dia de los Muertos & All Saints Day

Two additional cultural and religious observances – Día de los Muertos and All Saints Day – also occur this upcoming weekend.

Celebrated primarily in Mexico and Latin America, Dia de los Muertos offers an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones.

This day also coincides with All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd). These days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants worldwide to honor those who have died and gone to heaven (All Saints Day) and those who may still be in purgatory (All Souls Day).

To learn more about Día de los Muertos, watch this video. You can find more information about All Saints Day and All Souls Day here.

The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.

Teacher Workdays Monday, November 4th & Tuesday, November 5th

Next Monday and Tuesday, students will have the day off for staff professional workdays. These days give staff time to wrap up paperwork and grading for the first quarter and to participate in important professional development. The office will be open regular hours.

School will reopen at the regular time on Wednesday, November 6th.

2024-2025 Yearbook Cover Contest Now Accepting Entries

Have a budding artist at home? If so, encourage your child to enter this year’s yearbook cover-art competition. It’s open to all grade levels.

All entries must be turned in to the office by next Friday, November 8th. Late entries will not be accepted!

Honoring Our Lane Lion Veterans and Active Military Service Members for Veterans Day on Friday, November 8th

We are honored to have so many military families – currently active and veteran – in our school community. If you or other family members are active-duty, reserve, or veteran service personnel, we would like to honor you this Veterans Day by inviting you to visit our school on the morning of Friday, November 8th. (Veterans Day itself – November 11th – is an FCPS holiday, and school will be closed.) There will be two events: a military family breakfast and classroom visits where family members can share their stories of service and sacrifice.

The family breakfast will be held before school in the cafeteria from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. If your family would like to attend, please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/wKamkNkd3yj7ReUq9. Be sure to tell us how many in your family will attend with you (including you).

If you would like to visit classrooms on the 8th, please sign up using one of these methods:

Sign up online
Scan the QR code at right.
Fill out this paper form and return it to our parent liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, no later than Wednesday, November 6th.
RSVP via email to [email protected].

We need your photographs!

As part of our Veterans Day celebration, we would also like to create an electronic “Gallery of Honor” slide show featuring photographs of the active-duty and veteran members of the military in our school community. Please send a photo of your military family members by Monday, November 4th to be included.

Fall Portrait Distribution

Fall Picture Days are complete! We are working on processing the pictures and getting them ready to send home to families. Each family will receive a digital copy of their child’s portrait for FREE this year and can have it printed however they choose at local retail outlets. Our family liaison and yearbook coordinator, Melanie Crosby Hardy, will be emailing the individual portrait files to families next week.

We will be offering two Retake Days in mid-November. More details will be sent home soon.

Full-Time AAP Screening and Placement Process Presentation

If you missed last Thursday’s meeting about the screening process and timeline for full-time Advanced Academics Program (AAP) placement you can view the presentation here.

Please contact Ms. Simon at [email protected] if you have questions.

Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid

Watch the video here for more information: https://youtu.be/dwJCXpMB0EU.

Follow these steps to complete the form online:

Step 1: Log in to SIS ParentVue.
Step 2: Select the 'Online Packets' tab, located on the top right of the ParentVue screen.
Step 3: From the tiles at the bottom of the page, select the “2024-2025 Federal Impact Aid Survey.”

You can find more detailed steps as well as more information about Impact Aid on the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/impact.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

Save the Date for LionsGiving Potluck on Thursday, November 21st!

Our grade-level “Breakfast Bites” morning potlucks have been very successful this fall, so we thought we would create an event for the evening as well, one where families from all grade levels can come together and share an evening meal in the spirit of November’s most famous meal – Thanksgiving. We’re calling it “LionsGiving,” and it will be held on the evening of Thursday, November 21st. We hope you’ll save the date and plan to attend. Watch for more information coming soon!

PTA News & Announcements
November Meeting on November 7th!

Here’s the link to join the meeting: https://meet.google.com/oms-zqww-csr

It’s Not Too Late to Join the Lane PTA!

We may be nearing the end of the first grading quarter, but it’s never too late to join the Lane PTA. The cost is just $10 per adult member. Visit their website to join today!

Play and Chat Date Change: Friday, November 8th

Please join other Lane families and students with disabilities (visible and invisible) for an informal get-together, hosted by the Lane PTA, at the big Lane playground on Friday, November 8th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – and there will be snacks (and hopefully leftover Halloween candy).

To gauge interest (and get a headcount for snacks), please fill out this form.

For any questions or to connect, please contact Kristyn King ([email protected]).

Parent Resources

Community Immunization Resources

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Tuesday, October 29th, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Monday, October 21, 2024

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The Lion’s Roar Monday, October 21, 2024

Fall Holidays and Cultural Celebrations Take Center Stage

Last Thursday, Lane celebrated its first Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night, which invited families to explore and learn about cultural holidays and traditions recognized and celebrated by FCPS during the fall. Displays and activities were dedicated to Hispanic Heritage Month, Dia de los Muertos, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, and Disability History and Awareness Month. There were interactive crafts, tasty treats, and lots of music and dance. Thanks to all the families who shared their culture with us, and to all those who attended. A second CARE Night is in the works for the winter, in conjunction with Celebration of Cultures Night. Stay tuned!

"Breakfast Bites" Return with 3rd & 4th Grade Gathering

Our popular grade-level "Family Friday Breakfast Bites" resumed last week with a delicious breakfast buffet for 3rd and 4th grade families.

Fun, Fitness, and Friendship at Field Day

Classes celebrated friendship and teamwork as they worked their way through fun fitness stations during our annual Field Day last Friday.

Upcoming Events

Continuing through Monday, 10/28 – Social-Emotional Screener (see the list of specific dates below)
Tuesday, 10/22 & Wednesday, 10/23 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Smyrna in the Hayfield Shopping Center
Thursday, 10/24 – Full-time Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Screening Process Parent Information Meeting, 6 p.m.
Friday, 10/25 – “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” for 5th and 6th grade families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Sunday, 10/27 – PTA Trunk or Treat, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Monday, 10/28 – SCA Spirit Day: “Switch Day”
Tuesday, 10/29 – SCA Spirit Day: “Pajama Day”
Wednesday, 10/30 – SCA Spirit Day: “Twin Day”
Thursday, 10/31 – SCA Spirit Day: “Orange and Black Day”; End-of-Quarter 2-hour Early Release, dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
Friday, 11/1 – Diwali Holiday, FCPS Schools and Offices CLOSED
Monday, 11/4 & Tuesday, 11/5 – Student Holidays/Teacher Workdays, students do not report
Friday, 11/8 – Veterans Day Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., and Classroom Visits, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (See article below for how you can participate)
Friday, 11/8 - NEW DATE! PTA Play & Chat for Families and Students with Disabilities, 5:30 p.m., main playground

In This Issue

Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Full-Time Screening and Timeline Parent Meeting Thursday, October 24th, 6 p.m.
Honoring Our Lane Lion Veterans and Active Military Service Members for Veterans Day on Friday, November 8th
Final Family Friday “Breakfast Bites” This Friday for 5th and 6th Grade Families!
End-of-Quarter Spirit Days Coming Next Week!
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screening Continues This Week
Student Information for Providers Outside of FCPS
PTA News: Upcoming Restaurant Nights, Trunk or Treat, and more!
Parent Resources: Upcoming FREE Webinars from the Family Resource Center
Community Events & Activities: Hayfield All Night Grad Party 2025 fundraiser and Tri-M honor society Trunk or Treat, Delia's costume event,

News & Notes Advanced Academics News: Full-Time Screening and Timeline Parent Meeting October 24th, 6 p.m.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Full-time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services begin in 3rd grade. Parents of 2nd through 6th graders who would like their child to be considered for full-time services for the 2025-2026 school year must submit a parent referral form no later than December 15th.

Lane’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Linda Simon, will host a meeting on Thursday, October 24th at 6 p.m. in person in the Lane library for parents of students in grades 2 through 6 to explain the screening process, timeline, screening file components, and parent responsibilities for Full-time AAP eligibility and placement. The meeting will be in person; there is no virtual option.

Note: The December 15th deadline applies to all eligible grade levels (2nd through 6th), including 6th graders screening for 7th grade even though middle school course selection does not take place until January/February 2025. If you want to have your child screened for services in middle school, please be sure to submit the referral by December 15th.

Honoring Our Lane Lion Veterans and Active Military Service Members for Veterans Day on Friday, November 8th

If you would like to visit classrooms on the 8th, please sign up using one of these methods:

Sign up online
Scan the QR code at right.
Fill out this paper form and return it to our parent liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, no later than Wednesday, November 6th.
RSVP via email to [email protected].

We need your photographs!

As part of our Veterans Day celebration, we would also like to create an electronic “Gallery of Honor” slide show featuring photographs of the active-duty and veteran members of the military in our school community. Please send a photo of your military family members by Monday, November 4th to be included.

You can send a hard-copy photo in to school with your child (please be sure to label it with your child’s name and teacher’s name) or e-mail a digital copy to our parent liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at [email protected].

Please note: These photos will be included in a video that will be featured on our school news show. The video will be housed on YouTube, however only people with the link will be able to view it. It will not be shared publicly. Please let us know if it is OK to include your family’s name with your photo in the slide show.

Thank you for participating in this very special event and thank you for your service! We hope to see you on November 8th!

Final Family Friday “Breakfast Bites” This Friday for 5th and 6th Grade!

Our new grade-level Family Friday “Breakfast Bites” events will come to a close for the fall this Friday, as we serve up some morning food and fun for 5th and 6th grade families from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the cafeteria. We just ask that each family bring a breakfast dish or item to share (muffins, donuts, casseroles, etc.). If you are a 5th or 6th grade family that would like to attend, please RSVP here and let us know what you’ll be bringing.

End-of-Quarter Spirit Days Coming Next Week!

It's hard to believe that the first grading quarter of the 2024-2025 school year, but next Thursday, October 31st, is, in fact, the last day of the quarter. To celebrate this milestone, SCA is hosting Spirit Days Monday through Thursday. (School will be closed on Friday, November 1st for the Diwali holiday.) Here is the list of themes for each day:

Monday, October 28th: Switch Day! Students dress like teachers and teachers dress like students!

Tuesday, October 29th: Pajama Day! Because, why not? Who doesn’t love a pajama day?

Wednesday, October 30th: Twin Day! Dress like a friend or a BUNCH of friends! Maybe even the whole class!

Thursday, October 31st: Black and Orange Day! Celebrate the season by wearing these colors.

We hope your child will participate!

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screening Continues This Week

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students.

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE.

For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office.

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Here’s the schedule for screening by class:

Tuesday, 10/22: Mr. Benzelock’s 5th grade
Monday, 10/28: Ms. Lopes’ 4th grade

Student Information for Providers Outside of FCPS

Parents/guardians can ask teachers to complete forms or provide information to providers who are outside of FCPS. We first need the parents/guardians to complete the Consent to Exchange Confidential Student Information Form, and we will provide this form for you upon request. Once that form is complete, teachers can complete the form for the parents/guardians and will send the form directly to the provider.

Parents/guardians can always request a parent-teacher conference or a conference with the provider who is requesting the form for additional information.

PTA News Restaurant Days at Smyrna Tuesday, October 22nd and Wednesday, October 23rd

Join the PTA for its monthly restaurant fundraiser on October 22nd and 23rd at Smyrna, a relatively new restaurant in our area that celebrates the Aegean kitchen, crafting Greek and Turkish dishes filled with the flavors of the region. Check out their menu here.

All Lane purchases from the entire day both days will help send a percentage of total back to our school. Watch Wednesday Folders for flyers (required for your purchase to count).

Lane Trunk or Treat October 27th, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Join us on Sunday, October 27th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for our first-ever Lane Lion Trunk or Treat. It's just like trick or treating but in our school parking lot!

The PTA is excited to offer this safe and friendly event for our students, but they need your help! Please have your kids bring a bag of candy to our “candy monster” located in the bus entrance hallway, or sign up for a spot during our event from 5:30 to 7:30! You can sign up with the link here: https://signup.com/go/qjvrbQY.

Reminder: This is not a drop-off event; parental supervision is required.

Play and Chat Date Change: Friday, November 8th

To gauge interest (and get a headcount for snacks), please fill out this form.

For any questions or to connect, please contact Kristyn King ([email protected]).

Parent Resources

Upcoming FREE Webinars from the Family Resource Center
SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services, Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs. They will:

Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
Play games and have fun!

Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 9 a.m. – noon at the Pulley Center, 6500 Quander Rd., Alexandria, VA

SIBTEEN: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!

Attention FCPS parents! From the same people who brought you Sibshops, we are excited to introduce SibTeen!

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services, SibTeen is a community-building group for middle school siblings of children with disabilities. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences. SibTeen is a place where participants will feel validated and understood and can build upon their community of support. And…. there will be food!

Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 1 – 4 p.m. at the Pulley Center, 6500 Quander Rd., Alexandria, VA

5 Ways to De-Escalate a Nuclear Meltdown & Stop the Shame Cycle: A Webinar for Families

Plans go awry, your child gets disappointed or doesn’t get their way. They begin getting upset. Rational talk doesn’t work. Nothing does. Now your child is in full meltdown mode and doesn’t hold back. What do you do?

Calm Parenting Podcast founder, Kirk Martin will show you:

How to calm kids with big emotions,
Exactly what to say in the moment and how,
Why intensity is critical and why to avoid eye contact,
How to stop the cycle of shame and embarrassment.

Friday, November 8 2024, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Language Arts and Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Accessing an Adapted Curriculum

Join us for an information session on the K-6 language arts and literacy curriculum for students with significant cognitive disabilities who access an adapted curriculum. This will include an overview of programming available to ensure evidence-based literacy instruction for all K-6 students.

Webinar highlights:

Virginia Literacy Act updates,
components of evidence-based literacy instruction for students with significant cognitive disabilities,
language arts and literacy programming for students who are accessing an adapted curriculum.

Join the FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction, Adapted Curriculum Team for this important webinar.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 10 – 11 a.m.

مهارات التنظيم والاداره (الوظائف التنفيذيه). Executive Functioning Skills

*presented in Arabic

اذا كنت تواجه صعوبات مع الأبناء فيما يتعلق بتنظيم الوقت وترتيب الأولويات ويتأثر بذلك أدائهم الدراسي والأنشطه اليوميه و سلوكياتهم أو اذا كنت ترغب في تنميه مهارات التنظيم والاداره لديهم فأنت مدعو لحضور
ندوه مقدمه باللغه العربيه عبر الزووم للتعرف علي مهارات الوظائف التنفيذيه ومراحل تطورها حسب كل مرحله عمريه وتأثيرها علي التعلم والسلوكيات والعلاقات الاجتماعيه بالاضافه الي كيفيه تنميتها وتحديد اي قصور لمعالجته من أجل أداء أكاديمي أفضل و مهارات سلوكيه واجتماعيه متطوره

Are your children having difficulty with organizing time and setting priorities? Does it affect their academic performance, daily activities, and behaviors? Do you want to develop their organization and management skills?

You are invited to attend a webinar presented in Arabic via Zoom to learn about executive function skills and their stages of development according to each age group. In addition, we will examine each skill’s impact on learning, behavior, and social relationships. You will learn how to develop the skills for better academic performance and advanced behavioral and social skills.

الأربعاء الثالت عشر من شهر نوفمبر (تشرين الثاني) 11/13/2024 من الساعه العاشره الي الحاديه عشر ونصف صباحا

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Teen Series: Building Resilience: Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence

Join us for a series of insightful sessions focusing on the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of teen development. Learn strategies to support resilience, mental health, and healthy boundaries, fostering a nurturing environment for adolescents to thrive.

Webinar highlights:

Learn resilience-building techniques,
Develop emotional intelligence,
Strengthen support networks.

Friday, November 15, 2024, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair

This event is designed for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities who will need continuing support after they exit FCPS.

When: Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Fairfax High School Cafeteria, 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, VA 22030 (Enter through Door 1)
What: Exhibitor Fair

Learn about supported employment options, day support programs, recreation/leisure activities, residential living options, travel training supports, advocacy, funding, and more! Interpretation will be provided using Microsoft Translator on supported devices. (A staffed help table will be available for participants.)

Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families

Drugs and drug prevention have become increasingly important topics in recent years.

Are you unsure about how to approach the topic of drugs with your child? Join us to learn how to navigate this importance discussion with confidence and ease!

Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, webinar highlights include:

Tips to start the conversation about drugs, as early as 4 years old,
Practical advice and real-world examples,
Strategies to prevent drug abuse.

Friday, November 22, 2024, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Community Events & Activities

Hayfield Secondary's Class of 2025 All-Night Grad Party Needs Your Help!

For several years now, the All Night Grad Party (ANGP) has offered Hayfield's graduating seniors a FUN and SAFE drug/alcohol/smoke-free event to acknowledge their recent milestone and to give them one last opportunity to celebrate together with their classmates. The 2025 ANGP will be held again at The St. James in Springfield, VA, and there are tons of fun things planned for the graduates!

To help make this happen, the ANGP committee, along with the seniors and their parents, plans many fundraising opportunities throughout the year. You may have supported them in the past by visiting their annual craft fair in the spring. If so, thank you, and please note that there will be another one in spring 2025!

One of the committee’s biggest fundraising events this year is the Double Good Popcorn sale! This event lasts only four days, and it is all online! Best of all, the ANGP gets 50% of ALL SALES! This year's goal is to sell over $50,000 of popcorn! The sale will run from 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 17th to 9 p.m. TONIGHT, Monday, October 21st!

There are two ways YOU can help our graduating seniors:

Connect with a Hayfield senior in your neighborhood and buy your popcorn directly from their personal store. Each student has their own link.
If you don't know a senior, you can purchase your popcorn from the ANGP store link: https://popup.doublegood.com/s/l0qoc822,

If popcorn isn't your thing but you still want to support the 2025 ANGP, visit the committee store link to offer a donation: https://hayfield-senior-celebration.square.site/

Thank you in advance for your support!

The Class of 2025 All Night Graduation Party (ANGP) Committee is sponsored by our PTSA, a 501(c)(3), and is supported by the state of Virginia & Fairfax County Public Schools.

Hayfield Tri-M Music Honor Society Trunk or Treat, Monday, October 28th, 5 to 8 p.m.

Hayfield Secondary's Tri-M Music Honor Society invites all elementary students to participate in its Trunk or Treat event from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 28th in Hayfield's Senior Parking Lot in the front of the school. They’ll have candy and showcases from members of the Honor Society, so younger students can see their older peers playing instruments! All are welcome!

Halloween Costume Event at Delia's in Springfield, October 29th

Join the seasonal spirited fun at Delia's in Springfield – a regular PTA Restaurant Night sponsor – on Tuesday, October 29th at 5 p.m. for a costume contest! Admission is $10 for kids under 10 and $20 for adults, and it includes food and drinks (pizza and pasta).

Costumes will be judged by a panel of judges, and three exciting winners will be announced! The top prize is a special Delia’s mystery prize for first place, so get creative with your costumes and join the fun!

Delia’s Springfield is located at 6715 F Backlick Rd.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

New Video Message from Mrs. Prahl!

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Good evening, Lane families!

Please check out the latest video message from Mrs. Prahl here: https://youtu.be/2qGf1cP2AFg.

And watch for more school news coming later this evening in The Lion's Roar newsletter.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Monday, October 14, 2024

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The Lion’s Roar Monday, October 14, 2024

A Visit from Our District Supervisor

On Thursday, October 10th, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk stopped in to Lane to visit a classroom and chat with students, including 4th graders in Ms. Priftis’ class. We appreciate the continued support he provides to our school, and all schools across our district!

Upcoming Events

Continuing through Monday, 10/28 – Social-Emotional Screener (see the list of specific dates below)
Thursday, 10/17 – Cultural Awareness and Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Cafeteria (RSVP here)
Friday, 10/18 – “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” for 3rd and 4th grade families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Friday, 10/18 – Field Day
Monday, 10/21 – Early Release Monday, dismissal at 1:05 p.m.
Monday, 10/21 – PTA Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser, 2 – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, 10/22 & Wednesday, 10/23 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Smyrna in the Hayfield Shopping Center
Thursday, 10/24 – Full-time Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Screening Process Parent Information Meeting, 6 p.m.
Friday, 10/25 – “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” for 5th and 6th grade families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Sunday, 10/27 – PTA Trunk or Treat, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Monday, 10/28 – SCA Spirit Day: “Switch Day”
Tuesday, 10/29 – SCA Spirit Day: “Pajama Day”
Wednesday, 10/30 – SCA Spirit Day: “Twin Day”
Thursday, 10/31 – SCA Spirit Day: “Orange & Black Day”; End-of-Quarter 2-hour Early Release, dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
Friday, 11/1 – Diwali Holiday, FCPS Schools and Offices CLOSED
Friday, 11/1 - PTA Play & Chat for Families and Students with Disabilities, 5:30 p.m., main playground
Monday, 11/4 & Tuesday, 11/5 – Student Holidays/Teacher Workdays, students do not report

In This Issue

Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night Is This Thursday, October 17th!
Field Day Is This Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Still Needed!
Next Early Release Monday Is October 21st; Please Notify the School of Changes to Your Plans
Advanced Academics News: Full-Time Screening and Timeline Parent Meeting Thursday, October 24th, 6 p.m.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screening Continues This Week
Family Friday “Breakfast Bites” Are Back This Friday!
PTA News: Upcoming Restaurant Nights, Trunk or Treat, Play & Chat, sponsor thanks
Community Events & Activities: Hayfield Class of 2025 popcorn sale, Delia's restaurant costume event
FCPS News & Activities: School Lunch Week, Community Conversations

News & Notes
Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night Is This Thursday, October 17th!

Hispanic Heritage Month is just the first of many cultural holidays and awareness/recognition months that FCPS observes during the school year. Here at Lane, we are introducing a new series of events to showcase those observances and share cultural information in a fun, family-friendly way. These CARE (Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event) Nights will feature stations dedicated to different cultural activities and performances.

The date for the first CARE Night is Thursday, October 17th. The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and we will highlight these early fall cultural happenings:

Hispanic Heritage Month
Rosh Hashanah
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Diwali
Dia de los Muertos
Disability History and Awareness Month

Each of these holidays and recognition months will be celebrated in a special space. We’ll feature lots of information about each one, plus a craft or interactive activity. We’ll have two musical performances and a read-aloud. We hope your family will be able to join us! Check the flyer with more information in last week’s Wednesday Folder.

If you already know now that you’re planning to attend, please RSVP here and let us know. This will help us ensure we have enough activity supplies on hand that night.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Field Day Is This Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Needed!

Our annual Field Day event will be held this Friday, October 18th, 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
2:25 – 3:25 p.m.: Multiple-abilities classes (small groups in the Gym)
2:55 – 3:55 p.m.: 1st grade

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/10C0C44ACAE2BA6FA7-51078761-field,

Next Early Release Monday Is October 21st; Please Notify the School of Changes to Your Plans

Our next Early Release Monday will be next Monday, October 21st. Students will be released three hours early that day at 1:05 p.m. We will once again offer supervised activities after school for those families with child-care hardship because of this new Early Release scheduling. This option is designed to be for students who have no other option.

To plan for our after-school groups this month, we will follow parent responses provided for the first Early Release on Monday, September 16th. SACC will be open this time, so students who usually go to SACC will report there at 1:05 to be picked up as usual.

If you need to change your child’s plans, please call the school office at 703-924-7700 as soon as possible and no later than Thursday, October 17th. You may also reach out via email to one of our family liaisons, Melanie Crosby Hardy ([email protected]) or Andrea Howard ([email protected]). If we do not hear from you, we will send your child home as previously directed.

Advanced Academics News: Full-Time Screening and Timeline Parent Meeting October 24th, 6 p.m.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screening Continues This Week

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE.

For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office.

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Here’s the schedule for screening by class:

Tuesday, 10/15: Ms. Cirillo’s 3rd grade, Ms. Stoddard’s 3rd grade, Ms. Priftis’ 4th grade, Mrs. Winiewicz’s 4th grade, and Ms. Benton’s 5th grade
Wednesday, 10/16: Ms. McGregor’s 5th grade
Thursday, 10/17: Ms. Winslow’s 4th grade, Ms. Peters’ 5th grade, and Ms. Wilson’s 6th grade
Friday, 10/18: Ms. Jenkins’ 4th grade and Ms. Lewis’ 6th grade
Monday, 10/21: Ms. Slomka’s 3rd grade
Tuesday, 10/22: Mr. Benzelock’s 5th grade
Monday, 10/28: Ms. Lopes’ 4th grade

Family Friday “Breakfast Bites” Are Back This Friday, October 18th!

Last month we enjoyed several Family Friday “Breakfast Bites” events, a new initiative to bring families together by grade level for an informal morning meal before school. This Friday, we’ll resume these events, inviting 3rd and 4th grade families to join us from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the cafeteria. We just ask that each family bring a breakfast dish or item to share (muffins, donuts, casseroles, etc.). If you are a 3rd or 4th grade family that would like to attend, please RSVP here and let us know what you’ll be bringing.

We will hold our final fall “Breakfast Bites,” for our 5th and 6th grade families, on Friday, October 25th.

PTA News
Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up October 15th

A huge thank you to all who took part in this year's Read-a-Thon! The PTA is thrilled to announce the winners of the prizes and raffles tomorrow! Plus, since they reached their goals, they’ll be celebrating with music and popsicles at recess for all grade levels on Tuesday.

Chuck E. Cheese Playdate Fundraiser Monday, October 21st, 2 to 8 p.m.

Trying to figure out what to do on the next Early Release Monday on October 21st? If so, come play with Lane classmates and friends at Chuck E. Cheese! Twenty percent of sales that afternoon will be donated back to Lane Elementary.

Chuck E. Cheese is located at 6301 Richmond Highway.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a drop-off event; parental supervision is required.

Restaurant Days at Smyrna Tuesday, October 22nd and Wednesday, October 23rd

All Lane purchases from the entire day both days will help send a percentage of total back to our school. Watch Wednesday Folders for flyers (required for your purchase to count).

Lane Trunk or Treat October 27th, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Join us for the PTA's first-ever Trunk or Treat at Lane Elementary on Sunday, October 27th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It's just like trick-or-treating but in our school parking lot!

They’ll have only 50 parking spaces available for you to set up a table or decorate your vehicle and hand out candy, so reserve your spot now at this sign-up link: https://signup.com/go/qjvrbQY.

PLEASE NOTE; This is not a drop-off event; parental supervision is required.

Want to participate, but can’t attend? Drop off candy at Lane or send in candy with your student before the end of the school day on Friday, October 25th.

Play & Chat for Families and Students with Disabilities on Friday, November 1st, 5:30 p.m.

Please join other Lane families and students with disabilities (visible and invisible) for an informal get-together, hosted by the Lane PTA, at the big Lane playground on Friday, November 1st from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – and there will be snacks (and hopefully leftover Halloween candy).

This gathering will give children a chance to play together outside of school and caregivers a chance to connect with one another. Although this gathering is geared towards families and students with disabilities, all are welcome! If the weather does not cooperate, the event will be rescheduled for Friday, November 8th at the same time and place.

In order to gauge interest (and get a headcount for snacks), please fill out this form.

For any questions or to connect, please reach out to Kristyn King ([email protected]).

Community Events & Activities

Hayfield Secondary's Class of 2025 All-Night Grad Party Needs Your Help!

There are two ways YOU can help our graduating seniors:

Connect with a Hayfield senior in your neighborhood and buy your popcorn directly from their personal store. Each student has their own link.
If you don't know a senior, you can purchase your popcorn from the ANGP store link: https://popup.doublegood.com/s/l0qoc822,

If popcorn isn't your thing but you still want to support the 2025 ANGP, visit the committee store link to offer a donation: https://hayfield-senior-celebration.square.site/

Thank you in advance for your support!

The Class of 2025 All Night Graduation Party (ANGP) Committee is sponsored by our PTSA, a 501(c)(3), and is supported by the state of Virginia & Fairfax County Public Schools.

Halloween Costume Event at Delia's in Springfield, October 29th

Delia’s Springfield is located at 6715 F Backlick Rd.

FCPS News & Activities

Celebrating the Power of School Lunches

Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers.

This School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. Also, new menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.

Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? Nutrition Services now has printable menus.

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

Monday, October 21st, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
Wednesday, October 30th, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School.

Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

SCA October Spirit Days CORRECTION!

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Good morning, Lane families!

Monday's Lion's Roar newsletter contained some incorrect information about upcoming spirit days, sponsored by our SCA. The correct themes for the days are as follows:

Monday, October 28th: Switch Day! Students dress like teachers and teachers dress like students!
Tuesday, October 29th: Pajama Day! Because, why not? Who doesn’t love a pajama day?
Wednesday, October 30th: Twin Day! Dress like a friend or a BUNCH of friends! Maybe have a suggestion for the whole class?
Thursday, October 31st: Black and Orange Day!

We apologize for these errors and any confusion they may have caused.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Monday, October 7, 2024

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The Lion’s Roar Monday, October 7, 2024

Honoring Our Hispanic Students

Check out our Hispanic Heritage Month Wall of Honor that hangs in the hallway near the cafeteria! Students of Hispanic heritage were invited to send in pictures and/or write their names and countries of heritage on cards to decorate our big map of the Hispanic areas of the world. Thanks to all the families who've participated so far. There's still time to add your child's picture. We're still adding them! The map will remain up through the end of October. Just email the information and/or picture to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at [email protected].

Upcoming Events

Continuing through Wednesday, 10/15 – Hispanic Heritage Month
Tuesday, 10/8 through Thursday, 10/10 – Cognitive Abilities Testing (CogAT), 2nd grade students
Wednesday, 10/9 through Monday, 10/28 – Social-Emotional Screener (see the list of specific dates below)
Wednesday, 10/9 – Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
Thursday, 10/10 & Friday, 10/11 – Make-up Picture Days for students who were absent on their class Picture Day (specific families will be notified)
Thursday, 10/10 – PTA Meeting (virtual), 6:30 p.m.
Monday, 10/14 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday (Indigenous Peoples’ Day), students DO NOT report
Thursday, 10/17 – Cultural Awareness and Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Cafeteria (RSVP here)
Friday, 10/18 – “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” for 3rd and 4th grade families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Friday, 10/18 – Field Day
Monday, 10/21 – Early Release Monday, dismissal at 1:05 p.m.
Monday, 10/21 – PTA Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser, 2 – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, 10/22 & Wednesday, 10/23 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Smyrna in the Hayfield Shopping Center
Friday, 10/25 – “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” for 5th & 6th grade families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Sunday, 10/27 – PTA Trunk or Treat, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Monday, 10/28 – SCA Spirit Day “Magic Hat Day”
Tuesday, 10/29 – SCA Spirit Day “Twin/Team Day”
Wednesday, 10/30 – SCA Spirit Day “Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness”
Thursday, 10/31 – SCA Spirit Day “Orange & Black Day”; End-of-Quarter 2-hour Early Release, dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
Friday, 11/1 – Diwali Holiday, FCPS Schools and Offices CLOSED
Friday, 11/1 - PTA Play & Chat for Families and Students with Disabilities, 5:30 p.m., main playground
Monday, 11/4 & Tuesday, 11/5 – Student Holidays/Teacher Workdays, students do not report

In This Issue

Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is Wednesday, October 9th!
Did Your Child Miss Their Class Fall Picture Day? Make-Ups Will Be Offered October 10th & 11th
Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night Is Next Thursday, October 17th!
Field Day Is Coming Soon – Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Needed!
2nd Grade Cognitive Abilities Testing (CogAT) Tuesday, October 8th through Thursday, October 10th
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screening Begins This Week
Family Friday “Breakfast Bites” Are Back Next Friday!
PTA News: October meeting, Read-a-Thon wrap-up, upcoming Restaurant Nights, and more!
Parent Resources: Immunization clinics, upcoming webinars
FCPS News & Activities: Social Studies Basal Resources review, Strategic Plan – Goal 5, Community Conversations

News & Notes

Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day Is Wednesday, October 9th!

Get ready to walk, ride, or roll to Lane on Wednesday, October 9th, as part of Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day. In this nationwide 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.

Did Your Child Miss Their Class Fall Picture Day? Make-Ups Will Be Offered October 10th & 11th

If your child recently enrolled at Lane or was absent on their class Fall Picture Day, we will take your child’s picture later this week, either Thursday, October 10th (grades 4 through 6) or Friday, October 11th (kindergarten through grade 3). If we don’t have your child’s picture, you should have received a message earlier today.

Please note that these Picture Days are for new or absent students only. We will offer a separate Retake Day later in the year, once all fall pictures have been distributed.

Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night Is Next Thursday, October 17th!

The date for the first CARE Night is Thursday, October 17th. The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and we will highlight these early fall cultural happenings:

Hispanic Heritage Month
Rosh Hashanah
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Diwali
Dia de los Muertos
Disability History and Awareness Month

Each of these holidays and recognition months will be celebrated in a special space. We’ll feature lots of information about each one, plus a craft or interactive activity. We’ll have two musical performances and a read-aloud. We hope your family will be able to join us! Watch for a flyer with more information in this week’s Wednesday Folder.

If you already know now that you’re planning to attend, please RSVP here and let us know. This will help us ensure we have enough activity supplies on hand that night.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Yom Kippur Begins at Sundown on Friday, October 11th; FCPS Evening-Only Religious and Cultural Observance

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. This holiest day in Judaism begins at sundown on Friday, October 11th, and continues to nightfall on Saturday, October 12th. May all in our Jewish community observing Yom Kippur have an easy and meaningful fast.

In observance of this holy day for many, Friday, October 11th will be an evening-only Religious and Cultural Observance day in FCPS. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school. See the complete school year calendar.

Field Day Is Coming Soon – Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Needed!

Our annual Field Day event will be held on Friday, October 18th 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
2:25 – 3:25 p.m.: Multiple-abilities classes (small groups in the Gym)
2:55 – 3:55 p.m.: 1st grade

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/10C0C44ACAE2BA6FA7-51078761-field,

2nd Grade Cognitive Abilities Testing (CogAT) Tuesday, October 8th through Thursday, October 10th

We will administer the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to all 2nd graders over three days this week – Tuesday, October 8th through Thursday, October 10th. It is important that your child attend school on these days, if possible. If your child must miss school on these days and your child does not have another ability test result in their student record, they will have an opportunity to take another ability test later this fall.

The purpose of the CogAT is to provide information about students’ developed abilities in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. The types of tasks included in the test are based on content that children are likely to have experienced in school. However, the way questions are asked and specific test content are not necessarily what children have previously experienced. Children are not expected to know the answers to all questions and will be given opportunities to practice sample items before taking the test. The CogAT is an abilities test, so children are not expected to study or prepare for the test the way they would for an achievement test.

Score reports will be provided to parents once results become available.
Typically, these reports are available before winter break. If you have any
questions about this test, please contact the Advanced Academics Resource
Teacher (AART), Linda Simon at [email protected], or school test
coordinators, Allen Dickens and Julie Kubiak, at [email protected] and
[email protected].

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screening Begins This Week

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE.

For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office.

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Here’s the schedule for screening by class:

Wednesday, 10/9: Ms. Brusick’s 3rd grade and Mr. Morris’ 5th grade
Friday, 10/11: Ms. Parton’s 3rd grade, Mr. Crocamo’s 6th grade, and Ms. Fitzgerald’s 6th grade
Tuesday, 10/15: Ms. Cirillo’s 3rd grade, Ms. Stoddard’s 3rd grade, Ms. Priftis’ 4th grade, Mrs. Winiewicz’s 4th grade, and Ms. Benton’s 5th grade
Wednesday, 10/16: Ms. McGregor’s 5th grade
Thursday, 10/17: Ms. Winslow’s 4th grade, Ms. Peters’ 5th grade, and Ms. Wilson’s 6th grade
Friday, 10/18: Ms. Jenkins’ 4th grade and Ms. Lewis’ 6th grade
Monday, 10/21: Ms. Slomka’s 3rd grade
Tuesday, 10/22: Mr. Benzelock’s 5th grade
Monday, 10/28: Ms. Lopes’ 4th grade

Family Friday “Breakfast Bites” Are Back Next Friday, October 18th!

Last month we enjoyed several Family Friday “Breakfast Bites” events, a new initiative to bring families together by grade level for an informal morning meal before school. Next Friday, we’ll resume these events, inviting 3rd and 4th grade families to join us from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the cafeteria. We just ask that each family bring a breakfast dish or item to share (muffins, donuts, casseroles, etc.). If you are a 3rd or 4th grade family that would like to attend, please RSVP here and let us know what you’ll be bringing.

We will hold our final fall “Breakfast Bites,” for our 5th and 6th grade families, on Friday, October 25th.

PTA News & Announcements

Join the PTA for their October Meeting Virtually on Thursday, October 10th, 6:30 p.m.

All Lane families are invited to attend the second PTA meeting of the year this Thursday, October 10th at 6:30 p.m. on Google Meet. Discussion of exciting events on the horizon will be in the spotlight. This meeting will be completely virtual, so feel free to join from wherever you are.

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pmc-ojyk-xvx
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 570-989-0079 PIN: ‪717 594 298#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pmc-ojyk-xvx?pin=6458216260678

Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up

THANK YOU to everyone who made our second annual Read-a-Thon such a huge success! Because of your generous donations, the PTA was able to raise $31,624! This means we will have fully funded field trips this school year, and we will be able to continue supporting our teachers and school with things like classroom enhancements, family events, literacy programs, teacher appreciation, STEAM enrichment, and more!

We have had a blast these past few weeks with lots of Read-a-Thon fun! It kicked off with a Storybook Character Dress-Up Day, 2nd grade students got to silly string Mrs. Barbiere and Mrs. Prahl along the way, and the Cat in the Hat even made a surprise visit at Lane to congratulate the students for a job well done and remind them to turn in their minutes read! Because we reached our goal of $30,000, we closed out the week with a hilarious spectacle – Mr. Dickens wearing an inflatable lion costume all day long!

We are looking forward to celebrating all of our student's hard work on October 15th! We'll reveal the winners and deliver prizes, treat all students to popsicles, and have some awesome music at recess! Get ready for the fun!

Please sign up to support this celebration event and create beautiful memories with your children:
https://signup.com/go/aRaDFYS

Thank you all for your support of this year's Read-a-Thon!

Chuck E. Cheese Playdate Fundraiser Monday, October 21st, 2 to 8 p.m.

Chuck E. Cheese is located at 6301 Richmond Highway.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a drop-off event; parental supervision is required.

Restaurant Days at Smyrna Tuesday, October 22nd and Wednesday, October 23rd

All Lane purchases from the entire day both days will help send a percentage of total back to our school. Watch Wednesday Folders for flyers (required for your purchase to count).

Lane Trunk or Treat October 27th, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Join us for our first-ever Trunk or Treat at Lane Elementary on Sunday, October 27th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It's just like trick or treating but in our school parking lot!

We’ll have only 50 parking spaces available for you to set up a table or decorate your vehicle and hand out candy, reserve your spot now at this sign-up link: https://signup.com/go/qjvrbQY.

PLEASE NOTE; This is not a drop-off event; parental supervision is required.

Want to participate, but can’t attend? Drop off candy at Lane or send in candy with your student before the end of the school day on Friday, October 25th. (Look for the hungry monster…she loves candy!)

Play & Chat for Families and Students with Disabilities on Friday, November 1st, 5:30 p.m.

This gathering will give our children a chance to play together outside of school and caregivers a chance to connect with one another. Although this gathering is geared towards families and students with disabilities, all are welcome! If the weather does not cooperate, we will reschedule for Friday, November 8th at the same time and place.

In order to gauge interest (and get a headcount for snacks), please fill out this form.

For any questions or to connect, please reach out to Kristyn King ([email protected]).

Thanks to Our PTA Sponsors!

The PTA would like to thank these sponsors for their support.

Parent Resources

Upcoming Immunization Clinics

Do your children still need to receive school immunizations? If so, consider these upcoming clinics:

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:

Tuesday, October 8th, 3 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 12th, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, October 28th, 3 – 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

Health Department Elementary School Clinics

FREE Webinars from the Family Resource Center Benchmark Advance: The New K-6 Language Arts Curriculum,

October 8, 2024, 6:30 – 8 p.m. OR October 9, 2024, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Join us for an overview of the new K-6 language arts curriculum. This will include background information regarding the Benchmark Advance and how this program is organized to ensure evidence-based literacy instruction for all K-6 students. Other highlights include defining evidence-based literacy instruction and scaffolds and supports for students with disabilities. Join the FCPS Instructional Services Department and FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction for this important webinar.

Math Is Everywhere! Talking to Your Children about Mathematics

October 18, 2024, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Join the FCPS Elementary Math Team to discuss ways to engage your children in mathematics. During our time together we will highlight books, games, and other materials that assist you in talking about mathematics with your child throughout the day. Teaching math to your children doesn’t have to be intimidating. This webinar will provide concrete examples for caregivers with ideas to spark math joy.

Transitioning with Confidence – Collaborating with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

October 25, 20204, 10-11:30 a.m.

DARS’ Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) works together with students, youth, families, schools and community agencies, and organizations to provide services that promote successful transitions from school to work and adult life. DRS offers two sets of services to help students with disabilities move from school to post-school life: pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) and vocational rehabilitation (VR) transition services. Supports available include job exploration, work-based learning, education and training options, workplace readiness, self-advocacy.

FCPS News & Activities

Social Studies Basal Resources Review

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.

Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Monday, October 14th, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
Monday, October 21st, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
Wednesday, October 30th, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School.

Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

New Video Message from Mrs. Prahl

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Good afternoon, Lane families!

Happy Monday! Get the latest news from Mrs. Prahl in this week's new video message at https://youtu.be/1Ksv3giQ980.

And watch for more news later today in this week's Lion's Roar newsletter.

Have a great week!

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Monday, September 30, 2024

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The Lion’s Roar Monday, September 30, 2024

Learning and Growing in the Lane Garden

The Lane garden was bustling with activity last week as students participated in hands-on learning about our natural world up close. As they closed out their life-cycle study, second graders released the monarch butterflies they had raised from caterpillars. Meanwhile, fifth graders added new life to the ecosystem by planting a new tree.

Upcoming Events

Continuing through Wednesday, 10/15 – Hispanic Heritage Month (See the article below to learn how your family can participate)
Continuing through Wednesday, 10/2 – Fall Picture Days during students’ library time
Thursday, 10/3 – Rosh Hashanah Holiday, school and office CLOSED
Friday, 10/4 – Teacher Workday/Student Holiday, students DO NOT report
Thursday, 10/10 & Friday, 10/11 – Make-up Picture Days for students who were absent on their class Picture Day
Thursday, 10/10 – PTA Meeting (virtual), 6:30 p.m.
Monday, 10/14 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday (Indigenous People’s Day), students DO NOT report
Thursday, 10/17 – Cultural Awareness and Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 6 – 7:30 p.m. (More information coming soon!)
Friday, 10/18 – “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” for 3rd and 4th grade families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Friday, 10/18 – Field Day

In This Issue

Rosh Hashanah Holiday This Thursday; Teacher Workday on Friday
Fall Picture Days Finish Up This Week
Hispanic Heritage Month: There’s Still Time to Participate!
Save the Date for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 17th!
Advanced Academics Parent Meeting Presentation
Field Day Is Coming Soon – Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Needed!
School Health Room Needs Clothing!
September Is Attendance Awareness Month: Schedule Family Trips or Events with Care
PTA News: Thanks to readers and sponsors!
FCPS News & Activities: Strategic Plan – Goal 4, Community Conversations

News & Notes

Rosh Hashanah Holiday This Thursday; Teacher Workday on Friday

“Shanah tovah!” to our Jewish community celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which begins at sundown on Wednesday. All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, October 3rd, in honor of this holiday.

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 the beginning of Yom Kippur at sunset on Friday, October 11th (a half-day Cultural Observance Day in FCPS).

Rosh Hashanah will be one of the fall cultural holidays we will celebrate at our first CARE (Cultural Awareness and Recognition Event) Night on Thursday, October 17th. If you’d like to learn more about it, as well as other important fall cultural events from different cultures, please plan to join us that night. (You’ll find more information in the article below.)

Please note that Friday, October 4th, is a Teacher Workday, and is an additional day off for students. We hope you enjoy the long weekend!

Fall Picture Days Finish Up This Week

Our in-house Fall Picture Days have been going very smoothly! It’s been delightful seeing all the students dressed in their best and bearing big smiles!

Just two classes still need to have their pictures taken: Mr. Benzelock’s 5th grade class, which will have their pictures taken tomorrow (Tuesday, 10/1) and Mr. Morris’ 5th grade class, who will have their pictures taken on Wednesday.

Students who were absent on their class Picture Day will be able to have their pictures taken on make-up days Thursday, October 10th or Friday, October 11th. Families who missed their day will be notified.

Once all pictures are complete, all families will receive a digital file of their child’s portrait for FREE! Once you receive it, you can use it to have prints made in any size or style you choose at local retailers like Walmart and Target or upload them to digital providers like Shutterfly.

There are many professional portrait studios in the Alexandria/Springfield area that families can visit if they wish to have a professional portrait taken.

Hispanic Heritage Month: There’s Still Time to Participate!

Thank you to all of our families of Hispanic heritage who have sent in pictures of their children and let us know which country they are connected to. We are currently decorating our display, so watch next week's newsletter for a photo. We have Lane Lions from many parts of the Spanish-speaking world!

It’s not too late to send in your pictures and/or your family’s country of Hispanic heritage! Hispanic Heritage Month continues through October 15th, and the map will remain in the hallway until the end of the month. You can email the photos to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at [email protected], or send it to her through TalkingPoints.

Hispanic Heritage Month will also be featured at our CARE Night on October 17th, with performances and crafts. You’ll find more information below and in the next few weeks!

Save the Date for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 17th!

Hispanic Heritage Month is just the first of many cultural holidays and awareness/recognition months that FCPS recognizes during the school year. Here at Lane, we are introducing a new series of events to showcase those observances and share cultural information in a fun, family-friendly way. These CARE (Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event) Nights will feature stations dedicated to different cultural activities and performances.

The date for the first CARE Night is Thursday, October 17th. The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and we will highlight these early fall cultural happenings:

Hispanic Heritage Month
Rosh Hashanah
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Diwali
Dia de los Muertos
Disability History & Awareness Month.

Each of these holidays and recognition months will be celebrated in a special space. We’ll feature lots of information about each one, plus a craft or interactive activity. We’ll have at least one musical performance and a read-aloud. We hope your family will be able to join us! Watch for a flyer with more information coming home next week.

Advanced Academics Parent Meeting Presentation

If you were not able to attend last Thursday'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].

Field Day Is Coming Soon – Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Needed!

Our annual Field Day will be held on Friday, October 18th 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
2:25 – 3:25 p.m.: Multiple-abilities classes (small groups in the Gym)
2:55 – 3:55 p.m.: 1st grade

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/10C0C44ACAE2BA6FA7-51078761-field,

School Health Room Needs Clothing!

During the school day, many students have mishaps that mess up their clothes with spilled milk in the cafeteria, mud on the playground, and many things in between! In these situations, our School Health Room supplies a change of clothes, which students then wash and return.

If your fall cleaning has you clearing out clothes that no longer fit your child, please send them to Lane! Just bag them up and send them in!

Thank you!

September Is Attendance Awareness Month: Schedule Family Trips or Events with Care

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence.

Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

PTA News

Thank You, Lane Readers!

The PTA would like to thank all the students who participated in this year's Read-a-thon and all the families and friends who supported it so generously! Donations and minutes read are still being collected, so stay tuned for the final tally!

Thanks to Our PTA Sponsors!

The PTA would like to thank this week's sponsors for their support.

FCPS News & Activities

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access to Opportunities

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.

The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students and allow them to explore their passions and talents. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School.

Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

Read-a-Thon has been extended to Monday!

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Good afternoon, Lane families!

The PTA has extended the time to collect minutes and donations for our 2024 Lane Read-a-Thon to Monday. We're very close to our next fundraising goal. You can help us make it!

Keep reading and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

The Weekly Roar - Monday, September 23, 2024

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The Lion’s Roar Monday, September 23, 2024

Breakfast Bonanza!

There have been lots of sweet things happening on Friday mornings these last few weeks as our new "Breakfast Bites" grade-level gatherings have continued. We wrapped up the first round with 2nd grade families on September 20th. Events for 3rd through 6th grade families will take place in October.

Thanks to all of the families who've joined us so far and brought such yummy food to share. We look forward to seeing many more of you soon!

This week started off with another breakfast - this one for our military families to kick off "Blue Start Welcome Week." (See photos with the article below).

Upcoming Events

Continuing through Wednesday, 10/15 – Hispanic Heritage Month (See the article below to learn how your family can participate)
Continuing through Wednesday, 10/2 – Fall Picture Days during students’ library time
Tuesday, 9/24 & Wednesday, 9/25 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger, 4 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, 9/25 – Read-a-thon School Spirit Day: Lane School Spirit Day
Thursday, 9/26 – Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Parent Information Meeting, 6 p.m., Cafeteria
Friday, 9/27 – Read-a-thon ends; PTA Popsicles on the Playground for all!
Monday, 9/30 – Deadline to update immunization records and turn in SR&R Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet
Thursday, 10/3 – Rosh Hashanah Holiday, school and office CLOSED
Friday, 10/4 – Teacher Workday/Student Holiday, students DO NOT report
Thursday, 10/10 & Friday, 10/11 – Make-up Picture Days for students who were absent on their class Picture Day
Thursday, 10/10 – PTA Meeting (virtual), 6:30 p.m.
Monday, 10/14 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday (Indigenous People’s Day), students DO NOT report
Thursday, 10/17 – Cultural Awareness and Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 6 – 7:30 p.m. (More information coming soon!)
Friday, 10/18 – “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” for 3rd and 4th grade families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Friday, 10/18 – Field Day

In This Issue

Safety Protocols for Parents Visiting the School Building
Get Ready for a Spirited Final Read-a-Thon Week!
Blue Star Welcome Week Helps Give Military Families a Sense of Belonging
Fall Picture Days Continue This Week! Volunteers Still Needed!
Hispanic Heritage Month: Let the Celebration Begin!
Save the Date for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 17th!
Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Parent Meeting, Thursday, September 26th, 6 p.m.
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Classroom Discussions Underway; Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet Due September 30th
Field Day Is Coming Soon – Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Needed!
PTA News: Upcoming Restaurant Night
Parent Resources: Early Literacy Programs at Lane and nearby; SEL Screener, supporting your child’s mental health
FCPS News & Activities: Trust Policy, Strategic Plan – Goal 3, Community Conversations

News & Notes

Safety Protocols for Parents Visiting the School

We welcome parents and families at Lane for lunch, for meetings, and as volunteers. We've enjoyed seeing many of you these past few weeks at the many family-centered events we've held.

Please remember when you are going to be in the building during school hours, our safety protocols require all visitors to check in in the front office and get a badge or sticker. "School hours" begin at 9:05 when our doors open to students.

If you are attending an event before school, such as our recent "Breakfast Bites" gatherings, you do not need to sign in when you arrive if you are leaving directly from the event. However, if you are going to go elsewhere in the building after the event, you must return to the office and check in. This includes walking your child to their hallway.

This also includes SACC drop off. If an adult needs to speak to a staff member you should be going to entrance number 1 and not coming through the SACC entrance into the school.

We also request that you say your goodbyes in the main hallway rather than walking your child all the way to the classroom. This helps reduce congestion in the mornings.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

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 raised about one-third of its $50,000 goal and is excited to make a BIG difference at our school! As we enter this final week, the PTA is encouraging everyone to rally together and make a last push for support! Every contribution counts and helps us achieve our goals for our students and teachers.

To really have some fun this final week of Read-a-Thon, we'll celebrate with two spirit days!

Wednesday, September 25th will be Lane Spirit Wear Day! We are reading and raising for LANE!
Friday, September 27th will be Popsicles on the Playground - FriYAY Edition to celebrate another successful Read-a-Thon on its closing day. Volunteers are needed for this activity. Please sign up here if you can help.

There are also some fun raffles and a few little surprises in store for this week! Check out the PTA Facebook & Instagram pages so you can stay up to date on the latest raffles and treats for this week!

Has your child registered? If not, click here to register. Each child must be registered to get credit for donations.

Is your child reading and tracking their minutes? Make sure your child is logging the minutes they read at home! Next week they will need to turn in their minute logs from home at school to submit their total number of minutes read. The minutes log was included in last week's Wednesday Folder.

Thank you for all of your support thus far. And don't forget... the PTA gets 100% of the money raised during Read-a-Thon, and it will be invested right back into our school in many different ways!

Blue Star Welcome Week Helps Give Military Families a Sense of Belonging

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 Lane community, among both families and staff members. Although many of them are only with us for a short time, they make a great impact on our school and our Lane Lions den would not be the same without them.

This morning some of our families were able to join us for a potluck “Muffins for Military Lions” reception, where they were able to meet other military families, connect with staff members, and enjoy some tasty breakfast treats. They also got to complete a star for our Blue Star banner. We will be adding other stars throughout the week.

Thank you to all our families who serve our country!

Fall Picture Days Continue Next Week! Volunteers Still Needed!

This year we are once again taking our student pictures for the yearbook in house rather than having a photography company come to school to take them. Surveys last spring confirmed that a majority of families who responded appreciated this new process, which is also more efficient for our school schedule. Students’ individual Picture Days will be their class library day. Here is a list of the remaining dates by grade level and class:

Kindergarten

Crouch – Thursday, 9/26
Furfaro – Tuesday, 9/24
Schadle – Wednesday, 9/25

1st Grade

Gill – Tuesday, 9/24
Kaine – Thursday, 9/26

2nd Grade

Rumohr – Wednesday, 9/25

3rd Grade

Brusick – Thursday, 9/26
Cirillo – Tuesday, 9/24
Parton – Wednesday, 9/25
Stoddard – Wednesday, 9/25

4th Grade

Jenkins – Thursday, 9/26
Winiewicz – Tuesday, 9/24

5th Grade

Benton – Tuesday, 9/24
Benzelock – Tuesday, 10/1
McGregor – Wednesday, 9/25
Morris – Wednesday, 10/2
Peters – Thursday, 9/26

6th Grade

Lewis – Friday, 9/27
Wilson – Thursday, 9/26

Self-Contained Classes

Bourgord – Tuesday, 9/24
Ferguson – Thursday, 9/26

After Picture Days are complete, all families will receive a digital file of their child’s portrait for FREE! Once you receive it, you can use it to have prints made in any size or style you choose. There are many professional portrait studios in the Alexandria/Springfield area that families can visit if they wish to have a professional portrait taken.

Thursday, October 10th and Friday, October 11th, will be make-up days for students who are absent on their assigned class day.

We will need some volunteers to help this process run smoothly. If you are available assist on one of the days, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B45A9A72CABF85-50938107-2024.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Let the Celebration Begin!

Lane enjoys a diverse, multicultural community, with more than 30 languages spoken among our families. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and we love to celebrate it.

The celebration is focused right now on our Hispanic families, as National Hispanic Heritage Month is underway. During this month, we showcase the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, and we celebrate our Hispanic students. Almost 10% of our students at Lane speak Spanish at home, and we bet there are many more who come from a Hispanic heritage.

Our colorful Hispanic Heritage Month bulletin board went up this week, and in the hallway outside the cafeteria, we have hung large map spotlighting Hispanic areas of the world. We will add the names of students and the countries of their heritage as we receive them. Students will have the opportunity to complete a card for the map during class, but parents can also provide that information. If your family is of Hispanic heritage, please send us your child’s/children’s name(s) and let us know the country to which you are connected.

All families of Hispanic heritage are encouraged to send in pictures of their Lane students (or the whole family) so we can post them alongside our map. You can email the photos to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at [email protected], or send it to her through TalkingPoints.

Save the Date for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 17th!

Hispanic Heritage Month is just the first of many cultural holidays and awareness/recognition months that FCPS recognizes during the school year. Here at Lane, we are introducing a new series of quarterly events to showcase those observances and share cultural information in a fun, family-friendly way. These CARE (Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event) Nights will feature stations dedicated to different cultural activities and performances.

The date for the first CARE Night is Thursday, October 17th. The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and we hope to highlight these early fall cultural happenings:

Hispanic Heritage Month
Rosh Hashanah
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Diwali
Dia de los Muertos
Disability History and Awareness Month

Save the date and watch for more information coming soon!

Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Parent Meeting on Thursday, September 26th, 6 p.m.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development efforts and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners. 

FCPS offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-12. The continuum of services approach recognizes unique student needs and focuses on matching services, not labeling students. Teachers and staff work together to provide Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services. Through this continuum, students have:

Multiple entry points for deeper learning opportunities in specific areas of need as they develop.
A cluster group of students with similar academic needs to continue growing in their learning.

You can learn more about AAP at Lane and in FCPS at a parent information session on Thursday, September 26th at 6 p.m. in the Lane cafeteria. 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 AAP screening process. This meeting is open to all interested parents with students in kindergarten through 6th grade.

You can also get additional information about the AAP program in the Fall 2024-2025 Advanced Academics Newsletter.

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Classroom Discussions Underway; Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet Due September 30th

Lane Assistant Principals Julie Kubiak and Allen Dickens have begun and will continue to go into classrooms to discuss FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) and consequences for not adhering to them.

If you would like more information on FCPS’ SR&R please go to https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/leadership/policies-regulations-notices/student-rights-and-responsibilities-srr. Additionally, if you would like to provide feedback to FCPS regarding SR&R, please go to https://www.fcps.edu/submit-student-rights-responsibilities-srr-feedback.

Each student must return the SR&R Parent/Guardian signature sheet, which shows that parents/guardians have reviewed this critical document. Please log in to your ParentVUE account to sign this form digitally or print and return a paper copy by Monday, September 30th.

Field Day Is Coming Soon – Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Needed!

Our annual Field Day event will be held on Friday, October 18th 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
2:25 – 3:25 p.m.: Multiple-abilities classes (small groups in the Gym)
2:55 – 3:55 p.m.: 1st grade

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/10C0C44ACAE2BA6FA7-51078761-field,

School Health Room Needs Clothing!

If your fall cleaning has you clearing out clothes that no longer fit your child, please send them to Lane! Just bag them up and send them in!

Thank you!

PTA News & Announcements Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger September 24th and 25th!

Next up in the PTA’s tasty Restaurant Night line-up is Hangry Burger in Springfield this Tuesday, September 24th and Wednesday, September 25th.

(NOTE! This is a corrected date from last week, which had Tuesday as the 23rd and Wednesday as the 24th.)

Watch Wednesday Folders for the flyer with more details.

It’s Not Too Late to Join the PTA!

Please consider joining this great organization, run completely by parent volunteers, that does so much to support our school. Being a Lane 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 today!

Thanks to Our PTA Sponsors!

The PTA would like to thank these sponsors for their support.

Parent Resources Literacy Programs for Preschool Students Available at Lane and in the Lane Area

It’s never too early to start building literacy skills in young children. Fairfax County Public Schools’ Office of Family and School Partnerships offers a variety of early literacy programs to teach parents how to build these critical skills and help prepare their children for school. You can learn more about all of these offerings on the FCPS website.

Lane will host one of these programs – the Arabic Early Literacy program – on Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning October 15th. The program will be taught in English, and parents with children ages 1 to 5 (pre-kindergarten) who speak any second language in the home are welcome – not just Arabic speakers. See the Early Literacy flyer for more information and registration information. This program is also available at the nearby Lorton Community Center (9520 Richmond Hwy.)

An Early Literacy program for African Heritage families is also available in the Lorton Community Center on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Check out that flyer here.

Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE.

For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office.

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
Alcohol or drug use.
Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please email our clinical team (social worker, school psychologist, and counselors) at [email protected] to schedule a time to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

FCPS News & Activities

FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture

Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.

Our third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful. For example, making sure they are readers by third grade and taking courses that challenge them throughout their education will help prepare them for lifelong success. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Monday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School.

Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

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

Attendance: 703.924.7777 | Web | Twitter

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Lane Elementary School News and announcements

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