The Weekly Roar - Monday, September 16, 2024
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The Lion’s Roar Monday, September 16, 2024
A Spirited Week Celebrating Books!
Our first big dress-up spirit day kicked off our PTA Read-a-thon in style on Thursday last week. The hallways and classrooms were filled with colorful characters!
Storybook Character Day was just the beginning of our 2024 Read-a-thon fun! Later that night, hundreds of Lane Lions of all ages came out to the Kick-Off Celebration, which included inflatable amusements, tasty food, and – of course – lots of reading! Thanks to everyone who came out for this event, especially our sponsors and guest readers!
Reading wasn't the only thing bringing fun and smiles this week. These 1st graders had a blast with partner math games.
Upcoming Events
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Continuing through Wednesday, 10/15 – Hispanic Heritage Month (see the article below to see how you can participate)
- Tuesday, 9/17 – Read-a-thon Tie-Dye Day
- Thursday, 9/19 – Read-a-thon Pajama Day
- Friday, 9/20 – “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” for 2nd grade families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
- Friday, 9/20 through Tuesday, 10/2 – Fall Picture Days during class Library time (see article below for details and class schedule)
- Monday, 9/23 – Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Families” Potluck Reception, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
- 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 (wear Lane gear or blue and white/yellow)
- Thursday, 9/26 – Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Parent Information Meeting, 6 p.m., Cafeteria
- Friday, 9/27 – Read-a-thon Popsicles on the Playground
- Monday, 9/30 – Deadline to update immunization records
- Monday, 9/30 - SR&R Parent Signature Sheet Due
- Thursday, 10/3 – Rosh Hashanah Holiday, school and office CLOSED
- Friday, 10/4 – Teacher Workday/Student Holiday, students DO NOT report
In This Issue
- PTA Read-a-thon Is Up and Running Full Speed Ahead!
- Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms and Follow-Ups?
- “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” Continue This Friday with 2nd Grade Families!
- Fall Picture Days Start September 20th! Volunteers Needed!
- Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Parent Meeting, Thursday, September 26th, 6 p.m.
- Hispanic Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
- Save the Date for Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” – Monday, September 23rd
- PTA News: Upcoming Restaurant Night; memberships still available
- FCPS News & Activities: Strategic Plan, Goal 2; Community Conversations
- Community Events & Activities: Hayfield Little Hawks Cheer Clinic
News & Notes
PTA Read-a-thon Is Up and Running Full Speed Ahead!
Thanks to everyone who came to the PTA’s Read-a-thon Kick-Off Celebration last Thursday and to all of the students and staff members who showcased their favorite books by dressing up! There were definitely lots of unusual characters running around the school!
The PTA would like to thank all of the terrific sponsors who helped make Thursday evening a success, including Rita’s, La Fondita, DC Slices, Three Wishes Bookshop, SignGypsies, and – of course – Big Country Amusements. And a huge thanks as well to all of the awesome volunteers who contributed to the planning as well as the night of the event.
The Read-a-thon is the PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Donations fund field trips, classroom enhancements, family events, literacy programs, teacher appreciation, the Steam Lab, enrichment, and more!
Participation and giving is easy. Just follow these steps to register:
- STEP 1: Go to https://lanepta.givebacks.gives/readathon2024registration
- STEP 2: Scroll to "Student Registrations." Adjust the “#” to reflect the number of children in your home who are participating. Add to Cart.
- STEP 3: Click "Check out now." Fill in info for ALL registrants including grade level (despite this being noted as optional.)
- STEP 4: Verify and submit.
That’s it! Then your kids are ready to read and log minutes and pledges!
TWO spirit days are planned this week to help showcase the Read-a-thon.
- TOMORROW – Tuesday, September 17th – will be Tie-Dye Day. Students are encouraged to wear their most vibrant, tie-dyed creations and show off their unique style. It's the perfect way to brighten up our school spirit and celebrate our Read-a-Thon in a burst of color.
- Thursday, September 19th will be Pajama Day! Lane Lions can get cozy and comfortable to make reading more fun. Students are welcome to wear their favorite pajamas to school (school-appropriate styles, please, and no slippers).
Keep an eye on the PTA’s Facebook page for all the latest Read-a-thon updates!
Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms and Follow-Ups?
We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year!
ParentVUEIf you do not yet have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact Lane family liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at [email protected] for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Immunization Requirements
Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30th, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office.
Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:
- a healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations;
- a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption;
- a notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices.
Find more information on immunizations.
Permission Forms
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Friday, September 30th.
Questions?
If you have questions about any of these forms or protocols, please contact Mrs. Crosby Hardy at the address above.
“Family Friday Breakfast Bites” Continue This Friday with 2nd Grade Families!
Thanks to all of the 1st grade families that attended last Friday’s second “Family Friday Breakfast Bites.” Once again, it was a fun and flavorful way to start the day and end the week. More than 20 families joined us, and – once again – there was so much delicious food!
This Friday, September 20th, we invite all 2nd grade families to join us from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the cafeteria. We ask that each family bring a breakfast dish or item to share (muffins, donuts, casseroles, etc.). If you are a 2nd grade family that would like to attend, please RSVP here, and let us know what you’ll be bringing.
Fall Picture Days Start September 20th! Volunteers 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. Most students will have their pictures taken the week of September 23rd through 27th; a few will be the week before or the week after. Here is a list of dates by grade level and class:
Kindergarten
- Crouch – Thursday, 9/26
- Durkin – Friday, 9/20
- Furfaro – Tuesday, 9/24
- Schadle – Wednesday, 9/25
1st Grade
- Black – Monday, 9/23
- Gill – Tuesday, 9/24
- Hartbarger – Monday, 9/23
- Kaine – Thursday, 9/26
2nd Grade
- Barbiere – Friday, 9/20
- Gallery – Monday, 9/23
- Rumohr – Wednesday, 9/25
- Shipley – Friday, 9/20
3rd Grade
- Brusick – Thursday, 9/26
- Cirillo – Tuesday, 9/24
- Parton – Wednesday, 9/25
- Slomka – Monday, 9/23
- Stoddard – Wednesday, 9/25
4th Grade
- Jenkins – Thursday, 9/26
- Lopes – Friday, 9/20
- Priftis – Monday, 9/23
- Winiewicz – Tuesday, 9/24
- Winslow – Friday, 9/20
5th Grade
- Benton – Tuesday, 9/24
- Benzelock – Tuesday, 10/1
- McGregor – Wednesday, 9/25
- Morris – Wednesday, 10/2
- Peters – Thursday, 9/26
6th Grade
- Crocamo – Friday, 9/20
- Fitzgerald – Friday, 9/20
- Lewis – Friday, 9/27
- Wilson – Thursday, 9/26
Self-Contained Classes
- Bourgord – Tuesday, 9/24
- Ferguson – Thursday, 9/26
- Holmes – Friday, 9/20
- Khalid – Monday, 9/23
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.
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.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The celebration started yesterday and runs through October 15th.
We are planning to observe this special month more than ever this year. Did you know that almost 10% of our students at Lane speak Spanish at home? And we bet there are even more who come from a Hispanic heritage. We want to celebrate all of them!
Watch for more visible appreciation around the school in the coming weeks (including a colorful new bulletin board and a big map where students can let us know where they are from). We are also planning a quarterly cultural celebration for later this fall, which will spotlight Hispanic Heritage Month along with other cultural observances and celebrations. Watch for more information on that event coming soon.
Most of all, we want to showcase and honor our students of Hispanic heritage. We encourage all families of Hispanic heritage to send in pictures of their Lane students so we can post them alongside our new bulletin board. You can email the photos to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at [email protected], or send it to her through TalkingPoints. Please send photos in by Friday, September 27th.
Save the Date for Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” – Monday, September 23rd!
Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. We are honored to have many military-connected lions in our school community and look forward to celebrating them during this special week. On Monday, September 23rd, we will host a Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” reception from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.
In the past, this reception has been for military families only, but we recognize that all Lane Lions are connected to these students as classmates, friends, neighbors, and more! So this year, all Lane Lions – military and non-military – and their families are welcome!
We ask that each family bring a dozen mini muffins or half a dozen full-size muffins to share with others. Muffins can be store-bought or homemade. We just ask that if you make your own you provide an ingredients list so that our families with allergies can choose safely. If you’d like join us that morning, please fill out this RSVP form and tell us what you’ll bring.
We look forward to celebrating our military families together on the 23rd!
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 on Tuesday, September 23rd and Wednesday, September 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.
FCPS News & Activities The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services' updates to lunch menus align with FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal #2 - Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. The new menu options reflect the many voices and cultures represented around every FCPS lunch table!
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. As part of the second goal, we want each and every student to feel like they belong and have the support they need to thrive. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice.
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.
The next event is scheduled for Monday, September 23rd, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Newington Forest Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
Community Events & Activities
Hayfield Little Hawks Cheer Clinic, September 30th & October 1st; Register by Monday, September 23rd
Do you have a little cheerleader at home? If so, considering signing up for Hayfield Secondary’s Little Hawks Cheer Clinic on September 30th and October 1st. Sponsored by Hayfield Athletic Boosters and led by the Hayfield High School cheerleaders, the clinic will include instruction on cheers and chants, jumps, motions, dance, and spirit activities. All children in grades K through 6 are welcome!
This two-day clinic (attendees must attend both days) costs just $75. It will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hayfield. Payment includes registration for both days, a t-shirt, a hair bow, snacks, and one ticket to the Friday, October 4th Varsity Football game against Falls Church. Participants will cheer through half-time with the Varsity Cheer Squad.
To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/LittleHawks24 and mail payment to:
Student Activities
Cheerleading Clinic
Hayfield Secondary School
7630 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 22315.
Checks should be made payable to Hawks Athletic Booster Club Inc. Proceeds benefit the Hayfield Cheerleading Program. Registration form and payment must be received by Monday, September 23rd. Please contact Brittany Reigelsperger at [email protected] with questions.
7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700