I hope that you all had fun during Humor Week and are excited to begin the next Other People Matter Mindset element -- being present and giving others my attention -- on Monday!   This element of the Other People Matter Mindset (OPM2) means that when I’m with other people, I’m present and give them my full attention.

A deliberate focus on being present is so important today due to the increasing number of distractions vying for our time and attention. Phone calls, text messages, emails, social media notifications all have the formidable capacity to pull us away from the present moment and what’s most important – our relationships with other people. How dangerous is this to our well-being and the fabric of our society? Very.

So, why does this matter?  Just like plants need sunlight to grow, our relationships need attention. The research is crystal clear, relationships are the cornerstone of health, happiness, and resilience. And, if we don’t give our attention to the people we’re building relationships with – whether family members, close friends, or even distant colleagues – we can’t build those relationships.  On a group level, it’s vitally important that we pick our heads up from our cell phones and truly listen to other people when they’re talking. A positive culture is built with positive relationships – and we can’t build positive relationships without attention. So, the answer is clear: we need to pay attention to people in our lives. That’s going to be good for individuals, small groups, and large societies.

FCPS Earth Week is a division-wide event to foster conversation and learning about environmental topics that are essential in developing students as ethical and global citizens who are stewards of their environment. FCPS is encouraging county-wide Earth Week spirit days. 

Monday, April 22 - wear green for Earth Day and Great Outdoors Day

Tuesday, April 23 - wear yellow for Energy Day

Wednesday, April 24 - wear blue for Watershed Day

Thursday, April 25 - wear red for Consumption and Waste Day

Friday, April 26 - wear purple for Protecting Our Species Day

The Lemon Road staff are excited to welcome all families to our Annual Portrait of a Graduate Night on Thursday, May 2 from 6:30 – 8:00. Two important components of our evening are our Hall of Nations and Parade of Nations. Through these opportunities, families teach our Lemon Road students and families about their culture through an exhibit and/or dressing in traditional cultural outfits and participating in the parade.

To reserve a space in the cafeteria or in the parade, parents should complete the form available at this link.   Please consider supporting this important event for our school community!

FCPS values your opinion so greatly that we are asked to send out periodic reminders for completion for the Family Engagement Survey open until April 12^th. On March 24^th, you received an FCPS Family Engagement Survey! Please complete the survey letting us know how we are doing in the areas of

• communicating,
• providing you opportunities to partner,
• developing positive relationships,
• ensuring student success and more.

The information we learn from you will help us strengthen family engagement and continue fostering a Caring Culture throughout FCPS.  There are 3 ways you can complete the survey.

1. Check your email for an invitation sent with a survey link from Dr. Scott Brabrand, Superintendent with subject line: FCPS Family Engagement Survey.
2. Ask the Lemon Road front office staff for a paper survey. You can complete it right there on the spot.
3. Complete the online survey using one of the school iPads or computers. The office staff would be happy to show you an available computer for you to complete the survey electronically at the school.

For a direct link to the survey click HERE. We honor your opinion and commitment to your child and our schools. We strive to make our school a better place for ALL!

You’ve been invited to begin shopping in the Lemon Road Elementary spirit wear online store. Grab some LRES gear until April 16, 2019. Click on the link or on the below SHOP NOW button.

Is your child gearing up for kindergarten at Lemon Road?  Set them up for success by sending them to one or two weeks of our Kindergarten Kick Start!  During the morning program, they will get to know future classmates, the Lemon Road school and grounds, several staff members at school, and learn some of the routines and expectations about what it means to be in kindergarten!  As this is a half day program, lunch will not be served, but we will encourage a nut-free snack and drink to be sent from home.  Partial or full scholarships may be available, if interested, please contact Ashley Castillo.  Register Here!

Shifting Gears is a week-long transition camp for rising 7^th graders at Kilmer Middle School. At Shifting Gears, campers will get to know students from other schools, become comfortable with Kilmer’s campus, opening lockers, and understanding middle school expectations and rules. Through fun activities and games, the camp focuses on team-building and building friendships. For more information about Shifting Gears, please visit Kilmer’s Website.