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Important Upcoming Events
11/27-29 Thanksgiving Holiday- NO SCHOOL
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 From the Principal's Desk
Happy Thanksgiving, Families,
As we move into this time of thanksgiving and gratitude, we wanted to take a moment to thank you for your amazing support as families at Lanier. Thank you for sending students who are prepared for learning, gracious in their actions, and kind-hearted. Thank you for coming out to support our arts programs during our many recent music and dramatic performances. We know our students could not get to all these events without you driving them and making time in your family schedules. Thank you for the hours you spend at home encouraging, assisting, and reviewing homework and supporting projects. We see the value of your investment in our classrooms each and every day. Thank you for asking them how their day was and then contacting us if something does not seem quite right. Our partnership is critical to the success of all our Eagles.
As you are spending time with your students next week, we hope that you will find opportunities to laugh and have fun, to make memories and explore new activities and areas. Middle school students are wonderful people who are finding their own voice, looking for acceptance, and becoming inquisitive young adults. It is our honor to serve them and their families as our profession. If you or your child would like to drop a note or email to one of our staff to thank them, it would brighten their day! Thank you!
Tammy Hanna
Principal, Lanier Middle School
https://lanierms.fcps.edu/
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@DrTammyHanna
Announcements
Absences Add Up! Schedule Family Travel During School Breaks
 Fairfax County Public Schools is required to keep track of student participation in school, through attendance reporting to the state of Virginia. You may have received one or more calls or electronic messages when your student did not arrive in class on time, or when the school was not notified that the student would be absent.
It is vital that parents access the school attendance phone line or attendance e-mail when they know that their students will miss school. Knowing the reason why students are absent helps school personnel understand if a specific reason (such as illness or family hardship) is keeping them out of school.
When parents know that their students must be out for a specific period (more than a day), they can access and submit a prearranged absence form. This must be done at least three to five days in advance of the absence. This gives administrators and teachers time to consider the work, tests, and projects the student may need to turn in on the student’s return to school. Parents should avoid end-of-semester or end-of-course exam periods; state testing periods; etc., when making plans. Please make every effort to arrange travel during school breaks.
Absences add up, and research indicates that missing 10 percent of the school year, for any reason, can have a negative impact on student success. Learn more about FCPS’ attendance expectations.
In Case You Missed It:
2020-21 School Year Calendar Announced
In case you missed it over the summer, the 2020-21 school year calendar has been announced. For planning purposes, notable dates include: First day of school - Tuesday, August 25, 2020; Labor Day Break - September 4-7, 2020; Thanksgiving Break - November 25-27, 2020; Winter Break - December 21, 2020-January 1, 2021; Spring Break – March 29, 2021- April 2, 2021 (Note: Monday, April 5, 2021, is a teacher workday and a holiday for students); Last day of school for students - Friday, June 11, 2021. See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
Reminders
Laptop Health Check/Inventory
All students need to bring their laptop and charger to Teacher Advisory Class on Monday 11/25/19. Teachers will be doing an inventory of laptops and chargers while students make sure their laptops have received all updates so far. If a student’s laptop is being repaired, they should still bring their charger to school.
Fairfax County School Health Promotion
 E-cigarette use among teens is on the rise and can have many negative health implications. Vaping products contain metals, chemicals, and other substances that not only lead to addiction, but may cause lung-related injury. Teens are more likely to become addicted to e-cigarettes, because brain pathways in teen brains develop faster than adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm brain development – which continues until about age 25.
It is important that you talk to and educate your teen about the dangers of e-cigarette use. There are many resources available that help support vaping cessation and promote healthy decision-making.
Resource Corner:
QUITline – 1-800-Quit-Now is a free, effective, and confidential hotline for ages 13+. This service is available 24/7 and provides one-on-one assistance.
The Real Cost – Informational site that gives teens the real facts about tobacco products. For more information visit https://therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov/.
Smokefree Teen – quitSTART is a free smartphone app that helps you quit using tobacco with tailored tips, inspiration, and challenges.
References:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/vaping
www.fcps.edu/vaping
www.cdc.gov
www.truthinitiative.org
www.truthinitiative.org
www.teen.smokefree.gov
Hashtag:
#ffxhealthykids
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FCPS Cares
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care.
You can acknowledge an FCPS employee who has gone above and beyond.
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