Each winter, we host a holiday luncheon for the staff.  With support of the PTA, we have the luncheon catered and have games and prizes for the staff. We could use some help! First, we are in need of volunteers to turn our library into a “winter wonderland” afterschool (3:00 – 4:00 PM) on Wednesday, December 18. If you have time, please let our PTA know by emailing them. Secondly, we need a small supply of prizes for staff members to win. While anything is truly appreciated, what is most helpful are: items that appeal to a wide audience, white elephant gifts, gift cards, gag gifts, etc. Gifts can have any value! Feel free to drop any donations off in the office for Mrs. Nealson or send them in with your child (preferably in a bag/envelope). Please let Ashley Castillo know if you have any questions.

I hope your enjoying teaching your students about kindness!  Starting next Monday, we'll begin learning about humility -- and how it opens people up to new ideas, advice, and (consequently) abilities that pride, arrogance, or pretentiousness often block. For a 1-page overview, please click here.

This week, instead of a video from Mike Erwin, we're highlighting the Santa Fe Institute, which is an interdisciplinary research center that studies complexity. As the video and quote highlight, intellectual humility is a prerequisite there. These researchers must understand that they don't have all the answers -- and neither does their specific field. 

This is a friendly reminder that the deadline for referring students in Grades 2-7 for AAP full-time Level IV consideration is due no later than January 9, 2020.  Parents are welcome to submit early, but no late referrals will be accepted.  We advise parents not to wait for pending abilities test scores if they would like their student screened. While the Grade 2 screening pool casts a starting point for screening some students, test scores are only one factor in the eligibility decision. 

If you would like more information about Level IV AAP services or the screening process for Level IV, there are two parent presentations available on the AAP public website  that have the same information that was shared at the Lemon Road information meeting Thursday night. Referrals can be submitted to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher Jennifer Hitchcock at any time up through January 9.

You’ve been invited to shop in the Lemon Road online spirit wear store. This online store has been set-up to make the ordering process simple. Orders can be placed until December 09, 2019. To get started, CLICK HERE . Once you're finished shopping and complete your check-out, you will receive an Order Confirmation via email (at the email address you entered when ordering). Please look for this Order Confirmation email once you’ve completed your order. If you need further assistance or have any questions, please CLICK HERE and one of the online Customer Care representatives will be glad to assist you.

Please know that we believe in the importance of recess and physical activity, even when it is cold! Please send your child to school with appropriate clothing (warm coat, hat, gloves/mittens, and pants) so that he/she can enjoy being outside. Please contact our parent liaison, Mabel Morales, if you need assistance getting your child a winter coat or additional warm clothing.

At Lemon Road, our strength is in our diversity. Did you know that 59% of our students come from homes where another language is spoken? Our families belong to many cultures and speak 42 different languages! The top 5 languages at our school, after English, are Spanish, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Russian. Lemon Road staff are constantly learning and growing.

Currently, more than 30 staff members are engaged in additional professional development surrounding supporting English Learners in the classroom. We are committed to the success of all students and honoring the diversity of our families. As we work collectively to improve our teaching for English Learners, we find that the same strategies are best practices for all Lemon Road Lions!

A former Lemon Road student, currently a senior at McLean High School, would like to start a monthly girls engineering outreach program.  In conjunction with McLean’s Science National Honor Society, Lemon Road girls will conduct experiments and activities that represent each subdivision of engineering.  The goal of these monthly sessions is to get upper elementary school girls excited about the male-dominated field of engineering, or STEM in general. This is a crucial time period for girls to develop confidence with their math and science skills, and to discover that as a female they offer a unique perspective in problem-solving. 

The group of several Science National Honors’ Society students are seeking an adult club sponsor willing to stay after school one afternoon (likely Tuesday or Wednesday) per month from 3:00 – 4:15. The sponsor would supervise the girls during snack then be present during the club, but the Science Honors Society will provide all materials, activities and instruction.  If you are considering supporting them, please let Mrs. Castillo know.  If you have questions for the group directly, I am happy to connect you.