From the Principal's Desk
 Good day Eagle Families,
This is the time of year when we are take advantage of the season by showing our appreciation for others. At the county level, it is the time through our community and LMS staff to complete the 2019-20 Outstanding Employee Award Nominations. Please join me in congratulating winners of each of the listed categories below. You will find quotes that describe why they are being recognized.
Outstanding New Teacher: Ms. Debora Rivero, Math Teacher
"She makes the learning experience in her class fun and understanding. She creates nicknames and jokes around with my classmates and understands what we go through. Even if she may have a bad day, she always stays positive not; one day have I seen her yelling at our class. Instead, she always has a positive attitude and motivates us to have that same positivity. She helps with anything we need, and if we get a question wrong on a test, she lets us fix it"
Outstanding Teacher: Mr. Charlie Burts, Band Director
"In my opinion, Mr. Burts goes above and beyond with regard to his students. My personal experience with Mr. Burts has been one in which he allowed my son, who seemed to be losing interest in band, to take on the role of playing another instrument that better suited him in an attempt to keep him engaged rather than having his whole schedule changed and dropping out of band all together. Mr. Burts took my son under his wing and allowed him to step into a position that my son wasn’t knowledgeable about at all. Mr. Burts has been working with him, and I can see a difference in his outlook. He has a new level of motivation and interest because of this opportunity. Showing this individualized support and encouragement towards my son meant a great deal to me as a parent. I also noticed that he extends these same above-and-beyond efforts during concert nights when some students don’t have transportation back to school. It is great to see a teacher working so hard for his kids! THANK YOU, MR. BURTS!"
Outstanding Professionals: Ms. Liz Velazco, Counselor
"Ms. Velazco is one of the most passionate professionals that I have met at Lanier Middle School since my child arrived 2017. She ensures that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education and overcome challenges despite obstacles and challenging situations. From helping with Career Day, parents' welcome nights, to mentoring opportunities for students, Ms. Velazco is always on top of her game. She relentlessly pursues the can-do attitude, with the focus on student achievement gains and school leadership.
As a volunteer mentor for FCPS for over 7 years, I admire her approach to work with a sense of possibility and see challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving, take initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions. From pairing students with the right mentor, to walking the hallways with a great smile, that makes a difference in such constant changing environment. As a parent of a Lanier student, I feel comfortable combined with respect and appreciation for Ms. Velazco's commitment to make a difference and uphold the greatest interest for every student's success. From the minute that I met Ms. Velazco, she communicates clearly and compellingly in both oral and written forms, anticipates and responds to the needs in a courteous manner. Ms. Velazco is a prime example on what it takes to contribute to not one but many of the Goals in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship"
Outstanding Operational: Lea Im, Principal's Administrative Assistant
"Ms. Im is always able to take time to assist staff with any needs in the classroom, or to support the staff in obtaining items to help them prepare lessons etc. At times, Ms. Im will have students who have behaviors keeping them from the classroom. Ms. Im will encourage them to do better and encourage them to do their work"
Outstanding Leader: Ms. Michele Johnson, Assistant Principal
"Michelle Johnson is an excellent administrator who utilizes her personal experiences with special education to educate students and their parents about the benefits. She is stern but loving. She supports staff in their teaching and discipline"
Winners were announced during the Faculty Meeting and their family members came for a special surprise. You can see this in the above picture. If you would like to help us as we prepare their information packets to go to the next level within our region, please complete this Google Form so we can use your words in our writings.
Thank you to all who are planning to send in desserts next week for our staff. It's not too late to assist us in giving them the gift of time by providing them with a sweet treat. Here's to a wonderful last academic week of 2019. We are ready to let the Roaring 2020's begin with GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
SignUp Genius - Winter Break Treats for Staff
Tammy Hanna
Principal, Lanier Middle School
https://lanierms.fcps.edu/
Was my communication helpful? FEEDBACK PLEASE
#LMSSoarToNewHeights
@DrTammyHanna
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Important Upcoming Events
12/19 Chorus concert
12/23 - 1/3 Winter Break
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Announcements
Winter Break: Office Closed
The main office will be closed during the winter break from Monday, December 23rd through Friday, January 3rd.
National Board Certified Teachers
Here are the latest two amazing 2019 National Board Certified teachers from Lanier (Ms. Melody Rose and Ms. Michele Wright). What a great achievement - Congratulations to the Lanier NBCT. Way to go!
Deadline for AAP Level IV Referrals
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 encouraged 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.
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 important information.
Referrals can be submitted to your counselor, subject line “AAP Referral.”
Captains: Haley, Jamie jhaley@fcps.edu
Hokies: Ranallo, Dayle C DCRanallo@fcps.edu
Patriots: Donald, Luke ladonald1@fcps.edu
Spartans: Velazco, Liz ecvelazco@fcps.edu
If you do not know who your counselor is, you can call the main office or send the referral to kcteague@fcps.edu and pclopez@fcps.edu. The deadline is January 9.
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.
Reminders
Seasonal Health Room Reminders
The Health Department recommends that you and your family members take the following steps to protect yourselves from illnesses this season:
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Vaccinate your child and yourself against influenza this year and every year. As long as influenza is circulating in our community it is not too late to get a vaccine.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water. Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 second. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be used.
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Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw tissues in the trash after use. If tissues are not available, cover coughs and sneezes with your upper sleeve
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
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Do not send any child experiencing communicable symptoms to school. If your child comes to school with a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, he or she will be sent home. Keep your child home and away from others until the child has been symptom free and without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medication (i.e. he or she should not attend school, school functions, sporting or extracurricular activities, or leave the home except to seek medical care).
- Please dress your child appropriately for the weather.
- Your child may carry cough drops, throat lozenges and lip balm in their backpack.
Please contact the Health Room with any questions and concerns. Have a healthy and illness free season.
Lost and Found
 Has your student misplaced his/her sweater? jacket? binder and etc? Have them look through the lost and found in the cafeteria and the main office. We are starting to cumulate many items.
Like to order your TEAM Shirt?
 Please visit MySchoolBucks to make your purchase.
Be Informed, Stay Involved
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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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