The Lion’s Roar
January 29, 2021
Today was "Bring a Stuffed Animal or Furry Friend to Class" Day, sponsored by the Lane SCA. Students in all grade levels participated, including these members of Ms. Hoover's third grade class, who brought lots of fuzzy, furry friends - real and stuffed - to join their online learning.
  
Upcoming Events
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Monday, 2/1 – Friday, 2/5 – National School Counseling Week
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Thursday, 2/4 – Curriculum Night for Lane 6th graders heading to Hayfield next year, 6:30 p.m.
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Monday, 2/15 – Presidents Day Holiday – School and Office CLOSED, no instruction
In This Issue
- New Principal's Video Message
- Tentative Return-to-School Timeline
- Yearbook Needs a Picture of Your Child!
- Lane “Geek Squad” Tech Help Adds New Hours
- National School Counseling Week Next Week
- Curriculum Night for Rising 7th Graders Heading to Hayfield – Thursday, February 4th, 6:30 p.m.
- Go Paperless for Progress Reports!
- Lane Library News & Updates
- Winter Universal Screening at Home
- Family Life Education (FLE) Instruction Coming in the Third Quarter
- Dual Language Immersion Program Application Now Open!
- PTA News: Spirit Wear Sale Ends Soon; Principal Appreciation Flipgrid
- Parent Resources: COVID vaccine links; parenting workshops, social-emotional and mental health supports
- Community News
News & Notes
New Principal's Video Message
Check out the latest news from Mrs. Prahl at https://youtu.be/zMzoBg6SspU.
Tentative Return-to-School Timeline
FCPS has created “groups” to clarify which students will return to in-person instruction based on certain health and operational requirements being met. The chart above defines which group a student is assigned to based on grade level and/or specific courses, programs, or services.
Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand will provide an update on the return-to-school timeline at the School Board work session on Tuesday, February 2nd, at 1:30 p.m. The meeting will be televised on on FCPS Cable TV channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11) and will also be livestreamed on the FCPS website.
Lane Yearbook Needs a Picture of Your Child!
The pandemic has caused unprecedented changes across our school activities, and that includes the yearbook.
We are planning to have a yearbook this year, but it will look different than it usually does. It will be a smaller number of pages (only 48 instead of the usual 72), and those pages will also be more like collages rather than the rigid portrait grid we usually use on class pages. The book will also be a bit more expensive, due a smaller print quality ($18 instead of $16). More information about ordering your copy will be sent home soon.
Most of all, due to restrictions about outsiders on school campuses, we will not be able to have portraits taken by professional photographers as we usually do. We need you to be the photographers instead!
Please take a portrait-style picture of your child with the head and shoulders in the center of the frame. The picture will be small when it’s on the page, so please limit additional items in the background or foreground. We want to see your child’s face clearly!
Once you have the picture, please follow these steps:
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Email your picture to laneyearbook2021@gmail.com. You can share it directly via email through your phone or your digital camera, or you can email it as an attachment from your computer.
- In the subject line, include your child’s last name and teacher’s name.
- Make sure the photos you share through email from your phone are “large” size or “actual size” so they will print well. Screenshots or copies of online photos (such as from Facebook or Twitter) are too small.
- If you are attaching a file from photos stored on your computer, please make sure the file is at least 1 megabyte (1MB).
Please send your child’s picture to laneyearbook2021@gmail.com by Friday, February 12th. If you have questions, please contact our parent liaison and yearbook coordinator, Melanie Crosby Hardy at macrosby@fcps.edu.
Feel free to share learning at home pictures, too. This year’s yearbook is going to be a group project! Thank you for your support!
Lane “Geek Squad” Tech Help Adds New Hours!
If you’ve got tech troubles, sign up for one-on-one, in-person help from the “Lane Geek Squad”! The team has adjusted its hours to better serve our families who need help with student laptops. Here is the updated link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BAFA722A4F85-lane2.
Just bring your child’s laptop to the school at the designated time to be looked at for hardware issues and/or platform issues or to get training/reminders about how to access Google.
We must continue to be mindful of maintaining a limited number of people in the building and following safety protocols. When you arrive for your scheduled appointment, with your laptop, please enter Door #5 and go directly to the cafeteria. We will have staff there to help address your technology needs. Masks must be worn the entire time you are in the building.
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National School Counseling Week Next Week – February 1st through 5th
Next week is National School Counseling Week, when schools all across the nation celebrate their caring and inspiring counseling teams. This year’s theme is “School Counselors: All in for All Students.”
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Our two counselors – Mrs. Damita Levy and Dr. Teresa Perry – support all students at Lane, providing valuable lessons that focus on social-emotional wellness and academic success and that help them become good global citizens. This year we once again have additional counseling support for our students from military families thanks to Mrs. LaMaya Middleton, our Military Family Counselor. Please join us in thanking all three of these ladies for all of the important work they do!
Curriculum Night for Rising 7th Graders Heading to Hayfield – Thursday, February 4th, 6:30 p.m.
All 6th grade future Hayfield Hawks and their parents are invited to join us for a special Lane ES Curriculum Night next Thursday, February 4th, at 6:30 p.m. A Hayfield counselor will attend to help provide information and answer questions.
Here is the link to join the session:
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/80b07a7c86194cdeac40933f2b576b96.
Go Paperless for Progress Reports!
The second quarter ends today, and we would like to remind all families that paperless report cards will soon be available. To request this service, just follow the instructions below. Note: If you’ve already requested paperless report cards, you do not need to request it again.
You will need a SIS Parent Account to make this request. If you do not yet have this account, please contact our parent liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at macrosby@fcps.edu for assistance in creating one.
1. Login to your SIS PARENTVUE ACCOUNT: https://sisparent.fcps.edu/
2. Click My Account (located in the upper right corner. See image below)
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page to select the paperless option. (See image below.)
Lane Library News & Updates
Library Book Fair Virtual Lane Bookstore Continues into the New Year!
A pandemic can’t stop the Book Fair. In this unusual year, we just need to host it a little bit differently. The annual book fair has become a virtual bookstore!
The online bookstore has most of the offerings you’re used to seeing at our in-person fairs, including best sellers for all ages and teacher wish lists. You can also donate to our book drive fund to help purchase books for Lane families in need.
You can check out the flyer for more information or just go straight to https://bit.ly/lanebooks to start shopping!
The proceeds raised (other than book drive donations) will be used to support the Lane ES library, which is used by all students, staff, and the larger Lane community.
Questions? Contact Sue Chozick, Librarian, at schozick@fcps.edu.
Thank you for your support! Happy reading!
Curbside Checkout Continues by Appointment
The Lane Library is continuing its curbside checkout. Please review the process on the school website if you are interested.
Again, please remember that library books may only be picked up during curbside events. Please do not come to the school at other times to pick up the library books.
Help Us Find Our Missing Library Books!
We are looking for library books that are still checked out from last school year! Notices for books checked out before October 31, 2020, will be emailed home next week, as a reminder. Books may be returned during Library Curbside Checkout events (by appointment only), or may be placed in the bin at the main entrance to the school, or if your students will be returning to school, at that time.
Students may see what books they have checked out by logging into their Lane Library catalog account (https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/103844 - use the blue bar with “Fairfax County Public Schools”; go to three-horizontal-bar menu in the top left corner; then go to “Checkouts.”) In addition, reminder notices will be emailed next week. Please note that books must be quarantined for seven days prior to being handled, so students will still see them in their accounts for a week after books are returned.
Thank you in advance for your help in getting our library books back!
Winter Universal Screening at Home
Over the next few weeks your child will be taking a variety of assessments across content areas. The purpose of these assessments is to determine students’ areas of strength and growth. This data will help drive the teachers’ instruction and enable differentiation to best support your child this school year. Gaps in basic skills are the root of many later learning difficulties. Early detection and intervention in these gaps can help students reach their potential.
These assessments will not be graded. To ensure the results provide accurate data to inform learning needs, these assessments should be completed independently by the student.
The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board adopted a universal screener assessment for use with all elementary school students in kindergarten through grade 6. The universal screener assessment includes a reading test and a mathematics test. Students in kindergarten will receive screening for reading only. Students in grades 1 through 6 will receive screening for both mathematics and reading.
The purpose of this assessment is to identify students who may have gaps in foundational literacy and mathematics skills. Based on universal screener results, some students may require an additional assessment to further diagnose the specific learning areas that may need support.
In FCPS, we use i-Ready as our Universal Screener. This assessment will be given online at home, and to support families we are providing resources for best practices in administering assessments at home.
Families should take time to review the information in this link; you will find details pertaining to the structure of i-Ready, technology supports, best practices for administration at home, and cues you can give your child to motivate them to do their best.
Watch a video to learn about taking the iReady assessment at home. English Spanish
Watch a video for tips for successful iReady testing at home. English Spanish
Read this checklist to learn how to support children with the iReady assessment at home.
Amharic; Arabic; Chinese; Farsi; English; Korean; Spanish; Urdu; Vietnamese
Family Life Education (FLE) Instruction Coming Soon! Opt-Outs Available
This a reminder that Family Life Education (FLE) instruction will begin during our second semester (third quarter) of the school year. Every grade level and classroom has a different schedule of when they plan to incorporate this curriculum. Your teacher will let you know prior to the lessons beginning.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade 12. Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community. We have compiled a Parent Preview video in preparation, which will give you an overview of what your child will be learning and show where you can access full lesson information in Blackboard 24/7. Please follow this link to the video presentation.
As a reminder, parents/guardians have the right to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Follow this link to forms for opting out, https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/elementary-family-life-education . Since we are in the virtual environment, if you review the information and want to opt your child out please email your classroom teacher about which components and the information will be forwarded to administration. If you choose to opt your child out, there will be alternate instructional opportunities for your child to engage in.
If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs. Coleman at nksteptoecol@fcps.edu.
Dual Language Immersion Program Application Now Open!
Online registration for the county-wide lottery for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) dual language immersion (DLI) programs is now open. For details on those meetings and the program in general, visit the FCPS website.
Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 18th, for the first grade DLI program and Thursday, March 11th, for the kindergarten DLI program.
PTA News
Winter Spirit Wear Sale Ends Soon!
Did you miss out on the PTA’s fall spirit wear sale? Interested in getting another item or two? Check out the current offerings at the online store. The PTA is now selling Lane Lions face masks, so you can show off your Lane pride while keeping yourself and others safe. Please direct any questions to Tricia Pietravalle at vpfundraising@lanepta.org.
Appreciating Principal Appreciation!
Thank you to all of the families who posted on the Principal Appreciation Week Flipgrid! If you’d still like to add your appreciation to the leaders of the Lane lion pride, visit the Fligrid at https://flipgrid.com/e78cbe87. Parents will need to log in through their child’s Google account to access.
Parent Resources
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
If you have questions about vaccine distribution in the county, please visit these Fairfax County Health Department websites for the latest information:
Free Upcoming Webinars from the FCPS Parent Resource Center
“From Chaos to Calm: Strategies for Families to Create Calm and Confidence in the Midst of Chaos and Uncertainty: A Webinar for Families,” presented by Corinne Coppola, M.A., and Well-Being, Professional Friday, February 12th, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Are you feeling helpless and overwhelmed by the uncertainty and fear surrounding your child’s future and the impact this time is having on their ability to learn? Are you worried about increased anxiety and stress leaving you feeling depleted and overwhelmed? Trying to lead a family during these times can be exceedingly difficult. Children's mental health is declining, and parents are concerned about their own mental health. In this webinar, you will learn practical tools that can be applied IMMEDIATELY to restore your sense of calm and focus so you have the energy and confidence you need to cultivate joy and connection in your family.
Register for From Chaos to Calm: Strategies for Families to Create Calm and Confidence in the Midst of Chaos and Uncertainty: A Webinar for Families
“Strategies to Support Social Emotional Learning at Home: A Webinar for Families,” presented by FCPS Social Worker Jeanne Veraska & FCPS School Psychologist Lisa Phifer, Wednesday, February 17th, 6:30 - 8 p.m. or Friday, February 19th, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Social and emotional learning starts at home. Parents and families are critical partners in helping their children develop social and emotional know-how. They can model the kinds of skills, attitudes, and behaviors we want all students to master.
This webinar will highlight:
- What is social-emotional learning?
- Strategies to use our children’s behavior and emotion as forms of communication.
- Strategies to create emotional safety.
- Strategies to recognizing and supporting personal and family strengths.
Register for Strategies to Support Social Emotional Learning at Home: A Webinar for Families
“Is it Over Yet? How to Help your Child Cope with the Pandemic and the Eventual Return to Normalcy: A Webinar for Families,” presented by clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Bateman, Friday, February 26th, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This webinar will focus on parenting strategies to help children cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Strategies include:
- Coping with general stress, changes in daily life/routine, uncertainty about the future, loss of regular activities and social interaction, virtual school, etc.
- Executive functioning to assist with the challenges of virtual school
- Managing anxiety about health and safety
- Building resilience in children to reduce risk of separation anxiety, social anxiety, etc. once the pandemic ends.
Register for Is it Over Yet? How to Help your Child Cope with the Pandemic and the Eventual Return to Normalcy: A Webinar for Families
From the Healthy Minds Blog: Tips for Building Resilience in Children
Many parents want their children to have a life that is free from stress, worry, and struggle. It is only natural to wish the best for your children, but in reality, life is full of unpredictable challenges.
A big part of a parent’s job is teaching children how to face those challenges, navigate through them, and ultimately overcome them. This is a skill that children need to develop as they are growing up and inevitably make the transition into adulthood and out of their safety net.
In the latest Healthy Minds Blog, learn how to help your child build resiliency.
Mental Health Support Information
Community News & Events
Local Little League Now Registering Players
Central Springfield Little League (CSLL) is actively registering players from ages 4-14 for the upcoming 2021 season. CSLL won the 2020 National Little League A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) and successfully completed a full, extended season last year with zero COVID-19 outbreaks for the league. Little League is a great way to make new friends, get exercise, learn the game, and learn life lessons along the way. If you are interested in more information, check www.csll.org or https://www.facebook.com/CentralSpringfieldLittleLeague, or you can contact the league president at president@csll.org.
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