A Note from the Principal

Greetings Laurel Ridge Families,

This week our students discussed the Character Strength of Leadership.  Leadership can be both formal and informal. It is concerned with getting others to do what needs to be done while maintaining group morale to ensure readiness to act in the future. This character strength’s focus is on the personal qualities of leaders, rather than the practice of leadership. These qualities include the ability to understand others and inspire them toward a common goal, the capacity to mitigate conflict and mold consensus, and the desire to lead other people.

Positive psychology focuses on transformational leaders.  This type of leadership is a process where “leaders and their followers raise one another to higher levels of morality and motivation.” These leaders are able to create a vision, communicate the vision, develop a coherent strategy to achieve that vision, and lead the charge towards its attainment. Through their words and actions, these leaders develop an inspirational relationship with their followers.  That is, they fill others with the spirit to attain the vision.

For individuals, leadership is a way to achieve what you know is important, as groups of people invariably achieve more than individuals. If you want to achieve your vision for the future, you need to inspire others to join you. As an individual’s ability to lead develops, so does that person’s confidence and sense of self-efficacy. However, common dangers to guard against are egotism and arrogance.

A group’s effectiveness and sense of inspiration is tied directly to the leader. Study after study shows that leaders (and managers) have the biggest influence on group success and morale. Leaders can be developed and it starts with character. As General Schwarzkopf said, “Leadership is potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.”

Tonya Wassenberg

Principal

Stay Home When Sick

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) continues to monitor cases and report COVID-19 outbreaks, as outlined by the Virginia Department of Health. Currently, Fairfax County's Community Level remains low as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our layered prevention strategies are being implemented based on our COVID-19 Community Level, as recommended by the CDC.

However, FCPS has seen a recent increase in COVID-19 cases and outbreaks and parents/legal guardians are reminded of the daily health screening requirement to check their students for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. Parents and guardians are advised to keep their students home if sick and get them tested to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 

VaxUp

We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated or boosted as soon as they are eligible. COVID-19 vaccination keeps children safely in school and childcare settings, and also while participating in sports, playdates, extracurricular activities, and other group activities. Strong community vaccination rates help keep our schools safe for in-person learning. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, or to find a vaccine provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website.

Masking

As a reminder, students may return to school after five days of isolation if they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving. As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) individuals should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for five additional days (day six through day 10) after the end of the five day isolation period. If individuals are unable to wear a mask when around others, they should continue to isolate for a full 10 days at home. While not required, wearing a mask while indoors is still considered an important way to protect yourself and others. Families are encouraged to discuss mask wearing as an additional layered prevention strategy.

Additional recommendations to prevent COVID-19 are available online.

Dr. Reid Virtual Town Hall May 17

Save the Date: Meet the Incoming Superintendent at a Virtual Town Hall May 17

On Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m., incoming superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will join staff, families, and students for a multilingual virtual town hall. Watch your email and upcoming issues of FCPS This Week for more details, including how to register. Dr. Reid will be hosting additional engagement sessions throughout the county after her official start date on July 1.

Dr. Reid held an in-person town hall May 3 that can be viewed on the FCPS YouTube Channel. 

2021-22 LRES Yearbook

If you did not order a yearbook through Herff-Jones and would like to order one, go to MySchoolBucks.com.

Please note, the Yearbook item is listed on the second page of in MySchoolBucks.com.  Yearbooks will be distributed to students during the last week of school.   

Attention Rising 7th Grade Ram Families!

Join Robinson Pyramid family liaisons, Robinson Secondary staff, and representatives from FCPS’ Family and School Partnerships for

On the Road to Robinson!
Making the Transition to Middle School

An evening for parents and family members of current 6th graders headed to Robinson Secondary next year
Thursday, May 19th ◆ 7 p.m.
At this virtual presentation, you’ll learn tips and strategies to help navigate the new path ahead for both you and your child. Topics include:
- Dealing with change
- Preparing for the move to middle school
- Setting up structures and supports for success
- Monitoring student progress
Join us on Zoom at
https://bit.ly/RisingRams_May2022

PTA School Supply Kits

School Supply Kits Now on Sale for 2022-2023 School Year!

Skip the trip to the store this summer! Your student's exact teacher-requested school supplies for the 2022-23 school year are available for purchase now, all in one convenient kit!  Go to www.sproutsupplies.com and enter school code LRES002. The LRES PTA sponsors this sale in order to pay for the school supplies for all of our families in need. There's also an option to donate toward the purchase of a kit so that ALL Laurel Ridge students can start the next school year off right! School kits will be delivered directly to the school and will be waiting for your student in their classroom during Open House, typically held the week before school starts. Thank you for your support! Questions? Reach out to ptaforlres@gmail.com.