LRES Community News 12.4.22

Message from Mrs. Castillo

Team

Lemon Road was bursting with excitement from our team building events and learning this week!  Thank you to Mrs. Callanen and Ms. Ender for collaborating with The Edge with George Mason University to share this experience with all lions.  See photos above and below that highlight the student experience.  

Over the past few weeks I had the opportunity to chat with several student representatives in grades K-6 to obtain feedback about Lemon Road and contribute to the FCPS’ Strategic Plan work (grades 3 - 6).  It was a wonderful opportunity to hear student voices articulate what is going well at Lemon Road and their ideas for improvement.   

Below also are photos of our third grade students sharing their non-fiction books with our kindergarten classes.  Both grade levels benefitted from this experience.  

As a safety reminder, students may not be dropped off in front of the school or in the parking lot before school.  Parents must park in a legal parking spot and walk their child to the front door (before 8:15) or into the front office (after 8:15).  Students may not cross the parking lot or bus loop without their grownup.  Parents are encouraged to use Kiss & Ride or send their children on the bus to minimize traffic delays on the way to school.  

Thank you to all our parents that continue to drop off snacks for our staff lounge, we all really appreciate your generosity.  There are a lot of special events between now and the new year - check out our important dates below!

Reading

Snacks

Portrait of a Graduate Principals Coffee

POG

Thank you to all our parents who joined our Principals Coffee Friday either in-person or through Zoom.  Mrs. Argue shared how Lemon Road students access and use their Portrait of a Graduate attributes on a consistent basis.  Check out the POG page on our website to view the recording and resources from the meeting. Here’s the direct link: https://lemonroades.fcps.edu/pogpol


LRES PTA Updates

PTA

The next PTA General Meeting will be January 17th 2023 - Lemon Road will be joined by local vendors offering student enrichment and summer camp options.  

The PTA Winter Service Project - Our first Winter Service Project, aimed at supporting local families in need over the holidays, is underway! The PTA will be hosting the Lemon Road Winter Service Event on December 8th from 4-5pm in the school cafeteria, as well as running a food donation drive until December 8th. All of our LRES Community are welcome and encouraged to attend and get involved in whatever way suits them, including children and extended family members, you do not need to signup to attend. Please sign up here to volunteer to help participate in the event! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4CA4AE2FA5FD0-winter


AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referrals Due December 15

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-6 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs (level IV AAP services) may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form to our AART, Avery Straw, @ akstraw@fcps.edu no later than December 15

The window to submit an AAP Level IV Referral Form is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Level IV services can be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for AAP Level IV will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of professionals from various schools review materials to determine eligibility for level IV placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April.

Referrals for AAP Levels II-III (part-time services) are screened at the local school. 

For more information, there are parent presentations available on the FCPS AAP website (under “Presentations”).


Staff Winter Luncheon - Help Needed

Each December, our staff enjoy a holiday luncheon put on by our administrators and office staff.  We extend their typical lunch break by 15 minutes to offer a catered lunch, play games, and present a gift to staff.  To make the day a success, we need help!  Consider volunteering one shift of coverage to supervise a class and/or drop off a white elephant gift or gift card to be used as a prize during the lunches.  Any store, present, or amount are appreciated!  Thank you for helping us create a special event for the staff! 


FCPS Winter Weather Plans

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made

FCPS’ inclement weather procedures will remain the same as last year. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities. After those five days, we will use the flexibility provided by the Virginia General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain the continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous/live instruction, following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule (includes a two-hour delay).

FCPS’ website is generally the first mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated

Be sure to plan ahead for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in weCare@school, bookmark the FCPS website, plan for childcare, if appropriate, and know what items your child may need to take home before a weather event.


Work at Lemon Road!

Are you or someone you know interested in working hourly to support our school? We are looking for student monitors to work either partial or full days to support our students in the cafeteria, classroom, specials and at recess. Please send me an email if you are interested in joining our staff at aocastillo@fcps.edu!  


P2: Supporting Others When They Struggle

Supporting

Supporting other people when they struggle is a critical piece of being human. There are many different approaches to helping people who are struggling. These can include: listening while they describe an event and their feelings about it, taking action to help people in need, or simply just being there and sitting together in silence. Talking through a problem is a common way to help a person who is going through a tough time. 


Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, December 5: B Week; Full SCA Meeting (8:20 AM)

Thursday, December 8:  Cultural Observance Day:  Bodhi Day; Mad Science Assemblies (thank you PTA); PTA & SCA Winter Community Service Project 4-5pm

Friday, December 9: Polo Day

Monday, December 12: Orthodontist Presentations (Grade 2 & 3)

Wednesday, December 14: SCA Officer Meeting (8:20); Therapy Dog Visit; Ledo’s Pizza Restaurant Night

Thursday, December 15: Festive Sweater & Holiday Accessories Day; Staff Holiday Luncheon (10:45 - 1:35); Level IV AAP Referrals Due; Ledo’s Pizza Restaurant Night

Friday, December 16:  Variety Show (8:30); Class Parties; December Freaky Friday - Theme TBD

FCPS School Year Calendar for 2022-23

Nonfiction

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