A Great Week Around the Towne!
 It was a busy winter week around the Towne! Check out our pictures of our SCA-sponsored spirit week focused on kindness, 100th Day of School celebrations, a Poetry Slam Writers' Celebration, therapy dog visit, and more on our website!.
Attendance Matters
 Thank you, LTES families for your continued partnership in developing routines to support your child's daily attendance.
We appreciate your continued communication when your child is out sick or has a medical appointment.
Missing just 1-2 days every couple of weeks can impact your child's learning. Missing 10% of the school year is a concern referred to as chronic absenteeism.
Did you know that Chronic Absence counts all absences: prearranged, excused, and unexcused? Each of these absences impact students' access to instruction.
Chronic absence can present academic challenges for students who are not consistently in school. We have an attendance team that is here to support you, your child, and your family in developing routines and plans to support healthy attendance. Please email or call our attendance line to schedule a call or meeting with the team!
If your child must stay home due to illness or emergency, please notify our attendance line at 703-227-5400 or LondonTowneElem.Attendance@fcps.edu.
Click here for more information about building good attendance habits.
School-Zone Speed Camera Pilot Program Launched
Fairfax County has launched a speed camera pilot program targeting several school zones where speeding is common. Speed cameras have been installed in the following locations:
- Chesterbrook Elementary School
- Irving Middle School
- Key Middle School
- London Towne Elementary School
- Sleepy Hollow Elementary School
- South County Middle School
- Terraset Elementary School
- West Springfield High School
An additional school zone speed camera near Oakton High School will be installed. Thank you to Fairfax County for helping to ensure we are all more safe as we travel to and from school!
Billingsgate Reminder
The police department recently received complaints about individuals parking on Billingsgate and blocking mailboxes and driveways. If you park on the street, please remember to not park in front of mailboxes or driveways. Residents and the mailman need access to the mailboxes and driveways.
Volunteers Needed for the Book Fair March 10-17
The Bookworm Central Book Fair is coming and we need your help. We will need help setting up, at the cash registers, with crowd control, restocking tables and helping students count their money and make wish lists. The fair will run from March 10th - 17th with two after school events.
Please sign up with the Signup Genius link provided if you can help!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949ADAF29A57-book
School Board Approves 2023-24 School Year Calendar
 The Fairfax County School Board approved a calendar for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years at their February 9 meeting. Learn more about the approved calendar.
The first day of the 2023-24 school year will be Monday, August 21, and the last day will be Wednesday, June 12.
Developing a school year calendar is a balancing act, involving multiple factors that must be considered. Community input is one of those factors, and we appreciate our community for being involved in the calendar development process.
SNAP Benefit Changes
 During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government passed a law to temporarily increase SNAP benefits to support families. Recently, the federal government changed the law and the temporary increase to the SNAP benefits will end February 16, 2023. Beginning in March, all SNAP benefits will return to normal amounts, without the added supplement.
- The Virginia Department of Social Services has created a temporary information line. Please call: 1-855-635-4370
- If you need food now, call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning: 703-222-0880
- For more food resources, visit the Human Service Resource Guide online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/HSRG/, and search “food.”
If you receive SNAP you may also be eligible for Medicaid, TANF, Energy Assistance, Child Care Assistance and more. Apply at CommonHelp.Virginia.gov/access or apply by phone at 1-833-5-CALL-VA (1-833-522-5582).
Spotlight on Trauma & Coping Resources
Studies show that about 61% of adults have had at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) according to the CDC. Childhood trauma manifests in many ways and when carried into adulthood, it can create a cycle of adverse experiences that affect future generations.
Trauma prevention and intervention strategies are more important than ever in post-COVID.
Coping strategies include:
- Developing healthy relationships (internal and external support)
- Teaching self-regulation skills
- Encouragement
- Increasing self-esteem
- Promoting independence and strength
- Modeling healthy behavior when dealing with difficult situations
- Early intervention and mental health care
Please click the link below for the full article: Spotlight on Trauma & Coping Article
Resources:
Why Historical Trauma is Critical to Understanding Black Mental Health
Addressing Childhood Trauma Starts with Family Support
Violence Prevention
ACEs and Minorities
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Important Dates
February 20
Presidents' Day, Schools Closed
February 21
PTA Meeting @ 6:30 p.m., Library or Virtual | To access our virtual session, here are the steps:
- lms.fcps.edu
- Parent/Guardian Login
- Groups > 245-London Towne PTA
- If New, Join Group > Code: TGZJ-VJT4-KM57N
- Zoom > Join
March 2
Early Release Day; Students Dismissed at 1:05 p.m.
March 3
Student Holiday, No School for Students
March 10
Heritage Night, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Check your Tuesday Folder
March 10-17
LTES Book Fair, evening hours on 3/10 until 7:30 p.m. & 3/16 until 6:30 p.m.
March 14
PTA Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.
See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar
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