The Lion’s Roar
August 25, 2023
Welcome Back, Lane Lions!
We were thrilled to welcome our Lane Lions on Monday morning for the first day of the new school year! Many parents enjoyed escorting their children on this special day, and teachers greeted their new students at every classroom door. Special thanks to the PTA for sponsoring a First Day Coffee for parents, who were able to grab a comforting cup of coffee and sweet treat and mingle with other parents. Here are few scenes from the day.
Upcoming Events
-
Thursday, 8/31 – PTA Back-to-School Spiritwear Sale ends
-
Friday, 9/1 through Monday 9/4 – Labor Day Holiday Break, school and office CLOSED
-
Wednesday, 9/6 & Thursday, 9/7 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger, 4 – 8 p.m.
-
Tuesday, 9/12 – PTA Meeting and Read-a-Thon Kick-Off Celebration, 6 – 8 p.m.
-
Thursday, 9/14 – Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Parent Information Meeting, 6 p.m., Library
-
Friday, 9/15 – Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown (FCPS Observance Half-Day)
-
Monday, 9/25 – Yom Kippur Holiday, school and office CLOSED
In This Issue
- Thank You for a Great First Week!
- Keeping the Conversation Going with Talking Points
- 2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Required Back-to-School Forms
- Labor Day Long Weekend Ahead
- Transportation Update: Buses and Delays
- PTA News: Membership, Restaurant Nights, Spiritwear Sale, and Read-a-Thon
- Parent Resources: Making the most of your parent-teacher conference, conversation starters, device activity reports, free webinars
- Community Events & Activities: Hayfield Little Hawks Cheerleading Clinic, September 6th & 7th
- FCPS News & Announcements: 2023–2030 Strategic Plan, Goal 1
News & Notes
Thank You for a Great First Week!
We would like to start this issue of The Lion’s Roar with a huge thank you to our school community! It was so great to see so many of you at our back-to-school events over the last two weeks – our Open House last Thursday; our First Day Coffee; our Back-to-School Night classroom and information sessions on Wednesday; and, of course, our first day of school on Monday! We have already made so many important connections and started important conversations. We hope that our partnership with you continues to grow throughout the year ahead.
Keeping the Conversation Going with Talking Points
Next week, we will once again start using an additional platform called Talking Points to communicate with families to keep them informed in a timely fashion. Talking Points allows us to send text messages directly to cell phones, which we know are the preferred method of communication for most families today. An app that offers additional features is also available for families to download.
|
|
 |
Many teachers are already using Talking Points for classroom communication. Schoolwide information will come from our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy. She will send important reminders and announcements when needed to make sure families receive the information. This year we are also offering additional information such as parenting tips, learning opportunities, and community resources to families who wish to receive it. If you would like to receive this additional information, please fill out this short form.
Please note that Talking Points messaging is only available to families of enrolled students.
2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year, which include a revision of dress-code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance-abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29th.
 |
|
Required Back-to-School Forms
The SR&R parent/guardian signature sheet is one of several important back-to-school forms required at the beginning of each year.
|
As a reminder, our First Day Packets – which contain those forms – are virtual this year. You can find the required forms (except for the Emergency Care Form) and other information on the Virtual First Day Packet page on our school website.
These two forms, along with the SR&R signature sheet mentioned above, must be reviewed, updated (if needed), and signed for each student enrolled through your ParentVUE account or using a paper form (linked below if available):
- Parent Consent for Digital Resources (must be completed through ParentVUE)
- Health Form
These optional forms may also be completed or updated as needed:
If you’re using a paper form, please return it to school with your child or scan it and email it to our registrar Jami O’Hagan at jjohagan@fcps.edu.
Emergency Care Form
If you were not able to attend Open House on August 17th, you should have received a copy of your child’s Emergency Care Form on the first day. Please review it, update it (if needed), sign it, and return it as soon as possible, if you have not done so already. This important form provides critical contact information we may need during the school day.
Thank you to the families who have already completed all of their required back-to-school forms. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Labor Day Long Weekend Ahead!
Please note that next weekend will be a four-day weekend for all students and staff in FCPS. Schools and offices will be CLOSED Friday, September 1st through Monday, September 4th in honor of Labor Day. School will reopen on Tuesday, September 5th at the regular time.
|
|
 |
Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
 Transportation Update: Buses and Delays
Please be aware that all of us are getting used to new routines at the start of the school year. Thank you for your patience as those routines are established.
If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. E-Notify (School Messenger) email messages will also be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Join the PTA!
The PTA’s membership drive is off to a great start! So far, 90 families have joined, along with 55 teachers and staff. But did you know Lane has over 500 Families?!? The PTA would love to see more parent involvement this year, so please join today!
The Lane PTA is your opportunity to help make decisions for your child(ren) in support of their education. This all-volunteer organization is built around a partnership between school staff and families. It funds field trips, school programs, and school improvements and offers fun opportunities for all to connect outside of the classroom.
The PTA will raffle off a $10 gift card to Hangry Burger for a family in each grade level that reaches 75% membership by August 31st! (Fun Fact: Hangry Burger is our host for Restaurant Nights September 6th and 7th!) Once September starts, the focus shifts from membership to the Read-a-Thon, so please don't wait! Members will receive early access to the Read-a-Thon Kick-Off event on September 12th as well as other popular events throughout the year! Join today! (Click the flyer below view larger or download.)
Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger September 6th and 7th!
Speaking of Restaurant Nights, those are also off to a fantastic start. Lane Elementary and the Kingstowne community definitely love their desserts! The summer event at Sweet Frog brought in $680, and the back-to-school edition at Rita’s brought in $581.46. Considering we are one week into the school year, this is incredible!
Next up are the September Restaurant Nights hosted by Hangry Burger on Wednesday and Thursday, September 6th and 7th, from 4 to 8 p.m. This restaurant is new to our line-up, but is donating a portion of ALL sales during that time, so be sure to tell your friends and neighbors to visit, too! After all, who doesn't love a planned dinner option right after a long holiday weekend?!
Spiritwear Sale Ends August 31st!
Last call for free shipping! The PTA’s Back-to-School Spiritwear Sale will end on Thursday, August 31st. If you haven't yet gone online and looked at all the new products offered, don't delay! If you order by the 31st, you'll save the shipping costs; all orders will be shipped to the school in September and distributed to your student. If you miss the 8/31 deadline, have no fear! You can order spiritwear all year long; you'll just pay for shipping to your house.
Read-a-Thon Kicks Off on September 12th!
Two years ago, Lane raised a whopping $60,000 through a fun run fundraiser. Unfortunately, it was organized through a third party company, which ended up taking 50% of the money our Lane Lions raised.
This year, the PTA is taking matters into its own hands by developing a fundraiser of its own – a Read-a-Thon! This fundraiser will be run by the PTA itself through its website to ensure that 100% of the profits go right back into Lane.
The ultimate goal is to raise $75,000, which – with 100% of the profits – will help provide three key things:
- Shade structures for the school playground;
- A $10 gift certificate for every child for the Lane Book Fair in November;
- Zero requests for donations to the PTA for the rest of the school year!
We hope your family will participate as much as you are able.
A big community kick-off celebration is planned for Tuesday, September 12th (which is also the night of the first PTA meeting of the year). Watch for more details coming soon!
If you already know you’d like to volunteer to help with this project, please visit the sign-up page at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/261963752074/false#/invitation.
Get ready to read!
Parent Resources
“Making the Most of Your Parent-Teacher Conference” Presentation Video Posted
Our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, has created a short video presentation for parents and guardians entitled “Making the Most of Your Parent-Teacher Conference.” In it, she offers some tips and suggestions for how you can prepare for your upcoming conversation with your child’s teacher as well as things to keep in mind during the conference itself and for follow-up. You can view the presentation here.
Your child’s teacher will be reaching out to you soon to schedule a time to talk. Your input is vitally important to us, because no one knows your child as well as you do. Sharing information and working together allows us to best support your child at school and offers great opportunities for you to learn how to support your child’s learning at home.
Would You Like to Learn More from Your Child about What’s Happening at School? Try These Conversation Starters!
(Click the image to view larger.)
Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
FREE Family Resource Center Webinars
The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars for parents and families each month. Here is the line-up for September.
New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year
Students' grades are typically lowest in the first quarter of the year because many find it hard to start the new year with confidence. It's crucial to help your child start back strong because it could set the tone for their best year yet! Join author and educator Ann Dolin, M.Ed,. to uncover strategies to instill greater confidence in your child at the start of the school year.
Webinar highlights:
- How to increase your child's likelihood of earning good grades in the first quarter and beyond
- Strategies to establish a motivated, positive outlook towards school (for the whole family!)
- Proven techniques to effectively set up (and keep up with!) your family's weekday routines and busy schedules
September 8, 2023, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Register online for New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year
Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud
Are you working harder than your children to solve their problems? Do you need strategies to help children make their own decisions? Join Dr. William Stixrud while he discusses his book, The Self-Driven Child.
Webinar highlights include:
- Learning how to support the development of resilience in your child
- Understanding the elements of a healthy mental life
- Supporting your child's decision-making skills
- Learn how to help your child deal with stressful situations
- Learning how to make your child feel loved, trusted, supported, and capable
Friday, September 15, 2023, 10 – 11:15 a.m.
Register for Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud
Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions
- Do you have a child who is bossy, melts down over changes in plans or transitions?
- Acts like a sore loser when playing games?
- Wears the same clothes and eats the same foods?
- Likes to say, "That's not fair!" and won't stop following you until they prove a point?
Calm Parenting podcast founder Kirk Martin explains why all of these behaviors have the same root...and similar solutions.
September 29, 2023, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Register for Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions
Community Events & Activities
Little Hawks Cheerleading Clinic
Do you have a little cheerleader at home? If so, consider signing up for Hayfield Secondary’s Little Hawks Cheer Clinic on September 6th and 7th. Sponsored by Hayfield Athletic Boosters and led by the Hayfield High School cheerleaders, the clinic will include instruction on cheers and chants, jumps, motions, dance, and spirit activities. All children in grades K through 6 are welcome!
This two-day clinic (attendees should attend both days) costs just $75. It will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hayfield. Please see the flyer below for more details and registration information. (Click the image to download to view larger.)
Completed registration form and full payment must be received by Monday, September 4th. Please contact Brittany Reigelsperger at HayfieldHawksCheer@gmail.com with questions.
FCPS News & Announcements
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.
Our first goal in the strategic plan is to help all students develop academic skills, curiosity, and a love for learning. These skills and attitudes are crucial for success from pre-K to 12th grade. Our related equity commitment is to ensure authentic and affirming partnerships with families and key stakeholders through collaborative decision making that results in each student's success.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 1.
|
