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Happy New Year!
We are excited to have our Lions learning around the Towne once again and hope that you had a wonderful winter holiday.
As we embark on the journey of 2024, the LTES faculty and staff extends our heartfelt gratitude for your continued collaboration in nurturing the potential of our amazing lions.
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This year, we will continue to provide students with rigorous academic experiences and the necessary social emotional skills to be successful in school and life. Additionally, we consider our students' well-being and support them with developing healthy peer relationships both within and beyond the school walls.
In today's interconnected world, the influence of social media on our children's peer relationships and mental health is undeniable. As part of our commitment to their well-being, we are dedicated to providing them with the tools to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. Children between the ages of 11 and 15 are actively engaging with social platforms, spending over two hours daily on average. As parents and caregivers, we all play a role in guiding our young lions towards making positive choices for meaningful connections, both online and offline.
The social skills students bring to the digital world mirror those in real life and require support for students as they are learning to navigate relationships in all settings. As children engage in social media experiences, they may encounter positive and negative experiences on social media and it’s important that students find supportive communities both online and offline. And it is important that we (LTES Staff and families) help students establish boundaries and limits on tech use to ensure a healthy balance.
To support this learning, It’s important to:
- Supervise students online activities just like we do play dates
- Talk about responsible online behavior
- Teach your children the basics of online safety, discussing the benefits, limits, and responsible usage
- Walk through apps together, setting examples of safe practices and emphasizing what's not acceptable
- Remind them that kindness matters—what they wouldn't say face-to-face, they shouldn't say online
- Encourage them to think before they post, as everything they share can be seen by a broad, invisible audience
- Create a safe space for them to share their feelings and experiences, ensuring they know they can turn to you or a trusted adult if they ever feel uncomfortable or worried
Additionally, empower your children to report any misbehavior they may encounter. Be open to discussions about challenges they might face on social media, such as cyberbullying, unwanted contact, exposure to racism, or social pressure.
Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering a positive and supportive online environment for our young lions. The London Towne Faculty and Staff are looking forward to making 2024 a year of continued growth, connection, and kindness.
 We counted down to Winter Break by celebrating our growth as Goal-Directed and Resilient Individuals! We wore fun and festive outfits each day with these themes:
- Put on your thinking cap or festive hat and never give up when things get hard!
- Learn from your mistakes, lean on your team, and keep trying! Dress like a team with your friends or wear your favorite team shirt.
- Work to take good care of your body and wear exercise clothes.
- Take care of your body by getting rest and wear pajamas!
- Celebrate by wearing festive, winter-themed clothing!
Check out some fun snapshots from the week on our school website!
Help FCPS Reach 1 Million Minutes of Math
 FCPS Family Math Week started today, Monday, January 8! Participate in games and stories online. FCPS is working toward a total of 1 million minutes logged by families. The event is free, with activities from ST Math geared toward students in grades K-6 and their families.
Math Week offers families an opportunity to experience math, literacy, history, and geography in a fun and positive way. All content will be available for families in English and Spanish beginning today, January 8.
Visit the Math Week website.
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Family Coffee | Jan 17 @ 8:30 a.m. | Supporting Our Digital Learners |
Technology is a huge part of our everyday lives. Our students use devices daily in school as a communication and creation tool and outside of school for fun, connection, and relaxation. As a school-family partnership, it’s our shared responsibility to support our young Lions as they grow up in an increasingly digital world. Teaching technology habits now will help our students make smart and safe decisions as they grow.
Curious to find out…
- How we support digital citizens in school?
- How to set limits for a healthy media balance at home?
- How to set parental controls on your children’s devices?
- How to check out and chat with your child about the games and apps they are using?
Come to the first Family Coffee of 2024 on Wednesday, January 17, at 8:30 a.m. in the London Towne SACC Room to learn about these digital citizenship topics from our Technology Specialist, Rachel Lanier.
Bring your questions and leave with ready-to-use resources!
Family Science Night | Jan. 18 from 6 - 7:00 p.m.
Join us for Family Science Night on the 18th and enjoy a variety of experiences that foster a love of science.
Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for the most current information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16 across the county. London Towne will host an Immersion Information Session on Monday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m.
A virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.
Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page.
Please note students who are already in the Immersion program do not need to reregister.
Important Dates
January 9
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
January 15
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday | School Closed
January 17
Family Coffee | 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
January 18
LTES Family Science Night | 6 p.m.
January 22
Dual Immersion Parent Information Session | 7 p.m.
January 25
End of Second Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release (1:05 p.m.)
January 26
Staff Development Day/ Student Holiday, No School for Students
See the complete FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar.
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