To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website. Para leer este boletin en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web. يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

The Lion’s Roar

Special Monday Edition – January 22, 2024

SCA Spirit Days Brighten Winter Days

The weather might have been really cold this morning, but smiles were beaming as students and staff celebrated the first of the SCA's four Spirit Days to celebrate the end of the second quarter – Jersey Day! Lane Lions across grade levels participated, including these happy sports fans from Ms. Cirillo's 3rd grade class and Ms. Gallery's 2nd grade class. See the article below for details on the themes for the rest of the week.

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday, 1/23 through Thursday, 1/25 – SCA End-of-Quarter Spirit Days
  • Tuesday, 1/23 – “Turn-Around Tuesday”: Students should dress like one of their teachers and teachers should dress like a student
  • Wednesday, 1/24 – “Clone Day”: Each class will decide on an outfit or a color or something that everyone can wear
  • Thursday, 1/25 – “Dress Up vs. Dress Down”: Be fancy … or NOT (i.e., totally comfy); teachers will take a quick tally to see which side wins!
• Thursday, 1/25 – End-of-Quarter Early Release; students dismissed at 2:05 p.m.
• Friday, 1/26 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
• Thursday, 2/15 – Spelling Bee, 4:45 p.m. (Snow date: Thursday, 2/22)
• Monday, 2/19 – Presidents Day Holiday, school and office CLOSED

In This Issue

• Schedule Changes Ahead for End-of-Quarter Workdays
• End-of-Quarter SCA Spirit Days This Week!
• 2023-2024 Yearbooks Now on Sale! Order Now and Save!
• Rising 7th Grade Course Selection Update
• Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
• Parent Resources: What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse
• PTA News: After-school enrichment returns, upcoming restaurant night fundraiser
• Community Events & Activities: Hayfield Dance Team hosts Little Hawks event

News & Notes

Schedule Changes Ahead for End-of-Quarter Workdays

It’s hard to believe we’re coming to the end of the second quarter of the school year already! This Thursday, January 25th, is the last day of this reporting period, so it will be an early-release day to give teachers a chance to get started on the end-of-quarter paperwork. Students will be dismissed at 2:05 p.m.

Friday, January 26th is a Student Holiday, and students do not report. Teachers will be spending the day in professional-development sessions.

Please make sure these schedule changes are on your calendar.

End-of-Quarter SCA Spirit Days This Week!

The SCA has scheduled a fun set of spirit days to mark the end of the second quarter. Today kicked off with “Jersey Day,” and the creative attire continues through Thursday. Here are the themes for the remaining days:

• Tuesday, January 23rd – “Turn-Around Tuesday”: Students should dress like one of their teachers and teachers should dress like a student
• Wednesday, January 24th – “Clone Day”: Each class will decide on an outfit or a color or something that everyone can wear
• Thursday, January 25th – “Dress Up vs. Dress Down”: Be fancy … or NOT (i.e., totally comfy); teachers will take a quick tally to see which side wins!

We hope your child will participate!

2023-2024 Yearbooks Now on Sale! Order Now and Save! School yearbooks are now on sale. The basic book is just $16.50 now, but the price will go up to $20 in March. Order now and save!

There are options such as imprinted name on the cover, extra autograph pages, and stickers you can choose to add. You can find more information on the flyer in Wednesday Folders last week. Early-bird deadline is Saturday, March 23rd!

PLEASE NOTE: All sales are online only. Ordering is simple: Just go to http://ybpay.lifetouch.com, put in yearbook ID code 10217424, and pay with your credit card.

Rising 7th Grade Course Selection Update

Course selection for 6th grade lions moving on to middle school next year is underway or soon will be. Twain MS already sent students curriculum forms electronically. They should be filled out with an adult and electronically submitted by this Friday, January 26th.

Hard copy forms for Hayfield were sent home with students on the day of their counseling lesson last week or will be sent home this week. They also should be filled out with an adult at home and returned to school by Thursday, February 8th.

The 6th grade counselor, Mrs. Kasparek, will review forms and classes with students to discuss and answer questions around potential selection.

Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs opens TODAY – Monday, January 22nd. 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, which are now underway, are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for updated information. 

One 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.

PTA News

Winter Enrichment Details: Registration Opens January 24th!

Our PTA Enrichment Program is back, with a whole new look and structure! The PTA and Lane administrators have organized an entertaining and educational line-up of before- and after-school enrichment programs and Cub Clubs for the winter session. The six-week session will run from February 12th through March 22nd. Here’s the line-up:

• MONDAY (5 weeks) – 6TH GRADE ONLY
  Rocket League Cub Club – This club will be devoted to Rocket League gameplay; strategy; and analysis. Students will have the opportunity to watch Rocket League gameplay, analyze their own gameplay, and get tips and tricks on how to rank up their level within the game. They will also work on academic pursuits, such as reading, writing, and math work. The club will most likely be split between half academic work and half Rocket League work.

• TUESDAY (6 weeks)
  NO Class Scheduled
• WEDNESDAY (6 weeks) – Kindergarten through 6th Grade
  LEGO Skills and Creativity Series: Amusement Parks (LSCS8) – Spin, twist, and swing. Create your favorite amusement park rides with LEGO bricks. Learn how to get them moving. Design a ride you’ve always wished for, but haven’t seen in reality …. yet!
• THURSDAY (6 weeks) – Kindergarten through 6th Grade
  Sports Cub Club – This will be an exciting program to get children and young people moving! The program will use athletics to inspire students and help them develop their skills and confidence and connect with a sport for life. Some sports offered during the six weeks include basketball, hockey, indoor soccer, and kick ball. Activities develop movement skills that are fundamental to athletics through fun and social games and offer opportunities to introduce athletics disciplines and competitive athletics. The goal of this club is to offer and immerse students in various sports at a team level, develop confidence, and engage every student in FUN!

• FRIDAY (6 weeks) – Kindergarten through 6th Grade
  Chess – Learn chess with Magnus Academy (formerly Silver Knights), world champion Magnus Carlsen’s academy! They’ve taught 100,000 children to play, including state and national champions, but most students are beginners looking to learn a new skill and have FUN. Class time is divided between lessons and practice games. Lessons range from the basic rules to advanced tournament strategies. Students will have the opportunity to play in tournaments (in-person and online) outside of club time. This in-person club includes free online extras including weekly practice tournaments and an event with world champion Magnus Carlsen or Judit Polgar, the best female chess player of all time. All chess supplies provided. All skill levels are welcome. For more information please visit www.chessacademy.com.

Registration for all classes opens this Wednesday, the 24th, at 5 p.m. and closes on Friday, February 2nd at 11:59 p.m. See the graphic below for more details!

Restaurant Nights at La Fiamma January 23rd and 24th The PTA is excited to partner with La Fiamma Italian Kitchen January 23rd and 24th. A percentage of sales all day will be donated to Lane, dine-in or take-out!

If you haven't been before, the PTA is happy to share that – in addition to delicious Italian food – this restaurant offers a kids’ room with tables, chairs, TV, and coloring pages! Let's fill that kids’ room with our Lane Lions for a fun after-school play date!

Parent Resources

What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse

FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.

What can families do?

• Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.
• Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
• Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage.
• Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors.
• Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use.
• Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”

Visit the FCPS website for more information.

Community Events & Activities

Hayfield Dance Team Calling Little Hawks!

Does your child like to dance? If so, let them join the Hayfield Varsity Dance Team to show off their moves and learn even more! February 6th through 8th, the Hayfield Dance Team invites younger students to join them for three afternoons of fun and fancy footwork at Hayfield Secondary School. See the flyer below for more details and registration information.

7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315  |  Phone: 703.924.7700

Attendance: 703.924.7777  |  Web | Twitter