Timber Lane ES Times

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.



🌎Support Earth Week at TLES! 🌍

Dear ​TLES Community Partners,  

Timber Lane Elementary School will be participating in Earth Day 2024 and needs your help! Earth Day is an opportunity to celebrate our planet by promoting awareness for environmental protection.   We have designed a schoolwide event to celebrate Earth Day while educating our students in learning activities involving renewable energy, environmental stewardship, and energy conservation.  In order to commemorate this important event, we would like to purchase TLES Earth Day T-shirts for all students and staff and are offering sponsorships where local and national companies can add their logo to the back of the T-shirts.  Available sponsorship levels include: 

Platinum Sponsors: $2,000

Gold Sponsors: $1,000

Silver Sponsors: $500

Bronze Sponsors: $250

Supporting Sponsors: In-kind donation (no logo)

Please help if you can. Our planet depends on it! The deadline for monetary sponsorships is March 8, 2024. Checks should be made payable to Timber Lane ES & can be left with Ms. Noland. 

Sincerely,

Louise Nelson

STEAM Coach

Timber Lane Elementary School

lanelson@fcps.edu


This Week at TLES

5th graders create circuits & share their ss presentations

Calendar Reminders

Presidents' Day

February 19 - Presidents' Day Student Holiday

February 20 - Student Assembly: Black History & Women in History

February 22 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

February 23 Spirit Day Students dress as Teachers, Teachers dress as Students

February 27 - Club Pictures & Candids

February Celebrations & Recognitions:

Black History Month

Career & Technical Education Month

Love the Bus Month

VSBA School Appreciation Month


SOL Testing- Save the Date

 

Grade

Reading

Math

Science

3

May 10

May 17

N/A

4

May 9

May 16

N/A

5

May 8

May 15

May 21

6

May 7

May 14

N/A

       

This spring, students in grades 3-8 in Fairfax County Public Schools will take the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments.  The purpose of SOL assessments is to provide information about students’ achievement of the state SOL objectives in English reading, mathematics, and science. It is important that your child attend school on the dates designated for them to test.  The Virginia Department of Education requires participation in these tests as follows:

  • Grade 3-Reading, Math
  • Grade 4-Reading, Math
  • Grade 5-Reading, Math, Science
  • Grade 6-Reading, Math
  • Grade 7-Reading, Math
  • Grade 8-Reading, Math, Science

FY 2025 Proposed Budget

Budget
  • Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget Focused on Educational Excellence and Competitive Compensation 

At the last School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that focuses on excellence and providing students an equitable education in an inclusive and respectful environment, where access, opportunity, and achievement are available to all. 

The budget also prioritizes competitive compensation to attract and retain a world-class workforce. 

The FY 2025 Proposed Budget totals $3.8 billion, an increase of $301.8 million, or 8.6%, over the FY 2024 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction. Key highlights include:

  • Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students. 
  • Retaining and attracting world-class educators with a 6% market scale adjustment.
  • Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
  • Continuing initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.

Special education daily contract extensions, funding for the safety and security screening program, and late buses to support academics and activities at middle schools are several of the priorities to be addressed at the end of FY 2024. 

The School Board is scheduled to adopt the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPS’ budget development process.


🧸 Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…

kindergarten students

There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

  1. Determine eligibility. 
  2. Identify your local school. 
  3. Gather documents. 
  4. Fill out forms. 
  5. Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.

💻 Try Online Registration

Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process

When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account. Please note that passwords should be more than 12 characters long. If you have an existing account and your password is shorter, please update it when you log in.


🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.


👩‍🏫 Help Students Achieve Their Dreams. Teach for FCPS!

Save the date! Attend FCPS’ instructional job fair on Saturday, February 24, 9 a.m.-noon, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Network and take advantage of interview opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair. Register today.


Fairfax County Science and Engineering Fair Open House

Members of the general public are invited to attend the science fair open house at Robinson Secondary School on Sunday, March 17, 1-3 p.m.


Eating Disorder Parent Information

In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system to provide information to parents annually about eating disorders with parents/guardians of students in the fifth through twelfth grades. 

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023),

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.

In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a web page with detailed information and resources about eating disorders.  To find out more, please visit the FCPS Eating Disorders website.

In addition to the information on the FCPS website, the National Eating Disorders Association has a toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237.


Summer Programs

Girl pointing to letters

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. 

Tech Adventure Camp is available for current grade K-5 students to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.


Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge

The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 10:45 a.m., at Hayfield Secondary School. The event features a public tasting of student dishes and demonstrations from two local celebrated chefs. 

The student challenge at the heart of this event is to create healthy, delicious, and culturally diverse school menu items that meet USDA guidelines. Entries will be judged by a panel including celebrity chefs, school food professionals, and local food producers. The public is invited to vote for their favorite dish. 

Chefs Najmieh Batmanglij and Chris Morgan of Joon will offer a demonstration at 11:15 a.m. Public tasting of student dishes will get underway at noon. 

Student-created dishes from this annual event have been featured on school menus throughout the Greater Washington Region. It is free to attend, but registration is required.


Tutor.com Dashboard

Tutor.com Teacher-Referred Tutoring

Through Schoology®, all FCPS students have 24/7 access to no-cost, year-round, on-demand, 1-to-1 tutoring services through Tutor.com.

A new Teacher-Referred Tutoring program feature provides targeted support and extends student learning. Teachers can now refer students for tutoring, with their specific needs already identified. Students can get extra support — on their own schedule — and reinforce their in-class learning.

Caregivers can guide students to access expert tutoring, homework help, and writing support by clicking on the Tutor.com icon in their Schoology portal—anytime, anywhere.

Plus, look for teachers’ tutoring session referrals on the Tutor.com homepage.


Child ID Event Hosted by Apple Federal Credit Union

Saturday February 24th 12:00 - 2:00PM Apple Federal Credit Union 1226 W. Broad St. Falls Church

At events all around the county, Sheriff’s deputies and civilian staff fingerprint, photograph and measure a child; add any demographic information a parent provides; and then produce a plastic ID card for the parent’s safekeeping. To protect the privacy of the family, none of the information is retained by the Sheriff’s Office. For families in our community, this card could be the key to assisting law enforcement agencies should their child ever become missing. For the children, the process of producing the card offers a fun and positive experience interacting with law enforcement officers.


Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts. 

If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School

Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.

Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.


STEM Opportunities

ecybermission virtual competition flyer

Virtual STEM Competition for Grades 6 - 9

eCybermission challenges 6th to 9th grade students to form teams & select a community problem to investigate with science or solve with engineering. Click here to learn more 

S.H.E. Can STEAM Camp Flyer

S.H.E Can STEAM Camp

S.H.E. Can is a free camp from the National Air and Space Museum with two sessions at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. S.H.E. Can explores aviation careers and topics with middle schoolers, targeting girls and other underrepresented identities in grades 6-8.

Registration Priority is given to students from Title 1 schools. Find more information here.


Family Resource Center

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter.


Camp Discovery - Spring Break STEM Camp

Camp Discovery GSN

Girl Scout Nation Capital organization is offering a STEAM spring break camp that includes bus transportation from Timber Lane ES. The camp is 4 full days for $50 with full financial aid available.  Space is limited—registration opens January 16!


Questions? Contact Jeanne McElhaney:
jmcelhaney@gscnc.org or (202) 534-3791 Additional information can be found here.


Camp Discovery GSN


Stock the Closet: Clothing Drive

clothing drive flyer

Sometimes kids need a change of clothes at school. A quick change of clothes can get them back to class and help them not miss out on valuable instruction time by needing to go home to change. Thank you, to everyone who has already donated in support of this cause! We are in need of pants. Check out this link for ideas: 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/OJBYKY1KUCWQ?ref_=wl_share


Trader Joes Weekend Food Pickup

Good evening TLES, for parents interested in supporting our weekend food pick up at Trader Joe's and distribution at TLES, please find this sign-up form:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E4AA9A628A1FE3-tles#/

These weekend events only take approximately 30 minutes of your time in between pick up and distribution at TLES.  Thank you for helping us help our community!


💻Important Forms for Caregivers to Complete

During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:

  1. Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
  2. Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
  3. Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on: 
    1. Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
    2. Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
    3. Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
    4. Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
    5. The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.

Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.