 Last week was a wonderful week around the Towne...each day was filled with much joy as we celebrated Kindness Week. From tie-dye swirls to pajama coziness, and a vibrant explosion of rainbow colors, we witnessed the spirit of kindness blossom through our dress-up days. We know that Kindness Week isn't just about a one-time burst. It's about igniting a spark that carries on long after the confetti settles. So, we are thinking about and encouraging our Lions to keep that spark alive by continuing to spread kindness all around the Towne and beyond.Ā
Join us on the journey of kindness by:
- Reflecting on acts of kindness you witnessed or performed
- Leaving positive notes and words of encouragement to those you encounter
- Checking in with your Lion about random acts of kindness they have received or provided
Many thanks for joining us and for making kindness the confetti that sprinkles joy throughout our community all year round! š„³š
Grades 3-6 Social and Emotional Learning Screener InformationĀ
The FCPS Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-6 during the weeks of February 26th- March 15th. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. More information is available about the SEL Screener by accessing this link:Ā
https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screenerĀ Ā
If you have any questions, please reach out to our SEL Screener Lead, Emily Habermeyer, at 703-227-5400.
More information can be found on the SEL Screener Internal Site
LTES Celebrates 100 Days of Learning & Our Favorite School Counselors
Our Lions are 100 days smarter...we love learning together!
Celebrating our School Counselors!
 The first week of February was National School Counseling Week. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, and/or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.
Our amazing school counselors are Alyssa Teitsma, Emily Habermeyer, and Alex Hunter. Their incredible care and impact on our school community is immeasurable, and we want to express our deepest gratitude for their dedication to the continued well-being and success of our Lions.
Please join us in celebrating our LTES counselors by sending them notes and/or drawings that demonstrate our appreciation of them.Ā
FCPS and LTES Honor Mrs. Miller & Mrs. Habermeyer
 Each year FCPS celebrates the efforts and accomplishments of exceptional school-based and non school-based employees from throughout the district. Nominations are accepted from colleagues, supervisors, students, and parents and are part of a selection process.
The following LTES staff were nominated this year:
- Aleah Costello | Grade 4 TeacherĀ
- Emily Habermeyer** | School Counselor
- Michelle Miller*| Grade 2 TeacherĀ
* selected to represent LTES in the Westfield Pyramid
** selected as the Region 5 finalist for the Outstanding Professional Employee Award
Please join us in congratulating our nominees! We are honored to work and learn alongside them and appreciate their exceptional care of our Lions.
Parenting in a Digital Age
Technology is a huge part of our everyday lives.Ā Our students use devices daily in school as a communication and creation tool and outside of school for fun, connection, and relaxation.Ā As a school-family partnership, itās our shared responsibility to support our young Lions as they grow up in an increasingly digital world.Ā Teaching technology habits now will help our students make smart and safe decisions as they grow.
Last month at our January Family Coffee, our Instructional Technology Coach, Rachel Lanier, shared resources for families to use at home to facilitate conversations about using devices safely and responsibly.Ā If you missed the event, check out:
Come to our next Family Coffee on Wednesday, March 20, at 8:30 a.m. in the London Towne SACC Room to learn about how to support our mathematicians with our Math Resource Team, Darby Brasseur and Marinn Conklin!Ā Ā
Eating Disorder Parent Information for Grade 5 & 6 FamiliesĀ
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.Ā
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 individualās 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.Ā 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.
 Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget Focused on Educational Excellence and Competitive CompensationĀ
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.Ā
The budget also prioritizes competitive compensation to attract and retain a world-class workforce.Ā
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.Ā
- 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.Ā
The School Board is scheduled to adopt the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPSā budget development process.Ā
Sully District Budget Town Hall Meeting | Feb. 29 @ 7:00 p.m.
 Please join Sully District School Board member Seema Dixit and Supervisor Kathy Smith for a joint town hall as they present the proposed FY 2025 Budgets and take your comments.Ā Details of the Fairfax County budget can be found here. If you would like to ask a question regarding the FY25 Budget, please send an email to Sully@FairfaxCounty.gov with "Budget Town Hall" in the subject. Detailed information about the FCPS FY25 Budget can be found on our website and also detailed below.
When: Thursday, February 29, 2024Ā
Time: 7 - 9 pm EST
Where: Rocky Run Middle School Lecture Hall
Address: 4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, VA 20151Ā
*If American Sign Language or language interpretation is needed, please submit your request by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Important Dates
February 23
PTA Sweetheart Dance | 6:00 p.m.
February 26
SEL Screener begins for students in Grades 3-6
March 5
Presidential Primary Day | No school for StudentsĀ
March 6Ā
Spring and Class PicturesĀ
March 8
LTES Cultural Heritage Night 6:00 p.m.
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See the complete FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar.
Save the Date | Cultural Heritage Night | 3/8/24
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