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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
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The Lion’s Roar
February 16, 2024
Sweet Valentine Cheer and Spelling Success!
We start this week's newsletter with LOTS of photos, because It was another fun and busy week at Lane, packed with photo ops! Valentine's Day celebrations brought smiles and sweet treats to classrooms in all grade levels on Wednesday, and the annual school Spelling Bee on Thursday showcased our talented spellers from 1st through 6th grade. Check out some highlights below.
Valentine's Day
2024 Spelling Bee
More than 50 student spellers in grades 1 through 6 participated in this year's Spelling Bee. In the end, it came down to just two 4th graders, who went through several rounds to finally determine this year's champion, Gabriel Y., who will now go on to represent Lane at the Fairfax County Spelling Bee. Kylie T. was the runner up. Congratulations to all of our super spellers!
Upcoming Events
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Monday, 2/19 – Presidents Day Holiday, school and office CLOSED
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Tuesday, 2/20 & Wednesday, 2/21 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Chick-fil-A in Kingstowne, 5 – 7 p.m.
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Tuesday, 3/5 – Student Holiday/School Planning Day – Students DO NOT Report
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Thursday, 3/7 – Celebration of Cultures Spirit Day (wear clothes that represent your culture or heritage) and Celebration of Cultures Night, 6 – 8 p.m.
- Friday, 3/15 – PTA Basket Bingo, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Monday, 3/25 through Friday, 3/29 – Spring Break, school and office CLOSED
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Monday, 4/1 & Tuesday, 4/2 – Student Holidays/Teacher Workdays – Students DO NOT REPORT
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Wednesday, 4/10 – Eid al Fitr Holiday – School and Office CLOSED
In This Issue
- Presidents Day Is Monday, February 19th! School and Office CLOSED!
- February Cultural Holidays: Lunar New Year and Ash Wednesday
- Celebration of Cultures Night Is Thursday, March 9th – Sign Up to Participate Today!
- PTA Basket Bingo Early Bird Tickets ON SALE NOW!
- 2023-2024 Yearbooks Now on Sale! Order Now and Save!
- New Dates for Walk In My Shoes! Parent Volunteers Needed!
- Free Early Literacy Class for Preschool-Age Children and Parents
- PTA News: Basket Bingo tickets on sale, Chick-fil-A restaurant nights, Cub Clubs
- Parent Resources: 2024-2025 registration information, FCPS summer learning opportunities, magnet school lottery information, upcoming webinars for parents
- FCPS News & Announcements: Proposed budget, Community Conversations, and more!
News & Notes
Presidents Day Is Monday, February 19th! School and Office CLOSED!
Please note that school and the office will be closed on Monday in honor of Presidents Day. We hope you and your family enjoy the long weekend! You can learn more about Presidents Day at Britannica.com.
February Cultural Holidays: Lunar New Year and Ash Wednesday
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The Lunar New Year is a holiday that marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, which is the calendar traditionally used in many east Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Singapore, and South Korea. In these and other Asian countries, it is one of the most important holidays of the year. |
The Lunar New Year is all about ushering in luck and prosperity with family. Happy New Year to all who celebrate! Read more about Lunar New Year and its animal symbols in National Geographic Kids.
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This past Wednesday, February 14th, was Ash Wednesday, a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the beginning of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to Easter. Many Christians attend special Ash Wednesday church services, at which churchgoers receive ash on their foreheads. Ash Wednesday derives its name from this practice. Read more about Ash Wednesday in Britannica.com.
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Will You Showcase Your Family’s Culture at Celebration of Cultures Night?
Celebration of Cultures Night is Thursday, March 7th! All Lane families are invited to come to school that night to share about their culture with the rest of the school community. We hope your family will be able to join us.
There are many ways your family can participate and share about your culture. You can host a display booth; serve food samples; perform a song, a dance, or skill demonstration; wear cultural clothes and march in our Parade of Nations; or do it all! Just scan the QR code on the flyer or use this link to sign up!
All cultures are welcome! You do not need to be from a foreign country to participate. We want to learn about all of our families!
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If you have questions, or need more information, please contact one of our family liaisons, Melanie Crosby Hardy at macrosby@fcps.edu or Lupe Fuentes at LEFuentes@fcps.edu.
We’re looking forward to learning more about your culture!
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PTA Basket Bingo Early Bird Tickets ON SALE NOW!
Lane PTA’s Annual Basket Bingo event will be held on March 15th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.! Tickets are on sale NOW at an Early Bird price. To purchase, please click here. Be sure to purchase your tickets before the price goes up on February 29th, or worse, before the event sells out!
Please note that due to Fire Marshal room-capacity limits, the PTA can only sell 300 tickets. Every person, regardless of age, must have a ticket to attend.
There are also volunteer opportunities to help support this major event. See the PTA News section below for details, or if you already know you want to help, click here.
New Dates for Walk In My Shoes! Parent Volunteers Needed!
Lane will host a Walk in My Shoes event during P. E. classes on Tuesday, April 16th and Wednesday, April 17th. Postponed from December during Inclusive Schools Week, the purpose of this event is to give general-education students a broader understanding of the daily situations faced by some of their friends with developmental challenges and learning differences. The program fosters empathy for others and gets students thinking about how they might be able to help a friend. Here is the schedule for grade-level participation.
Tuesday, April 16th
- 5th grade: 9:45 – 11:15 a.m.
- 4th grade: 11:20 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
- 2nd grade (except Peters): 1:55 – 2:55 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17th
- 6th grade: 9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
- 3rd grade: 11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
- Kindergarten and & Peters’ 2nd grade: 12:50 – 2:25 p.m.
- 1st grade: 3 – 4 p.m.
Each volunteer will receive a script and information regarding their activity and the challenge being explored. Depending on need, you may be asked to understudy a second station. Stations will be confirmed Monday, April 8th. You can review the available slots and sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAE2BA6FA7-44908671-walk#/.
2023-2024 Yearbooks Now on Sale! Order Now and Save!
School yearbooks are on sale. The basic book is just $16.50 now, but the price will go up to $20 in March. Order today and save!
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There are options such as imprinted name on the cover, extra autograph pages, and stickers you can choose to add. The early-bird deadline is Saturday, March 23rd!
Ordering is simple: Just go to http://ybpay.lifetouch.com, put in yeabook ID code 10217424, and pay with your credit card.
PLEASE NOTE: There most likely will not be any additional books for sale in June. If you want your child to have a yearbook, please order one now.
Free Early Literacy Class for Preschool-Age Children and Parents
If you speak a second language in your home and have a preschool-age child – 2 to 5 years old (pre-kindergarten) – you are invited to participate in a FREE parenting program at Lane for parents and children. The Early Literacy program meets two mornings a week at Lane. It is taught in English and helps young students and their parents learn about school together through fun activities. See the flyer below for more details and registration information.
PTA News
Get Your Basket Bingo Tickets Now and Sign Up to Volunteer (and Receive a Free Ticket)!
As noted in the article above, tickets to Lane PTA’s popular Basket Bingo event, which will be held on March 15th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., are on sale now for a discounted price. If you’d like to attend, be sure to purchase your tickets before the price goes up on February 29th, or worse, before the event sells out! (Every person, regardless of age, must have a ticket to attend!)
This big event requires a lot of volunteer support, and there are many ways you can help. All volunteers will receive one free ticket to attend Basket Bingo (in most cases, you can volunteer and still play the games). For the few positions that cannot play along, free raffle tickets will be offered. To check out the ways you can help, please click here.
If you're interested in making a donation/contribution for a basket or a raffle prize, please contact basketbingo@lanepta.org. All vendors who make a donation will be recognized throughout the coming weeks!
February Restaurant Nights Next Week!
Chick-Fil-A is hosting Lane for Restaurant Nights ... NEXT WEEK!! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 20th and Wednesday, February 21st from 5 to 7 p.m. Dine-in, drive-thru, and mobile orders count; just be sure to mention Lane Spirit Night so we receive credit. If placing a mobile order, use the code word "Lions" to ensure we get credit.
Winter Enrichment/Cub Clubs
Winter Enrichment and Cub Clubs have begun! We can't wait to hear how the first Sports Cub Club goes on Thursday, February 22nd! As a reminder, if you have any questions throughout the enrichment period, please email vpeducation@lanepta.org.
Parent Resources
Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment is scheduled, 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.
Lane will host a Kindergarten Orientation on April 2nd from 9 to 10 a.m. Registration will begin on Monday, April 15th. Stay tuned for updates and watch our school website for more information.
Dive into Summer Fun with FCPS! Sign Up Now for Camps and Classes!
Registration is now open for FCPS summer camps and learning opportunities. Sign your child up for a summer program for a fun-filled experience that will enhance your child academically. Don't miss out on the chance to learn and have a blast.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) 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.
You can find more information about all the opportunities on the FCPS website: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning.
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 5th, through Friday, April 12th. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.
Upcoming Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
Behavior Solution Series for Elementary and Secondary Families
Join staff from the FCPS Behavior Intervention Services Department to help families encourage positive communication and behavior at home. (All sessions meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m.)
Elementary Webinars
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Taming Tantrums and More (Friday, March 15th): Parents, ever had a moment when things feel like a big puzzle and you just need the right pieces? We will share strategies to help when your child’s behavior feels like a rollercoaster. Learn how to turn meltdowns into moments that make you go 'ta-da!'
Secondary Webinars
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Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication (Friday, April 19th): We will equip you with strategies for navigating the teen years. Uncover the secrets to fostering open communication, building trust, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
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Taming the Teenaged Brain (Friday, May 31st): Navigate the rollercoaster of teenage emotions with our training on behavior strategies, tailored to support you at home during those challenging adolescent years. We will provide practical insights and proven techniques to foster understanding and communication with your teenager.
Register for all or part of the Behavior Solution Series for Families
How to Handle Disappointing Grades: Ways to Uncover the Reasons Behind Your Child’s School Performance and How to Help, with Ann Dolin
February 23rd, 10-11:30 a.m.
Disappointing grades are not always a fair indication of how hard your child is trying, how much they’re learning, or what their potential for success is later on in life (especially for those with ADHD and other learning differences). On the surface, disappointing grades represent a failure at school. But there’s usually a lot more to it and many emotions for parents and students at stake. Join Ann Dolin, educator, author, and Educational Connections Founder, for new strategies to tackle these sticky situations while preserving your relationship with your child.
Register for How to Handle Disappointing Grades: Ways to Uncover the Reasons Behind Your Child’s School Performance and How to Help
FBA/BIP Essentials for Families
Thursday, February 29th, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Does your child have concerning behaviors at school? Did you know that there is a process to identify and support your child at school? Join us to learn about the FBA and BIP process and how it is used in FCPS to support any student who experiences behavioral challenges.
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a process to determine the underlying cause or functions of a student’s behavior that impedes social, emotional, and academic learning.
- Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a plan that utilizes positive behavioral interventions and supports to address behaviors that interfere with learning.
Staff from the Office of Special Education Instruction, Office of Intervention and Prevention Services, and Office of Special Education Procedural Support will be presenting and sharing information.
Register for FBA/BIP Essentials for Families
FCPS News & Announcements
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 22nd. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPS’ budget development process.
Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! The dates for the two closest locations to Lane are Tuesday, April 30th (South County Middle School) and Wednesday, May 8th (Hybla Valley Elementary School). Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions! Both sessions will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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.
Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge
The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 2nd 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.
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