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

students using ozobots to support their fine motor skills & 4th graders at the National Army Museum

Calendar Reminders

PTA Bingo Night - Photo Credit: Timber Lane ES PTA

March 2 Read Across America Day

March 5 - Student Holiday 

March 6 - Body Safety Program Virtual Information Session

March 7 - PTA Bingo Night

March 9-16 - PTA Auction 

March 14 McLean Pyramid Art 

March 15-21 Book Fair

March 25-29 Spring Break

March Celebrations & Recognitions:

National Women's' History Month

Equity in Education Month

Disability Awareness Month

Celebrating Arts in our Schools Month

National Nutrition Month


Body Safety Program

Attention Parents/Guardians - You are invited to join us for a virtual Information Session about the Body Safety Program on Wednesday, March 6th at 6:00pm!  The Body Safety Program uses a research-based curriculum to teach students five key safety rules they can follow to help adults keep them safe.  This program will be taught to students at Timber Lane in early April by facilitators from the Fairfax County Department of Family Services.  If you would like to learn more about the program or have questions, please join us on Zoom next Wednesday.  The information will be presented in both English and Spanish.

Zoom Link: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/95034181832 

Meeting ID: 950 3418 1832


Do You Know Where FCPS Funding Comes From?

revenue

The majority of FCPS funding is requested from the Fairfax County government, which generates its revenue from real estate and personal property taxes. The Commonwealth of Virginia provides the next largest source of revenue to FCPS through state aid and sales tax. The rest of the funding comes from a variety of sources, including federal aid and tuition for non-county residents. (The numbers above represent the FY 2025 proposed school operating fund in millions.)

FCPS does not have the authority to impose taxes and may only charge fees where the Commonwealth of Virginia has granted specific authority. Learn more about FCPS’ FY 2025 Advertised Budget.


✅ Look for the FCPS Family Engagement Survey This Sunday

Family Engagement Banner

Parents/caregivers will receive the FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey Sunday, March 3, from independent research firm K12 Insight. Please participate — your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve practices to best support our students. Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and our school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and an increased likelihood of graduating high school. The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete and will be available in 10 languages. Please visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information. Your voice matters!


Longfellow MS Jump Start for Rising 7th Graders

Jump Start is an opportunity for students to learn more about middle school and meet other students before the school year begins. Jump Start dates are August 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. Students choose to attend during Session 1 (Monday & Tuesday) or Session 2 (Wednesday & Thursday) from 8:30 - 12:00 each day. Further details forthcoming regarding the registration process! If you have any questions feel free to contact our After-School Specialist, Lavina Gangwani-Colaco - lkgangwanico@fcps.edu.


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

Earth Week in Our Community 🌎

Fairfax County Park Authority's Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 20 from 10am-4pm at the Sully Historic Site. The festival will include earth and nature-focused programs, scavenger hunts, and more.

The 6th Annual Mount Vernon District Environment Expo: Get Outdoors! Learn and Do! will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Fort Hunt Park, 8999 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. The goal of this free, family-friendly event is to educate and inform attendees about the environmental challenges that we face on a daily basis and how we can all act to save our planet.


🎤 Join a Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs March 3

A community conversation addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools will be held Wednesday, March 18, 6:30-8 p.m., in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Please enter through Door #14. 

All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.   

This discussion will provide families, staff, and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl. The material discussed is suitable for students in grades 6-12. Together as a community, we aim to explore collaborative strategies to minimize the impact of these harmful and too-often fatal substances.

Language interpretation services are available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed. Learn more about the event and register online.


Ramadam

Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact TLES' Principal, Mr. Chiet, regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.


FY 2025 Proposed Budget

purple up t-shirts

Join our community and turn FCPS purple on Purple Up! Day, Wednesday, April 17. Wear purple in recognition of FCPS’ 14,000 enrolled military-connected students. 

Purple Up! T-shirts are available for purchase through Friday, March 8.


🧸 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.


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.


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.


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.


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.