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.



This Week at TLES

Students sharing learning with families and teachers, Head Start explore coding with ozobots

Students share their writing with families & teachers, Head Start students explore coding with ozobots


Calendar Reminders

SpringBreak

March 9-16 - PTA Auction 

March 13 - 30 McLean Pyramid Art 

March 15-21 Book Fair

March 25-29 Spring Break

April 1 & 2 Student Holidays 

March Celebrations & Recognitions:

National Women's' History Month

Equity in Education Month

Disability Awareness Month

Celebrating Arts in our Schools Month

National Nutrition Month


TLES PTA Spring Auction Ends Tomorrow, March 16!

Spring Auction

Get your final bids in!

This year's spring auction will take place from March 9th through March 16th, and you can now preview the nearly 200 confirmed donations online by clicking here. Bidding begins on Saturday March 9th, so you have plenty of time to mark your favorites and share with family, friends, and your community. 

Remember, anyone can bid on items in the auction - whether they are part of the TLES community or not! The PTA would appreciate your support in sharing the auction online via NextDoor, Facebook, etc or posting printed flyers on community bulletin boards you may have access to. You can share this link, or print this flyer.


Mediation & Reflection Spaces

FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.

These spaces are designated areas for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact Mr. Chiet regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.


☀️ Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.  

Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.


🌎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. 

Please help if you can. Our planet depends on it! 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


Updated COVID-19 Guidance

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations in accordance with the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance.  

The COVID-19 isolation period of 5 days is no longer recommended. 

The new respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, to include COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

Students who have symptoms of, tested positive for, or have been diagnosed with, a respiratory virus e.g., COVID-19, influenza, RSV may return to school when: 

  • Student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND
  • Student’s symptoms have improved or resolved 
  • Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities

McLean Pyramid Youth Art Month Show

McLean Pyramid Art Show

Show Opens – Wednesday, March 13th

Reception – Thursday, March 14, 4:30 to 6:00 pm

Show Closes – Saturday March 30th

Gallery Open Hours – McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) https://mpaart.org, 703-790-1953

Tuesdays through Fridays 1-4pm

Saturdays 10am-3pm

Address  – 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA 22101


Celebrating Arts in Our Schools

Celebrating Arts

Background: The Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers Youth Art Month. Youth Art Month encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety. The program provides a medium for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences unlike any other curriculum subjects, including:

  • Problem solving
  • Creativity
  • Observation
  • Communication

Art shows, special exhibits, fundraisers, and school and community activities take place annually, traditionally during March, to celebrate visual art education for grades K-12.

March has also been designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages.

Theatre In Our Schools (TIOS) is a celebration of theatre in our schools and schools in our theatres. Sponsored by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the goals of TIOS are to raise public awareness of the impact of theatre education and draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs in and out of school for all students. While TIOS presentations and advocacy may happen anytime in schools, theatres, and other public spaces, AATE and EdTA will recognize and promote March as the official Theatre In Our Schools month.


✅ Take the Family Engagement Survey!

NL-Family Engagement Survey

If you haven’t already, please take FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey today! Survey results will help us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. Survey topics include:

  • Welcoming environment
  • Communication
  • Student success
  • Advocacy 
  • Family and school partnerships
  • Community partnerships

The survey is available in 10 languages. Please check your email for a message from FCPS partner, K12 Insight, with a link to the survey or access the survey now. Your voice matters!


Fairfax County’s Funding of the FCPS Budget

JLARC

The average amount of funds transferred from Fairfax County to FCPS was 52.6% of county disbursements from fiscal years (FY) 2019-2023. It dipped to 51.6% in FY 2024. The County’s budget proposal for next year would transfer 51.4% of total disbursements. 

If the county were to return to transferring 52.6% to FCPS for the upcoming year, that would equate to $63 million more to invest in excellence.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget. Give your feedback on the County budget


Join a Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs

A community conversation on the opioid crisis in Northern Virginia will be held Monday, March 18, 6:30-8 p.m., in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. (Please enter through Door #14). Attendees will receive free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services 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 will be suitable for students in grade 6 and higher. Language interpretation will be 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.


🏅 Nominations Open for First Class Award for Inclusion

The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the First Class Awards. The awards are presented annually to educators, administrators, and students who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The ACSD will recognize award winners at the Family Summit on Saturday, April 20

Nominate an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools by Friday, March 22. Email SpecialEdConf@fcps.edu with questions.


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.


🩹 Measles Is Preventable

Child Immunization

Measles is making headlines as the number of cases nationwide has topped 40, with three confirmed cases in people living in or traveling through the National Capital Region. 

The good news is that measles is preventable through vaccination! Vaccines help teach the immune system how to defend against germs, helping to build up natural defenses. Give your child the best protection against measles with two doses of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website to find out more about measles.

Extended Hours at Immunization Clinics

To help parents/caregivers obtain vaccinations for their children, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) will offer immunization clinics with extended hours:

 

Parents/caregivers should make an appointment but a limited number of walk-ins will be accepted. Please call 703-246-7100 to schedule an appointment.

Learn more about vaccinating your child and find community resources to support their health and well-being. 

Note: All students enrolling in public and private schools in Virginia are required to be adequately immunized per the Code of Virginia.


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.


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.