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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
March 15, 2024
It's been another busy week at Lane! Take a look at some of the activities happening around the school.
Spring is definitely in the air, which means students are in the garden again! Across grade levels, they are literally digging in and getting their hands dirty, weeding, seeding, and planting as part of our STREAM curriculum.
On Thursday, 6th graders in Mr. Crocamo's math class observed Pi Day by covering their good sport teacher in some celebratory whipped cream pies in the face.
The display cases in the hallway outside the library have a new look, now showcasing the famous American sculptures created by 4th graders.
Upcoming Events
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Monday, 3/18 through Friday, 3/22 – SCA End-of-Quarter Spirit Week
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Monday, 3/18 – “Neon vs. Camo Day”: Wear your favorite and see which one wins!
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Tuesday, 3/19 – “Specials Day”: Wear something to showcase your favorite specials class
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Wednesday, 3/20 – “Wacky Wednesday”: The crazier the mismatched outfit, the better!
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Thursday, 3/21 – “Cartoon Chaos”: Wear clothes with favorite cartoon characters or dress like a cartoon character (no masks or weapons allowed)
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Friday, 3/22 – “Flannel Day”: Wear your favorite comfy flannel
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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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Thursday, 4/6 – Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test for 1st Graders
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Wednesday, 4/10 – Eid al Fitr Holiday – School and Office CLOSED
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Tuesday, 4/16 & Wednesday, 4/17 – “Walk in My Shoes” inclusion activities during P.E. classes
In This Issue
- Show Your School Spirit Next Week
- Yearbook Early-Bird Price Ends on Saturday!
- Family Engagement Survey Open through This Friday
- Hayfield Parent Coffee for Rising 7th Graders – Thursday, March 21st, 9 a.m.
- Orientation for Incoming Kindergarteners and Their Parents – Tuesday, April 2nd, 9 a.m.
- Survey of Preschool Children
- Notification of Testing: Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test for 1st Grade Students on Thursday, April 4th
- Month of the Military Child Schoolwide Celebration Coming Next Month; Morning Reception Open to All on Monday, April 15th
- New Dates for “Walk In My Shoes!” Parent Volunteers Needed!
- Parent Resources: Measles vaccination clinics, summer programs, upcoming webinars for parents
- Community Events & Activities: Techstravaganza
- FCPS News & Announcements: Community Conversation on Fentanyl and other drugs
News & Notes
Show Your School Spirit Next Week!
The Lane SCA is sponsoring a spirit week next week to celebrate the end of the third quarter and get into the Spring Break swing.
The spirit day themes are:
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Monday, 3/18 – “Neon vs. Camo Day”: Wear your favorite and see which one wins!
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Tuesday, 3/19 – “Specials Day”: Wear something to showcase your favorite specials class
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Wednesday, 3/20 – “Wacky Wednesday”: The crazier the mismatched outfit, the better!
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Thursday, 3/21 – “Cartoon Chaos”: Wear clothes with favorite cartoon characters or dress like a cartoon character (no masks or weapons allowed)
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Friday, 3/22 – “Flannel Day”: Wear your favorite comfy flannel.
All students are encouraged to participate!
2023-2024 Yearbooks Now on Sale! Early Bird Price Ends March 23rd!
School yearbooks are now on sale for just $16.50 each, but that price disappears next Saturday, March 23rd. The new price per book will be $20 starting Sunday, March 24th. If you want a yearbook, order now 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. You can find more information on the flyer pictured below.
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.
Family Engagement Survey Now Open! Your Voice Matters!
Thanks to all of our families who've already filled out the FCPS Family Engagement Survey that is currently underway. Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you! This survey measures our current success with family engagement and will gather data to help us better serve all families in our school community.
You should have received an email on March 3rd with a link to the survey, or you can use this link: https://bit.ly/FESURVEY2024. The survey will be open until March 22nd. Thank you in advance for your participation!
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.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Julie Kubiak at jbkubiak@fcps.edu.
Hayfield Parent Coffee for Rising 7th Graders – Thursday, March 21st, 9 a.m.
Hayfield Middle School will host a parent coffee on Thursday, March 21st starting at 9 a.m. This program is designed to provide parents with information pertinent to their student’s transition to middle school. It will include a brief slide presentation as well as time for questions.
Orientation for Incoming Kindergarteners and Their Parents – Tuesday, April 2nd, 9 a.m.
Orientation for our littlest new lions and their families – our 2024-2025 kindergarteners – will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd at 9 a.m. At this meeting, we will provide a general overview of the kindergarten program as well as a chance to meet the teachers and ask questions. While parents/guardians attend the session in the cafeteria, children will visit kindergarten classrooms.
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten and other grade levels.
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
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Schedule an appointment with the registrar at the school
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.
Registration for all grade levels will begin on Monday, April 8th. If you’re enrolling older children and would like more information about the school, please contact our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy at macrosby@fcps.edu.
Survey of Preschool Children
Do you have a child who will enter kindergarten next year at Lane? Do you know of friends or neighbors who do? If so, we need your help!
A “Survey of Preschool Children” eligible for kindergarten enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is currently being conducted. We request that parents of students eligible for kindergarten complete and return this survey to our school’s office. Your child at Lane should have brought one home in Wednesday Folders last week. A child who will reach his or her fifth birthday on or before September 30, 2024, is eligible for kindergarten this coming fall.
Please return the survey by Friday, March 22nd. You can fill it out online, save it as a PDF, and send it as an attachment to our registrar, Jami O’Hagan, at jjohagan@fcps.edu. You can also print and mail the form to the school or drop it off in person.
Please share this information with any parent of a rising kindergarten child in your neighborhood that may not have a child in our school and is not aware of this survey.
Thank you!
Notification of Testing: Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test for 1st Grade Students on Thursday, April 4th
First grade parents, please note: In an effort to obtain additional information about your child, the online version of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test Third Edition (NNAT3) will be administered to your child on Thursday, April 4, 2024. It is important that your child attend school on this day. If possible, please avoid scheduling trips or appointments that would take your child out of school during this time period. It is also important that your child has had a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast before testing.
The NNAT3 is a nonverbal measure of general intellectual ability. The test evaluates a student’s reasoning and problem-solving skills through the identification of patterns involving geometric shapes and pictorial designs. The test is designed to assess ability without requiring the student to read, write, or speak. Students are not expected to know the answers to all questions and will be given opportunities to practice sample items before taking the test. The NNAT3 is an abilities test, so children are not expected to study or prepare for the test the way they would for an achievement test.
Score reports will be provided to parents once scores become available. Typically, these reports are available several months after the test is taken. If you have any questions about this test, please contact the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), Linda Simon, or School Test Coordinators, Allen Dickens and Julie Kubiak.
Month of the Military Child Schoolwide Celebration Coming Next Month; Morning Reception Open to All on Monday, April 15th
April is the Month of the Military Child (MOMC), and here at Lane we are planning several special activities to celebrate the strength, spirit, and resilience of the many young military-connected lions we have in our community. Nearly 25 percent of our student body is military-connected.
Each year, we host a “Muffins for Military Lions” reception to kick off “Purple Up! Week” (a nationwide celebration dedicated to military children), but this year we’re doing something a little different. In the past, this reception has been for military families only, but we recognize that all Lane Lions are connected to these students as classmates, friends, neighbors, and more! So this year, all Lane Lions – military and non-military – and their families are invited to come to school at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 15th for a celebratory muffin exchange we’re now calling “Muffins with Military Lions.” We ask that each family bring a dozen mini muffins or half a dozen full-size muffins to share with others. Muffins can be store-bought or homemade. We just ask that if you make your own you provide an ingredients list so that our families with allergies can choose safely.
If you’d like join us that morning, please fill out this RSVP form and tell us what you’ll bring.
Watch next week’s Lion’s Roar for more information on other activities planned for Month of the Military Child.
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#/.
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 20th.
Nominate an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools by Friday, March 22nd. Email SpecialEdConf@fcps.edu with questions.
Parent Resources
Measles Is Preventable
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. |
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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.
Sesame Street for Military Families Photo Shoot
Sesame Street For Military Families (SS4MF) has been supporting military families for 17 years by celebrating military children and supporting families with age-appropriate strategies to develop strong and resilient military children.
SS4MF is seeking military families with children no older than 7 years of age to participate in a photography shoot to interact with the Muppets Elmo and Rosita. The photos and videos are intended to support SS4MF programming and marketing across global platforms.
The photography sessions will take place May 13-15, 2024, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), Fort Belvoir, and Myer Henderson. Families interested must submit the registration form by the extended deadline: March 21, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any enrichment opportunity they may use before participating.
To connect with more FCPS resources, please email militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
Summer Camps and Learning Programs
Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs?
The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps, including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.
Upcoming Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
Registration for April webinars sponsored by the Family Resource Center is now underway! Here are two offerings:
Meet the Author Series: Gifted and Distractible with Julie Skolnick
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 7 – 8 p.m.
Does your child exhibit giftedness and behavioral issues like meltdowns, power struggles, and difficulty relating to peers? Are they out-of-the-box thinkers requiring different teaching and learning methods?
Join us for a discussion with author Julie Skolnick about her innovative and timely book for families of twice-exceptional children.
Register for this event
Behavior Solution Series: Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication
Friday, April 19, 2024, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
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.
Register for this event
Community Events & Activities
Techstravaganza STEM Event at TJ on May 18th!
Techstravaganza is a free, public, hands-on STEM activity fair for elementary and middle school students in Northern Virginia. In previous years, the event has included more than 4,500 students and 70 labs presenting STEM activities. The 20th annual Techstravaganza will be held on Saturday, May 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Annandale.
Slots fill up fast, so register today at https://tinyurl.com/techstrav24. Visit tjtechstrav.org for more information.
FCPS News & Announcements
Join a Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs
A community conversation addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools will be held Monday, March 18th, 6:30 to 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.
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