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. This is a rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon, and one that requires important safety reminders. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes.
Here's what you need to know:
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Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce this at home.
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Regular sunglasses are not good enough. The NASA website has more information about eye safety.
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Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m. (which coincides with dismissal LTES), and ends around 4:32 p.m. Please remind your child to be especially vigilant about eye safety during dismissal. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation. Please contact the school office if you would like to pick your child up before 2:15 p.m.
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There will be no outside activities for LTES students after 2:00 p.m. Students and staff will be provided with the NASA livestream link as an option to safely observe the eclipse.
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Dismissal will occur like normal. Because there will be some overlap of the expected eclipse window and dismissal, students will be reminded to not stare at the sun, and to go directly home. Families are encouraged to remind their children that it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
For more details, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.
April Family Coffee
Supporting our Learners with Test Taking
- April 17
- 8:30 am | SACC Room
Spring can be a stressful time of year for students, as they take many end-of-year assessments before wrapping up a year of learning and growing before beginning a relaxing summer.
While these assessments, such as statewide Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, iReady screener, and benchmark assessments, are opportunities for our learners to show their growth from the school year coming to an end, they can also cause anxious feelings in our students. Students may feel performance anxiety, pressure to do their best, or fear of failing. Come to our next family coffee on Wednesday, April 17, at 8:30 a.m. in the SACC room with our Coaching and Counseling Teams to learn more details about our end-of-year testing, strategies for reducing anxious feelings, and resources to help your child feel confident!
Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship School Recognition
Common Sense, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, has recognized London Towne as a Common Sense School.
London Towne has demonstrated its commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing its students to think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate while preparing them for the perils that exist in the online realm, such as plagiarism, loss of privacy, and cyberbullying. With the right support, kids can take ownership of their digital lives, engage with real issues, and change their communities for the better. The recognition acknowledges our school's commitment to creating a culture of digital citizenship. Check out our website announcement for more details!
 No School on Wednesay, April 10th
In Islam, Eid-al-Fitr is a three day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Muslims dress in new clothes, give charity, and pray in congregation. Eid is celebrated with the exchange of presents and delicious food with family and friends. Read more at Britannica.com.
Wednesday, April 10, is an FCPS holiday and all schools and offices will be closed. See the complete School Year Calendar.
Important Dates
April 8th | Solar Eclipse
April 9th | PTA Meeting - 6:30 p.m. in the Library
April 10th | Student Holiday - Eid al Fitr
April 17th | Supporting Students with Test Taking (Parent Coffee) - 8:30 a.m.
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