 |
|
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
|
The Lion’s Roar
May 3, 2024
From Melodies to Museums
Congratulations to our 6th grade 2024 Choral Festival participants, who were selected by audition to perform along with more than 800 other singers from across the county at a special concert last weekend. Mr. Griffin and Mr. Crouch did a great job of preparing them for this unique choral music opportunity!
Students in 3rd grade got to explore huge crystals, giant animals, and many more natural wonders of our world on their field trip to the Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. this week.
Upcoming Events
-
Monday, 5/6 – Tuesday, 5/17 – SCA drive for animal shelters
-
Monday, 5/6 – 6th Grade Reading SOL Test
-
Wednesday, 5/8 – Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
-
Wednesday, 5/8 – 3rd Grade Reading SOL Test
-
Thursday, 5/9 – 4th Grade Reading SOL Test
-
Friday, 5/10 – 5th Grade Science SOL Test
-
Monday, 5/13 – 5th Grade Math SOL Test
-
Tuesday, 5/14 – 3rd Grade Math SOL Test
-
Tuesday, 5/14 & Wednesday, 5/15 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Smyrna
-
Wednesday, 5/15 – 4th Grade Math SOL Test
-
Friday, 5/17 – 6th Grade Math SOL Test
-
Monday, 5/27 – Memorial Day Holiday, School and Office CLOSED
-
Tuesday, 5/28 – Farewell Reception for families leaving Lane, 4:30 p.m.
-
Wednesday, 5/29 – 4th Grade Strings Concert, 6 p.m.; 5th and 6th Grade Band and Strings Concert, 7 p.m.
-
Thursday, 6/6 – Chorus Concert, 6:30 p.m.
-
Friday, 6/7 – PTA Glow Party, 6 p.m.
-
Wednesday, 6/12 – Last day of school, early dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
In This Issue
- SOL Testing Continues This Week
- Family Input for Class Placement Next Year
- Staff Appreciation Week Is Next Week
- Spring Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day Is Wednesday, May 8th!
- Help Wanted: Family Liaison
- SCA Animal Shelter Drive Continues through May 17th
- Patrol Applications Due May 12th
- From the Shelves of the Lane Library: Fourth Quarter Overdue Notices
- Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
- Jewish American Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
- PTA News: May Restaurant Days at Smyrna
- Parent Resources: FCPS Ombuds, resources for new families, summer camps, and more!
- Community Events & Activities: Hayfield Fun Finale, Techstravaganza, FCPS Summer Extravaganza
News & Notes
SOL Testing Continues This Week
Our required Standards of Learning (SOL) testing began this week with 5th grade reading and continues for the next two weeks.
Here is the schedule for the remaining tests:
-
Monday, May 6th: 6th Grade Reading
-
Wednesday, May 8th: 3rd Grade Reading
-
Thursday, May 9th: 4th Grade Reading
-
Friday, May 10th: 5th Grade Science
-
Monday, May 13th: 5th Grade Math
-
Tuesday, May 14th: 3rd Grade Math
-
Wednesday, May 15th: 4th Grade Math
-
Friday, May 17th: 6th Grade Math
You can help your children be physically prepared for testing by ensuring that they have a good night’s sleep the night before, eat a healthy breakfast in the morning, and come to school with a positive attitude. We also ask that you avoid scheduling appointments that will take your child out of school on test days. Make-up days will be available, but it’s best for students to take the tests on the scheduled day with their class. Retakes for certain students who qualify will start later in May.
If you have any questions about the SOLs or other academic concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
Family Input for Class Placement Next Year
A regular end-of-the-year task that staff work on is student groupings for class placements next year. All staff have input on groupings that can best support students within the school day. We also appreciate your input for staff to consider on how your child works and learns best. Below is our family input form. It will remain open throughout the month of May.
As you click the link to the form, you will find directions that need to be considered as you complete the form. PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST A TEACHER BY NAME OR GENDER. Additionally, please do NOT include negative information about past teachers, as the teachers read these forms when assisting with class assignments. If you do, please know it will be deleted.
Because of enrollment changes over the summer, class assignments will not be finalized until the middle of August 2024. Families will be contacted by the assigned teacher before attending Open House in August.
If you are interested in sharing information, please complete the form below by May 31, 2024.
FAMILY INPUT FORM
Staff Appreciation Week Is Next Week!
The week of May 6th through 10th is National Teacher Appreciation Week. At Lane, we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week, as we honor all the amazing adults who work so hard with our students every day. This includes not only classroom teachers but also specialists (art, music, P. E., etc.), resource teachers (special education, ESOL, reading, math, etc.), and instructional assistants.
If you would like to express your appreciation for the work your child’s teacher has done this year, we encourage you to do so. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, as the best gifts are often simple and free. The Lane PTA is planning special treats for the entire week and invites all families to join them in showing their love for our staff by bringing a little something to school on Friday, May 10th. Handwritten notes, drawings, gift cards, and classroom supplies are some ideas of what to bring. If your student is especially creative, maybe they can write a song about their teacher and sing it to them on Friday! It's all about how they want to show their appreciation, and the possibilities are limitless! Keep an eye on the PTA Facebook page to see how they are celebrating staff next week.
Spring Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day Is Wednesday, May 8th!
Schools across Fairfax County will participate in Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 8th in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Students and staff are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work, where safe to do so, that day. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school.
Help Wanted: Family Liaison
We are looking for a new hourly family liaison to join our team to help connect with and support parents and families in the Lane community. The position would be about 7-8 hours per week on a flexible schedule. Fluency in Spanish is preferred. Pay rate varies with experience, beginning at $22.89 per hour. Contact Kelly Tolley at kltolley@fcps.edu for more information or to submit your resume.
SCA Animal Shelter Drive Continues through May 17th
From May 6th to May 17th, the SCA is holding a collection drive to support animal shelters! Each grade will bring in specific items for the drive. (There are also items that anyone can bring in, if they already have them.) Items should be new (or gently used as noted on the flyer). Collection containers will be placed in the main hallway. See the flyer for more details and grade-level item assignments.
Patrol Applications Due May 12th
Lane Safety Patrol applications are now open! Any current 4th or 5th grader may apply to be a Safety Patrol for the 2023 – 2024 school year. Just follow this link to apply: Students and parents are encouraged to complete the application together so they are both aware of the requirements, duties, and responsibilities. Applications are due May 12th. Students selected will be notified of acceptance the week of May 24th.
Notifications of acceptance will be emailed to the student’s school account and to the parent’s email address. Please contact the Patrol Sponsor, Ms. Kurtenbach (Ms. K), with any questions at CLKurtenbach@FCPS.edu.
From the Shelves of the Lane Library: Fourth Quarter Overdue Notices
Dear Lane Readers,
Overdue notices were emailed out to families on Thursday, April 18th. Students who have books that were due on or before March 22nd should have received a notice.
Please do your best to look for these books and return them in good condition! It is also possible that books have been sent to school but have not yet made it to the library. If this is the case, apologies in advance for the crossed communication.
As a reminder, there are no fines for overdue books, however families are expected to pay the replacement cost for lost or damaged books.
Contact Sue Chozick, Librarian, at schozick@fcps.edu with any questions.
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
Immunizations are required for all students entering 7th and 12th grades this fall. Visit the FCPS immunization webpage to learn about the required vaccines.
Caregivers should ask their private healthcare provider or the health department to review their student's immunization record to ensure that their student has received these required immunizations.
It is important to schedule immunizations early in the summer, as 7th grade students must submit documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines before they begin school in August. Twelfth-grade students must submit documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine.
Get more information on all student immunization requirements.
Jewish American Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S.
Here at Lane we would like to mark this special month in two ways. First, we invite all of our students who identify as Jewish to share something from their culture with their Lane friends and families. Students are encouraged to bring in an item to put on display for the rest of the month of May.
The item must be:
- Specific to Jewish culture
- No larger than a lunchbox or heavier than 10 pounds
- Unbreakable (to protect the item when taking it to and from school)
- School-appropriate for elementary-aged students.
Sharp items or weapons of any kind are prohibited.
Each item must be accompanied by a large index card or half-sheet of paper that includes the following information:
- Student’s name
- Student’s teacher’s name
- What the item is
- What country/culture the item is from
- One or two sentences about why this item is important to the student and/or how it relates to Jewish culture.
Items will be displayed in the glass case outside the Lane Library. Items without written information will not be displayed. Please send items in by Friday, May 17th.
Please note that Lane and FCPS are not liable for loss of or damage to any item brought in to display.
Second, we would like to end Jewish American Heritage Month with a slide show featuring our Jewish American students. If you would like for us to include a picture of your child, please email it to our family liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at macrosby@fcps.edu no later than Friday, May 24th.
We hope your student will participate and look forward to learning more about your family and culture!
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.
Here at Lane we would like to mark this special month in two ways. First, we invite all of our students who identify as Asian American and/or Pacific Islander to share something from their culture with their Lane friends and families. Students are encouraged to bring in an item to put on display for the rest of the month of May.
The item must be:
- Specific to Asian/Pacific Islander culture
- No larger than a lunchbox or heavier than 10 pounds
- Unbreakable (to protect the item when taking it to and from school)
- School-appropriate for elementary-aged students.
Sharp items or weapons of any kind are prohibited.
Each item must be accompanied by a large index card or half-sheet of paper that includes the following information:
- Student’s name
- Student’s teacher’s name
- What the item is
- What country/culture the item is from
- One or two sentences about why this item is important to the student and/or how it relates to Asian/Pacific Islander culture.
Items will be displayed in the glass case outside the Lane Library. Items without written information will not be displayed. Please send items in by Friday, May 17th.
Please note that Lane and FCPS are not liable for loss of or damage to any item brought in to display.
Second, we would like to end Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a slide show featuring our Asian American and Pacific Islander students. If you would like for us to include a picture of your child, please email it to our family liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at macrosby@fcps.edu no later than Friday, May 24th.
We hope your student will participate and look forward to learning more about your family and culture!
PTA News
Restaurant Days at Smyrna Tuesday, May 14th and Wednesday, May 15th
Join the PTA for its monthly restaurant fundraiser on May 14th and 15th at Smyrna, a relatively new restaurant in our area that celebrates the Aegean kitchen, crafting Greek and Turkish dishes filled with the flavors of the region. Check out their menu here.
All Lane purchases from the entire day both days will send a percentage of the total back to our school. Watch Wednesday Folders for flyers (required for your purchase to count).
Parent Resources
New Summer Camp Opportunity for Strings Students!
SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School weekdays from July 8th to 19th, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The camp is open to all rising 5th through 9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day.
You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is open until June 9th, so reserve your student’s spot soon!
Resources for Newly Registered Families
Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:
There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child as soon as possible!
Register Your Children Online
Online registration is available for new and returning (re-enrolling) FCPS families! Apply today to help us plan for the 2024-25 school year.
FCPS Ombuds Provides Confidential Guidance
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, visit their webpage, or submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
 |
|
Rec-PAC Is Now Registering for the Summer and Lane Will Be a Site!
Rec-PAC (Pretty Awesome Children), operated by Fairfax County Park Authority, is a six-week structured recreation program with emphasis on leisure skills designed for elementary school children.
|
Participants will have an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of activities such as fun and fitness, indoor and outdoor games, team sports, nature, crafts, storytelling, sports festivals, talent shows and supervised play sessions. Each location has a ratio of 1 staff person to 18 participants. Lane will be a Rec-PAC site this summer.
Rec-PAC runs from Monday, June 24th through Thursday, August 1st. Each of the six weeks has its own theme with different themed activities happening throughout the week. You can sign your child up for any of the individual weeks or all of them!
Registration is now underway. Scholarships are available for families who qualify. You can find details in the Rec-PAC brochure.
 |
|
Attention 6th Grade Parents: Summer VIP Camp Now Registering! |
All rising middle schoolers are invited to attend a summer of fun and leisure with VIP Camp. VIP Camp — which takes place Monday, July 1st, to Thursday, August 1st — is designed to encourage teens to develop healthy and positive recreation interests and features a wide variety of leisure activities and programs. VIP Camp costs $100 to attend.
This camp is sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Students who will attend Hayfield and Twain Middle Schools will attend the VIP Camp at Sandburg Middle School. Use this link to register for that program.
Scholarships may be available for families struggling with financial hardship. Reach out to Sandburg’s after-school specialist for more information.
Space is limited so register soon! You can learn more at http://bit.ly/VIPcamp2024.
Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
COVID-19 (C19) Compensatory Services Partnership Between FCPS and Varsity Tutors
Join us for an information session about a new partnership between Fairfax County Schools (FCPS) and Varsity Tutors. This partnership will provide students with disabilities an additional opportunity to receive compensatory education as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic in accordance with their IEP.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m. OR Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 7 to 8 p.m. (choose one session)
Register for this event
Meet the Author Series: The Breakthrough Years by Ellen Galinsky
Child development expert Ellen Galinsky challenges widely held assumptions about adolescents and offers new ways for parents and others to better understand and interact with them in a way that helps them thrive.
Galinsky’s Shared Solutions Framework and Possibilities Mindset show you how to:
- turn daily conflicts into opportunities for problem-solving where both teens and parents feel listened to and respected
- encourage positive risk-taking in your child like standing up for themselves, making new friends, and helping their communities
- promote five essential executive function-based skills that can help them succeed now and in the future.
Join best-selling author Galinksy as she shares her latest research on raising thriving teens.
Friday, May 17, 2024, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Register for this event
Behavior Solution Series for Secondary Families: Taming the Teenaged Brain
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.
Friday, May 31, 2024, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Register for this event
Community Events & Activities
Hayfield Super Saturday Fun Finale
The Hayfield Class of 2026 invites students in grades 3 through 6 to join them in a celebration of FUN and games as the school year comes to an end at the Super Saturday Fun Finale. The event will be held in the Hayfield High School auxiliary gym from 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18th and/or Saturday, June 1st. The cost is $20 per student per session. See the flyer for details and registration information.
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.
Save the Date for FCPS’ Summer Extravaganza
Don’t miss a day of family fun and learning at the FCPS Summer Extravaganza at Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1st from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students will have the chance to engage in educational activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire growth.
Representatives from local businesses, Fairfax County Public Library, and the Fairfax County Park Authority are participating in the Summer Extravaganza. Community organizations, such as Neighborhood Community Services, will be at the event as well. All will have learning activities, tips, and helpful information for families. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moon bounce, a petting zoo, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost!
Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for more details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it's helpful for planning purposes.
|
