Cedar Connection

Dear Cedar Lane Community,

As we wrap up another week at Cedar Lane, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your support with opening school. Cedar Lane School has the most supportive parents and community members, I am lucky to partner with you all each day.  I would also like to commend our students for their hard work and resilience. Whether in the classroom, or participating in clubs and activities, their enthusiasm and dedication continue to inspire our entire staff. It is heartwarming to witness the spirit of collaboration and camaraderie that defines the Cedar Lane Community.

This week, we started after school activities and clubs! The students had a blast as the participated in their sports/clubs, and ate a great meal prepared by Davis Center.  The energy and excitement was palpable, showcasing the incredible talent and commitment of our students. Thank you to everyone who supports our program. Your involvement makes our school a vibrant place to learn and grow. We want ALL of our students participating in a sport/ club or activity. Please encourage them to stay after and send in the permission slip allowing them to participate.

Just a reminder, we have a field trip coming up to the National Zoo on Friday September 27th. Please return signed permission slips by Friday September 20th.

                                                                      Best,

                                                                     Dr. Farrish


Newsletter Contents:


An Additional Word from Dr. Farrish

Dear Cedar Lane Parents/Guardians,

Providing a safe and supportive school environment is our number one priority. One of the ways we do this is by regularly reviewing and updating our school crisis management and emergency preparedness plans. Plans include how to respond to a variety of incidents such as fires, severe weather events, and other emergencies. It is critical to have safety drills each year so that our students and staff remember what to do if there is an emergency.

Virginia Law also requires schools to complete two lockdown drills a year, one within the first twenty days of the school session, and to notify parents/caregivers at least 24 hours in advance. We are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of scenario training.  We will conduct a lockdown drill at our school soon.

Additional information including parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this information, it would be helpful to have a talk with your child about safety and school procedures. Below are some tips that can help frame your conversation:

  • Ask your child what they know about the drill, and how they feel about it.
  • Avoid scary and/or graphic details from the media.
  • Discuss that practicing how to be safe in a variety of situations is important because it helps to give them the confidence and knowledge to be safe.
  • Let them know it is okay to have feelings about the drill and that you and adults at their school are there to help them be safe and listen if they would like to talk more.

There will be school mental health staff available at your child’s school to help students with concerns around the lockdown drill. If you have questions, please reach out to the school.  

Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe. 

                                                                               Sincerely,

                                                                                Dr. Farrish


Parent/Caregiver Checklist

  • ✔️ Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?

We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year! If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact the front offic for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.

 

🩹 Immunization Requirements 

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to Cedar Lane's front office. 

Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:  

  • A healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
  • A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
  • A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices. 

 

         Find more information on immunizations.

 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool

 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30.


Community Conversations

Newsletters:

  • 🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. 

 

The next event is scheduled for Monday, September 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Newington Forest Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.


Attendance

  • 🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

  • Spanish:

¿Cuándo debe quedarse mi hijo en casa? Ya sea que  los estudiantes falten a la escuela por enfermedad como por cualquier otra razón, faltar a la escuela conlleva una pérdida de aprendizaje.

Ayude a su hijo a tener éxito animándole a faltar el menor número de días posible. Sin embargo, asegúrese de que su hijo se quede en casa si está enfermo. ¿Cuándo debe su hijo quedarse en casa? Visite nuestra página web para obtener ideas útiles sobre las ausencias y sobre cómo colaborar con su hijo y con el colegio.

Si su hijo tiene una enfermedad crónica, asegúrese de notificar a su maestro para que se le pueda proporcionar asistencia si la necesita. Mantenga una línea de comunicación abierta con la enfermera de salud pública de su escuela, y llame a la escuela tan pronto como sepa que su hijo va a estar ausente e informe al personal de la escuela por qué y por cuánto tiempo. ¡Asista hoy, logre mañana!


Mental Health Teletherapy

  • 💻 No-Cost Mental Online Therapy for All High School Students

Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? Do they seem withdrawn or uninterested in their usual hobbies? 

 

Parents/caregivers can refer their children for free weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.

  • Spanish: 💻 Teleterapia de Salud Mental Sin Costo para Todos los Estudiantes de Secundaria

Su hijo de secundaria está teniendo ansiedad, cambios de comportamiento o dificultades con las relaciones familiares o con sus compañeros? Si es así, los padres/cuidadores pueden referir a sus hijos a terapia semanal con un terapeuta licenciado a través de Hazel Health. Visite la página web Teletherapy para obtener información por este servicio.