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The Lion’s Roar
Monday, September 30, 2024
Learning and Growing in the Lane Garden
The Lane garden was bustling with activity last week as students participated in hands-on learning about our natural world up close. As they closed out their life-cycle study, second graders released the monarch butterflies they had raised from caterpillars. Meanwhile, fifth graders added new life to the ecosystem by planting a new tree.
Upcoming Events
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Continuing through Wednesday, 10/15 – Hispanic Heritage Month (See the article below to learn how your family can participate)
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Continuing through Wednesday, 10/2 – Fall Picture Days during students’ library time
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Thursday, 10/3 – Rosh Hashanah Holiday, school and office CLOSED
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Friday, 10/4 – Teacher Workday/Student Holiday, students DO NOT report
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Thursday, 10/10 & Friday, 10/11 – Make-up Picture Days for students who were absent on their class Picture Day
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Thursday, 10/10 – PTA Meeting (virtual), 6:30 p.m.
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Monday, 10/14 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday (Indigenous People’s Day), students DO NOT report
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Thursday, 10/17 – Cultural Awareness and Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 6 – 7:30 p.m. (More information coming soon!)
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Friday, 10/18 – “Family Friday Breakfast Bites” for 3rd and 4th grade families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Friday, 10/18 – Field Day
In This Issue
- Rosh Hashanah Holiday This Thursday; Teacher Workday on Friday
- Fall Picture Days Finish Up This Week
- Hispanic Heritage Month: There’s Still Time to Participate!
- Save the Date for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 17th!
- Advanced Academics Parent Meeting Presentation
- Field Day Is Coming Soon – Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Needed!
- School Health Room Needs Clothing!
- September Is Attendance Awareness Month: Schedule Family Trips or Events with Care
- PTA News: Thanks to readers and sponsors!
- FCPS News & Activities: Strategic Plan – Goal 4, Community Conversations
News & Notes
Rosh Hashanah Holiday This Thursday; Teacher Workday on Friday
“Shanah tovah!” to our Jewish community celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which begins at sundown on Wednesday. All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, October 3rd, in honor of this holiday.
Meaning “head of the year,” Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that ends with the beginning of Yom Kippur at sunset on Friday, October 11th (a half-day Cultural Observance Day in FCPS).
Rosh Hashanah will be one of the fall cultural holidays we will celebrate at our first CARE (Cultural Awareness and Recognition Event) Night on Thursday, October 17th. If you’d like to learn more about it, as well as other important fall cultural events from different cultures, please plan to join us that night. (You’ll find more information in the article below.)
Please note that Friday, October 4th, is a Teacher Workday, and is an additional day off for students. We hope you enjoy the long weekend!
Fall Picture Days Finish Up This Week
Our in-house Fall Picture Days have been going very smoothly! It’s been delightful seeing all the students dressed in their best and bearing big smiles!
Just two classes still need to have their pictures taken: Mr. Benzelock’s 5th grade class, which will have their pictures taken tomorrow (Tuesday, 10/1) and Mr. Morris’ 5th grade class, who will have their pictures taken on Wednesday.
Students who were absent on their class Picture Day will be able to have their pictures taken on make-up days Thursday, October 10th or Friday, October 11th. Families who missed their day will be notified.
Once all pictures are complete, all families will receive a digital file of their child’s portrait for FREE! Once you receive it, you can use it to have prints made in any size or style you choose at local retailers like Walmart and Target or upload them to digital providers like Shutterfly.
There are many professional portrait studios in the Alexandria/Springfield area that families can visit if they wish to have a professional portrait taken.
Hispanic Heritage Month: There’s Still Time to Participate!
Thank you to all of our families of Hispanic heritage who have sent in pictures of their children and let us know which country they are connected to. We are currently decorating our display, so watch next week's newsletter for a photo. We have Lane Lions from many parts of the Spanish-speaking world!
It’s not too late to send in your pictures and/or your family’s country of Hispanic heritage! Hispanic Heritage Month continues through October 15th, and the map will remain in the hallway until the end of the month. You can email the photos to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu, or send it to her through TalkingPoints.
Hispanic Heritage Month will also be featured at our CARE Night on October 17th, with performances and crafts. You’ll find more information below and in the next few weeks!
Save the Date for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 17th!
Hispanic Heritage Month is just the first of many cultural holidays and awareness/recognition months that FCPS recognizes during the school year. Here at Lane, we are introducing a new series of events to showcase those observances and share cultural information in a fun, family-friendly way. These CARE (Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event) Nights will feature stations dedicated to different cultural activities and performances.
The date for the first CARE Night is Thursday, October 17th. The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and we will highlight these early fall cultural happenings:
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Rosh Hashanah
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Diwali
- Dia de los Muertos
- Disability History & Awareness Month.
Each of these holidays and recognition months will be celebrated in a special space. We’ll feature lots of information about each one, plus a craft or interactive activity. We’ll have at least one musical performance and a read-aloud. We hope your family will be able to join us! Watch for a flyer with more information coming home next week.
Advanced Academics Parent Meeting Presentation
If you were not able to attend last Thursday's Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Parent Meeting with Ms. Simon, you can view the full slide presentation here. Please reach out to Ms. Simon with any questions, lesimon@fcps.edu.
Field Day Is Coming Soon – Friday, October 18th! Volunteers Needed!
Our annual Field Day will be held on Friday, October 18th during the school day. Students will have an hour to rotate through different stations with their classmates. Here is the grade-level schedule:
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9:45 – 10:45 a.m.: 5th & 6th grade
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11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.: 3rd & 4th grade
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12:50 – 1:50 p.m.: Kindergarten
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1:55 – 2:55 p.m.: 2nd grade
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2:25 – 3:25 p.m.: Multiple-abilities classes (small groups in the Gym)
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2:55 – 3:55 p.m.: 1st grade
Volunteers are needed to help with our Field Day stations throughout the day. If you’re available, and would like to help, please sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACAE2BA6FA7-51078761-field,
School Health Room Needs Clothing!
During the school day, many students have mishaps that mess up their clothes with spilled milk in the cafeteria, mud on the playground, and many things in between! In these situations, our School Health Room supplies a change of clothes, which students then wash and return.
Our current supply is wearing thin, so we’re reaching out to request donations of new or gently used clothing. Sizes for students of all ages – kindergarten through 6th grade – are welcome! Items should be clean and free of tears or other major damage. Underwear should be new.
If your fall cleaning has you clearing out clothes that no longer fit your child, please send them to Lane! Just bag them up and send them in!
Thank you!
September Is Attendance Awareness Month: Schedule Family Trips or Events with Care
Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.
When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence.
Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
PTA News
Thank You, Lane Readers!
The PTA would like to thank all the students who participated in this year's Read-a-thon and all the families and friends who supported it so generously! Donations and minutes read are still being collected, so stay tuned for the final tally!
Thanks to Our PTA Sponsors!
The PTA would like to thank this week's sponsors for their support.
FCPS News & Activities
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access to Opportunities
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students and allow them to explore their passions and talents. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.
Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
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