|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Dear LTES Community,
We hope this message finds you well. So many wonderful things happened around the Towne this week, here are some highlights:
- Playdough Night! Kindergartners and their families had a blast learning about the benefits of “playing” with playdoh. They even had the opportunity to make their very own batch! HUGE thank you to the Kindergarten team for organizing such a wonderful and engaging event. Kindergarten wrapped up the week by going on a “Number Hunt” around the Towne.
- The first PTA meeting for the 2024-2025 school year: PTA has some wonderful events and fundraisers planned for the year, including the upcoming “Trunk or Treat.” Be on the lookout for more information in next week’s Tuesday folder. Our technology specialist, Mrs. Lanier also shared tips for families on how they can support their children in making safe and responsible digital decisions and in forming healthy digital habits.
- Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrations continued with community lunches to learn more about Hispanic culture and food.
- 3rd graders wowed us with their science presentations. They shared their knowledge on ecosystems, and we were so impressed with their hard work and enthusiasm.
- 6th graders celebrated their own Spirit Week!
- We launched Digital Citizenship Week on Friday with a “Digital Rest” and will continue into next week. Tuesday is about “Finding Balance.” Encourage your child to wear something that shows off a hobby or something they enjoy doing that doesn’t involve a screen.
It was great connecting with new and returning families at the PTA meeting. Please join our next meeting on November 12th at 6PM in the LTES Library as we will be sharing London Towne’s school improvement plan and Title I Family Compact and seeking feedback on both. If you are unable to join in-person, please consider joining virtually via Zoom. Your input is invaluable to us as we work to create a strong partnership between our school and families.
Thank you for your continued support of our school. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
Warmest regards,
🦁 Shele Banford, Principal
🦁🦁 Lucy Zamora and Jordan Moore (Assistant Principals)
 |
|
Events Around the Towne |
-
📝 Monday, October 14: Staff Development Day - No School for Students
- 📸 Thursday, October 17: Fall Picture Day
- 🎃 Thursday, October 17: Kindergarten Field Trip to Cox Farms
- 🎃 Friday, October 18: 6:00 PM PTA Trunk or Treat, LTES Parking Lot
- 🏈 Friday, October 25: Westfield HS Homecoming Parade
- 💟 Saturday, October 26: 1:00-3:00 p.m. LTES Community Day
-
🕰️ Monday, October 28: Early Release Monday
- Students released 3 hours early (12:05)
- Limited supervised child care for families who requested (ends at 3:05)
- 🏃🏻♂️➡️ Thursday, October 31: Field Day!
-
🕰️ Thursday, October 31: Quarter 1 Ends
- Students released 2 hours early (1:05)
-
📝 Monday, November 4 - Tuesday, November 5: Staff Development - No School for Students
- 🧠 Wednesday, November 6: 5:30 p.m. AAP Full Time Information Meeting
 |
|
LTES Employee Awards Nominations |
🏆 Nominations will be/are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a London Towne Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.
🏆 Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
🏆 Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
🏆 Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
🏆 Outstanding New Principal
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
🏆 Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
🏆 Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Instructional Coach, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Special Education Department Chairs, Reading Specialists
🏆 Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Family Liaisons
The deadline to submit a nomination is Thursday, October 31.
If you have any questions, please contact Lucy Zamora at lkzamora@fcps.edu.
 |
|
Support Your Digital Learner |
💻 Technology is a huge part of our everyday lives. Our students use devices daily in school as a communication and creation tool and outside of school for fun, connection, and relaxation. As a school-family partnership, this week we are celebrating our shared responsibility to support our young Lions as they grow as ethical digital citizens in our increasingly digital world.
This past week at our first PTA meeting of the year, Mrs. Lanier, our School-Based Technology Specialist, shared resources for families to use as we support our kids growing up in the technology-infused world we live in. She focused on three main tips:
-
CHOOSE quality, age-appropriate games and apps with your child.
-
CHECK privacy controls.
-
iPhone parental controls from Apple are free, built in and include: content restrictions, ask to buy for App Store, downtime, and communication controls
-
Android parental controls from Google allow you restrict choices in Google Play for apps, games, movies, and TV
-
CHAT with your child.
 |
|
Oct 14-18: Digital Citizenship Spirit Week |
💻 October 14-18 is Digital Citizenship Week nationwide and at LTES! While Digital Citizenship skills are embedded in our daily practices and routines year-round, it’s always important to shine an extra spotlight on these essential skills for a special week…especially one that includes fun outfits!
Our daily spirit week themes and fun outfits will encourage students and staff to reflect on questions such as:
- 🌙 🛏️ Last Friday: Pajama Day -- How can I be kind online so others feel safe and comfortable?
- 🏈🎨Tuesday: Hobby Day -- How do we balance our time with technology?
- 🟡 Wednesday: Yellow Day -- How can we use caution to stay safe online?
-
👟 Thursday: "Leg" Sneakers and Sweats Day -- How can we stand up for others online?
- 🧦 Friday: Awesome Sock Day -- How does our online activity affect the digital footprint of ourselves and others?
These reflection questions will be discussed in classrooms and on our daily student-run news show next week. We invite you to check out the series of short videos we will use to reinforce these tenets of quality digital citizenship: Meet the Digital Citizens, produced by Common Sense Media, a comprehensive resource for parents and educators who teach safe media and technology choices.
 |
|
Our Own Restorative Practices Celebrity |
We so appreciate how our Restorative Practices Resource Teacher, Chris Kawchak, has facilitated such huge reflective and collaborative growth in our Lions over the past two years with Pride Lab and other Restorative Practices.
FCPS produced a video celebrating how RJ work around the county is fostering a positive and welcoming learning environment and she and our students are prominently featured! Check it out!
 |
|
Oct 14-18 is National School Lunch Week |
🥪 Celebrating the Power of School Lunches
Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers.
This School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. Also, new menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? Nutrition Services now has printable menus.
🍪On Wednesday, October 16, to show our appreciation to students, Food and Nutrition Services staff will be hiding "X Marks the Tray" stickers under random entree containers. Students who find one will receive a free sweet treat!
 ☀️ Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples' Day. See the complete school year calendar.
 
|
