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The Lion's Roar
Monday, February 24, 2025
Upcoming Events
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Thursday, 2/27 – Winter Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
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Friday, 2/28 – SCA Mid-Quarter Spirit Day: “Blanket and/or Stuffed Animal Day” (pajamas optional but welcome!)
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Friday, 3/14 – Rising 7th Grade Parent Coffee at Hayfield Middle School, 9 – 11 a.m.
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Friday, 3/14 – PTA Basket Bingo, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
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Tuesday, 3/18 & Wednesday, 3/19 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Silver Diner, 5 – 9 p.m.
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Monday, 3/31 – Eid-al-Fitr Holiday, school and office closed
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Tuesday, 4/1 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday, students do not report
In This Issue
News & Notes
Lane Principal Selection Process Now Underway
The Region 6 Leadership Team has begun the process of selecting a new principal for our school. There are several steps involved, some of which include parent and community input and participation.
An in-person panel that includes three staff representatives and three parent (or community) representatives from our school community will hold interviews on Thursday, March 13, 2025. If you are interested in serving as a panelist, please submit your information by close of business this Friday, February 28th, using this Google form link: Principal Input and Advisory Panel Interest. Region 6 leaders will review all submissions and select staff and community members to serve as either panelists or alternates. The Department of Human Resources will contact the individuals who are selected to serve in this capacity.
Another critical component to the process is your input as a parent and/or community member. Please provide input detailing the skills, experiences, and leadership characteristics needed at our school. Include challenges and issues that the new principal will need to address. Principal professional skills include instructional leadership, school climate, human resources, organizational management, and communication and community relations. Your input is confidential. Please submit your input by this Friday, February 28th, using this Google form link: Principal Input and Advisory Panel Interest.
Thank you for your participation in this important process!
CARE Night This Thursday, February 27th
Our second Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night of the year will be held this Thursday, February 27th, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. We will have displays and activities related to the three major winter cultural celebrations recognized by FCPS: Lunar New Year, Black History Month, and Ramadan.
At this event, you’ll be able to take a walk through important events in Black history and design a square for our Freedom Quilt; explore the Chinese zodiac to find your birth animal and create a decoration for the Year of the Snake; make a colorful lantern suncatcher and learn about other Ramadan symbols and traditions; listen to music from all of these celebrations, including music from Black artists that have helped shape our music today. Some of our Lane music teachers — including Mr. Griffin, who will come back for a special performance — will be playing live jazz music at the event!
Check last week’s Wednesday Folder for a flyer with more information and the sign-up link. (The flyer and sign-up link was also sent through Talking Points this week.) Sign-up is not required, but it helps us with planning and materials for activities.
SCA-Sponsored “Blanket and/or Stuffed Animal Day” This Friday, February 28th
We are nearly at the middle of the second grading quarter and to celebrate that milestone, the SCA is sponsoring a Spirit Day this Friday, February 28th. The theme is “Blanket and/or Stuffed Animal Day.” Students are welcome to bring a blanket and/or a stuffed friend to help make this February Friday a little cozier. This isn’t an official “Pajama Day,” but pajamas do go well with blankets and stuffies, don’t they? We hope your child will participate in the fun!
Ramadan Begins This Friday at Sundown; Volunteers Needed for Lunchtime Support for Fasting Students in March
Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year in Islam. During this month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity, and good deeds. Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids. “Ramadan Mubarak!” to those in our community who observe!
Ramadan begins at sundown this Friday, February 28th. This day is an evening-only observance day. There is school on these days, but certain activities that cannot be made up cannot take place after school. Ramadan ends on March 31st with the Eid-al-Fitr holiday. All schools and offices will be closed that day. See the complete school year calendar.
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact the Lane administrators regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
We will have an alternative space available during lunchtime for students who are fasting. If your child would like to use this space, please notify your child’s teacher.
We are looking for volunteers to help monitor students who use this alternative space during lunchtime throughout the month of March. If you are available and would like to help, please fill out this Google form.
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28th through March 28th
Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28th and March 28th can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day.
Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.
To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28th, and the week of March 3rd, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24th. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
Calling All Kindergarteners for the 2025-26 School Year! Registration Is Open Now!
Do you have a child at home ready to start kindergarten this fall? If so, now is the time to let us know your little lion will be coming to Lane! Registration for the 2025-26 school year is now underway, and we want to hear from you! We will be scheduling a Kindergarten Orientation in the next few weeks, and we want to make sure you are on our list for communication.
If you don’t have a rising kindergartener yourself, please share this information with friends and neighbors who do.
There’s an easy five-step process to register your child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one guardian must be present), the student will be ready for our Kindergarten Orientation, which will be held later this spring. Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact Jami O’Hagan, our school registrar at jjohagan@fcps.edu.
Try Online Registration
Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. Parents/caregivers may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.
When registering, parents/caregivers will need to create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.
2024-2025 Yearbooks on Sale! Order Now and Save!
School yearbooks are now on sale. The basic book is just $18 now, but the price will go up to $22 at the end of March. You can have your child’s name printed on the cover for an additional $5. Order now and save!
Ordering is simple: Just go to http://www.buytheyearbook.com, put in Lane Yearbook School ID #722060, and pay with your credit card. All orders are online only. Early-bird deadline is Friday, March 28th.
PLEASE NOTE: There most likely will not be any additional books for sale in June. If you want your child to have a yearbook, please order one now.
Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts.
Registration for the 2025-26 elementary magnet lottery will be open Tuesday, March 4th, through Friday, April 4th. Learn more about the programs on the Elementary Magnet Schools page and about the magnet lottery on the Registration page.
PTA News & Announcements
Basket Bingo Is Coming Friday, March 14th! Tickets on Sale Now!
Get ready to try your luck at the Lane PTA’s annual Basket Bingo fundraiser on Friday, March 14th! There will be multiple games with lots of prizes as well as raffles, food and drink, and FUN! The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and games begin at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now for this popular event, which usually sells out, and the number of tickets is limited. Grab yours before they’re gone! Early-bird pricing (a $5 discount) ends tonight!
Visit the PTA website for details to purchase tickets: https://lanepta.givebacks.gives/bb2025/Event/Details. General sales run through March 12th or until the event sells out.
Want to play for FREE? Volunteer to help and get a complimentary ticket! Sign up to volunteer here: https://signup.com/go/vtSxmcy.
Gather your friends, bring your lucky charms, and get ready for a fun-filled night of bingo, prizes, and community spirit!
Parent Resources
It's Time to Plan for Summer Camp!
The 2025 Guide to Summer Camps is now accessible on the Family Resource Center website.
Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders
As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
- A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.
Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.
FREE Webinars from the Family Resource Center
FCPS Risk Prevention Series, Part 2: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your Child
February 25, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This session will equip caregivers with the knowledge and skills to identify signs of suicidal ideation in their children and respond effectively to these crises. Caregivers will learn how to respond if they learn or observe that their child may be experiencing thoughts of suicide. This session will provide practical tools and strategies to help caregivers navigate these challenging situations with compassion and confidence.
Register here
Risk Prevention Series, Part 3: Violence Prevention: Responding to Threats of Harm to Others
Friday, March 4, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This session will provide an overview of “The Pathway to Violence”; demystify the threat to others risk assessment process within the FCPS K-12 setting; and provide in-home strategies, school and community resources, and direction regarding keeping students safe when confronted with pervasive and/or significant concerning behaviors and explicit threats of violence.
Register here
Anxiety in the Context of Autism: What Parents Need to Know
Monday, March 7, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Dr. Jonathan Dalton, PhD, founder and director of the Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change as he presents on the critical differences in the treatment of anxiety in Neurotypical (allistic) and Autistic children. He will focus on the differences between fear and dread and why traditional anxiety treatment approaches are often insufficient when treating Autistic youth. He will build parenting skills that families can use to help relieve the anxious suffering of their Autistic children.
Register here
Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges,& Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Middle School
Friday, March 14, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Discover how to support your child’s executive function skills in our webinar series. We will present information on understanding your child’s developmental milestones, recognizing signs of executive dysfunction, and implementing effective strategies to support their learning at home and in school.
Register here
Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for Part 3 of our Teen Series with Dr. Unnatti Jain, a Certified Behavior Change Expert / TEDx speaker / Author / Keynote speaker who studies behavioral patterns. Dr. Jain will help caretakers and families identify mental health symptoms, enhance communication skills, and explore
professional and self-care strategies.
Register here
Comprendiendo el Trauma en su Hijo, Part 3:
(presented in Spanish: Understanding Trauma in Your Child)
Friday, March 21, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Aprenderemos sobre el Trauma en este semanario de web de 3 partes y sobre los diferentes tipos de trauma, las respuestas naturales y los efectos que esto puede tener tanto en los niños como en los padres y estrategias que los padres pueden usar para apoyar a sus hijos.
Parte 3: Estrategias para construir factores de protección
¿Cómo apoyar a los niños que pueden haber sufrido traumas?
Register here
Calming the Chaos: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Twice-Exceptional (2e) Students
Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Dr. Oladimeji as she supports families to understand the unique emotional regulation challenges of Twice Exceptional (2e) students, including the interaction between giftedness and disabilities; identify proactive strategies to help 2e students recognize, express, and manage emotions effectively; Implement practical tools and techniques at home to foster emotional self-regulation and resilience; and collaborate with schools and professionals to support emotional growth in their child’s academic and social environments.
Register here
FCPS News & Activities
Breaking Down the Budget: Supporting Academic Growth and Algebra by 8th Grade
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has seen a 9.5% increase in 8th graders taking Algebra I or more advanced math and a 6.8% increase in 5th graders in advanced math.
Studies show that students who complete algebra in middle school have more opportunities to take advanced math and science courses in high school. This can open up new academic paths for students! Watch a video that shows why eighth grade algebra matters.
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