|
Happy Friday (and Pi Day) Cedar Lane Family!!
And speaking of days that are significant to mathematics (among other content areas), Cedar Lane's SOL testing window will be opening very soon. If you know that you and/or your student will be unavailable during the testing window please let the main office know so that plans can be made to ensure they are able to participate in their SOLs. Our school testing coordinator, Ms. Strait, will have more information in the upcoming weeks.
On the subject of things that will be happening soon, the third quarter will be ending on March 28th - two weeks from today!! If possible, please check in with your students and their teachers in order to ensure they are able to end the quarter with the best grades possible.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say Ramadan Mubarak the Muslim members of the Cedar Lane Family! If you and/or your students are currently participating, please note the information about student fasting meal kits contained below.
Wishing you a relaxed, reflective, reassuring weekend,
Mr. Rzepka
School Based Technology Specialist
Contents:
 FCPS Budget — Our Students Deserve the Best
More than $240 million of FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget is dedicated to increasing compensation for our teachers and staff to stay competitive and reduce turnover. Currently, FCPS ranks fifth out of eight neighboring districts in regards to starting salary for teachers with a master’s degree.
Our families expect — and our students deserve — the best teachers.
Next Steps in the Budget Process
The next steps in the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process include the School Board presenting the budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22, and then the Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Community members can submit testimony or sign up to speak.
Visit the county government website to view the Fairfax County FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The community is also invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the county’s FY 2026 Advertised Budget.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process.
🛑 Cameras Installed on School Bus Stop Arms
Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 FCPS school buses. These cameras will be used to identify drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are entering and exiting the bus (called a “stop arm violation”).
Warnings for drivers will begin on Wednesday, April 9. After a 30-day warning period, citations will begin to be issued on Monday, May 12.
According to Virginia law, drivers must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights on and their stop signs extended. Motorists should stop when approaching from any direction (unless there is a barrier or median separating their lane from where the bus is stopped). They should remain stopped until everyone is clear and the bus is moving.
We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with us to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Read more information about the stop arm cameras and all of the ways that we work with our county partners to keep students safe on their way to and from school.
Reminder to Sign Up Weekly for Student Fasting Meal Kits
Students who are fasting during the school day between now and March 28 can take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families must fill out a separate request form for each week and for each student in order to receive school meal kits. To receive meal kits for the week of March 24, please fill out this form by March 17.
Please remind your child to pick up their meals each day at our school’s designated location. Visit the Food and Nutrition Services webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
 Cedar Lane Families- Mark Your Calendars!
You are invited for a night of fun, food, games, and music! Please join us by bringing food, drinks, or games to share that are from your culture or family traditions. Also, we invite you to wear something that represents your culture or family traditions. There will be raffle prizes, as well as an optional visit to our Cedar Lane Food Pantry, and take-home food bags.
We are in need of parent volunteers! Please join us in planning this family friendly, fun event! We promise it will not be a huge time commitment but we would love to have your input! If you can help please email Ms. Min at jmmin1@fcps.edu
Hope to see you there!!
 On Saturday, March 15, 2025, First Baptist Church of Vienna will host a Young Ladies Summit: Pathways to PEARLserverance, a powerful and transformative event designed for middle and high school girls. Marissa Mitchell from Fox 5 DC and Dr. Nardos King, Chief Equity Officer for FCPS, will be keynote speakers whose leadership and expertise will inspire and empower the young women who attend this event.
The summit will focus on three key areas:
-
Participating Civically - Encouraging young women to actively engage in their communities and understand the importance of their voice and actions.
-
Practicing Personal Care - Emphasizing self-care, mental wellness, and strategies for maintaining a balanced life.
-
Preparing for a Sound Future - Equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to effectively plan and prepare for their futures.
Please use the QR code in the image above to register for the event, we hope to see you there!!
Cedar Lane 24-25 yearbooks are now on sale!
The journalism class is hard at work on the yearbook! If your kid is here now, they’ll be in it!
$35 for 72 pages of full color fun and memories.
Reserve your student’s copy now at https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectStudent?isAdvertisementOnly=False
Cash and check (made out to Cedar Lane) also accepted.
📍 The Comprehensive School Boundary Review Process Explained
Want to learn more about the ongoing Comprehensive School Boundary Review process? Watch this video for explanations of terms such as attendance zones, attendance islands, split feeders, and other factors that affect school boundaries. The video will also be available in other languages soon.
Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information and sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.
🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on Thursday, March 20, at Cunningham Park Elementary School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
👗 Prom Dress Shop Opens With Hundreds of Dresses
The annual Prom Dress Shop opened for the season on Friday, March 7, at Centreville High School. Any area student — not just those from Fairfax County Public Schools — who do not have the funds to purchase a prom dress may choose from hundreds of new dresses donated by Macy’s. Learn more and see shop hours.
Spanish:👗 La tienda de vestidos para el baile de graduación se abre con cientos de vestidos
La tienda anual de vestidos para el baile de graduación se abre el viernes 7 de marzo en la Escuela Secundaria de Centreville. Es para cualquier estudiante del área - no solo para los estudiantes de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Fairfax, que cuentan con pocos recursos económicos para comprar un vestido de graduación: pueden elegir entre cientos de vestidos nuevos donados por Macy's. Para más información y para ver el horario de la tienda.
2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)
Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
This event will feature:
- Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
- Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
- Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
- Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.
Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process.
Learn more about this event and register today! Contact FamilySummit@fcps.edu for more information.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
-
- Second Annual Food Show
- Cameras on School Bus Stop Arms
- Comprehensive Boundary Review Process Explained
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
|
