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To access a translated version of this newsletter, please click HERE. Then, select your preferred language by clicking on the language icon in the upper left corner.
Para tener acceso a una versión traducida de este boletín, haga clic AQUÍ. Luego, seleccione su idioma preferido haciendo clic en el ícono de idioma en la esquina arriba.
Dear Dolphin Families,
We’ve had a wonderful week at Lake Anne! Our first graders had a great time visiting the Smithsonian Museum of American History, connecting their learning to real-life experiences.
We’re so excited to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Lake Anne’s Spanish Immersion Program tonight—Friday, April 25 from 5–8 p.m. (rain date: May 2). Thank you to the planning committee for a full year of preparation, to those who volunteered their time, and to everyone who donated through the Amazon wishlist. This event is for current and former students, families, and staff.
As we continue through Autism Acceptance Month, we honor and support our autistic dolphins. According to the CDC, 1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. Our school community plays a vital role in creating inclusive, affirming spaces where all students feel seen and celebrated.
Attendance matters, especially as we approach the end of the school year. Let’s finish strong—every day makes a difference!
Reminder: Monday is an Early Release Day.
Thank you for your continued support!
Jill D. Stewart, Principal Melanie N. Porter, Assistant Principal
🌞April Calendar Events and Reminders
April- Month of the Military Child / National Arab American Heritage Month / School Library Month / Autism Acceptance Month
6-12: National Library Week
8: LAES Tree Planting Event, Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Music & P.E. Showcase
9: Purple Up! Day
11: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
12: Passover
13: Theravada New Year
14-18: Spring Break / Schools and Offices Closed
18: Good Friday / Orthodox Good Friday
20: Easter / Orthodox Easter
22: School Bus Driver Day
23: Administrative Professionals Day
Social and Emotional Learning Screener: Parent Reports
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of March. The screener provides information on their SEL skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how much their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results are available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. Families who do not have an active ParentVUE account will receive their results via postal mail.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the SEL Screener Results Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.
Protect Your Child from Measles: What You Need to Know
Measles cases continue to rise in the US. About 1 in 5 people who get measles end up in the hospital. Measles can cause severe complications like a lung infection (pneumonia), brain inflammation (encephalitis), and possibly death, even with medical care. Symptoms of measles typically include:
- High fever (may spike up to 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- A rash that appears around 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads down the body.
The best way to protect a child from measles is by getting two doses of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
If you are unsure of your child's vaccination status or your personal vaccination status, talk to your health care provider. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your health care provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources.
Pre-K Program Accepting Applications for Fall
The FCPS PreK Program serves 3 and 4 year old students with a high quality, full-day preschool program with no cost to families at 78 Fairfax County elementary schools.
Students may qualify with a variety of economic or educational risk factors. Learn more about the Pre-K and Early Head Start Program by watching this video (English) or video (Spanish).
Spaces fill quickly, so complete an application online now or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish) for more information.
✅ Share Feedback With County Health Department on School Health Services
The Fairfax County Health Department and Fairfax County Public Schools School Health Services invite parents/caregivers of FCPS students to participate in a survey on satisfaction with school health room services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open until Monday, May 5.
School health rooms (clinics) are managed by public health nurses and school health aides. Those staff provide care for students who become sick or injured during the school day, who require medications during the school day, and/or who have a chronic health condition that requires management during the school day.
Additionally, the school health room staff:
- Provide health education, communicable disease prevention, and health screenings.
- Work with schools to help address the root causes of population health disparities so that all students have equitable access to educational and health opportunities.
- Ensure that students have care for minor injuries and illnesses, and chronic health conditions, thus helping to minimize health barriers to learning.
Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of school health room services as well as inform future planning for schools.
☀️ Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas
Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning and fun! At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth.
An FCPS Student Program Marketplace will feature student-made goods for sale. Proceeds will support the students’ programs.
Learn about summer programs and resources available from community and business partners. Enjoy face painting, touring a fire truck, student performances, and much more! Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
Increasing Access to Middle School Algebra 1
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence places a focus on successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade. To increase access to Algebra 1 for middle school students, the school division has decided to streamline the criteria for taking Algebra 1 Honors in seventh grade.
With the simplified criteria, Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) scores are no longer a prerequisite when selecting either Mathematics 7 Honors or Algebra 1 Honors. Although it is not a requirement for advanced math, families may still use the test scores to help decide which level of mathematics their child signs up for.
Families of students who took the IAAT this winter will receive their score report by the end of this month. Students who were scheduled for the IAAT but did not get to complete the test will have the chance to opt-in for a makeup test at the end of the year. Parents/caregivers will receive information about this makeup testing opportunity.
Additional information and copies of upcoming family communication can be found on the IAAT webpage.
Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.
This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 19. Visit the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage to access the nomination information form.
This week, which Lake Anne Elementary staff member(s) did you see making a SPLASH doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way?! Please help us in recognizing their outstanding contributions by submitting an FCPS CARES for them.
For questions, please email employeeawards@fcps.edu.
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