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The Weekly Roar
Monday, September 15, 2025
1st Grade Family Friday Fun
Thanks to all the 1st grade families who joined us on Friday for our “Breakfast Bites” potluck. We’re looking forward to seeing our 2nd grade families this week!
A Very Special Seat
Students in Ms. Stoddard’s 3rd grade class ended the week with their first “Author’s Chair” sessions of the year, during which selected students read their original writings to their classmates from a special seat at the front of the class.
Upcoming Events
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Continuing through Friday, 9/19 – Kindergarten Color Week 2
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Tuesday, 9/16: Yellow
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Wednesday, 9/17: Black and/or White
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Thursday, 9/18: Orange
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Friday, 9/19: Rainbow
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Monday, 9/15 – Hispanic Heritage Month begins
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Tuesday, 9/16 & Wednesday, 9/17 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger, 4 – 8 p.m.
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Wednesday, 9/17 – Early Release Wednesday, dismissal at 1:05 p.m. (See the article below for details and childcare offering for families that require it. Pre-K students are NOT released early.)
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Friday, 9/19 – Family Friday Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 2nd Grade Families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Tuesday, 9/23 – Rosh Hashanah Holiday, School and Office CLOSED
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Wednesday, 9/24 – Fall Picture Days begin (Individual portraits will be taken by class on library days; see article below for details and specific dates.)
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Thursday, 9/25 – PTA Play & Chat for families of children with special needs, 5:30 p.m., Lane Playground
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Thursday, 9/25 – Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Overview Family Session, 6 p.m., Library
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Friday, 9/26 – Family Friday Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 3rd & 4th Grade, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Friday, 9/26 - PTA Fundraiser at Chuck E. Cheese, 6301 Richmond Hwy Alexandria, until 9 p.m.
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Monday, 9/29 – Blue Star Welcome Week Breakfast for Military Families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Thursday, 10/2 – Yom Kippur Holiday, School and Office CLOSED
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Thursday, 10/9 – Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Cafeteria
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Friday, 10/10 – Family Friday Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 5th & 6th Grade, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Monday, 10/13 – Student Holiday/Staff Development Day – Students DO NOT Report
In This Issue
- First Early Release Wednesday Is This Week!
- Kindergarten Color Weeks Continues through Friday
- 2nd Grade “Breakfast Bites” This Friday, September 19
- Hispanic Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
- Rosh Hashanah Holiday September 22 – 23
- Save the Date for Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” – Monday, September 29!
- Fall Picture Days Start September 24! Volunteers Needed!
- Save the Date for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 9!
- Advanced Academics Family Information Session – Thursday, September 25, 6 p.m.
- Checklist of Important Forms
- PTA News: Registration for Fall Cub Clubs underway, Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger this week, Play & Chat for special needs families, Chuck E. Cheese fundraiser
- Parent Resources: Special-education newsletters, upcoming webinars
- Community Events & Activities: Fall into Girl Scouts event, Sunday 9/28
- FCPS News & Activities: Strategic Plan Goal 4, Sun Day Celebration. Ballot Referendum, Community Conversations
News & Notes
First Early Release Wednesday Is This Week
You should have received an email earlier today about your child’s early dismissal plans on Wednesday, confirming whether your child will leave school at 1:05 (heading home or to daycare) or at 4:05 as usual. If there are any changes to the information you received, please let us know by noon on Tuesday.
Here are the other Early Release Wednesdays for the rest of the school year:
- October 15
- November 19
- December 17
- February 25
- March 25
- April 29
- May 20.
We will follow the same dismissal plans for your child on Early Release Wednesdays throughout the school year. If there is a change for any specific date, you MUST let the office know at least one week before.
Kindergarten Color Weeks Continue through Friday
Thanks to all of our students and staff members who’ve been sharing the colorful fun with our kindergarten classes as each day celebrates a different stripe of the rainbow and other hues. We hope the participation will continue!
Here’s the schedule for the second Kindergarten Color Week:
- Tuesday, 9/16: Yellow
- Wednesday, 9/17: Black and/or White
- Thursday, 9/18: Orange
- Friday, 9/19: Rainbow.
Please encourage your child – no matter what grade level – to join the colorful fun!
2nd Grade “Breakfast Bites” This Friday, September 19
First-grade families had a blast at last week’s “Breakfast Bites,” and this week it’s 2nd grade’s turn! All 2nd grade families are invited to join us from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the cafeteria. We just ask that each family bring a breakfast dish or item to share (muffins, donuts, casseroles, etc.). If you are a 2nd grade family that would like to attend, please RSVP here).
Please note that we’ve changed the date for our 3rd and 4th grade breakfast – it will now be held on Friday, September 26. If your family would like to attend, please sign-up here.
Our final “Breakfast Bites” will be held on Friday, October 10, for 5th and 6th grade families. Sign-up forms for this final event will be posted soon.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Share Your Culture with Your Lane Family!
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The celebration starts today and runs through October 15th.
Did you know that nearly 20% of our students at Lane identify has having a Hispanic heritage? We want to celebrate all of them! We invite all students of Hispanic heritage to send in pictures and let us know where their family is from so we can post them around our map of the world's Hispanic areas. You can email the photos to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu, or send it to her through TalkingPoints. Please send photos in your by Friday, October 3.
Rosh Hashanah Holiday September 22 – 23
“Shanah tovah” to our Jewish community celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! 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 Yom Kippur.
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Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday, September 22. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.
Tuesday, September 23, is a holiday for all FCPS students and staff. Schools and offices will be closed.
See the complete school year calendar.
Save the Date for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 9!
Hispanic Heritage Month and Rosh Hashanah are just two of the many cultural holidays and awareness/recognition months that FCPS recognizes during the school year. Here at Lane, we are continuing our quarterly events to showcase those observances and share cultural information in a fun, family-friendly way. These CARE (Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event) Nights — which we launched last year — will feature stations dedicated to different cultural activities and performances.
The date for our first CARE Night this year is Thursday, October 9. The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and we hope to highlight these early fall cultural happenings:
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Rosh Hashanah
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Diwali
- Dia de los Muertos
- Disability History and Awareness Month.
Save the date and watch for more information coming soon! If you would like to host an activity for or a display about one of the events listed above, please email our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu.
Save the Date for Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” – Monday, September 29!
Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging in their school communities. We are honored to have many military-connected lions in our school community and look forward to celebrating them during this special week. On Monday, September 29, we will host a Blue Star Welcome Week “Muffins for Military Lions” breakfast reception from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.
In the past, this reception has been for military families only, but we recognize that all Lane Lions are connected to these students as classmates, friends, neighbors, and more! So this year, all Lane Lions – military and non-military – and their families are welcome!
We ask that each family bring a dozen mini muffins or half a dozen full-size muffins to share with others. Muffins can be store-bought or homemade. We just ask that, if you make your own, you provide an ingredients list so that our families with allergies can choose safely. If you’d like to join us that morning, please fill out this RSVP form and tell us how many will attend and what you plan to bring.
We look forward to celebrating our military families together in two weeks!
Fall Picture Days Start September 24! Volunteers Needed!
This year we are once again taking our student pictures for the yearbook in house rather than having a photography company come to school to take them. Students’ individual Picture Days will be their class library day, starting Wednesday, September 24. You can find a complete list of dates on our school website or on the flyer below.
After Picture Days 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. There are many professional portrait studios in the Alexandria/Springfield area that families can visit if they wish to have a professional portrait taken.
Thursday, October 9, will be a make-up day for students who are absent on their assigned class day.
We will need some volunteers to help this process run smoothly. If you’re interested and able to help, please sign up to volunteer on our Volunteer FCPS page. A Sign-Up Genius link will be sent to you to let us know the days and times you’d like to help.
Advanced Academics Family Information Session – Thursday, September 25, 6 p.m.
Lane’s Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Overview Family Session will be held on Thursday, September 25, at 6 p.m. in the Lane Library. At this meeting, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Linda Simon, will:
- Provide information on the continuum of AAP services.
- Explain the screening processes.
- Answer questions about advanced academic services.
For more information about the FCPS Advanced Academics program, read the Fall AAP newsletter.
Checklist of Important Forms
The multiple school forms parents and caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year.
If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact our front office for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Immunization Requirements
Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure that your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Tuesday, November 18, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to our front office. Find more information on immunizations.
Permission Forms
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch a video to see how to use the tool.
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned to our front office by Tuesday, September 30.
PTA News
Registration for Fall Cub Clubs Now Open!
The PTA and Lane administrators have organized an entertaining and educational line-up of before- and after-school enrichment programs, known as “Cub Clubs,” for its fall session. Registration is now open and runs through Thursday, October 2. Sessions begin Tuesday, October 14, and will run through Tuesday, December 14.
Offerings this session include chess, sports, ceramics, STEM, and piano. Some sessions will be taught by Lane staff. Sessions often fill up fast, so be sure to register as soon as possible.
Restaurant Nights at Hangry Burger Tomorrow and Wednesday, 4 – 8 p.m.!
Next up in the PTA’s tasty Restaurant Night line-up is Hangry Burger in Springfield on Tuesday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 17. A percentage of all sales during those hours will be donated back to the school. Flyers with more details were sent home in Wednesday Folders last week, but no flyer is needed at the restaurant.
Play & Chat for Families of Students with Special Needs on September 25, at 5:30 p.m.
The PTA’s Inclusion Committee will host its first Play & Chat of the year on Thursday September 25, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lane playground. Families of students with special needs are invited to join this informal gathering to build community and enjoy the sunshine after school (before the fall chill arrives). Siblings are welcome, too! The PTA will provide drinks and snacks.
PTA Fundraiser at Chuck E. Cheese on Friday, September 26
On Friday September 26, all Lane Lions are welcome come play with their classmates at Chuck E. Cheese (6301 Richmond Highway in Alexandria) until 9 p.m., no signup required. Twenty percent of Lane sales will be donated to the Lane PTA. (Please note: This is not a drop off event. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.)
Parent Resources
Back-to-School Edition of Special Education and 504 Newsletter
The Back-to-School issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. The newsletter is sent by FCPS’ Department of Special Services, which provides a network of support to staff, students, and families to break down barriers to learning and help students succeed as individuals.
Topics in this issue include:
- Building a Culture of Belonging - Inclusive Education in FCPS
- Updated and Translated: Special Education and Section 504 Resources
- ESY Updates
- Be a Special Education Teacher
- Personal Electronic Devices for Students with Disabilities
- Ensuring Safety for Students with Disabilities During Emergencies
- Secondary Advisory Period to Support Executive Functions
- Supporting Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners
- Adapted PE: Inclusive Health and Wellness Education
- Adapted Curriculum: Partnering for Progress
- Career and Transition Services: Back-to-School Update
- Assistive Technology Services
- Behavior Intervention Services: Welcome Back!
- SEL Team
Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.
Information for Families of 2e (Twice Exceptional) Learners
The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for 2e Programming has developed an informational flyer to showcase the range of services and resources available to support our twice-exceptional (2e) learners and their families. It is pictured below, or you can download it here. See the links below for translations.
Free Webinars from the FCPS Family Resource Center
Worried Parents, Anxious Kids: How to Help Your Student Manage School-Related Anxiety
September 19, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Anxiety rates in children are at an all-time high, and it’s getting in the way of schoolwork. When kids feel anxious, their happiness, well-being, and ability to learn can all suffer. With the right tools, parents can help their kids thrive—academically and emotionally. In this webinar, Educational Connections Founder and President Ann Dolin, M.Ed., and Executive Function Coach Rachael Moss, MA, M.Ed., will share insights on:
- The specific academic challenges anxious students face, like feeling overwhelmed, concentration, procrastination, and perfectionism
- The connection between anxiety and executive function skills (and why it matters)
- How to nurture a growth mindset and reduce school-related stressors
- Research-based communication techniques to support your child through fear and worry.
Register here
What Families Need to Know About Drugs for Their Student with Disabilities
September 26, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Students with disabilities may be at a higher risk for substance use (SAMHSA); therefore, special populations require special care. Join us as we discuss the risk factors for drug misuse and how you can reduce the likelihood of your child using alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioids. We will pay special attention to addressing the needs of students with ADHD.
Register here
Community Events & Activities
“Fall into Girl Scouts” on September 28
Do you have a child that would like to learn more about Girl Scouts at Lane or in the Hayfield area? If so, join current troops for Fall into Girl Scouts on Sunday, September 28, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Hayfield Park. Use the QR below for more information.
FCPS News & Activities
Celebrate Sun Day on September 21
Celebrate the launch of FCPS’ solar initiative and the arrival of 17 new electric school buses at Louise Archer Elementary School on Sunday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. Come learn more about the great work FCPS is doing to reduce its carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals.
Bring the family for live music, solar story time, student-led sustainability demos, and other activities. Register for Sun Day today.
School Bond Referendum on Ballot Tuesday, November 4
The $460 million School Bond Referendum — supporting the division and county’s commitment to providing safe and welcoming learning environments for all students — will be on the Tuesday, November 4, general election ballot.
The funding provided by voter-approved bonds is expected to fund projects identified in the FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program, which was approved by the School Board in February.
The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through the division’s operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Watch this video that explains, “What Is a bond?”
Make sure you have a voting plan! Learn more about registering to vote.
Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts and ask questions about FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6 to 8 p.m.:
Locations and registration links will be shared in future issues of FCPS This Week. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access and 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.
One of the measures of the fourth goal is to provide all students with consistent availability of and accessibility to electives, extracurricular, co-curricular, and enrichment activities. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.
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