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The Weekly Roar
Monday, September 29, 2025
Breakfast Bonanza!
We had not one but two family breakfasts over the last few days!
Last Friday, it was our “Breakfast Bites” for 3rd and 4th grade families. Thanks to all the families who attended and brought such tasty food to share. Our 5th and 6th grade breakfast will be held on October 10.
This morning, we welcomed our military families for muffins and more at our “Muffins for Military Lions” gathering to kick off Blue Star Welcome Week. We had a great turnout of both new and returning military lion families. To add an extra special touch, Student Ambassadors "chalked the walk" at the main entrance with welcoming and supportive messages.
  
Upcoming Events
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Continuing through Saturday, 10/5 – Blue Star Welcome Week for military families
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Continuing through Thursday, 10/9 – Fall Picture Days (Individual portraits will be taken by class on library days; see article below for details and specific dates.)
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Wednesday, 10/1 – Lane Lion Loop Fun Run Kick-Off Pep Rallies (for students only); students encouraged to wear Lane spirit wear
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Thursday, 10/2 – Yom Kippur Holiday, School and Office CLOSED
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Wednesday, 10/8 – Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
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Thursday, 10/9 – Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Cafeteria
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Thursday, 10/9 – Lane PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m. (virtual)
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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
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Wednesday, 10/15 & Thursday, 10/16 – PTA Restaurant Night at Badd Pizza
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Friday, 10/17 – Lane Lion Loop Fun Run, each grade level will have a specific time and designated color to wear; spectators and volunteers welcome!
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Monday, 10/20 – Diwali Holiday, School and Office CLOSED
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Thursday, 10/23 – Math & STEAM Night, 5 – 7 p.m.
In This Issue
- Yom Kippur Begins Wednesday, October 1, at Sundown; No School Thursday, October 2
- Fall Picture Days Continue This Week!
- 2025 Student Rights and Responsibilities: Parent Signature Sheet Due Tomorrow, September 30
- PTA Play & Chat for Families of Students with Special Needs on Thursday, October 2, 5 p.m.
- Hispanic Heritage Month: The Celebration Continues
- Join Us for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 9!
- Save the Date for Math + STEAM = A Fun Night of Family Learning – Thursday, October 23!
- 5th & 6th Grade “Breakfast Bites” Next Friday, October 10
- New Food Items Coming to Our Cafeteria Soon!
- PTA News: Lane Lion Loop Fun Run fall fundraiser, registration for Fall Cub Clubs closes Thursday
- Parent Resources: School Start Times Survey, upcoming free webinar
- FCPS News & Activities: Ballot Referendum, Community Conversations
News & Notes
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Yom Kippur Begins Wednesday, October 1, at Sundown; No School Thursday, October 2
Yom Kippur is the holiest day in Judaism. According to Jewish tradition, this is when God decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year.
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Wednesday, October 1, will be an evening-only observance day for the beginning of the holiday. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school. Thursday, October 2, is a holiday and schools and offices will be closed. See the complete school year calendar.
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Fall Picture Days Continue This Week
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. Here is a list of the remaining dates by grade level and class:
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PreK
- Mori (Group 2) – Wednesday 10/1
2nd Grade
- Shipley – Tuesday, 9/30
- Song – Tuesday, 9/30
4th Grade
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Barbiere – Tuesday, 10/7
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Winiewicz – Wednesday, 10/8 (NEW DATE)
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Zubieta – Tuesday, 9/30
5th Grade
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Benzelock – Tuesday, 10/7
- Jenkins – Thursday, 10/9
- McGregor – Tuesday, 9/30
6th Grade
- Lewis – Tuesday, 10/7
- Thomas – Wednesday, 10/1
- Wilson – Tuesday, 9/30
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.
2025 Student Rights and Responsibilities: Parent Signature Sheet Due Tomorrow, September 30
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 30.
It’s Blue Star Welcome Week!
Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging in their school communities.
Each year, approximately 600,000 military families relocate. Whether they’re transitioning out of the military, transitioning in, or moving to new duty stations, these moves are a significant part of military life. For military families with school-aged children, these frequent relocations can be especially challenging. On average, military kids change schools 6 to 9 times before graduating, disrupting their education and social connections.
We are honored to have many military-connected lions in our school community and look forward to celebrating them during this special week, especially those who are new to our school. Please join us in giving a great big Lane Elementary welcome to these families!
PTA Play & Chat for Families of Students with Special Needs on Thursday, October 2, 5 p.m.
The PTA’s Inclusion Committee will host its rescheduled Play & Chat this Thursday, October 2, at 5 p.m. on 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). The PTA will provide drinks and snacks.
Hispanic Heritage Month: The Celebration Continues!
Lane enjoys a diverse, multicultural community, with more than 30 languages spoken among our families. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and we love to celebrate it.
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The celebration is focused right now on our Hispanic families, as National Hispanic Heritage Month is underway. During this month, we showcase the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, and we celebrate our Hispanic students. Almost 10% of our students at Lane speak Spanish at home, and about double that number come from a Hispanic heritage.
Our colorful Hispanic Heritage Month bulletin board went up last week. In the hallway outside the office, we will be hanging up a large map spotlighting Hispanic areas of the world. All families of Hispanic heritage are invited to send in pictures of their Lane students (or the whole family) so we can post them alongside our map. 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 by this Friday, October 3.
Hispanic Heritage Month will also be featured at our Fall CARE Night on Thursday, October 9. See the article below for details.
Join Us for Fall Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night on Thursday, October 9!
Hispanic Heritage Month will also be in the spotlight at our Fall CARE (Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event) Night on Thursday, October 9, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. This family-friendly event will feature interactive stations dedicated to different cultural activities and performances. It will include music, a read-aloud, crafts, and snacks!
Here are the fall cultural happenings we will highlight that night:
- Hispanic Heritage Month
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Dia de los Muertos
- Rosh Hashanah
- Yom Kippur
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Native American Heritage Month
- Diwali
- Disability History and Awareness Month
- Veterans Day.
If you plan to attend, please sign up here. This helps us ensure we have enough materials available for activities.
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.
5th & 6th Grade “Breakfast Bites” Next Friday, October 10
We will wrap up our fall grade level “Breakfast Bites” potlucks next Friday, October 10, with the gathering for our oldest students. Families of 5th and 6th graders are invited to join us from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the cafeteria. We ask that each family bring a breakfast dish or item to share (muffins, donuts, casseroles, etc.). If your family would like to join us, please RSVP here).
Math + STEAM = A Fun Night of Family Learning on Thursday, October 23!
On Thursday, October 23, Lane will host a Math & STEAM Night from 5 to 7 p.m. All families are invited to attend to learn more about how science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) are taught and explored throughout our curriculum and all grade levels at our school. Hands-on exhibits will feature everything from basic building blocks to high-tech robots. Interactive math sessions will include strategies, tips, and games with make-and-take activities to carry a piece of the learning home.
If you’d like to attend, please sign-up here to help us plan and ensure enough materials are available that night.
We hope to see you there!
Advanced Academics Program Overview Meeting Materials
If you weren't able to make it to the Advanced Academics Program overview session last Thursday, you can download the slide presentation here. Watch the newsletter for announcements of additional information sessions for families in the coming months.
New Food Items Coming to Our Cafeteria Soon!
Our new menu items debuting in September and October feature hearty homestyle favorites — including veggie chili, pictured above — and fresh global inspiration! Other new additions include:
- Breakfast: Cinnamon apple overnight oats, mini blueberry pancakes, French toast sticks, egg and cheese breakfast quesadillas and tacos, and turkey sausage and cheese bagels.
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Lunch: Teriyaki chicken stir-fry, teriyaki chickenless bites stir-fry, cheesy turkey pepperoni pasta, cheesy pasta with marinara sauce, deep dish pizza, and cheesy fiesta nachos.
Check our online menu to see when your child can try new recipes developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts, based on student feedback.
PTA News
Lane Lion Loop Fun Run Coming October 17; Campaign Kick-Off Wednesday, October 1!
The Lane PTA is excited to announce the first-ever Lane Lion Loop Fun Run, coming this October! This fun run will be one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. The goal—$20,000—will fully fund field trips with no cost to families and support other initiatives like literacy programs, technology upgrades, classroom improvements, and more!
The Fun Run fun kicks off with two pep rallies on Wednesday, October 1, to get the energy going. Check Wednesday Folders this week for detailed information, including prizes, spirit days, and schoolwide incentives to keep our little lions moving. Please encourage your child to wear Lane spiritwear or blue and yellow on Wednesday.
Volunteers Needed!
The PTA needs volunteers to help in several ways throughout the day on October 17. They will set up our 1/6th mile track with music and other fun areas for kids of all abilities, add marks to students race bibs each time they pass the start line, and tally the results and report them to the PTA. If you’re available and would like to help, please sign up on Volunteer FCPS here. A full sign-up form with slots and times will be sent to you.
Registration for Fall Cub Clubs Closes Thursday
The PTA and Lane admin have organized an entertaining and educational line-up of before- and after-school enrichment programs, known as “Cub Clubs,” for its fall session. Registration closes this Thursday, October 2. Sessions begin Tuesday, October 14, and will run through Tuesday, December 9.
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.
Parent Resources
K-12 School Start Times Survey
FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any cost for this project, elementary and high school start times would need to shift as well.
Providing feedback opportunities for the community is a critical part of this effort. Since 2024, FCPS’ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. A new School Start TImes Survey is open through tomorrow Tuesday, September 30. It includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs.
Staff, parents and caregivers, students, and community members may provide input on the two options by taking the survey. Find more information about adjusting school start times on the FCPS website.
Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
Navigating Section 504 – Essential Knowledge for Families
Friday, October 3, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This webinar will guide participants through these essentials of Section 504:
- Who Qualifies
- What to expect during the evaluation process
- How accommodations are determined
- Difference between a 504 Plan and an individualized education program (IEP).
This webinar is for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Register here
Math Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
Friday, October 10, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
In this session participants will learn about evidence-based practices in teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities and how they apply to math instruction. Specific early numeracy objectives will be discussed, along with related activities to support these objectives using items easily found within the home. A participant guide will be provided, containing a variety of tools and resources.
Register here
Sibshops and SibTeen
Monday, October 13, 9 a.m. – noon
Jim Scott Community Center
3001 Vaden Dr, Fairfax, VA
The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun.
Register here (waitlist only)
SibTeens is a community-building group for middle school siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences.
Register here
Please contact FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow-up questions about either program.
Supporting Your Child with Dyslexia
Wednesday, October 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for an informative webinar on dyslexia awareness, designed for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) families. This session will provide essential information about dyslexia and the resources available within FCPS to support students with this learning difference.
What you'll learn:
- Understanding dyslexia: Gain a clear understanding of what dyslexia is, its common signs, and how it can affect students' reading, writing, and spelling.
- FCPS support systems: Learn about the various supports and interventions FCPS provides, including evidence-based, structured literacy approaches and the role of reading specialists.
- Virginia Literacy Act: Discover how the new Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and FCPS' Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) Plan are changing literacy instruction to benefit all learners, especially those with dyslexia.
- Resources for families: We'll share practical tools and strategies you can use at home to support your child's literacy development and partner effectively with their school.
This webinar aims to empower families with knowledge and resources to help their students with dyslexia succeed.
Register here
Reading Plans and Your Student
Wednesday, October 22, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This 1.5-hour webinar is designed to help parents and caregivers understand the new reading plans in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Parents will learn about:
- What a reading plan is: A reading plan is a support system for students who are not meeting literacy benchmarks. It outlines specific, evidence-based instruction and interventions to help them improve their reading skills.
- Who requires a reading plan: All students from kindergarten through eighth grade who are identified as needing additional support based on literacy assessments will receive a reading plan. This is part of a broader effort by FCPS to implement the Virginia Literacy Act.
- How schools will support students: The webinar will explain how FCPS is using a science-based reading approach and will discuss the role of reading specialists, the curriculum used, and the assessments to monitor student progress.
- Resources and tools for parents: Parents will leave with practical resources and tools they can use at home to support their child's literacy development. The webinar aims to empower families to be active partners in their child's reading journey.
Register here
FCPS News & Activities
What Will the 2025 Bond Referendum on the November Ballot Fund?
The $460M bond referendum on the November ballot is expected to fund the next stages of several ongoing projects, as well as others referenced in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
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. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a plan to vote by Tuesday, November 4.
Join a Community Conversation 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. Events are planned for the following dates:
- Friday, October 3, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Annandale Terrace Elementary School
- Friday, December 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Churchill Road Elementary School
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Tuesday, December 9, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School
- Thursday, December 11, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Bull Run Elementary School
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