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Good afternoon Cedar Lane Community,
The final bell for the first quarter is about to ring! With the quarter officially ending next Friday, October 31st, we encourage all students to use this last week to finish the quarter strong. Please take this time to finalize any assignments, check in with teachers about grades, and organize materials for the transition into the second quarter. Completing the first quarter successfully sets a positive tone for the rest of the academic year!
To celebrate a successful quarter and have some fun on the way, we're hosting a Spirit Week! We encourage all students and staff to participate in the following themed days:
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Monday (Oct 27): Halloween Colors (Wear orange and black)
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Tuesday (Oct 28): Mismatch Day (Get creative with patterns and colors!)
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Wednesday (Oct 29): Pajama Day (Keep it school-appropriate, please!)
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Thursday (Oct 30): Sparkly Day (Wear glitter, sequins, or anything that shines)
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Friday (Oct 31): Halloween Costumes (Please remember no masks and no accessories that resemble weapons are allowed at school.)
Wishing you well this wonderful week,
The Staff of Cedar Lane School
Contents:
Tuesday, October 28 ⇒ PTSA Hallowingo Event
Friday, October 31 ⇒ Last Day of the First Quarter/Halloween
Monday, November 3 ⇒ School Planning Day (No School for Students)
Tuesday, November 4 ⇒ Election Day (No School for Students)
Tuesday, November 11 ⇒ Veteran's Day (No School)
Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28 ⇒ Thanksgiving Break (No School)
✅ Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or submitting the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type “Federal Impact Aid Survey” in the Issue Description section. You may also call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
SIS ParentVUE End-of-Quarter Closure
The Gradebook in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed for the end of the first quarter from Friday, October 31, 4 p.m. to Monday, November 10, 6 a.m. Activate your ParentVUE account to easily access grade reports.
🏗️ How Bond Projects Are Selected
Each year, the School Board and FCPS staff members work with the community to develop an updated, five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for school building and renovation projects. To develop the CIP, the school system assesses changes in expected enrollments, academic programs, and facility conditions to determine priorities for new construction, renovations, and other capital facility projects. The School Board then evaluates the affordability of these school needs against other countywide requirements to determine the bond proposal.
Because of this, while FCPS and the School Board generally try to follow the CIP, changes can be made year-over-year depending on the evolving needs of the school division.
The School Board is committed to protecting the community’s investment in schools and other buildings, which have a combined present value approaching $9 billion. Not only do these facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, both technologically and instructionally. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students, countywide, have effective and efficient learning environments to thrive and grow.
Read more about the FCPS 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a voting plan and vote on Tuesday, November 4.
 📍 October Community Boundary Review Meetings
FCPS’ October community boundary review meetings are underway. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. Our pyramid will be covered at the meeting on Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at McLean High School, in person or virtual. Register by clicking “in person” or “virtual,” based on how you would like to participate.
At the meeting, the consultant will present the latest draft boundary map (Scenario 4) and potential changes specific to our pyramid and the McLean pyramid. Participants will also be invited to ask questions.
If you are unable to attend the meeting for our pyramid, you are welcome to attend any meeting that is convenient. View the list of October boundary meetings.
Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
📍 Reuniones para la Revisión de Límites de Zonas Escolares en Octubre
Las reuniones comunitarias para la revisión de límites de zonas escolares ya comenzaron. Cada una de estas 12 reuniones se concentrará en dos pirámides. Nuestra pirámide será discutida en la reunión del Miércoles, October 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at McLean High School, in person or virtual. Regístrese haciendo clic en “en persona” o “virtual”, dependiendo de cómo quiera usted participar.
En la reunión, la compañía consultora presentará el último bosquejo del mapa de zonas escolares (Escenario 4) y los cambios potenciales a nuestra pirámide y la pirámide de McLean High School. Los participantes están invitados a hacer preguntas.
Si no puede asistir a la reunión sobre nuestra pirámide, le invitamos a asistir a cualquier otra que le convenga. Mire la lista completa de las reuniones sobre límites de zonas escolares de octubre.
Para encontrar más información, visite la página web de FCPS sobre la Revisión Integral de Límites de Zonas Escolares.
Fairfax County Youth Survey on Physical and Mental Well-Being
The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The survey is given each fall to all students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. It provides information about a variety of topics related to our students that influence their physical and mental well-being, from sleep, physical activity, and nutritional habits to protective factors, substance use behaviors, and symptoms of depression.
The 2025 Fairfax County Youth Survey will be taken by students between Monday, November 10, and Friday, November 21. Parents and caregivers can opt their student out of participating in the survey if they so choose.
Visit the Fairfax County Youth Survey webpage for more information and to review the opt-out forms.
✨ Providing students with access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, mental, and physical health services to support their successful engagement in school is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
 Cedar Closet Update
The year has started off really well. We have a newly rebuilt pantry with a variety of options for students to choose from. We are currently looking for generous people to step forward to help as donors and volunteers. We have provided over 50 weekend food packs for students over the past five weeks and with your help we can continue to provide these important resources for our students. This is a real community effort and we appreciate everyone who is able to help.
Are You a Food For Neighbors Red Bag Donor?
Food For Neighbors is the primary means we have to stock our pantry with donations from the community five times each school year. You sign-up, receive reminders to set out a bag of food, shop for food items to include in your bag and leave it outside on the appointed Saturday morning. If you can, please sign-up to become a FFN Red Bag Donor. The next FFN collection will be Saturday, October 25th. Please sign-up today: https://www.foodforneighbors.org/red-bag-program
If you are already a Red Bag Donor and will talk with your neighbors, here is the link to a flyer you can share widely. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Po-XSgUqTbKakAO2VM3Hc1iQzePcp6zk/view?usp=drive_link
If you would like to be more involved with Food For Neighbors, please email our FFN Area Manager for more information: fallschurcham@foodforneighbors.org
Questions? Email: cedarlanepantry@gmail.com
Thank you for your support!
 On Oct 28th from 6-8pm at Cedar Lane School we will have our Annual Hallowingo Celebration- we will serve dinner and play lots of bingo for some fun prizes- bring the whole family! Costumes are welcome! Hope to see you soon!
Please contact Ms. Min (jmmin1@fcps.edu) with any questions.
💯 Changes to Middle and High School Report Card Feedback
With the first quarter of the school year ending on Friday, October 31, families can expect student report cards to be available the week of November 10.
FCPS has revised the way teachers provide feedback on report cards, so you may notice some new comments. Specifically, comments have been revised to provide more detailed feedback for students and families.
Also, teachers will now include a Work Habits mark each quarter for each student. This scale provides feedback on students’ time management, organization, assignment completion, and overall effort in class. This is meant as feedback to families and will not appear on a student’s transcript.
View the Middle and High School Grading and Reporting webpage for more information.
Federal Student Aid has made the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available ahead of the scheduled release date. Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and financial aid forms. Then, create an account, if you have not already done so, and fill out the FAFSA.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application has not yet opened but should be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will be offering several programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA and finding and applying for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website.
In addition, College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to complete the FAFSA/VASA. To request an appointment, families should email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.
It's time to shine a spotlight on the amazing staff at Cedar Lane School! Nominations are officially open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards. Do you know a teacher, administrator, or staff member who consistently goes above and beyond? Now is your chance to acknowledge their exceptional work!
You can nominate one employee per category using the Google Form below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemVfxbWFtUYHDwcdGe0gmeb1OVTBqJRyujSQERqyzG1Bdc_A/viewform?usp=header
Categories include:
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Principal
- Outstanding Leader
- (Assistant Principals, Director of Student Services, Director of Student Activities)
- Outstanding Professional Employee
- (SBTS, Special Education & MLL Department Chair, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Social Workers, Psychologist, SOSA)
- Outstanding Operational Employee
- (Admin Assistants, Office Assistants, Finance Tech, Custodians, Building Supervisor, IA, PHA, PHTA, Family Liaison, Safety & Security)
Nominations close Friday, November 14.
How AI Is Shaping Teaching and Learning
Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI, a conversation with division leadership, which will take place Monday, November 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at West Springfield High School. Attend to:
- Learn about the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
- Explore how AI can support FCPS student achievement and workforce readiness.
- Engage in a thought-provoking panel and keynotes.
- Help shape the future of innovation at Fairfax County Public Schools.
Agenda details will be shared with registered participants in the coming weeks. Contact DITEvents@fcps.edu with any questions.
Date: Saturday, November 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Tuscarora High School (801 N. King St., Leesburg)
The 11th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair celebrates the legacy and opportunities offered by HBCUs. During the HBCU Fair, students and families will meet with college and university representatives, explore scholarship options and connect with fraternities, sororities, community groups and civic organizations. Don’t miss the HBCU alumni panel, step team performance and tour information session at noon! Students are encouraged to bring transcripts and SAT/ACT scores. Select schools will be offering on-site admissions! Contact Michael Newkirk (Michael.Newkirk@lcps.org) or Michelle Vocke (Michelle.Vocke@lcps.org) with any questions.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- ⏰ School Start Times Update
- 🎖️ 75% of FCPS Schools Recognized for Supporting Military Families
- Return Your Impact Aid Survey
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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