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The Weekly Roar
Monday, December 8, 2025
Thanks for Supporting the Book Fair!
We'd like to send a big "Thank You!" to all the families that supported this year's Library Book Fair last week! We had a great turnout on Family Night last Wednesday, and students were happily browsing and purchasing books and other treasures throughout the the week. The online fair is still open but closes tonight. If you'd like to grab a last-minute new read, be sure to visit https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/laneelementaryschool3 before midnight!
Winter Is Here!
It's only the second week of December, and we've already seen our first snowfall and our first school delay. Could this be a sign of a snowy winter ahead? Be sure to familiarize yourself with how FCPS announces weather-related schedule changes and make sure we have your most current contact information (email and phone numbers) on file. Also, be sure to dress your child for the weather each morning and label all coats, hats, gloves, and other winter-weather wear with your child's last name and first initial so, if it gets lost, we can return it. If your family needs winter clothing, please contact Mrs. Earl at krearl@fcps.edu or Mrs. Crosby Hardy at macrosby@fcps.edu.
Our Preschool students performed a Winter Concert this morning for their families and friends. They also got to do a winter-themed craft together. You'll find more pictures from the event on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Winter Concerts continue this week and next! See the article below for details.
Upcoming Events
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Tuesday, 12/9 & Wednesday, 12/10 – PTA Restaurant Days at Rice & Spice in the Landsdowne Shopping Center
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Thursday, 12/11 – Fall Portrait Retake Day (sign-up by midnight tonight)
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Thursday, 12/11 – CORRECTED TIME! Winter Chorus Concert, 6:30 p.m.
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Monday, 12/15 through Friday 12/19 – Winter Break SCA Spirit Week
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Monday, 12/15 – Ugly Sweater vs Holiday Sweater Day
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Tuesday, 12/16 – Red vs. White Day or just Candy Cane Day
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Wednesday, 12/17 – White Out vs. Black Out Day
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Thursday, 12/18 – The Grinch vs. Santa Day
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Friday, 12/19 – Pajama Day
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Monday, 12/15 – Full-Time AAP referrals due to Ms. Simon
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Wednesday, 12/17 – Early Release Wednesday, students dismissed 3 hours early at 1:05 p.m., UNLESS the school has been notified they need to stay until 4:05
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Thursday, 12/18 – 6th Grade Band and Strings Concert (with some 5th graders participating), 6:30 p.m.
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Monday, 12/22 through Friday, 1/2 – Winter Break
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Monday, 1/5 – School reopens
In This Issue
- Fall Portrait Retake Day This Thursday, December 11
- Kiss and Ride Safety Concern – Please Do Not Drop Off Your Child Before 9:05 or after 9:20!
- Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15
- Join Us for Some Sounds of the Season at Upcoming Concerts
- Next Early Release Wednesday Is December 17; Please Notify the School of Changes to Your Plans
- Lane Launches New Social-Emotional Learning Program, Second Step
- Looking for the Perfect Holiday Treat for Your Child’s Teacher or Other Lane Staff?
- PTA News: Winter Cub Club registration, Rice & Spice restaurant days, Candy Gram and movie fundraisers
- Parent Resources: Attendance reminders and resources, food-assistance resources, English classes for adults, workshops and webinars
- Community Events & Activities: Hayfield Secondary Art Market on December 12
- FCPS News & Events: Budget update, Community Conversations
News & Notes
Fall Portrait Retake Day This Thursday, December 11
Digital files for all student portraits taken at school in September and October were emailed to parents/guardians the first week of November. They were sent to the email addresses we currently have on file in our school registration database. If you did not receive your child’s picture file, please contact our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu.
If you would like to have a new picture of your child taken, we will have our Retake Day this Thursday, December 11. Please sign up on this form by midnight tonight, December 8, so we can be sure your child participates.
Students who are new to our school or missed their original Picture Day will have their pictures taken as well.
Kiss and Ride Safety Concern – Please Do Not Drop Off Your Child Before 9:05 or after 9:20!
We have noticed an increase in the number of students being dropped off too early at our Kiss and Ride. Please note that our doors do not open to students until 9:05 a.m., and parents should not be dropping off students until adults arrive at Kiss and Ride at that time. This is a safety issue because there is no adult supervision in that area until 9:05.
Please do not drop your child off earlier than 9:05, and please do not honk at or try to pass parents who are waiting in their cars in the Kiss and Ride lane.
Similarly, if you arrive at Kiss and Ride after 9:20 and there are no longer adult staff members present, do not just drop off your child. Students arriving after 9:20 a.m. are considered tardy and must be walked in to school through Door #1 by their parent/guardian and be signed in.
Thank you for your cooperation and helping us to keep all students safe!
Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15
Parents and guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services must submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Lane’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART) Linda Simon no later than next Monday, December 15, 2025.
If you wish to submit a parent referral for your child, you do not need to wait until December 15 to do so. Referrals are being accepted now. Please email Ms. Simon at lesimon@fcps.edu to let her know you plan to submit a referral so she expects it.
Note: This deadline applies to all grade levels, including 6th graders screening for 7th grade even though middle school course selection does not take place until January/February 2026. If you want to have your child screened for services in middle school, please be sure to submit the referral by the December 15 deadline.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services.
Next Steps for Parents
Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of their child’s materials after February 20, 2026, by emailing Ms. Simon at the address above.
At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by the school. If you miss the full-time referral deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific or part-time AAP services for the remainder of the year.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Join Us for Some Sounds of the Season at Upcoming Concerts
Three Lane student music groups will present their winter concerts in the next two weeks. This Thursday, December 11, the 5th and 6th Grade Choruses will perform at 6:30 p.m., and on Thursday, December 18, 6th Grade Strings and Band students (and some 5th graders too) will hold a joint concert, also at 6:30.
All families are welcome to come enjoy some seasonal music and support our talented young musicians!
Next Early Release Wednesday Is December 17; Please Notify the School of Changes to Your Plans
Our next Early Release Wednesday will be December 17. Students will be released three hours early that day at 1:05 p.m. We will once again offer supervised activities after school for those families with child-care hardship because of this new Early Release scheduling. This option is designed to be for students who have no other option.
To plan for our after-school groups this month, we will follow parent responses provided for the Early Release last month. If you need to change your child’s plans from last month, please call the school office at 703-924-7700 as soon as possible and no later than this Friday, December 12. You may also reach out via email to our family liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at macrosby@fcps.edu.
If we do not hear from you, we will send your child home as previously directed.
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Lane Launches New Social-Emotional Learning Program, Second Step |
Last week, classrooms across grade levels started incorporating structured social-emotional learning into their weekly routines with the launch of the Second Step program.
The Second Step program combines discussions with fun activities to help children learn human skills, such as responsible decision-making, working together to solve problems, managing strong emotions, and getting along with others. These skills can help children succeed academically and socially.
Teachers will be sending home more specific information, but Second Step also includes many additional resources for parents and families. Visit this link to learn more about Second Step and these important skill-building lessons.
If you have questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Looking for the Perfect Holiday Treat for Your Child’s Teacher or Other Lane Staff?
If you’d like to give your child’s teacher or another staff member a token of appreciation during this coming holiday season but aren’t sure where to start, we can help! Thanks to the PTA, we’ve collected “Teacher Favorites” lists to guide you! You can find the lists, organized by teacher, on our school website.
Please note that gifts are completely optional. And remember … sometimes the best gifts are the simplest – a homemade card, a letter of thanks, a special treat your child helped to bake, or even a heart-felt “Happy Holidays!” wish.
PTA News
Registration for Winter Cub Clubs Now Open!
The PTA and Lane admin have organized another entertaining and educational line-up of before- and after-school enrichment programs, known as “Cub Clubs,” for its winter session. Registration is now open and runs through December 31. Sessions begin Friday, January 9, and will run through Friday, March 6.
Offerings this session include chess, sports, ceramics, crafts, karate, and flag football. Some sessions will be taught by Lane staff. Sessions often fill up fast, so be sure to register as soon as possible.
Send Students and/or Staff a Sweet Gift – a PTA Candy Cane Gram!
Share a taste of the season with special students and staff members with a PTA Candy Cane Gram!
- Each Student Gram costs just $2 and includes a candy cane and a note.
- You can send a Classroom Student Gram for $40. Every student in the class will receive a candy cane and a note.
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Staff Grams are available for $12 each and include a $10 Visa gift card and a note.
Sales are open until this Friday, December 12. Grams will be delivered to classrooms on Thursday, December 18.
The PTA is also collecting donations to help provide a small gift for all the non-classroom teachers (specialists, support staff, etc.). Visit the Lane PTA website to donate.
Warm Up a Chilly Day with Thai Food from Rice & Spice!
Enjoy some tasty Thai food at Rice & Spice in Landsdowne on Tuesday, December 9, and Wednesday, December 10, and make a donation to our school at the same time during the PTA’s December Restaurant Nights.
Dine-in and take-out orders both count (not delivery). You can order online at www.ricespiceva.com. Be sure to put in the code LANE2025 in the Special Instructions box.
December Regal Movies Fundraiser
Looking for a great gift for friends and families that gives back to Lane as well? The PTA has a great one - Regal Movie Ticket Bundles! For just $30 you get two Standard 2D Movie tickets redeemable at any Regal location nationwide. Lane receives 25% of the sale. This fundraiser runs through December 31. Buy your bundle here!
Parent Resources
Attendance Is Important Every Day!
Every year, absences increase in the weeks before and after Winter Break. Give your child the gift of education and help build a habit of attendance. Visit the FCPS website for more attendance resources.
Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. Learn how to help and discover the many resources available to support those who need food assistance or shelter. View the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
English Classes in Our Community
If you’re looking for adult English classes, or know someone who is, please consider the two options below.
- The English Empowerment Center will be starting registration for its in-person and online classes next week. In-person locations include the Lorton Community Center, which is not too far from Lane. Classes are $85.
- St. John’s Lutheran Church, located on Franconia Road, will offer both in-person and online English classes beginning in February. Both morning and evening classes are offered. Cost is $40. For information visit www.sjlc.com/esl, email esl@sjlc.com, or call 571-480-5654 (English-only line). Registration is open January 1 through 10.
FCPS Family Cafe Series Upcoming Workshop
The Family Cafe Series is a special time for families to come together to learn about important topics that support their child’s growth and learning. These fun and helpful sessions keep families informed and involved in their child’s education—mind, body, and heart.
Tomorrow evening – Tuesday, December 9 – the Family Cafe will present “The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together” in the Chantilly High School Library. This hands-on workshop will show you how to stay safe online. Families will learn about popular social media apps, how to start meaningful conversations about internet safety, and the seven key topics that matter from kindergarten through adulthood. Read more and register here.
Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center in December
Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for All Learners
Friday, December 12, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This presentation explores how trauma-informed practices and social-emotional learning (SEL) support student well-being and academic success. We discuss the impact of stress and trauma on children, how it can manifest in their behavior, and the importance of creating safe and supportive learning environments. We will highlight protective factors that foster student resilience and growth. Additionally, we will showcase helpful practices at school that teach and reinforce essential skills such as self-awareness, self-management, and relationship building. Finally, we will explore practical strategies families can use at home to strengthen these skills and nurture resilience in their children.
Register here
The Power of Restorative Justice Practices to Support Students and Families in Schools and at Home: Part 2
Friday, December 19, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Come join this webinar to learn about Restorative Justice (RJ) Practices in FCPS! You’ll learn about what’s available to students and families in schools and how RJ Practices support students and families feeling empowered and connected to their school communities. We will also share how you can implement a simple restorative-justice practice to create connection in your family.
Register here
Community Events & Activities
Brighten Up Your Holidays with Art from Hayfield’s Holiday Art Market on Friday, December 12
Hayfield Secondary's National Art Honor Society invites you to shop their second annual Holiday Art Market, featuring all high school student sellers. You can support young artists and makers while also finding unique holiday gifts (or treats for yourself). Enter at Door 1 and look for signs and volunteers to direct you to the Market space. Cash and Tap-to-Pay accepted; 10% of all proceeds support the Hayfield National Art Honor Society chapter.
FCPS News & Events
FCPS’ Budget Supports the Success of the Local Economy
When our schools have the resources they need, all of Fairfax County succeeds!
FCPS is one of Fairfax County’s largest employers, and every paycheck we issue helps support local businesses, services, and housing markets. FCPS’ annual operating budget flows through our local economy — supporting jobs, purchasing goods and services, and contributing to regional stability.
Learn more about the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and how FCPS supports the Fairfax County economy.
Fairfax County Joint Budget Committee Meeting
The School Board met with the Board of Supervisors December 2 to discuss the budget forecast. View the meeting materials and learn more about FCPS' FY27 budget.
Share Your Thoughts with Superintendent Reid
At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school.
Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid are underway across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. We encourage you to attend, share your thoughts, and ask questions about FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
Click on a date above to register. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Community Conversations are open to all. Please check FCPS’ website for additional updates.
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