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Good afternoon Cedar Lane Community!!
What a week worthy of celebration at Cedar Lane! We want to start by congratulating the talented students who performed in our Winter Music Show yesterday. Your dedication and beautiful music filled the auditorium with positives vibes and holiday cheer! The celebration continued today on the court, where our basketball team secured a great victory against the Phillips Cougars! Congratulations to all our players and coaches on a fantastic game and an exciting end to the week.
Get ready for one final push before the holidays! Next week is not only the last week before Winter Break, but it is also Cedar Lane Spirit Week! It will be a fun way to finish the semester strong. We kick off the celebration on Monday with Holiday Hat Day! For a listing of the themes for the other days of the week, please see the "Upcoming Dates/Events" section below. We encourage all students and staff to participate in the festive themes throughout the week as we count down to the break.
Wishing you warmth throughout the wintery weather,
The Staff of Cedar Lane School
Contents:
- Monday, December 15 - Friday, December 19 ⇒ Spirit Week:
- Monday, December 15 ⇒ Holiday Hat Day
- Tuesday, December 16 ⇒ Holiday Sock Day
- Wednesday, December 17 ⇒ Wear Your Favorite Holiday Clothes
- Thursday, December 18 ⇒ Twin Day
- Friday, December 19 ⇒ Pajama Day
- Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2 ⇒ Winter Break (No School)
- Friday, January 9 ⇒ Basketball: Quander Road @ Cedar Lane
Reporting Student Absences
We are committed to partnering with families to promote positive attendance habits. Any day that your child is unable to attend school, parents should report the absence. By reporting absences, families are partnering with our staff so that everyone can make sure students are supported and have access to resources.
Full-day absences can be reported in SIS ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by calling our school attendance line at [phone number] or emailing [attendance email address]. School staff will call parents if students are absent, and our school has not been notified in advance.
Parents can monitor their child’s attendance records in SIS ParentVUE.
Attendance Codes in SIS ParentVUE Explained
Attendance codes in SIS ParentVUE are assigned by school staff to better identify the reasons behind student absences. This allows us to respond thoughtfully and provide appropriate support. Visit the FCPS Attendance Policy webpage to learn more about the codes.
When Your Child Is Sick
It is also important to keep your child home when they are sick. The Can My Child Go to School? webpage provides helpful recommendations on when to keep your child home.
For instance, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home and contact your health care provider.
⛄ Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during the upcoming winter break and on snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
Recursos para estudiantes y familias
Las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Fairfax han compilado una lista de recursos para estudiantes y familias en caso de que necesiten ayuda mientras las escuelas están cerradas por las vacaciones de invierno. Por favor visite nuestra página web de recursos de invierno para enlaces a apoyo académico; apoyo a la salud mental; y alimentos, ropa, vivienda y otros recursos del condado.Cuando las Escuelas están Cerradas, el Aprendizaje Puede Continuar
FCPS anima a los estudiantes a aprovechar las oportunidades de aprendizaje divertido durante las vacaciones de invierno y días de nieve. Considere estas actividades de invierno para que sus estudiantes combinen la educación y la diversión.
Stay up to date on all offerings throughout December! The Family Academy is excited to offer a variety of classes, workshops, webinars, and programs for families. Find registration opportunities and more details on the “Learn With Us” tab of the FCPS Family Academy page.
🍲 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.
🍲 Asistencia Alimentaria y Guía de Recursos
La incertidumbre alimentaria afecta a más de 96,000 residentes del Condado de Fairfax. Sepa cómo puede ayudar y descubra los muchos recursos que están disponibles para aquellos que necesiten asistencia alimentaria o refugio. Revise la Guía de Servicios de Recursos Humanos.
📖 Meet the Author: Live on Channel 21 and YouTubeTune in to the Fairfax Network on Friday, December 12, at 1 p.m., for Meet the Author with Gabriella Aldeman, author of the bilingual children’s book “Squawk of Spanish.”
Follow Max as he learns to communicate with his Spanish-speaking grandmother and discovers how language can bring families closer together.
Visit the Meet the Author webpage to view previous episodes of the show.
Support Our Schools: 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge
Join Educate Fairfax’s 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge and help ensure every FCPS student has the tools, support, and inspiration to succeed. Every gift, whether you can give $25 or $2,500, helps students learn while supporting the teachers and staff who make a lasting difference.
Educate Fairfax is the nonprofit education foundation that supports FCPS by providing resources, recognizing outstanding educators, and strengthening connections between schools and the community. Educate Fairfax invests directly in classrooms and programs. Last year, they contributed $1.27 million back into our schools.
The foundation supplied more than 5,000 school supply kits to more than 61 schools, centers, shelters, and Welcome Centers. Its Food for All Campaign packed more than 1,000 snack packs and helped feed more than 350 families over Thanksgiving. Read the Educate Fairfax Annual Report to learn more about their impact.
Together, we can support and encourage all learners and educators and strengthen the future of our schools. Donate to Educate Fairfax today.
Shape Your Story: Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Beginning in January 2026, students will meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for next year. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.
As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:
- Current academic strengths and habits.
- Graduation requirements (high school students.
- Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
- Personal well-being.
- Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.
School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success.
🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning
FCPS’ Graduation Requirements and Course Planning page provides information that students and families can preview to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond. To further help families in tracking these requirements, new this year, families can log into ParentVUE to monitor their student's progress toward graduation. Reviewing the Program of Studies may also be helpful.
Families are welcome to contact Cedar Lane’s school counselor, Karen Williams, with questions or concerns. E-mail karen.williams@fcps.edu or call (703) 208-2407.
Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens
Are you planning on spending more time with your teen over winter break? Or are they planning to spend time away from you with friends? Now may be a good time to talk to them about fentanyl and overdose.
Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging, no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:
- Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving the car, taking a walk, or doing chores together.
- Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions.
- Stay patient, and reserve judgment.
- Check in with your child early and often.
Learn how to start an unskippable conversation, and find resources to share with your teen on how to spot an overdose and how to respond.
No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for All High School Students
Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
Teleterapia de Salud Mental Sin Costo para Todos los Estudiantes de Secundaria
Su hijo de secundaria está teniendo ansiedad, cambios de comportamiento o dificultades con las relaciones familiares o con sus compañeros? Si es así, los padres/cuidadores pueden referir a sus hijos a terapia semanal con un terapeuta licenciado a través de Hazel Health. Visite la página web Teletherapy para obtener información por este servicio.
모든 고등학생을 위한 무료 정신 건강 텔레테라피(Teletherapy: 유선/온라인) 상담 서비스
고등학생 자녀가 불안, 행동 변화, 또래 및 가족 관계에 어려움을 겪고 있나요? 그렇다면 부모/보호자는 자녀가 Hazel Health를 통해 면허를 소지한 전문 상담사와 매주 상담을 받도록 추천할 수 있습니다. 이 서비스를 신청하는 방법에 대한 자세한 내용은 텔레테라피 웹페이지를 참조하세요.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Showcases Success
- Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings
- Winter Resources for Families
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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