In This Week's LCES NYC:

What's Happening at LCES?!

• Photos of the Week
• Important Dates
• Lees Corner Curriculum Night: A Hands-On Learning Adventure!
• One School, One Book
• Seeing Different Perspectives in Language Arts
• Healthy Habits to Reduce the Spread of Flu and Other Germs
• Follow Our Budget Process
• Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages
• Late Winter/Spring 2026 LCES After School Enrichment Programs
• PTA News

Photos of the Week 📸

Important Dates

• Monday, January 19th, MLK Jr Holiday - (No School)
• Wednesday, January 28th, 2-hour Early Release (School will be dismissed at 1:35 pm, NO child care will be provided after dismissal)
• Thursday, January 29, Staff Development Day (No School)
• Friday, January 30, Teacher Workday (No School)

Lees Corner Curriculum Night: A Hands-On Learning Adventure!

Join us on Wednesday, January 21st from 6:00–7:00 PM for an evening of learning, connection, and fun. This is a hands-on interactive experience! Students and families will engage directly with school staff through exciting activities focused on Literacy and Math. You’ll also have the chance to explore hands-on stations for Music, Art, PE, Library, and CCT/STEAM. Come see firsthand how our students learn and grow every day!

One School, One Book

Beginning in early February, Lees Corner Elementary will embark on our eighth annual school-wide book club called One School, One Book. If you choose to participate, your family will receive a copy of Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game. If this title sounds familiar, it’s because it is the prequel to last year’s title–Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library! Did you ever wonder how Mr. Lemoncello became a creative game-making genius? This book provides a first-hand account of Luigi’s start as a gamemaker while embracing themes of integrity, honesty, friendship, and family! Please read the flyer for more information about the program.  

We are pleased to announce that the cost of the books will be fully funded by LCES. Please note that only one book per family can be ordered. You can place your orders via this Google form anytime on or before Thursday, January 22^nd!

📚 Seeing Different Perspectives in Language Arts 📚

Benchmark Unit 4 in Language Arts is about points of view. Students in K-5 will be learning about why and how people create stories, and how to understand different perspectives. Grade six students will learn how a person’s life shapes their point of view. 

Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:

• Question: Have you ever disagreed with a friend? How did you see things differently?
• Activity: Make up a silly scenario with your child, like a dinosaur walking down the street or an ice cream thunderstorm. Put on a short play where you and your child each play the role of each other.  How does your child think you would react to the silly scenario and why? How would you react if you were your child?

At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.

Healthy Habits to Reduce the Spread of Flu and Other Germs

Fairfax County is seeing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. Visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings.

Consider these tips from the Fairfax County Health Department to help reduce the spread of flu and other germs.

Follow Our Budget Process

Encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process and look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education. Key decision dates and engagement opportunities are coming up in the next few weeks:

• The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2026 session on Saturday, January 10, at 9 a.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Fairfax County residents can sign up in advance to speak at the hearing online or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by Thursday, January 8, at noon.

• Thursday, January 22, Dr. Reid will present the proposed budget to the School Board. 

Visit our budget webpage for more information.

Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages

FCPS’ 2026-27 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program lottery opens on Monday, January 12. The program offers students in kindergarten and first grade the opportunity to learn in English and another language — French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish — for half of each instructional day.

The online, countywide lottery is open to Fairfax County residents. Families must have a SIS ParentVUE account. Students not currently enrolled in FCPS should register at their base school before applying for the immersion program. 

Families applying for first grade must do so by Thursday, February 12, at 4 p.m. Those applying for kindergarten must do so by Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m.

Informational meetings will begin in January. View dates and details on the FCPS calendar. If you have questions, please contact Brigid Williams at 571-423-4600.

Late Winter/Spring 2026 LCES After School Enrichment Programs

Sponsored by the Lees Corner PTA, 3:45pm to 4:45pm

Mondays:

Dates: 2/2, 2/9, 2/23, 3/2, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18 Meets in the gym (gym is split with SACC)

Grades: K-6

Master Shin’s Power Taekwondo

Offering instruction in authentic taekwondo promoting physical fitness, taekwondo fundamentals, stress relief and positive health. Dress in comfortable clothing that will allow student to move freely.  Please see the Givebacks link for registration.  PTA Members will receive a discount code in their email. Do not share this code. Non-PTA Member price: $115 PTA Member price: $95

Tuesdays:

Dates: 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 6/2 Meets in the gym (gym is split with SACC)

Grades: K-6

Overtime Athletics Sports Spectacular

A high-energy variety sports program where every week brings something new.  Participants learn skills and play games from both classic team sports and playground favorites on a rotating lineup that keeps kids active and engaged.  Please see the  OTA Sports Spectacular link for registration and weekly curriculum. One price for all: $240

Wednesdays:

Dates: 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 3/4, 3/11, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 5/6, 5/13, 6/3, 6/10 Meets in the cafeteria

Grades: 1-6

STEM excel Electronics with Minecraft Redstone

Using Minecraft’s Redstone blocks, students can build constructs representing electrical circuits and simple computer projects that are built in the real world. Students gain an understanding of how computers are processing commands, real circuitry, electronics and electrical theory.  At the end of the course, they will take home their Redstone creations.  Please see the STEM exCEL link for registration. PTA Members will receive a discount code in their email. Do not share this code. Non-PTA Member price: $240 PTA Member price: $220

Thursdays:

Dates: 1/22, 2/5, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 5/7, 5/21 Meets in the cafeteria; splits into groups according to grade level

Snapology Jr. Lego Engineering Grades: K-2

Students will explore the basics of engineering as they build exciting models using gears, axles, and levers.  Working in teams with guided instruction, they will create cars, merry-go-rounds, go-karts, catapults, and more.  All while learning, problem solving, and having fun. Please see the Snapology Jr. Engineering link for registration. One price for all: $205

Snapology Amusement Park Engineering Grades: 3-6

Design your own amusement park using Lego bricks. Students will learn how to use Lego bricks and other building materials to make roller coasters and other rides.  The program explores the scientific method and engineering design process as well as develops problem solving skills. Please see the Snapology Amusement Park Engineering link for registration. One price for all: $205

Fridays:

Dates: 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22 Meets in the cafeteria

Grades: 1-6

MoneyBee Education Start Up Academy

From our iCook after school program, comes MoneyBee Education (their sister company) where creativity meets entrepreneurship.  Young innovators will discover-through games, teamwork, & imagination-the core building blocks of entrepreneurship.  Students will spot problems, brainstorm creative solutions, design products, build brands, and pitch their ideas with confidence.  Please see the  MoneyBee Education link for registration.  One price for all: $150

PTA News

PTA Dining Day at Chick-Fil-A

Please consider supporting the PTA by dining at Chick-Fil-A! Get dinner and support our school all in one - just make sure to let the cashier know you want your order to count towards the LCES PTA fundraiser!

6th Grade Basketball Game 🏀

‼️ The anticipated 6th grade basketball game against Oak Hill is March 6th this school year. We need to get these roles filled early this year to make sure we are ready to go the moment we come back from winter break!

1) Sub-Committee Leads - traditionally 6th grade parents who do all of the prep work and then kick back and enjoy the event the day of.

• Roster Lead: ✅ FILLED
• T-Shirt Lead: ✅ FILLED
• Tickets Lead: Creates and manage online ticket presale, along with any other presale; coordinate presale ticket pick up week of the game
• Spirit Items Lead: ✅ FILLED
• Logistics Lead: Help plan game day logistics and organize volunteers

Sign Up Here!

2) Practices begin 01/12 - in the LCES gym

Girls Team  

6:00-7:00 PM Mondays, Thursdays

First Practice is Monday 01/12

Boys Team 

6:30-7:30 PM Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00 PM Wednesdays

First Practice is Tuesday 01/13

Pep Squad

TBD

Practices will not be held on teacher workdays, school holidays, snow days, and potentially when there are construction conflicts.

T-Shirt Design Contest: 6th Grade Annual Lees Corner vs. Oak Hill Basketball Game!

Lees Corner Elementary students—get excited! We’re kicking off a T-shirt design contest for the annual 6th Grade Lees Corner vs. Oak Hill Basketball Game on March 6th. All LCE students are invited to participate and showcase their school spirit!

When creating your design, make sure it includes these elements:

• School name: Lees Corner Elementary 
• Mascot: Polar Bears
• Year: 2026

Submit your original T-shirt design to your teacher by Friday, January 23rd. The winning design will be featured on the official game T-shirt—and the winner will score a FREE T-shirt!

Get creative, Polar Bears. Let’s see your best designs!

Other PTA News

January PTA Indoor Play date

• When: January 18th at 2pm
• Where: The nZone - 4550 Lee Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151
• Info: Participation is free for all LCES families! A waiver is required and can be filled out ahead of time here. Please bring toys (outdoor toys are ok!) to share with others.

Join the PTA 

• Haven’t signed up yet? Click here to become a member! 

Stay Connected  

• Not ready to join yet? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on events and volunteer opportunities.

School Directory

• Add or update student information here!

Spirit Wear

• Order Spirit Wear here!

Stay Connected to LCES

Follow us on X @Lees_Corner_ES to see posts with information and resources.

Join the Lees Corner Elementary School group on Facebook. This is a private group available only to LCES families and staff. The group is managed by the PTA but membership and dues are NOT required to join this group.

13500 Hollinger Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22033  |  Main Phone: 703.227.3500  Attendance: 703.227.3535 or leescorneresattendance@fcps.edu | Web | Twitter