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The Weekly Roar
Monday, January 26, 2026
Happy Snow Day, Lane Lions!
We hope you're staying safe and warm and enjoying this first snowstorm of 2026! Share your snow pictures with us on Facebook or Instagram, or email them to our family liaison Melanie Crosby Hardy at macrosby@fcps.edu for possible inclusion in next week's newsletter or the school yearbook.
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday, 1/28 – SCA End-of-Quarter Spirit Day: “Who Will Win? Day,” wear the colors of the team you think will win the Super Bowl
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Wednesday, 1/28 – End-of-Quarter 2-hour Early Release, students dismissed at 2:05 p.m., NO AFTER-SCHOOL CARE provided by the school
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Thursday, 1/29 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday, students do not report
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Friday, 1/30 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday, students do not report
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Wednesday, 2/4 – Hayfield Rising 7th Grade Parent Coffee, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Hayfield Middle School Lecture Hall
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Thursday, 2/5 – Celebration of Cultures Night/Winter CARE Night, 6 to 8 p.m.
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Friday, 2/6 – First Friday Family Zoom: “Creating a School Where Every Child Belongs,” 10:30 a.m.
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Monday, 2/16 – Presidents Day Holiday, school, office, and SACC CLOSED
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Tuesday, 2/17 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday, students do not report; SACC open
In This Issue
- Schedule Changes This Week for End-of-Quarter Teacher Workdays
- SCA End-of-Quarter Spirit Day on Wednesday (Weather Permitting)
- Share Your Family’s Culture at Lane’s 2026 Celebration of Cultures Night – Thursday, February 5!
- Join Us for Our February “First Friday with the Principals” Next Friday, February 6
- School Health Room Needs Clothing!
- Calling All Kindergarteners for the 2026-27 School Year! Registration is Open Now!
- News from the Lane Library: Overdue Notices Will Be Sent Out Next Week
- Would You Like to Help Plan Lane’s 30th Birthday Party?
- Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Lane
- Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages
- PTA News: Valentine Grams on sale next week
- Parent Resources: Preparing for winter weather, winter resources for families, FCPS App, upcoming webinars
- FCPS News & Activities: Special Education Conference March 21
News & Notes
Schedule Changes This Week for End-of-Quarter Teacher Workdays
It’s hard to believe we’re coming to the end of the second quarter of the school year already! The quarter officially ends this Wednesday, January 28, and that will be a 2-hour End-of-Quarter Early Release day.
Unlike our 3-hour Early Release Wednesdays, there will be NO after-school supervision for students. All students will be dismissed at 2:05 p.m. to go home or to their regular after-school care provider.
This Thursday, January 29, and Friday, January 30, are both Student Holidays, and students do not report. This gives staff a chance to start working on grades and other end-of-quarter paperwork.
Please make sure these schedule changes are on your calendar.
SCA End-of-Quarter Spirit Day on Wednesday (Weather Permitting)
The SCA planned themed spirit days to bring the school together with some fun as we finish up the second quarter of the school year. Today’s “Swap Day” and tomorrow’s “College Shirt Day” have gotten snowed out, but if school opens on Wednesday, the theme will be “Who Will Win? Day.” All staff and students are invited to wear the colors of the team they think (or hope) will win the Super Bowl - green, blue, and gray for the Seattle Seahawks or red, white, and blue for the New England Patriots.
We hope your child will participate.
Share Your Family’s Culture at Lane’s 2026 Celebration of Cultures Night – Thursday, February 5!
Our 2026 Celebration of Cultures Night will be held on Thursday, February 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. It will feature displays, performances, and food from all over the world provided by our own Lane families and staff. We would love to have you join us to share your culture. You do not need to be from a foreign country to participate. All families are welcome!
Flyers were sent home again in last week’s Wednesday Folders. A copy is pictured below. Take a look to see how you might want to participate and let us know by signing up here.
Celebration of Cultures Night will also serve as our Winter Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night and will include special areas with displays and activities recognizing Black History Month, Lunar New Year, and Ramadan. We’ll have music, snacks, and crafts to make and take home.
We hope to see your family on February 5!
Join Us for Our February “First Friday with the Principals” Zoom Next Friday, February 6!
The next installment of our new monthly virtual “check-ins” with our administration team, known as “First Fridays with the Principals,” will be held next Friday, February 6, at 10:30 a.m. These short (around 30 minutes) online connection opportunities give you a chance to hear directly from our school leaders – Principal Ebony Opie, Assistant Principal Allen Dickens, and Assistant Principal Maureen Lopez – about ways you can support your child’s learning at home as well as upcoming initiatives happening at our school.
This month’s topic will be “Creating a School Where Every Child Belongs.” Come hear how we make all students feel safe, supported, and strong here at Lane.
We will meet live online using this link at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to join from wherever you are! The session will be recorded and posted in next week’s newsletter as well.
School Health Room Needs Clothing!
During the school day, many students have mishaps that mess up their clothes, from spilled milk in the cafeteria to mud on the playground and many things in between! In these situations, our School Health Room supplies a change of clothes, which students then wash and return.
Unfortunately, the clothes don’t always come back and do eventually wear out. Our current supply is wearing thin, so we’re reaching out to request donations of new or gently used clothing, including underwear. There’s an especially big need for pants in all sizes for students of all ages, kindergarten through 6th grade. One item not needed is small shirts.
Donated items should be clean and free of tears or other major damage. Underwear should be new, if possible.
Thank you!
Calling All Kindergarteners for the 2026-27 School Year! Registration is Open Now!
Do you have a child at home ready to start kindergarten next year? If so, now is the time to let us know your little lion will be coming to Lane! Registration for the 2026-27 school year is now underway, and we want to hear from you!
If you don’t have a rising kindergartener yourself, please share this information with friends and neighbors who do.
There’s an easy five-step process to register a child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
We will be hosting at least a couple of Kindergarten Registration/Orientation events in the coming months. Starting the registration process now will put you on the list for all the latest news and updates.
You can read more about the registration process here.
Try Online Registration!
Online registration for the 2026-27 school year is open for all grades, kindergarten through 12th grade. It’s the quickest way to start the process! Learn how to begin the online registration process here.
When registering, parents/caregivers will need to create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.
If you’d like more information, please visit Lane’s Kindergarten Registration page on our school website: https://lanees.fcps.edu/announcements/kindergarten-registration-2026-27-now-open.
If you need further assistance or have questions, please feel free to contact:
- Registrar: Sook Fan Simpson — sksimpson@fcps.edu
- Family Liaison: Melanie Crosby Hardy — macrosby@fcps.edu.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to Lane Elementary School soon!
News from the Lane Library: Overdue Notices Will Be Sent Out Next Week
Dear Lane Readers,
With the start of third quarter, please note that the library will be emailing overdue notices on Thursday, February 5. Students who have books that were due on or before January 28 will receive a notice. Please do your best to look for these books and return them in good condition! It is also possible that books have been sent to school but have not yet made it to the library. If this is the case, apologies in advance for the crossed communication.
As a reminder, there are no fines for overdue books, however families are expected to pay the replacement cost for lost or damaged books.
Contact Sue Chozick, Librarian, at schozick@fcps.edu with any questions.
Would You Like to Help Plan Lane’s 30th Birthday Party?
As you know, Lane is celebrating 30 years of serving students and the community this year. To mark that milestone, we — with the support of the Lane PTA — are planning a big community celebration for Friday, April 17, as well as other mini celebrations leading up to it, and would like to put together a committee to help develop these plans. We will likely meet once a month from February to April. (Meeting dates to be determined.)
If you would like to participate, please fill out this form to let us know. We will follow up with more details in the next couple of weeks. (Please Note: This form has been updated to collect contact information. If you previously filled it out, please click the link and fill it out again. We apologize for this inconvenience.)
Thanks in advance for your interest and support. All are welcome!
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Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Lane Elementary
Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 3 through 6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 23, and Friday, March 6. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages
FCPS’ 2026-27 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program lottery is now open! The program offers students in kindergarten and 1st 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 1st 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.
PTA News
Send Students and/or Staff a Valentine Treat with a PTA Candy Gram!
Valentine’s Day is a little more than two weeks away! You can share some sweetness with your child, a whole class of children, a staff member – or all of the above! – with PTA Valentine’s Day Grams!
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- Each Student Gram costs just $5 and includes a mini duck, a pencil, and a lollipop. (There is also a non-candy option.)
- You can send a Classroom Student Gram for $100. Every student in the class will receive a mini duck, a pencil, and a lollipop. (Non-candy option is also available.)
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Staff Grams are available for $15 each and include a $10 gift card and a lollipop.
Sales are open from Sunday, February 1, through Monday, February 9. Grams will be delivered to classrooms on Friday, February 13.
Parent Resources
 Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather is definitely here! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care, if needed, to be ready when changes occur.
Stay tuned for information on tomorrow’s possible snow-related schedule changes!
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
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 weather. 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 snow or inclement weather days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
More News and Updates — on the Go — with the FCPS App
Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here is how it makes life easier:
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Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) different schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events specific to your family.
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No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly — no password to remember, no login required.
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Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates — including weather announcements! — ensuring you never miss an important announcement from the district or your school.
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Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.
To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app, or download it today in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Upcoming Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
Tips to Reduce Parent Stress and Anxiety
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Rachel Bailey as she discusses how parenting today can feel like a constant cycle of pressure, guilt, and second-guessing. In this workshop, you will learn why certain situations feel so overwhelming (it’s not just the situation itself!) as well as specific strategies to reduce the overwhelm. You’ll also learn how to respond from a place of steadiness rather than reactivity, resulting in less anxiety, more confidence, and a greater sense of ease in everyday parenting.
Register here
Early Childhood Identification Services: Supporting Young Children and Families
Friday, February 6, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Learn about the special education eligibility process and services for preschool-aged children in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). This webinar will explain the steps from eligibility determination through the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for children ages 2–5. Families will gain clear, practical information to build and deepen their understanding of special education and available supports and services.
Register here
Part 2 - Safe and Supporting Learning Environments
Wednesday, February 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This presentation will explore:
- How trauma-informed practices and social-emotional learning (SEL) support student well-being and academic success.
- The impact of stress and trauma on children.
- The importance of creating safe and supportive learning environments.
- Helpful practices at school that teach and reinforce essential skills.
- Practical strategies families can use to strengthen these skills and nurture resilience in their children.
Register here
How to Develop Flexibility with Your Child
Friday, February 13, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us and discover what truly drives children. You’ll learn the critical difference between rewards and motivation and discover strategies to shift the focus to helping your child build a passion for growth.
Register here
The Social Lives of Twice-Exceptional (2E) Students: Friendship, Belonging, and Identity
Friday, February 20, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Families will understand how to support 2e students establishing authentic connections and how they navigate peer relationships.
Register here
You Can't Pour from an Empty Cup: Tips for Self-Care (Kinship Series)
Friday, February 27, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join licensed clinical social worker and kinship caregiver Dr. Monique Lilakos to learn more about stress management and self-care.
Register here
FCPS News & Activities
Special Education Family Conference: Registration Open, Volunteers Needed
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, “Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools,” will take place on Saturday, March 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Marshall High School. Families will have the opportunity to hear from internationally renowned educator and advocate, Dr. Shelley Moore, connect to resources and other families, and participate in afternoon sessions.
FCPS families are invited to register to attend this year’s conference. Childcare, accommodations, and language interpretation are available.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for updates and more details.
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