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The Weekly Roar
Monday, February 2, 2026
Snow Days!
Our Lane Lions definitely enjoyed the snow over the past week. Here are just a few of our smiling snow lovers.
Upcoming Events
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Continuing through Monday, 2/9 – PTA Valentine’s Day Gram sales open
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Tuesday, 2/3 – Adjusted last day of the second grading quarter
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Wednesday, 2/4 – Hayfield Rising 7th Grade Parent Coffee, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Hayfield Middle School Lecture Hall
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Thursday, 2/5 – Celebration of Cultures Night/Winter CARE Night, 6 – 8 p.m., Gym and Cafeteria
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Friday, 2/6 – First Friday with the Principals Family Zoom: “Creating a School Where Every Child Belongs”
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Thursday, 2/12 – Spelling Bee (for selected students only), 4:45 p.m., Cafeteria
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Monday, 2/16 – Presidents Day Holiday, school, office, and SACC CLOSED
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Tuesday, 2/17 – Teacher Workday, students do not report; SACC open
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Wednesday, 2/25 – Early Release Wednesday, students dismissed at 1:05 p.m., UNLESS we have been directed to keep them at school until 4:05 p.m.
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Wednesday, 2/25 & Thursday, 2/26 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Farmhouse Tuscan
In This Issue
- Monthly Message from the Principals
- Adjustments for the End of the Academic Quarter
- Celebration of Cultures Night Is THIS THURSDAY, February 5! All Families Are Welcome!
- Join Us for Our February “First Friday with the Principals” Zoom This Friday, February 6!
- Celebrating Our School Counselors
- February Is Black History Month
- Ramadan Begins February 18; Fasting Accommodation Available
- Student Fasting Meal Kits
- News from the Lane Library: Distribution of Overdue Notices Rescheduled Due to the Snowstorm
- Calling All Kindergarteners for the 2026-27 School Year! Registration Is Open Now!
- School Health Room Needs Clothing!
- 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 this week, Basket Bingo is Friday, March 13!
- Parent Resources: Upcoming webinars
News & Notes
Monthly Message from the Principals
Dear Lane Families,
After this stretch of unusual winter weather, it will be so good to connect with students and staff again! Our custodial team was hard at work last week during the extreme cold, ensuring the building, sidewalks, and parking lots were prepared to welcome our Lane Lions back! We are so thankful to them! We can't wait for our hallways and classrooms to feel whole again, and we are ready to jump back into learning together as we begin the third quarter.
Progress reports will be coming home soon, and February is a great time to pause and set goals for the second half of the school year. Thank you for your patience as we have made adjustments due to school closures to share about students' progress. At Lane, we believe growth happens when school and home work together. One simple but powerful way families can support learning is through conversation and reading at home. Reading stories together, talking about new vocabulary, and asking questions about what your child is learning—both in fiction and nonfiction—helps build comprehension and confidence across all subjects.
As we re-establish routines, daily attendance is especially important. Being at school every day helps students stay connected to their teachers, their classmates, and their learning. Each day truly matters, and we appreciate your partnership in supporting consistent attendance whenever possible.
Thank you for the continued trust you place in our Lane community. As a school, we are always learning and growing together, and we are grateful to walk this journey with you and your children.
“Strong schools are built on strong partnerships.”
Warmly,
Mrs. Opie, Mr. Dickens, and Mrs. Lopez
Adjustments to the End of the Academic Quarter
Due to the loss of instructional days during the recent severe weather, the final day of the second quarter will be moved to tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3. See Dr. Reid’s letter to the community about the end-of-quarter adjustments.
Celebration of Cultures Night Is THIS THURSDAY, February 5! All Families Are Welcome!
There’s still time to sign up to participate or just plan to attend to learn more about our Lane families!
We are so excited for our upcoming Celebration of Cultures Night, which will be held this Thursday, February 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. We have more than a dozen families creating displays, practicing performances, and preparing tasty food samples to share with their Lane family. You can travel the world without leaving our school building!
If you'd like to share your culture, please sign up here no later than the end of the day tomorrow (Tuesday, February 3).
Even if you don’t create a display or perform, we hope you’ll attend to share this special event and learn more about your fellow Lane Lion families.
This event will also be our Winter CARE (Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event) Night. We’ll have special areas with displays and activities for Black History Month, Lunar New Year, and Ramadan. We’ll have crafts to make and take home, snacks, and music, including a special performance by our music teachers!
All families are welcome at this free event. We hope to see your family on Thursday!
Join Us for Our February “First Friday with the Principals” Zoom This 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 this Friday, February 6, at 10:30 a.m. These short online connection opportunities (around 30 minutes each) 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.
Celebrate Our School Counselors
February 2 through 6 is National School Counseling Week, during which we highlight and celebrate the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career.
School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.
At Lane we are lucky to have two terrific counselors, Dr. Perry and Mrs. Kasparek. Thanks to them both for everything they do for all Lane Lions every day!
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February Is Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. You can learn more about Black History month here.
During this month-long recognition, we would like to showcase and honor our Lane Black students and families and their family histories! Please share your pictures and stories with us so we can add them to our display. You can email photos and information to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu. You can also send photos and information through Talking Points. We look forward to learning about your history during Black History Month!
If you would like to share your family story as part of our Black History Month display at Celebration of Cultures Night/Winter CARE Night this Thursday, please contact Mrs. Crosby Hardy at the address above. We would love to have you join us!
Ramadan Begins February 18; Fasting Accommodation Available
Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year in Islam. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity, and good deeds. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.
This year, the first full day of Ramadan is Wednesday, February 18, which is an O day in FCPS. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.
Will Your Child Be Fasting During Ramadan?
We recognize that many in the Lane community will be observing Ramadan, and parents may wish to have their children offered accommodations during lunch time if they are fasting. If your child will be fasting, please let us know by filling out this form. This will help us provide the space and supervision for these students. If you have questions, please contact our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu.
Student Fasting Meal Kits
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
- Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
- Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
- Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
- Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by these deadlines:
- February 11, 2026, for week of February 18, 2026
- February 16, 2026, for the week of February 23, 2026
- February 23, 2026, for the week of March 2, 2026
- March 2, 2026, for the week of March 9, 2026
- March 9, 2026, for the week of March 16, 2026.
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
News from the Lane Library: Distribution of Overdue Notices Rescheduled Due to Snowstorm
Dear Lane Readers,
With the extension of the second quarter due to the inclement weather, overdue notices will now be sent out on February 19 for all books due on or before Tuesday, February 3.
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 (schozick@fcps.edu) with any questions.
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!
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start Now Accepting Applications for 2026-27 School Year
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start are now accepting applications for School Year 2026-27!
This is a high-quality Early Childhood Program for eligible families. PreK (which stands for Pre-Kindergarten) is a full-day program, and spaces are limited. The PreK program prioritizes children who will be 4 years old by September 30 but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30.
Your family may qualify for PreK or Early Head Start if you:
- Live in Fairfax County
- PreK: Have a child who will be age 3 or 4 by September 30
- Early Head Start: Have a child who is 0-2 years of age and pregnant women who live in the Reston, Herndon, and Springfield areas
- Have a student(s) with economic and educational risk factors such as:
- Income eligibility
- Homelessness or Foster Care
- A Parent with Limited Education
- Student receives Special Education Services.
For more information or to apply, visit the FCPS PreK website, email fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu, or call the PreK Office at 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
¡El programa PreK y Early Head Start de FCPS ya está aceptando solicitudes para el año escolar 2026-27!
Somos un programa de educación infantil de alta calidad para familias que cumplen con los requisitos. El programa de PreK es dia completa y los espacios son limitados. El programa PreK prioriza a los niños de 4 años cumplidos antes del 30 de septiembre, pero también acepta solicitudes para niños de 3 años cumplidos antes de esa fecha.
Su familia puede calificar para PreK o Early Head Start si:
- Vivir en el condado de Fairfax
- PreK: Tiene un hijo que tendrá 3 o 4 años antes del 30 de septiembre
- Early Head Start: Tiene un niño de 0 a 2 años de edad y mujeres embarazadas que viven en las áreas de Reston, Herndon, y Springfield
- Tiene un estudiante(s) con factores de riesgo económico y educativo como:
- Elegibilidad por ingresos
- Sin hogar o acogida temporal
- Un padre con educación limitada
- El estudiante recibe servicios de educación especial
Para obtener más información, visite el sitio web, llame a la Oficina de PreK: 703-208-7900 (Inglés), 703-208-7901 (Español), o envia un correo electrónico: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu.
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!
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, or 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.
Basket Bingo Set for Friday, March 13!
Mark your calendars for March 13! Lane PTA’s Annual Basket Bingo Fundraiser is coming soon, and this year’s theme is celebrating Lane’s 30th birthday.
Here are the details:
Presale Tickets
Ticket sales are open now for PTA members. Tickets are limited, so buy them early if you'd like to attend.
Early Bird Pricing (now through Saturday, February 14)
- Adult Tickets: $22 (PTA Members save $5 with code LANEBB26 at checkout)
- Student/Child Tickets: $7
Purchase tickets here:
https://lanepta.givebacks.gives/3f0da2/Event/Details
Buy now to save before prices increase February 15!
Volunteer to Play for Free!
Volunteers receive free admission to Basket Bingo. Volunteers do not need to purchase a ticket to play. You’ll only need to buy extras like raffle tickets, extra bingo cards, or food if you’d like.
Sign up to volunteer here:
https://signup.com/go/NKDRsvV
Help Fill the Basket Bingo Basket Prizes
Each grade level is sponsoring a themed basket to be raffled off at Basket Bingo. You can donate an item from your child’s grade wishlist, or make a direct donation and let us do the shopping for you.
Grade-Level Basket Themes and Wishlist Links
Prefer to skip the shopping? Make a direct donation here and we’ll take care of the rest:
https://www.givebacks.com/causes/lanepta/campaigns/basketbingocollections.
Thank you for helping make Basket Bingo a fun and successful night for our Lane community. We can’t wait to see you there!
Parent Resources
Upcoming Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
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
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