|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Supporting the Whole Child: Building a Safe, Respectful, and Responsible School Community
Dear TLES Community,
At TLES, learning goes far beyond academics. While strong instruction in reading, writing, math, and content areas is essential, we are equally committed to nurturing the social, emotional, and behavioral skills that help our students thrive as classmates, friends, and leaders. Every day, our teachers and staff intentionally create classrooms and common spaces where students feel safe, valued, and empowered to make positive choices.
Our school-wide ROAR expectations guide this work. Through explicit teaching, modeling, and reinforcement, we help students understand what it looks like to be Respectful, Own One's Actions, Advocate for Self/Others, and be Responsible, in every setting—whether in the classroom, cafeteria, playground, or bus. These expectations are not simply posted on the wall; they are actively taught, practiced, and celebrated.
A key part of this support is our weekly Second Step Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. Through engaging lessons, role play, and discussion, students learn skills such as empathy, emotion management, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. These lessons give children practical strategies for handling conflicts, managing strong feelings, and building positive relationships with others.
Our teachers also use the principles of Responsive Classroom, which serve as the foundation for how we build strong classroom communities at the beginning of the year and sustain them throughout. Morning meetings, interactive modeling, positive teacher language, and community-building activities help students feel connected and respected while developing a strong sense of belonging. This proactive approach teaches expectations clearly and supports students in learning how to contribute positively to their classroom community.
Throughout the year, we provide quarterly refreshers on our school-wide rules and expectations, as well as additional reminders following extended breaks. These touchpoints help students reset, practice routines, and recommit to the behaviors that keep everyone safe and successful.
In addition, our School Counselors provide regular lessons—weekly to monthly depending on grade level—focused on friendship skills, navigating social challenges, managing big emotions, problem-solving, and making thoughtful choices. These lessons give students tools they can use immediately in their daily lives.
Together, these proactive systems create a caring environment where students learn not only what to know, but how to be: kind, responsible, resilient, and respectful members of our community. We are proud of the intentional work our teachers and staff do each day to support the whole child and to ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and ready to grow.
Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to build a school community where every child can ROAR.
Ben Chiet, Sarah Buchanan & Lindsay Duch
 |
🌴Warm Up FCPS – Divisionwide Spirit Day
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
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 the 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.
🐾 P.A.W.S. (Parents Appreciating Wonderful Staff)
When you see a staff member go above and beyond for your child or family, please take a moment to fill out the PAWS form to show your appreciation! We will then hand deliver your anonymous message to the staff member so they know they are appreciated. 😊
Help Keep TLES Phone-Free!
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (AirPods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell). Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school. Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including consequences for cell phone policy violations and exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at (703) 206-5300.
🧸 Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process. For more information, call our student information assistant, Michelle Vasquez at (703) 206-5300 or email mvasquez1@fcps.edu.
💻 Try Online Registration
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account.
📆 Kindergarten Orientation
Orientation will take place on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Come meet the Kindergarten teachers and learn about Kindergarten at Timber Lane.
FCHS Theatre Enrichment Day
Calling all future thespians! The Falls Church High School International Thespian Honor Society is hosting a THEATRE ENRICHMENT DAY on Tuesday, February 17th, from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. There will be sessions in Improv, Makeup, Choreography, Costumes and Props, and Tech Design. We invite all 3rd-6th grade students who want to learn more about the process of getting a show from the page onto the stage. A pizza lunch will be provided to all students. Sign up online now! Space is limited. The cost is $100/student, payable via MySchoolBucks. For questions, please contact the FC Jaguar Theatre Boosters at jaguartheaterboosters@gmail.com.
Family Resource Center Webinars
FCPS Family Resource Center is offering a variety of webinars for families. Click on the titles to register!
Pre-Order Your Yearbook Today!
Pre-order your yearbooks through Strawbridge.
Upcoming Events
SY2025-2026 Academic Calendar
February
Feb 12: Family Market from 4:00pm - 5:15pm
Feb 16: Holiday - Presidents' Day (No School)
Feb 17: Teacher Workday (No School)
Feb 18: 3-Hour Early Release at 12:35pm
- Ramadan Begins & Ash Wednesday
Feb 27: Principal's Coffee at 8:30am
March
Mar 5: McLean Pyramid Art Show at MPA from 4:00-6:00pm
Mar 12: Family Market from 4:00-5:15pm
Mar 18: 3-Hour Early Release at 12:35pm
- Roar and Explore from 5:30-7:00pm
Mar 20: Nowruz Holiday (No School)
Mar 27: End of Quarter 3 - Early Release at 1:35pm
March 30-April 3: Spring Break (No School)
|
