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The Weekly Roar
Monday, February 9, 2026
The snow and ice pack just doesn't want to leave us, as continued icing and cold temperatures kept our days short last week. We were happy to start on time today, and look forward to more melting in the days ahead.
Upcoming Events
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Continuing through Wednesday, 2/11 – PTA Valentine’s Day Gram sales open
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Continuing through Friday, 2/13 - Kindness Week/Great Kindness Challenge
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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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Thursday, 2/19 – Divisionwide FCPS Spirit Day – “Warm Up FCPS!” (wear bright colors and/or tropical wear)
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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
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NEW DATE! Thursday, 2/26 – Celebration of Cultures Night/Winter Cultural Awareness & Recognition Event (CARE) Night, 6 – 8 p.m.
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Friday, 3/6 - First Friday with the Principals, 10:30 a.m. on Zoom
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Friday, 3/13 - PTA Basket Bingo, 6:30 p.m.
In This Issue
- Presidents Day Holiday and Teacher Workday Next Week!
- Kindness Week: Lane Celebrates Kindness Through the Great Kindness Challenge
- New Date for Celebration of Cultures Night/Winter CARE Night – Thursday, February 26
- Ramadan Begins February 18; Fasting Accommodation Available
- Student Fasting Meal Kits
- Let’s Help Warm Up FCPS – Join in the Fun on a Divisionwide Spirit Day on February 19!
- News from the Lane Library: Distribution of Overdue Notices Rescheduled Due to Snowstorm
- Help Keep Our School Phone-Free!
- Calling All Kindergarteners for the 2026-27 School Year! Registration is Open Now!
- FCPS PreK and Early Head Start Now Accepting Applications for 2026-27 School Year
- Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Lane
- Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages
- PTA News: Valentine Grams and Basket Bingo tickets now on sale
- Parent Resources: Summer camp information, upcoming webinars
News & Notes
Presidents Day Holiday and Teacher Workday Next Week!
Please note that school, the office, and SACC will be CLOSED next Monday, February 16, in honor of Presidents Day. Tuesday, February 17, is a Teacher Workday, and students do not report. SACC will be open that day.
We hope you and your family enjoy the long weekend! You can learn more about Presidents Day at Britannica.com.
Kindness Week: Lane Celebrates Kindness Through the Great Kindness Challenge
Valentine’s Day is coming soon (Saturday, February 14), and this week everyone at Lane is focusing on celebrating friendship and positivity by participating in the The Great Kindness Challenge! We’re calling this “Kindness Week,” but our efforts to spread more kindness throughout the school will continue through February, and hopefully beyond!
The Great Kindness Challenge is a worldwide initiative. Participants, including millions of students, aim to complete at least 50 acts of kindness, focusing on respect, care, and gratitude. A checklist will guide them, but all types of kindness are encouraged! The overall goal is to create a more positive, supportive, and inclusive school environment.
Teachers will be providing additional information, and you can download a copy of the Great Kindness Challenge checklist here.
New Date for Celebration of Cultures Night/Winter CARE Night – Thursday, February 26
Due to the unexpected large number of days off at the end of January and shortened days last week in the aftermath of the major storm, we had to postpone our Celebration of Cultures Night scheduled for last week. But we will not let winter freeze us out of this event! The NEW DATE for this event is Thursday, February 26. The time is the same, 6 to 8 p.m.
If you were planning to attend, we hope that you will be available on this new date and will still be able to join us. If you weren’t able to attend on the original date last week, we hope you’ll consider joining us on the 26th. You’ll be able to travel the world without leaving our school building!
If you would like to join the families who will be hosting displays, serving food samples, or doing performances and share your family’s culture with our community, please sign up here.
Celebration of Cultures Night 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, February 26!
2025-2026 Yearbooks on Sale! Order Now and Save!
School yearbooks are on sale! The basic book is just $18 now, but the price will go up to $22 at the end of March. You can have your child’s name printed on the cover for an additional $5. Order now and save!
Ordering is simple: Just go http://www.buytheyearbook.com, put in Lane School ID 732283, and pay with your credit card. All orders are online only.
PLEASE NOTE: There most likely will not be any additional books for sale in June. If you want your child to have a yearbook, please order one now.
Let’s Help Warm Up FCPS – Join in the Fun on a Divisionwide Spirit Day on February 19!
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 "Warm Up FCPS!" and help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
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 and needs accommodation, 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.
Help Keep Lane Phone-Free!
Please remind your child 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). Students are not permitted to use cell phones 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 child during the school day, please call our front office at 703-924-7700.
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.
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.
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 less than a week 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!
- 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 have been extended through Wednesday, February 11! 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
Summer Camp Information Now Available!
We may be struggling with winter cold right now, but summer will be here before we know it! Now is the time to start thinking about summer camp plans for your child. Fairfax County government agencies and Fairfax County Public Schools both operate a variety of summer program options for children of all ages.
Take a look at this Summer Camp Summary handout for a list of FCPS and county opportunities, including both academic and recreational options. Fairfax County Neighborhood & Community Services’ Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) provides supports and programming for people with special needs and offers several options for students during the summer. On Thursday, February 19, at 6 p.m., TRS will host a virtual information session on its summer opportunities. View this TRS flyer for more information.
The FCPS Family Resource Center also has summer camp guides on its website, including adaptive camps for students with disabilities. These guides are updated regularly to provide the most up-to-date information for families.
Stay tuned to The Weekly Roar in the coming weeks for more information!
Upcoming Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
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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