The Weekly Roar - Monday, March 9, 2026
Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 03/09/2026 07:24 PM EDT
News & Notes
Schedule Changes Ahead for Eid-al-Fitr, End-of-Quarter Teacher Workdays, and Spring Break!They say that March weather comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but for the school calendar, that works in reverse. While the month begins relatively steady and calm (fingers crossed that we don’t get more snow!), the last two weeks are packed with schedule changes. Please make sure you have the following dates marked on your calendar:
Video of Last Week's "First Friday with the Principals" Now AvailableThank you to the parents who were able to join us live online last Friday for our March "First Friday with the Principals" presentation. The topic was “Creating a School Where Every Child Belongs.” If you weren't able to attend, you can view the recording here.
Family Engagement Survey Opens Monday, March 9FCPS is administering its Family Engagement Survey, which opens today— Monday, March 9—and will remain available through Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools. Survey topics include:
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
2025-2026 Yearbooks Now on Sale! Price Increases on March 27!School yearbooks are on sale! The basic book is just $18 now, but the price will go up to $22 on Friday, March 27! 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 Yearbook 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.
You’re Invited to Lane’s 30th Anniversary Celebration—Friday, April 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m.This year, Lane Elementary is celebrating 30 years of learning and leading with pride, and we want our entire school community—past, present, and future—to be a part of those festivities. Back on September 5—the day Lane first opened its doors to students in 1995—we marked the anniversary with a schoolwide “Happy Birthday” singalong and cupcakes for every student, but the big celebration is yet to come. On Friday, April 17—30 years to the day of Lane’s official dedication ceremony—we will all come together for a community 30th birthday bash. The event will feature food, music, appearances by former administrators and other staff members, and—best of all—the chance to catch up with old Lane friends and maybe make some new ones. The details are still being confirmed, but the date is set. Please feel free to share it with other Lane families or friends that you know. We want the word to ROAR from mouth to mouth to bring as many lions as possible back to the den. Stay tuned for more info coming soon!
Celebrating Art and Music at Lane!March is Youth Art Month! Administered through the Council for Art Education (CFAE) this program encourages support for quality school art programs and promotes art-material safety. Visual arts experiences develop skills unlike any other curriculum subjects, including problem solving, creativity, observation, and communication. At Lane, our art teachers, Mrs. Carlson and Ms. Morales, take their curriculum to new heights, incorporating elements of STEAM as well as traditional visual arts, allowing all students to practice creative expression. March has also been designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. Our general music teachers, Mr. Crouch and Ms. McCormick, bring the magic of music—instrumental and vocal—to our students every day.
National Women’s History MonthEvery year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids.
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:
“Countdown to Kindergarten: Supporting a Smooth Transition” Webinar on Friday, March 27, 10 a.m.Is your child heading to kindergarten this fall? Join FCPS staff for “Countdown to Kindergarten,” a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! The webinar will take place on Friday, March 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support their child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools. Register to receive the event link. 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:
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
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PTA News
Basket Bingo Tickets Now on Sale! Volunteers Play for Free!
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.
A limited number of tickets are on sale now. Buy them as soon as possible if you'd like to attend.
- Adult Tickets: $27
- Student/Child Tickets: $9
Purchase tickets here:
https://lanepta.givebacks.gives/3f0da2/Event/Details.
Volunteers Needed to Prepare Materials on Tuesday, March 10!
The PTA is looking for people to help put together Bingo packets before the big event. If you’re available during the day and would like to help, please sign up here: https://volunteer.fcps.edu/custom/501/opp_details/3182.
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:
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
- Kindergarten – Family Game Night https://a.co/j5VoTwb
- 1st Grade – Movie Night https://a.co/0PRSjwf
- 2nd Grade – Sports & Fitness https://a.co/1LjAgVC
- 3rd Grade – Crafting Fun https://a.co/hVzTfIt
- 4th Grade – Spa Day https://a.co/7uyfFHK
- 5th Grade – Cooking https://a.co/2QlMlLk
- 6th Grade – Outdoors Adventure https://a.co/4tIhoPV
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
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Sleep Awareness Week
The National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week is March 8 to 14. The observance highlights the critical link between sleep and health, both physical and mental. Read more about sleep health and sleep strategies you can try at home.
Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update
Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports.
If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
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!
2026 Special Education Family Conference: Rescheduled
FCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School.
Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.
Upcoming Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
Why Smart Kids Struggle
Wednesday, March 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Many students struggle not because of ability, but because of executive function. This session helps parents recognize these challenges and learn simple strategies to reduce overwhelm and help kids get unstuck—without nagging or doing it for them.
BIS Part 3: How to Develop Emotional Regulation with Your Child
Friday, March 13, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us to explore how to move beyond stopping challenging behavior and instead focus on teaching the core skills of recognizing, understanding, and responding to emotions in healthy ways. Walk away with tools leading to a calmer family life.
FCPS News & Events
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
- Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
- Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
- Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
- Monday, April 20, Westgate Elementary School.
- Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
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7137 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 703.924.7700 |