The Weekly Roar - Monday, April 6, 2026

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The Weekly Roar

Monday, April 6, 2026

 


 

Congratulations, Miss Shipley!

We are so proud to announce that Lane 2nd grade teacher Rebekah Shipley has been named the 2026 Outstanding New Teacher for FCPS Region 6! She will now proceed as a Finalist to the divisionwide FCPS Honors Awards, competing against winners in her category from the district’s other five regions. Final winners will be announced at a special ceremony in June.

Miss Shipley surprised at receiving the Outstanding New Teacher Award for Region 6

Miss Shipley posing with Lane and FCPS leaders

 

Musical Moments

On March 24, several 5th and 6th grade Strings and Band students participated in the Hayfield Pyramid Area Orchestra and Band Concert at Hayfield Secondary School. The wonderful performances showcased their hard work and dedication to making music. Check out the photos below from the Orchestra portion of the concert. (We have not yet received any photos from the Band portion of the performance. If you attended the concert and would like to share your Band photos, please send them to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu so we can spotlight these students as well in an upcoming Weekly Roar.)

Student violinists in the Hayfield auditorium

Lane violinists on the Hayfield stageStudent cellists from Lane on the stage at Hayfield Pyramid Area ConcertStudents performing the Orchestra portion of the Hayfield  Pyramid Area Concert

 

A Kaleidoscope of Careers!

On the Friday before Spring Break, many students participated in the SCA's end-of-quarter spirit day rescheduled from the end of January when it got snowed out. The theme was “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?" As you can see from the photo of students in Ms. Hartbarger's 3rd grade class below, students have all sorts of ideas for the years ahead!

3rd grade students dressed like future careers

 

Upcoming Events

  • Friday, 4/10 – Student Holiday/Teacher School Planning Day, students do not report
  • Monday, 4/13 through, Friday, 4/17 – Lane 30th Birthday SCA Spirit Days
    • Monday – Lane Spirit Day (wear your Lane spirit gear)
    • Tuesday – Beach Day (lend a tropical taste to our birthday week by wearing your beachy best)
    • Wednesday – Baseball Day/Purple Up! Day for Military Kids (celebrate the sport of the season with baseball caps and jerseys and/or wear purple to show support for our military lions)
    • Thursday – Swap Day (teachers dress like students, students dress like teachers as we celebrate 30 years of both!)
    • Friday – ’90s Day (dress like it’s 1995 to mark Lane’s 30th birthday)
  • Friday, 4/17 – Lane Elementary 30th Anniversary Community Celebration, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 4/21 – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday for Virginia special election
  • Tuesday, 4/21 & Wednesday, 4/22 – PTA Restaurant Nights at Chick-fil-A
  • Wednesday, 4/29 – Month of the Military Child “Muffins with Military Lions” Potluck Breakfast Reception, 8:30 a.m., all families welcome
  • Thursday, 4/30 – Standards of Learning (SOL) testing begins (grades 3 through 6)

  • Friday, 5/1 – Last day to purchase yearbooks (see article below for ordering information)

  • Thursday, 5/7 – PTA meeting and elections, 6:30 p.m., Cafeteria


 

In This Issue

  • April Administrators' Message
  • Student Holidays Ahead; April Early Release Wednesday Canceled
  • You’re Invited to Lane’s 30th Anniversary Celebration—Friday, April 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • April Is Month of the Military Child; Schoolwide Celebration This Month with Morning Reception Open to All on Wednesday, April 29
  • SOL Testing Begins April 30!
  • We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
  • Last Day to Order Yearbooks Is Friday, May 1
  • FCPS PreK and Early Head Start Now Accepting Applications for 2026-27 School Year
  • PTA News: Volunteers for next year's board; Restaurant Nights at Chick-fil-A
  • Parent Resources: Summer camp information, upcoming webinars
  • FCPS News & Events: Budget feedback opportunity, Community Conversations with Dr. Reid, new menu items coming soon


 

News & Notes

 

April Administrators’ Message

Happy April, Lane Lions!

We hope your family had a wonderful Spring Break filled with rest, joy, and special memories together. As we return to school, we are energized and ready for a strong month of learning!

April is an important time in our school year. Our students have worked incredibly hard, and we are now focused on continuing that growth as they prepare to show what they know on upcoming state assessments. We are also continuing to prioritize strong attendance, because every day in school matters for student success.

This month is especially meaningful as we celebrate our 30th anniversary! We are excited to honor three decades of learning, community, and excellence—with a few fun throwback touches along the way. Be on the lookout for special events and opportunities to celebrate together. You won’t want to miss them!


Spring Reset: Creating Strong Learning Environments

After a break, it’s natural for everyone—students and adults alike—to need a reset. At Lane, we use Responsive Classroom practices to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Over the next couple of weeks, teachers will intentionally revisit routines, expectations, and classroom norms with students. This includes practicing:

  • Respectful communication
  • Responsible decision-making
  • Safe and kind interactions.

This “reset” helps us rebuild strong habits so every classroom is a place where all students can thrive academically and socially.

Families can support this work at home by having simple conversations like:

  • What does respect look like at school?
  • How can you help your class be a great place to learn?

April Family Learning Challenge

This month, we invite all Lane families to join our “30 for 30 Challenge” in honor of our 30th anniversary!

Your goal: Spend 30 minutes a day for 30 days engaged in learning together.

This could include:

  • Reading together or independently
  • Practicing math facts or playing a math game
  • Writing in a journal
  • Exploring a new topic your child is curious about
  • Having conversations about what your child is learning in school.

Consistency is key—small daily efforts lead to big growth over time.

* Bonus! * Keep a simple tracker at home and celebrate your progress as a family!


Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s learning and growth. We are proud of the work happening every day at Lane and grateful to celebrate this milestone year together.

Let’s make April a month of strong learning, connection, and celebration!

With appreciation,

Mrs. Opie, Mr. Dickens, and Mrs. Lopez

 

calendar reminder graphic

 

Student Holidays Ahead; April Early Release Wednesday Canceled

We may have just returned from Spring Break and a Teacher Workday, but there are more school schedule changes in the weeks ahead. Please make sure you have these dates on your calendars.

  • This Friday, April 10, is a Staff Development Day. Students are off this day to allow time for staff to participate in professional development. School will resume on Monday, April 13, at the regular time.
  • There is no school for students on April 21 due to the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events will proceed as scheduled. Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.
  • Because of the election-related closure on the 21st as well as weather-related cancelations and delays earlier this year, the previously scheduled Early Release Wednesday this month has been converted back to a full day. All students will be released at the regular 4:05 dismissal time on April 29.

 

Invitation for Lane's 30th birthday party on Friday April 17, 6 - 7:30 p.m.


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.

On Friday, April 17—30 years to the day of Lane’s official dedication ceremony—we will all come together for a 30th Birthday Bash. We’ll have games, music, appearances by former administrators and other special guests, and the chance to catch up with old Lane friends and maybe make some new ones. Food and drink will be available for purchase, or you are welcome to bring your own picnic. You can also bring lawn chairs and lawn games to add to the fun.

The PTA has arranged to have the food truck from Rocklands BBQ onsite at the event, and you can pre-order to have it ready and waiting for you! Place your order between Thursday, April 9, and Thursday, April 16, at noon using this link: https://rocklands-bbq.square.site/.

If pre-ordering, please note:

  • Pre-ordering may not be visible on Google Chrome, but other web browsers have no problem!
  • Other locations/trucks may be listed and active for the same week, so be sure to select the correct location.
  • Once the correct location is selected the date will automatically change to the date and start time of our event. You may schedule the time you would like to pick up your order by selecting "Change" under the location and switching from "ASAP" to "Later" and then entering the desired time.
  • Some options may be available on pre-ordering only; currently a rib platter is only available through pre-order.

Other food trucks, including Rita's, will also be available on site at the event. Stay tuned for more details!

You can download a flyer for the event here. Please feel free to share the information 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.

The entire week before the big birthday bash, we will celebrate Lane history in a variety of ways during the school day. Our plans include a pep rally, commemorative classroom banners, pop-up appearances by Mr. Paws, and lots of celebration.

Thanks to the PTA for cosponsoring and supporting this event so generously!

 

Month of the Military Child graphic

 

April Is Month of the Military Child; Schoolwide Celebration This Month with Morning Reception Open to All on Wednesday, April 29

April is the Month of the Military Child (MOMC), and here at Lane we are planning several special activities to celebrate the strength, spirit, and resilience of the many young military-connected lions we have in our community. Nearly 25 percent of our student body is military-connected.

As part of our celebration each year, we host a “Muffins for Military Lions” potluck breakfast in honor of our military-connected students. This year’s reception will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, in the cafeteria. We recognize that all Lane Lions are connected to these students as classmates, friends, neighbors, and more, so all Lane Lions – military and non-military – and their families are welcome to attend.

We ask that each family bring a dozen mini muffins or half a dozen full-size muffins (or other breakfast treat) to share with others. Muffins and other items can be store-bought or homemade. We just ask that if you make your own you provide an ingredients list so that our families with allergies can choose safely.

If you’d like to join us that morning, please fill out this form and tell us what you’ll bring.

Other military-centered activities in the coming weeks include:

  • “Purple Up!” Day on Wednesday, April 15! One day in April is selected each year as the day to “Purple Up!” for military kids, and all are encouraged to wear purple to honor the strength and sacrifices of military-connected youth. Why purple? Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, Navy blue, and Space Force dark blue. This year “Purple Up!” Day will be celebrated at Lane on Wednesday, April 15. We hope your child will join other Lane students and staff in “purpling up” their wardrobes that day. (This is also the SCA’s “Baseball Day.” Students are encouraged to participate in either or both!)
  • Morning Meeting Shares
    Throughout this month of recognition, we encourage our military lions to share their experiences as military children with their classmates during Morning Meeting. If your child would like to participate, please sign up here.
  • Dandelion Wall Display
    The dandelion is a symbol of military children because they are beautiful, resilient, and flourish wherever their seeds may land. We will be building a large dandelion display in our hallway, and we’d like to add the names of our military students as the “seeds.” Watch Wednesday Folders this week for a template to fill out and return if your child is military connected. We will add them to wall as they are received.
  • Chains of Connection
    To continue our “Purple Up!” theme, we will be creating purple paper chains to decorate our school. All students will have the chance to celebrate members of the military and/or military children by dedicating a “link” to them.
  • Military-Student/Family Slide Show
    Finally, to end our Month of the Military Child activities, we will create a special slide show featuring our military students! If you are a military family and would like us to include your child(ren) in the slide show, please email pictures (no more than three, please) to our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu. When you send the pictures, please let us know that it is OK to use the family name in the show (i.e. – The Smith Family). The slide show will not be shared publicly; it will only be shown at school. Pictures must be received by Friday, April 24, to be included in the slide show.


SOL Testing Begins April 30!

If you have a child in grades 3 through 6, please remember that required Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) testing begins at the end of this month on Thursday, April 30. Here is the full schedule by grade level:

  • Thursday, April 30 – 3rd & 5th Grade Reading
  • Friday, May 1– 4th & 6th Grade Reading
  • Wednesday, May 13 – 5th Grade Science
  • Monday, May 18 – 3rd & 6th Grade Math
  • Tuesday, May 19 – 4th & 5th Grade Math.

If students are absent on an SOL test day, all efforts will be made to have them test on the day they return to school. If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent the day of an SOL test, please let your child’s teacher know as soon as possible.

You can help your children be physically prepared for testing by ensuring that they have a good night’s sleep the night before, eat a healthy breakfast in the morning, and come to school with a positive attitude.

Questions about SOL testing? Reach out to Lane’s Testing Coordinator and Math Resource Teacher, Kristie Cohen, at kmcohen@fcps.edu.

 

We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire

On Monday, April 6, parents and guardians of Lane Elementary will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.

Topics covered in the survey include:

  • Instructional leadership
  • School climate
  • Management (human resources and organizational)
  • Communication and community relations
  • Culturally responsive and equitable leadership
  • Professionalism.

The questionnaire will be open April 6 through April 19 and will be collected online. When you receive the email invitation, please take a few minutes to complete it. Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school.

Thank you for your time and feedback!

 

Last Day to Order Yearbooks is Friday, May 1!

There are only a few weeks left to order 2025-2026 yearbooks! Pre-sales will end on Friday, May 1, and there will likely be no extra books available in June. If you want a yearbook for your child please order one now!

The price of each book is $22. You can have your child’s name printed on the cover for an additional $5.

To order, go to https://www.buytheyearbook.com, put in Lane Yearbook School ID #732283, and pay with your credit card. All orders are online only. Books will be distributed at school in early June.

 

Spring Holidays Past, Present, and Future!

April is a month filled with important religious holidays for many Lane families as well as recognition and awareness events that showcase many groups in our community.

FCPS Passover artwork

Passover, which began at sundown on April 1 and runs through April 9, is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Many Jewish families eat a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, which involves telling the story of the exodus from Egypt as well as eating various symbolic foods. Chag Sameach to all in our community who celebrate!


Christian families in our community marked two holy days during Spring Break.

FCPS Good Friday artwork

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the day on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. During special Good Friday services on this day of mourning, Christians meditate on Jesus's suffering and death on the cross and what this means for their faith. Read more about Good Friday at Britannica.com.

 

FCPS Easter artwork

Yesterday was Easter, the most important Christian holiday. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, who sacrificed so that Christians may have life with God after death. Learn more about Easter in NatGeo Kids.

 

 

Orthodox Good Friday FCPS artwork

Millions of Orthodox Christians and their churches will celebrate Orthodox Good Friday according to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD this Friday, April 10. On Good Friday Orthodox Christians embrace and relive the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testaments of the crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Orthodox Easter FCPS artwork

We wish a joyful Easter to our Orthodox Christian community! Many Orthodox Christians in the U.S. will celebrate Easter according to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD on Sunday, April 12, which differs from the Western date we are most familiar with. Orthodox Easter is also a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, whom all Christians believe to be the Son of God.


All month long we recognize special populations in our community as well, in addition to our military children.

Arab American Heritage Month graphic

We are proud to recognize National Arab American Heritage Month this month. We welcome the opportunity to showcase the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans who have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

 

Autism Acceptance Month graphic

April is also Autism Acceptance Month. According to April 2025 CDC data, approximately 1 in 31 (3.2%) children aged 8 in the U.S. are identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our school and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.

 

It’s National Assistant Principals Week!

Join NASSP, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the American Federation of School Administrators in honoring the enormous contributions of assistant principals to student success. Lane is lucky to have two assistant principals, Allen Dickens and Maureen Lopez! They work hard every day to help make Lane a great place to learn.

 

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.

FCPS PreK program registration flyer

FCPS PreK program registration flyer in Spanish

 

PTA News

 

Would You Like to Get More Involved with the Lane PTA? Board Positions Are Open for the 2026-27 School Year!

Getting involved with the PTA is a wonderful way to connect with the Lane community. Not only does it help you stay engaged, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see how excited the students are when familiar faces show up throughout the year at school events and how thankful staff members are for the PTA’s ongoing support. Now is a great time to take that next step to get more involved! The PTA will be holding board elections at their in-person meeting on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lane Cafeteria. They would love for you to consider joining the team!

If you’re interested, please take a look at the available board positions below and email PTA President Connecticut Wilson-Familoni at president@lanepta.org with the role you’re interested in and a brief note on why it appeals to you.

Open Positions:

  • Sponsorship Chair: This key role, introduced last year, focuses on securing sponsorships for our events and programs, which helps strengthen partnerships within our community. Working under the VP of Fundraising, this role is most active at the start of the school year and during seasonal events. It’s a great opportunity to build relationships with local businesses and support our school’s initiatives.
  • Social Co-Chair: This is a monthly and seasonal role that partners with the VP of Social to plan and execute events. Responsibilities include coordinating logistics and ensuring events run smoothly—from monthly gatherings to larger celebrations. It's perfect for someone who enjoys hands-on event planning and behind-the-scenes coordination.
  • Fall Fundraising Chair: Working alongside our VP of Fundraising, this role focuses on planning our major fall fundraiser, with peak activity from July through October. If you’re excited about organizing impactful fundraising efforts, this is a great opportunity to make a difference.
  • Spiritwear Chair: This role manages our school spiritwear throughout the year. After a bulk order is placed before the school year begins, responsibilities include monitoring inventory, overseeing sales, and troubleshooting any issues that arise.
  • Inclusion and Awareness Chair: This meaningful role partners with the school to organize events that celebrate and support our students of all abilities, helping foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for every student.

PTA leaders understand that time is precious, especially as full-time working parents themselves, and they truly appreciate any level of support you’re able to offer. If joining the board isn’t the right fit this year, you are still encouraged to join this great organization as a general member when registration opens in July/August—every bit of support makes a difference!

 

Chick-fil-A logo

 

Monthly Restaurant Nights at Chick-fil-A in Kingstowne on April 21 and 22

Chick-Fil-A is hosting Lane for Restaurant Nights this month. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 21, and Wednesday, April 22, from 4 to 9 p.m. Dine-in, drive-thru, and mobile orders count; just be sure to mention Lane Spirit Night so we receive credit. If placing a mobile order, use the code word "Lions" to ensure we get credit.

 


 

Parent Resources

 

FCPS and Fairfax County Summer Camps banner


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. 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!

 

Values in Prevention (VIP) Summer Camp logo

 

Registration for VIP (Values in Prevention) Summer Camp for Rising 7th Graders Now Open!

Values in Prevention (VIP) summer camp brings together multiple middle school communities in a coordinated effort to offer recreation, leisure, wellness, and prevention programming specifically focused on tweens. Held in partnership with the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), the camp is not curriculum-focused but instead focuses on building positive relationships with peers and caring adults while introducing students to new hobbies and activities in a safe and supervised environment.

The VIP camp for this part of the county will be held at Whitman Middle School in Alexandria from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the month of July, except on July 3 (Independence Day holiday) and July 31. Transportation to and from VIP camp is available, with most bus stops at feeder elementary schools. Breakfast, lunch, and snack are provided to all students at no cost, but students are welcome to bring their own lunches.

The fee for this camp is $100 per student for the entire month. Students who receive Free and Reduced Fee lunches can have that fee reduced to half. Additional financial assistance is also available on a case-by-case basis. Financial burden will not be a barrier for students to attend. The camp schedule includes at least four field trips, most of which are intentionally planned to promote socialization and offer worthwhile recreational experiences. There are additional fees for these field trips.

VIP Camp staff consists of After-School Program Specialists at area middle schools, teachers/instructional assistants who normally work in the After-School Program, School Resource Officers from the Fairfax County Police Department, and staff from NCS’ community and teen centers. All individuals have background checks and are badged.

Registration for VIP Camp is now open! Space is limited, so apply today if you are interested!

Find more information about the VIP camp on the FCPS website.

 

2026 Special Education Family Conference banner

 

2026 Special Education Family Conference

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School.

Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.

Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.

 

Upcoming Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center


How to Develop Organizational Skills with Your Child

Friday, April 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Join us for a presentation dedicated to building organizational skills. Learn practical tips for setting up effective systems to keep your child on track. Transform frustration into focus and equip your child with the skills they need to be successful and stress-free!

Register here

 

Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Disabilities

Friday, April 24, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

In this session participants will explore the five components of literacy and corresponding instructional practices designed to support the literacy needs of students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Register here

 


 

FCPS News & Events

 

County Government Seeking Budget Input

About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget and considering possible adjustments before adoption in May. Opportunities to provide feedback to the county include Budget Town Hall Meetings airing on Channel 16 on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m., (Springfield District) and Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m., (Franconia District).

You can also provide your input during the county’s Budget public hearings on Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m. at the Government Center Board Auditorium. Register in advance to speak.

Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn more about the county’s FY 2027 Budget.

 

Discover What’s New on the Menu

FCPS is excited to bring new and flavorful menu items to students while continuing to meet the high nutrition standards you trust. The school division’s registered dietitian team has developed standards to make school meals healthier while still tasting great.

Here’s what students can look forward to:

  • New globally inspired dishes that offer exciting flavors from around the world.
  • Fresh ingredients like whole grains, lean proteins, and plant-based options.
  • Scratch-made items like homemade granola.
  • Vegetarian options like the meatless Philly melt available alongside classic favorites.

Our goal is to provide balanced, safe, and flavorful meals that support students’ learning, growth, and overall health.

Want to know what’s on the menu? Food and Nutrition Services has menus available.

 

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:

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.