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Good afternoon, Cedar Lane Community!
The anticipation is growing as the building is about to come fully alive! This coming Monday, August 17th, we are thrilled to welcome our teachers and instructional staff back to Cedar Lane for their official return. Our educators will be spending the week in training, collaborating, and putting the final touches on their classrooms to create an engaging, welcoming environment for our students.
For our students, the wait is almost over! We are officially almost one week away from the start of the 2026–2027 school year. Mark your calendars: the first day of school is Monday, August 24th.
To help our families prepare, today's newsletter is packed with essential back-to-school details. We encourage everyone to review the information below, including tips to be "First Day Ready" and other important start-of-year details.
Enjoy these final summer days, and get ready for an amazing year ahead. We can’t wait to see our teachers on Monday and our students next week!
With warm excitement for the new school year,
The Staff of Cedar Lane School
Contents:
- Friday, August 21 ⇒ Cedar Lane Open House
- Monday, August 24 ⇒ First Day of School for the 2026-2027 School Year
- Thursday, August 27 ⇒ SAT/PSAT Accommodation Request Forms Due (Multilingual Learners)
- Friday, September 4 - Monday, September 7 ⇒ Memorial Day Weekend (No School)
- Wednesday, September 9 ⇒ Cedar Lane's Back to School Night
Be First-Day Ready
The first day of school, Monday, August 24, is just around the corner! Check out these back-to-school tips to make sure your child gets off to a great start.
Also find out what will be new this school year.
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrars at KAWilliams1@fcps.edu // (703) 208-2407 (Ms. Williams) or MCStrait@fcps.edu // (703) 208-2412 (Ms. Strait) if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
¡Estamos entusiasmados por recibir a todos de vuelta en la escuela!
Mientras el verano llega a su fin, nosotros nos preparamos para darles la bienvenida a los estudiantes en nuestros salones de clase. ¡Revise esta lista para que se asegure de que su niño está listo para el primer día!!
☑️ Inscríbase en SIS ParentVUE
Tenga acceso a los récords de asistencia, calificaciones y tareas asignadas a su estudiante, cuando lo necesite a través de SIS ParentVUE. Contacte al registradors de la escuela llamando al KAWilliams1@fcps.edu // (703) 208-2407 (Ms. Williams) o MCStrait@fcps.edu // (703) 208-2412 (Ms. Strait) si necesita un código de activación. Conozca más sobre SIS ParentVUE.
Actualice su información de contacto
¡Asegúrese de que pueda recibir información que es importante! Actualice sus números telefónicos y direcciones email haciendo clic en “Mi Cuenta” y revisando lo que aparece en la sección “Verificación/Actualización Online”. En este formulario, usted también puede actualizar los récords de vacunación, la información de salud y los contactos de emergencia.
☑️ Revise las Vacunas y los Récords de Vacunación
Las vacunas son obligatorias para todos los estudiantes que van a la escuela en Virginia. Este es un paso importante para protegerlos de ciertas enfermedades y mantenerlos saludables.
Cuando le ponga alguna vacuna a su niño, recuerde pedir una copia de su récord de vacunación y entréguela en la oficina principal de la escuela o envíela a través de SIS ParentVUE lo más pronto que le sea posible. Encuentre más información en la página web de FCPS.
☑️ Conozca más sobre las Comidas Escolares
Las familias deben darles dinero a sus estudiantes para comprar comidas en la escuela o enviarles un almuerzo preparado en casa. Como alternativa, pueden solicitar los beneficios de comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido, sujetos a aprobación.
☑️ Ponga el Calendario del Año Escolar en sus Favoritos
Asegúrese de poner en sus favoritos el calendario del año escolar de FCPS para que esté al tanto de los días feriados escolares, las vacaciones y las fechas especiales religiosas y culturales:
- Los días marcados con una “H” azul, son feriados para los estudiantes. Las escuelas estarán cerradas esos días.
- Los días marcados con una “O” naranja son días de observancia religiosa y cultural (o tardes, si solamente se marca medio día). Habrá clases esos días, pero ciertos eventos que no puedan reprogramarse, podrían no realizarse esos días.
- Los días marcados con las letras TW, SD, y SP en color rosa son feriados para los estudiantes, pero son días de trabajo para maestros y personal escolar.
Por favor, note que algunos días feriados o fechas especiales como Eid al Fitr, podrían cambiar y el calendario sería ajustado.
Back-to-School Immunization Requirements
Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
- Request records from your healthcare provider. Some may charge for copies.
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.
Where to Receive Immunizations
If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider or one of the following immunization events.
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents/guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit a Health Department clinic. Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) clinics offer immunizations to all Fairfax County students, as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations or need a booster.
Summer back-to-school immunization clinics are also available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.
Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekend clinics are available in August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.
Dónde Ponerse las Vacunas
Si a su niño le hace falta alguna vacuna, haga una cita con el médico que vea a su familia o asista a alguno de los siguientes eventos de vacunación.
FCPS, en asociación con la organización Inspire Health Alliance, estará ofreciendo sin costo alguno vacunas obligatorias para la escuela y vacunas opcionales contra la “flu” o influenza, a todos los estudiantes de FCPS. Se realizarán múltiples eventos en lugares determinados de FCPS. Se programarán fechas adicionales a lo largo del año escolar. Padres y tutores pueden revisar las fechas de los próximos eventos y programar citas para vacunar a sus estudiantes. La participación es completamente voluntaria.
Si no tiene médico, visite una clínica del Departamento de Salud. Las clínicas del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Fairfax (FCHD, por sus siglas en inglés) ofrecen vacunación a todos los estudiantes del condado y a todas aquellas personas a quienes les falten vacunas o necesiten recibir un refuerzo.
También están disponibles durante el verano las clínicas de vacunación para el regreso a clases. Aunque se atienden pacientes que no tengan cita, se anima a todos a que hagan citas antes de asistir. El FCHD ofrece un horario limitado para atender a quienes no tengan citas en los servicios de vacunación, siempre por orden de llegada. Las vacunas también están disponibles con cita previa.
Las Ferias Pediátricas para la Vuelta a Clases de Inova Cares proveen a niños de 5 años en adelante con exámenes físicos y vacunaciones de forma gratuita. Las clínicas de fin de semana están disponibles entre los meses de julio y agosto. Estas ferias de salud aceptan solamente pacientes de VA Medicaid o pacientes no asegurados que estén registrados en Inova. Es obligatorio hacer citas anticipadamente para asistir. Llame al 703-698-2550 para que haga su cita. Traiga los récords de vacunación a la misma.
Información sobre clínicas locales de vacunación y recursos adicionales sobre la immunización están disponibles en la página de FCPS de Recursos para la Vacunación y en la página del FCHD.
Hazel Health provides quality mental healthcare services for all middle and high school students, at no cost to families. Virtual therapy sessions with Hazel Health are a safe space and are private and confidential.
Hazel’s therapists can help your child with:
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- Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Social skills, bullying, peer and familyrelationships.
- Academic stress.
Middle and high school students can be referred by a parent.
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The SR&R explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses.
Please log on to your SIS ParentVUE account and sign to acknowledge review of this document.
New This Year:
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Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs), which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
- The updated “Bell to Bell” Cellphone Policy (see more on next slide).
- New discipline responses for creating or sharing intimate images.
- The SR&R clarifies that students with disabilities have the sameprotections for both in-school and out-of-school suspensions.
- More grade-aligned and culturally responsive learning interventions.
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New Student Device Requirement
Starting this school year, students may only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. This is in accordance with a new School Board requirement, approved on July 16, which states that students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices.
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device.
Families can help support this requirement by reminding students to bring their FCPS-issued device each day and use it for all school-related digital activities unless an approved exception applies.
Cellphones and smart devices (earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored(i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (smart watches) are to beoff and personally stored for the duration of the school day. Students who require access to a cellphone, pursuant to an Individualized Education Plan, Section 504 Plan, individualized health care plan, or Limited English Proficiency plan will continue to have such access. If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call Cedar Lane's front office at (703) 208-2400.
Receive weather closings and other important updates from FCPS by text and email.
- Click “My Account”at the top of the page.
- Open the “Online Verification Update” to review and update contact information.
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Football Game Safety and Security Update
As we prepare for another exciting fall sports season, FCPS is implementing additional safety and security measures at all varsity football games.
Beginning this season, all spectators will participate in security screenings using the same weapons detection technology introduced in our middle and high schools last school year. A standardized bag policy will also be in place to help ensure a safe, efficient entry process for everyone attending our games.
These enhancements are designed to support a safe and welcoming environment while allowing families, students, and community members to enjoy Friday night football. We encourage attendees to arrive a little earlier than usual to allow time for screening. Get more information about weapons screening at football games.
Study Help and Support Available to Students in Schoology
A new Schoology Study and Support Hub is available for students in Schoology. This space was developed by the FCPS Educational Technology Team with input from students. It is designed to provide essential study tools and academic support resources directly to our learners.
Students can log in to Schoology and read their Schoology announcements or watch this video on the support hub for more information.
All Your FCPS Links in One Spot
There are a lot of school and FCPS webpages to bookmark, but the FCPS mobile app serves as your central hub!
Check daily meal menus and calendars with no login required, or use one-tap quick links to launch SIS ParentVUE, Schoology, and MySchoolBucks.
Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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Building a Brighter Future, Together: FCPS Family Academy
The FCPS Family Academy is where families can learn and get support for their child’s school journey.
We know that parents and caregivers are critically important in their child’s education. The Family Academy lists classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. The Family Academy also includes information about resources available to help every family ensure their child has what they need to succeed.
Visit the Family Academy webpage. Check out its catalog for upcoming classes, workshops, and webinars to help families learn about FCPS, parenting, early literacy, and how to partner with schools.
Calling All Rising Seniors: Apply for the Fairfax Global Leaders Fellowship
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and around the world? The Fairfax Global Leaders Fellowship is now accepting applications for the Class of 2027!
Students must:
- Be a Fairfax County resident or attend Fairfax County Public Schools.
- Be a rising high school senior (Class of 2027).
- Have a minimum 3.5 GPA.
Before applying, please have your resume (.doc or .pdf) and high school transcript (.doc or .pdf) ready to upload. Students will also answer several short questions as part of the application.
There is no cost to apply. Students admitted to the program pay a one-time $75 administrative fee to support program expenses. The fee will be waived for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals or who are experiencing financial hardship.
To apply, complete the Global Leaders Fellowship Application Form by Tuesday, September 1, at 11:59 p.m. (You must use a personal Gmail account to apply.)
Questions? Please email apply@fairfaxleaders.com.
Follow FCPS on WhatsApp
Is WhatsApp one of the ways you stay connected with family, friends, and your community? Now you can use it to stay connected with FCPS, too.
Follow the new FCPS WhatsApp Channel for helpful information and reminders throughout the school year, including important announcements, upcoming dates, tips for families, and more.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- New Student Device Requirements
- Math Textbooks
- Football Game Safety Measures
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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