The Weekly Roar - Monday, August 31, 2026

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/31/2026 07:20 PM EDT

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The Weekly Roar

Monday, August 31, 2026

 

 

What a Great First Week It Was!

From preschool to 6th grade, our Lane Lions had a first week filled with friendship, fun, and, of course, lots of learning! Here are a few snapshots from the week.

 

Students in Mrs. Black's 1st grade signing their class rules and sharing a group hug


Mrs. Black’s 1st grade class focused on rules, routines, and sportsmanship last week. They created their class rules and signed them to show their commitment to following them. Before playing a game, they talked about how you may not win but it is important to celebrate those who do. After the game, amid cheers from all, some classmates celebrated the winner with a big group hug!

 

Mrs. Pradko's 2nd grade class sitting at their lunch table


Mrs. Pradko’s 2nd graders showed off their mastery of cafeteria routines and behavior expectations at lunch time.

 

3rd grade students filling out surveys together to capture data for a graph


Ms. Slomka’s 3rd grade class started learning about graphs and surveyed classmates to get data to make their own.

 

There was serious building going on during Mrs. Barbiere's 4th grade class' STEAM time.


There was some serious building going on during Mrs. Barbiere’s class’ time in STEAM.

 

Mrs. Lopes' 5th grade class posing in front of the Library


Mrs. Lopes’ 5th grade class really enjoyed their first Library visit.

 

Preschoolers gathered in the hallway before school
Preschoolers walking in a line holding onto each others' shoulders


On Thursday, our preschoolers joined us for their first day of school. (For some it was their first day of school ever!)

 

Families gathered outside of Rita's Ice at PTA Restaurant Night

 

Thanks to the Lane Lions of all ages who celebrated the first week with a sweet treat from Rita’s during the PTA’s Restaurant Nights.

 

 

Upcoming Events

  • Thursday, 9/3 – Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for Kindergarten Families – 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
  • Thursday, 9/3 – PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Cafeteria
  • Friday, 9/4 & Monday, 9/7 – Labor Day Holiday, school, office, and SACC CLOSED
  • Tuesday, 9/8 – Back to School Night, 5:45 to 6 p.m., General Session; Classroom Session 1, 6 to 6:35 p.m.; Classroom Session 2, 6:40 to 7:15 (see article below for details)
  • Friday, 9/11 – Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 1st Grade Families – 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
  • Monday, 9/14 – PTA Fall Enrichment registration opens
  • Tuesday, 9/15 – Advanced Academics Family Information Session, 6 p.m., Library
  • Friday, 9/18 – PTA Lane Lion Loop Fun Run Fundraiser kickoff
  • Monday, 9/21 – Yom Kippur Holiday, school, office, and SACC CLOSED
  • Thursday, 9/24 – Inclusion Play & Chat, 5:30 p.m., Main Playground
  • NEW DATE! Friday, 9/25 – Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 2nd Grade Families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
  • Friday, 10/2 – Virtual “First Friday” with the Principals: Being Socially and Emotionally Present Throughout the Year, 8:30 a.m. on Zoom
  • Friday, 10/2 – PTA Lane Lion Loop Fun Run
  • NEW DATE! Friday, 10/9 – Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 3rd & 4th Grade Families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria

 

In This Issue

  • Labor Day Long Weekend Ahead!
  • Do You Want Your Child to Bring a Laptop Home Every Night?
  • Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
  • Transportation Updates
  • Make Plans Now to Attend Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 8
  • How Can We Help You Help Your Child Succeed at School?
  • Help Us Support Healthy Eating at Lunch!
  • “Breakfast Bites” Are Back! Grade-Level Gatherings Begin This Thursday, September 3, with Kindergarten Potluck; 1st Grade Event on Friday, September 11

  • Lane Safety Patrol Applications Reopened for New School Year

  • Advanced Academics Program News: Identification Information and Deadlines, Family Overview Information Session on Tuesday, September 15, 6 p.m.

  • Have You Activated Your ParentVUE Account?

  • Volunteer Registration and Application Process
  • Lane Library Needs Volunteers!
  • It's Not Too Late to Sign Up for Music Electives for This Year!
  • Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights
  • PTA News: September meeting and membership 

 

News & Notes

 

a picture of different types of workers advertising Labor Day

 

Labor Day Long Weekend Ahead!

Please note that this coming weekend will be a four-day weekend for all students and staff in FCPS. Schools and offices will be CLOSED Friday, September 4, through Monday, September 7, in honor of Labor Day. School will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, at the regular time.

Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.

 

Do You Want Your Child to Bring a Laptop Home Every Night?

FCPS provides electronic devices to help students access learning tools and complete digital homework at home as needed. To ensure that all students have digital access, all FCPS-issued laptops will be sent home each night UNLESS parents choose to opt-out of this service through the Parent Digital Consent System.

PLEASE NOTE: The default response is sending home the laptop; if you take no action, your child will bring the device home each night.

If you would like to have your child’s laptop stay at school: Please log in to the Parent Digital Consent system, click on the FCPS-Issued Student Device Take-Home Opt-Out Form, and move the toggle button to the right until you see a checkmark. Click Save Selection. Your screen should look like this:

screenshot of selection on Parent Digital Consent form for leaving student device at school

 

If you would like your student to continue bringing their device home, no toggle action is needed. Just confirm by pressing Save Selection.

 

Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources

Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.

 

Transportation Updates

Thank you for your patience with all of our transportation options as both students and staff learn new routines! All types of transportation run more smoothly every day as everyone gets into the rhythm. Here are some updates and reminders.


Bus Rider ID Cards Update

We will distribute a new student ID card to all bus riders on Tuesday, September 8. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time. More information will be sent home when the cards are given to students.

Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150 with any additional questions. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.

 Here Comes the Bus App logo

To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE.

 

Kiss and Ride Safety Protocols

Thank you to all of our Kiss and Ride families for their patience as we get our numbers assigned and hang tags distributed. If you requested a second hang tag and have not yet received it, please email our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu.

Please note these important safety protocols for our Kiss and Ride lane.

  • There is a specific traffic pattern during arrival (9:05 to 9:20 a.m.) and dismissal (4 to 4:20 p.m.). The main entrance on Beulah Street is CLOSED at these times. Please do not go around the cones or enter through the exit lanes to move into the line where cars are already waiting.
  • Be respectful of the pacing of the line. Do not try to pass other cars in the line.
  • Have your child unload and load on the curbside. Having them exit into the Kiss and Ride lane is hazardous.
  • Stay in your car for your safety. All Kiss and Ride parents are expected to be in the Kiss and Ride line. Never leave your vehicle to walk your child to or from your car.
  • Do not drop off or pick up your child anywhere but the Kiss and Ride lane. It is not safe!
  • In the morning, do not drop off your child before 9:05, when our doors open. Prior to that time, there is no adult supervision in our outdoor areas.
  • During pick-up time in the afternoon, be sure to display your numbered hang tag clearly. This speeds up the process for our staff members putting numbers into the system and for you making your way through the line.
  • Do not use your cellphone while in the Kiss and Ride area during arrival or dismissal.

Back to School Night artwork with school supplies and date of event, 9/8/26, 5:45 to 7:15 p.m.

Make Plans Now to Attend Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 8

Please make plans to join us for Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 8, from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. This event is very important for parents and guardians, as it offers a chance to meet teachers and hear directly from them about plans for the year ahead and classroom policies.

We will start the evening at 5:45 with a general session with information for all families. Classroom-specific information will be provided by teachers from 6 to 6:35 p.m. A second session will be offered from 6:40 to 7:15.

Two additional presentations will be offered for interested families before the event at 5:15 and after the first session at 6:45. Our family liaison, Melanie Crosby Hardy, will present a New Family Orientation with general information about our school. Our Clinical Team (counselors, social worker, and psychologist) will provide information about social-emotional learning and support at Lane and how they work with students.

This event is designed to be for adults only. Child care will not be available. If you bring your children with you they will remain with you throughout the evening.

 

How Can We Help You Help Your Child Succeed at School?

As we plan our parent programs for the school year ahead, we want to hear from you about what you are interested in learning more about when it comes to understanding our school system and supporting your child’s learning.

  • What topics are of most interest to you?
  • Do you prefer virtual or in-person presentations?
  • What time of day is best for you?

Take our quick, three-question survey to help us help you better support your child!

 

Help Us Support Healthy Eating at Lunch!

We have noticed a lot of restaurant meals being dropped off for students, especially fast food meals with sodas. We understand that students like to have special treats, but we ask that you reserve those types of meals for celebrations at home to help us encourage healthy eating here at school. 

Please do not drop off restaurant meals for your child or bring them in if you are joining your child for lunch. Instead, send in a special homemade lunch on special days, or if you join your child for lunch, bring healthy food from home or purchase an adult school lunch for $5.00.

Thank you for your support and cooperation!

 

“Breakfast Bites” Are Back! Grade-Level Gatherings Begin This Thursday, September 3, with Kindergarten Potluck; First Grade Event on Friday, September 11

Our popular “Breakfast Bites” grade-level potluck morning events are returning again this fall to start the year off with some fun family gatherings.

Each breakfast will be held before school from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Families can attend together to enjoy a light breakfast and family fellowship with other Lane Lions in the same or similar grade levels before students go off to class. Parents and other family members who attend may stay a bit longer to continue conversations and ask questions of the family liaison and other staff members who may be present.

These events will be held on Friday mornings except for the first one, for kindergarten families, which will be held this Thursday, September 3, due to the holiday on Friday the 4th. We ask that each family bring a breakfast dish or item to share (muffins, donuts, casseroles, etc.). If you are a kindergarten family that would like to attend, please RSVP here and let us know what you plan to bring.

Here are the dates for the other grade levels. Please note that we have had to shift a couple of dates due to unexpected scheduling conflicts.

  • Friday, September 11 – 1st Grade Families (RSVP here!)
  • Friday, September 25 – 2nd Grade Families
  • Friday, October 9 – 3rd & 4th Grade Families
  • Friday, October 16 – 5th & 6th Grade Families

Sign-ups for later events will be posted in the coming weeks!

 

Lane Safety Patrol Applications Reopened for New School Year!

Would your child like to be a Safety Patrol this year? If so, now is the time to apply as the application window reopens for a limited time. Follow this link to fill out the application.

Students and parents are encouraged to complete the application together so they are both aware of the requirements, duties, and responsibilities.
Questions? Please contact P.E. teacher Mr. P at PPPhongsavan@fcps.edu.

 

Advanced Academics Program News: Identification Information and Deadlines, Family Overview Information Session on Tuesday, September 15, 6 p.m.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in grades K through 12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.

Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:

  • Fall identification: Students in grades 3 through 7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
  • Spring identification: Any FCPS student in grades 2 through 7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.

FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.

  • All students in grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT).
  • Students in grades 3 through 6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
  • Students in grades 3 through 6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Kristie Cohen, School Testing Coordinator, at kmcohen@fcps.edu no later than September 30.

Families are invited to attend two AAP information sessions led by Linda Simon, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):

  • AAP Continuum of Services: Tuesday, September 15, at 6 p.m. in the Lane ES Library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students. This session is open to all families with students in kindergarten through 6th grade.
  • Full-Time AAP Identification: date to be determined. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services. Full-Time AAP begins in 3rd grade, and students can be screened for it starting in the middle of 2nd grade. As a result, this session is geared towards families in grades 2 through 6.

For more information, please contact Linda Simon, AART, at lesimon@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.

 

Have You Activated Your ParentVUE Account?

SIS ParentVUE is a secure portal to view and manage your child’s attendance, grades, and other student data. Now is the time to log on to take care of back-to-school forms and checklists! The FCPS SIS ParentVUE app was recently updated to include a more secure login. Please download the new-and-improved version today!

Here are some things you can do through SIS ParentVUE.

Update Contact Information

Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cellphone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.

 

Submit Absences

Parents/caregivers can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in to the platform and click “Report Absence.”

Partial-day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the front office.


Review and Submit Immunization Forms

Parents/caregivers can check their child’s immunization compliance and submit immunization records in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to our front office.

If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation, including a health care provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form.

Please visit the How to Submit Immunization Documentation webpage for step-by-step instructions on how to submit each of these items.

 

Volunteer Registration and Application Process

We love volunteers at Lane! Volunteers work with students, assist in the library, prepare art and instructional materials, support PTA projects, and more!

Contact your child’s teacher, a PTA officer, or our family liaison to learn how you can support our school.

Please note that all volunteers must register and complete an application on Volunteer FCPS, the division’s central volunteer-management system. This process is designed to protect students and adults in our building. Visit the Lane Volunteering portal to get started. (If you have already been approved as a volunteer, you DO NOT need to reapply this year.)

We also request that you review our school-specific volunteer guidelines and expectations and sign our acknowledgement form. You can view the video from last Friday's Family Coffee, which covered volunteering, or you can review the Volunteer Expectations and Responsibilities PowerPoint, which includes a link to the form. 

 

Lane Library Needs Volunteers!

Our librarian, Mrs. Chozick, is in need of volunteer help in the library. Most of the work will be shelving books (training will be provided); occasionally other help will be needed, like making copies or taking down displays, but expect to be shelving books most of the time.

If you can spare just one hour once a week, that would be splendid! As it is most helpful to have volunteers throughout the day and week, so that books can be continuously shelved, volunteer times are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please contact Mrs. Chozick at schozick@fcps.edu to let her know what times you might be available or if you should have any questions. Thanks so much for considering helping in the library!

 

It’s Not Too Late to Sign Up for Music Electives for This Year!

Attention 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Families!

There is still time to sign up your child to learn how to play an instrument in Strings (grades 4, 5, 6) or Band (grades 5, 6 only) this school year! Lessons happen during the school day (during Specials) with a concert at the end of the year. Sign-ups for Strings and Band will close this Wednesday, September 2. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of these AMAZING instrumental programs at Lane!

Students in 5th and 6th grade also have the opportunity to join Chorus this year! Chorus lessons also take place during the school day, and there are two concert performances during the year. Students may choose an instrument AND Chorus. Sign-ups for Chorus will end next Friday, September 11. Sign up for Chorus today!

If you have questions, please reach out to the music teachers.

James Piccirello, Strings, jradkisonpic@fcps.edu
Raina Payne, Band, rmpayne@fcps.edu
Grayson Crouch, Chorus, gcrouch@fcps.edu
Jasmine McCormick, Chorus, jrmccormick@fcps.edu

 

Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights

Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents and caregivers to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.

In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Parents with children at different grade levels should read each applicable section of the Annual Notice (see below) because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.

Only one version of the opt-out booklet is available—a K through 12 version—instead of separate versions for grades K through 8 and 9 through 12.

Parents may also request a paper copy from the principal’s office at their child’s school. If you wish to opt your child out of any of the activities mentioned above, you must complete and return the appropriate forms to your child’s school or online through the Parent Digital Consent system.

Get more information and view the 2026-27 Opt-Out Booklets.

 

 

PTA News

 

Join the PTA Today!

The Lane PTA worked hard all summer planning events and programs for the school year. Their membership portal is open! Please consider joining this dedicated group of volunteers who do so much to support our students, staff, and families!

The grade level with the most memberships by Friday, September 11, will win an ice cream party.

You can find more information and become a member using this link.

 

First PTA Meeting In Person Thursday, September 3, 6:30 p.m.

All Lane caregivers are invited to attend the PTA’s first meeting of the school year, in person, in the Lane Cafeteria, this Thursday, September 3, at 6:30. Come meet other Lane parents, hear from administrators, find out about all the great things the PTA has in store in the coming year, and learn how you can get involved.