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Principal's Note |
Dear London Towne Community,
Save the Date: Back to School Night – Thursday, September 17th Please mark your calendars for Back to School Night! We are excited to welcome you into our building to connect with our staff and learn about the year ahead.
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Dinner & Childcare: Both dinner and childcare will be provided for families in attendance beginning at 5:30pm.
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Grade-Level Sessions: Each grade level will offer two identical sessions to accommodate families with multiple children, with one session presented in English and Spanish.
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Session 1: 6:15-6:45
- Towne Hall w/ Admin in Cafeteria in English and Spanish
- Kinder-3rd Grade: Presentations in English and Spanish
- 4th - 6th Grade: Presentation in English only
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Session 2: 6:55-7:25
- Towne Hall w/ Admin in Cafeteria in English and Spanish
- Kinder-3rd Grade: Presentations in English only
- 4th-6th Grade: Presentations in English and Spanish
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Admin "Towne Hall": Join the administration team for a Towne Hall session in the cafeteria where we will share details about what it means to be a Title I School, present our LTES school mission and vision, review county-wide updates, and gather your valuable input on our Title I Family Compact and School Improvement and Innovation Plan.
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NOTE: 4th Grade Immersion's Back to School Night for Sra. Bonilla and Mrs. Lopez-Czmiel will be on Wednesday, September 16th from 5:30p-6:30p. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Dinner will start at 5:15p. The presentation will start promptly at 5:45p.
Thank you again for your incredible partnership and support during this week. We are looking forward to another fantastic week ahead!
Warmly,
Shele Banford, Principal
Jordan Moore, Assistant Principal
Lucy Zamora, Assistant Principal
Save the Date!
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🌞Monday, September 7: No School - Labor Day Weekend
📚Tuesday, September 8: VALLSS Reading Screener Begins (Grades 1-6)
🧮Wednesday, September 9: MAP Math Screener (Grades 3-5)
📚 Tuesday, September 15: iReady Reading Screener (Grades 4, 5)
📚 Wednesday, September 16: iReady Reading Screener (Grades 3, 6)
🧮Wednesday, September 16: MAP Math Screener (Grade 2)
🍎Wednesday, Septemeber 16: 5:45 pm-6:30 pm 4th Grade Immersion (Bonilla/Lopez-Czmiel) Back to School Night.
🧮Thursday, September 17: MAP Math Screener (Grade 1)
🍎Thursday, September 17: 5:00 p.m. FLE Parent Preview
🍎Thursday, September 17: 6:00-7:30 p.m. K-6 Back to School Night
🕯️Monday, September 21: No School - Yom Kippur
🧠Wednesday, September 23: 5:30 p.m. Advanced Academics Info Session
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Predictive Assessment Pilot Program |
In the 2026-27 school year, select FCPS schools, including London Towne, will be participating in a predictive assessment pilot program. The goal of this program is to help students master grade-level standards. The pilot uses short reading and/or math assessments to help teachers understand where students are strong and where they may need extra help. Results will give teachers a personalized roadmap for student support.
Schools participating in this pilot substitute short predictive assessments for some or all systemwide common assessments in Grades 3-8 English/Language Arts courses. In some pilot schools, including London Towne, predictive assessments also substitute for systemwide common assessments in Grade 5 Mathematics and Grade 5 Advanced Mathematics courses. If you have questions about this pilot, please contact the central support team at PredictiveAssessmentPilot@fcps.edu.
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Advanced Academics Programs |
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K to 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:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3 to 7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2 to 7 may be referred by December 15.
⭐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 Test (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Rachel Lanier at relanier@fcps.edu, school testing coordinator or Maddie Sirota at masirota@fcps.edu, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher by September 30.
⭐ Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings led by Maddie Sirota our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: Wednesday, September 23rd at 5:30 in London Towne ES Library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Wednesday, November 18th at 5:15 p.m. in London Towne ES Library Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Maddie Sirota, at masirota@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
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Meet Our New Staff! |
We are excited to welcome 8 new staff members to the Towne this year! We will feature several each weekly newsletter, so you can learn a little about them! This week, we welcome our new strings teacher, Alicia McMahan, coming to us with 32 years as an instrumental music educator, and Lauren Rawlings, our new counselor, who will be supporting PreK, and Grades 1, 3, and 5!
🧭 Baroody Enrichment Classes 🧭
🎒✨THE ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! 🎒✨
Fall 2026 enrichment is coming to London Towne!
From STEM and sports to arts, cooking, games, and more, there’s something for every curious kid to explore. 🔬🎨🏀🎮
📅 Registration opens Thursday, September 10!
🔗 https://bc-ffx-londontowne.jumbula.com/
What will they discover this fall? The adventure is waiting! ⭐
📩 Questions? Email info@baroodycamps.com
🏫 London Towne Back to School Night 🏫
All families are invited to join us for our Back to School Night to learn about the school year ahead on Thursday, September 17!
All teachers will provide one session in Spanish. Childcare will be provided!
- 5:30 -6:00 p.m.: Dinner served for families
- 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.: Grades K-6
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PTA News and Happenings |
🎉 First PTA Meeting of 2026-2027🎉
Come join us for our first PTA meeting! Everyone’s welcome! 🎉
Meet other families and staff, hear what’s coming up, and find out how you can get involved!
📅 Date: September 8
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: London Towne Library or join us virtually on Zoom
(Zoom link will be sent the evening before.)
We’d love to see some new faces—and plenty of familiar ones too!
Follow the LTES PTA on Instagram to stay to date with all the fun, upcoming events!
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Twice-Exceptional (2e) Programming |
We’re excited to share information about Twice-Exceptional (2e) Programming available within our school system. Twice-exceptional students demonstrate advanced abilities while also experiencing learning, attention, or other challenges that may require additional support.
Please view the attached flyer to learn more about 2e programming, available resources, and opportunities to support the unique strengths and needs of twice-exceptional learners. You can also visit the FCPS 2e webpage for additional information and resources.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Maddie Sirota, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, at masirota@fcps.edu, or Stacey LaFountain, Special Education Department Chair, at slafountain@fcps.edu.
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School Board Welcome Videos |
Please enjoy the following welcome videos to learn updates from our Fairfax County School Board members:
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Safety Drills During the Year |
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
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Back to School Family Checklist |
🍎 Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE!
Are you working your way through back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find important forms and updates.
- Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in ParentVUE. To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
- Submit daylong absences by clicking “Report Absence.”
If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
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Special Education Conference |
The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
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Parent Digital Tools Consent |
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.
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Help Your Child Navigate the Lunchline |
Check out some tips to help your child get through the lunch line quickly and have more time to eat:
- Teach your child their student ID number to receive meals at school.
- Sign up for and add money to MySchoolBucks to purchase meals at school.
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Apply for free and reduced-price meals. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
If your child has any food allergies, learn how to submit accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergens.
Access menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.
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Volunteer FCPS Update |
💗 Register Today With Volunteer FCPS
Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at London Towne. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.
At the Volunteer FCPS site, you can complete a volunteer orientation. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
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2026-27 Early Release Wednesdays |
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number has been reduced from eight to four days.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Our school’s early release Wednesdays:
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October 21
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December 2
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February 10
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May 5
Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays, including the list of early release dates.
With the upcoming 25th anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills.
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 11. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.
See the complete school year calendar.
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