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The Weekly Roar
Monday, September 7, 2026
Upcoming Events
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Tuesday, 9/8 through Friday, 9/11 – Kindergarten Color Week 1
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Tuesday, 9/8: Favorite Color Day
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Wednesday, 9/9: Purple
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Thursday, 9/10: Green
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Friday, 9/11: Red, White, and Blue for Patriot Day!
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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)
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Friday, 9/11 – Commemoration/Patriot Day, September 11 National Day of Service
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Friday, 9/11 – Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 1st Grade Families – 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Friday, 9/11 to Sunday, 9/13 – Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), begins at sundown on Friday
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Monday, 9/14 through Friday, 9/18 – Kindergarten Color Week 2
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Monday, 9/14: Pink and/or Brown
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Tuesday, 9/15: Yellow
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Wednesday, 9/16: Black and/or White
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Thursday, 9/17: Orange
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Friday, 9/18: Rainbow
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Tuesday, 9/15 – Advanced Academics Family Information Session, 6 p.m., Library
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Friday, 9/18 – PTA Lane Lion Loop Fun Run Fundraiser kickoff pep rally (students only)
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Monday, 9/21 – Yom Kippur Holiday, school, office, and SACC CLOSED
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Monday, 9/28 – PTA Cub Clubs enrichment program registration closes
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Tuesday, 9/29 – Blue Star Welcome Week Potluck Breakfast for Military Families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Tuesday, 9/29 – PTA Restaurant Night at Crumbl Cookies
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NEW DATE! Friday, 9/25 – Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 2nd Grade Families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Friday, 10/2 – Virtual “First Friday” with the Principals: Being Socially and Emotionally Present Throughout the Year, 8:30 a.m. on Zoom
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Friday, 10/2 – PTA Lane Lion Loop Fun Run
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NEW DATE! Friday, 10/9 – Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 3rd & 4th Grade Families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
In This Issue
- See You at Back-to-School Night Tomorrow—Tuesday, September 8!
- Kindergarten Color Weeks Start Tomorrow – Help Our Littlest Lions Learn Their Colors!
- 1st Grade “Breakfast Bites” This Friday, September 11
- Chorus Sign-Up Window Closes This Friday, September 11
- Advanced Academics News: Identification Information and Deadlines, Family Overview Information Session on Tuesday, September 15, 6 p.m.
- September Military Student Lunch Groups
- Do You Want Your Child to Bring a Laptop Home Every Night?
- Student Safety Drills Throughout the Year
- How Can We Help You Help Your Child Succeed at School?
- Volunteer Registration and Application Process
- September 11 National Day of Service
- September Is Attendance Awareness Month
- PTA News: Membership drive, Cub Clubs enrichment program registration now open, Lane Lion Loop Run fundraiser kickoff
- Parent Resources: Free webinars from the Family Resource Center
- FCPS Events & Activities: Superintendent Community Conversations, strategic plan, FCPS weather planning
News & Notes
See You at Back-to-School Night Tomorrow—Tuesday, September 8
Please make plans to join us for Back-to-School Night TOMORROW—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 overview 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, so if you bring your children with you they will remain with you throughout the evening.
Kindergarten Color Weeks Start Tomorrow – Help Our Littlest Lions Learn Their Colors!
Our kindergarten classrooms are getting really colorful this week as our youngest students celebrate and learn about a different color every day. Staff and students in other grades are encouraged to showcase the rainbow along with them these two weeks by also wearing the designated color of the day.
We’ll kick off the line-up tomorrow with Favorite Color Day! Here’s the schedule for the next eight days.
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Wednesday, 9/9: Purple
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Thursday, 9/10: Green
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Friday, 9/11: Red, White, and Blue for Patriot Day!
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Monday, 9/14: Pink and/or Brown
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Tuesday, 9/15: Yellow
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Wednesday, 9/16: Black and/or White
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Thursday, 9/17: Orange
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Friday, 9/18: Rainbow.
Please encourage your child – no matter what grade level – to join the colorful fun!
NOTE TO KINDERGARTEN PARENTS: Because Kindergarten is also working on listening skills, students will be told what color to wear before the following day. Our hope is that students will listen and tell you the color at home. Please don’t share the secret!
1st Grade “Breakfast Bites” This Friday, September 11
Thanks to all of the kindergarten families that joined us last Thursday for a fun and flavorful first "Breakfast Bites” of the new school year! We had more than 20 families turn out as well as several staff members. And there was so much delicious food! It was a wonderful way to start building community with our newest families.
This Friday, September 11, we invite all 1st grade families to join us at 8:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. We just ask that each family bring a breakfast dish or item to share (muffins, donuts, casseroles, etc.). If you are a 1st grade family that would like to attend, please RSVP here and let us know what you’ll be bringing. Homemade items are welcome, but please include a list of ingredients for our families with allergies. We look forward to seeing you on Friday!
Chorus Sign-Up Window Closes This Friday, September 11
There is still time for your 5th or 6th grade student to sign up to participate in Chorus this school year. Lessons and practices take place during the school day, and there are two concert performances during the year. Please note that Chorus can be in addition to learning to play an instrument in Strings or Band. The sign-up form will close this Friday, September 11. Sign up for Chorus now!
If you have questions, please reach out to the Chorus directors, General Music teachers Ms. McCormick (jrmccormick@fcps.edu) and Mr. Crouch (gcrouch@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. For Full-Time AAP services, there are two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3 through 7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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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):
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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.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m. 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.
September Military Student Lunch Groups
Our Lane school community includes many military families. About 25% of our students are military-connected. We are lucky to have a part-time Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) on staff to help support these students’ and families’ unique needs. Our MFLC is Jeremy Cox.
Mr. Cox meets with military students individually and in groups. Those groups include periodic lunch bunches, which will begin this month. The September topic for these lunchtime groups is INTRODUCTIONS. Students will identify connections with classmates by introducing themselves with these prompts:
- What is your name?
- Who do you know in the military, and in what branch do they serve?
- What states or countries have you lived in?
Students will play “Getting to know you Jenga,” where each tile has a question about their interests and ideas. Sample questions include:
- If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
- What is your talent or ability?
- What is your favorite book or movie?
- If you could have any pet, what would you choose?
Lunch groups are organized by class and occur once a month. Any military student who wishes to participate in the lunch groups must have a signed parent permission form. Please contact Mr. Cox at coxj3@MagellanFederal.com if you have questions.
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:
If you would like your student to continue bringing their device home, no toggle action is needed. Just confirm by pressing Save Selection.
Safety Drills During the School 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. We started practicing fire drills the first week of school, and our students did an amazing job following instructions, remaining calm, and exiting the building in an orderly fashion. We are so proud of them!
Schools are 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.
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!
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 the August 28 Family Coffee, which covered volunteering, or you can review the Volunteer Expectations and Responsibilities PowerPoint, which includes a link to the form.
September 11 National Day of Service
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. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.
Rosh Hashanah Begins Friday at Sundown
“Shanah tovah” to our Jewish community celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! Meaning “head of the year,” Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that ends with Yom Kippur.
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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September Is Attendance Awareness Month
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow
Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school — and themselves!
Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success.
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits. Daily routines at home help students build the academic skills and real-world habits they need to thrive. Here's how you can help:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Pack bags and pick outfits the night before.
- Talk through any school worries with a teacher, school counselor, or other parents.
- Make a backup plan for getting to school if something comes up.
- Schedule trips and appointments outside school hours when possible.
Visit the FCPS Attendance web page for more tips and strategies.
PTA News
Join the PTA Today!
The Lane PTA worked hard all summer planning events and programs for the upcoming 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 get an ice cream party! In addition, one lucky member will win a raffle for $25 credit toward Lane spiritwear,
You can find more information and become a member using this link.
Registration for Fall Cub Clubs Now Open!
The PTA and Lane admin have organized an entertaining and educational line-up of before- and after-school enrichment programs, known as “Cub Clubs,” for the fall session. Registration is now open and continues through Monday, September 28. Offerings this session include Dance & Move Fitness Fun, Crochet Club, Arts & Crafts Club, Ceramics Club, Flag Football, Sports Club, and Chess Club. Sessions begin in October and will run through early December
Sessions often fill up fast, so be sure to register as soon as possible.
Lane Lion Loop Fun Run Coming Friday, October 2! Fundraising Campaign Kicks Off September 18!
The Lane PTA is excited to announce its second Lane Lion Loop Fun Run, coming Friday, October 2! This fun run will be one of the group’s biggest fundraisers of the year.
The fun kicks off with two pep rallies on Friday, September 18, to get the energy going. Check Wednesday Folders in the coming weeks for more information on prizes, spirit days, and schoolwide incentives to keep our Lane Lions moving toward the big day. Please encourage your child to wear Lane spiritwear on September 18 for the pep rallies.
And speaking of spiritwear … for this year’s Loop Run, each class has been assigned a color, and your child can get a special Loop Run T-shirt in their grade-level color for just $15! You can order online or use the paper form included in this week’s Wednesday Folder. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, September 15.
Parent Resources
Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers webinars, consultations, a lending library, open house events, and guides to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
You can contact the FRC by phone at 703-204-3941, by text at 571-496-8210, or by email at frc@fcps.edu. Or, you can visit in person at Pimmit Hills Center, 7510 Lisle Avenue, in Falls Church.
Families and staff members are encouraged to make an appointment for consultations, especially when requiring an interpreter.
Here are the FRC webinars for September.
Supporting the ADHD Brain
Friday, September 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Students with ADHD often know what they need to do but struggle to begin, stay focused, and follow through. This session, presented by The StudyPro, helps parents understand how executive function can make seemingly simple tasks much harder for students with ADHD and shares practical strategies designed to work with the ADHD brain.
Register here
Digital Wellness and Cyber Threat Indicators in K-12: When Online Behavior Becomes a Safety Concern
Friday, September 18, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
This session will provide FCPS parents/guardians with a broad understanding of how digital wellness concerns can overlap with cybersecurity, student safety, behavioral risk indicators, and emerging online threats. This session focuses on awareness, early identification, and appropriate escalation pathways.
Register here
Navigating the Digital Age: Creating Digital Balance as a Family
Friday, September 25, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
This session offers caregivers practical strategies for establishing healthy relationships with technology at home. We will explore how to model balanced digital habits, foster open communication, and work as a family to find a healthy balance. You will leave this session with steps on how to create healthy technology habits for the whole family, and how to keep kids connected without technology.
Register here
FCPS News & Events
Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School.
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The first goal of the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.
See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.
Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?
Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.
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