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Principal's Note |
Dear London Towne Community,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Back to School Night! We had a wonderful turnout, and it was a joy connecting with so many families over dinner, during classroom visits where families met with their children's teachers, and at our Annual Title I Family Meeting. We truly appreciate the thoughtful feedback you shared regarding our schoolwide goals.
As mentioned during our meeting, we are now seeking your input on our Annual Title I Family-School Compact.
A Title I Family-School Compact is a written, joint agreement that outlines how parents, school staff, and students share the responsibility for improving academic achievement. Required for all schools receiving federal Title I funding, this compact serves as a clear pledge detailing:
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Teachers: The specific strategies staff will use to support learning in the classroom.
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Families: How parents and guardians can help reinforce those skills at home.
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Students: The ways students will take ownership of their own education to meet state standards.
Your voice matters to us. Please take a moment to review the draft of our compact and share your feedback by following this link. Representing all stakeholder perspectives ensures we can continue to best serve our LTES community.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support!
Warmly,
Shele Banford, Principal
Jordan Moore, Assistant Principal
Lucy Zamora, Assistant Principal
Save the Date!
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🕯️Monday, September 21: No School - Yom Kippur
🎃Wednesday, September 23: 4:30 p.m. Free Costume Shop (Library)
🧠Wednesday, September 23: 5:30 p.m. Advanced Academics Info Session (Library)
👂🏻Monday, September 28 - Friday, October 2: Hearing/Vision Screening (K)
🐶Friday, October 2: 4:30 p.m. Westfield Homecoming Parade (near Stone)
👂🏻Monday, October 5 - Friday, October 9: Hearing/Vision Screening (3)
💗 Monday, October 5: Social and Emotional Screener Begins (Grades 3-6)
🚌Friday, October 9: Cox Farms Field Trip (K)
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London Towne Costume Shop |
Looking for a (free) Halloween costume or costume for dress-up?
Join us before the Advanced Academic Information Session on September 23rd to choose one!
When? Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Where? In front of the London Towne Library
Time? 4:30-5:30
Costumes were collected by Westfield HS Get2Green team in collaboration with London Towne Get2Green Team.
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Hearing and Vision Screenings |
Our School Health Aide will be completing hearing and vision screening for our kindergarten and 3rd grade students beginning the week of September 28 through October 16.
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Westfield Homecoming Parade |
You're invited! Come cheer on our 6th grade Lion Leaders representing our school in the Westfield Homecoming Parade! Catch candy from schools and organizations from all over the Westfield Pyramid!
Date: Friday, October 2
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Starts and ends in the Stone Middle School parking lot; one mile walking loop around through the neighborhood around Stone.
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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 p.m. 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.
⭐ Upcoming Deadlines for FCPS Families:
- September 30th, 2026, deadline for the one-time abilities test retake
- Contact our School Testing coordinator, Rachel Lanier and Assistant Principal, Lucy Zamora with the request
- October 15th, 2026, full-time referral deadline for students new to FCPS as of January 1st, 2026
- Referral forms can be found HERE.
⭐ Supporting 2E Learners:
Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.
⭐ What do 2e students need?
2e students can thrive when:
- Individualized and flexible instruction and accommodations are responsive to students’ strengths, disabilities, and challenges.
- Supports, accommodations, and/or services ensure access to instruction and demonstrate understanding.
- Social-emotional learning and accompanying strategies build their confidence, skills, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
- Collaborative teams (including the student, teachers, all support staff, and families) design and adjust plans that affirm their identities and experiences.
- Clear expectations and predictability in all aspects of school are established including, but not limited to, assignments, scheduling, and social interactions.
⭐ What are some ways adults can support 2e students?
Adult engagement and empathy are critical components of student success. Adults are encouraged to:
- Prioritize and acknowledge individualized efforts over public recognition, peer comparisons, or grades.
- Support each child’s strengths and empower them to navigate struggles using a variety of strategies and techniques.
- Provide opportunities for each child to consider and express ways in which they learn best.
- Teach and encourage self-advocacy skills that can be applied across environments.
- Partner with families, school staff, and community resources providers to address signs of stress, withdrawal, or burnout at home or at school.
- Have fun with students! Support exploration and deeper learning related to the student’s areas of interest.
- Listen to and validate student concerns and collaborate with the student in problem solving and decision making.
For more information, please contact our Special Education Department Chair, Stacey LaFountain, at slafountain@fcps.edu, or Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Maddie Sirota, at masirota@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs webpage or the FCPS 2e Website.
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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 instructional assistant, Jane Sun, officially joining us every day after being a long term substitute here for several years, and Carrie Tsai, our new preschool instructional assistant!
🧭 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 is open through Sunday, October 4!
🔗 https://bc-ffx-londontowne.jumbula.com/
What will they discover this fall? The adventure is waiting! ⭐
📩 Questions? Email info@baroodycamps.com
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PTA News and Happenings |
Come join us for our next PTA meeting! Everyone’s welcome! 🎉
Come and learn more about what AVID looks like and sounds like at London Towne and hear from the AVID Division Coordinator how families can foster executive functioning skills such as organization at home.
📅 Date: October 13
⏰ 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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SYA Free Multi-Sport Clinic |
🏈 Fall Multi-Sport Clinic – FREE! ⚽
Kids (grades 1-2 and 4-6) are invited to try multiple sports (basketball, field hockey, volleyball and wrestling) before you commit to a full season at SYA’s free Fall Multi-Sport Clinic:
- October 4, 2026
- 2:00-4:00 PM at SYA Sports Park
Admission is free but registration required: https://syasports.org/camp-clinic/fall-multi-sport-clinic/
Come try different sports, learn new skills, and have some fun! No experience necessary.
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Student Rights and Responsibilities |
Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
Cellphones and Personal 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. Learn more about the student device requirement.
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Superintendent Conversations |
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
- Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
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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.
You can also visit the FCPS 2e webpage for additional information and resources, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.
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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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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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.
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Monday September 21, is a holiday and schools and offices will be closed.
See the complete school year calendar.
Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school — and themselves. See our tips on how to encourage positive school attendance in elementary school.
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