Timber Lane Times 9/26/26

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/26/2026 04:18 PM EDT

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Principals' Update

Dear Timber Lane Families,

Based on feedback and in collaboration with our pyramid elementary schools, we have determined that during the school day, we will celebrate student birthdays with non-edible treats.  Cupcakes, candy and/or any other edible food items will not be allowed.  This is in an effort to allow all students to celebrate your child, including those with severe food allergies. 

Our school is committed to recognizing your students' special days.  Student birthdays will continue to be shared via the morning news show.  Many classrooms also celebrate through morning meeting, wearing a birthday crown (primary grades) and singing to the student.  You may elect to have your child wear a special birthday shirt, crown or sash. Families may also consider other meaningful ways to recognize their child’s special day, such as donating a book to the classroom library, a board game for indoor recess, or a special activity or piece of recess equipment in their child’s honor. Families may also choose to send in a small, non-food goodie bag for classmates.  Please also note that Playdoh contains wheat and cannot be distributed.

As educators and caregivers, we all want the best for all of our students.  Thank you for joining us in giving students alternative opportunities to celebrate their special day.  We appreciate your support in ensuring the well-being of all our students and the importance of supporting an inclusive community.

Thank you,

Timber Lane Elementary Administration Team

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Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15

The fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3-8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Katie Hardy, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, by October 15, 2026. Late referrals will not be accepted.

For students who are not new to FCPS and have been enrolled, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2-7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by December 15, 2026.

Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.

Other Advanced Academic Services

At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.

At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students. Families should work with their student’s school to select the courses that best meet their academic needs.

For more information, please contact Katie Hardy, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, or visit the Advanced Academic Programs website Advanced Academic Programs website.

🧠Twice Exceptional (2e) Students

We’re excited to share information about Twice-Exceptional (2e) Programming available throughout our school system. Twice-exceptional students demonstrate advanced abilities while also experiencing learning, attention, or other challenges that may require additional support. 

The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for 2e Programming developed a one-pager sharing ways in which we are supporting 2e learners in FCPS:

For more information, please visit the FCPS 2e webpage or reach out the Katie Hardy, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher.

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💉The Importance of the Flu Vaccine

Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:

  • Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
  • Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
  • Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.

Upcoming Flu Shot Events

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.

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📍Boundary Study Community Meeting on September 28

Fairfax County Public Schools is moving into the second phase of the boundary study for Greenway Downs, Jefferson Village, City Park Homes, Kingsley Commons, plus Glasgow Middle School.  Families are invited to attend a community meeting to learn about the revised draft scenarios on Monday, September 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Falls Church High School. You may register to attend by clicking in person or virtual, based on your preference.

Visit the FCPS website for more information about the Greenway Downs, Jefferson Village, City Park Homes, and Kingsley Commons, Plus Glasgow Middle School Boundary Study.

Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.

Learn About Applied Behavior Analysis and Teaching New Skills at Home

All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.  

Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join a session. Upcoming topics include:

  • Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
  • Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
  • Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
  • Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
  • Communication: a Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10. 

Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.   

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PTA Announcements

Read-A-Thon: October 5 to 23

The PTA is ready to bring back the Timber Lane Read-A-Thon for another year! This year’s theme is: ✨ Reading Is Magic! ✨ and registration is OPEN now! 

Final day for donations: October 29, 2026

Students will need to wait until October 5th to begin logging minutes, but it's a good idea to get their page set up today. 

 

If you registered last year:

- Simply click here, login with your username and password, and select the green button labeled "Add to current event". You'll complete this process for each child you are registering. 

 

If you did not register last year:

- Click here

- Enter our School Identifier: 68b892fd3b5a1 - Create your profile and follow the prompts to set up your child’s reading tracker and fundraising page.

- You'll complete this process for each child you are registering. 

Once your child’s fundraising page is set up, share their link with family and friends by email, text, or social media.

Together, we’re aiming to read 100,000 minutes and raise $18,000 to support our students, classrooms, and school programs. Every minute read and every donation helps us reach our goals. Students will have opportunities to earn fun individual prizes and milestones as they log reading minutes and collect donations. We’ll also have whole-class incentives to keep the excitement going!

 

OCTOBER RESTAURANT NIGHT @ LAZY MIKES

Join us for dinner at Lazy Mike's in Falls Church (7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22046) on Thursday, October 8th. 10% of all sales from 5-8pm will be donated back to TLES! Purchase a sundae and an extra $3 will be donated back to the school as well. You must request the special fundraiser sundae in order to qualify for this part of the deal :) Not applicable to orders placed through third party delivery apps like UberEats or DoorDash.

 

🔬Science Night — October 15

Help support Science Night, sponsored by the Children’s Science Center, on October 15 from 5:15 to 7:45 p.m. Volunteers will help make this fun, hands-on evening a success for our students and families.  The Children’s Science Center will send out information to volunteers as the event gets closer.

Sign up to volunteer:  Science Night Volunteer Signup

 

Election Bake Sale — November 3

Our Election Bake Sale is a great PTA fundraiser, and there are two ways to pitch in:

 

SUPPORT TLES TEACHERS

Looking for an easy way to show some love to our amazing TLES teachers and staff? The PTA has gathered teacher Amazon Wish Lists and DonorsChose projects in one convenient place. Pick a classroom - or a special - and help provide items our students and teachers need. Every contribution, big and small makes a difference. Click here to explore opportunities.

 

🛒TURN YOUR GROCERY TRIPS INTO CASH FOR TLES

Did you know you can earn money for Timber Lane just by buying products you already use? By scanning your grocery receipts after you shop you can automatically contribute donations to TLES, and it costs you nothing but 30 seconds of your time. Download the Box Tops for Education app and use the referral code BEGU5P8I - TLES automatically earns $4 per person on your first scan!

 

CONNECT WITH THE PTA

Please consider renewing your PTA membership for the 26-27 school year (or joining for the first time!) by visiting our website: www.timberlanepta.com.

PTA Members now also have the option to subscribe to the PTA calendar and have calendar updates pushed automatically to their personal calendars!

You can now follow the PTA on Instagram and Facebook.

Upcoming Dates

2026-2027 Standard School Year Calendar

🏫September 

  • Sept 29: *PTA Ice Cream Social 5:00p.m.* (Updated Day/Time)
  • Sept 29: AAP Info Night from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Sept 30: 3-Hour Early Release at 12:35 p.m.

🎃October

  • Oct 5 to 16: Fall Read-A-Thon
  • Oct 7: Walk and Roll to School Day
  • Oct 12: NO SCHOOL (School Planning Day)
  • Oct 15: Science Night from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Updated Time)
  • Oct 21: Fall Picture Day (more info soon to come)
  • Oct 29: AAP Info Night from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Oct 30: 2-Hour Early Release at 1:35 p.m. (End of Q1)