Message from Mrs. Castillo

Fall has come and our lions are enjoying the cooler weather at recess.  This is a reminder to please label all hoodies, jackets, and sweatshirts as children often take them off during the day when temperatures rise.  We want to help get all belongings back to the right owner.

A special thank you to Ms. Gray & Ms. Hagy for supporting our 5th & 6th graders who ran for SCA Officer positions. Congratulations to the elected officers!  There were many close races and we appreciate how many students showed this bravery and enthusiasm.  

Ms. Ulsh and I enjoyed working from the roof on Friday to celebrate reaching the $10,000 goal for our PTA Armchair Fundraiser.  Thank you to Mrs. LaBarbera for leading our events and fundraising efforts this year.  Another two events this weekend included our first moving night of the year that was very well-attended and the second Saturday games for our K - 2 PTA Soccer club!  

This Wednesday is our first three-hour early release for elementary teacher planning time. Students will be dismissed at 11:55 p.m. Parents completed the information in ParentVue to let us know if their child will require childcare at school until 2:55 p.m. Thank you for helping us ensure a smooth early release!

We look forward to lots of individual and class smiles during Picture Day tomorrow!  Thank you for your partnership! 

LRES Parent Reminders

• Visitors to school events download the Raptor Safe App prior to visiting Lemon Road. 
• All students are expected to wear their LRES polos on field trip days.  Please ensure your child has their polo ready for upcoming fall trips.
• Lemon Road teachers are sending home interims to students that are not meeting grade level expectations in academics, specials, or behavior.  Please help our child use the next month to improve performance in advance of the close of quarter 1.  
• Students in grades 4 - 6 should bring their agendas home each night.  Parents/guardians should regularly check their child's agenda to ensure homework is completed and their child is prepared for any assessments or big projects.  
• All parents must provide consent for your child to access some digital resources used at school through the Parent Digital Consent System.
• Apply for Free/Reduced Lunch which also gives opportunities for scholarships for other school events and fees.  New applications are required every year.  If your family needs assistance with scholarships or supplies, apply using the link above and contact Mrs. Reyes Gomez (Family Liaison) at kereyesgomez@fcps.edu. 

• Parents/legal guardians should submit full-day absences using ParentVUE. FCPS school attendance policies will be enforced. Parents will be held accountable for students who do not attend school regularly.

• Add money to your child's lunch account using MySchoolBucks.  Check out what is being served each month in the cafeteria using MealViewer.
• Families new to Fairfax County who are interested in referring their 3rd - 6th grader for full-time AAP Services may do so by October 15.  

Review & Sign FCPS SR&R

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.

We ask that 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.

LRES PTA Updates

Another big PTA Week!  First, we hit our fundraising goal so see the photos of Mrs. Castillo & Ms. Ulsh working from the roof, we had a great first movie night of the year on Friday night, and then a second amazing game day for our PTA Soccer Club.  Thank you families for all your participation! Here are our current PTA initiatives:

1. Baroody Registration: Lemon Road has a history of strong enrichment opportunities after school and our fall sessions start soon!  Sign your child up for volleyball, chess, mindfulness and more by registering here! 
2. September PTA Meeting: Our first general meeting of the year is happening on Wednesday, September 30 at 7 PM in the library.  Hear about PTA plans for the year, find out how you can get involved, and meet guest speaker, Derrick Smith (LRES Parent) share about keeping your kids safe on the internet.  Free childcare and snacks provided! 
3. Restaurant Night:  Order lunch or dinner from Taco Bamba on Tuesday and support our PTA!  Be sure to mention Lemon Road when you place the order.  
4. Room Parents:  Thank you to our parents who have committed to serve as Room Parents this school year!  If you missed the orientation, email the coordinator Haleema Sullivan at hkmsullivan@gmail.com. 

We Need YOU:  Joining the PTA is a key indicator that you support the school-home partnership that we foster.  Email lemonroadpta@gmail.com to get involved! 

FCPS News In Case You Missed It

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Traffic Safety Near Our Schools
• Superintendent Community Conversations
• Check Out New Menu Options

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

Upcoming Important Dates

• Monday, September 28: B Week; Victor O’Neil Class & Individual Photos
• Tuesday, September 29:  Taco Bamba PTA Restaurant Lunch & Dinner
• Wednesday, September 30: 3-Hour Early Release Day; Quarter 1 Interims Sent Home; PTA General Meeting (7 PM)
• Thursday, October 1: Grade 2 Field Trip to Cox Farms (polos needed)
• Friday, October 2: LRES Polo Day for Students & Staff; Grade 3 Field Trip to Natural History Museum (polos needed) 
• Saturday, October 3: LRES K-2 PTA Soccer Club Games (9 - 1)
• Monday, October 5: C Week; Recycling (8:15 AM); Patrol Meeting (8:20 AM)
• Tuesday, October 6: Grade 6 Field Trip to Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum (polos needed)
• Wednesday, October 7: National Walk, Bike or Roll to School Day; Grade 3 Hearing & Vision Screening; Eco Defense Free Swap (3:30 - 5:00 PM)
• Thursday, October 8: Grade 3 Hearing & Vision Screening
• Friday, October 9: LRES Navy & Yellow Spirit Day; SCA Officer Inauguration Assembly (8:30 AM); PTA Board Meeting
• Wednesday, October 14: Eco Defense Free Swap (3:30 - 5:00 PM)
• Friday, October 30: October Freaky Friday (Costume Day); End of Quarter 1; 2-hour Early Release Day

FCPS 2026 - 2027 School Year Calendar

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703-714-6400

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