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Principal's Note |
Dear London Towne Families,
It was wonderful seeing so many of our families come out to celebrate the Westfield High School homecoming parade on Friday afternoon! Events like these are a fantastic reminder of how strong, vibrant, and connected our local community is. Seeing the energy, smiles, and school spirit across generations was a wonderful highlight and amazing end to the week.
Settling In & Mid-Quarter Progress
Hard to believe, but we have officially reached the halfway mark of Quarter 1! Our students have fully settled into their daily routines, and walking through the hallways and visiting classrooms, there is clear evidence of strong, supportive classroom communities taking shape. Students are building meaningful connections with their peers and teachers, creating a solid foundation for learning every day.
Schoolwide Focus: Safety, Belonging, and Kindness
Our overarching priority at London Towne is ensuring that our school is the safest and most welcoming environment for every single student. To support this, we continuously teach and reinforce our ROAR matrix (Respect, Own our Actions, Advoacte for Self/Others, Ready to Learn).
This quarter, our primary focus is centered on kindness—specifically using a kind tone, kind words, and kind actions. We invite you to partner with us at home by engaging your child in a quick conversation this week. Consider asking them:
These simple conversations at home help reinforce the daily habits we are building at school.
Assessment Updates & Celebrating Growth
We have officially wrapped up our division-wide reading and math assessments for 1st through 6th grade. As our team has analyzed the initial data, we are thrilled to share how much knowledge and skill our students retained coming into this new school year!
This impressive retention and strong start are direct reflections of:
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Solid, intentional instruction from our dedicated teaching staff.
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Meaningful classroom opportunities for students to practice and apply new concepts.
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Your continued partnership at home, supporting reading, math, and daily learning habits.
Thank you for your ongoing support, involvement, and partnership. Together, we are making London Towne a fantastic place for our students to learn, grow, and thrive.
Warmly,
Shele Banford, Principal
Jordan Moore, Assistant Principal
Lucy Zamora, Assistant Principal
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Save the Date! |
👂🏻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)
🌎Monday, October 12: No School for Students - Indigenous Peoples Day
☕ Tuesday, October 13: 7:30 a.m. Multilingual Family Coffee
🗣️Tuesday, October 13: 6:00 p.m. PTA Meeting (Library/Zoom)
📸Thursday, October 15: Fall Picture Day
🥪 Friday, October 17: 1st Grade Immersion Picnic
💻Monday, October 19 - Friday, October 23: Digital Citizenship Spirit Week
👂🏻Monday, October 19: PTA/Baroody Enrichment Clubs Begin this Week
🗣️Tuesday, October 20: 8:30 a.m. PreK Family Meeting (Cafeteria)
⏰Wednesday, October 21: Early Release: 12:05 Dismissal (K-6 ONLY)
🎲Thursday, October 22: 5:45-7:15 p.m. SEL Family Game Night
🚌 Friday, October 23: Bus Safety Program (Grade 3)
🍬 Friday, October 23: 6:00-7:30 p.m. PTA Trunk or Treat
🧭 Baroody Enrichment Classes 🧭
🎒✨REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY! 🎒✨
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. 🔬🎨🏀🎮
The following classes are still available to join:
🎨 Mini Makers: Magical Art Club — Let creativity run wild with hands-on art, imagination, and magical projects!
♟️ Chess — Build strategy, problem-solving skills, and confidence while having fun!
📅 Registration is open through TODAY 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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Grades 3-6 SEL Screener: Oct 5-30 |
❤️ LTES SEL Screener Dates
Fairfax County Public Schools believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school.
London Towne students in grades 3-6 will take the FCPS Social Emotional Learning screener between October 5 and October 29 during their counselor time.
Counselors will be coordinating with teachers to administer the SEL Screener in 5th and 6th between Oct. 5-30th. 3rd and 4th grade students will complete the screener during specials.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account.
❤️ FCPS SEL Workshop
Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join an FCPS workshop for parents and caregivers to:
- Understand your child’s Fairfax County SEL Screener results.
- Use the results as a starting point for meaningful conversations at home.
- Support your child’s social and emotional development.
- Build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills together.
Learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Skyview High School and Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu.
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Body Safety Program: Oct 26-29 |
The Body Safety Program is scheduled to take place at London Towne Elementary School the week of October 26th-29th for grades Kindergarten to 6th.
If you would like to opt your child out of this program, please make sure to send in a signed opt-out form (English/Spanish) no later than October 16th. Opt-out forms were sent home in Thursday folders on October 1st.
Please note that Rylynn, a Department of Family Services Facility Dog, will be on-site Friday.
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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.
🎲🎲 SEL Family Game Night 🎲🎲
All are invited to SEL Family Game Night at London Towne on Thursday, October 22!
Pizza will be served at 5:45 p.m. Game stations start at 6:00 p.m.
Families will play together using Play-Doh, practice yoga, make Zones kits and learn more about London Towne’s social and emotional initiatives.
Students MUST attend with an adult family member. The goal of family game night is that families participate together.
🦸💻💻 Digital Citizenship Spirit Week 💻💻🦸
We are excited to celebrate Digital Citizenship Spirit Week from October 19–23! This special week is dedicated to teaching our students how to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and respectfully. To keep students engaged while learning these critical online habits, we invite everyone to participate in our themed dress-up days:
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🧢 Monday, Oct 19 – Put a Cap on Screen Time: Wear a hat as a reminder to "cap" your screen time and balance it with reading, hobbies, outdoor play, and sleep.
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👕 Tuesday, Oct 20 – Team Up for Digital Safety: Wear team jerseys or school spirit wear to remember to protect each other online, talk to trusted adults, and keep private information safe.
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🕶️ Wednesday, Oct 21 – Shine Bright with Kindness: Wear bright neon colors, sunglasses, or kindness-themed shirts to spread positivity in the digital world instead of shade.
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💤 Thursday, Oct 22 – Safe and Comfy in PJs: Wear comfy pajamas as a reminder that everyone has a right to feel safe and comfortable online.
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🦸 Friday, Oct 23 – Be an Online Hero!: Wear a superhero or positive role model costume to stand up to online meanness!
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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.
⭐ Families are invited to attend an AAP information meeting led by Maddie Sirota our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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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:
- 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.
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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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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FCPS Calendar Change: Eid-al-Fitr |
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place on this day.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
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Safe Routes to School Family Survey |
As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
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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:
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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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Input on Middle School AAP Centers |
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Franklin Middle: Monday, October 5, at 6 p.m.
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Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
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New ParentVUE App |
The new ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Apple and Google App stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their ParentVUE account. The previous app will be deactivated at the end of 2026.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature. Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
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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.
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
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.
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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