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The Weekly Roar
Monday, October 5, 2026
Thank You, Lane Custodians!
 
Last Friday, October 2, was Custodian Appreciation Day. Thanks to our amazing custodial team at Lane, we all have a clean, safe place to learn, teach, and work. They work hard every single day to keep our school shining! The next time you see them at school, please be sure to say "Thanks!" Pictured clockwise above are Ms. Rose, who was recognized as the 2025-26 Outstanding Operational Employee for the Hayfield Pyramid, with Mrs. Opie and Mrs. Lopez; Mr. Trinh; Ms. Molina, the newest member of our custodial team; and Mr. Konlan, our Building Supervisor, and Mr. Tang.
Celebrating Mrs. Opie!
October is National School Principals Month! We are thankful every day for our hardworking leader, Mrs. Opie—her support, her smiles, and, of course, her smooth dance moves!
Thanks for a Fantastic Fun Run!
Last Friday was filled with fitness, fun, and friendship as our Lane Lions of all ages ran laps around the track as part of the PTA's Lane Loop Fun Run. The weather was beautiful, the runners were dedicated and determined, and the event was a huge success. The total donations blew away the group's goal of $25,000! Thanks to everyone who donated, volunteered, and—of course—ran all those laps! Here are some snapshots from the day.
        
Monarchs on the Move!
Our 2nd grade classes have been observing caterpillars as they metamorphosed to chrysalises and then to monarch butterflies. Last Friday the students released them in our school gardens so they could begin their migration flight south to Mexico.
   
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday, 10/7 – Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
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Thursday, 10/8 – Hayfield Pyramid Virtual Presentation: How You Can Help Your Child Build Healthy Digital Habits, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
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Friday, 10/9 – Potluck “Breakfast Bites” for 3rd & 4th Grade Families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Monday, 10/12 – Indigenous People’s Day Student Holiday/Staff Development Day, students do not report
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Friday, 10/16 – “Breakfast Bites” for 5th & 6th Grade Families, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
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Wednesday, 10/21 – 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday, students dismissed at 1:05 p.m.
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Thursday, 10/22 – Full-Time Advanced Academic Program Services screening process information meeting, 6 p.m., Library
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Sunday, 10/25 – PTA Trunk or Treat, 5:30 p.m., Main Parking Lot
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Friday, 10/30 – End-of-Quarter 2-hour early release, all students dismissed at 2:05 p.m.
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Monday, 11/2, and Tuesday, 11/3 – Student Holidays/Teacher Workdays, students do not report
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Tuesday, 11/10 – Math & STEAM Night, 5 to 7 p.m.
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Wednesday, 11/11 – Veterans Day, school open, SACC CLOSED
- Veterans Day Breakfast, 8:30 a.m.
- Veteran Class Visits and Presentations, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- Thanksgiving Lunch, open to all families by grade level, tickets will be limited (watch for more information coming soon)
In This Issue
News & Notes
Fall Picture Days Now Underway!
The Lane fall portrait studio is open! At Lane, our student pictures for the yearbook are taken in house by staff so we are able to give every family their digital photos for FREE.
Students’ individual Picture Days are their class library days for the next two weeks. The first group of classes had their pictures taken today. Here is the remaining schedule, by grade level.
PreK
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Mori (Group 2) – Tuesday, 10/6
Kindergarten
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Furfaro – Friday, 10/9
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Schadle – Wednesday, 10/7
1st Grade
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Cohen – Friday, 10/9
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Goldner – Wednesday, 10/7
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Kaine – Tuesday, 10/6
2nd Grade
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Gallery – Friday, 10/9
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Pradko – Thursday, 10/8
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Ragals – Thursday, 10/8
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Song – Tuesday, 10/6
3rd Grade
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Shipley – Friday, 10/9
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Slomka – Friday, 10/9
4th Grade
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Sperry – Tuesday, 10/6
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Zubieta – Wednesday, 10/7
5th Grade
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Kipkemboi – Wednesday, 10/14
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Jenkins – Wednesday, 10/7
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Lopes – Wednesday, 10/7
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Lopez – Wednesday, 10/14
6th Grade (parents will be notified about their child's specific day)
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Lewis/Letofsky – Thursday, 10/15
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Lewis/Letofsky– Thursday, 10/8
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Wilson/Benzelock – Thursday, 10/8
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Wilson/Benzelock – Thursday, 10/15
EAC & ID/IDS Classes
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Acoine (Part 1) – Thursday, 10/8
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Acoine (Part 2) – Thursday, 10/15
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Khalid (Part 1) – Tuesday, 10/6
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Khalid (Part 2) – Tuesday, 10/13
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Motsch – Tuesday, 10/6
After Picture Days are complete, all families will receive a digital file of their child’s portrait for free, as noted above. Once you receive it, you can use it to have prints made in any size or style you choose. There are many professional portrait studios in the Alexandria/Springfield area that families can visit if they wish to have a professional portrait taken.
Tuesday, October 20, will be a make-up day for students who are absent on their assigned class day.
P.E. News: Bikes Are Back This Week!
Bikes are back in P.E. for ALL grades starting today, and lessons—which include both riding and bike safety—will continue through Friday, October 23. Students who do not yet know how to ride a bike will have the opportunity to learn during class.
There are helmets available to share (with hairnets). If students would like to use their own helmets, they may, but they need to fit correctly. Please refer to the image/directions below to check your child’s helmet.
Please note:
- Helmets are legally required for all people under the age of 15 in Fairfax County.
- Hairstyles can affect the sizing and fit of helmets; low, smooth styles are preferred.
- Closed-toed shoes are required for participation, and loose clothing is not advised as it could get caught in the gears.
Montgomery Co., MD Fire
Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day Is This Wednesday, October 7!
Get ready to walk, ride, or roll to Lane this Wednesday, October 7, as part of Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day. In this nationwide effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools, students and staff are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work, where safe to do so, that day. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school.
Fall Food Drive Begins Thursday, October 8
Food insecurity continues to increase in our community during these difficult economic times. Lane’s Student Ambassadors will host a food drive this month to collect specific items to create weekend food bags for those in need in our community.
The food drive begins this Thursday, October 8, and will run through Tuesday, October 20. Each grade level has been assigned one item to donate, but you can contribute as many of those items as you’d like. Here is the list:
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Pre-K and Kindergarten: 1-lb. or 2-lb. bag of rice
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1st Grade: 1-lb. or 2-lb. bag of beans (any type)
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2nd Grade: Single-serving instant oatmeal packets (box of 6-12 or larger, any flavor)
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3rd Grade: Microwave popcorn bags (box of 6 -12 or larger)
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4th Grade: Applesauce cups or squeeze pouches (box of 6-12 or larger)
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5th Grade: Granola/fruit bars (box of 8 -16 or larger)
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6th Grade: Fruit snack pouches (box of 8-12 pouches or larger)
To add a little flavor to the food drive, we’re adding some friendly competition. The grade level that collects the most items will win an extra recess! (Items will be counted by bag or box of the number of items listed, not by individual items in a box. For example, one bag of rice would be equal to a box of 6 to 12 oatmeal packets. Larger bulk boxes will be counted based on the number of items listed here. (A box of 48 oatmeal packets would count as four items.)
You can send your donations to school starting October 8. Drop boxes will be located in the bus lobby. Or, if you prefer, you can place an order on Amazon and have items shipped directly to the school. Our Amazon Wishlist also includes some larger/more expensive items, if you’d like to contribute a bit more.
If you’d like to just make a cash donation to support our food drive, you can donate through the PTA website.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Please purchase only the items listed.
- Do not create smaller bags of bulk items (rice and beans) from larger bags.
- All packaging must be original and sealed.
Thank you for supporting our Student Ambassadors and helping our local community! If you have questions, please contact our family liaison and Student Ambassadors sponsor, Melanie Crosby Hardy, at macrosby@fcps.edu.
Hayfield Pyramid Virtual Presentation: How You Can Help Your Child Build Healthy Digital Habits—Thursday, October 8, 6:30 p.m.
Technology is part of students’ learning, relationships, and everyday lives. This session for families and caregivers in the Hayfield pyramid will offer practical guidance for helping children build healthier habits with devices, social media, and gaming.
What the session will explore:
- what digital wellness looks like at home
- how parents can best support their children in this area
- practical routines for devices, social media, and gaming
- ways to set boundaries while building student independence.
Presenters will include students who will help attendees consider and understand issues such as:
- the role social media plays in their lives
- what they wish their parents understood about their use of technology
- family rules that feel helpful
- how adults can support them when something goes wrong online.
Families will leave with practical conversation starters and one or two manageable strategies to try at home.
Use this link to join the session.
3rd & 4th Grade “Breakfast Bites” This Friday, October 9; 5th & 6th Grade Event on October 16
Our younger grades have enjoyed their Friday morning “Breakfast Bites” buffets, and now it’s time for our older students’ families to have their chance to get together and share some food and friendship before the school day begins.
This Friday, October 9, 3rd and 4th grade families are invited to join us from 8:30 to 9:15 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 3rd or 4th grade family that would like to attend, please RSVP here.
Our final “Breakfast Bites” will be held on Friday, October 16, for 5th and 6th grade families. Families with students in those two grades can RSVP here.
Recording of “First Friday” Family Coffee Focusing on Social-Emotional Health and Learning Now Available
If you weren’t able to join us live for our October virtual “First Friday” Family Coffee last Friday, have no fear! The session was recorded and has been posted on our YouTube channel. You can view the presentation here.
Student Holiday for Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 12
Please note that next Monday, October 12, is a Student Holiday, in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present.
The office will be open regular hours, as staff will be attending professional development sessions throughout the day.
October Military Student Lunch Groups
The topic for military student lunch groups this month is a dog tag craft. Military students will create individual dog tags by drawing and coloring on paper dog tags that will then be used by the Student Ambassadors to create a banner for Veterans Day. The banner will be on display in the school during the month of November.
Each student will be able to decorate their dog tag according to their own style, while discussing shared personal interests/hobbies and military culture experiences to identify connections with classmates.
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 our Military Family Life Counselor, Jeremy Cox, at jrcox@fcps.edu for more information and forms.
First Early Release Wednesday Is October 21
This school year includes four 3-Hour Early Release Wednesdays. These shortened school days for students allow teachers to attend critical professional development sessions and participate in other collaborative work. Our dismissal time will be at 1:05 p.m. on these days. Lunch will be served as usual.
Here are the dates for Lane:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5.
We encourage all parents/caregivers to have their student take their normal route home or to daycare (bus, walk, kiss and ride) on these days. If this creates a child-care hardship, please complete this form by Monday, October 12.
PLEASE NOTE:
- If you do not fill out this form and we do not hear from you, we will send your child home at 1:05 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, by their usual transportation method.
- We will follow these dismissal plans on Early Release Wednesdays throughout this year unless you let us know a change needs to be made.
October Is Disability History and Awareness Month
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. Here at Lane, we honor those with disabilities and promote equal opportunities for all.
Stay tuned for more information throughout the month.
Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr
Please note that a change has been made to the school calendar. FCPS will now 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, and Wednesday, March 10, will be a full 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.
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.
PTA News
A Phenomenal Fun Run!
The PTA wishes to thank everyone for making the Lane Lion Fun Run a huge success! They surpassed their fundraising goal of $25,000 with a total of $28,234 raised. They so appreciate everyone who raised, ran, and volunteered!
Fun Run 2026 Facts
- Students ran a total of 6,137 laps!
- The top 3 grade levels for fundraising were 1st, 4th, and 2nd.
- The top 3 individual fundraisers were Laila H., Aidan U., and Titomi F.
- The top runners were Elias F., Nicolas P., Cameron P. , and Lucas S.
Join the PTA at Chuck E. Cheese—Friday, October 16, 4 to 9 p.m.
On Friday October 16, families are invited to come play with other Lane Lions at Chuck E. Cheese on Richmond Hwy from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. No signup is required, and 20% of Lane sales will be donated back to the Lane PTA.
Please note that this is NOT a drop-off event. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Parent Resources
October 8 Is National Ombuds Day
The FCPS Office of the Ombuds staff engage with families, students, and staff to offer resources, assist in settling conflicts, and raise concerns to improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
The ombuds is available to:
- share strategies for parents to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
- help resolve disagreements between parents and schools or disagreements involving employees in the workplace.
- provide ideas to foster parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.
Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the Ombuds webpage to submit a question.
Growing Together: Talking About Social-Emotional Learning at Home
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 a 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.
A session will be offered right across the street from Lane at the Kingstowne Regional Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21. You can register here.
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. View additional dates and locations on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Understanding the FCPS Calendar
Help your child prepare for future success by encouraging them to develop positive attendance habits. Regular attendance supports learning and helps students stay on track for college, careers, and other opportunities after graduation.
Take a look at the FCPS calendar. Try your best to schedule any vacations or planned family events on weekends and school holidays. If the appointment needs to be during the school day, when possible, schedule it for the beginning or end of the day to minimize time missed.
If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, please report the absence to our school as early as possible. Find out how to report an absence on our homepage or call the front office.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please let us know. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: Registration Open, Call for Volunteers
Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
Families, educators, and community members are invited to this no-cost, in-person event to connect, learn, and explore available special-education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
How to Get Involved
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Upcoming Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
How to Get Kids to Open Up to You, Now and for Years to Come
Friday, October 9, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
We want to know what's going on in our children's lives—about school, their friends, their successes, and their struggles. But what should you do when your kids won't tell you what's going on in their lives? What if you ask questions and all they do is shrug and mumble “It was fine” or “I don't know”? In this workshop, you'll learn specific strategies for getting your children to open up and come to you when they need support.
Register here
The Nuts and Bolts of the Special-Education Process
Friday, October 16, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
This webinar will guide participants through the special-education identification process, including:
- an overview of the local screening process and the initial consideration of eligibility for special education
- an overview of the essential components of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Register here
FCPS News & Events
Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver 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.
Community 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. A meeting was held at Hayfield last month, but there are still meetings you can attend to get more information.
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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.
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. Click on the date to register for any of the following events, which be held at
6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
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