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Principal's Note |
Dear London Towne Families,
We hope you had a wonderful weekend! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent PTA meeting. It was a fantastic turnout, and we are so grateful for our vibrant, engaged school community.
A special thank you to our Division AVID Coordinator and our School-Based AVID Coordinator for leading an insightful session on how we can collaboratively support our learners. They shared practical strategies for building essential life skills—such as organization, goal setting, and self-advocacy—that set our students up for success in elementary school, middle school, high school, and beyond.
If you were unable to attend or would like to review the materials, you can access the presentation here: Organization for Student Success
Looking Ahead: A Busy Week of Fall Fun
We are definitely feeling the Fall spirit around the Towne, and we have a very busy week ahead! Please take note of the following updates and events:
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Digital Citizenship Week (All Week): Throughout the week, students will engage in conversations focused on staying safe, respectful, and responsible online. Please see below for "Spirit" attire to go with each day's theme.
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First Early Release Wednesday (10/21/2026): School will dismiss early at 12:05pm. If you haven't already, please ensure you communicate your child's dismissal plan for the day to the main office.
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Family Game Night (10/22 at 5:45pm): Bring the family out for an evening of dinner, Play-Doh, practice yoga, 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.
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Trunk or Treat (10/23 at 6:00pm): Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy decorated trunks, treats, and Fall fun in the school parking lot!
Thank you for your partnership and energy in making our school community such a great place to learn and grow. We look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events!
Warmly,
Shele Banford, Principal
Jordan Moore, Assistant Principal
Lucy Zamora, Assistant Principal
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Save the Date! |
💻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: 3 Hr 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
🦺 Monday, October 26 - Thursday, October 29: Body Safety Program
🚌 Tuesday, October 27: GMU Field Trip (Grade 4)
💻 Tuesday, October 27 - Thursday, October 29: NGAT Testing (Grade 2)
🎃 Thursday, October 29: 9:00 a.m.Storybook Character Parade (Grade K-1)
⚽ Friday, October 30: Field Day (K-6)
⏰ Friday, October 30: 2 Hour Early Release: 1:05 Dismissal (PreK-6)
📆 Monday, November 2-Tuesday, November 3: No School for Students
📣 Friday, November 6: 9:00 a.m. Quarter 2 Pep Rally
🍿 Friday, November 6: PTA Movie Night
💜💜 First Time Purple Star School 💜💜
The Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children voted on October 7, 2026, to approve London Towne Elementary School as a recipient of the SY 2026-2027 Purple Star Award. The award designation is valid for a period of three school years beginning with this school year 2026-2027. Huge thank you to Anne Marie Colligan, our School Social Worker, and Karla Merida, our Family Liaison, for their work in applying for this designation!
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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.
Please note that Rylynn, a Department of Family Services Facility Dog, will be on-site Thursday.
🎲🎲 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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Digital Literacy Family Tips |
While we consistently reinforce how to be responsible, safe, and respectful online EVERY day, we especially highlight these skills during Digital Citizenship Week! Check out these resources designed to help families discuss healthy and safe technology habits at home!
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🧠 Critical Thinking: Help your child think critically about online information by spotting credible sources and separating fact from fiction. View the tips in English, Spanish, or other languages.
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🧠 Curiosity: Support your child’s curiosity online while keeping them safe by talking about online safety and privacy. View the tips in English, Spanish, or other languages.
✨DO YOU KNOW AN AMAZING EMPLOYEE? ✨
We are now accepting nominations to recognize our outstanding employees at London Towne Elementary School for the 2026 - 2027 school year! If you have worked with an outstanding employee at London Towne Elementary School, FCPS wants your help recognizing them. LTES colleagues and families are invited to nominate:
🏆 NOMINATIONS FOR...
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding New Principal
- Outstanding Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
🗓️DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is Sunday, November 8, 2026.
📝SUBMISSIONS: Submissions can be made by completing the form linked here.
🐯Thank you for supporting our outstanding LTES Staff!
🔎🔬 Family Science Night 🔬🔎
All are invited to SEL Family Game Night at London Towne on Tuesday, November 10!
Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Investigations stations start at 6:00 p.m.
Students MUST attend with an adult family member.
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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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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) in late October.
- 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.
⭐ 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: November 17
⏰ 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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Grace Covenant Church Fall Fest |
Grace Covenant Church invites you to their FALL FEST!
This is a FREE, family-friendly event filled with carnival rides, games, candy, food trucks, and fun for all ages!
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, October 28
- Time: 6:00–8:30 PM
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Location: Grace Covenant Church, 4600 Brookfield Corporate Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151
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Admission: FREE!
Special Guest:
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin will join us at 7:30 PM to share his story!
Parking & Shuttle Information:
Event parking will be located at 14501 George Carter Way, Chantilly, VA 20151. Complimentary shuttle service to the church begins at 5:30 PM. Please see the attached postcard for parking details and a QR code linking to the parking map.
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FCPS/Virginia Quality Birth to 5 |
Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum.
Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.
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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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Literacy and Lexia Family Webinars |
📚 Help Your Child Become a Stronger Reader: Upcoming Family Learning Opportunities
Want to better understand how your child learns to read and how you can support them at home? FCPS is offering several free virtual sessions to help families learn about reading instruction, literacy resources, and strategies to build strong reading skills. Explore the opportunities below and register for the sessions that interest you.
📚 Lexia Family Information Sessions
Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? These virtual sessions share how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the division this school year to support students’ literacy growth and give families a chance to ask questions.
Every one-hour session covers the same content. Choose the option that works best for your family:
- Wednesday, October 21, at 5 and 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Join a Lexia Family Information Night Session.
📚 Literacy Webinar SeriesJoin us for a series of family-friendly webinars designed to help you understand reading assessments, reading plans, and ways to support your child at home. Learn what assessment results mean, how reading plans guide instruction, and practical strategies to strengthen decoding, language, comprehension, and literacy skills, including support for multilingual learners.
- October 20, 2026: Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
- December 15, 2026: What Is a Reading Plan?
- February 19, 2027: How Do I Support My Child With a Reading Plan at Home?
- May 14, 2027: Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer
Register for the Literacy Webinar Series.
📚 Introduction to Dyslexia Webinar – What Is It and What Does It Mean for My Student?
Participants will look at the definition of dyslexia and its impact on students, including the different types of dyslexia and what support students with dyslexia require. Participants will also leave with activities and tips to support their students at home. Join us on Friday, October 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Register for the Introduction to Dyslexia webinar.
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Immunization Events for Students |
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. 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. Additional immunization resources are available.
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Special Education Conference |
Register now to attend the annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students, on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to this in-person event at no cost. Participants can connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Register to attend the conference.
Volunteers Are Needed to Make This Event a Success!
Find out how to volunteer:
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS.
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Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time.
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Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Service hours will be awarded to students serving in these roles.
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.
Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
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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.
Friday, October 30, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.
Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 2, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 3, for a teacher workday. 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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