Weekly Wave: December 20, 2024
GovDelivery17 hours 5 minutes agoHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
To access a translated version of this newsletter, please click HERE. Then, select your preferred language by clicking on the language icon in the upper left corner.
Para tener acceso a una versión traducida de este boletín, haga clic AQUÍ. Luego, seleccione su idioma preferido haciendo clic en el ícono de idioma en la esquina arriba.
Principals' MessageDear Dolphin Families,
As we approach the winter break, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared so far this school year. This time of year is often filled with joy, anticipation, and celebration, but it can also bring moments of stress and reflection. No matter what this season holds for you and your family, please know that we are here to support you and your children.
Key Reminders:- Winter Break Dates: Monday, December 23, 2024 - Sunday, January 5, 2025 – School will resume on Monday, January 6, 2024.
- Lost and Found: Be sure to check the Lost and Found for any missing items once back from break. Many things get left before long breaks. Lost and Found will remain open our first week back. All items left after January 10, 2025 will be donated.
- Attendance Matters: Let's all finish the semester strong! The new year brings the opportunity to reset. Let's continue to work toward our goal to bring our chronic absenteeism rate to 10%. Currently we stand at 14%, which is 6% down from this time last year! Bravo!
- Communication with School Staff- Our staff will also be on break. This includes our instructional assistants, teachers, counselors, clinicians, etc. They will be unable to respond to communication until they return on January 6th.
We encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge, and cherish moments with loved ones. Let’s celebrate the kindness, resilience, and sense of community that make Lake Anne such a special place.
From our hearts to yours, we wish you a safe, peaceful, and joy-filled holiday season. Thank you for trusting us with the privilege of guiding and nurturing your students. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, ready to continue growing and learning together.
See you in 2025!
Mrs. Jill D. Stewart, Principal
Ms. Melanie N. Porter, Assistant Principal
❄️December & January Calendar RemindersDecember
23-January 5- Winter Break
25- Chanukah, Christmas
January
1 - New Year’s Day (Holiday)
6 - Three Kings Day/Epiphany (O Day)
January- National Mentoring Month
Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.
Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.
All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.
The FCPS MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at [email protected].
2024-25 Lake Anne Elementary School Events Calendar
2024-25 FCPS Standard School Calendar
🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery RegistrationRegistration for the countywide lottery for FCPS’ Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year.
Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.
❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/ClosingsWatch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.
Lake Anne Resources and RemindersLost & Found: ID Required
The Lost & Found is now available in the main lobby. If you would like to accompany your child in looking through it for misplaced items, please check-in with front officer staff and the visitor check-on system using a government-issued ID, such as your driving license. This is a legal requirement to enter the building during the school day, which includes arrival and dismissal.
ST Math Family Math Week
MIND Research is hosting family math week January 13 - January 17, 2025. During that time, students are encouraged to log onto the FCPS Family Math website to engage in math activities with their families at home that include stories with mathematical concepts connected to a variety of different math games from around the world. All activities are available in English and Spanish.
To learn more about Family Math Week, check out this video. We hope that all schools will help spread the word and work collaboratively to help us reach our goal of logging on for three million minutes as an FCPS community.
FCPS Events/Resources📣 Sign Up and Speak Out: Fairfax County’s Pre-2025 Session Public Hearing
The Fairfax County delegation to the Virginia General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2025 session on Saturday, January 4, at 9 a.m., in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center.
As Fairfax County residents, you may sign up in advance to speak at the hearing and let the delegation know what matters most to you. To participate, register online using this form or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) by noon on Thursday, January 2. Find additional guidelines for speaking at the public forum on the Fairfax County Government website.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:
- Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
Language interpretation will be available.
All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.
⛄Student and Family Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue!
FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.
Community Events/ResourcesBundle Up with Books
Bundle Up With BooksFairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
Catch the Wave of Appreciation!This week, which Lake Anne Elementary staff member(s) did you see making a SPLASH doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way?! Please help us in recognizing their outstanding contributions by submitting an FCPS CARES for them.
For questions, please email [email protected].
11510 North Shore Drive Reston, VA 20190 | Main Office: 703-326-3500
Attendance: 703-326-3535 | Web | Twitter