FCPS

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Message from Mrs. Goss

Thank you LRES community for the warm welcome as I have assumed the Acting Assistant Principal position.  I feel so lucky to be part of this wonderful school and community!

Our first virtual learning day was a success!  Thank you to the staff and families for supporting our students and ensuring they had everything they needed to be successful online. 

Remember tomorrow, January 21st, and Monday, January 24th, are student holidays as teachers finalize end of quarter grades and progress reports. 

Enjoy another long weekend!  -Mrs. Goss

Positivity Project: Other People Mindset- Supporting Others when they Struggle

Supporting other people when they struggle is a critical piece of being human. There are many different approaches to helping people who are struggling. These can include: listening while they describe an event and their feelings about it, taking action to help people in need, or simply just being there and sitting together in silence. Everyone faces tough days and needs support, and this support leads to a chain of prosocial behavior that makes us feel good about ourselves and our group.

Future Kilmer Musicians

Want to have fun playing a band instrument in school? Want to make great music with your friends? Want to be a member of one of the largest teams at Kilmer MS? Then you want to be in the Kilmer BAND program!   Whether you have never played an instrument before, or you’ve been playing for a while, we’ve got a place for you in the Kilmer MS Bands. From beginners to advanced level players, we’ve got a band for everyone!

For lots of information about our AWESOME BANDS, visit our website:

sites.google.com/view/kilmermsband

On Wednesday, January 26th from 6:00-7:00 PM, we will hold a Meet & Greet Question and Answer Session on GoogleMeet for all students & parents interested in the Kilmer Band program. Current band students, as well as prospective band students and their parents are invited. We look forward to meeting parents and students at the Meet & Greet Q&A on the 26th!

To get to the GoogleMeet:

1. Sign into your student’s @fcpsschools.net account
2. Go to meet.google.com
3. Enter the meeting code: kilmerband (no spaces)
4. Click on “Join”
5. Click on “Join now”

If you have any questions about the Kilmer MS Bands, please email the lead band director, Ms. Bonneau, at [email protected]

Upcoming Important Dates

Friday, January 21: Teacher Work Day
Monday, January 24: Staff Development Day; A Week
Tuesday, January 25: COVID Screening for Select Students
Friday, January 28: January Freaky Friday – Tie Dye Day
Monday, January 31: B Week
Tuesday, February 1: Lunar New Year
Friday, February 4: Navy and Yellow Spirit wear Day
2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

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Tomorrow’s Virtual Schedule

Tomorrow, FCPS has announced a virtual snow day due to weather.  The day is shortened due to being the last day of the 2nd quarter.  All classes will begin with a morning meeting at 10:30 AM.  Instruction will be synchronous for core content and specials, though the teachers may provide short asynchronous assignments.  Please be sure students turn on their laptops and log into Schoology prior to 10:30 AM for troubleshooting.  Mrs. Argodale has provided several videos and links on the Lemon Road website to support students and parents: https://lemonroades.fcps.edu/announcements/virtual-snow-day-information 

As a reminder, Friday and Monday are staff development days.  We look forward to seeing our lions back in school on Tuesday.  

Thank you - Mrs. Castillo

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

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Message from Mrs. Castillo

Welcome Miranda Goss!  She has done a tremendous job jumping in and getting into the work.  Many school staff have stepped up and supported in countless ways as Mr. Birge has made his transition to his new school. Thank you so much to our parents and PTA for the delicious breakfast on Wednesday – it was fabulous! Thank you also to everyone who submitted feedback to contribute to our Assistant Principal search – your input was valuable and is helping guide next steps.

Keep your eye on the weather this weekend, there is a potential for school disruption next week. See below for the planned schedule for Lemon Road during our virtual snow days ahead. Classroom teachers will email their classes regarding schedules. The Lemon Road website will be your starting place how to support your child with a virtual snow day. Here is the direct link.

Have a wonderful long weekend ~ Mrs. Castillo

LRES COVID Notification

In cooperation with the Fairfax County Health Department, this message is to inform you that more than one student, staff member, or visitor at Lemon Road has reported testing positive for COVID-19 during the week of January 10 – 14. If you have not been contacted by FCPS, your child is not considered a potential close contact to a positive case at this time. If any additional persons are identified as close contacts during the contact tracing and case investigation process, the Fairfax County Health Department or school will contact those individuals directly.

A close contact is any person, regardless of vaccination status, who is within six feet of a COVID-19 positive individual for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) K-12 Indoor Exception states students will not be identified as close contacts if they are at least 3 feet apart and consistently wearing masks in the classroom. (Adults are not included in this exception). If you have questions about COVID-19, you may contact the Fairfax County Health Department at703-267-3511 (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays). You may also [email protected]  (monitored 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays).Additional COVID-19 resources can be found on the Virginia Department of Health or FCPS websites.

FCPS also maintains a COVID-19 Dashboard that shows daily cases of COVID-19 at the division and school level. Please know that this information is being shared to keep you informed and aware. We all play a part in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

For more information onCOVID-19 Supports and Resources, please visit the Virginia Department of Health website. Thank you for your cooperation and patience, as we work through the COVID-19 pandemic together.

LRES Virtual Snow Day Schedule

FCPS shared that our next snow day and those thereafter will be virtual days running on an approximate two-hour delay schedule.  ALL elementary schools will run from 10:30 – 3:15. All schedule information, videos, announcements, and changes will be posted here.  This should be your one-stop-shop to supporting your child and understanding how to access learning.  See the planned schedule for our snow days above. Important information for parents:  

• All instruction will take place through Schoology/Zoom
• Students and staff are all expected to take laptops home with them each night to prepare for snow and quarantine instructions
• On snow days, students should begin logging in at 10:15 AM to allow time to familiarize themselves prior to morning meeting. Student attendance will be taken during morning meeting during snow days. If a student has to miss the day, there will be opportunity for students to make up work.  
• All Lemon Road students & staff will have a midday break for lunch, physical activity, and a break from screen time.
• Students will access classroom instruction (yellow on schedule) in their classroom Schoology/Zoom link
• Academic blocks will begin with synchronous instruction, then teachers may assign students work either on or away from their computers that relate to the content.
• Students with disabilities will receive support in their virtual classrooms and will meet with their case manager during Small Group time using their classroom teacher’s link.
• Students will access specials (blue on schedule) in the All Students Schoology Course as a grade level
• Students click on their grade level to access all specials
• Efforts will be made to require minimal supplies for specials during snow days
• Preschool teachers will email their parents and determine an age-appropriate schedule/day for their young learners

Positivity Project: Perseverance

You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.  The concept of perseverance can most often be found in one’s active pursuit in overcoming obstacles.  Perseverance is a uniquely human characteristic that identifies an individual’s ability to spend long periods of time devoted to a single goal or set of goals. Those who persevere are able to set goals for themselves and then take active, calculated steps toward those goals. People demonstrating high levels of perseverance are able to handle significant, sometimes repeated, setbacks in pursuit of goals.

Longfellow Curriculum Night - Recording

Thank you all for your patience as we shared the updated link this week. We apologize to those families who were unable to attend the Longfellow Curriculum Night due to the issues with the original link. A recording of the presentation is linked here (passcode: jVS4Ldtpm$). We will be hosting a follow-up event in the near future to answer any additional questions that you might have about Longfellow, Academic Advising and the transition to middle school. Please visit our Longfellow Website to learn more about our core courses, academic advising information, electives and to view the course catalog! In the meantime, if you have any questions please reach out to Katie Madigan, [email protected] or the elementary counselor liaison for your school.  Thank you again for your patience. We look forward to meeting you all in person in the near future.

 

Vaughnetta Caldwell [email protected]

Haycock

Lorraine Marshall [email protected]

Spring Hill, Timber Lane, Westgate

Sam Ramatowski [email protected]

Franklin Sherman, Lemon Road, Churchill, Great Falls and other schools not on the list

Jill Scharl [email protected]

Kent Gardens

Bruce Walker [email protected]

Chesterbrook

Future Kilmer Musicians

Want to have fun playing a band instrument in school? Want to make great music with your friends? Want to be a member of one of the largest teams at Kilmer MS? Then you want to be in the Kilmer BAND program!   Whether you have never played an instrument before, or you’ve been playing for a while, we’ve got a place for you in the Kilmer MS Bands. From beginners to advanced level players, we’ve got a band for everyone!

For lots of information about our AWESOME BANDS, visit our website:

sites.google.com/view/kilmermsband

On Wednesday, January 26th from 6:00-7:00 PM, we will hold a Meet & Greet Question and Answer Session on GoogleMeet for all students & parents interested in the Kilmer Band program. Current band students, as well as prospective band students and their parents are invited. We look forward to meeting parents and students at the Meet & Greet Q&A on the 26th!

To get to the GoogleMeet:

1. Sign into your student’s @fcpsschools.net account
2. Go to meet.google.com
3. Enter the meeting code: kilmerband (no spaces)
4. Click on “Join”
5. Click on “Join now”

If you have any questions about the Kilmer MS Bands, please email the lead band director, Ms. Bonneau, at [email protected]

Upcoming Important Dates

Friday, January 14: Navy & Yellow Spirit wear Day

Monday, January 17: MLK Jr Holiday; No School; B Week

Tuesday, January 18: COVID Screening Testing for Select Students (11:15 – 12:30)

Wednesday, January 19: Orthodox Epiphany Holiday; LRES PTA Virtual Meeting

Thursday, January 20: End of Quarter 2; 2-Hour Early Release; Math Club Contest After Dismissal

Friday, January 21: Teacher Work Day

Monday, January 24: Staff Development Day; A Week

Tuesday, January 25: COVID Screening for Select Students

Friday, January 28: January Freaky Friday – Tie Dye Day

2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

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Message from Mrs. Castillo

Happy New Year Lemon Road families!

I hope that you had a happy New Year and extended snowy break.  Our custodians worked hard all week to ensure a safe return to school – as soon as the weather cooperates!

Mrs. Miranda Goss (photo above) joined me over winter break and throughout the snow to prepare for her start at Lemon Road. We are excited to have her on board as Acting Assistant Principal and know she will bring a fresh perspective to our school leadership team.

In the past few weeks, many families and staff members have been impacted by the COVID surge.  Thank you to everyone who has notified me. I am trying to respond right away to each message ensuring students get back to school as quickly and safely as possible. If your child has tested positive recently or exposed in the community, please email me directly and I will support your return to school or access to LiveStreaming if needed. My direct email is [email protected]

We will continue to implement the mitigation strategies that have served us well for the past two years including universal masking, frequent hand washing, physical distancing to the greatest extent possible, and contact tracing.  Visitors inside the building will be limited through the month of January – please be sure to make an appointment prior to coming. Per FCPS request, all field trips through January 14 will be rescheduled and meetings will be virtual during January. 

How You Can Help:

• Keep your children home when sick. Please use the health screening questionnaire to screen your child for Covid-19 symptoms before sending them to school each day.

• Sign your child up for optional screening testing and make use of our diagnostic testing if your child has symptoms.  Lemon Road students are tested Tuesdays between 11:15 – 12:30
• Remind your children to wear their masks properly, send extra clean masks in their backpacks, wash their hands regularly, and use hand sanitizer. 
• We ask that you get your children vaccinated. Vaccination helps reduce the severity of illness and remains the best tool for ending the pandemic. Considering becoming a sub or a classroom monitor  
• Share your child’s vaccination card with Ms. Vaughn in the office if you would like.

The advertisement for our next Assistant Principal was posted last week. If you have input or wanted the opportunity to sit on the interview panel, please complete this google form today.

In partnership,

~ Mrs. Castillo

New - Student Laptop Procedures

Starting next week, we will be sending laptops home each night for students in grades K - 6. This is a proactive step all schools are taking in the event of snow or should your child need to quarantine and access learning virtually. Computers must be charged each night at home and returned to school each day ready for the school day. Student chargers may remain at home.

Longfellow Curriculum Night - Updates

Longfellow Middle School is excited to invite you to the Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night on Tuesday, January 11 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm – ONLINE – see below for Zoom webinar link! This night will be full of information about Longfellow and the transition to middle school. In addition, our website will be updated by January 10th with all information you will need regarding academic advising and the transition to middle school. Recordings of the event will also be posted on January 12th. If you have any questions that you hope to get answered at the event, please take time to complete this form. We look forward to seeing you online!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/92936403700

Meeting ID: 929 3640 3700

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Drive Thru Covid Testing - Six FCPS Sites

Starting back up this week, students may obtain COVID-19 diagnostic testing at six drive-through sites in Fairfax County. Diagnostic testing is provided for anyone who has symptoms or is identified as a close contact of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Appointments are not required for diagnostic testing but families must register in the secure online portal. When you register and provide consent for your child to be tested, they will also be added to Lemon Road’s screening testing pool. If you do not wish for them to be part of the weekly screening testing pool, simply log back into the online portal after your child’s test is complete and withdraw consent.  More information about diagnostic and screening testing, including site locations and schedules, is available on our website. 

Positivity Project: Prudence

Prudence is the ability to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason. It's a future-oriented way of thinking that helps a person set goals, make plans, and have the discipline to accomplish them. It is cognitive – more a strength of the head than of the heart.  Prudence is not simply being excessively cautious or self-restrained. And, while it is often exemplified through individual financial savings, prudence applies to all parts of life.

Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, January 10: A Week; Full SCA Meeting

Tuesday, January 11: COVID Screening Testing for Select Students (11:15 – 12:30); Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night for Longfellow MS

Wednesday, January 12: Staff Breakfast from our PTA (7:15 – 8:15)

Thursday, January 13: PTA Board Meeting

Friday, January 14: Navy & Yellow Spiritwear Day

Monday, January 17: MLK Jr Holiday; No School

Tuesday, January 18: COVID Screening Testing for Select Students (11:15 – 12:30)

Wednesday, January 19: Orthodox Epiphany Holiday; LRES PTA Virtual Meeting

Thursday, January 20: End of Quarter 2; 2-Hour Early Release

Friday, January 21: Teacher Work Day

Monday, January 24: Staff Development Day

2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Welcome Mrs. Goss: Acting Assistant Principal

Lemon Road is excited to welcome Mrs. Miranda Goss as Acting Assistant Principal at Lemon Road Elementary beginning tomorrow, January 6th.  Mrs. Goss is currently a teacher at Stenwood Elementary School who completed her Administration and Supervision endorsement through the University of Virginia in 2020 and plans to pursue school administration in the future.  Mrs. Goss has been a teacher in FCPS since 2013 and has been a part of several elementary school communities. 

Mrs. Goss is anticipating to return to Stenwood Elementary School in mid-February when the next Assistant Principal is named at Lemon Road. 

Lemon Road is excited to have Mrs. Goss on staff and appreciates the partnership with Stenwood Elementary and Region 2 leadership to create this opportunity. 

Input Towards AP Selection Process

Lemon Road is collaborating with the Region 2 Office and Human Resources to hire our next official Assistant Principal.  We are seeking input from staff, parents, and the community using this google form.  The last question of the survey allows the person completing the form to volunteer to be on the AP interview panel taking place on January 24.  The virtual panel is scheduled from 8 AM – 4 PM, however participants will be asked to participate from a private space at Lemon Road.  The google form will accept input until Sunday, January 9th at noon. Those selected for the panel will be notified by the end of next week. 

P2: Optimism

You expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.  Hope and optimism represent a state of hopefulness and confidence about the future (both short and long term).  People with this strength are future oriented. They have a positive vision of what the future holds and maintain confidence that they will get there. They keep a positive attitude despite setbacks – and often find ways to convert what seems like an obstacle into a stepping-stone to
achieve their goals.

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Message from Mrs. Castillo

I hope that all families are enjoying Winter Break. A huge thank you for the cards, gifts, and emails for the holidays. I appreciated reading each card and am so thankful to be a part of the Lemon Road Community. Thank you also for all our room parents and volunteers that supported our celebrations before Winter Break – the students and staff had a great time with their winter parties!

As we return from winter break, please make sure you health screen your child before sending them to school on Monday, January 3.  If your child does not feel well or presents with any COVID-like symptoms, please keep them at home and seek medical advice.  Here is the Daily Health Questionnaire that should be used each morning. Children also should not come to school while awaiting test results or if a member of the household has tested positive. We appreciate your support in keeping the Lemon Road community healthy!  

There is free COVID testing for students who might be showing symptoms today through Sunday in Falls Church at the  Gatehouse Administration Center from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Scheduled appointments will not be available; instead you must register for an account in advance to be eligible for testing.  Testing will be done in the Gatehouse parking garage, and you remain in your vehicle at all times. Please review the information at this link for your next steps to register. To test at Gatehouse, please ensure that you have registered in the online portal. This process also will automatically enter the child in their school’s optional screening testing. Parents/guardians must log in to the online portal after the diagnostic test is complete and withdraw their consent to remove the child from the weekly screening testing pool. Please be aware that this diagnostic testing opportunity is limited to FCPS students, and students should come ready to share their FCPS student ID number.  View information and schedules for our regular drive-through diagnostic testing, which starts January 3, on our website. If needed, other local providers are available for testing and vaccinations.

COVID testing is scheduled for Monday, January 3rd for those who gave consent in December.  If you wish to add your child to the Lemon Road student testing pool, please consent here. This process is optional for all. 

FCPS has cancelled field trips for the next few weeks. Our Kindergarten team will work to reschedule the field trip planned for next week. With the increased COVID transmission in our community, we will be limiting visitors inside the building for the time being. Please be sure visitors have a scheduled appointment prior to arriving to the building. We want to do everything possible to keep our students and staff healthy at school.

I wish you a happy and safe New Year! Looking forward to seeing our lions on Monday.

~ Mrs. Castillo

Winter Lunch Plans

As previously shared, with the onset of colder temperatures and winter weather, all students will have the ability to eat inside daily. We have restructured our lunch plans so all classes will eat in the cafeteria. Students will be required to wear their masks anytime not eating and drinking. We continue to take all precautions to maximize air flow in the cafeteria and ensure a clean space for all students to eat.

Whenever weather permits and we have enough staff to support, any student will have the option to eat outdoors at the picnic tables near our kiss & ride driveway.

Restart your FCPS Laptop

FCPS has been pushing many new updates and security patches to school laptops to ensure new policies, filtering and the most recent version of applications are in place. It’s important that students restart their laptops.  A shutdown and then powering on is not the same as a restart. Please RESTART by selecting the (1) Windows logo, clicking the (2) power icon, and selecting (3) Restart from the window options. Remember that students in grades 3 – 6 should charge their laptops each night to be ready for school the next day.

Longfellow Curriculum Night

Longfellow Middle School is excited to invite our sixth graders and their parents to the Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night on Tuesday, January 11 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. This night will be full of information about Longfellow and the transition to middle school. Our core and elective teachers will highlight their exciting classes. There will be students and staff members to answer any questions you might have. The inclement weather date is Wednesday, January 12 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. All of our presentations will also be available online as well if you are unable to attend this evening.

Yearbook Cover Contest

Like previous years, Lemon Road is holding a student contest to design the cover of our yearbook! Students of all ages may submit their original work and selected submissions will be featured on the front and back of the yearbook.   The deadline is Friday, January 7 and information can be found here.  

Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, January 3: Students Return to School; B Week; LTS COVID Screening for Select Students

Wednesday, January 5: SCA Officer Meeting

Thursday, January 6: Three Kings Day/Epiphany celebrated

Friday, January 7: LRES Navy & Yellow Spirit Day; PTA Staff Breakfast; Orthodox Christmas celebrated

Tuesday, January 11: Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night (Longfellow)

Monday, January 17: Student Holiday (MLK Jr Birthday)

Thursday, January 20: End of Quarter (2 hour student early release)

Friday, January 21: Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)

Monday, January 24: Student Holiday (Professional Development Day)

School Calendar:  2021-22

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Message from Mrs. Castillo

Happy holidays Lemon Road!

I hope everyone has a safe, happy, and relaxing winter break.  Your children finished 2021 with a bang at school today with pajama day, watching the Variety Show, and celebrating with class parties.  Thank you to all our volunteers and room parents who made this a very special week for students and staff alike!

Like you, most of us will be taking some time off over the break.  The front office will be open by appointment only.  Please call and leave a voicemail or email Ms. Nealson or Ms. Castillo directly. 

Thank you for your partnership, I am so proud to be a part of this amazing community ~ Mrs. Castillo

Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, January 3: Return from Winter Break; B Week; LTS COVID Screening for Select Students

Wednesday, January 5: Kindergarten Field Trip; SCA Officer Meeting

Friday, January 8: LRES Spirit wear Day

2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Message from Mrs. Castillo

I hope everyone is enjoying the warm December weekend! School staff are excited for a final week of school before winter break. Friday is a particularly exciting day where students & staff are encouraged to wear pajamas, each class will have their winter party, and students will be featured in our Variety Show! If you have signed up to volunteer at a party, please be sure to arrive at least 5 minutes prior to your start time to check in with your photo ID.

Please continue to send your child with a coat, hat, and gloves each day. While we anticipate warmer weather this week, it is still quite cool during morning recess! Looking for your child’s items? Please stop by at or after dismissal to look through our lost & found! You may come to Door #1.

Staff Luncheon - Help Wanted

Thursday is our annual staff winter luncheon from approximately 10:45 – 1:30. Each staff member will be assigned a seating for a lengthier catered lunch, interact in some games, and relax with their colleagues before winter break. To make this happen, we need parent volunteers and prizes! Please use this link to sign up to help us treat your child’s teachers! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AAFA92EA3F85-lres

We still need lunch volunteers through this week!  Please consider signing up to support students:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aafa92ea3f85-lemon.

Finally, we need 1 – 2 volunteers to support our front office on Wednesday from 11:30 – 12:30, if you are able to help, please email Ashley at [email protected]

** Note that the photo was taken December 2019.  Staff continue to wear masks when not eating at school. 

Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

As a reminder, for everyone’s safety, when driving students to school, adults must drop students off at the Kiss and Ride entrance (Door 7).  Please see below for information on arrival and dismissal from our 2021-2022 Parent Handbook.  Thank you for helping us to keep our procedures running smoothly and our students and staff safe!

Kiss and Ride traffic enters from Idylwood Road, slowly follows the lane to the back of the school, around the parking lot to drop off or wait for your student at Door #7.  Exiting traffic goes through the front parking lot (not the bus lane) and exits onto Idylwood.  The system moves very quickly now!

Parents may not drop off children anywhere in front of the school or in the bus lane.  Children may not cross through the bus lane or kiss & ride lanes without a parent. Be on the lookout for school staff helping direct traffic and ensure safety for all.

P2: Self Control

Self-control is the act of managing behavior in a way that positively influences goal attainment and living up to standards. Possessing this strength protects people from destabilizing emotional extremes. Those with self-control are able to limit impulsive behavior. They have the ability to experience and navigate difficulty while remaining poised.

Last Call: Level IV AAP Referral Deadline

As a reminder, if you’d like your child to be considered for AAP level IV full-time placement, please submit the parent referral form by December 15 via email to [email protected] or by sending it in to the school office by 3 pm on 12/15. It is optional to submit the parent questionnaire and 2 pages of work samples. At this time, the second grade screening pool has been released. If you have not heard from the county, your child will not be considered unless you submit a referral.

Some resources to help you:

• AAP Forms
• Level IV presentation
• Principal’s Coffee recording - linked here and the password is: Q5rq!#=9*W

Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, December 13: A Week; COVID Screening Testing for Select Students

Wednesday, December 15:  Level IV AAP Referrals Due

Thursday, December 16: Staff Winter Luncheon

Friday, December 17: December Freaky Friday – Pajama Day; Variety Show; Winter Parties

Monday, January 3: Return from Winter Break; B Week; LTS COVID Screening for Select Students

Wednesday, January 5: Kindergarten Field Trip; SCA Officer Meeting

Friday, January 8: LRES Spirit Wear Day

2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Congratulations Mr. Birge

Lemon Road Community,

It is with tremendous pride and joy that I share with you that Morgan Birge has been named the Principal of Bonnie Brae Elementary in Fairfax, VA.  Mr. Birge has been an integral part of our administrative team and the Lemon Road family for years, having made a forever impact on staff, students and families as both a coach and Assistant Principal.  His leadership and collaboration inspired us to be better educators, students, and colleagues.  His focus on relationships, differentiated teaching and learning, and equity will continue here and at Bonnie Brae.

We will miss Mr. Birge, yet we are thrilled for the Bonnie Brae community who couldn’t have identified a more compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated leader. Mr. Birge’s first day at Bonnie Brae will be Monday, January 3rd.  Please join me in congratulating him on this accomplishment. We wish him the very best as he starts this journey at Bonnie Brae Elementary School!

Over the next few weeks we will begin interviewing to identify an Assistant Principal for Lemon Road and will keep you informed regarding the process.

Proudly, Mrs. Castillo

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

December 15 - FCPS Deadline

As a reminder, if you’d like your child to be considered for AAP level IV full-time placement, please submit the parent referral form by December 15 via email to [email protected] or by sending it in to the school office by 3 pm on 12/15. It is optional to submit the parent questionnaire and 2 pages of work samples. At this time, the second grade screening pool has been released. If you have not heard from the county, your child will not be considered unless you submit a referral.

Some resources to help you:

• AAP Forms
• Level IV presentation
• Principal’s Coffee recording - linked here and the password is: Q5rq!#=9*W
• I need help! - Sign up to meet with Ms. Straw

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

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Message from Mrs. Castillo

Thank you to all our parents who volunteered last week! We were able to have the children outdoors for lunch the full week. At the recent Principals’ Coffee we discussed our plans following Winter Break for lunch, when we anticipate all students having the opportunity to eat inside when the weather is cold. We appreciate everyone who joined us Friday for the virtual coffee. If you didn’t make it, you can find the slides and recording here.

Speaking of cold weather here, please let us know if your child or a member of your family is in need of a warm winter coat. Please reach out directly to our school counselors, Erica McKinney ([email protected]) and Taylor Coleman ([email protected]) with your needs, as we hope to assist you.

Awesome showing of LRES spirit wear on Friday! This Friday is LRES Polo Day and next Friday (the day before Winter Break) is Freaky Friday: Pajama Day.

FCPS is partnering with LongView International Technology Solutions to provide COVID testing services for students.  Optional screening testing for Lemon Road students will take place on Mondays from 11:15 – 11:45. One-time parent/legal guardian consent is required to begin COVID screening testing for a student to be tested at school. You may withdraw your consent for testing at any time. If you want your child to begin participating in COVID-19 screening testing, you must pre-register your child(ren) and provide consent using the LTS secure online portal.

Hope everyone has a fantastic week ~ Mrs. Castillo

Staff Winter Luncheon Support

Each winter, we hold a Winter Luncheon for our amazing staff. This year, it will be held on Thursday, December 16 from approximately 10:30 – 1:30. Each staff member will be assigned a seating for a lengthier catered lunch, interact in some games, and relax with their colleagues before winter break. To make this happen, we need parent volunteers and prizes! Please use this link to sign up to help us treat your child’s teachers! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AAFA92EA3F85-lres

** Note that the photo was taken December 2019.  Staff continue to wear masks when not eating at school. 

We still need lunch volunteers!  Please consider signing up to support students using this link as well:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aafa92ea3f85-lemon.

 

Hour of Code & Family Event

December 6 - 10 is Computer Science Education Week! To celebrate, students will be participating in the Hour of Code. This will take place during the school day, but we know we have some aspiring coders out there that will want to continue the fun at home. Students will be choosing from a small selection of what hourofcode.org offers. They can find more at home by accessing the Hour of Code website. Some programs require a download or sign-in, which will require adult assistance. 

Students also have Code.org accounts. Code.org has objective-centered courses that students move through independently. Each student will be given a card with their login information during Computer Science Education week. Log in instructions are also in the Brainspace course on Schoology. Students should access the Brainspace, find their grade level, click on Technology, and select “At-Home Learning” to receive their login information and instructions. 

Save the date for December 6, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. We will be hosting a virtual family coding night. There will be coding activities and a live stream event.

Date: December 6, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m.

Livestream Link: rb.gy/apm9mq

RSVP Here: https://forms.gle/37Gii5R93tQhUec4A

Let your student’s teacher know if they need a school computer to participate. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Smart Watches & Phone Policy

At Lemon Road, we treat smart watches like phones for students.  Smart watches must be in the student’s backpack upon arrival and remain through dismissal and either silenced or turned off.  We consider a smart watch to be any watch that has any of the features below:

• Send/receive messages
• Take photos
• Has games
• Accesses the internet

Watches that do not have any of the above capabilities may be worn during the school day. 

Questioning & Debono's Hats Focus

This month, Ms. Straw, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher is focusing on Questioning.  Questioning is the probing and inquisitive nature that leads to deeper understanding and analysis. Thinking without questioning is like drinking without swallowing. It both propels students into investigations and acts as a regulator of information. Active learners are always questioning. Students who take responsibility for asking their own questions become more productive and engaged in their learning processes.

In our first meeting, students participated in a variety of activities around questioning, from creating their own math questions and explanations (2, 5, 6), writing question-based poems (4), expressing questions about a curious picture (K), asking what an object would look like if it had a different shape (1) and asking questions about their migratory birds (3).

In our next meeting, some upper grade levels will be introduced to de Bono’s Thinking Hats. This will allow students to use different perspectives to ask questions about a scenario, and this strategy can be used from small family decisions (should we get a pet?) to large business decisions. The six hats, with different colors, represent different considerations.

• White hat - facts
• Red hat – feelings and emotions
• Yellow hat – positives
• Purple hat – weaknesses
• Green hat – creativity
• Blue hat – thinking manager

Our primary students will be working on a STEAM project in conjunction with Mrs. Busch’s outdoor education classes, asking the question: How can they design and build a boat that will float, use wind power and carry a load?

Knowing My Words and Actions Affect Others

Next week we will begin learning about the Other People Mindset element of Knowing My Words and Actions Affect Others. To access your grade level's presentation, please visit our resources page. 

• What does it look like: Everything you say and do can affect others – and your relationships with them. This means that everything we do, say, text, tweet, snap, or post can positively or negatively impact other people.
• Why it matters: Our words and actions impact our relationships with other people. They have the power to lift others up or tear them down. But, our words and actions also impact ourselves.  If I am speaking or acting with a mean attitude, I’m going to find it hard to demonstrate the character strengths of gratitude, humility, and kindness.

Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, December 6: B Week; Full SCA Meeting (8:20); COVID Screening Testing for Select Students; Computer Science Event (6 PM)

Wednesday, December 8: Bodhi Day (Religious/Cultural Observance)

Friday, December 10: Polo Day

Monday, December 13: A Week; COVID Screening Testing for Select Students

Wednesday, December 15:  Level IV AAP Referrals Due; Q2 Interims Sent Home

Thursday, December 16: Staff Winter Luncheon

Friday, December 17: December Freaky Friday – Pajama Day; Variety Show; Winter Parties

2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Virtual Principals' Coffee Tomorrow

Parents/guardians,

Join us tomorrow at 8:30 AM for a virtual Principals' Coffee in Zoom (information below).  During the meeting, Ms. Argodale, our School Based Technology Specialist, will discuss our STEAM initiatives, to include the upcoming Coding Week.  We will review important dates, including the Level IV Referral Process, winter events, and plans for lunch after Winter Break.  There will be time at the end to take questions from parents as well.  Bring your coffee and log in from your home or office.

 

**Don't forget to send your child to school tomorrow (Friday) in Lemon Road Spirit Wear, their polo, or navy & yellow to show their school pride!

 

Zoom Meeting Information:

Join Zoom Meeting: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/98784785213

Meeting ID: 987 8478 5213
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7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

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Message from Mrs. Castillo

Dear Lemon Road Families,

As we enter the holiday season and look ahead to the start of 2022, I wanted to take the opportunity to share the work that our school community is involved in as part of the Marshall Pyramid within Fairfax County Public Schools.  I meet regularly with nine other principals in the Marshall Pyramid to support the ongoing work of strengthening our community and increasing student achievement.  Our pyramid is very proud to share our new logo, which will serve as a framework for creating cultures of belonging and educational excellence in each of our schools.  I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you and your children after the break!

Ashley Castillo, Principal  

The Marshall Pyramid:  Educational Excellence, Culture of Belonging

The Marshall Pyramid principals are committed to cultivating a culture of belonging in which all students are valued and their strengths and interests are developed to achieve academic excellence. We model what we ask our staff and students to do with each other as principals.

• We collaborate and problem solve.

• We focus on creating trusting partnerships.

• We make connections and build relationships.

Each school in the Marshall Pyramid is actively committed to building a pre-K through 12th grade framework for our students that embodies a culture of belonging and educational excellence.  We look forward to continuing to partner with our students, staff, families, and community in this endeavor and wish everyone a continued safe and happy school year.

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

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Message from Mrs. Castillo

We want to thank Ms. Burke for hosting an amazing Book Fair for our students and families. Thank you to all the parent (and student) volunteers who helped to make it such a great success!  Happy birthday to all our November birthdays - Story Book Character Day was a lot of fun for everyone.

We are excited to hear so many of our lions have already gotten their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Parents may share documentation of full vaccination status with the school if they would like. If you would like to document full vaccination status of your student, please contact Dana Vaughn who can enter this information into our student information system.  

Thank you for our dedicated volunteers who keep our students distanced and safe during lunch. We continue to need volunteers through the winter. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aafa92ea3f85-lemon. We are working with our PTA and FCPS to determine lunch plans for winter when the temperatures drop. Please dress your children in layers as we will continue to use the outdoors for recess, lunch, and learning when weather permits.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving next week, we remain grateful for our Lemon Road family - students, staff and parents. We are amazed in the ways that our community has worked together to keep each other safe and continue learning here at school. We wish everyone a wonderful break. As you plan for your holiday traditions and celebrations, please consider making a donation of any size to support our Lemon Road families in need this holiday season: https://educatefairfax.app.neoncrm.com/donation.jsp?campaign=129&.

Happy Thanksgiving to the Lemon Road Community ~ Mrs. Castillo

Variety Show at Lemon Road

Lemon Road is excited to be bringing back the tradition of our annual Variety Show!  This is a fun way leading up to the winter break for our students (and staff) to showcase their talents for their peers and teachers.  This year, auditions and the performance will be virtual, but we plan to keep the important aspects of our annual show.  Each class will have the opportunity to watch the variety show the Friday before Winter Break during the school day. 

Acts that have been popular in the past include (but aren’t limited to):

• Musical Performances
• Jokes
• Short Skits
• Gymnastics
• Dance
• Unique Talents (such as juggling, etc.)

Interested students should record their audition (2 minutes or less) no later than November 30 on Flip Grid at this link: https://flipgrid.com/62ad409b.  So that all accepted acts may be included in the final show, acts will be shortened to 60 seconds. Students are welcome to spend the beginning of their audition video introducing themselves and explaining their act. 

Please reach out to the Variety Show Committee with any questions directed to Ms. Paull ([email protected]u) ~ Variety Show Committee

Ms. Paull, Ms. Fox, Ms. Hagy, and Ms. Navarro

Holiday Assistance for LRES Families

Each year, the Lemon Road community and staff support our own families in need. We plan to provide a large grocery order of food and holiday gifts for the children of families in need within the Lemon Road community. This is a joint effort shared between our parents and staff. We have partnered with Educate Fairfax (formerly the Foundation for FCPS) to create a safe way to collect needed donations to support our goal of supporting 30 families. Please consider making a donation and sharing this link with your network who may be interested in helping: https://educatefairfax.app.neoncrm.com/donation.jsp?campaign=129&

Computer Science Education Week

December 6 - 10 is Computer Science Education Week! To celebrate, students will be participating in the Hour of Code. This will take place during the school day, but we know we have some aspiring coders out there that will want to continue the fun at home. Students will be choosing from a small selection of what hourofcode.org offers. They can find more at home by accessing the Hour of Code website. Some programs require a download or sign-in, which will require adult assistance. 

Students also have Code.org accounts. Code.org has objective-centered courses that students move through independently. Each student will be given a card with their login information during Computer Science Education week. Log in instructions are also in the Brainspace course on Schoology. Students should access the Brainspace, find their grade level, click on Technology, and select “At-Home Learning” to receive their login information and instructions. 

Save the date for December 6, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. We will be hosting a virtual family coding night. There will be coding activities and a live stream event. RSVP here!

Screening for Unvaccinated Students at Lemon Road

Optional COVID-19 screening testing began the week of November 15 for students who are not fully vaccinated. FCPS is partnering with LongView International Technology Solutions, Inc. (LTS) to provide testing services for students. 

Optional screening testing for Lemon Road students will take place on Fridays from 12:00 to 2:30 PM at school. Staff at our school will work with all students to ensure they are scheduled to access COVID testing with LTS during the timeframe they are scheduled to be at our school.

One-time parent/legal guardian consent is required to begin COVID screening testing for a student to be tested at school. You may withdraw your consent for testing at any time. If you want your child to begin participating in COVID-19 screening testing, you must pre-register your child(ren) and provide consent using the LTS secure online portal. You will have the option each week to update your child’s vaccination and consent for testing.  For all the details about optional COVID-19 screening testing, visit the FCPS website and review the FCPS COVID-19 Screening Testing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. Screening testing is a recommended layered prevention strategy that keeps Lemon Road safe for in-person learning. Thank you for considering enrolling your child. 

Level IV AAP Screening – Deadline 12.15.21

Thanks to all those who attended our Principal’s Coffee on AAP Level IV screening last Friday. If you missed it, information and the recording is linked here and the password is: Q5rq!#=9*W . As a reminder, if you’d like your child to be considered for AAP level IV full-time placement, please submit the parent referral form by December 15 via email to Ms. Straw at [email protected] or by sending it in to the school office. It is optional to submit the parent questionnaire and 2 pages of work samples.

Some helpful links:

• Lemon Road AAP Information
• AAP Forms
• Level IV presentation
• Principal’s Coffee recording
• I need help! - Sign up to meet with Ms. Straw

Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, November 22: B Week

November 24 – 26: Thanksgiving Holiday (students & staff)

Monday, November 29: A Week

Tuesday, November 30: Variety Show Auditions Due

Wednesday, December 1: SCA Officer Meeting (2:30 PM)

Friday, December 3:  LRES Navy & Yellow Spirit wear Day; Virtual Principals’ Coffee (8:30 AM); COVID Screening Testing for Select Students

Monday, December 6: B Week; Full SCA Meeting (8:20); Computer Science Virtual Family Event (6 PM)

Wednesday, December 8: Bodhi Day (Religious/Cultural Observance)

Friday, December 10: Polo Day; COVID Screening Testing for Select Students

Thursday, December 16: Staff Winter Luncheon

Friday, December 17: December Freaky Friday – Pajama Day; Variety Show; Classroom Winter Parties

2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Message from Mrs. Castillo

We hope everyone had another fantastic week. Thank you to all who joined Ms. Straw and the administrators for the Principals’ Coffee on Friday.  If you were unable to join us, here is the link to the recording of the coffee.  The password is: Q5rq!#=9*W

What an awesome turnout we had a our first outdoor movie night!  It was a huge success and free community event. Thank you especially to all who helped set up, clean up, and volunteer during the event. We look forward to hosting another movie night again soon.

Our Lemon Road Book Fair is official underway. On Friday, many classes had an opportunity to preview the books and start a wish list while other classes will have a preview day early this week. There are times shared below for families to shop after school, divided by last name for social distancing indoors.

We are excited to hear so many of our students have already gotten their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Parents have asked if they may share documentation of full vaccination status with the school.  The answer is yes!  This is optional, not mandated.  If you would like to document full vaccination status of your student, please contact Dana Vaughn and she will enter this information into our student information system.  

Lastly, thank you for the continued volunteers to keep our students distanced during lunch. We will continue to need volunteers through the winter. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aafa92ea3f85-lemon We appreciate all our parent and community volunteers! We are working with our PTA and FCPS to determine lunch plans for winter when the temperatures drop. Please dress your children in layers as we will continue to use the outdoors for recess, lunch, and learning when weather permits.

FCPS is encouraging all parents whose children are eligible to get vaccinated. We know that vaccination is the way out of this pandemic and we are asking you to help us continue to make our schools as safe as they possibly can be.

The Fairfax County Health Department’s webpage has resources for finding and scheduling a vaccine appointment. Up-to-date information about vaccination opportunities is available on our website. 

We know you may have questions about the vaccine. Last week, FCPS shared a video of local pediatricians explaining vaccine safety. Our Lemon Road PTA held an information session with a local pediatrican last week and the link to view is here. Check out these tips for preparing your child for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Optional COVID-19 Screening

Optional COVID-19 screening testing will begin this week for students who are not fully vaccinated. FCPS is partnering with LongView International Technology Solutions, Inc. (LTS) to provide testing services for students. 

Optional screening testing for Lemon Road students will take place on Fridays from 12:00 – 2:30 PM in school.

One-time parent/legal guardian consent is required to begin COVID screening testing for a student to be tested at school. You may withdraw your consent for testing at any time. If you want your child to begin participating in COVID-19 screening testing, you must pre-register your child(ren) and provide consent using the LTS secure online portal. If you do not want your child to participate in COVID-19 screening testing, no action is required. You will have the option each week to update your child’s vaccination and consent for testing.

For all the details about optional COVID-19 screening testing, visit the FCPS website and review the FCPS COVID-19 Screening Testing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.

Screening testing is a recommended layered prevention strategy that keeps Lemon Road safe for in-person learning. Thank you for considering enrolling your child. 

• Arabic
• Chinese
• Farsi
• Korean
• Spanish
• Urdu
• Vietnamese

LRES Holiday Assistance

Each year, the Lemon Road community and staff support our own families in need. We plan to provide a large grocery order of food and holiday gifts for the children of families in need within the Lemon Road community. This is a joint effort shared between our parents and staff. We have partnered with Educate Fairfax (formerly the Foundation for FCPS) to create a safe way to collect needed donations to support our goal of supporting 30 families. Please consider making a donation and sharing this link with your network who may be interested in helping: https://educatefairfax.app.neoncrm.com/donation.jsp?campaign=129&

Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! Would you like to celebrate the work of a staff member who has gone above and beyond welcoming students back to school this year? To submit a nomination for a Lemon Road Elementary School Outstanding Employee in one or more categories (Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding Principal, Outstanding Leader, Outstanding Professional Employee, or Outstanding Operational Employee), please complete the nomination through this Google form link.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, November 17, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Abby Doble at [email protected] or Erin Dickey-Dunn at [email protected].

Positivity Project: Gratitude

For the next two weeks, lions will discuss the strength of gratitude.  This means you are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.  Gratitude is the quality of feeling and expressing thankfulness and appreciation. It is an affirmation that there is goodness in other people and the world, and that we have received that goodness. People with the strength of gratitude have a readiness to show appreciation for kindness and also to return kindness. A leading expert, Robert Emmons, calls gratitude a “relationship-strengthening emotion because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people.”  We will be discussing gratitude with students for the next two weeks. 

Level IV AAP Screening

Thanks to all those who attended our Principal’s Coffee on AAP Level IV screening! If you missed it, information and the recording is linked here and the password is: Q5rq!#=9*W . As a reminder, if you’d like your child to be considered for AAP level IV full-time placement, please submit the parent referral form by December 15 via email to Ms. Straw at [email protected] or by sending it in to the school office. It is optional to submit the parent questionnaire and 2 pages of work samples.

Some helpful links:

• AAP Forms
• Level IV presentation
• Principal’s Coffee recording
• I need help! - Sign up to meet with Ms. Straw

Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, November 15:  A Week; Book Fair Preview Day; Kindergarten Walking Field Trip; Kilmer Band Visit

Tuesday, November 16: Book Fair Purchase Day; Kilmer Band Visit; Extended Book Fair Family Hours (Last Names A – F) from 3:15 – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, November 17: Book Fair Purchase Day; Kilmer Band Visit; Extended Book Fair Family Hours (Last Names G – N) from 3:15 – 6:00 PM; PTA Meeting on Google Meet

Thursday, November 18: Book Fair Purchase Day; Extended Book Fair Family Hours (Last Names O – Z) from 3:15 – 6:00 PM; Island Fin Poke Restaurant Night (11 – 8);

Friday, November 19:  Book Fair Purchase Day; November Freaky Friday – Book Character Day; COVID Screening Testing for Registered Students

November 24 – 26: Thanksgiving Holiday (students & staff)

Monday, November 29: A Week

Wednesday, December 1: SCA Officer Meeting (2:30 PM)

Friday, December 3:  LRES Spirit wear Day; Virtual Principals’ Coffee (8:30 AM); PM COVID Screening Testing for Registered Students

2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Friday Principals' Coffee

Join us tomorrow for a Principals' Coffee with Ms. Avery Straw (Advanced Academics Resource Teacher) who will discuss the process to refer a 2nd - 6th grader for Level IV Advanced Academic Programs for the 2022 - 2023 school year.  The meeting will be held on Zoom and will start at 8:30 AM.  Here is the link to join us:  https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/98102414403

Movie Night - Tomorrow

Thank you to our entire community for the support of our Dance-a-Thon fundraiser! We surpassed our goal and the PTA is hosting a free outdoor movie night TOMORROW NIGHT to celebrate. Beginning at 6:00 PM families are welcome to set up a blanket on the blacktop or lawn chairs on the perimeter to enjoy a family-friendly movie. There will be two food truck set up for purchase – DC Steakholders and Captain Cookie. The PTA will have complimentary popcorn for all families as a thank you for your fundraising and drinks will be for sale. The movie will begin at 6:30 PM. Entrance will be free but remember all children must have an adult with them for the entirety of the movie.

The PTA needs a few volunteers manning the popcorn station, drink sales, and LRES water bottle and magnet sales.  Use this Sign Up Genius to sign up for a shift. 

Thank you for the coins collected used to vote for our movie!  The money collected will go towards the Holiday Assistance Fund for groceries and gifts for Lemon Road families this winter. The winning movie is:  The Croods a New Age. We look forward to enjoying this film as a community tomorrow night. 

The temperature will continue to drop as the sun goes down, so please bring extra blankets, coats, hats, and gloves to help keep your family warm for the film.  See you tomorrow!

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Message from Mrs. Castillo

We are looking forward to another busy and exciting week at Lemon Road!  Read on for Veteran's Day Early Release, Movie Night, Principals Working from the Roof, and our Principals' Coffee welcoming Ms. Straw to discuss the Level IV Referral Process details. 

Community clinics and local pediatricians have started administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5-11. FCPS asked local pediatricians to talk about some of the questions families have about the vaccine. In this short video  we learn how the vaccine works and its safety.  Clinics are taking vaccine appointments for children in our area now!

Want a say in the development of the school calendar? FCPS will be holding a virtual Calendar Development Webinar on Monday, November 8, at 7 p.m., on Zoom to discuss how the 2022-23 school year calendar is being developed, and for participants to provide feedback on a series of questions related to this process. Please register online to attend the Calendar Development Webinar and indicate if you will need an interpreter.

Thursday we celebrate Veterans Day. We are thankful for our school community and family members who have served, or are currently serving our country. FCPS has scheduled a 2-hour early release for Veteran’s Day. Lemon Road will dismiss at 1:00 PM. 

The temperatures have dropped, however we continue to utilize the outdoors for lunch, recess, and some instruction. We are in conversations with facilities regarding lunch plans for the winter. Whether we are indoors or out, we rely on our volunteers to keep groups distanced. Looking ahead, students will continue to go outside daily this week. Have a few hours to give between 10:45 – 1:15? Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aafa92ea3f85-lemon we appreciate all our parent and community volunteers!

Please ensure all students have appropriate footwear and layers to adjust for changing temperatures throughout the day.

Have a great Sunday ~ Mrs. Castillo

LRES Holiday Assistance

Each year, the Lemon Road community and staff support our own families in need. We plan to provide a large grocery order of food and holiday gifts for the children of families in need within the Lemon Road community. This is a joint effort shared between our parents and staff. We have partnered with Educate Fairfax (formerly the Foundation for FCPS) to create a safe way to collect needed donations to support our goal of supporting 30 families. Please consider making a donation and sharing this link with your network who may be interested in helping: https://educatefairfax.app.neoncrm.com/donation.jsp?campaign=129&

Movie Night - This Friday

Thank you to our entire community for the support of our Dance-a-Thon fundraiser! We surpassed our goal and the PTA is hosting a free outdoor movie night to celebrate. Beginning at 6:00 PM families are welcome to set up a blanket on the blacktop or lawn chairs on the perimeter to enjoy a family-friendly movie. There will be two food truck set up for purchase – DC Steakholders and Captain Cookie. The PTA will have complimentary popcorn for all families as a thank you for your fundraising and drinks will be for sale. The movie will begin at 6:30 PM. Entrance will be free but remember all children must have an adult with them for the entirety of the movie.

The PTA needs a few volunteers manning the popcorn station, drink sales, and LRES water bottle and magnet sales.  Use this Sign Up Genius to sign up for a shift. 

Want a say in the movie? Bring a penny (or few) to school and drop your coin in the jar that represents the movie you MOST want to see! Coins collected will go towards the Holiday Assistance Fund for groceries and gifts for Lemon Road families this winter. Movie choices are: Raya and the Last Dragon, Space Jam a New Legacy, or The Croods a New Age. Coins will be counted after students dismiss on Thursday and shared on the Friday morning news show.

Outstanding FCPS Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! Would you like to celebrate the work of a staff member who has gone above and beyond welcoming students back to school this year? To submit a nomination for a Lemon Road Elementary School Outstanding Employee in one or more categories (Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding Principal, Outstanding Leader, Outstanding Professional Employee, or Outstanding Operational Employee), please complete the nomination through this Google form link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. If you are unsure of which category to use for an employee, please read the criteria in the Google Form or email Abby Doble or Erin Dickey-Dunn! The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, November 17, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Abby Doble at [email protected] or Erin Dickey-Dunn at [email protected]

Level IV Referral Process

On Friday, at 8:30 AM, Ms. Straw will share the screening process for the AAP Level IV program. While all parents are invited to attend, the target audience is for parents of 2nd – 6th graders interested in referring their students for the Level IV program for next year. The meeting will be held on Zoom and parents may join using this link:

Here is the link to the Level IV Referral Process for current FCPS families: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students

The county-wide deadline to refer for Level IV services for the 2022 – 2023 school year is December 15.

Scholastic Book Fair

Students will visit the Scholastic Book Fair during school hours Friday, November 12 - Friday, November 19.

Extended shopping hours for families by LAST NAME

- Tues, 11/16 - 3:15 pm-6:00 pm - Last name A-F

- Wed, 11/17 - 3:15 pm-6:00 pm - Last name G-O

- Thurs, 11/18 - 3:15 pm-6:00 pm - Last name P-Z

Volunteers Needed!

Please consider volunteering during Book Fair week: Sign-Up Genius - https://tinyurl.com/3cdat6mx

Classroom wish lists:

Classroom wish lists will be available during the Book Fair. If you need assistance purchasing a book for your child’s classroom, please contact, Ms. Gabby Burke – [email protected] or 703-714-6447

Book Fair Donation Program:

If you would like to buy a book for a Lemon Road student through our Book Fair Donation Program, please send cash or check payable to Lemon Road Elementary School to the attention of Ms. Burke. Books average $10.00 each.

Prefer to shop online?  Visit our virtual book fair between November 11 - 24 at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/lres21

Positivity Project: Bravery

Next week, our students will be learning about Bravery. Bravery means you act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary. This means doing the right thing, even if it’s hard to do.  Bravery can take many forms. Physical bravery involves overcoming fear of being hurt physically. Moral bravery occurs when an individual does what he/she believes is right in the face of social consequences. Mental bravery occurs when people overcome their everyday fears and anxieties. 

To learn more about the Positivity Project click here.

Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, November 8: B Week

Tuesday, November 9: Lifetouch Make Up Photos

Thursday, November 11: Principals Work on the Roof; Veteran’s Day Early Release; Book Fair Set Up

Friday, November 12:  Polo Day; Virtual Principals’ Coffee – AAP Level IV Referral Process with Ms. Straw (8:30 AM); Outdoor Movie Night starting at 6:30 PM (food available at 6 PM)

Tuesday, November 16: Book Fair Purchase Day; Extended Family Hours (Last Names A – F) from 3:15 – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, November 17: Book Fair Purchase Day; Extended Family Hours (Last Names G – N) from 3:15 – 6:00 PM

Thursday, November 18: Book Fair Purchase Day; Extended Family Hours (Last Names O – Z) from 3:15 – 6:00 PM

Friday, November 19:  Book Fair Purchase Day; November Freaky Friday – Book Character Day

November 24 – 26: Thanksgiving Holiday Break

2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

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We apologize at the additional communication tonight, but we must postpone "administrators work on the roof day". We will identify a day in the next few weeks and share with the community to be prepared to look up at arrival! 

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Ready for School?

We look forward to seeing your children tomorrow after the long weekend!  With the changing temperatures and weather, we wanted to send a few reminders to ensure your child is ready for learning.  Each day, aside from doing the Health Screening Questionnaire (https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/HealthScreeningQuestionnaire.pdf), please be sure to send your child with the following items labeled with their name:

- a well-fitting mask

- extra masks in their backpack

- a refillable water bottle

- a jacket to be worn outside during recess, lunch, PE, and learning

- sneakers or boots

- a hat

- layers to keep your child comfortable as the temperature changes during the day

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Message from Mrs. Castillo

Thank you for supporting the super-successful PTA fundraiser!  It was tons of fun and we have raised a lot of money that will be used to support math resources, math manipulatives in the classrooms, and STEAM materials.  We accomplished our goal of $15,000 and Mr. Birge and I look forward to working from the roof next Wednesday (weather-permitting). We are VERY close to our stretch goal of $20,000. As a celebration, we are planning for an outdoor movie night on November 12. More details to come!

Aside from Dance-a-Thon, we ended quarter 1 with a Spooky Spirit Week and welcomed School Board Member Elaine Tholen to spend an afternoon with us. During her visit, we spent time in many classrooms, observed kindergarten math workshop, second grade social studies, fifth grade science, a Socratic Seminar in sixth grade, and hit the dance floor.

Our ability to spend time outdoors has directly impacted keeping our students and staff safe and healthy in school. Students will continue to go outside daily. Please ensure all students have appropriate footwear and layers to adjust for changing temperatures throughout the day. We know our children need time outdoors for recess and are committed to remaining outdoors for lunch. Another huge thank you to our parent volunteers for helping us at lunch. Have a few hours to give between 10:45 – 1:15? Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aafa92ea3f85-lemon we rely on volunteers and appreciate you!

Tomorrow is our first early dismissal of the year. Students will dismiss at 1 PM and rain is predicted. Please ensure that all students are sent with a rain coat and boots/shoes that can get wet.

Have a fun and safe weekend with your children. Thank you for sharing them with us!

Support LRES Families

Each year, the Lemon Road community and staff support our own families in need. We plan to provide a large grocery order of food and holiday gifts for the children of families in need within the Lemon Road community. This is a joint effort shared between our parents and staff. We have partnered with Educate Fairfax (formerly the Foundation for FCPS) to create a safe way to collect needed donations to support our goal of supporting 30 families. Please consider making a donation and sharing this link with your network who may be interested in helping: https://educatefairfax.app.neoncrm.com/donation.jsp?campaign=129&

FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! Would you like to celebrate the work of a staff member who has gone above and beyond welcoming students back to school this year? To submit a nomination for a Lemon Road Elementary School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. If you are unsure of which category to use for an employee, please read the criteria in the Google Form or email Abby Doble or Erin Dickey-Dunn! 

Outstanding Teacher  

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district)

Outstanding New Teacher 

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district)

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal 

Outstanding Leader  

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as an Assistant Principal

Outstanding Professional Employee  

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership such as School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor

Outstanding Operational Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee such as Administrative and Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons 

The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

If you have any questions, please contact Abby Doble at [email protected] or Erin Dickey-Dunn at [email protected]. 

Quarter 1 Progress Reports

Your child’s Quarter 1 progress report demonstrates achievement, effort and citizenship skills after the first 9 weeks of a return to in-person learning. The purpose of any system of reporting to families is to strengthen the home-school partnership and to inform families about student progress. This 1st quarter was unique and presented new opportunities for teachers to prioritize social-emotional health and wellness, as well as identify academic needs through a variety of assessments.  Getting to know each child is the best way to match instructional programming to student needs. School staff continues to assess and monitor students’ strengths and areas for growth using a variety of assessments. Your child will continue to have opportunities to demonstrate mastery towards grade level standards throughout the school year and your child’s teacher will continue to communicate your child’s progress. 

For more information about elementary grading and reporting, please visit the FCPS website (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-and-reporting/elementary-school ) or refer to the information included on the progress report envelope. Progress Report grades will be viewable in SIS ParentVue on November 6 and will be sent home in Wednesday folders on November 10.

VaxUP FCPS

Tuesday, an FDA advisory panel voted to recommend that the full agency approve Pfizer’s low dose vaccine for children ages 5-11. We continue to monitor the approval process and engage with our community partners so we are ready to do our part to facilitate widespread vaccination among our young students. You may share the following statement with families:

Tuesday’s news that an FDA panel has recommended Pfizer’s low dose vaccine for children ages 5-11 brings hope that we can add another layer of prevention for children during this pandemic. As we await a final decision, please know that Fairfax County Public Schools and our community partners including the Fairfax County Health Department, Inova Health
System, and local pediatric groups, are working together to ensure that every
family who wishes to vaccinate their children ages 5-11 will have access to the
vaccine. For the latest information on our vaccination rollout plans, visit our website.

Positivity Project: Perspective

You appreciate when people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.  Perspective is also referred to as wisdom and is distinct from intelligence. People with this strength are sought out for advice because they see the big picture and can make sense of the world’s complexity. This strength of perspective gives individuals the ability to see to the heart of difficult matters and achieve clarity. Most importantly, they are honest and behave in an ethically consistent manner.

Community Review of Elementary Basal Instructional Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources and Science Basal Instructional Resources for upcoming school years. A review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet in November and December to review the instructional materials under consideration and community feedback. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.  All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before the vote at the School Board regular meeting. 

Elementary English Language Arts basal instructional resources may be accessed in person and online October 26 through November 26, 2021. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/node/36853. People reviewing the material online may complete an electronic comment sheet https://forms.gle/VKxcfabLedjYAZpS8. In addition, hard copies of instructional resources will be available in the lobby of Willow Oaks Administrative Center. Willow Oaks is open each business day from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm and extended hours will be provided until 7:45 pm on November 3.

K - 8 Science basal instructional resources may be accessed online until November 14, 2021. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/node/39027. People reviewing the material online may complete an electronic comment sheet https://forms.gle/g76TjGmewaN8Fgfb6. 

Upcoming Important Dates

Friday, October 29: End of First Quarter - 2 Hour Early Release; Freaky Friday – Costume Day

Monday, November 1: A Week; Student Holiday; Front Office Open 8 AM – 12 PM

Tuesday, November 2: Student Holiday; Voting at LRES; Front Office Open 8 AM – 12 PM

Wednesday, November 3: Principals work from the Roof; PTA Zoom Event with Pediatrician regarding Health & Vaccines for children (7 PM)

Thursday, November 4: Observance of Diwali

Friday, November 5: Grade 1 Field Trip; LRES Spirit Wear Day

Monday, November 8: B Week

Tuesday, November 9: Lifetouch Make Up Photos

Thursday, November 11: Veteran’s Day Early Release; Book Fair Set Up

Friday, November 12:  Virtual Principals’ Coffee – AAP Level IV Referral Process with Ms. Straw (8:30 AM); Hold for Outdoor Movie Night starting at 7 PM

Tuesday, November 16: Book Fair Purchase Day; Extended Family Hours (Last Names A – F) from 3:15 – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, November 17: Book Fair Purchase Day; Extended Family Hours (Last Names G – N) from 3:15 – 6:00 PM

Thursday, November 18: Book Fair Purchase Day; Extended Family Hours (Last Names O – Z) from 3:15 – 6:00 PM

Friday, November 19:  Book Fair Purchase Day

2021 FCPS Student Calendar Quick Glance

7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA 22043 | Main Phone: 703.714.6400

Attendance: 703.714.6464 or email | Health Room: 703.714.6410 | Web | Twitter