FCPS

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November 14, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

We want to send a special THANK YOU to all of our veterans in our community for their service, including our very own, Mrs. Scott. We also take a moment to appreciate our music department, Mr. Waylett and Mrs. Allen, for preparing our 1st and 2nd graders in in their Veterans Day performance. Thank you, parents, for the love and support of your students as well. 

Monday, November 18, is our next 3-hour early release. We kindly ask that you fill out a new survey for the reminder of the Early Release Mondays this school year. In addition to Monday, the remaining 3-hour early release dates for Laurel Hill are February 10th, March 10th, April 21st, and May 12th. Please fill out one survey for each of your children. This is the last survey you will need to complete.

Lastly, community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 6:30pm - 8:00pm at Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria (see details below). 

Please remember that schools and offices will be closed November 27-29. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. 

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

November 18: 3-hour Early Release (school ends at 1:05pm)

November 19: FLE parent preview @ 6pm (virtual link here)

November 19: Chipotle Spirit Night 4-9pm

November 20-21: Bowling at Laurel Hill Nights 5-8pm

November 27-29: Thanksgiving Holiday

December 2: National Special Education Day

Parents Need To Know Did you know Laurel Hill has a journalism club?

Discover the latest news and stories about the Laurel Hill community through the student-led journalism club and the new “Laurel Hill Ledger.” Our student journalists and videographers capture school activities and interviews and edit their pictures and videos together. Student work is aired on the school’s morning news show and posted online to the “Laurel Hill Ledger.”

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria. 

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. 

Upcoming Student Experience Survey 

Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

All classes in grades 3-6 will be selected to participate. However, all students in participating grades, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey in selected classes during the school day between Monday, December 2, and Friday, December 13. Any student may take the survey at home, if preferred. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

IEP Palooza

• IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. 

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.

FCPS Employee Awards 2024-2025 Nominations

We are excited to invite you to join us in this year’s FCPS teacher recognition program! Do you know a teacher who goes the extra mile, inspires students, or brings a special spark to our school? Now is the time to show your appreciation and shine a spotlight on their dedication.

To nominate a teacher, just share a brief paragraph that explains how they stand out, using specific stories or examples that highlight their impact. The deadline for nominations is November 15th, 2024.  Thank you for taking the time to honor the outstanding educators who make Laurel Hill such a special place. We can't wait to read your nominations and celebrate the incredible contributions happening in our classrooms every day.

Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/TS29HPZYsEE2Z69TA

National Special Education Day

National Special Education Day is recognized each year on Dec. 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs, as well as our families who are partners in the education and support of those students! 

Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  LHES PTA

Please check out the NEW PTA newsletter.  This is a great source for details for upcoming events and how you can support our school!   If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/  and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta.

Amazon Teacher Wish lists 

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

November 12, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

We hope everyone had a nice, long weekend and found a way to thank a Veteran for their service.  We will host a Parent "decaf" Coffee tonight at 6:30pm in the staff lounge.  Our November PTA meeting will be at 7 pm this evening in the library.  We hope you can join us for both!

We kindly ask that you fill out a new survey for the reminder of the Early Release Mondays this school year.  The remaining 3-hour early release dates for Laurel Hill are November 18th, February 10th, March 10th, April 21st, and May 12th.  Please fill out one survey for each of your children.  Thank you for your support in completing this as soon as possible.  

Also, a brief reminder that nominations for outstanding LHES staff are due this week!  Please see the additional information below.

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

November 12: Parent "decaf" Coffee @ 6:30pm- Staff Lounge

November 12: PTA Meeting 7pm Library

November 18: 3-hour Early Release (school ends at 1:05pm)

November 19: FLE parent preview @ 6pm (virtual)

November 19: Chipotle Spirit Night 4-9pm

November 20-21: Bowling Nights

Parents Need To Know Did you know Laurel Hill has a journalism club?

Discover the latest news and stories about the Laurel Hill community through the student-led journalism club and the new “Laurel Hill Ledger.” Our student journalists and videographers capture school activities and interviews and edit their pictures and videos together. Student work is aired on the school’s morning news show and posted online to the “Laurel Hill Ledger.”

 

Upcoming Student Experience Survey 

Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

All classes in grades 3-6 will be selected to participate. However, all students in participating grades, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey in selected classes during the school day between Monday, December 2, and Friday, December 13. Any student may take the survey at home, if preferred. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

 

FCPS Employee Awards 2024-2025 Nominations

We are excited to invite you to join us in this year’s FCPS teacher recognition program! Do you know a teacher who goes the extra mile, inspires students, or brings a special spark to our school? Now is the time to show your appreciation and shine a spotlight on their dedication.

To nominate a teacher, just share a brief paragraph that explains how they stand out, using specific stories or examples that highlight their impact. The deadline for nominations is November 15th, 2024.  Thank you for taking the time to honor the outstanding educators who make Laurel Hill such a special place. We can't wait to read your nominations and celebrate the incredible contributions happening in our classrooms every day.

Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/TS29HPZYsEE2Z69TA

  Native American Heritage Month

During the month of November, people all over the United States celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the diverse perspectives, experiences, and contributions of Indigenous people globally year-round, and these celebrations are an opportunity to honor these important stories. To support teachers to this end, FCPS Social Studies created the Native American Heritage 180 Resource document specifically curated for social studies classrooms.

 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

 

Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow stronger in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reporting and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

 

LHES PTA

Please check out the NEW PTA newsletter.  This is a great source for details for upcoming events and how you can support our school!   If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/  and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta.

Amazon Teacher Wish lists 

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

November 7, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

It has been a busy past two weeks of school as finished the first quarter. We hope you took advantage of the opportunity to meet with your child's teacher and discuss their progress thus far. Quarter 1 progress reports will be sent home next Wednesday, November 13. 

We have several PTA events happening this month. We appreciate your support of our amazing PTA. Please see the flyers below. Lastly, join us for our Parent "decaf" Coffee held at 6:30pm, November 12 in the school library.

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

November 11: Veteran's Day-No School

November 12: Parent "decaf" Coffee @ 6:30pm-Library

November 12: PTA Meeting 7pm Library

November 18: 3-hour Early Release (school ends at 1:05pm)

November 19: FLE parent preview @ 6pm (virtual)

November 19: Chipotle Spirit Night 4-9pm

November 20-21: Bowling Nights

Parents Need To Know Did you know Laurel Hill has a journalism club?

Discover the latest news and stories about the Laurel Hill community through the student-led journalism club and the new “Laurel Hill Ledger.” Our student journalists and videographers capture school activities and interviews and edit their pictures and videos together. Student work is aired on the school’s morning news show and posted online to the “Laurel Hill Ledger.”

 

Upcoming Student Experience Survey 

Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

All classes in grades 3-6 will be selected to participate. However, all students in participating grades, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey in selected classes during the school day between Monday, December 2, and Friday, December 13. Any student may take the survey at home, if preferred. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

 

FCPS Employee Awards 2024-2025 Nominations

We are excited to invite you to join us in this year’s FCPS teacher recognition program! Do you know a teacher who goes the extra mile, inspires students, or brings a special spark to our school? Now is the time to show your appreciation and shine a spotlight on their dedication.

To nominate a teacher, just share a brief paragraph that explains how they stand out, using specific stories or examples that highlight their impact. The deadline for nominations is November 15th, 2024.  Thank you for taking the time to honor the outstanding educators who make Laurel Hill such a special place. We can't wait to read your nominations and celebrate the incredible contributions happening in our classrooms every day.

Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/TS29HPZYsEE2Z69TA

  Native American Heritage Month

During the month of November, people all over the United States celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the diverse perspectives, experiences, and contributions of Indigenous people globally year-round, and these celebrations are an opportunity to honor these important stories. To support teachers to this end, FCPS Social Studies created the Native American Heritage 180 Resource document specifically curated for social studies classrooms.

 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

 

Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow stronger in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reporting and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

 

LHES PTA

Please check out the NEW PTA newsletter.  This is a great source for details for upcoming events and how you can support our school!   If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/  and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta.

Amazon Teacher Wish lists 

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

October 31, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

It's hard to believe that the first quarter of the 24-25 school year has come to an end!  We want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our staff, students and PTA for their efforts in making this a quarter to remember.  Our Laurel Hill Staff goes all out to celebrate Book Character Day!  Enjoy some pictures of our teachers here.  Many students joined in the book character celebration, too!

Please note there will be no school on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday.  Additionally, don't forget to swing through the PTA Bake Sale (7 am-11 am) when you vote on Tuesday, November 5!

We look forward to a restful break and a productive second quarter!

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

November 1: NO SCHOOL- Diwali

November 4-5: NO SCHOOL-Teacher Workdays

November 5: PTA Bake Sale 7-11am

November 7: Virtual AAP information night 6 pm

November 12: PTA Meeting 7pm Library

Parents Need To Know

Diwali (Friday, Nov. 1): 🪔 We wish a fun Diwali to all celebrating! Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos (Friday, Nov. 1):This week we recognize those in our community observing All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos. For Catholics, All Saints Day (November 1) celebrates all those who are with God in Heaven, known and unknown. All Souls Day (November 2), known in Mexico and Latin America as Día de los Muertos, is a day of remembrance and prayer for all those who have died, especially for the souls who may be in purgatory. These special days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants throughout the world.

 

AAP Parent Information Night

Hello! Join us on Thursday, November 7th via Google Meet to learn more about the FCPS AAP program. We will discuss general AAP information and the continuum of services from 6-6:30 pm and the full-time AAP screening process from 6:30-7 pm. Feel free to join for the whole presentation or pop in for the section you need. Reach out with any questions you may have!

Did you know Laurel Hill has a journalism club?

Discover the latest news and stories about the Laurel Hill community through the student-led journalism club and the new “Laurel Hill Ledger.” Our student journalists and videographers capture school activities and interviews and edit their pictures and videos together. Student work is aired on the school’s morning news show and posted online to the “Laurel Hill Ledger.”

 

Federal Impact Aid Survey - October 21st

You received a message through ENotify and Parent VUE on Oct 21st, 2024. Please be sure to sign in your SIS ParentVUE account to complete this important survey.  

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible for federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget. They are critical to ensuring that students receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On October 21st, the survey will be made available to FCPS families. The survey is available online through ParentVue. Families without ParentVUE can request a paper copy of the survey from their child's school. FCPS staff will process the information with the utmost confidentiality.

 

FCPS Employee Awards 2024-2025 Nominations

We are excited to invite you to join us in this year’s FCPS teacher recognition program! Do you know a teacher who goes the extra mile, inspires students, or brings a special spark to our school? Now is the time to show your appreciation and shine a spotlight on their dedication.

To nominate a teacher, just share a brief paragraph that explains how they stand out, using specific stories or examples that highlight their impact. The deadline for nominations is November 15th, 2024.  Thank you for taking the time to honor the outstanding educators who make Laurel Hill such a special place. We can't wait to read your nominations and celebrate the incredible contributions happening in our classrooms every day.

Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/TS29HPZYsEE2Z69TA

 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

 

Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow stronger in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reporting and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

 

 

LHES PTA

Please check out the NEW PTA newsletter.  This is a great source for details for upcoming events and how you can support our school!   If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/  and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta.

Amazon Teacher Wish lists 

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

October 24, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

It's hard to imagine that the end of the first quarter is next week!  It's amazing to see how much learning has happened in such a short time.  Our classrooms have been buzzing with activity, from exciting hands-on projects to lessons that get our students thinking in new ways while building strong foundational skills. We've already seen so much growth, and we hope you're hearing all about it at home. If you haven't had the chance to schedule a parent-teacher conference yet, keep an eye out for details from your child's teacher— these conferences are a Laurel Hill expectation and a valuable opportunity to discuss your child's progress thus far.

Next Thursday, October 31st, we will celebrate Book Character Day where students may dress as a book character for school.  No masks please.  It is also a two-hour early release, so we will dismiss at 2:05 pm.  On Friday, November 1st, schools will be closed to celebrate Diwali, Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day.  Today is the South County Homecoming Parade!  They will be traveling past Laurel Hill on Laurel Crest Drive around dismissal time.  Please have patience during dismissal, especially in the Kiss and Ride line, and enjoy the parade!

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

October 31: Dress like a book character day & 2 Hour Early Release-School ends at 2:05pm

November 1: NO SCHOOL- Diwali

November 4-5: NO SCHOOL-Teacher Workdays

November 6: Virtual AAP information night

November 12: PTA Meeting 7pm Library

Parents Need To Know Federal Impact Aid Survey - October 21st

You will receive a message through ENotify and Parent VUE on Oct 21st, 2024. Please be sure to sign in your SIS ParentVUE account to complete this important survey.  

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible for federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget. They are critical to ensuring that students receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On October 21st, the survey will be made available to FCPS families. The survey is available online through ParentVue. Families without ParentVUE can request a paper copy of the survey from their child's school. FCPS staff will process the information with the utmost confidentiality.

Diwali (Friday, Nov. 1): 🪔 We wish a fun Diwali to all celebrating! Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos (Friday, Nov. 1):This week we recognize those in our community observing All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos. For Catholics, All Saints Day (November 1) celebrates all those who are with God in Heaven, known and unknown. All Souls Day (November 2), known in Mexico and Latin America as Día de los Muertos, is a day of remembrance and prayer for all those who have died, especially for the souls who may be in purgatory. These special days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants throughout the world.

FCPS Employee Awards 2024-2025 Nominations

We are excited to invite you to join us in this year’s FCPS teacher recognition program! Do you know a teacher who goes the extra mile, inspires students, or brings a special spark to our school? Now is the time to show your appreciation and shine a spotlight on their dedication.

To nominate a teacher, just share a brief paragraph that explains how they stand out, using specific stories or examples that highlight their impact. The deadline for nominations is November 15th, 2024.  Thank you for taking the time to honor the outstanding educators who make Laurel Hill such a special place. We can't wait to read your nominations and celebrate the incredible contributions happening in our classrooms every day.

Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/TS29HPZYsEE2Z69TA

FCPS Cares

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of Laurel Hill Elementary. 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

  LHES PTA

Please check out the NEW PTA newsletter.  This is a great source for details for upcoming events and how you can support our school!   If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/  and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta.

Amazon Teacher Wish lists 

 

South County HS Homecoming, October 25

• Thursday October 24, 4pm, Homecoming Parade. The annual Homecoming parade will leave the Flagpole in the front of the school at 4pm and roll through Laurel Hill Elementary before returning to the Flagpole by 5pm. Come cheer on our athletic teams, marching band, JROTC, class officers, and Homecoming Royalty Court in the parade!
• Friday, October 25, 5-7 p.m., Pre-Game Tailgate. Join South County HS for pre-game festivities! Prepare your favorite pre-game snack and play games! We will also have a live DJ.
• Friday, October 25, 7 p.m., Homecoming Football Game vs. CG Woodson HS.

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

October 17, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

October is already flying by!  Please view our brief parent coffee from Tuesday that highlights many upcoming school and PTA events.  We have an early release Monday next week on October 21, 2024.  We are looking forward to seeing students and families at Screen on the Green tomorrow evening!  Bring your coats, gloves and blankets because it will be chilly when the sun goes down!

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

October 18: Screen on the Green-PTA Movie Night 6:00pm

October 21: Federal Impact Aid Survey 

October 21: 3 Hour Early Release-School ends at 1:05pm

October 31: Dress like a book character day & 2 Hour Early Release-School ends at 2:05pm

November 1: NO SCHOOL- Diwali

November 4-5: NO SCHOOL-Teacher Workdays

Parents Need To Know Federal Impact Aid Survey - October 21st

You will receive a message through ENotify and Parent VUE on Oct 21st, 2024. Please be sure to sign in your SIS ParentVUE account to complete this important survey.  

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible for federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget. They are critical to ensuring that students receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On October 21st, the survey will be made available to FCPS families. The survey is available online through ParentVue. Families without ParentVUE can request a paper copy of the survey from their child's school. FCPS staff will process the information with the utmost confidentiality.

 

Attendance Tip:

🎒Every day in class counts towards success! Consistent attendance is the key to unlocking a world of knowledge for our students. See how you can encourage good attendance in elementary school: https://bit.ly/3TP2gdB

#AttendTodayAchieveTomorrow #AttendanceMattersVA

 

🩹 Immunization Requirements 

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to Laurel Hill front office. 

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

 

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on: 

• Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

 

Amazon Teacher Wishlists https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GYp1vqXMjYATeXRaV0IJdqeQlpNjUOIfblu1nAJ5c24/edit?gid=1154447932#gid=1154447932 

 

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

 

LHES PTA

Screen on the Green is RESCHEDULED to Friday, October 18th. Have dinner and a movie under the stars. Movie will be Despicable Me 4. Entry is free. Concessions will be for sale. Bring cash to buy snacks and participate in the 50/50 raffle.

• Fall Science event: Focus on the Weather. Exact date TBD. PTA is collaborating with the school administration and science department to host a local television weather broadcaster who will talk with the students about weather and meteorology.
• Election Day Bake Sale. PTA will host a fundraising bake sale on Election Day, Tuesday Nov 5th.
• Fall Book Fair. December. PTA is collaborating with the school administration to host the annual Scholastic Book Fair.
• Dine Out nights. Monthly. Several dine out nights are planned with local Lorton restaurants. Be sure to mention LHES so the appropriate discounts can be applied, and a portion of the proceeds benefit our organization.

o   Every Thursday until June 2025 - Papa Johns Gunston location only

o   Nov 19 - Chipotle Spirit Night- 4-9pm

 

We welcome support from the entire LHES family. Your membership dollars will help support programs such as International Night, field trips for ALL students, teacher appreciation activities, STEAM Night, Literacy Night, Kindness Week, among others. We also are working with the school to pursue Purple Star School status and support military families and children throughout the year.

If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta

Our next meeting is Tues, Nov 12th at 7pm in the school library. 

 

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

October 10, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

First quarter interim reports were sent home yesterday for students in grades 1-6.  We hope that all parents are able to sign up for a parent/teacher conference this quarter.  This is a valuable time to hear about how your child is doing in school thus far. 

Next week we will be celebrating Digital Citizenship week with spirit days!  Tuesday is PJ day, Wednesday is mismatch day, Thursday is hat day and Friday is school spirit wear.  We will be highlighting how students can be good digital citizens daily on the news show and in classrooms.

As a reminder, students do not have school on Monday, Oct 14th. Indigenous Peoples' Day is a time to honor the cultures, histories, and contributions of Native peoples. It encourages reflection, learning, and respect for the diverse indigenous communities that have shaped our nation.  Our wonderful PTA has arranged for a Duck Donuts food truck to be on campus from 8-11 am, so please swing by and get some donuts!   

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

October 14: NO SCHOOL- Indigenous Peoples Day

October 15: virtual parent coffee 10 am

October 18: Federal Impact Aid Survey Due

October 18: Screen on the Green-PTA Movie Night

October 21: 3 Hour Early Release-School ends at 1:05pm

October 31: 2 Hour Early Release-School ends at 2:05pm

November 1: NO SCHOOL- Diwali

November 4-5: NO SCHOOL-Teacher Workdays

Parents Need To Know Federal Impact Aid Survey - October 18th 

More information to come!  Please be sure to sign in your SIS ParentVUE account to complete this important survey.  

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible for federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget. They are critical to ensuring that students receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On October 18th, the survey will be made available to FCPS families. The survey is available online through ParentVue. Families without ParentVUE can request a paper copy of the survey from their child's school. FCPS staff will process the information with the utmost confidentiality.

 

Digital Citizenship Week (10/14-10/18)

This year's Digital Citizenship Week focuses on supporting student's mental and physical health in relation to technology use.  Access Family Resources and the Weekly Calendar for our upcoming Spirit Week to recognize the importance of being safe, responsible, kind, and respectful when using technology online. Thank you for your help and support!

 

🩹 Immunization Requirements 

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to Laurel Hill front office. 

 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

 

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

LHES PTA

Screen on the Green is RESCHEDULED to Friday, October 18th. Have dinner and a movie under the stars. Movie will be Despicable Me 4. Entry is free. Concessions will be for sale. Bring cash to buy snacks and participate in the 50/50 raffle.

• Fall Science event: Focus on the Weather. Exact date TBD. PTA is collaborating with the school administration and science department to host a local television weather broadcaster who will talk with the students about weather and meteorology.
• Election Day Bake Sale. PTA will host a fundraising bake sale on Election Day, Tuesday Nov 5th.
• Fall Book Fair. December. PTA is collaborating with the school administration to host the annual Scholastic Book Fair.
• Dine Out nights. Monthly. Several dine out nights are planned with local Lorton restaurants. Be sure to mention LHES so the appropriate discounts can be applied, and a portion of the proceeds benefit our organization.

o   Every Thursday until June 2025 - Papa Johns Gunston location only

o   Oct 14 - Duck Donut Truck-8-11am (No School/Student Holiday)

o   Nov 19 - Chipotle Spirit Night- 4-9pm

 

We welcome support from the entire LHES family. Your membership dollars will help support programs such as International Night, field trips for ALL students, teacher appreciation activities, STEAM Night, Literacy Night, Kindness Week, among others. We also are working with the school to pursue Purple Star School status and support military families and children throughout the year.

If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta

Our next meeting is Tues, Nov 12th at 7pm in the school library. 

 

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

October 2, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

  October is upon us and it will be a busy month!  We wanted to send a quick reminder that there is no school on Thursday or Friday this week.  Next week, we have a PTA meeting on Tuesday evening and Picture day is next Thursday!  We have our second early release Monday coming up on October 21.  Please be on the lookout for an email from your child's teacher regarding confirming your child's plans for that date.  Please enjoy the sun coming back out and some extra family time over the next four days!

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

October 3: Rosh Hashanah Holiday-No School

October 4: Teacher Workday-No School

October 8: PTA Meeting, 7 pm Library

October 10: School Picture Day

October 14: Teacher Workday-No School

October 18: Screen on the Green-Movie Night

October 21: 3 Hour Early Release-School ends at 1:05pm

October 31: 2 Hour Early Release-School ends at 2:05pm

Parents Need To Know

Please check out this awesome inclusive community event for our students, their friends and family!  FCPS student and staff discount provided! 

WHAT: The Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia’s Spring Sprint 5k and Fun Run/Walk

WHEN:  Sunday, 10/6/24

WHERE: Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton

✔️ Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?

We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year! If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact the front office for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

If you haven't returned your Emergency Care Card, please do so as soon as possible. If you need another copy, ask your students teacher.  You may also update it through SIS ParentVue.

🩹 Immunization Requirements 

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to Laurel Hill front office. 

Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:  

• A healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
• A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
• A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices.

Find more information on immunizations. 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

🍽️Fueling Student Success: New Food Options Cooked up at FCPS

Students will have more than a dozen new options for lunch and breakfast in school cafeterias starting this week. New menu items were either favorites at last year’s food show — including Korean BBQ wings, sweet Thai chili wings, chicken tikka masala, and barbacoa street tacos — or were tested with student focus groups and tastings. 

View our school menu to see all the new options and when they will become available.

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

LHES PTA

Screen on the Green is RESCHEDULED to Friday, October 18th. Have dinner and a movie under the stars. Movie will be Despicable Me 4. Entry is free. Concessions will be for sale. Bring cash to participate in the 50/50 raffle.

• Fall Science event: Focus on the Weather. Exact date TBD. PTA is collaborating with the school administration and science department to host a local television weather broadcaster who will talk with the students about weather and meteorology.
• Election Day Bake Sale. PTA will host a fundraising bake sale on Election Day, Tuesday Nov 5th.
• Fall Book Fair. December. PTA is collaborating with the school administration to host the annual Scholastic Book Fair.
• Dine Out nights. Monthly. Several dine out nights are planned with local Lorton restaurants. Be sure to mention LHES so the appropriate discounts can be applied, and a portion of the proceeds benefit our organization.

o   Every Thursday until June 2025 - Papa Johns Gunston location only

o   Oct 9 - Panera - 4-8pm

o   Oct 14 - Duck Donut Truck-8-11am (Student Holiday/No School)

o   Nov 19 - Chipotle - 4-9pm

 

We welcome support from the entire LHES family. Your membership dollars will help support programs such as International Night, field trips for ALL students, teacher appreciation activities, STEAM Night, Literacy Night, Kindness Week, among others. We also are working with the school to pursue Purple Star School status and support military families and children throughout the year.

If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta

Our next meeting is Tues, Oct 8 at 7pm in the school library. 

 

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

September 26, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

We are in the midst of Blue Star Welcome Week! This is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS and Laurel Hill will help ease their transition through messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. Please help us welcome our military families by having your child wear blue to school tomorrow.

September is Attendance Awareness Month. It’s the perfect time to raise awareness about the importance of attendance and its connection to academic success. Attendance issues, absenteeism, and the negative impact of poor attendance on academic achievement and success. September attendance is predictive of the rest of the year!  Let’s start strong!

Unfortunately our first PTA event, Screen on the Green, previously scheduled for tomorrow will need to be postponed due to the rain.  We will be in touch when another date has been scheduled.  Thank you for your understanding!

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

September 21-29: Blue Star Welcome Week

September 27: Wear Blue Friday to support our Military families

September 27: Screen on the Green (Outdoor Movie) *POSTPONED*

October 3: Rosh Hashanah holiday-No School

October 4: Teacher workday-No School

October 8: PTA meeting, 7 pm Library

October 14: Teacher workday-No School

October 21: 3 Hour Early Release-1:05pm

Parents Need To Know

National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

✔️ Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?

We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year! If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact the front office for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

If you haven't returned your Emergency Care Card, please do so as soon as possible. If you need another copy, ask your students teacher.

🩹 Immunization Requirements 

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to Laurel Hill front office. 

Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:  

• A healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
• A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
• A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices.

Find more information on immunizations. 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30.

🍽️Fueling Student Success: New Food Options Cooked up at FCPS

Students will have more than a dozen new options for lunch and breakfast in school cafeterias starting this week. New menu items were either favorites at last year’s food show — including Korean BBQ wings, sweet Thai chili wings, chicken tikka masala, and barbacoa street tacos — or were tested with student focus groups and tastings. 

View our school menu to see all the new options and when they will become available.

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

Girls on the Run is coming to Laurel Hill this fall! GOTR has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girls in 3rd-8th grade to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. Starting the week of September 23, the team will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15pm - 5:15pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $210 and includes weekly lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a GOTR giveaway, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more. Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season.

Registration is now open. Click here to register your student.

Late Registration: September 19 - September 27

Fall Season Begins: September 23

We will keep you informed and share all pertinent information as we receive it regarding the celebratory 5K.

LHES PTA

Screen on the Green is *POSTPONED* Have dinner and a movie under the stars. Movie will be Despicable Me 4. Entry is free. Concessions will be for sale. Bring cash to participate in the 50/50 raffle.

• Fall Science event: Focus on the Weather. Exact date TBD. PTA is collaborating with the school administration and science department to host a local television weather broadcaster who will talk with the students about weather and meteorology.
• Election Day Bake Sale. PTA will host a fundraising bake sale on Election Day, Tuesday Nov 5th.
• Fall Book Fair. December. PTA is collaborating with the school administration to host the annual Scholastic Book Fair.
• Dine Out nights. Monthly. Several dine out nights are planned with local Lorton restaurants. Be sure to mention LHES so the appropriate discounts can be applied, and a portion of the proceeds benefit our organization.

o   Every Thursday until June 2025 - Papa Johns Gunston location only

o   Oct 9 - Panera - 4-8pm

o   Nov 19 - Chipotle - 4-9pm

 

We welcome support from the entire LHES family. Your membership dollars will help support programs such as International Night, field trips for ALL students, teacher appreciation activities, STEAM Night, Literacy Night, Kindness Week, among others. We also are working with the school to pursue Purple Star School status and support military families and children throughout the year.

If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta

Our next meeting is Tues, Oct 8 at 7pm in the school library. 

 

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

September 19, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

We were happy to see so many parents/guardians at our Back to School night!  We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and stimulating learning environment where your child can thrive.  As we embark on this new academic year together, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your continued support and partnership.

Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week next week, FCPS and Laurel Hill will help ease their transition through messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 21 - September 29, 2024 and throughout the school year!

Lastly, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. The next event is scheduled for Monday, September 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. right around the corner from us at Newington Forest Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

September 21-29: Blue Star Welcome Week

September 23: Girls on the Run--Fall Season Begins (4:15pm-5:15pm)

September 27: Screen on the Green (Outdoor Movie Night) PTA event

October 3: Rosh Hashanah holiday-No School

October 4: Teacher workday-No School

October 8: PTA meeting, 7 pm Library

October 14: Teacher workday-No School

October 21: 3 Hour Early Release-1:05pm

Parents Need To Know

National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

✔️ Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?

We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year! If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact the front office for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

🩹 Immunization Requirements 

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to Laurel Hill front office. 

Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:  

• A healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
• A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
• A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices.

Find more information on immunizations. 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30.

🍽️Fueling Student Success: New Food Options Cooked up at FCPS

Students will have more than a dozen new options for lunch and breakfast in school cafeterias starting this week. New menu items were either favorites at last year’s food show — including Korean BBQ wings, sweet Thai chili wings, chicken tikka masala, and barbacoa street tacos — or were tested with student focus groups and tastings. 

View our school menu to see all the new options and when they will become available.

Girls on the Run is coming to Laurel Hill this fall! GOTR has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girls in 3rd-8th grade to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. Starting the week of September 23, the team will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15pm - 5:15pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $210 and includes weekly lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a GOTR giveaway, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more. Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season.

Registration is now open. Click here to register your student.

Late Registration: September 19 - September 27

Fall Season Begins: September 23

We will keep you informed and share all pertinent information as we receive it regarding the celebratory 5K.

LHES PTA 

• Screen on the Green. Fri, Sept 27 at dusk. Have dinner and a movie under the stars. Movie will be Despicable Me 4. Entry is free. Concessions will be for sale. Bring cash to participate in the 50/50 raffle.
• Fall Science event: Focus on the Weather. Exact date TBD. PTA is collaborating with the school administration and science department to host a local television weather broadcaster who will talk with the students about weather and meteorology.
• Election Day Bake Sale. PTA will host a fundraising bake sale on Election Day, Tuesday Nov 5th.
• Fall Book Fair. December. PTA is collaborating with the school administration to host the annual Scholastic Book Fair.
• Dine Out nights. Monthly. Several dine out nights are planned with local Lorton restaurants. Be sure to mention LHES so the appropriate discounts can be applied, and a portion of the proceeds benefit our organization.

o   Every Thursday until June 2025 - Papa Johns Gunston location only

o   Oct 9 - Panera - 4-8pm

o   Nov 19 - Chipotle - 4-9pm

 

We welcome support from the entire LHES family. Your membership dollars will help support programs such as International Night, field trips for ALL students, teacher appreciation activities, STEAM Night, Literacy Night, Kindness Week, among others. We also are working with the school to pursue Purple Star School status and support military families and children throughout the year.

If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/

If you join by Sept 20, you will have a chance to win one of 2 new Laurel Hill ES fuzzy blankets.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta

Our next meeting is Tues, Oct 8 at 7pm in the school library. 

Yearbook order form- Deadline 4/4/25, $21.00

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

September 12, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

On Monday, September 16, we will have our first three-hour early release at 1 pm.  Normal dismissal procedures will occur at 1 pm and again at 4 pm for those students staying after.  Lunch and instructional schedules will be adjusted for that day.  Students buying lunch will get it in a "grab and go" style (in a bag instead of on a tray), in the case that they want to save some lunch items if they are staying after school.  Students requiring after school supervision will be monitored by staff and participate in a schedule of events including tech time, recess, specials classes, and independent reading.  We have 7 three-hour early release days throughout this school year for teachers to complete reading curriculum trainings required by the state of Virginia.

We hope to see you at our Back to School night next week on September 18!  The front doors to our school will open at 6 pm and parents will go directly to their child's classroom for the first session.  We will transition to a second (identical) session around 6:45 for parents that have multiple children or are unable to make the 6 pm session.  As a reminder, this will not be a time for a conference or specific questions about your child.  Teachers will be more than happy to set up a parent conference to answer more detailed questions at a later time.

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

September 13: Field Day! (during school hours)

September 16: 3-Hour Early Release at 1:05 pm

September 18: Back to School Night, 6-8 pm

September 21-29: Blue Star Welcome Week

September 23: Girl on the Run--Fall Season Begins (4:15pm-5:15pm)

September 27: Screen on the Green (Outdoor Movie Night) PTA event

October 3: Rosh Hashanah holiday

October 4: Teacher workday

October 14: Teacher workday

Parents Need To Know

September 11 National Day of Service

With the upcoming 23rd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.

 

Blue Star Welcome Week (September 21-29, 2024) was created to recognize the 600,000 military families that move to new communities each year. This special week raises awareness and builds support for military families across the country. During Blue Star Welcome Week, it is our goal to proactively improve military families’ sense of belonging to their local communities by forging strong connections between our military family members and their local neighbors.

 

🩹 Immunization Requirements 

Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office. 

Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:  

• A health care provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
• A health care provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
• A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.

Find more information on immunizations. 

 

The South County Substance Prevention Specialist has invited the Fairfax County Police Department to come and present Hidden In Plain Sight (HIPS), a presentation with the most current products on the market for hiding substance related paraphernalia, common hiding places in teen bedrooms, and information regarding youth substance use trends in our area. The event will occur on Monday, September 30th from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at South County high school in the Silverbox Theatre.  Here is the link for the sign-up genie: https://bit.ly/schships24

 

🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

• Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
• Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary 
• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary 
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary 
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle 

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. 

 

🍎 Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Children should be in their classrooms, with bags unpacked and ready to go at 9:20am, not just entering the front doors.

Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.

 

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck invites you to join us for a community bike ride on Saturday October 19, 2024.

Come learn about bike safety at the annual Tour de Mount Vernon Bike Ride with the first-ever bike rodeo on Saturday, October 19! This will be a great way for children to learn about helmet safety, practice stopping for pedestrians and cars, all while having fun in the process! A South County High School student is doing this as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award. Register here using this link.

 

LHES PTA Update

Thank you to the families who attended the first PTA meeting of the year on Tuesday, Sept 10. We appreciate you taking the time to join us, provide your perspectives and hear about our plans for 2024-25.

We passed our annual budget and will continue to move forward in earnest with activity planning. Immediate upcoming events and activities include:

• Screen on the Green. Fri, Sept 27 at dusk. Have dinner and a movie under the stars. Movie will be Despicable Me 4. Entry is free. Concessions will be for sale. Bring cash to participate in the 50/50 raffle.
• Fall Science event: Focus on the Weather. Exact date TBD. PTA is collaborating with the school administration and science department to host a local television weather broadcaster who will talk with the students about weather and meteorology.
• Election Day Bake Sale. PTA will host a fundraising bake sale on Election Day, Tuesday Nov 5th.
• Fall Book Fair. December. PTA is collaborating with the school administration to host the annual Scholastic Book Fair.
• Dine Out nights. Monthly. Several dine out nights are planned with local Lorton restaurants. Be sure to mention LHES so the appropriate discounts can be applied, and a portion of the proceeds benefit our organization.

o   Every Thursday until June 2025 - Papa Johns Gunston location only

o   Sept 16 - Kokee Tea - 11am -9pm (See flyer below)

o   Oct 9 - Panera - 4-8pm

o   Nov 19 - Chipotle - 4-9pm

 

We welcome support from the entire LHES family. Your membership dollars will help support programs such as International Night, field trips for ALL students, teacher appreciation activities, STEAM Night, Literacy Night, Kindness Week, among others. We also are working with the school to pursue Purple Star School status and support military families and children throughout the year.

If you have not yet joined the PTA, please visit https://lhes.givebacks.com/

If you join by Sept 20, you will have a chance to win one of 2 new Laurel Hill ES fuzzy blankets.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lhespta

Our next meeting is Tues, Oct 8 at 7pm in the school library. 

 

 

Girls on the Run is coming to Laurel Hill this fall! GOTR has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girls in 3rd-8th grade to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. Starting the week of September 23, the team will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15pm - 5:15pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $210 and includes weekly lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a GOTR giveaway, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more. Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season.

Registration is now open. Click here to register your student.

Late Registration: September 19 - September 27

Fall Season Begins: September 23

We will keep you informed and share all pertinent information as we receive it regarding the celebratory 5K.

PTA Membership

Please join the PTA for the 24-25 school year!

Congrats to our new PTA board!  

President: Vickie Gogo

Treasurer: Kendra Bacchus-Beatty

Secretary: Jennifer Dickinson

We are still looking for a VP of Programs and Fundraising.  Please reach out via the website if interested.

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

September 6, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

We hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend filled with relaxation and quality time with loved ones. As we continue settling into the rhythm of the new school year, it's been inspiring to see our students engaging in their learning with enthusiasm. Establishing strong routines has been a key focus, helping our students feel comfortable and confident as they dive in. These routines not only support academic success but also foster a positive environment where every student can thrive.

We are preparing for our first three hour early release day on September 16.  Thank you to the 631 families that have currently responded to our early release survey.  If you have not already done so, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hg4Hgha2HJb4DDor8 for each of your children who are enrolled at Laurel Hill so we can complete our planning for the 3 hour early release Mondays. 

We will include more information next week regarding our Back to School night on September 18.  We will run two identical sessions for your planning purposes.  Hope to see you all then!

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

September 10: PTA Meeting, 7pm School Library

September 13: Field Day! (during school hours)

September 16: 3-Hour Early Release 

September 18: Back to School Night, 6-8 pm

September 21-29: Blue Star Welcome Week

September 27: Screen on the Green (Outdoor Movie Night) PTA event

Parents Need To Know

Cafeteria protocols

Laurel Hill serves many meals on a daily basis at Laurel Hill.  If you would like to apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits you may do so at www.myschoolapps.com.  In the state menu, select Virginia and clock search.  On the next page, select Fairfax County Public Schools from the choose your district dropdown menu.  You need to reapply yearly and for each of your children.  Students that qualify for this program receive a free sweet treat once a month.  If your child wants additional items such as cookies or popcorn, parents/guardians will need to add additional money to their account.  Our cafeteria manager, Tina Posey, is happy to assist with any questions.  You may easily reach her by calling the school at 703-551-5300.

No Dogs on Campus

Thank you for keeping your dogs off campus. While it's nice to take your dog for a walk to and from school, they are NOT allowed on campus at anytime. This includes after dismissal. No pets are allowed on FCPS school grounds, and this is clearly marked at the driveway entrance. It is a safety issue. We have students who have allergies and fear of animals, and this rule helps ensure they can be safe at school.

Cell Phones off, Learning On

Please review the following rules for elementary students K-6 around cell phones, smart watches & tablet:

• Phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day. Cell phones may be used on campus before and after school only.
• Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
• Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.

Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, contact our front office so that we can then pass along the information to your child. 

Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.

Safety Drills

Our hearts are with all those affected by the tragedy in Georgia this week.  FCPS has cancelled all drills for today and will be giving additional guidance on proceeding with scheduled safety drills next week.  Keeping students and staff safe is our priority. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools must also notify parents and caregivers at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. We will conduct a lockdown drill and a fire drill in the next couple of weeks. By law, the first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students do not participate in the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with them about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your student before and after school lockdown drills.

 

3-Hour Early Release- The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 16
• October 21
• November 18
• February 10
• March 10
• April 21
• May 12

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hg4Hgha2HJb4DDor8 for each of your children who are enrolled at Laurel Hill Elementary. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 16, 2024 and October 21, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1svujKMsbHvrNtL8VpPZFw0YGuVfM74hvdyK7_zdAHVs/edit#heading=h.i319qv1gdzza

 

Blue Star Welcome Week (September 21-29, 2024) was created to recognize the 600,000 military families that move to new communities each year. This special week raises awareness and builds support for military families across the country. During Blue Star Welcome Week, it is our goal to proactively improve military families’ sense of belonging to their local communities by forging strong connections between our military family members and their local neighbors.

 

🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

• Monday, September 9, at Holmes Middle School 
• Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
• Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary 
• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary 
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary 
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle 

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. 

 

Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. 

If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. 

Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website.

 

SIS ParentVUE -Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar, Sarah Orlick ([email protected]) if you need a code. 

Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. 

To be sure you receive important information from your schools, update your phone numbers and/or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.

 

What Is a School Board?

The Fairfax County School Board is responsible for running the public schools in Fairfax County. Twelve School Board members are elected by county voters every four years. 

A student representative serves on the board as a non-voting member. They are chosen by their peers each year.

The School Board makes general rules and sets guidelines to ensure Fairfax County Public Schools runs properly. They follow the laws of Virginia and the rules set by the Virginia Board of Education. 

Learning about your local School Board is important. Understanding their policies and initiatives can help you advocate for positive changes and ensure that the educational needs of all students are met. There are many ways to get involved.

Learn more about the School Board, how to participate in their meetings, and where to watch their meetings.  

PTA-Everyone is invited to our 1st PTA meeting of the new school year, Sept 10 at 7pm in the Library. Do you have any ideas or suggestions to make Laurel Hill Elementary even better? We want to hear them and discuss all the fun events we are planning this year!

PTA Newsletter- Please click on the link here to access the PTA newsletter.

The South County Substance Prevention Specialist has invited the Fairfax County Police Department to come and present Hidden In Plain Sight (HIPS), a presentation with the most current products on the market for hiding substance related paraphernalia, common hiding places in teen bedrooms, and information regarding youth substance use trends in our area. The event will occur on Monday, September 30th from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at South County high school in the Silverbox Theatre.  Here is the link for the sign-up genie: https://bit.ly/schships24

Girls on the Run is coming to Laurel Hill this fall! GOTR has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girls in 3rd-8th grade to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. Starting the week of September 23, the team will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15pm - 5:15pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $210 and includes weekly lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a GOTR giveaway, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more. Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season.

Registration is now open. Click here to register your student.

Late Registration: September 19 - September 27

Fall Season Begins: September 23

We will keep you informed and share all pertinent information as we receive it regarding the celebratory 5K.

PTA Membership

Please join the PTA for the 24-25 school year!

Congrats to our new PTA board!  

President: Vickie Gogo

Treasurer: Kendra Bacchus-Beatty

Secretary: Jennifer Dickinson

We are still looking for a VP of Programs and Fundraising.  Please reach out via the website if interested.

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

August 29, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

It's been a fantastic start to the new school year! We've loved welcoming back our students and families and seeing everyone settle into the routine. We're thrilled to witness the friendships being formed and renewed, both old and new. It's clear that our focus on building a strong sense of community is paying off. We can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings.

Thank you to the 480 families that have currently responded to our early release survey.  If you have not already done so, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hg4Hgha2HJb4DDor8 for each of your children who are enrolled at Laurel Hill so we can complete our planning for the 3 hour early release Mondays.  The first two dates for Laurel Hill are September 16 and October 21.

Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 2, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.  Have a great four day weekend!

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

August 30 and Sept. 3: Labor Day holiday

September 13: Field Day! (during school hours)

September 16: 3-Hour Early Release (1pm dismissal for opted students)

September 18: Back to School Night, 6-8 pm

September 27: Screen on the Green PTA event

Parents Need To Know

Transportation Patience and Safety

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses. 

If your student’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.

 

Safety Drills

Keeping students and staff safe is our priority. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools must also notify parents and caregivers at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. We had one fire drill this week and will conduct a lockdown drill and an additional fire drill in the next couple of weeks. 

By law, the first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students do not participate in the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with them about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your student before and after school lockdown drills.

 

Band and Strings enrollment

Sign up for STRINGS 🎻at Laurel Hill!  Each year, many 4, 5th and 6th grade students participate in this amazing Instrumental Program, so don’t miss out!  Lessons happen during the school day!  CLICK HERE to sign up.

Or…

Sign up for BAND! 5th and 6th grade students can start, or continue, to learn a band instrument! Included are woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Band classes also happen during the school day during specials. Band forms have been sent home with students and emailed electronically. If you need a copy of the enrollment form, email [email protected].

Registration ends on August 29th.  If you have questions, please email the Strings teacher, Mrs. Hicks, at [email protected] or the Band teacher, Mrs. Hellier at [email protected].

Unsure what instrument to sign up for? Join us on Tuesday, August 27th from 6:30-8:00PM in SCHS’s cafeteria for an “instrument petting zoo”. Try as many instruments as you would like and speak to music store staff about instrument rentals.

 

🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites their child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

 

3-Hour Early Release- The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 16
• October 21
• November 18
• February 10
• March 10
• April 21
• May 12

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hg4Hgha2HJb4DDor8 for each of your children who are enrolled at Laurel Hill Elementary. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 16, 2024 and October 21, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student.

 

✨ Our Commitment to Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity for Each and Every Student

As we begin a new school year, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reminds us of the goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which guides us in delivering excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every one of our students. Watch Dr. Reid’s message.

 

Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. 

If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. 

Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website.

 

SIS ParentVUE -Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar, Sarah Orlick ([email protected]) if you need a code. 

Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. 

To be sure you receive important information from your schools, update your phone numbers and/or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.

 

PTA Newsletter- Please click on the link here to access the PTA newsletter.

Girls on the Run is coming to Laurel Hill this fall! GOTR has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girls in 3rd-8th grade to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. Starting the week of September 23, the team will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15pm - 5:15pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $210 and includes weekly lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a GOTR giveaway, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more. Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season.

Registration is now open. Click here to register your student.

Late Registration: September 19 - September 27

Fall Season Begins: September 23

We will keep you informed and share all pertinent information as we receive it regarding the celebratory 5K.

PTA Membership

Please join the PTA for the 24-25 school year!

Congrats to our new PTA board!  

President: Vickie Gogo

Treasurer: Kendra Bacchus-Beatty

Secretary: Jennifer Dickinson

We are still looking for a VP of Programs and Fundraising.  Please reach out via the website if interested.

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

August 21, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

We have had a very successful first few days of school!  We have been delighted to see our students settle into their new classrooms and routines so quickly. Their eagerness to learn and engage in their studies is truly inspiring.  We wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for the warm welcome and support you have provided to our students and staff during the first few days of school. 

Our first Parent Coffee was yesterday, August 20, and we are grateful to those who were able to join us in this virtual setting. The recorded session can be accessed here. The next Parent Coffee will be September 17, 2024.  As mentioned in the parent coffee, we will share a link next week to meet our fabulous teachers!

If you have not already done so, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hg4Hgha2HJb4DDor8 for each of your children who are enrolled at Laurel Hill so we can complete our planning for the 3 hour early release Mondays.

As we continue to navigate the school year, please know that your partnership is essential. We encourage you to stay connected with your child's teacher and to attend school events whenever possible. Together, we can create a supportive and enriching educational experience for all.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

August 30 and Sept. 3: Labor Day holiday

September 13: Field Day! (during school hours)

September 16: 3-Hour Early Release (1pm dismissal for opted students)

September 18: Back to School Night, 6-8 pm

September 27: Screen on the Green PTA event

Parents Need To Know

Band and Strings enrollment

Sign up for STRINGS 🎻at Laurel Hill!  Each year, many 4, 5th and 6th grade students participate in this amazing Instrumental Program, so don’t miss out!  Lessons happen during the school day!  CLICK HERE to sign up.

Or…

Sign up for BAND! 5th and 6th grade students can start, or continue, to learn a band instrument! Included are woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Band classes also happen during the school day during specials. Band forms have been sent home with students and emailed electronically. If you need a copy of the enrollment form, email [email protected].

Registration ends on August 29th.  If you have questions, please email the Strings teacher, Mrs. Hicks, at [email protected] or the Band teacher, Mrs. Hellier at [email protected].

Unsure what instrument to sign up for? Join us on Tuesday, August 27th from 6:30-8:00PM in SCHS’s cafeteria for an “instrument petting zoo”. Try as many instruments as you would like and speak to music store staff about instrument rentals.

 

📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at 703-551-5300.

 

Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights

Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents and caregivers to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.

In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available: a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents/caregivers with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice, because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.

Get more information and view the 2024-25 Opt-Out Booklets.

 

Arrival/Dismissal- Students can arrive as early as 9:05am. Students are tardy at 9:20am. Dismissal begins at 4:05pm.

We will continue to use the same system for Kiss-and-Ride for the 2024-2025 school year. Kiss-and-Ride will be through the parking lot area (see photo below) and will begin promptly at 9:05 a.m. At that time staff members will arrive to ensure student safety as they exit the vehicles. Please do not drop students off before 9:05 a.m. There is no passing other cars while in the Kiss and Ride line, unless directed by school staff. There is no cell phone use in the Kiss and Ride line.

Please make sure your child can enter and exit your car from the passenger side. We do not want students to walk around your car to enter or exit, as this creates a dangerous situation.

Please make sure your child can buckle themselves in (and out). Staff are not able to help buckle students in their seats. If you need to help them, please pull out of the Kiss and Ride Lane and park, so that our Kiss and Ride can continue to flow smoothly. Please do not get out of your car while in the Kiss and Ride lane. This is a safety violation.  

 

3-Hour Early Release- The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 16
• October 21
• November 18
• February 10
• March 10
• April 21
• May 12

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hg4Hgha2HJb4DDor8 for each of your children who are enrolled at Laurel Hill Elementary. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 16, 2024 and October 21, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student.

 

Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. 

If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. 

Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website.

 

SIS ParentVUE -Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar, Sarah Orlick ([email protected]) if you need a code. 

Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. 

To be sure you receive important information from your schools, update your phone numbers and/or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.

PTA Newsletter- Please click on the link here to access the PTA newsletter.

Girls on the Run is coming to Laurel Hill this fall! GOTR has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girls in 3rd-8th grade to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. Starting the week of September 23, the team will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15pm - 5:15pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $210 and includes weekly lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a GOTR giveaway, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more. Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season.

Registration is now open. Click here to register your student.

Late Registration: September 19 - September 27

Fall Season Begins: September 23

We will keep you informed and share all pertinent information as we receive it regarding the celebratory 5K.

PTA Membership

Please join the PTA for the 24-25 school year!

Congrats to our new PTA board!  

President: Vickie Gogo

Treasurer: Kendra Bacchus-Beatty

Secretary: Jennifer Dickinson

We are still looking for a VP of Programs and Fundraising.  Please reach out via the website if interested.

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

August 14, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

The first day of school is fast approaching! By this time, you should have received an email communication from your child’s teacher.  Assigned student placements will also be posted in SIS Parent Vue on Thursday, August 15. We welcome 16 new teachers to our school this year! Our school is FULL with almost 800 students at the start of this school year. We welcome our first class of preschoolers at Laurel Hill. Watch out for our tiny lions!

We take class placements very seriously and consider many factors when finding the best match for each student. Class lists require critical care and consideration to include multiple variables to have balanced classes based on strengths and needs of each student. Thank you for trusting our expertise.

Thank you to everyone who has completed the Early Release Monday form already. If you have not had a chance to complete the form, please make sure you complete one for each of your children by August 16, 2024.  The early release Mondays are going to require sophisticated planning. so we need to make sure we have an accurate count of students. Thank you so much for your help with this! 

We hope to see many of you at Open House tomorrow! Due to the large size of our school, we ask that families with last names beginning with the letters A-L come between 3 and 4 pm, and families with last names beginning with letters M-Z come between 4 and 5 pm. Please bring school supplies tomorrow to lighten the load for your child on the first day of school. On the first day of school exclusively parents will be able to escort their student to the classroom.  We think it is a great way to start the school year with a special hug from your learning seat. This is an exciting time!

We will host our first virtual Parent Coffee on Tuesday, August 20 at 10 am.  Please join us at this link!  For those of you new to Laurel Hill, you can expect a News You Choose email communication from the us every Wednesday.  Below the body of the letter you will find information that we hope you will find helpful in the coming weeks. Let the good times start rolling!

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

August 15: Open House, 3-5 pm

August 19: School starts!

August 20: Parent Coffee (virtual link is here)

August 30 and Sept. 3: Labor Day holiday

September 18: Back to School Night, 6-8 pm

September 27: Screen on the Green PTA event

Parents Need To Know

Open House

Open House is Thursday, August 15.

Teacher names will be available on SIS Parent Vue accounts approximately a week before school starts. Come see your classroom, meet your teacher, and drop off your supplies!

Last name A- L Open House:  3:00-4:00 pm

Last name M-Z Open House:  4:00-5:00 pm

At Open House, it is a good idea to practice walking to and from your child’s classroom using the door they will use at arrival and dismissal.

Additionally, it is extremely important that you fill out the transportation information. We must have a clear understanding of how your child will arrive and be dismissed from school each day. To ensure school safety the student and the teacher need to know how they will be traveling home.. We also ask that you keep your child’s dismissal procedures as consistent as possible on a daily basis. We understand that appointments and special events may come up throughout the year.  Please be diligent in communicating changes in a timely manner to the teacher.

Arrival/Dismissal- Students can arrive as early as 9:05am. Students are tardy at 9:20am. Dismissal begins at 4:05pm.

We will continue to use the same system for Kiss-and-Ride for the 2024-2025 school year. Kiss-and-Ride will be through the parking lot area (see photo below) and will begin promptly at 9:05 a.m. At that time staff members will arrive to ensure student safety as they exit the vehicles. Please do not drop students off before 9:05 a.m. There is no passing other cars while in the Kiss and Ride line, unless directed by school staff. There is no cell phone use in the Kiss and Ride line.

Please make sure your child can enter and exit your car from the passenger side. We do not want students to walk around your car to enter or exit, as this creates a dangerous situation.

Please make sure your child can buckle themselves in (and out). Staff are not able to help buckle students in their seats. If you need to help them, please pull out of the Kiss and Ride Lane and park, so that our Kiss and Ride can continue to flow smoothly. Please do not get out of your car while in the Kiss and Ride lane. This is a safety violation.  

If you plan to drive your child to school, we ask that you use the official Laurel Hill Kiss-and-Ride (as seen below), which is accessed from Laurel Crest Drive. Student safety is always our #1 priority, and we need your help to ensure the safety of your child. 

Please do not use the parking lot to drop off students. Only use the parking lot to park and escort students through the crosswalk. The increased number of cars pulling over, pulling out, and stopping creates a hazard for other students walking and and drivers who are parking. The Kiss and Ride line goes very swiftly and is a safe way for students to arrive at school.

3-Hour Early Release- The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 16
• October 21
• November 18
• February 10
• March 10
• April 21
• May 12

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hg4Hgha2HJb4DDor8 for each of your children who are enrolled at Laurel Hill Elementary. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 16, 2024 and October 21, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student.

Letters from your child's teacher- All teachers have sent letters to their students to introduce themselves to families. If you do not see your child's letter, please check your Spam or Junk Mail. Room assignments, upcoming dates, and pertinent information were included in the letter.

SIS ParentVUE -Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar, Sarah Orlick ([email protected]) if you need a code. 

Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. 

To be sure you receive important information from your schools, update your phone numbers and/or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.

PTA Newsletter- Please click on the link here to access the PTA newsletter.

This year Laurel Hill will participate in the Girls on the Run (GOTR) fall season! Coach Amanda Fioravanti will once again lead our GOTR team in preparation for the fall 5K. Please save the dates below. We have yet to receive information for the day of the 5K.

Registration Opens: August 19 - September 17

Late Registration: September 19 - September 27

Fall Season Begins: September 23

We will keep you informed and share all pertinent information as we receive it.

PTA Membership

Please join the PTA for the 24-25 school year!

Congrats to our new PTA board!  

President: Vickie Gogo

Treasurer: Kendra Bacchus-Beatty

Secretary: Jennifer Dickinson

We are still looking for a VP of Programs and Fundraising.  Please reach out via the website if interested.

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

August 7, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

We are fast approaching the first day of the 2024-2025 school year, and our school team is working vigorously behind the scenes in preparation for our students and families. Teachers will officially be back in the building next week, and we will welcome students and families on Thursday, August 15, for Open House. Please save the date of all the upcoming events to best prepare for a fun and successful new year.

Our bell schedule has not changed. The bell schedule is below. We welcome students for arrival at 9:05 am. For student safety please adhere to 9:05 am for student arrival.  Students have NO adult supervision prior to 9:05 am. It is not safe. Kindergarteners will come to Door 2 for arrival and dismissal. Details of our arrival procedures, late arrival procedures, and dismissal procedures can be found here on our school's website. Additionally, a map of our Kiss & Ride traffic flow is below. It is critically important that parents adhere to the map to ensure our students' safety.

If you know families who are new to LHES or families who might not have access to our newsletter, please share this link with them to subscribe.

Doors open at 9:05 am

School starts at 9:20 am

Dismissal starts at 3:55 pm

Dismissal at 4:05 pm

Lastly, an e-Notify was sent via email to families today regarding the seven 3-hour Early Release days. Those dates are below in the Parents Need to Know section. 

We are excited for the new school year and seeing you next week during  Open House!

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Save the Date:

August 12: Kinder popsicles on the playground, 4-5 pm

August 15: Open House, 3-5 pm

August 19: School starts!

August 30 and Sept. 3: Labor Day holiday

September 18: Back to School Night, 6-8 pm

September 27: Screen on the Green PTA event

Parents Need To Know

Arrival/Dismissal- Students can arrive as early as 9:05am. Students are tardy at 9:20am. Dismissal begins at 4:05pm.

3-Hour Early Release- The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 16
• October 21
• November 18
• February 10
• March 10
• April 21
• May 12

Letters from your child's teacher- All teachers will send letters to their students next week to introduce themselves to families. Room assignments, upcoming dates, and pertinent information will be included in the letter.

PTA Newsletter- Please click on the link here to access the PTA newsletter

Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground

Kindergarteners are invited to come and meet new friends on August 12 from 4-5 pm! PTA spirit wear will also be available for purchase. Please see the PTA website for more information.

Open House:  Thursday, August 15

Teacher names will be available on SIS Parent Vue accounts approximately a week before school starts. Come see your classroom, meet your teacher, and drop off your supplies!

Last name A- L Open House:  3:00-4:00 pm

Last name M-Z Open House:  4:00-5:00 pm

This year Laurel Hill will participate in the Girls on the Run (GOTR) fall season! Coach Amanda Fioravanti will once again lead our GOTR team in preparation for the fall 5K. Please save the dates below. We have yet to receive information for the day of the 5K.

Registration Opens: August 19 - September 17

Late Registration: September 19 - September 27

Fall Season Begins: September 23

We will keep you informed and share all pertinent information as we receive it.

PTA Membership

Please join the PTA for the 24-25 school year!

Congrats to our new PTA board!  

President: Vickie Gogo

Treasurer: Kendra Bacchus-Beatty

Secretary: Jennifer Dickinson

We are still looking for a VP of Programs and Fundraising.  Please reach out via the website if interested.

8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, Virginia 22079 | Main Office: 703.551.5300
Attendance: 703.551.5353 | Web | Facebook