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Principal’s Message:
Principal’s Message:
I hope you all had a great week! As we continue through the school year, I want to take a moment to share some updates and a critical message about attendance.
📚 Black History Month Speaker Series – This week, we were honored to have guest speakers visit Lynbrook to share powerful stories and lessons with all our grade levels in celebration of Black History Month. These meaningful discussions helped students deepen their understanding of history, culture, and leadership.
🐶 Chamo the Comfort Dog – We had a very special visitor this week! Chamo, our beloved therapy dog, came to spend time with students, providing some much-needed SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) support. It was heartwarming to see students engage, relax, and connect with Chamo throughout the day!
📢 We Can’t Do This Alone – Attendance Matters!
Families, we need your help. Lynbrook Elementary currently has the highest absenteeism rate of all elementary schools in our region. This is a serious concern, as students who miss school regularly fall behind academically and struggle with consistency in their learning.
Attendance is not just about being present! It’s about building strong habits, staying engaged, and ensuring every student has access to the education they deserve. We cannot turn this around without your partnership. We understand that emergencies and illnesses happen, but we ask that you prioritize school attendance whenever possible.
Here’s how you can help:
✔️ Ensure your child arrives on time, every day.
✔️ Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
✔️ Communicate with us if there are barriers keeping your child from attending.
✔️ Celebrate good attendance at home and reinforce the importance of being in school.
When students are here, they thrive. We need your partnership to turn this around. If you need support, please reach out! We are here to help.
Check out our instagram to see the amazing things we do everyday! Make sure to follow us!!! lynbrookes_fcps
I hope you all had a great week! As we continue through the school year, I want to take a moment to share some updates and a critical message about attendance.
📚 Black History Month Speaker Series – This week, we were honored to have guest speakers visit Lynbrook to share powerful stories and lessons with all our grade levels in celebration of Black History Month. These meaningful discussions helped students deepen their understanding of history, culture, and leadership.
🐶 Chamo the Comfort Dog – We had a very special visitor this week! Chamo, our beloved therapy dog, came to spend time with students, providing some much-needed SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) support. It was heartwarming to see students engage, relax, and connect with Chamo throughout the day!
📢 We Can’t Do This Alone – Attendance Matters!
Families, we need your help. Lynbrook Elementary currently has the highest absenteeism rate of all elementary schools in our region. This is a serious concern, as students who miss school regularly fall behind academically and struggle with consistency in their learning.
Attendance is not just about being present! It’s about building strong habits, staying engaged, and ensuring every student has access to the education they deserve. We cannot turn this around without your partnership. We understand that emergencies and illnesses happen, but we ask that you prioritize school attendance whenever possible.
Here’s how you can help:
✔️ Ensure your child arrives on time, every day.
✔️ Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
✔️ Communicate with us if there are barriers keeping your child from attending.
✔️ Celebrate good attendance at home and reinforce the importance of being in school.
When students are here, they thrive. We need your partnership to turn this around. If you need support, please reach out! We are here to help.
Check out our instagram to see the amazing things we do everyday! Make sure to follow us!!! lynbrookes_fcps
Important Dates 2024-25 School Year:
Important Dates 2024-25 School Year:
February 28 - Ramadan begins at sundown
February 28 - Ramadan begins at sundown
Ramadan begins at sundown on Friday, February 28. This day is an evening-only observance day. There is school on these days, but certain activities that cannot be made up can not take place after school. See the complete school year calendar.Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact Principal Paredes regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
Este año, el primer día completo del Ramadán es el lunes 11 de marzo. El Ramadán es el mes más sagrado del año en la religión islámica. Durante este mes, los Musulmanes se abstienen de comer y beber desde el amanecer hasta el atardecer todos los días mientras se esfuerzan por aumentar su espiritualidad, a través de oraciones, caridad y buenas acciones. Lea más sobre el Ramadán en National Geographic Kids.
Ramadan begins at sundown on Friday, February 28. This day is an evening-only observance day. There is school on these days, but certain activities that cannot be made up can not take place after school. See the complete school year calendar.Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact Principal Paredes regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
Este año, el primer día completo del Ramadán es el lunes 11 de marzo. El Ramadán es el mes más sagrado del año en la religión islámica. Durante este mes, los Musulmanes se abstienen de comer y beber desde el amanecer hasta el atardecer todos los días mientras se esfuerzan por aumentar su espiritualidad, a través de oraciones, caridad y buenas acciones. Lea más sobre el Ramadán en National Geographic Kids.
📖 Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade
📖 Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Across FCPS, teachers, staff, parents, and even older students are invested in helping our youngest learners grow their love of reading from a strong foundation.
The goal is for students to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by the end of the third grade. Reading on grade level is connected to other Strategic Plan goals, including completing advanced coursework and graduating on time.
Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that aligns with evidence-based literacy instruction. Between fall and winter, reading screener results show more than a 4% increase in the number of students in kindergarten to third grade approaching or meeting expectations. Similarly, 3.4% more third graders demonstrate strong foundations of reading and 8.4% more third graders are mastering grade-level standards.
Discover how an elementary school employs a science-based approach, including phonics, to supercharge students' reading.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.
🌟 Your child deserves the best teachers, safe schools, and the resources to achieve their highest academic potential! On Feb. 20, the School Board unanimously approved the FY 2026 Advertised Budget to invest in what works: competitive salaries to attract top educators, expanded learning opportunities, and school safety improvements.
Now, it’s time for the next step! The budget moves to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, with opportunities for the community to provide feedback from Feb. 24 through April, before a final vote in May.
📖 Learn more about the FY 2026 Advertised Budget: bit.ly/26AdvBudgetFCPS
📊 See the budget documents and timeline: bit.ly/FCPS-FY2026-Budget
#InvestInExcellence
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Across FCPS, teachers, staff, parents, and even older students are invested in helping our youngest learners grow their love of reading from a strong foundation.
The goal is for students to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by the end of the third grade. Reading on grade level is connected to other Strategic Plan goals, including completing advanced coursework and graduating on time.
Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that aligns with evidence-based literacy instruction. Between fall and winter, reading screener results show more than a 4% increase in the number of students in kindergarten to third grade approaching or meeting expectations. Similarly, 3.4% more third graders demonstrate strong foundations of reading and 8.4% more third graders are mastering grade-level standards.
Discover how an elementary school employs a science-based approach, including phonics, to supercharge students' reading.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.
🌟 Your child deserves the best teachers, safe schools, and the resources to achieve their highest academic potential! On Feb. 20, the School Board unanimously approved the FY 2026 Advertised Budget to invest in what works: competitive salaries to attract top educators, expanded learning opportunities, and school safety improvements.
Now, it’s time for the next step! The budget moves to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, with opportunities for the community to provide feedback from Feb. 24 through April, before a final vote in May.
📖 Learn more about the FY 2026 Advertised Budget: bit.ly/26AdvBudgetFCPS
📊 See the budget documents and timeline: bit.ly/FCPS-FY2026-Budget
#InvestInExcellence
🗣️ Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication
🗣️ Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. How do you connect with your children and really know what's going on in their lives? How can you become “unskippable”?
Effective communication can build trust and understanding, but it takes thought, planning, and effort.
The latest Healthy Minds Blog offers practical strategies to improve communication and build strong, lasting relationships:
-
Ditch distractions and create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up.
-
Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if you don't agree.
-
Ask "how" questions instead of "what" questions to get them talking about their experiences.
For more tips and techniques, read the full article on the Healthy Minds Blog, which shares information related to youth mental health and wellness.
For support on talking with your teen about difficult subjects like fentanyl, discover how to Become Unskippable.
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. How do you connect with your children and really know what's going on in their lives? How can you become “unskippable”?
Effective communication can build trust and understanding, but it takes thought, planning, and effort.
The latest Healthy Minds Blog offers practical strategies to improve communication and build strong, lasting relationships:
-
Ditch distractions and create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up.
-
Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if you don't agree.
-
Ask "how" questions instead of "what" questions to get them talking about their experiences.
For more tips and techniques, read the full article on the Healthy Minds Blog, which shares information related to youth mental health and wellness.
For support on talking with your teen about difficult subjects like fentanyl, discover how to Become Unskippable.
🚀 Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun
🚀 Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun
🌞 Ready for an unforgettable summer of learning and fun? From STEAM and cooking to health, trades, and computer science – there's something for every student. This summer, students of all ages can experience summer learning fun. Registration opens for a variety of programs on March 10th! Visit our summer learning page to see all of the programs available: https://bit.ly/3DiHBuS
Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
For more information, see the Summer Learning page.
🌞 Ready for an unforgettable summer of learning and fun? From STEAM and cooking to health, trades, and computer science – there's something for every student. This summer, students of all ages can experience summer learning fun. Registration opens for a variety of programs on March 10th! Visit our summer learning page to see all of the programs available: https://bit.ly/3DiHBuS
Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
For more information, see the Summer Learning page.
2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)
2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)
Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
This event will feature:
- Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
- Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
- Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
- Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.
Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process.
Learn more about this event and register today! Contact [email protected] for more information.
FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Middle School Start Times
- New Lunch Items
- Talking to Teens About Tough Topics
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
This event will feature:
- Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
- Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
- Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
- Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.
Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process.
Learn more about this event and register today! Contact [email protected] for more information.
FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Middle School Start Times
- New Lunch Items
- Talking to Teens About Tough Topics
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
5801 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Phone: 703.866.2940
Attendance: 703.866.2992 | Web | Facebook | Twitter
