LCES Updates 12/01/23 This Week's Updates
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National Special Education DayWe are excited to celebrate our special education teachers and staff! 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.
Special Education teachers are true champions for their students. They possess a unique blend of knowledge, creativity, and compassion. They are experts in differentiated instruction, behavior management, and social-emotional learning. They work collaboratively with families and other professionals to ensure that each student receives the individualized support they need to thrive.
At Lees Corner, 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.
Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to help assist families of students with special needs.
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- The Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Sign up for their newsletter. Contact the FRC at [email protected] or call 703-204-2941.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing [email protected].
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming SoonOne of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.
The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.
In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.
Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.
Students and staff are invited to celebrate our Winter Spirit Week, December 11 – December 15. See the above picture for details!
Holiday Sing AlongAn annual tradition at Lees Corner is our student and staff sing along the last day before break. If you would like to learn the songs with your student at home you can access these songs on our google site (https://sites.google.com/fcpsschools.net/2023-holiday-sing-along/song-videos). Your student will need to be signed in to their FCPS google account to access this site. This site will also be available in their Schoology music classrooms starting next week.
Parent Coffee PostponedThe parent coffee scheduled for Wednesday, December 6th has been postponed. We will send a message regarding the next parent coffee meeting at a later date and time.
AAP Full-Time Referral DeadlineThis is a reminder that the deadline for submitting AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Services Referral Forms (grades 2-6) is December 15. If you decide to refer, please be sure to explain why you feel your child NEEDS full-time advanced academic services. All forms and optional paperwork should be digital (only PDF or JPG attachments) and emailed directly to Nicole Pierce at [email protected] .
Here are some guidelines to remember:
- Referral Form (required): https://www.fcps.edu/system/files/forms/2023-08/aap-fulltimeservicesreferralform-english.pdf
- Parent/Guardian Questionnaire (optional): https://www.fcps.edu//sites/default/files/media/forms/AAPParentGuardianQuestionnaire.pdf
- 2 pages total of work samples (optional)
- Work samples are items you have at home that show the student’s academic potential. Do not ask the classroom teacher for samples.
- Work samples should represent academic potential. So while artwork is nice, it does not represent a need for advanced academic services.
- Do not submit rewards, certifications, letters of recommendation.
- Only 2 pages of 8 ½ x 11 pages. You may resize your samples to fit 2 per page if needed. No more than 2 per page is recommended as it becomes difficult to see.
- No videos or 3-D representations allowed.
Please make note of the December 15th deadline. Any materials submitted after this date will not be accepted per county deadline.
**If your child took the CogAT this fall, please do not wait for scores before submitting a referral file. It’s possible that we may not receive these scores before the December referral deadline.
For more information about the Advanced Academic Program and the screening process, you may also wish to visit the AAP website at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students .
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum 20th Anniversary Celebration!Saturday, December 2, 2023 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Twenty years ago this December, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center opened to the public on December 15, 2003. Since then the museum has welcomed over 24 million people through the Udvar-Hazy Center's doors. Join the 20th anniversary celebration with a day packed full of everything you know and love about the museum. From a behind-the-scenes look at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar to talks with curators about your favorite artifacts to hands-on activities your family will love, this event will highlight why the Udvar-Hazy Center is a must-visit destination and look forward to what's next.
To celebrate this milestone anniversary, parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center will be free the day of the event!
Merry Little Christmas PartyThe Fairfax County Police Department are teaming up with a couple of local churches to have a Merry Little Christmas Party on December 16th from 2-4pm.
The first 100 registrants will receive a backpack with additional supplies in conjunction with other items/gifts and activities. Registration can be made via the QR code or the link at the bottom of the flyer.
They are planning to have a Spanish speaking translator there as well.
Stay Connected to LCESFollow us on Twitter @Lees_Corner_ES to see tweets and retweets with information and resources.
Join the Lees Corner Elementary School group on Facebook. This is a private group available only to LCES families and staff. The group is managed by the PTA but membership and dues are NOT required to join this group.
13500 Hollinger Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22033 | Main Phone: 703.227.3500 Attendance: 703.227.3535 or [email protected] | Web | Twitter