What's Happening at LCES?!
 Pictured above are students in Ms. Osei Tutu's class building with some magnets and blocks.
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Friday, September 4 - Labor Day Holiday - No School
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Monday, September 7 - Labor Day Holiday - No School
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Tuesday, September 15 - Back to School Night (Grades K-2)
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Tuesday, September 15 - Fall Picture Day
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Thursday, September 17 - Back to School Night (Grades 3-6)
Labor Day
Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7, 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.
 Mark your calendars! On Sunday, September 20th, 2026, Lees Corner will be participating in the 18th Annual Asha-Jyothi Fun Run at Fairfax Corner. This exciting event is a fantastic way to support a great cause while also benefiting our school community.
We'd love for you, your family, and anyone else who wants to join Lees Corner to come out and participate.
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Race Date: Sunday Sept 20th, 2026
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Race Time: Fun Run starts at 8AM and 5K starts at 8:30AM
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Price Details: Regular price of $30 from June – Sept. Price increases by $5 one week before the event
Register for the Race
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January 2026 may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Lauren Williams, AART, at lgwilliams2@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Lauren Williams, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: Thursday, September 24th at 4:45-5:45pm in the cafeteria. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Thursday, November 5th at4:45-5:45pm in the cafeteria. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Lauren Williams, AART, at lgwilliams2@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The first goal of the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?
Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e. backpacks) for the duration of the school day — bell to bell. This includes:
- Personal laptops and tablets.
- Smartphones and smartwatches.
- Other personal electronic communication or computing devices.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at 703-227-3500. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.
The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15
The Advanced Academic Program (AAP) fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3 to 8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time AAP services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Ms. Lauren Williams, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at lgwilliams2@fcps.edu by Thursday, October 15. Late referrals will not be accepted.
For students who are not new to FCPS, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2 to 7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by Tuesday, December 15.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.
Other Advanced Academic Services
At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.
For more information, please contact Ms. Lauren Williams, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at lgwilliams2@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
To learn more about each program, click the links below and please email us with any questions you may have. We look forward to working with your students this year! We encourage ALL eligible students to play an instrument at school as part of their music education. (ALL 5th and 6th grade students can join the chorus regardless of band or strings.)
 Band Sign Up Link
Natalie Hill (band- nphill@fcps.edu)
5th-6th graders are eligible to join the Band!
 Strings Sign Up Link
Ellen Ellis (strings- egellis@fcps.edu)
4th-6th graders are eligible to join Strings!
5th and 6th grade students have the opportunity to participate and perform in choir. We perform at many different activities throughout the year, but our biggest event is our March concert! If your 5th or 6th grader would like to participate in choir this year, please use the QR code sent home with your child earlier this week or one of these two links! I can’t wait to sing with all of them!
5th grade Choir - https://forms.gle/iyjp9zVQGoUnrkGW8
6th Grade Choir - https://forms.gle/yKH8vniNKwJ9UF8DA
Questions? Please contact Ms.Leah Kmetz at lekmetz@fcps.edu.
Students in grades 4, 5, and 6, It’s time to bring those recorders back to LCES for the school year! Please make sure to wash your recorder with dish soap and water and launder the bag. If your child has lost their recorder, you may order a new one on the my school bucks website; My School Bucks.
Recorders will need to be back to school by Friday, September 11th.
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.
Learn how families can | 
