Laurel Ridge Summer Update

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Upcoming Laurel Ridge Events

Thursday, August 13 - Welcome New Lions event (see below)

Friday, August 21 - Open House (see below)

Monday, August 24 - First Day of School!

Thursday, September 17 - Back to School Night (see below)

Principal's Message

Greetings Laurel Ridge Families,

Excitement is building at Laurel Ridge as we prepare to welcome staff, students, and families to the 2026-2027 school year. If you are ready to get a jump on Back to School shopping, please check the Laurel Ridge Supply Lists. Families will receive an email from the school by Wednesday, August 19^th, to inform you of your child’s teacher. We look forward to seeing everyone at Open House and the PTA Activities Fair on Friday, August 21^st. Kindergarten Open House will run from 9:00 – 10:00 so that our newest Lions can safely navigate the hallways. Grades 1-6 Open House will run from 10:00 – 11:00. The PTA Activities Fair will be set up on the blacktop by the playground.

As you enjoys these next few weeks of summer, you may notice a mix of emotions in your children as they prepare to transition to a new school year. Please reassure your children that these feelings are completely normal, and our dedicated staff is ready with open arms to make sure every single Lion feels safe, supported, and ready to roar from day one!

Megan Counts
Laurel Ridge Principal

Save the Dates

Kindergarten Open House: Friday, August 21st, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
We are excited to welcome our kindergarten lions to visit their classrooms and meet their teachers when the school is a little bit quieter than the traditional Open House. Popsicles will be served on the front porch following classroom visits.

Open House Grades 1 - 6: Friday, August 21st, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Our in-person Open House opportunity will help our families prepare for the new year and learn more about their child’s classroom teacher. Students will be provided an opportunity to see their classrooms and begin developing positive relationships as a classroom community. Popsicles will be served on the front porch following classroom visits.

Back to School Night: Thursday, September 17th 6:00 – 8:00 pm
These sessions are an opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn about grade level curriculum, classroom procedures, schoolwide expectations, and more.

6:00 – 6:45 pm: Kindergarten – 6^th grade (Session 1)
7:00 – 7:45 pm: Kindergarten – 6^th grade (Session 2) This session will be a repeat of Session 1 for families who have more than one child.

From the PTA

Welcome New Lions Event 8/13

The LRES PTA is happy to offer an informational session and a tour of our school for our new LRES lions. We'll answer your questions on everything from setting up a cafeteria account, to drop-off and pick-up procedures, and more. This event is good for all students new to Laurel Ridge: all kindergartners, as well as any students from all grade levels who are new to the school. Please pick just one session - either at 4:00pm or 6:00pm. Both sessions will cover the same content. Siblings are welcome.

RSVP at: https://grasshoppersignup.com/respond/68b20b3a-3c44-4544-8f50-ac9e39047c27

Back-to-School Checklist

We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!

As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready!

☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at 703-426-3700 if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

☑️ Update Your Contact Information

Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.

☑️ Update Immunizations and Records

Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.

When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.

☑️ Learn About School Meals

Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.

☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:

Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.

Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.

New Student ID Cards Coming for
Bus Riders This Fall

As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.

The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 FCPS students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.

The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.

It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.

Screenshot of the FCPS app reaguring weekly reflections and two photos of educators