Feb Family Liaison Newsletter, 2024
January 25th, 2024
Encima del boletín está la palabra TRANSLATE. Haga clic en eso para elegir español.
TRANSLATE فوق النشرة هي الكلمة.انقر فوق ذلك لاختيار العربية.
I am Susan Ruiz, your Family Liaison. My role is to support YOUR FAMILY so that you can best support your child(ren) in his/her education. My hours this year are Wed - Fri from 10:00 am - 2:30 pm. Feel free to stop by or email me for an appointment. I look forward to serving you!!
📅 Important Dates
February 6 - Preschool Child Find Chats: Raising Young Communicators
February 7 - Cedar Lane Spirit Night at Mod Pizza
February 8 - PEP Meeting
February 9 - NO School
February 12 - SBHS Valentine's BINGO
February 14 - 💘 Valentine's Day 💘
February 17 - Cedar Lane Spirit Night at Regal Cinemas
February 19 - NO School
February 24 - Cedar Lane Spirit Night at Zava Zone
Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) Meeting
PEP meetings are primarily for the parents of our English Language learners. This month join us for a POTLUCK DINNER, a discussion about family engagement, and a visit from PTA Board Members to share what the PTA does and how you can get involved! Raffle prizes, child care, and a chance to meet your neighbors! Please sign up here! https://forms.gle/c7qHs8uXAWcczX8Z7
We Need You! Please Volunteer!
FREE Virtual Tutoring
Nest4us offers FREE online tutoring for your student! See link to register above!
FREE Food Distribution
We at NEST4US are excited to kick off our free food distribution (grocery, produce, bread, pastries, frozen foods, etc) event to support families facing food insecurity with essential meal provision services through our NEST Nurtures zero hunger program! Please find below the details:
When: Sunday, February 11th, 2024 from 10-11am
Where: Anna Sudha Community Kitchen: 21100 Dulles Town Circle Site 190, Sterling, VA 20166 (Next to Macys, opposite to Waldin Jewelers, lower floor - use the mall entrance between Macy’s Backstage & Dicks Sporting Goods)
Who: Anyone requiring food assistance is welcome to stop by (no registration required)!
Please spread the word to any of the families you serve that you believe could benefit from this support.
Lunar New Year Family Festival
Sat, Feb 3, 11 AM – 4 PM
National Museum of Asian Art
1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC
It's the year of the dragon! Celebrate Lunar New Year at the National Museum of Asian Art with free attractions for all ages, including performances, tours, hands-on activities, and more.
Reserve a spot here.
Kids Hands-On Building Workshop: Valentines Basket @ Home Depot
February 3rd, 9:00 am - Free
The Home Depot offers a free do-it-yourself, hands-on workshop for kids! Arrive early! This month children will build a wooden Valentine box. ❤️
International Festival
Sunday, February 4, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Explore the diverse cultures of the people who live in Loudoun County as you travel through the regions of the world at International Festival 2024!
Let's come together to celebrate our diverse cultural communities!
This event is free to attend and your passport to experience international-themed entertainment, activities and games, food (for purchase), and more!
Click here for more information about Activities, Vendors and Entertainment!
Astronomy for Everyone
Sat, Feb 3, 5 – 8 PM
Sky Meadows State Park
11012 Edmonds Ln, Delaplane, VA
Our evenings begin with a half-hour children's "Junior Astronomer" program, followed by a discussion about the importance of dark skies and light conservation. Then join NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) Ambassadors for a presentation on the latest news in space research. Finish the evening by relaxing and enjoying the night's beauty with the members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) as they open their telescopes to public observation. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets. Feel free to bring your telescope or binoculars for your own exploration. To learn more about NOVAC and other local astronomy offerings, please visit https://www.novac.com/wp/observing/ To expedite your payment process, we encourage you to pay ahead online at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/daily-pass . The confirmation code must be presented at the gate. To learn more about the Virginia State Park Annual Pass, visit https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/passes Entrance gates close one hour prior to the program end time. Exit gates remain open. $10/car parking fee.
Stone Bridge High School Valentine's BINGO
Monday, February 12th 6pm
Don't miss this opportunity for fun for the whole family! Only $2 a card, plus prizes, music, and snacks!
For Preschool Parents: Raising Young Communicators
Loudoun County Parks, Recreations, and Community Services
is now available online and you can pick up a printed copy in our centers and administrative office in early February. Click here to view the Spring Activity Guide.
New Registration Time!
Starting with our Spring General Registration, you can now start registering for programs and events online at 6:30am on Thursday, February 8.
Spring Sports & Activities
English Classes
Earn your GED!!
Looking for ways to give back to our community?
Check out these amazing community support resources in need of a few helping hands:
- Backpack Buddy Packing - https://www.mybackpackbuddies.org/
- Women Giving Back - https://womengivingback.org/volunteer/
- Dulles South Soup Kitchen - https://www.dullessouthsoupkitchen.org/volunteer
- Loudoun Cares - https://www.loudouncares.org/
- Mobile Hope - https://mobile-hope.org/volunteer
- The JK Community Farm - Volunteer - The JK Community Farm
- Salvation Army - Red Kettle Bell Ringers Needed
- LINK Against Hunger - https://www.linkagainsthunger.org/volunteer
- Tree of Life Community Volunteer Needs
- Lasagna Love
- Just Serve
- Loudoun Cares
Academic Resources
Tutoring Resources
Please check out this page for tutoring resources available with LCPS.
Brainfuse:
Brainfuse, which is a free online tutoring platform students can access with their Loudoun County Public Library card.
Khan Academy:
Khan Academy offers free practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.
Loudoun County Public Library Online Learning Hub:
LCPL Online Learning Hub has resources to help with resource papers, test prep guides, college planning, free self-paced classes, study aids, and book summaries.
VA Department of Education K-12 Learning Acceleration Grants:
Families can receive up to $3,000 for state approved tutoring. Parents can choose their tutor from the list of state approved tutors and payment will be made directly to the tutor for their services. Learn more here.
Schoolhouse:
Schoolhouse provides free, live, online tutoring for math homework help (pre-Algebra to Calculus) and SAT help.
Free Tutoring Center:
FreeTutoringCenter.com free online tutoring in math, english and more. Ask a question and get instant homework help, anytime. Must create an account.
NEST Tutors:
Students will be matched up with a high school or college tutor, and will be taught all subjects, free of charge. The online session will take place either through Zoom, Google Meets, Facetime, Google Hangouts, or Skype.Sign up here.
Free and Reduced School Meals
Applying for free & reduced meals can save a family over $950/child.
If you feel you might be eligible for Free & Reduced meals for your student(s), please complete
this application through LinQConnect. Once approved, families will receive a response via email and a paper copy mailed home.
Additionally, you can receive other benefits, such as reduced fees for home
internet, reduced fees for Summer Camps, reduced fees for soccer, basketball, volleyball and other
sports, and reduced fees for after school care and CASA programs. See the full list here.
Backpack Buddies
The Backpack Buddies Program provides weekend and holiday meal packs to those families who need
help meeting the nutritional needs of their children when they are not in school. If you wish for your family to participate in the Friday Backpack Program please email me: susan.ruiz@lcps.org
Can I be of assistance?
If your family could use support finding resources in our community for food, clothing, school supplies, employment, housing, or if you have questions about school procedures, please complete this form and I will respond quickly. https://forms.gle/HjVdQUUzBYZUbgj46
Join our Cedar Lane Support Network
Join our Cedar Lane Support Network! Throughout the year, some of our students may need help with items such as school supplies, coats, shoes, food, gift cards, etc. Families may also experience unforeseen life changing events and will need our assistance. Small contributions on an as-needed basis can make a significant difference! Please consider participating in the Cedar Lane Support Network by submitting your contact information below. All volunteers will remain anonymous and will be contacted as the need arises. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iG3Tf4PyHSMDdEpX6