First Day of School Reminders

Terra Centre Families,

Thank you for attending our Back to School Fair!  It was a huge success thanks to our wonderful staff, PTA, and community organizations! 

We are so excited for our students return to school tomorrow.  Our teachers and staff have worked tremendously hard and we are looking forward to the 2021-2022 school year!  Special thanks to our custodial crew!  They have worked tirelessly to move furniture and classrooms, clean, disinfect, and maintain the grounds.

As you prepare for the first day, here are some helpful resources from FCPS:

Below are some important reminders for the start of school.  It’s going to be an amazing year!  See you tomorrow!

Rebecca Gidoni             Bunny Lancaster                         Teresa Lewis

Principal                         Interim Assistant Principal           Assistant Principal

 


Share Your First Day of School Photos

FCPS parents, students, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures or videos from the first day of school on social media using the hashtags #firstdayfairfax and #FCPSReturningStrong. FCPS will share some of the photos on the FCPS Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages. 


Student Arrival-Dismissal-Transportation 

It is recommended that your child come to school on the first day the same way he or she will typically be coming to school.  

Arrival Dismissal Map

Walking Routes

If your child will be walking to school, we encourage you to walk with him or her to ensure familiarity with the route.  Walkers must use designated paths or sidewalks.   There is a crossing guard on Marshall Pond.

  • New! Parents may escort their child to class on the first day!  Please be sure to wear a mask and exit promptly by 8:40 when the tardy bell rings.  Thank you!
  • Grades K-2 Walkers will enter the building at Door 5 (blacktop)
  • Grades 3-6 Walkers will enter the building at Door 6 (blacktop)
  • Students may enter the building at 8:30 am and proceed directly to their classroom
  • Masks must be on when entering the building
  • Students will exit through the same doors in the afternoon
  • Kindergarteners must be met by an adult at Door 5
  • Dismissal begins at 3:25 pm.

Bus Riders

We recommend having your child ride the bus on the first day of school when extra provisions are in place to help students learn bus routines and bus numbers. 

  • Bus stops and route information are available on ParentVUE.
  • For more information about bus transportation, including how to access theBus Delay Notification System, visit the FCPS Transportation webpage.
  • Students and staff must wear a mask.
  • Arrive at the bus stop 5 – 10 minutes early
  • In the afternoon, buses will typically depart school at 3:30 p.m.
  • Kindergarten students must be met at the bus stop each afternoon by a parent, parent designee, or a responsible middle school or older sibling. That person must ask for the child by name at the door of the bus. Otherwise, the student will be returned to the main office at Terra Centre.

Please be patient as there is a severe bus driver shortage and buses may be delayed.  Your patience and understanding as we make adjustments is appreciated. Find out more about bus routes on our website and download the Here Comes the Bus mobile app.

If you or someone you know has interest in becoming a bus driver for FCPS, now is a great time to come on board! FCPS is offering up to $2,000 in a signing bonus for new bus drivers who meet eligibility requirements and complete the new driver employment criteria. Find out more and apply today!


Kiss & Ride

All students in FCPS are either designated as bus riders or walkers.  Kiss & Ride is a service that we provide for parents.  Please follow the guidelines below if you choose to drive your child to and from school.

  • Please use the Kiss and Ride lane on Burke Centre Parkway, rather than neighborhood streets behind the school.  This helps to ensure the safety of all students, including our student walkers who are utilizing the paths and streets behind the school.  
  • Kiss & Ride is open 8:25-8:40 in the morning and 3:25-3:40 in the afternoon   
  • All car riders must be dropped off and picked up in the Kiss & Ride lane during arrival/dismissal. The main parking lot is only open to staff 8:20-8:40 and 3:10-3:30.
  • If you arrive late and Kiss & Ride is closed, you must park in the main parking lot and come to the main office.
  • When entering Kiss & Ride, please follow Marshall Pond Road to Pond Spice Lane to Burke Centre Parkway and follow the entire loop to exit on to Burke Centre Parkway.  Please avoid U-turns at the intersection of Pond Spice Lane and Burke Centre Parkway. 
Kiss & Ride Map

Changes in Dismissal

Your child’s education is very important to us. Please be mindful of late arrivals and early departures during the school day. If you need to pick up your child for any reason before dismissal, please do so by 3:00 pm. 

Please use the Pick-Up Patrol app for changes, which notifies front office staff and your child’s teacher.  Check for an email to register for the app. 

Main office staff contacts are:


Terra Centre School Hours

  • Main Office Hours            8:00 – 4:00 
  • All K-6 Students               M – F  8:40 – 3:25          
    • Students should arrive no earlier than 8:30. Students arriving after 8:40 are tardy.
  • PAC Students                  M, W  9:05 – 12:25 / T, Th, F  9:05 – 3:50
  • AM ECCB Preschool       M – F  9:05 – 12:25
  • PM ECCB Preschool       M – F  12:30 – 3:50

Meals

Students should bring a water bottle with them to school which can be refilled at hydration stations.  Students will not be permitted to drink from water fountains. 

ALL students are eligible for one no-cost breakfast and one no-cost lunch each school day. If your child would like to purchase additional meals or a la carte items, they will need to pay. The best way to purchase items this year is to use MySchoolBucks. Set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account and help them memorize their pin.

Your child may choose to bring their meals and snacks to school this year. FCPS encourages this practice for students who have specific dietary requirements or are particularly picky. Bringing food from home ensures your child will have the meals and snacks they enjoy to fuel their day of learning.

Menus, allergens, and nutrition information are all available online at FCPS Nutrislice.


School Board Video Messages

FCPS has created a short video greeting from each School Board member. Below is a link to the video message from Megan McLaughlin, Braddock District Member, Fairfax County School Board.   

Megan McLaughlin

Below are video greetings from Karen Keys-Gamarra, Abrar Omeish, & Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Members At-Large, Fairfax County School Board.

Karen Keys-Gamarra

Abrar Omeish

Rachna Sizemore Heizer

Below are links for more information:

FCPS School Board

FCPS School Board Members