Terra Centre Families,
We are so excited for our students to return to school on Monday! Our teachers and staff have worked hard to prepare, and we are looking forward to the 2022-2023 school year! Special thanks to our custodial crew! They have worked tirelessly to move furniture, clean classrooms, paint, wax floors, and maintain the grounds.
We look forward to working with you this year. One school-wide focus will be to further enhance and strengthen our partnership and communication between school and home. Terra Centre is a tight-knit community that offers amazing opportunities to students and families, and our success is grounded in the collaboration between our incredible staff and supportive families.
Thank you for attending our Back-to-School Fair to kick off the year! It was a huge success thanks to our wonderful staff, PTA, and community organizations! While you were here, you may have noticed that our electronic sign is scrolling outdated messages. Unfortunately, it requires some work, and we are unable to update it until it’s repaired. We apologize for the inconvenience and will continue to keep you updated through our weekly messages and website. Additionally, if you were unable to attend our virtual Back-to-School Night yesterday, please visit our TCES Back-to-School Night webpage to view the grade level presentations and videos.
Below are some important reminders for the start of school. It’s going to be an amazing year! We’ll see you on Monday!
Rebecca Gidoni Teresa Lewis
Principal Assistant Principal
 Return to School Resources
First Day of School Information
- School hours: 8:40 – 3:25
- 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.
- On the First Day of School, doors will open at 8:25 (usually 8:30).
- Families are welcome to escort their child to class on the first day of school.
- Attending family members will bring child to the classroom door and refrain from entering the classroom.
- Please take pictures in advance of entering the school building.
- Families must exit promptly by 8:40 when the tardy bell rings.
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 #Back2SchoolFCPS and #FirstDayFairfax.
- FCPS will share some of the photos on the FCPS Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Student Arrival-Dismissal-Transportation
 Walkers
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.
- Grades K-2 Walkers will enter the building at Door 5 (blacktop).
- Grades 3-6 Walkers will enter the building at Door 4 (blacktop).
- Students may enter the building at 8:30 am and proceed directly to their classroom.
- 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 the Bus Delay Notification System, visit the FCPS Transportation webpage.
- 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 continues to be a 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 $3,000 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 courtesy 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. 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.
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
|
|
M – F 8:00 – 4:00
|
- All K-6 Students
- Students should arrive no earlier than 8:30.
- Students arriving after 8:40 are tardy.
|
M – F 8:40 – 3:25
|
|
|
M, W 9:05 – 12:25
T, Th, F 9:05 – 3:50
|
|
|
M – F 9:05 – 12:25 |
|
|
M – F 12:30 – 3:50 |
School Meals
- Breakfast and Lunch are available for purchase in the cafeteria.
- Meals are no longer free for all students.
- Students will be assigned pin number and must enter it prior to every purchase.
- Be sure to set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account and help them memorize their pin.
- Families requiring assistance through Free/Reduced Price meal options must apply online.
- Menus are now live and available here.
- Hot lunches will be available.
- Salad Bar will not be available at this time.
- A la carte items or double entrees may be purchased at an additional cost.
- Consider adding funds to support additional lunch purchases via MySchoolBucks.
Technology Distribution
- Laptops for Grades 1-6 will be distributed during school over the first two weeks.
- iPads will be distributed to Kindergarten students during the month of September.
- Devices for Grades 3-6 will come home with students nightly and need to be charged.
- Devices for Grades K-2 will remain at school, in general.
 COVID-19 Information
- Terra Centre continues to follow FCPS and CDC Guidance.
- Masks are optional for all individuals.
- Care Room is a supervised location separate from clinic/health room for students exhibiting COVID-like symptoms.
- Students/Staff who test positive are still required to stay home for five days from symptom onset or positive test date if asymptomatic.
Health and Safety Guidance Document
The Health and Safety Guidance Document for 2022-23 provides guidance regarding school health and safety practices. The daily health screening questionnaires are available in all languages.
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available at no cost for all currently enrolled FCPS students and current employees. Diagnostic testing is provided at designated times and locations for those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
View the COVID-19 Testing webpage for locations and schedules for diagnostic testing.
COVID-19 Tracking (Health Metrics)
FCPS shares updates regarding COVID-19 cases that have been self-reported to us that have impacted our division, both at school sites and central office locations.
 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 links for more information on our School Board. Video Greetings can be viewed by clicking on each member on the FCPS School Board Members webpage.
FCPS School Board
FCPS School Board Members
|
