TC Updates 04/14/23

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Terra Centre Families, 

We hope everyone had a relaxing spring break and we are all looking forward to the start of the fourth quarter! 

We "donut" know where we would be without our many volunteers that support us every day at Terra Centre. To honor our volunteers, we will be hosting an appreciation coffee on Thursday, April 20th in the cafeteria at 8:30 AM, for our volunteers to connect with one another. 

Reminder, Friday, April 21st, is a student holiday and teacher work day. 

Please see below for reminders, updates, and special events. 

Rebecca Gidoni, Principal

Teresa Lewis, Assistant Principal


Calendar Events

Month of the Military Child

National Arab American Heritage Month

School Library Month

Autism Acceptance Month

April 16-22: Public School Volunteer Week

April 17-20: Earth Week Spirit Days

April 19: Purple Up! Spirit Day (Month of the Military Child)

April 19: Robinson Pyramid Art Show

April 20: Volunteer Coffee, 8:30 AM-9:30 AM

April 21: Student holiday

April 26: Administrative Professionals Day

May 6: PTA Fun Fair, 3:00 PM-6:00 PM

May 8-12: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

May 29: Memorial Day holiday

June 9: 6th grade Promotion Ceremony, 9:00 AM

June 16: Last day of school, 2 hour early release (1:25 PM)

FCPS 2022-2023 Calendar

FCPS School Year 2022-2023


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Monthly Folder Content

Terra Centre uses Schoology for all monthly folder content. All fliers are posted to Schoology Course: Terra Centre All Parents

April Updates

  • Monthly Flyers:
    • 6th grade Panoramic Picture Day flyer 
    • Volunteer Appreciation Coffee flyer
    • Earth Week Home Connect Four flyer
  • Community Flyers:
    •  
  •  PTA Flyers:
    • Spring Club flyers

SEPTA

2022-2023 Fairfax County Special Education PTA Award Nominees

Congratulations to the following staff members who were nominated from Terra Centre for the 2022-2023 SEPTA Awards-Award winners will be announced on May 6th😊

Outstanding General Education Teacher- Elementary

Brooke Allan

Paula Williams

Outstanding Support Staff (Bus Drivers, Custodians, Cafeteria, Front Office Staff, etc. - can name a team)

Hy Au

Outstanding Special Education Teacher- Preschool

Laure Grove

Outstanding Special Education Teacher- Elementary

Maggie Lowe

Outstanding Instructional Support Staff (Instructional Assistant/Public Heath Attendant/Public Health Training Assistant - can also name a team)

Bethany Lowery


SCA Spirit Days

Earth Week Spirit Day

Purple Up! Spirit Day

SCA Spirit Day

Robinson Pyramid Art Show

 

Our community will celebrate its elementary, middle and high school artists at the annual Robinson Pyramid Art Show to be held on Wednesday, April 19 at Robinson Secondary from 6-8 pm. Works of art from a select group of Terra Centre artists will be on view! Food trucks will be on site so your family can grab dinner, too.


E-IFTA Summer Program

E-IFTA is the Elementary Institute for the Arts, an amazing summer program offered thru Fairfax County Public Schools that offers rising 3rd-6th graders the chance to participate in daily visual arts, dance, theatre and music classes taught by FCPS teachers. This summer’s program will be held at Lake Braddock Secondary. See the flyer for more details. IFTA is a program available to middle and high schoolers. 


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EIFTA 2

dangers of fentanyl

Dangers of Fentanyl

Opioid overdoses are on the rise across the country, including in Fairfax County. Most fatal overdoses in Fairfax County in recent years involved fentanyl.

Last month, FCPS hosted a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. During this impactful event, audience members heard testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic and learned facts from medical experts and law enforcement representatives. 

The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Woodson High School. FCPS principals and staff will share what is happening in our schools and update the work to prevent substance misuse and educate our students.  

Transportation will be available from select schools throughout the county. Transportation information can be found once you begin the registration process

Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for more information. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and get help for yourself or loved ones.


Spring 2023 Data Collection for FCPS ESSER/RTS

FCPS’ Office of Research and Strategic Improvement (ORSI) will gather information about FCPS’ teaching and learning efforts this school year from school-based administrators, teachers, students, and families this spring. These data collection efforts are part of FCPS’ ongoing study of what is working and what needs improvement following the pandemic. This includes FCPS’ use of $188.8 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding to support the safe operation of schools and address the impacts of COVID-19 on students.

Surveys will be administered to students in grades 4 -12, all teachers, and all families from April 17 to May 1.  The family survey has been translated into the major languages.

  • Family Survey:  Survey links will be shared via email to the enrolling parent.

Thank you in advance for supporting data collection to inform FCPS about its teaching and learning efforts this year and help us best meet the needs of our students and staff.


ESSER Online Feedback Form 

FCPS received Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) Funding in the fall of 2021. The funds are being used to support the safe operation of schools and address the impacts of COVID-19 on students.

ESSER III focus areas include:

  • ensuring continuity of learning services and addressing students’ academic needs.
  • maintaining the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff.
  • addressing student wellness including their social, emotional, mental health, and other needs.

FCPS would like your feedback on how well the school division is responding to the areas above. Please complete this Online Feedback Form, which will be open through Friday, May 5. Your input will inform the School Board and FCPS staff on the community’s view of our work.

The Fairfax County School Board will hear public comment on ESSER III in-person instruction and continuity of services plan on Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. Register to speak at the ESSER III public hearing. See how FCPS is using ESSER funds to impact student success.


Student learning in classroom

 School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten

FCPS recognizes that parents are their children’s first teachers. Resources on the School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage provide parents with ways to support their children to help ensure a successful transition to kindergarten. 

There’s an easy to follow five step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Register your child today.

Please contact Ms. Dee Cunningham, SIA, to make a kindergarten registration appointment: dmcunningham@fcps.edu


Students in front of mural

Forum on Draft Goals for FCPS’ New Strategic Plan

Join us for our final virtual community forum on Monday, April 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and see how your feedback has helped shape the latest draft of the new FCPS Strategic Plan. The community forum is open to staff, students, parents/caregivers, and community members. Please register by clicking on the date above.

We appreciate your continued involvement throughout every step of this important process. Together, we will help ensure a thriving future for each and every FCPS student. Visit our Strategic Planning webpage.


Proposed Updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Document

FCPS is in the process of updating the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document for the 2023-24 School Year. The SR&R provides clear expectations for student behavior, responses to that behavior, and support that may be needed. Parents/caregivers, please check your email for a link from FCPS regarding a brief survey on proposed changes to the SR&R. The survey will close at 8 p.m., on Friday, April 21. 

All responses to the survey are anonymous. The information provided will be used to revise the SR&R document that is presented to the School Board for approval in June. 


Does Your Child Qualify for PreK or Early Head Start? 

FCPS PreK and Early Head Start Programs provide a quality preschool experience with no cost to qualifying families who live in Fairfax County. Your family may qualify for preK or Early Head Start if you:

  • Have a child who will be age 3 or 4 by September 30,
  • Receive free or reduced-price school meals, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Social Security Income, and/or are considered homeless per definition of the McKinney Vento Act, or
  • Receive resources such as from a shelter and/or the FCPS homeless liaison office.

Though many families may qualify, spaces are limited. Selection is based on need, not “first come, first serve”, with pre-K priority given to 4 year olds. It is important for all families to apply as soon as possible.

Early Head Start is for children 2 years of age and younger, and pregnant women who live in the Reston, Herndon, and Springfield areas.

Visit the Pre-K and Early Head Start webpage for more information, or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).


In Case You Missed It

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for High School Students
  • Proposed Updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Document\
  • Curriculum Overviews on FCPS’ Website

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today


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