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10/23 Gr. 3 field trip to Hidden Pond Nature Center (3 Classes)
10/24 Gr. 2 field trip to Ellanor C Lawrence Park (3 Classes)
10/25 Gr. 2 field trip to Ellanor C Lawrence Park (2 Classes)
10/27 Gr. 3 field trip to Hidden Pond Nature Center (2 Classes)
10/31 Book Character Day/ Pride Bash (2:15pm)
11/01 Gr. 1 field trip to Green Spring Garden (3 Classes)
11/02 Gr. 1 field trip to Green Spring Garden (2 Classes)
11/03 End of 1st Quarter
2-Hr Early Student Release - Dismissal time 1:20 pm
11/06 Student Holiday-Teacher Workday
11/07 Parent Teacher Conferences - No school
11/13 Family Food Market (3:45pm, Cafeteria)
11/15 Reports Sent Home
11/28 Family Science Night (6:00-7:30pm, ATES Gym)
Congratulations to Marlee Farbstein, Shelby Larson, and Nicole Scher for writing a proposal and receiving a grant from the Virginia Safe Routes to School Program to promote students walking or riding their bikes safely to school. We are very excited for our students! More to come soon.
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Congratulations to these Amazing teachers - Maria Pezzuti, Ashley Ireland, and Jamiah Harrison - who were awarded FCPS's Excellence Award in Innovation. |
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Here we have Rana Aldhobhani and Jameka Mensah being amazing demonstrators at the OG training last week. We are super proud of both of you!
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We also had some of our 4th grade teachers attending the OG training last week. 🙂 |
Here we have Ms. Campbell working with Ms. Pezzuti on the math curriculum! |
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We often wear lots of different hats. Here we have Ms. Scher helping beautify our school. 🙂 We appreciate you!
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We had sooo much fun at our first Fall Tailgate Party! Thank you to all who helped organized and for all who donated. 🙂 |
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We made into Dr. Reid's Weekly Reflection Newsletter! In case you missed it, here is what she wrote:
Last week, I mentioned in Weekly Reflections that I’d have more news for you about FCPS’ lunch program. Well, on Wednesday we had a special visit from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack at Annandale Terrace Elementary School!
We spent the morning with Principal Ingrid Badia, Cafeteria Manager Rama Gundapaneni, and Nutrition Services Executive Director Shaun Sawko. They showed us some of the work underway to improve school lunch menus at the school. It was a beautiful day to spend time outside and with our students. After gathering in the school’s learning garden, we enjoyed delicious locally grown apples from a Virginia farmer and said farewell to heat-and-eat corn dog nuggets — some of us were sadder than others to bid them adieu! ;>) Thank you Annandale Terrace for being a shining example of the premiere quality of our schools! Our students were so excited and open about their enthusiasm for our school nutrition initiatives, which didn’t go unnoticed by Secretary Vilsack. Go Cougars!
 One of the goals of FCPS is to provide all students access to the Advanced Academic (AAP) curriculum and strategies. This is to ensure that students are engaged, appropriately challenged, and developing their talents. At Annandale Terrace, we are focused on giving all of our students this opportunity. Each month, we will highlight some of the great AAP activities that our students are doing.
During the first month of school, the students in grades K-2 have been practicing Visualizing. This is a Critical and Creative Thinking strategy, where the students create an image in their minds and then apply them. |
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In Kindergarten, we tied in the CCT strategy to what they have been learning in Science by having the students visualize themselves as a scientist and draw a picture of what they would look like. In 1st grade, the students used what they have been learning about shadows to visualize and illustrate the shadow of a native Virginia plant or animal. In 2nd grade, the students visualized what they thought their caterpillar would look like as a butterfly and illustrated the life cycle of a butterfly.
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A new addition to our AAP lessons this year is the STEM bins. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Each classroom (grade K-5) received one and the students have been using them to practice the FCPS’s Portrait of a Graduate skills of being a Communicator and Collaborator. |
In each of the STEM bins, the students have access to connector straws, brain flakes, brain “snowflakes”, Legos, and pattern blocks. They are then to work together to use them to build a model of the current “STEM Challenge”. So far, the students have used them to build desks and have started to build haunted houses. The students have come up with many unique and creative desks and haunted houses. All of the students are excited for this new addition to their classroom and to have a fun way to explore different learning opportunities. I can not wait to see what other unique models they will come up with for the future STEM Challenges.
Parents, keep a look out my messages in Talking Points this year! They will provide you with more information about the Advanced Academic Program and for pictures of what your student is doing in our lessons. And of course you can also send me an email: Michelle Carr-Hogan, mccarrhogan@fcps.edu.
 Únase a nosotros el sábado 21 de octubre de 2023, de 10:00 a. m. a 1:00 p. m. para la gran inauguración del espacio cívico Eileen Garnett. El evento tendrá lugar en 7200 Columbia Pike Annandale, VA 22003. Estaremos allí para compartir libros, juegos de matemáticas y laboratorios STEM gratuitos para los estudiantes. Aquí está el calendario de los eventos. Si desea asistir a este evento gratuito, regístrese con anticipación visitando https://www.fcrevite.org/eileen-garnett-civic-space/grand-opening y siguiendo las instrucciones. ¡Esperamos verle ahí!
• 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: llegada y exploración del parque
• 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: bienvenida y corte de listón
• 10:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: programación gratuita para toda la familia
 For the school year 2023-24, ATES is hosting a free event for our students and families courtesy of The Children’s Science Center www.thechildrenssciencecenter.org. The Mobile Science Lab will bring fun experiments and activities designed to excite our students about science! It is completely free because we are a Title 1 school, however 30 volunteers are needed to run the activities. Please consider volunteering your time and/or pass this on to someone who’d like to volunteer. Children’s Science Center brings all the materials, displays and activities. Volunteers just set up, read their volunteer packet (you receive this a week in advance), run the activity table, and go home when finished.
Volunteer Requirements: Adults (teachers, spouses, friends, community members, etc.) or high school students in grades 11 and 12 (Community service hours given for high school students).
When: Tuesday, November 28th
Place: Gym @ Annandale Terrace Elementary School
Time: 5:15-7:45 p.m. (This time includes set up/clean up. The actual family program is from 6:00-7:30 p.m.) RSVP by Friday, November 3rd by completing this Volunteer Sign-up Form. For any questions, please email Cindy Rogers via cindy.rogers@fcps.edu.
 FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. To make it easier, the form is now available online in SIS ParentVUE.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Once logged in to SIS ParentVUE, click “Online Packets” in the top right corner. Then, select “Federal Impact Aid Survey.” Get more information.
Need to Register for ParentVUE?
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. Find out how to get technical support for ParentVUE.
The horrifying images of violence in the Middle East continue to play out on the news, on our social media feeds, and deeply in our hearts and minds. Our community is hurting.
Our deepest strength in Fairfax County Public Schools is our diversity. We bring together the beauty of cultures and traditions that span the globe. When there is violence in other parts of the world, it is felt deeply in our school. Our students have family members who have died and who are missing because of violent acts that are causing pain and suffering to innocent Israelis and Palestinians.
Our schools must be safe spaces for every student. This starts by collectively committing to denounce all acts of antisemitism, islamophobia, and hatred in any form. Let me be clear: We will not tolerate such acts here in FCPS. Instead, we must hold on to shared values of empathy, compassion, and respect for all people.
We recognize that students must be empowered to share their thoughts and feelings about what is happening in our nation and the world, and how it impacts their lives. Our administration continues to provide students safe space to share feelings and dialogue and provide resources from our mental health professionals.
We will continue to ensure that Annandale Terrace Elementary School is a place of belonging where every student’s identity matters as much as their safety. We are prepared to respond in support of any who need it.
FCPS' Food and Nutrition Services team will be rolling out improvements to the menu that better reflect the diversity of our student body and focus on fresh, healthy food. Learn about FCPS’ new menu options.
 FCPS uses specific terminology to specify the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn more about the definitions of the security terms: lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Virginia’s three-day sales tax holiday starts Friday, October 20, and ends Sunday, October 22. During the sales tax holiday, you can buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products without paying sales tax. View the Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines for more information.
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future: A Community Conversation. Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to:
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help us plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability.
Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. Your voice matters!
FCPS will host a Dyslexia Open House on Thursday, October 26, 4-6 p.m., at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, Virginia. This event is open to families and staff members who would like to learn more about dyslexia and how FCPS supports students with dyslexia.
For the first hour, participants will have the opportunity to visit tables set up with information from a variety of FCPS offices including the Office of the Ombuds, Office of School Psychology, and the Office of Special Education Instruction. During the second hour, speakers will address the importance of dyslexia awareness and how you can support your student with dyslexia. Please register in advance.
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3-12 in October and again in February or March. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions.
The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful. Key updates to the screener this year include:
- Different versions for students in grades 3-5 and 6-12.
- Fewer topics with more questions to provide schools and families with more data to support planning.
- Additional questions aligned with FCPS’ commitment to educational equity.
SEL Screener results are sent to families via postal mail. Families who wish to opt their child out should complete the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or in SIS ParentVUE.
For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact your child’s school.
Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey.
The Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The FRC is hosting the following events in November:
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Sibshops: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs, Monday, November 6, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at Providence Community Center.
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SibTeen: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs, Monday, November 6, 1-4 p.m., at Providence Community Center.
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Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair, Thursday, November 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Annandale High School (Cafeteria).
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Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: Part Two (virtual), Friday, November 10, 10-11:30 a.m.
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Funcionamiento Ejecutivo - Ayudando a tus hijos con la organización, la regulación emocional , y la flexibilidad (presentado en español), Friday, November 17, 10-11:30 a.m.
Click the links above to register for the events. For more information, visit the Family Resource Center webpage.
Information was recently posted to the Healthy Minds Blog on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and other resources for suicide prevention.
The Healthy Minds Blog shares information related to youth mental health and wellness. Articles include tips and strategies for increasing wellness and resiliency, as well as fostering success at home, at school, and in the community.
The Healthy Minds Blog is a collaborative project between Fairfax County Public Schools and the Prevention Unit of the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Subscribe to Healthy Minds and receive a quarterly digest of articles.
Every U.S. household can place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.
Review health and safety guidance for schools to stay up to date on the best ways to prevent the spread of disease, and for information on when students should stay home from school.
Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form. To access that form, click Online Packets in the top right of the screen after logging in to SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers can obtain an activation key letter to activate their SIS ParentVUE account by contacting the main office 703-658-5600.
Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school.
 All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
The School Board has approved a list of 18 days for substitutes to receive high-volume pay. All teacher substitutes will receive their hourly pay plus an additional $80 for each high-volume day they work. See the list of high-volume days and more information.
A bonus program for substitutes who accept more than the 10 required days has also been approved. Substitutes working 50 days within a school year, will earn a $200 bonus. Substitutes working 100 days within a school year, will earn a $300 bonus. Substitutes working 150 days within a school year, will earn a $400 bonus. Get more information on this sub bonus program.
It’s hourly paid position. Please see the job description /qualification and apply via Food Services Worker | Fairfax County Public Schools (brassring.com) if you are interested. For any questions regarding this position, please email Ingrid.Badia@fcps.edu.
 Each year, the Fairfax County School Board and FCPS staff members work with the community to develop an updated five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for school building and renovation projects. To develop the CIP, the school system assesses changes in expected enrollments, academic programs, and facility conditions to determine priorities for new construction, renovations, and other capital facility projects. The School Board then evaluates the affordability of these school needs against other countywide requirements to determine the bond proposal.
The School Board is committed to protecting the community’s investment in schools and other buildings, which have a combined present value approaching $6.5 billion. Not only do these facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, both technologically and instructionally. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students countywide have effective and efficient learning environments.
The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn more about registering to vote.
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
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