ATES Updates_12/15/2023

Upcoming Dates:

12/18-01/01    Winter Holiday
01/02/24         School Resumes
01/04              Student-Parent Lunch
01/08              Family Food Market (3:45-5:00pm, ATES Cafeteria)
01/15              Martin Luther Kings' Birthday (Student Holiday, No School)
01/23              Candid & Club Pictures
01/25              End of 2nd Quarter
                       2-Hr Early Student Release - Dismissal time 1:20 pm
01/26              Teacher Workday (Student Holiday, No School)


Amazing Things

Book Fair

Our book fair was such as an amazing success! A huge thank you for Mr. Landis for his leadership in ensuring that the book fair ran smoothly. And a huge thank you to all the volunteers! Look at the wonderful turn out we had during the evening book fair event.


Scher

Here we have Ms. Scher, Assistant Principal, working her magic as she works with this student during arrival. She encourages him to walk to class by practicing some math facts. Look at his sweet smile.


Our very own Ms. Campbell, 3rd grade teacher, is hard at work teaching students all about fractions. We are so lucky to have Ms. Campbell at ATES!

Campbell

Annandale High

We love our Annandale High School friends! A huge thank you to all these students for supporting our After School Academy.


Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

We are still collecting the Paper form Impact Aid Form if you haven't done so. The info needed is your signature and date and they are confidential. We must have a completed form for each student registered at Annandale Terrace on October 13th.  The federal government gives the school system money to cover taxes for each student whose parent works on federal property. This form must be returned, signed and dated, for each student, whether you work on federal property or not.  Thank you for your help in turning in all the Federal Impact Aid Survey forms.  If  you have any questions, please call Jwan Sofy at 703-645-6604.


Lunch

If you are interested to attend on Thursday, January 4, please complete https://forms.gle/nXRvvLmUthtaFGkTA. We need to make sure the extra meals are prepared ahead of time. Please note that the price for lunch is $4.75 for all guests (Free of charge for all students in Annandale Terrace).


Yearbook

Purchase your 2023-2024 yearbook now at 

https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob

Early-bird sale! $16.00 until 03/29/2024.  School Code: 13655724


Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their 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.

The week of December 11th, individual student SEL Screener results will be available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For more information about the screener please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s school.


December 18-20 - Winter Olympics Camp for Students Grades 2-8

Poe MS

Annandale High School will be sponsoring a 3-day Winter Olympics Camp at Poe Middle School for students in 2nd through 8th grade during Winter Break. Camp will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:30am-3:00pm. Cost is $100. Payment will be accepted during drop off on the first day. https://bit.ly/Olympics23Poe


Snow Days This Winter

For the current school year, FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days — there will be no virtual learning days when school is closed due to bad weather. 

During snow days, students may still access Tutor.com, complete any supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and view educational programming (available virtually and on public access television channels):

Eleven snow days are built into the existing FCPS calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will allow us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.


STEM

This ATES STEM Club is for 4th and 5th graders and the flyer went home to all 4th and 5th grade students. If interested, please sign up from 

https://bit.ly/3ToicWh


🔢 Virtual Math Week: Save the Date

Get ready for Virtual Math Week from Monday, January 8, through Friday, January 12. Save the date for a week filled with stories, games, and math activities, in English and Spanish, for families with students in kindergarten through eighth grade. 

This is a free experience designed to make math fun for the whole family. Learn more about FCPS Math Week.


🙋‍♂️ Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

We often notice more empty seats in our classrooms as winter break approaches. This year, let's work together to nurture a rock-solid attendance habit. Every hour of every school day is a unique opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow. 

A big thank you to:

  • 🌟 Students who show up every day and the parents/caregivers supporting them.
  • 👩‍🏫 Teachers who create a welcoming environment for learning.
  • 👨‍💼 Administrators providing a safe and engaging place to grow.
  • 👏 Bus drivers, support staff, and volunteers lending a helping hand to all our learners.

If you or your child need support, please reach out to our school social worker or family liaison. If your child is not feeling well, please refer to the When Should I Keep My Child Home? webpage for guidance. 

There will be no school from Monday, December 18, to Monday, January 1, 2024, for winter break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 2

Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.


⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit our winter resources webpage for links to academic support; mental health support; and food, clothing, housing, and other county resources.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures. 

Promoting Mental Wellness During Winter Break Although mental health indicators have improved over the past year, Fairfax County Youth Survey (FCYS) data suggest that more than 25% of students in 8th to 12th grade feel sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more in a row. The holidays can be a time to reduce stress, but they can also contribute to it. Here are some tips for making winter break a positive time for the young people in your life.


📝 Keep Learning Over Winter Break with Tutor.com

Does your child need help getting up to speed in high school math, science, or English? Tutor.com offers diagnostic quizzes to help students test their knowledge and find areas where they may need help. Quizzes can be taken anytime, and students can connect immediately to a tutor. 

Test prep is also available for students preparing for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT. 

FCPS students have unlimited access, 24/7, to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Students can connect online any time, any place, and in most K-12 subjects for however long they need.


SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE Down Time

ParentVUE and StudentVUE will experience downtime from Friday, December 15, at 5 p.m. through Wednesday, December 20, at 6 a.m. 

Grade Book progress reports will not be emailed to parents/guardians during winter break. Emails will resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.


😷 Free COVID-19 Rapid Tests

Residential households are eligible to receive free at-home COVID-19 test kits. If an order has not been placed for your address since the program reopened on September 25, you may place two orders now.


🩹 The Importance of Up-to-Date Immunizations

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.


💲 Substitutes to Receive High-Volume Pay on High-Volume Days

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.


Food Services Worker- A Vacant Position at ATES

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. 


HIPPY Program