Principal Message
Dear Terraset Families:
We have been so thrilled to welcome all our Tigers back after winter break. Our students returned refreshed and eager to share about their experiences. Our phenomenal teachers and staff have been working hard to review routines and expectations across school settings, while facilitating engaging learning opportunities for every Tiger. We are all very excited for an outstanding second half of the school year!
Additionally, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to each of you for the very warm welcome you have extended to me over this past week. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting many of you during arrival, dismissal, and school visits. I look forward to meeting those of you I have not met yet and continuing our partnership. Terraset Together!
Warmly,
Katie Aldridge
Principal
All Afternoon and Evening Activities Canceled Today
Given the strength of the storm predicted to hit our area later this afternoon/evening, all activities scheduled in Fairfax County Public Schools or on school grounds for this afternoon and evening are canceled, including:
- extracurricular activities
- interscholastic contests
- team practices
- field trips
- middle school after-school programs
- professional learning and training courses
- Adult and Community Education (ACE) classes
- Adult HS and GED
- recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
SACC Centers
SACC centers will open at the time of school dismissal for children enrolled in the after school session and remain open until 6:15 p.m. Please note: Due to the possibility of hazardous road conditions and in the interest of safety of the children, families and SACC teachers, families are asked make every effort to pick up children as soon as possible. SACC centers will remain open until all children have been picked up.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: No School - Monday, January 15 & Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.
Volunteer with Give Together
FCPS students continue to find incredible ways to serve their community while building Portrait of a Graduate skills such as becoming an ethical and global citizen. The school division is excited to collaborate with Volunteer Fairfax for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Students and families can volunteer on Monday, January 15, at Volunteer Fairfax’s Give Together event. It is designed to engage families with children (ages 5-12) in service learning.
Projects will include a food drive, assembling caring kits for community members who need support, making no-tie fleece blankets for veterans, environmental stewardship, and support for animal welfare.
Students ages 13 to 18 are welcome to serve as teen event volunteers. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
🔢Family Math Week
MIND Research is hosting family math week January 8 - January 12. During that time, students are encouraged to log onto the FCPS Family Math website to engage in math activities with their families at home that include stories with mathematical concepts connected to a variety of different math games from around the world. Visit the Math Week website for games, stories, and other activities. All activities are available in English and Spanish.
Family Math Week Flier.
Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl and Other Drugs
In this video, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid interviews the Fosters, a family who tragically lost their son, Cayden, to a half pill of fentanyl mistaken for Percocet. This heart-wrenching yet essential discussion aims to save lives by raising awareness among students about the dangers of fake painkillers.
Please join Dr. Reid on Wednesday, January 10, at 6:30 p.m., at Edison High School for a community conversation about opioid awareness. You may register to attend. However, registration is not required; it is simply for space considerations.
FCPS’ website also has resources to help you start the conversation and additional support for families struggling with substance misuse.
More information and translated fliers for this event can be found here.
Evidence-Based Treatments for Youth Mental Health Concerns and Life Saving Prevention Strategies: A Caregiver’s Guide
The Fairfax Consortium for Evidence-Based Practice in partnership with Healthy Minds Fairfax is pleased to announce a new training event titled “Evidence-Based Treatments for Youth Mental Health Concerns and Life Saving Prevention Strategies: A Caregiver’s Guide” for caregivers of youth in Fairfax County! This training will take place on Wednesday January 10, 2024, from 6–8 p.m. at Bailey’s Community Center (5920 Summers Lane, Falls Church, VA, 22041). Childcare will be provided on-site for children aged 5 and up and lite supper will be served to attendees and their children. This presentation will equip caregivers with the knowledge needed to understand and select appropriate evidence-based treatments (treatments that have been tested in research) for youth mental health concerns and will provide caregivers with information to help protect their youth from two major epidemics in our community and beyond: suicide and opiate overdose.
To register for this training event, please click this link and fill in your information.
🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for updated information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16.
One virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.
Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page.
FCPS Employment Information Sessions
👩🏫Special Education Teacher Session
Learn more about becoming a special education teacher in FCPS by attending a virtual hiring event on Wednesday, January 10, 6-7 p.m. Register to attend.
🚌 School Bus Driver Job Fair
A job fair for transportation workers will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Lorton Center. Visit our Bus Driver Employment webpage for more information and a complete list of hiring events.
Student Transfer Renewal Application Opens February 15
A student transfer is valid for one year only. A parent or guardian must submit a renewal application each year for student transfer consideration. A renewal application may be submitted for students who continue to meet the same student transfer criteria as indicated on the original student transfer request. For students no longer meeting the same student transfer criteria, a new transfer request must be submitted.
All students will be considered eligible for student transfer renewal unless the principal indicates a student is not eligible for renewal in the Online Student Transfer Application Admin View or the transfer type does not allow for renewal e.g. graduating, moving from one level to another, or family relocation.
Letters from the principal will be automatically generated from the online student transfer application in February for students eligible and not eligible for renewal and sent to the enrolling parents primary email address.
For detailed information regarding the renewal process, please visit the Online Student Transfer Application: Renewal Process webpage.
🌏SLHS International Night
On Thursday, Feb. 29th, we will be hosting International Night at South Lakes High School from 6-8:30 p.m. Our International Night will include performances, interactive booths, food, a fashion show, and more! We want to celebrate all of the wonderful and unique culture we have in the greater Reston community. We would like to invite your school’s community to participate in our International Night this year. Below is a Google Form that parents/teachers/club sponsors can fill out to indicate if they would like to participate in International Night this year (the Google Form is also linked on a QR code on the attached flyer). Community members are welcome to participate in International Night individually or as a member of a larger school/community organization. You can sign-up to host a culture/food booth, perform, or even participate in our fashion show!
International Night Interest Form
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Thank you for your help!
Dr. Catherine McDermott
Social Studies/Leadership Teacher
South Lakes High School
Elementary Magnet School Application and Lottery Information
The Magnet Program registration window will be open from Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12, 2024. No late applications are accepted.
To learn more about the programs and the registration process, families are encouraged to attend one of the Parent Information Nights:
- Bailey’s Upper, February 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (Virtual only)
- Hunters Woods Elementary, February 12, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. (In-person)
- Snow date: February 26, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
- Bailey’s Primary, February 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)
- Snow date: February 21, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
⛄ No Virtual Learning on Snow Days This Winter
FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days for the 2023-24 school year. There will be no virtual learning 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 online and on public access television channels):
Eleven snow days are built into FCPS’ existing calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will enable us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.
Please see the Terraset ES website here: https://terrasetes.fcps.edu/about/bell-schedule for additional information, including delayed opening or early closing procedures and times.
Safe Students, Safe Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools believes that academic success is built on the foundation of a safe learning environment. This includes physical safety, and mental health and wellness.
FCPS has a comprehensive approach to safety that involves physical security measures, online monitoring by security staff, and crisis intervention support. We created the Safe Students, Safe Schools Brochure (PDF) to enhance your awareness of potential hazards and to equip you with practical tips. Visit our website for more information.
📰 PTO News
Subscribe to PTO news for more info about everything coming up:
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TONIGHT, Jan. 9: Basketball Challenge Virtual Planning Meeting - Volunteers are needed to help organize this year’s Basketball Challenge at South Lakes HS on March 21, 2024. An informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 9th at 7 p.m. via Zoom. You do not need to attend the meeting to sign up to help - just email basketball@terrasetpto.org for additional information!
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TOMORROW, Jan. 10: Winter Clubs Registration Begins at Noon - Visit the PTO clubs registration website now to check out the schedule and be ready to register tomorrow. Clubs registration is first come, first served and clubs will fill up!
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Jan. 27: Skate Night - Tickets are $10 per skater and available now on the PTO website.
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Feb. 7: PTO Meeting - join us from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Refreshments and childcare provided.
Crisis Resources
If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please call 911 or access one of the mental health resources below:
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Reach out to a trusted adult (parent, counselor, teacher, coach, etc.)
- Try these tips for supporting a friend or family member
- Text NEEDHELP to 85511 for the Crisis Link Hotline at or call them at 703-527-4077
- Chat online with a specialist at CrisisChat.org or ImAlive.org
- Call an emergency mental health center at 703 573-5679 (Merrifield Center), 703-536-2000 (Dominion Hospital), or 703-289-7560 (INOVA emergency services)
- CR2 – 844-627-4747
- Go to the nearest emergency room at your local hospital
- Call 911
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Community Information
Workshop for students who have silblings with special needs.
SNAP and Employment and Training
TANF
Life with Cancer
NEW: Cornerstones Resources - Winter 2024
🗓️ TES Looking Ahead:
P.A.W.S. (Parents Appreciating Wonderful Staff)
Have you seen a staff member go above and beyond for your family or student? Take a moment to fill out this quick form to let us know and say thank you!
Click here to tell us about a PAWSitively amazing staff member!
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