ATES Updates_03/01/2024

Upcoming Dates:

03/04           Family Food Market (3:45-4:45pm, Cafeteria)
03/05           Teacher Workday / Election Day - No school for students
03/07           Family Literacy & Math Night (5:30-7:00pm, Gym & Cafeteria)
03/13           Gr. 3 Field Trip to Colvin Run Mill (3 classes)
03/14           Gr. 3 Field Trip to Colvin Run Mill (2 classes)
03/15           Parent Coffee (9:00 am, Cafeteria)
                     Topic: Science - Project GLAD and classroom visits 
                     ATES Dance Night (6:30 pm, Annandale High School Gym)
03/19            Gr. 4 Field Trip to Kennedy Center 
03/20            Gr. 2 Field Trip to Hidden Oaks Park (3 classes)
03/21            Gr. 2 Field Trip to Hidden Oaks Park (2 classes)
03/25-29       Spring Break

Amazing Things
Familes

A huge thank you to this amazing group of stakeholders who participated in the Welcome Walk last Friday. Your feedback is important to us, and we can’t wait to make ATES an even amazing place for our community.


ONeal

Ms. O’Neal’s class had a special guest reader.
Mr. O’Neal came in to read to the class.
What a special treat!


Students in Ms. Taylor’s class were working hard during math today. They were trying to find two secret numbers that would add to 16. Way to go mathematicians!

Taylor

GLAD

5th grade implemented some amazing GLAD strategies during science. Here is an example of when students were first introduced to electricity.


We are super proud for receiving the Energy Star award from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Energy saving

AVMR

We had the privilege of hosting an AVMR at training at ATES for teachers across the division. Thank you to the math leaders for being amazing hosts.


✅ Look for the FCPS Family Engagement Survey This Sunday

Family Engagement Banner

Parents/caregivers will receive the FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey Sunday, March 3, from independent research firm K12 Insight. Please participate — your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve practices to best support our students.Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and our school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and an increased likelihood of graduating high school. The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete and will be available in 10 languages. Please visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information. Your voice matters!


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


Math literacy Night

☑️ School Board Adopted Fiscal Year 2025 Advertised Budget

budget

At last week’s regular business meeting, the School Board voted to adopt the Fiscal Year 2025 Advertised Budget

 

The Advertised Budget is a needs-based budget that represents the funding needed to 

support schools in the upcoming year. It focuses on educational excellence for each and every student and competitive compensation for our hard-working, dedicated, and results-driven staff.

The budget is closely aligned with FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which seeks a strong academic start for our youngest students and prepares our graduates for a thriving future. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction.

 

Learn more about the budget and stay up-to-date by following the budget development calendar.


Do You Know Where FCPS Funding Comes From?

funding

The majority of FCPS funding is requested from the Fairfax County government, which generates its revenue from real estate and personal property taxes. The Commonwealth of Virginia provides the next largest source of revenue to FCPS through state aid and sales tax. The rest of the funding comes from a variety of sources, including federal aid and tuition for non-county residents. (The numbers above represent the FY 2025 proposed school operating fund in millions.)

FCPS does not have the authority to impose taxes and may only charge fees where the Commonwealth of Virginia has granted specific authority. Learn more about FCPS’ FY 2025 Advertised Budget.


💭 Share Your Thoughts on Schoology

FCPS will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22. Surveys will be delivered to:

  • Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
  • Secondary students via email from Naviance.

Student feedback will inform the school division’s use of Schoology and help improve its processes, communication, and professional learning for staff. FCPS’ Instructional Services Department will also be reaching out to families through focus groups. 

Please contact Schoology@fcps.edu if you have questions. 


Hidden Oaks

SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!

The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to:

  • Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
  • Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
  • Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
  • Play games and have fun!

March 2, 2024, 9 a.m.- noon at Providence Community Center

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services

View the individual event page if you would like to Add to Your Calendar.

Register for: SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! 


Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge

The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 10:45 a.m., at Hayfield Secondary School. The event features a public tasting of student dishes and demonstrations from two local celebrated chefs. 

The student challenge at the heart of this event is to create healthy, delicious, and culturally diverse school menu items that meet USDA guidelines. Entries will be judged by a panel including celebrity chefs, school food professionals, and local food producers. The public is invited to vote for their favorite dish. 

Chefs Najmieh Batmanglij and Chris Morgan of Joon will offer a demonstration at 11:15 a.m. Public tasting of student dishes will get underway at noon. 

Student-created dishes from this annual event have been featured on school menus throughout the Greater Washington Region. It is free to attend, but registration is required.


Fairfax County Science and Engineering Fair Open House

Members of the general public are invited to attend the science fair open house at Robinson Secondary School on Sunday, March 17, 1-3 p.m.


🎤 Join a Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs

A community conversation addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools will be held Wednesday, March 18, 6:30-8 p.m., in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Please enter through Door #14. 

All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.   

This discussion will provide families, staff, and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl. The material discussed is suitable for students in grades 6-12. Together as a community, we aim to explore collaborative strategies to minimize the impact of these harmful and too-often fatal substances.

Language interpretation services are available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed. Learn more about the event and register online.


🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.


🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Our school typically conducts kindergarten registration events, including orientation, in the spring on April 2nd. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan, so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.


SOLPass

SOLPass provides an opportunity for students to practice for the SOL science, social studies, and reading tests. All Annandale Terrace students have access to the site. You may access the site through www.solpass.org/login or by going to Student Resources from our school website.

When you are on the login page, enter our school name and password: annandale. Click Login

SOLPass

Fair housing

What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse

FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.

What can families do?

  • Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. 
  • Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success. 
  • Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage
  • Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors. 
  • Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”

Visit the FCPS website for more information.


Tutor.com Teacher-Referred Tutoring

Through Schoology®, all FCPS students have 24/7 access to no-cost, year-round, on-demand, 1-to-1 tutoring services through Tutor.com.

A new Teacher-Referred Tutoring program feature provides targeted support and extends student learning. Teachers can now refer students for tutoring, with their specific needs already identified. Students can get extra support — on their own schedule — and reinforce their in-class learning.

Caregivers can guide students to access expert tutoring, homework help, and writing support by clicking on the Tutor.com icon in their Schoology portal—anytime, anywhere.

Plus, look for teachers’ tutoring session referrals on the Tutor.com homepage.


👩‍🏫 Help Students Achieve Their Dreams. Teach for FCPS!

Save the date! Attend FCPS’ instructional job fair on Saturday, February 24, 9 a.m.-noon, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Network and take advantage of interview opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair. Register today.


Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access 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? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter.


Girl Scout

Register via CBC Registration-Link to gscnc.org (jotform.com)


Adult ESOL Class Locations and Registration Information

📚 In-Person Classes: Alexandria, Annandale, Culmore, Falls Church, Herndon, Lorton, Mount Vernon, and Reston

Sign up for in-person English classes by attending any in-person registration event starting January 8 (see flyer for registration dates). To receive schedule updates and registration reminders about the spring session, please fill out our Interest Form.

 

Spring 2024 Class Offerings

Beginning English Classes

Beginning English classes teach the foundational skills adult English learners need to speak, understand, read, and write English. Classes are held at least twice a week for two-hour class sessions at three academic levels. Curricula focuses on basic English skills within the context of day-to-day interactions and life skills, U.S. culture, community, and family life.

 

English Classes for Parents and Caregivers

These classes provide English language instruction for parents and caregivers, empowering them to be their child’s first teacher and engage in their children’s education. While parents are in class, children participate in reading and writing activities and receive help with their homework. Twice a month, children join their parents for whole-family literacy activities.

 

Skills-based Classes

Designed for those who would like to focus on a particular language skill, we will offer two skills-based classes in the spring: Intro to Writing (eligibility by oral proficiency assessed at intake) and a FREE Conversation Class.

 

English-for-Work

This popular online course is for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to improve their employability and learn the language skills they’ll need in the workplace. Students learn best practices as they study the job search process from producing strong resumes and cover letters to preparing for interviews and understanding American workplace culture.

 

All classes are $85 unless otherwise indicated. As always, the English Empowerment Center will never turn away a learner due to financial challenges. We will work with their means. Thanks in advance for sharing this information with the English learners in your networks.

 

Please see the Spring 2024 class schedules via here: Spring 2024 Class Schedule.pdf


🩹 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.


Talent UPJob seeker

Summer Youth Sports Camps

Summer Camps are accepting pre-registrations.  Summer Youth Sports Camps are held at Annandale High School and run 8:30am-3pm.  Camp will be $120 again this year.  Sign up before March 1 and receive the $100 early bird rate.

  • Multi Sport Camp: June 17,18, 20,21. No camp on June 19th.
  • Olympics Camp: June 24-27th- No camp Friday.

Pre-Register Here: https://bit.ly/AHSCAMP24


🥁 Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. 

Tech Adventure Camp is available for current grade K-5 students to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.


Camp

Camp2

CTE
CTE