Terra Centre Family Newsletter 4-5-24

Girl Scouts

Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 52115 for the delicious Girl Scout cookies that they delivered to our teachers and staff! The troop collected cookie donations during their cookie drives to support the staff at Terra Centre!

 

TC Families,

This week was National Assistant Principals Week! Assistant Principals play a crucial role, and we want to recognize Melanie Jewell and Teresa Lewis for their hard work and commitment to our school, students, and the profession. These dedicated leaders work tirelessly to bolster teachers, motivate students, create a positive learning community, and face the many unpredictable challenges that land on their desk. Please join me in thanking them for their service to Terra Centre and FCPS!

April 4 was National School Librarian Day and April is School Library Month. It's a great time to celebrate the essential role that school librarians play in the lives of students. School librarians ensure students have access to a wide variety of high-quality books and resources that connect them to the world and build a culture of literacy. Librarians develop lessons that are meaningful and help develop critical thinking, inquiry, and information literacy skills. They support learning across all subject areas by teaching students the skills to be independent problem-solvers and creative thinkers. By creating a safe environment for all students to be engaged and curious learners, FCPS libraries are places where everyone belongs. Thank you to our school librarian, Allison Petruzzellis, for her dedication to our students, school, and community!

Please scroll down for important information and upcoming events.

Have a great weekend!

Rebecca Gidoni, Principal


Important Information

Eclipse Map

Path of totality courtesy of nationaleclipse.com.

☀️ Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8 

A solar eclipse is happening on Monday, April 8, 2024, and (weather permitting) will be visible in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m. with the maximum eclipse around 3:20 p.m. This will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the United States until 2044. 

This is a rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon, and one that requires important safety reminders. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes. At Terra Centre, we have acquired ISO 12312-2 approved eyewear so that students can safely view the eclipse. If you would prefer for your child to stay inside or not receive glasses, please notify your child’s homeroom teacher by 8:00 a.m. on Monday.

Here are some important reminders:

  • Do not look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce it at home. 
  • Regular sunglasses are not good enough. We will be providing eyewear that has been approved for viewing.
  • Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m. (which coincides with Terra Centre’s dismissal), and ends around 4:32 p.m. Please remind your children to NOT look up at the sun unless they have the approved eyewear. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation.

For more details and family resources, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.


📖 Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read

Attend a virtual information night to learn about Lexia on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. Participants will discover how FCPS is integrating this program into the classroom to support student literacy growth. Tips for supporting students at home will also be shared. Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.


Register Today for the Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet School Lottery

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts. Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open through Friday, April 12. Learn more about the schools, their programs, and locations.


SEPTA

Congratulations to Terra Centre's SEPTA Nominees!

The following staff members and student have been nominated for a 2023-2024 Fairfax County Special Education PTA Award recognizing outstanding achievement in supporting students with disabilities and learning differences in Fairfax County Public Schools. 

Outstanding Special Education Teacher - Preschool

  • Laure Grove

Outstanding Special Education Teacher - Elementary (Mark Stewart Memorial Award)

  • Amy Kris
  • Maggie Lowe
  • Tara Worth

Outstanding General Education Teacher - Elementary

  • Brooke Allan
  • Kim Hozman
  • Julia Saltz
  • Paula Williams

Outstanding Related Services

  • Terry Winkowski

Outstanding Instructional Support Staff

  • Mariam Gorgas
  • Bethany Lowery

Abbie Bachmore Memorial Award (Student Who Most Supports Inclusion)

  • William Benjamin Lowe

Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child! 

Thank you to our military-connected families for attending our PTA-sponsored pizza and bingo family night celebrating the Month of the Military Child!

Terra Centre recognizes the resilience of our military-connected children during April, the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take this opportunity to celebrate our military-connected children and thank them for their service as part of a military family.  


PTA Logo

Join Next Year's PTA Board!

The Nominating Committee is NOW accepting applications for the elected positions for the 2024-2025 school year. If you are looking for a way to contribute to Terra Centre, this is a great opportunity.  Elected positions include President, Vice Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretary! If you are interested in serving, email Maggie Lowe, our Nominating Committee Chair at mslowe@fcps.edu 

Registration is Open for Spring Clubs!

There are still spots available for Spring Clubs! To register please visit the PTA website at https://tcpta.ptboard.com/home

In order to make our clubs happen, we need parent volunteers for these clubs! We are still looking for a volunteer on Wednesday and Thursday. If you are interested in registering your child for a club and getting a discount, please email Sharon at tcesptavp2@gmail.com for more information.

Spring Clubs

  • iCook Cooking Club
  • Messy Science Club
  • Chess Club
  • Hip Hop Club
  • Eco Club
  • Book Club
  • iCode Tech Club

Fun Fair Tickets are on Sale Now!

Our PTA Fun Fair will be Saturday, April 13th from 1-4pm! This is our biggest event of the year; we'll have carnival games, inflatable obstacle courses, a petting zoo, and more! Get your tickets early at a big discount!

Be sure to check for an email from your room parent about the basket theme assigned to your class and the sign-up genius for the game/station assigned to your class. We need volunteers to make Fun Fair a success for our students!

Fun Fair Flier
Fun Fair


Yearbook
  • Yearbooks are $15 for softcover
  • Ordering deadline is April 19, 2024
  • Online ordering only at https://www.barksdalephoto.com/
    • Go to "What are you looking for?" and select "Order Your Yearbook."
    • Enter Access Code:  0038625YB

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.


Mark Your Calendar

Wednesday, April 10th - Eid al-Fitr Holiday (No School)

Saturday, April 13th - 1:00-4:00 PM - PTA Fun Fair 

Tuesday, April 16th - 6th Grade Panoramic Picture

Wednesday, April 17th - Purple Up! Day - Wear Purple to show your support for military-connected youth!

Thursday, April 18th - 6:00-8:00 PM - Robinson Pyramid Art Show - Robinson Secondary School - Field House

Friday, April 19th - Yearbook Order Deadline

Thursday, May 2nd - 7:00 PM - TC PTA Variety Show

Friday, May 3rd - Teacher Workday (No School for Students)

Monday, May 27th - Memorial Day Holiday (No School)

 

Terra Centre SOL Testing Schedule

Virginia SOL

Wednesday, May 1 - Reading (Grades 3-6)

Wednesday, May 8 - Science (Grade 5)

Wednesday, May 15 - Math (Grades 3-6)


Resources

☎️ Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.


Quick Links