ATES Updates_10/04/2024

Upcoming Dates:

10/11          Parent Coffee (9:00am, Cafeteria)
                   Topic: The Science of Reading / Early Literacy
10/14          Student Holiday-Teacher Workday
10/15-18     Digital Citizenship Week
10/17          Gr.1 Field trip to Cox Farm
10/18          K Field trip to Miller Farms
10/18          Student Parent Lunch (Lunch Time, Cafeteria)
10/18          Family Movie Night (6:30pm-9:30pm, ATES)
10/21          3-Hour Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
10/25          Parent Coffee (9:00am, Cafeteria)
                   Topic: Math Presentation
10/28          Family Food Market (3:45pm, Cafeteria)
10/31          Book Character Day
                   End of 1st Quarter
                   2-Hour Early Student Release - Dismissal time 1:20 pm


Together!!

Miss Scilovati and Ms. Prasser's class met their buddies this past week! All the students were so excited and had so much fun! Here are some photos! Yay - Red house!

Buddies

On Friday, September 27, 2024, we had our first parent coffee of the school year. During the parent coffee, parents learned about the Academic Advance program presented by Ms. Carr-Hogan. Information on the importance of attendance was also shared. In addition, parents were encouraged to sign-up for the PTA.

Parent Coffee

PTA INCA Social Night

Thank you for participating PTA Sponsored INCA Social Fundraiser Night last Friday. The proceeds we made will benefit ATES PTA to help paying for school field trips, family events, and etc.


What better way to spend a Saturday than enjoying America’s pastime—baseball at Nat’s field! We had a fantastic family engagement field trip to watch the Nationals take on the Phillies. Thanks to the generous donation of tickets from a private organization, we were able to give our families this wonderful experience. It was a day filled with fun, excitement, and community!

Family field trip

Digital Citizenship Week

Join us from October 15th to 18th as we celebrate Digital Citizenship Week with a fun and educational Spirit Week! Each day will focus on important topics to help our students become responsible and safe digital citizens.

Digital Citizen ship week

Access to Student Links

Want your student to practice ST Math or log in to Lexia on your personal device? Learn how on our school website under "Technology" You can also access the links directly via our "Student Links" page. Reach out to your child's teacher for their FCPS username and password and access our resources in the comfort of your home today! 

Student Login

ATES Student Parent Lunch_10/18

Student Parent Lunch

The Family Engagement Committee is sponsoring the Student-Parent Lunch Day on Friday, October 18, 2024. Parents are invited to have lunch with their student during their lunch time. This event is part of increasing family engagement at ATES and providing parents an opportunity to come to the school. The price for lunch is $5.00 for all guests (Free of charge for all students in Annandale Terrace). Please complete this survey (https://forms.gle/yKCHMUaoCv9PxwqM6) if you are planning to attend.


🗓️ Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!


📚 Social Studies Basal Resources Review

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.


Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on: 

  • Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.


✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation

Excellence

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.


🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:


Wee Play_ Parent Child Playgroup

Moms, dads, grandparents, and other caregivers attend playgroups weekly with their children to make friends, learn together through play, and share ideas that support children’s development.

Wee Play

WHEN:                   Every Thursday, beginning October 24th

 

TIME:                     9:30 – 11:00 am or 11:00 – 12:30 pm

 

WHERE:                Annandale Terrace Elementary School

 

REGISTER:          Please return the registration by

                              10/16. attention Diva Rojas: dcrojas@fcps.edu

See the registration form here: Wee Play Flyer_English.pdf


Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

SEL

Yearbook Pre-Order is Open!

Yearbook

Don't miss out! The Annandale Terrace 2024-2025 Yearbook is now available for early bird pricing at just $16! Pre-order yours before prices go up after April 11th. Secure those memories today! Visit https://www.strawbridge.net/ and enter code YB30242.  The yearbooks will be passed out in June. 


Science Club

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

  • Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
  • Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
  • Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
  • Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
  • A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
  • Alcohol or drug use.
  • Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
  • Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact Jennifer Boyle, school counselor at jsboyle@fcps.edu, Emma Day, School Psychologist at eday1@fcps.edu, or Celia Fruchterman, school social worker at cffruchterma@fcps.edu  to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.


Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage

Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.

In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit. 

The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as detailed information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources. 

Safely Store Firearms and Medications

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more. 


Arabic Early LiteracySchedule

empower and build

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

  • FCPS Wants to Further Support Military Families
  • Sign and Return SR&R
  • Upcoming Immunization Clinics

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today


TTL

HIPPY

Job Seeker

Free Workshops for Families

Parents and 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 the Family Resource Center (FRC).

The FRC will host webinars for families on supporting siblings of children with disabilities, helping students organize their school work, working with children who like to push boundaries, and teen development and well-being. Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar website.

Family Resource Center

Arts

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.