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Our spring choral concert was a huge success! Thank you to Mrs. Okouchi for her years of service at Terra Centre. You will be greatly missed!
Dear Families,
It seems the leprechauns made their way to kindergarten today and they left quite a mess in the classrooms! Kindergarteners tried to catch those sneaky little tricksters, but they were too quick! 🍀
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 18, as we welcome our School Board representative,Rachna Sizemore Heizer, for a special "Meet & Greet" night. This is a great opportunity to connect and learn more about the important work being done for our schools.
Then, join us for a fun-filled evening at PTA Burgers & Bingo Night on Thursday, March 20! Bring the whole family for a delicious meal and exciting bingo games—it's sure to be a great time for all! The PTA will have a general membership meeting at 5:00 PM, with bingo starting at 5:30 PM.
As a reminder, FCPS schools and offices are closed on Monday, March 31 and there is no school for students on Tuesday, April 1.
We look forward to celebrating and connecting with our school community!
Rebecca Gidoni, Principal
Teresa Lewis, Assistant Principal
Important Reminders
Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)
Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners.
Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services
Students can be screened for subject specific and part time AAP services at any time in the school year. In the spring, schools review data on all students to determine services for the start of the next school year.
• Parents or guardians can initiate the screening process by submitting the AAP School-Based Services Referral Form to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) or Assistant Principal by April 15, annually.
• The AAP School-Based Services Referral Form may be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs-aap/advanced-academic-program-aap-forms.
• Parents or guardians who submit a referral will be notified by the local elementary school of their student’s eligibility status by early June.
Screening Process for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services
Multiple criteria are reviewed holistically to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. Committees consider student work from opportunities with AAP lessons, examples of student reasoning or gifted behaviors from class discussions and activities, progress reports, achievement and ability scores, and parent or guardian input. Committees consider whether students have access to a group of students with similar academic needs to support academic conversations and growth in the classroom.
Appeals Process for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services
If a parent or guardian wishes to appeal an ineligible decision, they may submit an appeal with new data for consideration by the local school screening committee. This new information should be submitted to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher or Assistant Principal.
Subject Specific and Part-Time Services Overview
Subject Specific and Part-Time Services in Elementary School
FCPS offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-12. The continuum of services approach allows for a focus on matching services to students’ needs rather than labeling students. Students have:
• Multiple entry points for deeper learning opportunities in specific areas of need as they develop.
• A cluster group of students with similar academic needs to support student learning and growth.
Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of school-based services at the elementary level:
Access to Rigor, Grades K-6
All students have opportunities to think critically, reason, and problem-solve.
• All teachers use critical and creative thinking strategies in their lessons
•Classroom teachers provide opportunities using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework a minimum of once per quarter.
Because Access to Rigor services are for all FCPS students, there is not a screening process.
Subject Specific Advanced Differentiation, Grades K-6
Some students require differentiation beyond the needs of age-level peers in their class in at least one specific subject area. Classroom teachers may adjust instruction for students in these areas by:
• Providing different assignments and resources in those subjects,
• Grouping students by their strengths, interests, and readiness, and
• Providing additional challenges using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework.
Student needs for subject specific differentiation are re-evaluated each year at the local school.
Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6
Some students have advanced academic abilities in multiple subject areas and require differentiation beyond the needs of age-level peers in their class in multiple content areas.
• Students work with other students that have similar academic needs through weekly pull-out classes or weekly co-taught lessons with the AART and classroom teacher.
• Teachers provide frequent opportunities to use materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, science, social studies, and/or mathematics.
Part-Time services continue through Grade 6. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.
Screening for Full-Time Services
Screening Timeline for Full-Time Services
Screening for Full-Time AAP services happens at the district/central level rather than by local schools. For your planning for next school year, please know that screening for Full-Time services occurs during two specific screening cycles:
• Fall screening is available for students who are new to FCPS since January.
Fall referrals are due October 15, annually.
• Spring screening is available for any Grade 2-7 FCPS-enrolled student.
The referral window is from the first day of school - December 15, annually.
For more information, please visit the AAP website at: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students
Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8
Some advanced learners need a Full-Time advanced academic program with differentiated instruction in all four core content areas (Language Arts, mathematics, social studies, and science).
Students eligible for Full-Time AAP services are cluster grouped on a Full-Time basis and receive:
• Full-Time use of materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, and
• Curriculum that is differentiated through acceleration, depth, and complexity of content.
Full-Time services continue through Grade 8. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.
2025-2026 Terra Centre Optional Parent Input Form
As we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, our staff collaborates regarding student placements. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academic abilities are considered as we create our new classes. Other factors impacting the decision-making process of student class assignments are new student enrollments and teachers moving to a new assignment.
Terra Centre families may assist in this process by sharing insights. Please note the following when providing information. We do not accept requests for specific teachers for the upcoming grade placement. This includes hints that reference specific teachers. We cannot guarantee friend requests nor exceptions for other students whereby there may be a conflict. Additionally, some placements are made due to specific programming needs (i.e. Advanced Academics, Special Education, etc.). We do our best to create a positive learning year for your child.
Please do not email additional information. Completion of the form is optional, however, the deadline for any correspondence is March 31, at 4:00 PM. Thank you for your input.
2025-2026 Terra Centre Optional Parent Input Form
Kindergarten Orientation
We are looking forward to meeting our newest T.C. Tigers at our Kindergarten Orientation.on Tuesday, April 1, from 9:00 am - 10:30 am. Registration appointments can be made by emailing our SIA, Mrs. Sollers, at vasollers@fcps.edu.
Book Fair Coming Soon & Volunteers Needed!
We are beginning to plan for our Spring 2025 Scholastic Book Fair! This cannot happen without the generous support of our volunteers! We’re looking for help during school hours on April 3-4 as we set up, preview, and make wish lists, as well as with book sales throughout the week of April 7-11. We’ll also need help in the evening on Tuesday, Apr. 8 for our Book Fair Family Night. If you’re available for one or more of these shifts, please click the following link to get to our Sign-Up Genius page to support us! Thank you so much! Remember this fun event gets kids excited about reading and is a huge support to our school library. We appreciate your faithful support!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48AEAB2AAB9-55591831-spring#/)
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Yearbook Orders
Spring Testing Dates
Mark Your Calendar
National Women’s History Month
Celebrating Arts in Our Schools
Tuesday, March 18: Meet Your Board Member, Rachna Sizemore Heizer, 6:00 pm-cafeteria
Thursday, March 20: PTA General Membership meeting, 5:00 pm-cafeteria
Thursday, March 20: PTA Burgers and Bingo night, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Friday, March 28: Third Quarter Ends
Monday, March 31: No School, Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Tuesday, April 1: No School, Teacher Workday
Tuesday, April 1: Kindergarten Orientation, 9:00-10:30-cafeteria
Wednesday, April 9: Purple Up day!
Monday, April 14-Friday, April 18: No School, Spring Break
Saturday, April 26: PTA Fun Fair
Monday, May 26: No School, Memorial Day Holiday
Friday, June 6: 6th grade promotion ceremony, 9:00 am
Wednesday, June 11: Last day of school for K-6 students, early dismissal
Important Dates for Three-Hour Early Release:
Monday, April 28
Monday, May 19
PTA News
Burgers and Bingo Night
 CaliBurger Menu
All Terra Centre families may now register for Spring 2025 PTA afterschool clubs. Click here or use the url below.
https://tcpta.ptboard.com/formvw/store?store=5158
🌟 Here’s a sneak peek at the awesome clubs we plan to offer:
📅 Tuesdays (Starting 4/08)
♠️ Card Games (Grades 3-6)
♟ Chess (Grades K-6)
🧪 Messy Science (Grades K-4)
🎭 Take the Stage/Acting (Grades 3-6)
🏓 Pickleball (Grades K-2)
🎨 Art (Grades 4-6)
📅 Wednesdays (Starting 4/02)
💻 Game Builders/Coding (Grades 2-6)
📖 Lower Grades Book Club
🌍 Eco Club (Grades 4-6)
🏓 Pickleball (Grades 3-6)
🏃 Running Club (Grades 4-6) Starts 3/26!
📅 Thursdays (Starting 4/03)
👩🍳 Cooking (Grades K-6)
📚 Upper Grades Book Club (Grades 3-6)
✍️ Creative Writing (Grades 2-3)
📜 Origami (Grades K-6) or 🧶 Hand Knitting (Grades 1-6)
✨ These clubs fill up fast, so get ready to register! Stay tuned for more details coming soon! 🎉
Taekwondo Parents Night Out | Friday, March 21 from 6:30-9:30pm. Register here: Parents Night Out
The PTA has several big events coming up this spring, with tickets on sale now:
Burgers & Bingo Night will be Thursday, March 20 from 5:30-7:30pm.
We'll have two sessions for bingo, one at 5:30, and one at 6:30pm. You can sign-up and purchase your bingo cards in advance here. There will be a food truck available for dinner--details on how to pre-order will be coming shortly.
We need volunteers to make this a success! It's a great way for your older kids to get service credit, and 6th graders are welcome to help out, too. As a bonus, volunteers & their families will get free admission and 10 free bingo cards!
Our annual PTA Fun Fair will be Saturday, April 26 from 3-6pm.
Tickets are on sale now for a 40% discount! Order yours today and skip the lines!
Terra Centre Elementary PTA Membership
Please consider joining the PTA. The number one reason to join the Parent Teacher Association is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help your school. PTA Membership
FCPS Updates
FCPS Budget — Our Students Deserve the Best
More than $240 million of FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget is dedicated to increasing compensation for our teachers and staff to stay competitive and reduce turnover. Currently, FCPS ranks fifth out of eight neighboring districts in regards to starting salary for teachers with a master’s degree.
Our families expect — and our students deserve — the best teachers.
Next Steps in the Budget Process
The next steps in the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process include the School Board presenting the budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22, and then the Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Community members can submit testimony or sign up to speak.
Visit the county government website to view the Fairfax County FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The community is also invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the county’s FY 2026 Advertised Budget.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process.
Reminder to Sign Up Weekly for Student Fasting Meal Kits
Students who are fasting during the school day between now and March 28 can take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families must fill out a separate request form for each week and for each student in order to receive school meal kits. To receive meal kits for the week of March 24, please fill out this form by March 17.
Please remind your child to pick up their meals each day at our school’s designated location. Visit the Food and Nutrition Services webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
Quick Links
Resources
Families needing support (food assistance, school supplies, fee sponsored activities, mental health support, etc.) can reach out to a member of our clinical team. All requests are confidential. Our clinical team members are always available to support TC families with Fairfax County resource information.
David Lammon-school counselor
Laurel Hanlon-school social worker
Emily Oliver-school psychologist
Our family liaison, Michelle Sehwoerer Rodriguez, is also available to support families, answer questions, and connect families with FCPS information and resources to support their child academically and socially at school.
☎️ 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.
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