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Dear Families,
As a reminder, April 14-18 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! See the complete school year calendar.
We have many staff to thank when we return on Monday, April 21! Our wonderful office staff: Ms. Chong, Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Sollers, and our family liaison, Mrs. Sehwoerer Rodriguez, make a lasting impact on everyone who walks through our doors. We thank them for being the welcoming face of our school, the calm in the chaos, and the steady hands behind the scenes. We appreciate all that they do—every single day.
The 2024-2025 Fairfax County Special Education PTA Awards recognizing outstanding achievement in supporting students with disabilities and learning differences in Fairfax County Public Schools, have been announced and we are excited that Terra Centre has several nominees:
Outstanding Special Education Teacher - Preschool
Ms. Grove, Early Childhood Inclusion Program teacher
Mr. Kidd, Early Childhood Class Based teacher
Outstanding Special Education Teacher - Elementary (Mark Stewart Memorial Award)
Ms. Lowe, special education teacher
Mrs. Worth, special education teacher
We are so fortunate to have such wonderful special education teachers working at Terra Centre!
Our next 3 hour Early Release Monday is scheduled for Monday, April 28 for K-6 students. A form was sent home today to families and responses are due on Monday, April 21 by 4:00 pm. This ensures that all students are accounted for on this day.
Rebecca Gidoni, Principal
Teresa Lewis, Assistant Principal
Important Reminders
Military Child Wall of Honor
Get2Green Earth Day Spirit Week
Students and Staff are invited to wear the color matching each day’s theme to show your Earth Week spirit.
Monday, April 21 – Watershed Day - wear blue
Tuesday, April 22 – Earth Day - wear green
Wednesday, April 23 – Zero Waste Day - wear white
Thursday, April 24 – Climate Change Day - wear red
Friday, April 25 – Wildlife Day - wear nature print
Book Fair Thank You!
Ms. Petruzzellis, our librarian, would like to give a HUGE thank you for your support of our Spring 2025 Scholastic Book Fair! Thanks to every parent volunteer who helped set up, run, and clean up after the event, every staff member who supported, and every parent & student who shopped the Fair! Everything went so well, and you've helped the TC Library get hundreds of new books! Thanks again for your support!
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Spring SOL Testing Dates
Community Peers Program
Please complete the following form if you are interested:
Community Peers Program
Mark Your Calendar
Month of the Military Child
Autism Acceptance Month
National Arab American Heritage Month
School Library Month
Monday, April 21-April 25: Get2Green Earth Day Spirit Week
Wednesday, April 23: Administrative Professionals Day
Saturday, April 26: PTA Fun Fair, 3:00 pm-6:00 pm-TC School grounds
Monday, April 28: 3 hour early release, K-6 students only
Monday, May 19: 3 hour early release, K-6 students only
Monday, May 19: Spring Band and Strings concert, Robinson Russell Theatre
Monday, May 26: No School, Memorial Day Holiday
Friday, June 6: 6th grade promotion ceremony, 9:00 am-gym
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
We've got lots of fun from our PTA over the next few weeks:
- Our annual Spring Fun Fair is just a couple weeks away! If you haven't already, mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26 from 3-6pm! Our PTA has got lots of fan favorites from previous years, including our famous basket raffles, a cake walk, delicious food and drinks, carnival games, balloon artists, a petting zoo, inflatable games, and much more!
- A huge thank you to our corporate sponsors of the Fun Fair: Halo Fitness, Incourage Martial Arts, I-Code, Himchari Martial Arts and Mathnasium.
- If you haven't already, please try to pick a volunteer slot now --at the moment, we still need to cover 60% of our slots! These shifts are just an hour long, and you'll get a free 5-pack of raffle tickets for each spot you fill!
- You can purchase your tickets in advance for a 40% discount. Tickets can be delivered to your child in class the week of the fun fair, so you can skip the lines at the event :)
- You can bring in your raffle basket items starting this week--these are always a huge hit and a huge fundraiser for us. Each class is assigned a specific theme, and parents are asked to donate items related to that theme (which I shared in a prior email)
- Interested in helping the PTA next year? Consider joining the board! We're looking for a President, VP of Fundraising, and Secretary. You'll be supported by an experienced team and great volunteer network. Learn more here: https://forms.gle/2DMmoYvZfmARe7UQ9.
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
Excellence Is at a Crossroads
Excellent teachers are the heart of FCPS! They inspire our kids, go the extra mile, and make a real difference. But the current Fairfax County Board of Supervisors advertised budget underfunds FCPS by $150 million for next year.
Being fully funded helps keep class sizes down and the number of highly-qualified teachers up at FCPS. Keeping the best teachers includes compensation that allows them to live and work in Fairfax County. The Fairfax County budget priorities survey is open until Thursday, April 24. Take a moment to share your thoughts. Now is the time. Learn more about how excellence is at a Crossroads.
🛑 Cameras Installed on School Bus Stop Arms
Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 FCPS school buses. These cameras will be used to identify drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are entering and exiting the bus (called a “stop arm violation”).
Drivers have begun to receive warnings. After a 30-day warning period, citations will begin to be issued on Monday, May 12.
According to Virginia law, drivers must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights on and their stop signs extended. Motorists should stop when approaching from any direction, unless there is a barrier or median separating their lane from where the bus is stopped. They should remain stopped until everyone is clear, and the bus is moving.
We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with FCPS to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Read more about the stop arm cameras and other ways FCPS works with our county partners to keep students safe on their way to and from school.
Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families
Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:
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School Age Child Care (SACC) – This Fairfax County government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
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FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family engagement.
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FCPS Family Academy – We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child's education. The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help you ensure your child has what they need to succeed.
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Family Liaisons – Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. You may reach our wonderful family liaison, Michelle Sehwoerer Rodriguez, at 703-249-1400.
There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child as soon as possible!
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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