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04/14-18 Spring Break
04/21 3-Hour Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
04/22 AAP Full Time Orientation (4:00pm, Cafeteria)
04/24 Gr. 4 Field Trip to Kennedy Center
04/25 Parent Coffee (9:00am-10:00am, Cafeteria)
Topic: Get to Green / Earth Day and Recycling
04/28 SOL Window Opens
05/05 Family Food Market (3:45-4:30pm, Cafeteria)
05/07 Interim Reports Sent Home
05/09 Parent Coffee (9:00am-10:00am, Cafeteria)
Topic: Supporting Our Children Through Science
05/12 3-Hour Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
05/23 SOL Window Closes
05/26 Memorial Day/ Student Holiday-No School
 This past week, we had another successful event for our student mentors and their mentees. Together, they engaged in a fun and creative art painting activity, where they worked side by side to create beautiful artwork. The event not only fostered teamwork and collaboration but also helped strengthen the bonds between mentors and mentees, allowing them to express themselves in a positive and supportive environment. A huge thank you goes to Ms. Boyle, our amazing school counselor, for organizing this event.
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Mr. Moon’s, School Board Member, Surprise Visit to Annandale Terrace Elementary School
On March 17, I visited Annandale Terrace Elementary School to recognize the Outstanding Operational Employee of the Year for Region 6. With over 23 years of dedicated service to Fairfax County Public Schools, Ms. Rogers' journey is a testament to her commitment and passion for education. Her career began as a substitute teacher, laying the foundation for a long and impactful path. In 2002, she found her home at Shrevewood Elementary, where she served as an office assistant and later as a Student Information Assistant. Her dedication and hard work were evident, earning her the respect and admiration of her colleagues and the school community. In 2010, Ms. Rogers joined the Annandale Terrace Elementary(ATES) family as an Administrative Assistant, and for over 15 years, she's been an integral part of the school. In her own words, ATES has become her "second home," a sentiment that resonates deeply with all of us who have had the pleasure of working alongside her. Beyond her dedication to ATES, Ms. Rogers is a proud mother. Her son is a talented rock climber, traveling the world to pursue his passion. Ms. Rogers shares a dream of joining him on his adventures, a testament to her adventurous spirit and love for her family. Thank you, Ms. Rogers, for your years of service and for being such a valuable part of our FCPS family!
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This amazing group of teachers at Annandale Terrace Elementary is deeply committed to celebrating and supporting our students with disabilities. They work tirelessly to create an inclusive classroom environment where every child is embraced, valued, and given the opportunity to succeed. Their dedication fosters a sense of belonging and highlights the strength of diversity in our school community.
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Academic Matters: Helping Every Child Read by Grade Three: FCPS is committed to ensuring all students read proficiently by the end of third grade. The School Board’s Academic Matters segment highlighted this work, including the success of the Benchmark Advance curriculum, which has led to a 13.6% increase in foundational reading skills for K–2 students.
Annandale Terrace Elementary was proudly featured, showcasing the work of Mrs. Badía (Principal), Ms. Fisher (Reading Teacher), and Ms. Brogan (2nd Grade Teacher) for their efforts in supporting early literacy.
🎥 Watch the video: Helping Every Child Read by Grade Three
The Annandale Pyramid Art Show took place Thursday night at Annandale High School, showcasing the incredible talent of our students. The art exhibited was truly impressive, highlighting a range of creative expressions and skills. A huge thank you to Ms. Pehlivan and Ms. Gong for their dedication in organizing the event and supporting our students in bringing their artwork to life. Their hard work made the evening a memorable celebration of creativity and student achievement!
ATES K-5 Parents_Alert: Our next 3-hour early release is coming up on Monday, 4/21. Please let us know if your child will be going home at 12:20pm or will need supervision until 3:20 pm via completing https://forms.gle/cTtjwZ9ef12mqxoT8. If we do not receive a response from parents, we are required to keep your student until 3:20pm. Please let us know so we can ensure your child gets home safely on Monday. Thank you!
 April 22nd is Earth Day and we will be celebrating all week! We will be doing activities at school and you can complete fun activities at home with this BINGO board in English and Spanish. Each day this week has a theme and we will be having spirit days to match:
Monday: wear blue for Watershed Day
Tuesday: wear green or our ATES Earth Day T-shirt to celebrate Earth Day
Wednesday: pack a zero waste lunch and wear white for Zero Waste Day
Thursday: wear red for Climate Day
Friday: wear a nature print for Wildlife Day
 Please visit www.campussurvivalkits.com/ates to shop ATES customized apparel. Enjoy free school delivery for orders placed from now through April 26! Flat rate $5 shipping fee applies for orders placed after April 26. A portion of all sales benefits the Annandale Terrace PTA — support your school while you shop!
FCPS would like to hear from all families on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. Please check your email for a survey link from Fairfax County Public Schools. It was also sent to staff as well as to students in grades 5-12. The confidential survey will be open through Saturday, April 12.
  Spring AAP Newsletter ES (PDF) is also available in multiple languages:
Arabic | Chinese | English | Korean | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese
We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Explore the resources on FCPS’ School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage for ways to help ensure your child starts kindergarten with confidence.
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.
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on Wednesday, April 23, Mason Crest Elementary School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
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.
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.
Family Liaisons – Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. You may reach our wonderful family liaisons, Sherry Hamzehloo, at shamzehloo@fcps.edu or Ivette Alejos Sarrin, at ilalejossarr@fcps.edu.
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!
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County.
Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children 3 years old by September 30. Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and for children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however, space is limited and provided based on need, not “first come, first serve.” Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail, or in person at our office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. How do you connect with your children and really know what's going on in their lives? How can you become “unskippable”?
Effective communication can build trust and understanding, but it takes thought, planning, and effort.
The latest Healthy Minds Blog offers practical strategies to improve communication and build strong, lasting relationships:
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Ditch distractions and create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up.
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Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if you don't agree.
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Ask "how" questions instead of "what" questions to get them talking about their experiences.
For more tips and techniques, read the full article on the Healthy Minds Blog, which shares information related to youth mental health and wellness.
For support on talking with your teen about difficult subjects like fentanyl, discover how to Become Unskippable.
Are you concerned about your infant, toddler, or preschool-aged child's development? Resources are available if your child exhibits difficulties in one or more of the following areas:
- communication,
- fine and/or gross motor skills,
- self-help skills,
- problem solving
- attention skills
Learn more about typical developmental milestones.
The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (ITC) is the state’s early intervention system for infants and toddlers (0-36 months) with disabilities and their families. ITC provides evaluations and services for children who have developmental delays or medical conditions that may affect development. Parents are encouraged to contact ITC at 703-246-7121 to share their concerns.
Early Childhood Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs between the ages of 20 months and 5 years (children must be two by September 30).
FCPS Early Childhood Identification and Services (ECID&S) offers a free referral process to identify potential developmental delays or disabilities. Special education services are provided for all children who are found eligible through the referral process. Parents are encouraged to contact 571-423-4121 with questions or to make a referral.
✨ Helping students meet the criteria for kindergarten readiness is Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan.
Discover summer learning and activities available in Fairfax County!
Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning. At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth.
Activities will include student performances, story time, a moon bounce, and face painting. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
  Please see the PDF version of Fairfax County Info Flyer:We Are Here For You_English.pdf
 The camp will be at Annandale HS, July 21-25 (9am-3pm). The camp is open to boys and girls entering 3rd through 9th grade next school year. Registration fee is $225 this year! Email the Coach McAvory or Coach Harrison for questions.
Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) 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. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
For more information, see the Summer Learning page.
 
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. 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.
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.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
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- Celebrating Our Successes
- FCPS Resources for Families
- Budget Update
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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