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05/12 3-Hour Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
05/23 SOL Window Closes
Parent Coffee (9:00am-10:00am, Cafeteria)
Topic: Summer Reading at Home
05/26 Memorial Day/ Student Holiday-No School
06/02 Family Food Market (3:45-4:30pm, Cafeteria)
06/04 Field Day
06/05 ATES 60th Anniversary Celebration(5pm-7pm, ATES)
06/06 Carnival Day
06/09 Talent Show (2pm-3pm)
06/10 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony (9:00am – 10:00am, Gym)
06/11 Report Cards Go Home
Last day for Students
(2-Hr Early Student Release - Dismissal time 1:20 pm)
 Spring Break Reading Challenge - Students who completed the Spring Break Bingo reading challenge earned a brand-new book and a prize bag with a pencil, bookmark, sticker, and Smarties candy. Congratulations to all!
ATES Shines at the Get2Green Symposium - Last Thursday, Annandale Terrace Elementary School proudly participated in the Get2Green Symposium, an event that brought together schools from across the school district to showcase their environmental efforts. Our team had the opportunity to share the wonderful initiatives we've implemented through the Get2Green program, highlighting our students' commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. We are so proud of their hard work and the meaningful impact they are making in our school community! A huge thank you to Ms. Carr-Hogan and Ms. Ireland for all the work you have done to make sure we have a strong Get2Green program at ATES.
ATES K-5 Parents_Alert: Our next 3-hour early release is coming up on Monday, 5/12. 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/aqcvm3Hh2hsEwond7. 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!
 Attend today, Achieve tomorrow!
In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at our school — a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
 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!
The School Board will hold a public hearing on final budget adjustments on Tuesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. Sign up to speak by Monday, May 12, at 4:30 p.m.
Families, staff, and community members will soon be able to explore and visualize potential boundary scenarios using a customized Boundary Explorer Tool. The tool will be accessible from the FCPS website. You are also invited to participate in another series of community meetings in order to review and reflect on the initial draft scenarios before the start of summer break.
- Thursday, May 15, 6:30-8 p.m., Oakton High School
- Friday, May 16, 6:30-8 p.m., Robinson Secondary School
- Monday, May 19, 6:30-8 p.m., Herndon High School
- Friday, May 23, 7-8:30 p.m., Lewis High School
- Wednesday, May 28, 7-8:30 p.m., Annandale High School
- Thursday, May 29, 6:30-8 p.m., Whitman Middle School
- Friday, May 30, 6:30-8 p.m., Chantilly High School
- Friday, June 6, 6:30–8 p.m., Glasgow Middle School
Each meeting will be hybrid, meaning that you may attend in person or via Zoom. Childcare for in-person participants and language interpretation/translation for all participants will be available as needed. Registration links will be shared soon. Another round of community meetings will be held in the fall.
Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review page for more information.
Join the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School! During this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth.
Learn about summer programs for children and resources from community and business partners. Enjoy face painting, touring a fire truck, student performances, and other fun activities. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
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.
Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports to include medication assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and more.
Contact CSB Entry and Referral by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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!
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Parent Information Line 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.
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.
 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.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
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- FCPS Budget Update
- Summer Internships for Students
- Summer Learning Activities and Ideas
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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