ATES Updates_05/16/2025

Upcoming Dates:

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)


Together!!

We celebrated our amazing 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students with an exciting SOL Pep Rally to recognize all their hard work this year! Students joined in on energizing “repeat after me” chants, played a lively game of Hungry, Hungry Hippo, and enjoyed a surprise visit from the SOL Sharks. It was a fun and spirited way to cheer each other on!

SOL Pep Rally

Last week, we teamed up with our amazing PTA to celebrate our incredible teachers! Each day, they were treated to sweet surprises like ice cream, breakfast, the Woot Woot Cart, and a delicious lunch. Thank you, teachers, for all you do!

Teacher appreciation week

SOL Testing Schedule_May 2025

SOL Schedule

60th anniversary

End of the Year Carnival and Field Day Parent Volunteer Sign Up Form

We are looking for parent volunteers to help with our end of the year carnival and field day, two events that are students enjoy participating. Please sign up via https://forms.gle/NQspVi3z6SucLTMe7


5th grade promotion

Annandale Terrace Elementary Spirit Wear Shop

ATES Shop

Please visit www.campussurvivalkits.com/ates to shop ATES customized apparel. A portion of all sales benefits the Annandale Terrace PTA — support your school while you shop!


Final Yearbook Sale! $18 per book

Yearbook Cover

We still have limited yearbooks left at the moment. If you would like to order a copy, please complete the ATES Yearbook order form.pdf and send it to ATES main office with the exact cash or check.


EOY Health Room_Medication Pick-up

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. However, with parent or guardian permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the school health room. If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).

Please see the complete version of this letter via: EOY Health Room_Medication Letter_English.pdf


Phase 2 Community Boundary Review Meetings

Families, staff, and community members can 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:

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.


Animal Fiesta

💪 Let's Finish the School Year Strong!

Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:

  • Check your child’s attendance record.
  • Help your student stay engaged at school.
  • Report future absences.
  • Understand the FCPS school calendar.

Learn more about attendance resources.


🏫 Helping Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten

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.


🌱 Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services

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.


Dad workshop

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:

  • 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.
  • FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family engagement.
  • 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!


HIPPY

📞 FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance

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.


Dental

Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs

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).


Healthy Plate Club

English Class _01English Class _02

Please see details via Summer 2025 Class Schedule PUBLIC.pdf


🗣️ Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication

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:

  • Ditch distractions and create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up.
  • Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if you don't agree.
  • 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.


Help and Resources for Infants, Toddlers, and Their Families

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.


2025 Youth Summer Basketball Camp

Basketball camp

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. 


🚀 Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun

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.


Summer Camp

Tech camp_01Tech camp_02

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

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.


FCPS News

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

    • Celebrating Students
    • Stop Arms Issue Tickets
    • Next Steps in Budget Process

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