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September is Attendance Awareness Month!
Terra Centre Families,
We hope you enjoyed the long weekend! We are so proud of our students who have settled into their routines and are engaging in meaningful instruction.
Back to School Night for caregivers is on Wednesday, September 10th. Please see below for additional details.
Thank you to our families who completed the Digital Consent form indicating if your child was opting in or out of afterschool childcare on Early Release Wednesdays. For those families who were unable to complete the Digital Consent by the deadline, please note that the form is now closed.
Our first Early Release Wednesday is on September 17th. Terra Centre will be sending an additional form to all families to gather detailed dismissal information so we can ensure your child's safety. Please be on the lookout for this form, which will be sent home this week.
Early Release Wednesdays are only for K-6 students. All preschool (PAC, ECCB, and PreK) will follow their normal schedule on Wednesdays.
2025-2026 EARLY RELEASE DATES:
- September 17
- October 15
- November 19
- December 17
- February 25
- March 25
- April 29
- May 20
Please scroll down to review important information and reminders.
Rebecca Gidoni, Principal
Tim Signorelli, Assistant Principal
Important Reminders
Back to School Night for Preschool – 6th Grade
Wednesday, September 10
5:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Parents/Caregivers of students in Preschool – 6th grade are invited to join their child's teacher at Terra Centre on Wednesday, September 10, to learn about their child's classroom experience, grade level curriculum, and other important school year details.
Session 1: 5:30-6:15 PM (classrooms)
Session 2: 6:20-7:05 PM (classrooms – repeat of session 1)
Specialists will be available in their classrooms, and our PTA and community groups will be located near Door 1.
Additionally, our PTA has arranged for two childcare options at iCode or InCourage (not affiliated with Terra Centre or FCPS). Please see below for more information.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill. Parents will be notified when the drill is complete.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit our website for more attendance resources. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
New Math Screening and Growth Assessment for Elementary Students
Starting in September, FCPS elementary schools will use the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math assessment to assess grade level mathematics skills in grades 1-6. The MAP Math test along with the iReady Reading test fulfill a state requirement to measure academic growth in grades 3-6 throughout the school year.
MAP Math tests are administered in the fall, winter, and spring. They help teachers identify students' strengths and areas where they may need more support.
Families can learn more about MAP Growth assessments by visiting the MAP Test Information webpage.
Preschool and Kindergarten Color Days
PTA News
Join the Terra Centre PTA for the 2025-2026 school year! https://tcpta.ptboard.com/home.
🍂✨ Fall Clubs Are Coming! ✨🍂
We’re so excited to announce that PTA-sponsored Fall Clubs are back this year! Clubs will run between late September and early December and offer our students fun, friendship, and new experiences after school.
📚🎶⚡ Here’s what’s coming this fall:
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Tuesdays
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Wednesdays
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Thursdays
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Cozy Storytime (Grades 1-3)
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Gaga Ball (Grades 1-6)
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Piano (Grades 1-6)
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Running (Grades 4-6)
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Ukulele (Grades 1-6)
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Avid Readers (Grades 4-6)
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Crochet (Grades 5-6)
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Magic (Grades 2-6)
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Chess (Grades 1-6)
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Improv (Grades 3-6)
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Speed & Agility (Grades 3-6)
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📅 Important Details:
- No clubs on half-days or when school is closed to students.
- Pick-up is at 4:45 PM sharp. Students must be released to an adult— (no buses, kiss-n-ride, or walkers like end of day school dismissal)
- Families are key to making this possible! We need 2 parent/caregiver volunteers each day to help confirm attendance and float among clubs. Volunteers must: ✅ Be an FCPS Level 3 Volunteer (apply here) ✅ Be present from 3:30–5:50 PM 🎉 Bonus: Volunteers receive FREE student registration!
💡 This is a wonderful way to support our school, connect with students, and help make Fall Clubs a success!
👉 Stay tuned for registration details—coming soon on the PTA website, school newsletter and PTA/Grade Facebook pages!
Back to School Night Childcare Options
The PTA has organized childcare options for Back to School Night - see below. Please note that these materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school.
Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday, September 9: Student Holiday - Special Election (no school)
Wednesday, September 10: Back to School Night 5:30-7:15 PM
PreK-6 Back to School Night for Parents and Caregivers
Session 1 - 5:30-6:15 PM
Session 2 - 6:20-7:05 PM (repeat of session 1)
Wednesday, September 17th: 3 hour early release for K-6th grade students
Tuesday, September 23rd: Holiday - Rosh Hashanah (no school)
Wednesday, September 24th: Advanced Academics Overview and PTA Meeting
- 5:00 p.m. Advanced Academics Overview for Families (Cafeteria)
- 6:00 p.m. PTA Meeting (Cafeteria)
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- ✅ Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
- 🚨 Safety and Security Information
- 📍 Updates on Comprehensive Boundary Review
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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
Ivy Jun-school counselor
Laurel Hanlon-school social worker
Emily Oliver-school psychologist
☎️ 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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