|
Terra Centre Families,
As a reminder, there is no school tomorrow, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day. We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our military-connected families for their service and sacrifice.
Terra Centre will celebrate our veterans and military-connected families on Wednesday, November 19. That day will also include our Thanksgiving Luncheon and a three-hour early release for K–6 students. Please scroll down for fliers and additional details.
A big thank-you to the PTA and our 6th grade families for an awesome Pumpkin Drop last week! We were thrilled to welcome a special guest, Rachna Sizemore Heizer, the Braddock District Member on the Fairfax County School Board. She joined in the fun and even announced several pumpkins as they made their dramatic descent. Enjoy a few photos from the event below.
Please continue reading for more updates and reminders.
Rebecca Gidoni, Principal
Tim Signorelli, Assistant Principal
Important Reminders
Gift Card Drive for Terra Centre Families
The Terra Centre PTA and SCA are partnering to collect gift cards to support Terra Centre families in need this holiday season.
- We are requesting Gift Cards to Target, Walmart, and/or any gas station in $10 or $25 denominations. You are welcome to donate multiple cards.
- A clearly labeled collection box is located in the main office.
- Donations will be accepted through Friday, November 21.
- If your family is in need, please complete the confidential TCES Family/Caregiver Assistance Form.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity in helping make the holidays brighter for our Terra Centre families. The flier below is available in the All Parents Schoology Course.
Family Life Education Parent Preview
Students in grades K-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their classroom teacher. Students in Kindergarten through grade three receive instruction in an emotional and social health unit.
Students in grades 4-6 receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit. For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed grade-level program descriptions at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle.
In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review in multiple locations.
- Online in Schoology - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available at your child’s school library.
- Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account.
- Your child’s school. Please contact the school to schedule a time to review lessons and/or media.
- City of Fairfax Regional Library – lessons only. Media is not available.
You are invited to attend an opportunity to preview the Family Life Education media and lessons and to talk with school staff about the program. The meeting will be held virtually on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM. Administration from Terra Centre Elementary School will be supporting the presentation. Please use the following link to access the meeting: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/97308094047.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please complete the opt-out form available in Parent Digital Consent (PDC) at https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent/directions. If you are unable to access PDC, a paper opt-out form may be requested from the main office. Opt-out for students accessing the modified FLE curriculum is only available by using a paper form that will be provided to you or may be accessed online at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/curriculum/subject-area/family-life-education-fle/fle-opt-out-request-forms. Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify your child’s school principal in writing before instruction begins.
An alternative non-FLE health instructional program is provided for children who do not take part in FLE instruction, and every effort is made to foster understanding and respect for family choices and to avoid peer pressure for or against participation in the program.
Instruction of the instructional units occurs at various times during the school year. Please contact your child’s teacher for specific dates of FLE instruction. We look forward to working as your partner in providing information that will help your child make healthy choices related to the exciting changes and new challenges he/she will be facing in the next few years.
FCPS Outstanding Employee Award Nominations
It’s that time of year when we look to recognize our awesome teachers and staff. We are asking for your help in nominating those that you think are doing a fantastic job!
Nominations Due by Wednesday, November 12
To submit a nomination for a Terra Centre Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through the Google form linked below. This form includes all the information for the role you can nominate an employee for. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is to fill out a google form with some questions. This year we have simplified the process and everything is on one form: https://forms.gle/jCY7umTYeFBtkdoS9.
Visit the All Parents Course in Schoology for the complete flier: https://lms.fcps.edu/course/7929256601/materials/gp/8087051695.
If you have any questions, please contact Pamela Roldan at pmroldan@fcps.edu
|
Wednesday, November 19: Veterans Day Celebration, Thanksgiving Luncheon, 3-Hour Early Release for K-6
Veterans Day Celebration - 8:40-10:00 a.m.
- We are honored to invite all veterans and active-duty military members connected to our Terra Centre community to join us for our Veterans Day Celebration, featuring a morning of appreciation, a school parade, and classroom visits. Flier is available in the All Parents Course on Schoology.
- Please complete the RSVP Form for the Veterans Parade and/or Classroom Visits.
Thanksgiving Lunch - 10:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
- Lunch is $3.25 for Terra Centre students and $5.00 for all adults and non-TC students.
-
MySchoolBucks is the preferred method of payment for lunch.
- Guests can use their students' MySchoolBucks account to purchase lunch.
- If you do not have an account, please consider creating one and adding funds to pay for meals.
- If paying with cash, please be sure to have exact change.
- If paying by check, make it payable to “Terra Centre Food Services.”
3-Hour Early Release Wed - 12:25 p.m. Dismissal for K-6 Only
- If you plan to take your child home after the Thanksgiving Lunch, students must be signed out.
- Sign-out sheets will be available in the main lobby.
 |
 |
 |
Full-Time AAP Referral Deadline
The deadline for Full-Time AAP (Advanced Academics Program) referrals is Monday, December 15, 2025. If you decide to refer your student, please make sure your response fits in the text box. If any part is hidden when you click out, the committee will not be able to see it. Late referrals cannot be accepted.
- Only students in grades 2 - 7 may be referred for Full-Time services.
- If you are the parent of a 2nd grader, please do not wait for the NGAT results to submit your referral.
Robinson Annual Christmas Tree Stand
The 34th Annual Robinson Christmas Tree Stand officially opens on Saturday, November 22 at 9 AM. All money raised goes to support Robinson Baseball.
The tree stand is located at Robinson Secondary on the outdoor basketball courts. Your tree will be fresh cut, netted, and loaded into your car at no extra charge. Prices vary depending upon size, quality, and availability.
Stand Hours:
Monday-Friday: 5 - 8 PM
Saturday: 9 AM - 8 PM
Sunday: 10 AM - 7 PM
Closed: Nov. 26 and Nov. 27
Friday, Nov. 28: 9 AM - 8 PM
Payment:
Only Cash or Checks made payable to "Robinson Secondary School" are accepted—no credit cards.
Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday, November 11: Veterans Day Holiday (school closed)
Friday, November 14: Fall Picture Retakes
Monday, November 17: FCPS Family Life Education Parent Preview (virtual - details above)
Wednesday, November 19:
- TC Veterans Celebration (parade & class visits)
- Thanksgiving Luncheon
- 3-Hour Early Release for K-6th grade students (12:25 p.m. dismissal)
Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28: Thanksgiving Holiday (no school)
Monday-Friday, December 1-5: Scholastic Book Fair
Thursday, December 4:
- 5:30-7:30 Family Book Fair Night
- 5:30-6:00 2nd Grade Family Dance Night
- 6:15-6:45 3rd Grade Family Dance Night
Wednesday, December 10: 5:30 p.m. Winter Band Concert
Thursday, December 11: 5:30 p.m. Winter Strings Concert
Wednesday, December 17: 3-Hour Early Release for K-6th grade students (12:25 p.m. dismissal)
Friday, December 19: SCA Spirit Day - Pajama Day
Monday, December 22-Friday, January 2: Winter Break (no school)
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
PTA News
PTA Website
https://terracentrepta.givebacks.com/
PTA Reflections 2025-2026 - Theme: “I Belong”
Entries are due to PTA not later than November 24, 2025. Please submit your completed student entry form and works of art to Ms. Bauersfeld and digital artwork with entry form (pdf form) to tcesptareflections@gmail.com
Complete flier available in Schoology on the All Parents Folder.
FCPS News
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. 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.
November Is National Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and LearningThe FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
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.
|
