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03/18 3-Hour Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
03/20 Student Holiday-Eid al-Fitr-No School
03/25 Spring Pictures (ATES Library)
ATES Dance Night (6:00pm, AHS Gym)
03/27 End of 3rd Quarter
2-Hour Early Student Release - Dismissal time 1:20 pm
03/30-04/03 Spring Break
04/06 Teacher Workday (No School)
04/10 Teacher Workday (No School)
Kindergarten Orientation (2:00-3:00pm, Gym)
04/17 Parent Coffee (9:00am, Cafeteria)
Topic: Introduction of the Equity
5th grade Panoramic
Student Parent Lunch (Lunch Time, Cafeteria)
04/21 Special Election Day (No School)
04/22 3-Hour Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
04/23 Spring Concert & Art Show (6:00-7:00pm, Gym & Cafeteria)
 January was National Mentoring Month, and several of our outstanding staff mentors were recognized by our school district. In recognition, the school district honored the following staff members with a pink Employee Wellness Stanley Cup!
Congratulations to:
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Erin Arnold – “First to Help” Award
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Maria Pezzuti – “Willing to Take One More Student” Award
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Jameka Mensah – “Longest-Tenured” Award
Thank you for your enthusiasm, generosity, and dedication to supporting our students through the mentoring program at ATES. The commitment each one of you brings to this work is truly appreciated! Your impact on our students means so much!
This past week, our 2nd and 3rd grade teams had the opportunity to participate in a GLAD Lab, where teachers deepened their understanding of strategies that support language development and meaningful classroom discourse for all students. It was wonderful to see our teachers collaborating, observing, and reflecting on ways to incorporate these strategies into their daily instruction. A special thank you to our Region ESOL Specialist, Liz Harris, for facilitating this engaging and informative training. We truly appreciate the time and expertise she shared with our staff. We would also like to thank Ms. Salas and Ms. Martin for graciously opening their classrooms so that teachers could observe and learn from the GLAD strategies in action.
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Our Partners in Print event was a wonderful evening dedicated to celebrating literacy with our students and families. During the event, students and their families visited a variety of engaging literacy stations and completed activities together. As they explored each station, students collected stamps on their passports, and once completed, they were invited to visit the book table to select five brand-new books to take home and enjoy. A special thank you to Tina Fisher for organizing this meaningful event for our families, as well as to our literacy team and committee for their support in making the evening such a success. We truly appreciate everyone who helped create a fun and enriching experience that encouraged a love of reading in our school community.
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Our 3rd grade students visited Colvin Run Mill Historic Site for an engaging field trip last week that connected history, science, and hands-on learning. During the visit, students toured three historic buildings — the mill, the barn, and the general store. The program supported the Virginia Standards of Learning for Force, Motion, and Energy, giving students the opportunity to observe and use simple machines while learning how the mill operated. This experience allowed students to see real-world examples of the science concepts they are studying in class while exploring an important local historic site.
FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open through Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment.
- Communication.
- Student success.
- Advocacy.
- Family and school partnerships.
- Community partnerships.
The survey (general survey link families ) will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
K-5 students will be dismissed @12:20pm on 03/18/26 to allow educators time for planning & training. However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship due to the early release. To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it. Complete https://forms.gle/XACEydo8dAdnjP876 (updated link) as soon as possible for each of your children who are enrolled at ATES no matter you need a childcare or not. Questions? Please call the main office.
 Join us for our annual ATES Dance Night, which will be held in Annandale High School Gym at 6:00pm on March 25th, 2026. Bring your families and enjoy a fun night.
 The Annandale Terrace 2025-2026 Yearbook is now available for early bird pricing at just $16! Pre-order yours before prices go up after March 27, 2026 (It will be increased to $18.00 per yearbook after March 27th). Secure those memories today! Visit https://www.strawbridge.net/ and enter code YB32302. The yearbooks will be distributed in June, 2026.
Parents may send in non-food items such as pencils or stickers for their child to share with their class, in lieu of food, to celebrate birthdays. PLEASE ABIDE BY THIS POLICY.
The school will also recognize each child’s birthday with a birthday pencil and a card. In addition, we will announce each child’s name on his/her birthday during the morning news announcements.
SOLPass provides an opportunity for students to practice for the SOL science, social studies, and reading tests. All Annandale Terrace students have access to the site. You may access the site through www.solpass.org/login or by going to Student Resources from our school website.
When you are on the login page, enter our school name and password: annandale. Click Login
 Visitors can use the Raptor Passport to scan a QR code at our school’s visitor
entrance, allowing them to quickly and securely check-in without waiting in line.
You can download the Raptor Safe app for free from the Apple App Store or
Google Play Store by searching for “Raptor Safe”.
For detailed Info, please visit Raptor Safe FAQ Sheet.pdf
Connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students focus, learn, and engage. When students put their phones away, they have more face-to-face interactions with their peers and teachers and more opportunities to develop resilience and problem-solving skills. Please remind your child that:
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Cell phones and personal devices (earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
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Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our front office at 703-658-5600. Visit our cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
FCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.
Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.
At the Volunteer FCPS site, you can complete a volunteer orientation. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit.
Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
The spirit of heritage and the promise of the future filled the air at Carter G. Woodson High School as FCPS held its second annual Black History Month Celebration with the theme, Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence. This year’s event was especially significant as it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the movement that became Black History Month.
Students from across the division took center stage as the true "echoes" of this excellence. The program featured student-led Moments of Pride that connected local and national history to contemporary achievements. A spirited keynote speech was delivered by Vernon Walton, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Vienna. Another highlight of the night was the FCPS Black Excellence video tribute.
Read more about the Black history event.
 Is your child heading to kindergarten this fall? Join FCPS staff for Countdown to Kindergarten, a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! The webinar will take place on Friday, March 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support their child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools. Register to receive the event link.
Kindergarten Registration
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment (the student and one caregiver must be present).
Read more about the registration process.
 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 who will be 3 years old by September 30 of the same year.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at the program 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).
 If your child is 4 or 5 years old and has not had preschool, please contact Wedgewood Apartments Community Center at the phone @ 571-263-1086 or complete an interest form: https://bit.ly/aartenrollinterest
Finance/Risk Management recommends that schools remind families on a quarterly basis the availability of voluntary student accident insurance. We are increasingly finding that some families do not have medical insurance due to affordability challenges. With multiple forms distributed at the beginning of the school year, important information about student accident insurance may not receive sufficient attention. Periodic reminders throughout the year are therefore recommended.
Fairfax County Public Schools does not provide medical insurance for accidents that occur at school. Parents may want to consider if purchasing voluntary student insurance is appropriate for their family.
K & K Insurance Group offers student accident insurance coverage that parents may purchase. For families without other medical insurance, this plan may be a helpful resource. Additionally, for families who already have coverage, this plan may help offset costs such as deductibles and co-pays. Coverage may be purchased at any time during the school year.
 The Annandale Terrace 2025-2026 Spring portrait picture is now available for purchase! Order portrait picture:
1) Log on https://www.strawbridge.net/
2) Click "Order Pictures & Yearbooks"
3) Enter the code "FM484813" and click "Find" to order
 The Annandale Terrace 2025-2026 Class group picture is now available for purchase pricing at just $14! Order Class Group Picture:
1) Log on https://www.strawbridge.net/
2) Click "Order Pictures & Yearbooks"
3) Enter the code "FM484810" and click "Find" to order
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.
Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!
Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
 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!
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.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Family Engagement Survey
- Student Honors
- No School on April 21
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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