ATES Updates_04/17/2026

Upcoming Dates:

04/20-04/24      Earth Week
04/21                Special Election Day (No School)
04/22                3-Hour Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm (Cancelled)
04/23                Spring Concert & Art Show (6:00-7:00pm, Gym & Cafeteria)
04/27                SOL Window Opens
05/01                Parent Coffee (9:00am, Cafeteria)
                         Topic: Community resources
05/04                Family Food Market (3:45pm, Cafeteria)
05/08                Student Parent Lunch (Lunch Time, Cafeteria)
05/13                3-Hour Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
                         Interim Reports Sent Home
05/15                Parent Coffee (9:00am, Cafeteria)
                         Topic: ATES Family Ambassadors
05/25                Memorial Day/ Student Holiday-No School
05/26                Teacher Workday (No School)
05/27                Eid-al-Adha/ Student Holiday-No School
06/01                Family Food Market (3:45pm, Cafeteria)
06/03                SOL Window Closes


Be Kind banner

On Friday, Staff engaged in professional learning around discipline data, SEL screener data, responding to hate speech, and how to create a sense of belonging during the end of the school year. Special thank you to Ms. Mensah, Ms. Downs, Ms. Raynor, Ms. DePeralta, and Ms. Scher for guiding our staff through such meaningful learning.

On Friday, Staff engaged in professional learning around discipline data, SEL screener data.

We welcomed some of our newest Kindergartners at Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, April 10! Thank you to the Kindergarten Team, Instructional Leaders, Specialists, ESOL Team, Instructional Assistants, and Office Teams for making sure the event ran smoothly. Students left excited for kindergarten next year!

We welcomed some of our newest Kindergartners at Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, April 10!

Earth Week: April 20-24

Earth Week: April 20-24

While we all work hard to protect our planet each day, Earth Week gives us a chance to learn about new opportunities and make commitments to do even more. We will be doing activities at school and families can complete the attached BINGO board. Each day next week has a theme and we will be having spirit days to match:

  • Monday, April 20 – Wildlife Day - wear nature print
  • Tuesday, April 21 – Zero Waste Day - wear white
  • Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day - wear green
  • Thursday, April 23 – Climate Change Day - wear red
  • Friday, April 24- Watershed Day - wear blue

English Bingo Board

Spanish Bingo Board


April Statewide Election: No School for Students

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. 

FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on April 21 at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage

Adjusted Elementary Early Release Wednesdays: Students will now have a traditional full day of instruction and be released at the regular dismissal time on April 22 and April 29, which were previously early release Wednesdays for elementary schools.

This adjustment allows our staff to still have dedicated time for planning, collaboration, and professional learning without reducing instructional time on other school days.


Chick-fil-A Magic Show

Chick-fil-A Magic Show

You and your family are invited to a free Magic Show hosted by Chick-fil-A at Annandale store (address: 7130 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003) on April 21st from 5:30-7:00pm. Registration is not required. Hope to see you there. 


Spring Concert & Art Show

Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Screening Info

Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time ServicesAdvanced Academic Programs (AAP) Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services

Spring AAP Newsletter ES (PDF) is also available in multiple languages:

Arabic | Chinese | English | Korean | Spanish | Urdu| Vietnamese


Updates to 2026-27 School Year Calendar

The School Board voted to direct the superintendent to designate Veterans Day as a standard instructional day for the 2026-27 school year. Because this day was added, the 2026-27 school year will now end for students on Wednesday, June 16, 2027. Find additional information on BoardDocs. View the updated complete school year calendar on FCPS’ website.

The last day of school for the current school year — Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — has not changed.


Support Your Children During Important Spring Assessments

test

Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes summative assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which measure what a student knows, and progress assessments like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which measure where they are in their learning. 

FCPS encourages all families to support their students in taking these tests. Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOLs, so when families choose not to participate in testing, it can impact a school’s accreditation, accountability ratings, and ability to measure student progress accurately.

Parents and caregivers can help their children perform their best on these tests by reminding them to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and the cell phone policy still applies during testing season. 

It is important that students attend school on scheduled testing dates. If you are aware of a conflict that may cause your student to miss a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible. 

Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters.


Help FCPS Sustain Excellence: Make Your Voice Heard on the FY 2027 Budget

About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There are several upcoming opportunities to provide feedback to the county on its budget before final adoption in May. This includes public budget hearings (April 14-16) and an online survey.

Learn how the FCPS budget helps us sustain our excellence.


Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, 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. on: 

Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but it 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.


SOL Windows

The testing window is from April 27-June 3. Full grade level testing will take place on the following dates:

  • Thursday, May 7 - 5th Grade Science
  • Tuesday, May 12 - 3rd Grade Math 
  • Thursday, May 14 - 4th Grade Math
  • Friday, May 15 - 5th Grade Math
  • Monday, May 18 - 3rd Grade Reading
  • Tuesday, May 19 - 4th Grade Reading
  • Wednesday, May 20 - 5th Grade Reading

Retakes and makeups are ongoing throughout the testing window, which closes on June 3rd.


Resources to Help Infants and Toddlers Meet Milestones

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, and attention skills. Learn more about typical developmental milestones.

The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (ITC) provides evaluations and services for children (0-36 months) 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 call 571-423-4121 with questions.


Inova Healthy Plate Club

Inova Healthy Plate Club

Register: https://bit.ly/4oGbfxi if you are interested. 


2026 Special Education Family Conference: Registration is open!🎉

2026 Special Education Family Conference: Registration is open!

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School

Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.

Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.


Peter Pan JR Show @ Poe Middle School

Raven Theater at Poe Middle School presents a show entitled Peter Pan Jr. soon. If you are interested, please purchase the ticket via:

https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15650/


Free Dad's Parenting Group

Free Dad Workshop

12 virtual free sessions of Dad's Parenting Group will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00-8:30pm from April 7th to June 30th, 2026. The classes will be taught in Spanish only. Call 703-324-7720 for the registration if you are interested. 


Register Today With Volunteer FCPS

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.


Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs

pre-K

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).


2026 Basketball Summer Camp

2026 Basketball Summer Camp

This camp is designed for young athletes of all skill levels to improve their game, build confidence, and have fun on the court.

Camp Details:

  • Dates:  July 20-24, 2026
  • Location:  Annandale High School (4700 Medford Dr, Annandale, VA 22003)
  • Campers:  Girls & Boys
  • Grades:  Rising 3rd - 9th 
  • Focus:  Skill development, teamwork, conditioning, and game strategy

Register or Learn Morehttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbms-Ipd_FNKPPgdyOh2nNSc3dpqU0t7z5GBCftQ7jTkcOmQ/viewform?usp=header 


Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

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.

Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

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!


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.


FCPS News

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

  • Calendar Updates
  • Teacher on The Kelly Clarkson Show
  • Support Your Student During SOLs

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