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NOTE: Usually this will come out on Fridays when I'm (Maureen) here, but we lost power at my house in Fairfax yesterday!!
It's September! It has been nice to see students and teachers getting into routines this week. In traveling around the building and seeing classes, we've seen writing activities, math lessons, digital citizenship lessons, a lot of community building tasks, and a variety of engaging activities in PE, strings and art. We've also enjoyed visiting our preschool classes.
Thank you PTA for funding materials for our Tiger Chill Zone. This is a place where students can go to take a break and decompress. The picture shows how nice and calming this space is.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, you can reach out to your child's teacher and of course Maureen (Interim Principal) or Meghan (Assistant Principal).
mboland@fcps.edu (Maureen Boland, Interim Principal)
mrehrman@fcps.edu (Meghan Ehrman, Assistant Principal)
We welcome your partnership.
Greetings Terra Centre families! I’m Erika Bunin, your school Family Liaison. Every family brings unique strengths to our community, and my mission is to make sure every voice is heard and supported. I am available to help with language access, school registration, family events, and connecting you with local resources. My door is always open, and I am excited to work together to support your child's success.
You can reach me Monday through Friday during school hours at the front office, by phone at 703-249-1412 or 571-460-4930, or my email at EAgasparbuni@fcps.edu
¡Hola! Mi nombre es Erika Bunin y estoy feliz de trabajar como el enlace/coordenadora familiar de Terra Cantre. Mi meta es conectar a las familias con la escuela para asegurar que todos tengan la información, el apoyo y los recursos necesarios para el éxito de sus hijos. Si necesita ayuda con programas escolares, recursos comunitarios o tiene alguna pregunta, estoy aquí para ayudarle. Hablo español y puede comunicarse conmigo por teléfono 703-249-1412 o 571-460-4930, correo electrónico EAgasparbuni@fcps.edu, o visitando mi oficina lunes a viernes durante horas escolares. ¡Espero trabajar juntos este año escolar!
Free and Reduced Meals
If your children qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM), they may also be eligible for:
- Reduced instrument fees.
- Information about scholarships, classes, and services from non-FCPS agencies and organizations.
- Reduced field-trip fees.
To receive these additional benefits, you must give written consent allowing FCPS staff to share your children's meal eligibility status with administrators, school counselors and the school's finance technician. This information will not be shared with any other parties.
The Consent to Share is available here in multiple languages. Copies are available in Student Services, as well.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch at no cost for their children. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible children continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
Bus Badges
We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services. The bus badges are ready for bus riders who registered prior to July 2, 2026. Teachers will be handing them out to students. The badges are on a lanyard and will be worn around a student's neck going to school and coming home from school. During the school day, they will be kept in the student's backpack.
Registered after July 2, 2026?
We are waiting on additional printing materials to process these cards and will distribute them as soon as they are ready.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers will begin checking in students next week and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
Advanced Academic Information
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Christina Quinteros, School Testing Coordinator, at CLQuinteros@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Hannah Roukas, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: September 22, 2026, at 5:30 in the TC cafeteria. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: October 13, 2026, at 5:30 in the TC cafeteria. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Hannah Roukas, AART, at hbroukas@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Welcome back, Terra Centre! We hope everyone has had a great start to the school year. Here’s what’s happening with your PTA:
🍎 Fall Afterschool Enrichment Clubs
Registration opens Monday, September 7 at 7:00 PM! Popular clubs fill quickly, so be ready to register!
Parent Volunteers Needed! We need at least two volunteers each club day to help with attendance, supervision, dismissal, and emergencies. You do not need to lead a club, and volunteers receive full tuition reimbursement, making your child’s club FREE! Volunteer spots are first-come, first-served and require a commitment for all sessions on your selected day(s).
Interested? Contact Rachel at clubs@tcespta.org or Shannon at president@tcespta.org, or visit www.tcespta.org/clubs.
Financial assistance is also available. Contact your child’s teacher, a school counselor, or the PTA for more information.
📅 PTA General Membership Meetings
Everyone is welcome, whether you are a PTA member or not!
Our first two meetings will be held from 6:00–8:00 PM in the TCES Cafeteria:
Wednesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 28
On-site child care and light refreshments, including snacks and drinks, will be provided. A virtual option will also be available.
Come hear what we’re working on for our students and teachers, share your ideas, and get involved. We’ll also vote on our annual budget.
Braddock District School Board Rep and former TCES PTA President Tom Dannon will join us to talk about what’s happening across FCPS.
💙 Join the PTA!
Help us start the year strong! Membership is $10 per person and $6 for teachers and staff, with proceeds going directly back to our school and students.
There is no volunteer commitment required, and you can even sponsor a teacher or staff member!
Visit our Membership Store to join today!
🌐 Our New PTA Website Is Live!
Visit www.tcespta.org for information about clubs, membership, Spirit Nights, volunteer opportunities, meetings, events, and more!
Our new website is still a work in progress, and we’ll continue adding and updating information throughout the year, so check back often.
🙋 Get Involved!
Even an hour of your time can make a difference! We have committees and volunteer opportunities throughout the year for a variety of schedules and interests.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who gives their time and shows up for our Terra Centre community. We’d love to have you join us!
📌 Upcoming PTA Events
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September 17 | PTA Merch Table at Back to School Night
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September 17 | Game Night at iCode
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September 25, 6:00–8:00 PM | Family Game Night, TCES Cafeteria
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September 29, 5:00–8:00 PM | Spirit Night at Dave & Buster’s Springfield
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September 30, 6:00–8:00 PM | PTA Membership Meeting, feat. Tom Dannon
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October 6, after school | Chalk the Walk at TCES
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October 7 | Walk & Roll to School Day
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October 28, 6:00–8:00 PM | PTA Membership Meeting
👋 Your 2026–2027 PTA Executive Board
President: Shannon McInerney [president@tcespta.org]
Treasurer: Josh Detrick [treasurer@tcespta.org]
Secretary: Chris Detrick [secretary@tcespta.org]
VP of Events: Mary Worosz [events@tcespta.org]
VP of Hospitality: Stephanie Sauer Goodwin [hospitality@tcespta.org]
VP of Enrichment Clubs & Programs: Rachel Ball [clubs@tcespta.org]
*Please take note of our all-new email addresses this year when reaching out to us!
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Calendar Reminders |
Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7: Labor Day Holiday - no school
Thursday, September 17th: Back to School Night (parents only)
Back to School Night for Preschool - 6th Grade
- Session 1: 6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
- Session 2: 6:45 - 7:30 p.m. (repeat of session 1)
Learn about your child's grade level, classroom expectations, and the exciting year ahead!
Tuesday, September 22nd: AAP Parent Info Night at 5:30
Wednesday, September 30th: PTA Meeting at 6:00
Limited Early Release Wednesdays: School releases at 12:40
The dates for these 3 hour early release days are:
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- October 21
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December 2
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February 10
- May 5
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