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09/30 Wear Blue to support military families & new students
3-Hours Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
1st Quarter Interim Reports Sent Home
10/05 Family Food Market (3:45pm, Cafeteria)
10/09 Parent Coffee (9:00pm, Cafeteria)
Topic: Annual Title 1 presentation &
the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (aligns with our SIIP)
10/12 Student Holiday-Indigenous People's Day
Teacher Workday (No School)
10/15 Math Night (5:30-6:30pm)
10/16 Movie Night (6:30pm)
10/22 AAP Information Night (5:00 pm, Cafeteria)
10/23 Parent Coffee (9:00pm, Cafeteria)
Topic: Title I Family School Compact 2026-27
10/29 K Field trip to Miller Farm
10/30 Book Character Day
End of 1st Quarter
2-Hour Early Student Release - Dismissal time 1:20 pm
Celebrating Teaching Excellence: ECRI Observation Day at ATES!
Our Annandale Terrace Elementary K–2 teachers recently opened their classrooms to welcome Jessica Surles and Central Office staff for an ECRI (Enhanced Core Reading Instruction) observation day. Hosting ten plus extra adults in a classroom during live instruction takes incredible skill and flexibility, but our teachers handled it seamlessly and made it look effortless!
What made the day truly special was our educators' incredible dedication to growth. Teachers participated in live coaching during their lessons, welcoming immediate feedback and applying new instructional strategies on the spot. Seeing our teachers adapt instantly to refine their reading instruction was inspiring and reflects the high standard of excellence we hold for our students. We are so proud of our dedicated K–2 team for their hard work, open minds, and commitment to helping every student become a confident reader!
A huge thank you to Alex Butler and the literacy team for helping organize this opportunity!
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Back to School Night!
Thank you to all of the families who joined us for our Back to School Night! It was wonderful seeing our hallways filled with so many of our families.
Families had the opportunity to attend grade-level presentations to learn all about classroom routines, academic goals, and what to expect this school year. In addition, our resource fair gave families a chance to explore school and community programs, and gather valuable tools to support learning at home.
Thank you for partnering with us to build a strong foundation for our students. We are looking forward to a fantastic year of growing and learning together—Go Cougars!
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Cougar Pride on Display at Our Kickoff Pep Rally!
We kicked off the school year with an incredible boost of energy at our annual Pep Rally on the field! The event was a wonderful way to show our students how to demonstrate Cougar Pride every single day by being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.
The atmosphere was vibrant as the Annandale High School Band and Color Guard performed for our students, making it feel like a true high school Friday night lights celebration! To top off the excitement, our grade levels went head-to-head in a friendly cheer competition to see who could showcase the most Cougar Pride—and our 5th graders took home the win this year as our loudest crowd!
It was so much fun coming together outside as a school community to celebrate, build school spirit, and set a positive tone for the fantastic school year ahead. Go Cougars!
 
Fun and Support at Our Chuck E. Cheese Night!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser Night! It was wonderful to see so many of our Cougar families out enjoying games, pizza, and time together outside of the classroom.
Not only did our students have a blast playing and catching up with friends, but every slice of pizza and game token purchased helped raise funds directly for our school. These events make a huge difference in supporting school programs and activities for our students throughout the year.
Thank you for coming out, showing your school spirit, and supporting Annandale Terrace Elementary. We can't wait for our next family night!
A Popcorn Treat for Our Hardworking Staff!
This past Friday, our staff enjoyed a fun "Pop-In Popcorn Bar" as a small token of appreciation for all their hard work! Teachers and staff stopped by throughout the day to mix and match different popcorn flavors, try out fun topping combinations, and grab an afternoon pick-me-up.
We love finding sweet (and salty!) ways to show our amazing ATES team how much we appreciate everything they do for our Cougars every single day!
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Supporting Those Who Support Our Cougars: 2 Twenty Club Walk-a-Thon
This past Saturday, Assistant Principal Candice Raynor and I (along with a few other administrator teams from other FCPS schools) had the privilege of attending the 2 Twenty Club Walk-a-Thon to personally thank this wonderful organization for their generosity and commitment to our students.
The 2 Twenty Club does so much more than provide nutritious meal items for our children—they bring comfort, care, and peace of mind to our families so no one has to worry about their children experiencing hunger over the weekend. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and all they do to support our Annandale Terrace community!
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 Blue Star Welcome Week is September 26-October 4! This special week is all about welcoming military families and new students, building connections, and helping everyone feel like they belong. Together, we can create a school community where everyone feels welcomed and included! Let's wear Blue on Wednesday, September 30th.
Please help all our bus riders remember to tap on and tap off the school bus each day. We currently have about 70% of students on buses following this process correctly, which is a great start! Learn more about student IDs and bus navigation.
Families wishing to see where their child’s bus is should continue to use the Here Comes the Bus app.
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
 Each one of us is unique. And every student matters and belongs in school. If a student is having a difficult time attending class, please tell a trusted adult at school. There are solutions.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
We understand that families may need to drive their children to school from time to time. If you need to, please familiarize yourself with our school’s kiss-and-ride procedures for the safety of all children and staff.
Please drop off or pick up your students in the designated areas. Students should not be dropped off or picked up in other areas around the school or in nearby neighborhoods. Please also avoid parking in neighborhoods or double parking in front of our school if you intend to walk your child to school. This can increase the number of students walking through busy intersections and create traffic hazards for other drivers and families trying to get to school.
Please follow all signs and directions posted at our school, on public roads, or provided by school staff or crossing guards, and avoid making U-turns. Most of all, always — ALWAYS — drive slowly near our school. The safety of all our students is one of our top priorities!!
The Fairfax County Police Department has additional safety tips for families, including ways to keep walkers safe and what to do about scooters, bicycles, and e-scooters.
 FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
This week, we’re highlighting Goal 5, which focuses on preparing every student for life after graduation with the skills they need to thrive. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
 The Family Literacy Program will be teaching morning and evening free English classes at the Mission Center in Annandale, starting September 22nd. If you are interested, please sign up from the QR code.
Where: Mission Center (7901 Heritage Dr, Annandale, VA 22003)
When: Mondays & Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00pm starting on 09/23
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:00-12:00pm starting on 09/22
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join the session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: a Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
FCPS’ new September and October menu items are packed with classic favorites and fresh global inspiration. Check our new online menu system to see when you can try new recipes based on student feedback, and developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts.
Menu items include:
- Breakfast items such as honey chicken biscuits, guava pastelitos (whole-grain pastries filled with tropical guava fruit), and roasted apple parfaits, made with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola.
- Lunch items such as crunchy beef or fiesta tacos, ramen bowl with diced chicken or hard-boiled egg, beef or vegan banh mi burger, and southwest fiesta soup with corn chips.
Stay up to date on FCPS menus and nutrition news by subscribing to the Food and Nutrition Services newsletter.
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their child(ren).
Families should review the SR&R and sign the acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or by signing and returning the Signature Sheet.
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more on the FCPS website.
FCPS provides students with digital tools and devices to support their learning, encourage easy collaboration, and help students learn how to interact with technology safely. The FCPS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) guides how these technologies are used both inside the classroom and at home. By following the AUP, students learn how to become not just users of technology, but responsible and ethical digital citizens with critical real-world skills such as:
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Responsible Communication and Conduct: Communicating respectfully and using technology appropriately.
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Digital Footprint Awareness: Understanding online actions can have lasting effects on a student’s reputation, future opportunities and relationships, career prospects, and safety.
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Data Privacy and Security: Learning how online safety can protect their digital work and personal information, and guard against cybersecurity risks.
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Self-Regulation: Learning to manage digital distractions to stay focused when needed.
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Accountability: Understanding that they are responsible for how they use FCPS technology and digital resources.
Learn more about digital citizenship at FCPS.
Limited early release days for elementary schools will shift to Wednesdays for the 2026-27 school year.
Three-hour early release days for our school will include:
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September 30
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November 18
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January 13
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April 7
K-5 students will be dismissed @12:20pm on 09/30 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/XaM775HqXsmFER5R8 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 @ 703-658-5600.
The free Lightspeed Parent Portal makes it easy for you to see and manage how your child uses their FCPS-issued device outside of school hours. New Lightspeed Parent Portal features for this school year include:
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Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times, such as during homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
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Web Rules: Block specific websites you don’t want your child accessing at home.
Be sure to check your email (subject line: “Filter Portal Weekly Report”) each Sunday for the Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report, a weekly summary of the websites your child has visited. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
The new ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Apple and Google App stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their ParentVUE account. The previous app will be deactivated at the end of 2026.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature. Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
As part of FCPS’ continued support for digital literacy, families can access lesson materials that introduce the concepts students will explore throughout the school year. These resources include student lessons and supporting materials organized by grade level. Resources will be shared on a quarterly basis through Schoology.
The All Parent/Guardian Course is available in Schoology through a parent or guardian account. Schoology and ParentVUE use the same login credentials. Families who need assistance can review How Do I Log in to and Access Schoology? or watch the brief walkthrough on the Schoology Snippets page.
Families can also learn more about FCPS guidance and practices on the Educational Technology in FCPS webpage.
 George Mason Regional Library is holding its Fall Book Sale with a large selection of books at unbelievably low prices! The library is located at 7001 Little River Turnpike in Annandale from September 24 through September 27.
In the children’s category there are hundreds of volumes of new and gently used picture books, board books, and early readers. Categories include classics, storybooks, holidays, foreign language, non-fiction and many, many more.
  Join us for our annual shredding event! An industrial shredding truck will be available in the front parking lot of Annandale High School for residents to safely dispose of old or confidential documents for free. Additionally, we are partnering with the Annandale High School Food Pantry and while not required, we encourage attendees to bring food to donate from the attached list of donations.
Date: Saturday, October 3rd, from 11am-2pm
Location: Annandale High School Parking Lot (4700 Medford Drive, Annandale, VA, 22003)
Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:
- Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
- Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
- Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
 12 in-person free sessions of Dad's Parenting Group will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00-8:30pm from September 8th to November 24th, 2026. Call 703-324-7720 for the registration if you are interested.
Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
Families, educators, and community members are invited to this no-cost, in-person event to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
How to Get Involved
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
 If you are interested to sign up Wee Play program, please fill out the registration form via: Wee Play English Flyer Annandale Terrace 2026.pdf and submit the completed form to ATES Main Office. If you have any questions about the program, please email Kathy Brennan at kpbrennan@fcps.edu or call 703 463-0012.
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
 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!
 The Fairfax County Public Schools HIPPY Program is a free home-based early literacy and parent education initiative. It helps parents of two-, three-, and four-year-olds become their child's first teacher by providing weekly instruction, activity packets, stories, and school-readiness tools. The HIPPY Program will start from September 30th,2026 - June 2nd, 2027 on Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. If you are interested to sign up the weekly lessons, please contact Sara Parada, HIPPY Program Leader, at spparadacamp@fcps.edu or call 703-204-4350.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Traffic Safety Near Our Schools
- Sign and Return the SR&R
- Check Out New Menu Options
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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