|
10/26-30 Digital Citizenship Spirit Week
10/28 Gr. 4 Field Trip to GMU Center for Arts
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
PTA sponsored Cold Stone Fundraising Night
(1:00pm-9:00pm, 9548 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031)
11/02-03 Teacher Workday (Student Holiday, No School)
11/05 Multicultural Night (5:30-7:30pm, Cafeteria / Gym)
11/06 Fall Picture Retakes Day
11/09 Family Food Market (3:45pm, Cafeteria)
11/11 Quarter 1 Progress Reports Sent Home
11/18 3-Hours Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
11/19 Thanksgiving / Student Parent Luncheon
(Lunch time, Cafeteria)
11/20 Turkey Trot
11/25-27 Student Holiday-Thanksgiving (No School)
12/01 Family Science Night and Book Fair
(5:30-7:30pm, Gym/Library/Cafeteria)
12/07 Family Food Market (3:45pm, Cafeteria)
12/09 Interim Reports Sent Home
Winter Band and Strings 5th grade Concert
(5:30pm - 6:30pm, Gym)
12/21-01/01/27 Winter Break (No School)
 After wrapping up our staff development meeting on Monday, October 12, we celebrated our annual tailgate party and cornhole tournament! It was the perfect way to kick back, catch up, and show off a little team spirit. Shout-out to Ms. Marlee Farbstein and Ms. Sarah McHugh for organizing everything and making it such a success. Thank you both for being so amazing!
This past week, Annandale Terrace celebrated Interstellar Dreams Space Week, Founded by The Pearl Project Institute For STEM Literacy! Throughout Space Week, students discovered schoolwide how their own passions and interests can connect to exciting careers in the space industry including engineering and science to art, medicine, technology, entrepreneurship, and beyond!
Each day October 13-16, featured a classroom connection, space-themed spirit day, and schoolwide challenge designed to encourage students to imagine, create, question, and solve problems. Students explored how math is essential to space exploration, imagine what the future might look like, and considered how they can help create it, by listening to the morning news show, ATTV.
The week wrapped up with a “Math is Out of This World” Math Night on Thursday, October 15, followed by a PTA Movie Night featuring Wonder on Friday, October 16. Together, we celebrated curiosity, creativity, mathematics, and the idea that there is a place for every passion in the future of space exploration.
A huge thank you to Maria Pezzuti for taking the lead in organizing this amazing event! And a shoutout to all of the volunteers!
Ms. Campbell's amazing 3rd graders set a target score for their end-of-unit math test—and they hit it! To celebrate their hard work, the class enjoyed a chip salad party. Way to go, 3rd grade!
 Join us for Digital Citizenship Spirit Week, October 26–30! Show your school spirit and try the at-home challenge each day.
-
Monday, October 26 — Unplug and Connect Pajama Day: Wear school-appropriate pajamas or cozy clothes.
-
At-home challenge: Spend 30 minutes without screens. Talk face-to-face, play a board game, or read a printed book.
-
Tuesday, October 27 — Thinking Hat, Crazy Hat, or Hair Day: Wear a favorite hat, headband, or fun hairstyle.
-
At-home challenge: Compare two short texts or images—one made by a person and one made by AI. Look for clues such as strange details, missing context, or robotic wording.
-
Wednesday, October 28 — Crazy Sock and Shoe Day: Wear bright, silly, or mismatched socks and your favorite shoes.
-
At-home challenge: Trace a shoe on paper. Inside the outline, write three positive traits or creative ideas you want people to know about you, both online and offline.
-
Thursday, October 29 — Team Up for Truth: ATES School Spirit Day: Wear ATES gear or blue and yellow.
-
At-home challenge: Think of feelings that AI cannot experience. Write or draw an encouraging card for a classmate to practice empathy offline.
-
Friday, October 30 — Book Character Day: Dress as a favorite book character.
-
At-home challenge: Write down one “superpower” you have that machines don’t, such as empathy, original art, or genuine kindness.
 Dress like a character from your favorite book on Friday, October 30th. Please note that no masks or accessories not appropriate for school.
 FCPS has a special awards program to honor outstanding staff members. This can include classroom teachers, ESOL teachers, SPED teachers, Specialists (PE, Music, Art, etc…), Instructional Assistants and Instructional Leaders for each school. It’s a perfect way to celebrate any of our staff members to be recognized for all the amazing work they do each day.
If you would like to nominate anyone from ATES, please fill out this form no later than by October 30, 2026.
If you have any questions, send them to Essel Linton, Awards Liaison at elinton@fcps.edu
The nomination forms may be accessed through
https://forms.gle/3rL4MTTqk76wgFxX7
The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS secure funding from the Impact Aid Program by helping us identify:
- Military families.
- Federally connected families.
- Families living on a military base.
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the parent that registered the student with FCPS (the ‘enrolling parent’) can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form.
For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting October 28. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Your support will ensure that we receive the resources for which we are eligible.
If you choose to use the ParentVUE app, after signing in, click on ‘Online Registration’. From there, find the Impact Aid button on the bottom of the page to continue to the Impact Aid Survey Form. Depending on your phone’s make, model, and settings, these directions may not work. If you are not able to complete the form using the ParentVUE app, please use Google Chrome to complete the survey.
To access the Impact Aid Form from your computer or mobile device, we recommend using Google Chrome.
-
Step 1: Log in to Your SIS ParentVUE account or type sisparent.fcps.edu into your Chrome address bar to be taken to SIS ParentVUE. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation letter.
-
Step 2: After you’ve logged into your ParentVue Account, look for the ‘Online Packets’ link at the top of the page. Click ‘Online Packets’.
-
Step 3: Next, click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Impact Aid Survey for you to complete.
If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please fill out a form for each child. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you get to the final page, and see a green check next to each of their names.
 For the school year 2026-2027, ATES is hosting a free event for our students and families courtesy of The Children’s Science Center www.thechildrenssciencecenter.org. The Mobile Science Lab will bring fun experiments and activities designed to excite our students about science! It is completely free because we are a Title 1 school, however 30 volunteers are needed to run the activities. Please consider volunteering your time and/or pass this on to someone who’d like to volunteer. Children’s Science Center brings all the materials, displays and activities. Volunteers just set up, read their volunteer packet (you receive this a week in advance), run the activity table, and go home when finished.
Volunteer Requirements: Adults (teachers, spouses, friends, community members, etc.) or high school students in grades 11 and 12 (Community service hours given for high school students).
When: Tuesday, December 1st
Place: Gym @ Annandale Terrace Elementary School
Time: 5:15-7:45 p.m. (This time includes set up/clean up. The actual family program is from 6:00-7:30 p.m.)
RSVP by Friday, November 6th by completing this Volunteer Sign-up Form (https://forms.gle/cBfYx3QWGgouo1gG6). For any questions, please email Cindy Rogers via cindy.rogers@fcps.edu.
 Cold Stone fundraiser night is scheduled on Friday, October 30th from 1:00-9:00pm at the main street, Fairfax location. The flyers will be sent home in the Wednesday folders. Do join the fun this evening and help make this event a success. Don't forget to mention Annandale Terrace every time you make a purchase. All proceeds will benefit ATES PTA. Thank you!,
 November is family engagement month and to honor our diversity. We would like you to share a favorite family recipe that represents your heritage so we can create an Annandale Terrace ES recipe book!
This recipe book will be shared with students in ATTV News, staff, and showcased during our Multicultural Night in November.
We look forward to all the delicious recipes that will be shared.
You have received a hard copy of a template for your recipe in this week's Wednesday Folder. Please return it by October 28th to your teacher.
 Join us on Thursday, November 5th at 5:30 pm for Multicultural Night at Annandale Terrace ES. Please help us make this event a success by participating for one of the activities and signing up via: https://forms.gle/kdgHLuSNRvonKowi8. Last day to sign-up is November 3rd.
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.
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:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Regular attendance is a good habit to establish in childhood. It can lead to greater success in high school, college, and careers. Teachers and students miss your child when they can’t make it to school. If you or your family need support, please reach out to your school's front office. We are here for you!
If students miss too much school, school staff may reach out to the family to partner with them on addressing barriers to regular attendance. Visit the FCPS website for attendance resources.
Want to better understand how your child learns to read and how you can support them at home? FCPS is offering several free virtual sessions to help families learn about reading instruction, literacy resources, and strategies to build strong reading skills. Explore the opportunities below and register for the sessions that interest you.
Lexia Family Information Sessions
Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? These virtual sessions share how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the division this school year to support students’ literacy growth and give families a chance to ask questions.
Every one-hour session covers the same content. Choose the option that works best for your family:
- Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Join a Lexia Family Information Night Session.
Literacy Webinar Series
Join us for a series of family-friendly webinars designed to help you understand reading assessments, reading plans, and ways to support your child at home. Learn what assessment results mean, how reading plans guide instruction, and practical strategies to strengthen decoding, language, comprehension, and literacy skills, including support for multilingual learners.
- December 15, 2026: What Is a Reading Plan?
- February 19, 2027: How Do I Support My Child With a Reading Plan at Home?
- May 14, 2027: Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer
Register for the Literacy Webinar Series.
Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective about building conditions, how facilities affect teaching and learning, renovation priorities, and what information would help you better understand this process.
Look for the survey in your email from Friday, October 16. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will remain open until Saturday, October 31.
Did You Know? Bond Referendums Fund Facility Renovations
FCPS does not pay for facility renovations out of its general operating budget. Instead, Fairfax County voters decide on how much money FCPS can spend on capital improvement projects through bond referendums. Bonds are issued by the county to the school division and allow FCPS to renovate buildings without increasing taxes.
Learn more about bond referendums and how they support our schools on the Bond Referendum webpage.
New ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile apps launched in July. Be sure to download the new app before winter break. After that time, you will need to use the new mobile app or a web browser to access ParentVUE or StudentVUE.
For instructions on installing the new apps and learning more about the updated login process, visit ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile app resources. If you need assistance, please submit a Parent Support Request.
Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e., in backpacks) for the duration of the school day: bell to bell.
This includes personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices. Students can only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. There are exceptions for students with disabilities and those enrolled in specific courses.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call the school’s front office. Learn more about the FCPS cellphone policy and device policy.
 You are invited to participate in a free program for families with children between the ages of 2-5 years old.
- Children and families participate in fun “school-like” activities.
- The joy of sharing books Learning through play
- Positive ways to communicate with children
- Understanding behavior
- Preparing for kindergarten
Where: Annandale Terrace Elementary School
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:00-3:00pm starting on 10/06
For more information please call Aejin Lee at 703-204-4346 or aklee1@fcps.edu
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:
- 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.
The annual flu vaccine is the most effective way to protect your child from getting sick and to prevent the spread of illness within our classrooms. 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 be providing flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will be taking 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.
 Annandale High School's PTSA will be hosting a Holiday Market on Sunday, November 15th from 10:00am-4:00pm. Join them if you are interested.
 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, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, taking place on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
More than 20 engaging breakout sessions have been designed to support, inform, and inspire our community. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage to explore the lineup of presenters, titles, and session descriptions. Complete the Special Education Family Conference Registration Form to secure your spot and let us know about any childcare, language interpretation, or accommodation needs.
Get Involved Today! Volunteer and Student Participation Opportunities
-
Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS using the Volunteer Registration Form by Wednesday, October 28. FCPS staff volunteers will receive MyPDE credit.
-
Student Volunteers: Complete the Student Volunteer Interest Form by Wednesday, October 28. Students who volunteer will receive volunteer hours.
-
Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Students serving in these roles will receive service hours. Sign up by Friday, October 30.
Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
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:
- Literacy Resources
- Return Your Impact Aid Survey
- Download the New ParentVUE App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
|
