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09/16 Fall Picture Day (8:45am, Gym)
09/17 Back to School Night (5:30-7:30pm)
AAP Information Night (5:30-7:30pm, Room 135)
09/18 PTA Sponsored Chuck E Cheese Fundraising Night
(4:00pm, 9404 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031)
09/21 Student Holiday-Yom Kippur (No School)
09/25 Student Parent Luncheon (Lunch time, Cafeteria)
09/30 3-Hours Early Release -Dismissal time 12:20pm
1st Quarter Interim’s Sent Home
10/05 Family Food Market (3:45pm, Cafeteria)
10/12 Student Holiday-Indigenous People's Day
Teacher Workday (No School)
10/22 AAP Information Night (5:00 pm, Cafeteria)
10/30 End of 1st Quarter
2-Hour Early Student Release - Dismissal time 1:20 pm
 Our students are continuing to settle into their routines, building relationships, and showing us more and more of who they are as learners each day. It has been wonderful to see students becoming more comfortable in their classrooms, connecting with their teachers and classmates, and embracing all that Annandale Terrace Elementary School has to offer. While we know the beginning of a school year comes with lots of learning and adjusting, we are proud of the progress our students have already made.
Thank you to our families for continuing to partner with us as we build strong habits and routines. Your support at home makes such a difference, and we appreciate the encouragement you give your children each day.
As we move forward, we will continue focusing on learning, belonging, and growing together. We want every Cougar to feel safe, supported, challenged, and excited to come to school each day. We are looking forward to building on this strong start and making even more progress together!
Below are pictures from this past week's learning:
We also want to take time to express our gratitude for the generous donations received this week. A former parent dropped off backpacks filled with school supplies for students in need, and Reading Is Fundamental gifted us 200 string bags containing books. We are deeply grateful for these wonderful contributions to our school community!
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To pre-order online, go to www.strawbridge.net. Click Order Pictures and enter the following code: PX518389
 Back to School Night will be on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 5:30PM – 7:30PM. Each grade level, including PreK/Head Start, will present three sessions to accommodate families with more than one elementary aged child. See above for the locations where each grade level will meet.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Michelle Carr-Hogan, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: Back to School Night, September 17th at 5:30 – 7:30pm in Room 135. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: October 22nd at 5pm in Cafeteria. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Michelle Carr-Hogan, AART, at mccarrhogan@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
 Chuck E Cheese fundraiser night is scheduled tonight on Friday, September 18th from 4:00-8:30pm at the main street, Fairfax location. The flyers and coupons 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!
 We will celebrate the ATES Attendance Awareness Spirit Week with a few events:
- Monday, September 22nd: No school due to Yom Kippur Holiday.
- Tuesday, September 22nd: Good Attendance Leads to Bright Futures! Wear neon colors or sunglasses!
- Wednesday, September 23rd: Attendance Today, Achieve Tomorrow! Wear college attire or ATES school spirit to promote schools now and in the future!
- Thursday, September 24th: Great Attendance is TIED to Great Learning! Wear tie dye clothing or a tie!
- Friday, September 25th: Roll Out of Bed and Get to School! Wear pajamas or comfy clothes!
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
 The Family Engagement Committee is sponsoring the Student-Parent Lunch Day on Friday, September 25, 2026. Parents are invited to have lunch with their students during their lunch time. This event is part of increasing family engagement at ATES and providing parents an opportunity to come to school. The price for lunch is $5.75 for all guests (Free of charge for all students in Annandale Terrace). Please complete this survey (https://forms.gle/xfgPnEJgfxKMhihr7) if you are planning to attend.
The Advanced Academic Program (AAP) fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3 to 8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time AAP services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Michelle Carr-Hogan, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at mccarrhogan@fcps.edu by Thursday, October 15. Late referrals will not be accepted.
For students who are not new to FCPS, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2 to 7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by Tuesday, December 15.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.
Other Advanced Academic Services
At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.
At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.
For more information, please contact Michelle Carr-Hogan, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at mccarrhogan@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
 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
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
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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.
What does belonging look like in our school? At Annandale Terrace Elementary School, we are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to cross-grade collaboration, when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice at FCPS.
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