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09/04-09/07 Labor Day Break-Student Holiday (No School)
09/16 Fall Picture Day (8:45am, Gym)
09/17 Back to School Night (5:30-7:30pm) (Date Updated)
BTSN session information will be sent later
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)
 1st Week of School
What an amazing first week of school! Our halls and classrooms have been filled with excitement, energy, laughter, and so much learning. It has been wonderful to welcome our students back and see them settling into routines, building relationships, and getting to know their teachers and classmates.
We are incredibly grateful to our families for your partnership and support in making this first week such a success. We've loved hearing all the positive feedback from families about how much students are enjoying their first days back! As we head into our second week, we will continue building strong classroom communities and creating an environment where every student feels known, valued, and ready to learn.
Thank you for being such an important part of our school family. We are off to a great start and can't wait for an amazing year ahead together!
Below are students from Ms. McHugh's 4th grade classroom already settling into their math stations! It is so wonderful to see students diving right into hands-on learning, collaborating with peers, and building strong math routines so early in the school year. Keep up the great work, 4th graders!
Ms. Aucejo's 5th grade class is diving into literacy by exploring perspectives through art! By analyzing different artistic works, students practiced how to step into another point of view. It is inspiring to watch our 5th graders connect visual art to reading strategies and build deeper comprehension skills right from the start!
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In our STEAM classroom, students were hard at work building, creating, and problem-solving with LEGO bricks! Through hands-on exploration, students were using their engineering and critical thinking skills to the test. Thank you, Ms. Keefe, for making STEAM engaging to our students! |
On Friday afternoon, our staff gathered for a quick stand-up meeting to celebrate an amazing first week of school! We wanted to pause and express our deepest gratitude to our incredible teachers and staff for all of their hard work, energy, and dedication to our students. As a small token of our appreciation, everyone was treated to delicious Klondike ice cream bars to end the week on a sweet note. Thank you for making the start of this school year so special!
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We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services next week.
ID cards should be worn or attached to your child’s backpack and brought to the bus each day. We will hold them during the day, then return them to students for their bus trip home.
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 are checking in students 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.
To pre-order online, go to www.strawbridge.net. Click Order Pictures and enter the following code: PX518389
 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!
 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 beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits.
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.
Our school nurse and health room aid at Annandale Terrace Elementary School are Michelle Dierkes and Karina RodriguezCruz. Contact them at 703-658-5610 or krodriguezcr@fcps.edu for health plans, medication drop-offs, or questions about chronic conditions. Visit our school health webpage (https://annandaleterracees.fcps.edu/student-services/health-room-clinic)
for forms, illness policies, and tips to keep your student healthy!
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.
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
The 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.
The first goal of the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?
Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e. backpacks) for the duration of the school day — bell to bell. This includes:
- Personal laptops and tablets.
- Smartphones and smartwatches.
- Other personal electronic communication or computing devices.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at 703-658-5600. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.
Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Opt In or Out to Student Devices Being Sent Home for Grades 1-6
New this year, families can opt out of having student laptops sent home with their student.
- If you do not want your student to bring their FCPS-issued device home, please toggle the Opt Out button to a check mark and confirm by pressing Save Selection.
- If you would like your student to bring their FCPS device home, no toggle action is needed. Confirm by pressing Save Selection.
Students whose families opt out will continue to have access to an FCPS-issued device during the school day. Please reach out to your student’s teacher to understand expectations for homework and any learning activities that may require access to technology outside of the school day.
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your child’s bus.
If your child’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2050 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
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.
 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.
 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.
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