Welcome to

First Grade!Terra Centre Elementary School

2019-2020

A Message From the Administrators

A message from Terra Centre PTA

Terra Centre Information

School hours: 8:30am - 3:25pm*Students should arrive no earlier than 8:20. Students arriving after 8:40 will be considered Tardy

If your child is going to be absent or late, please email their teacher AND call to notify the front office

(703) 249-1400

Transportation

Please notify your child’s teacher before the first day of school how your child will arrive at and leave school.

*Should your child ever have a transportation change (such as a play date or other afterschool event) you must notify the front office AND your child’s teacher in writing (email or note) preferably before 11 am

Meet the First Grade team!

• Laura Monahan- team lead• Sandra Lias• Diane Grabowski

• Liz Bentley

• Ariana Dailey & Tania Hill, Special Ed.

Laura MonahanUniversity of Maryland

B.S. Early Childhood Ed.

M. Ed. Reading and Language

● Proud Navy spouse of 21

years.

● I am the mom to 3 amazing

children- Julia (17), Rob (15),

Emily (13).

● I have taught pre-k, K, and 1

and have Special Education

experience

Diane Grabowski

Bachelors Elementary Education

Bachelors Biology

❖ 20 years teaching experience: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th grades❖ Teaching at Terra Centre Elementary since 2003❖ Husband retired from Air Force ❖ 3 married children and 2 granddaughters ❖ Black lab named Dakota❖ Lived in CT, Illinois, Alabama, San Antonio, Germany, North

Dakota, Las Vegas, & Virginia❖ 1st career: research assistant at Yale U School of Medicine

Liz BentleyTaught for 8 years in kindergarten and first grade all in FCPS!

● Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Longwood University

● Masters of Arts to be a Reading Specialist from George Mason University

Sandra Lias

Bachelors-Interdisciplinary Studies/Early Childhood Education

Masters-Initiatives Education Transformation

Interesting Facts about me: *I am a military spouse.*I have one wonderful 10 year old son who will be attending Terra Centre. *I have spent the last 3 years living in the United Kingdom.* I have worked for Fairfax County Schools for over 15 years.

I believe that all students can and will learn. Students need plenty of opportunity to explore their world and ask questions. I look forward to working with you and your child this school year.

Fabulous First Grade Facts:

Here are a few important policies

and activities to know for the year:

Home-School Communication

• E-mail

• Class phone –leave message

• Daily folders

• Weekly Thursday folders for school wide communication

• Weekly Classroom Newsletter

*For Remind, teachers will be sending out links for you to join your child’s classroom in the coming weeks

What to do when you have a concern…1.First, start by contacting your child’s teacher via phone, note, or email.

2.If you continue to have the same concern, request a parent-teacher conference.

3.Depending on the type of concern, you may want to consult with a school counselor.

4.After communicating with the teacher and/or counselor and you still have concerns, contact an administrator.

*In case of a crisis or emergency, please contact your child’s teacher and a counselor as well as any other necessary staff members (i.e. school health aide, public health nurse, etc.)

School Communication

•Keep in Touch (KIT) messages are used to communicate directly to parents regarding emergencies or grade level/classroom specific messages.• This system was used to send class placement notifications.• This system uses the email address listed in our Student Information System. Please be sure

they are updated with any changes.

•News You Choose bulletins are sent to anyone who signs up to receive information about Terra Centre. • These messages include information about upcoming events, opportunities, and other things

happening at Terra Centre!• Weekly messages are sent out from administration as well as reminder messages when

appropriate.• Email addresses for families are uploaded from SIS, but parents can unsubscribe from these

messages.• Visit our school website to subscribe! https://terracentrees.fcps.edu/

Social Media Guidance

•FCPS expects students to be responsible members of society and to display good citizenship at all times when using social media.

•In such activities, students are to respect the rights of others and to refrain from the use of profanity and hurtful messaging.

•Depending upon the specific circumstances, failing to adhere to these standards can lead to consequences under the SR&R.

•Adults should model for and monitor student’s social media accounts and messaging.

Homework

Daily:

-reading at home

Additionally:

-Fundations homework by unit

-Animal project in the spring

Field Trips

Fall tripCurrently looking into our options. Most likely a theatre-type experience.

Spring tripWe will visit the National Zoo in Washington D.C.

Scholastic News

• Great tool for working on comprehension• Valuable resource for current events,

science and social studies• Cost is $6.33 per student, please send in

exact cash or a check payable to Scholastic

Parent – Teacher Conferences

• Collaborative communication between teachers and parents improves student learning

• We would like to meet with you and discuss your child’s progress by Thanksgiving break

• Teachers will send out sign-up information, but you are welcome to request a conference at any time

Online Programs

Please visit the school website and follow the Resources tab to Student Learning Links.

• MyOn (reading)

• PebbleGo (reading & research)

Parent Volunteers

• Each classroom requests 1-2 “room parents”-please see sign-up sheet

• There will be many volunteer opportunities throughout the year

• Teachers will contact parents as the needs arise

Class Parties

Each class will host 2 class parties during the year

Winter Party End of Year Party

These are great opportunities for parents to volunteer!

Snack

• Please pack a daily snack and water bottle for your child to enjoy in class during work time.

• Suggestions for snack include: granola bar, cheese and crackers, fresh cut fruit, hummus and pretzels, cheese stick, squeezable yogurt.

• Due to food allergies, all first grade

classes will be nut free.

Non-Edible Rewards & Celebrations

•Student health, wellness, and safety is our top priority.

•This policy was developed in collaboration with teachers, parents, and administrators.

•During the school day, we will be using non-edible rewards for birthdays, class celebrations/parties, and school-wide celebrations.

**The school will be sending home more detailed information

Curriculum HighlightsHere are just a few key curriculum topics and learning opportunities:

• Math-Math workshop-Problem solving

• Social Studies-Economic marketplace-Famous Virginians

• Language Arts-Fundations phonics program-Guided Reading groups

• Science-Plants and exploring our world-Animal project

Typical Daily Schedule

8:35 - 9:05 Announcements/Morning Meeting

9:05 - 10:50 Language Arts

10:50 - 11:50 Specials

11:50 - 12:20 Lunch

10:20 - 11:45 Language Arts

12:25 - 1:35 Math

1:35 - 2:20 Science/Social Studies/ Health

2:20 - 2:50 Recess

2:50 - 3:20 Language Arts

Specials

• P.E.

• Spanish

• Art

• Library check-out

• Music

• Mindfulness

Lunch

• Time: 11:50-12:20

• Your child may bring a lunch from home or purchase a school lunch

• Add money to your child’s lunch account and check out the menu at www.MySchoolBucks.com

• If you join your student for lunch, please bring a lunch from home or purchase a school lunch

Recess

• Please have your child wear weather appropriate clothes

• Weather permitting, we go outside for recess every day

We are thrilled to be part of your child’s learning journey.

This is going to be a fabulous year!

Thank you for coming!

Don’t forget to:-sort your child’s supplies

-fill out information page, transportation page & volunteer information

-write a note for your child’s first day-take home information packet