Family Science Night Fun!

There was a great turnout at Terraset's Family Science Night on Thursday, May 7th. The Children's Science Center brought its Museum Without Walls Mobile Lab to Terraset. With over 15 exploratory stations, Terraset students enjoyed some hands-on science thanks to a number of volunteers— coordinated by Mrs. Standiford, Terraset's Advanced Academics Resource Teacher— from both the school and the Children's Science Center. A big thanks to Metaswitch Networks! Their sponsorship AND volunteer help contributed to a very successful night.

Mrs. Standiford, Terraset's Advanced
Academics Resource Teacher, Coordinated
Family Science Night. She was supported by
many Terraset teachers!

Joe Weeden, Senior Director with Metaswitch Networks, explains 
Bernoulli's principle and the aerodynamics of uplift.

Big crowd enjoys the science and the chance to
catchup with each other

First grader, Noah D., demonstrates his determination by
engineering an impressive structure.

Eric Johnson shows his fifth grade daughter, Darcy, his style
with his high-tech paper plane. It flew through three hoops!

Ms Childers helps third grader, Lachlan W., set up
his investigation.

Third grader Gigi C-G. predicts the outcome of an experiement.
Pictured with her mom, Katie Guy.

Katie F. and Elizabeth A., sixth graders, accept the challenge
to make something round from something straight!




Fifth grader Finn W. and third grader, Keegan P.
test the forces of gravity



Fourth grader, Zach M., works on engineering his tower.

Metaswitch Networks Support STEM at Terraset ES

Reston, VA - April 8, 2015. Metaswitch Networks, a leading network software provider, is reaching out to collaborate with some much younger partners. Metaswitch Networks has over 30 years’ experience in providing high performance software to the communications industry. They know firsthand the importance of developing responsive and adaptive solutions to problems and want to support a new generation of thinkers in this challenge.

 “We want to make a difference in our immediate community” said Joe Weeden, Senior Director of Metaswitch Networks. “Many of us live locally and will have— if we don’t already— children at Terraset Elementary School. This seemed like the right place to start.” So, Weeden began to reach out. He spoke with teachers, parents and of course Terraset Principal, Lindsay Trout, to learn more about how he and his team could help within the school. Metaswitch did not just want to throw money at a problem, they wanted to be involved in the community by volunteering their expertise. At the same time, Terraset teachers were looking for ways to enhance their students’ experience of technology and engineering in the classroom. “This relationship [with Metaswitch Networks] will not only help fund more STEM based activities at Terraset, but will bring real world experience into our students’ classrooms!” Trout explained.

Mr. Shriman Gurung, Senior Director Solution Engineering,
Metaswitch Networks, explains the Engineering Design
Process to third grade students at Terraset ES.

STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – teaches thinking that promotes creativity and collaborative problem solving. While science and math are long standing components of an elementary school curriculum, the STEM approach encourages cross-curriculum studies to include effective communication and even public speaking. This was best evidenced recently by one of the early collaborative efforts between Metaswitch and Terraset. A Project Based Learning activity, in which Mr. Shriman Gurung, Senior Director Solution Engineering, Metaswitch Networks, introduced third grade students to the process of solving problems through engineering. Working with Diane Standiford, the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher at Terraset, and third grade teachers, the activity culminated in an Invention Convention where students presented models of machines they designed to solve problems they had identified in various Fairy Tales.

Other ways in which Metaswitch Networks will support Terraset’s STEM programs include: funding the Family Science Night to be held on May 7th when the Children’s Science Museum will bring their Mobile Science Lab to the school and Metaswitch personnel will join volunteers in demonstrating various science stations; supporting Terraset’s Tiger Math Club by providing end-of-year awards this year and volunteering at monthly club meetings next year; also, Metaswitch engineers have volunteered to offer ad-hoc lessons at a teacher's request.

Importantly, Metaswitch is working with Terraset staff to introduce an ongoing STEM program at Terraset to supplement current math and science curriculum. “We are on board with these excellent and exciting ideas” Trout told us. On hearing about the Metaswitch donations, Traci Waller, a Terraset parent said “This is tremendous! We are truly grateful and know the school will put it to great use.”

The Invention Convention

A group of 8-9 year olds sit waiting for their turn. They quietly listen as the previous class finish their presentations. They have been working towards this day for months... thinking, sharing, collaborating, building. They were presented with a challenge. "Can you build a machine to solve a problem?" They did!

On Thursday, March 26th, Mrs. Asbury's and Ms Childers' 3rd graders shared the culmination of months of hard work at Terraset's first Invention Convention. They had been working with their
classroom teachers, along with Mrs. Standiford (Terraset's Advanced Academics Resource Teacher) to solve a problem... to build a machine that would help a fairy tale character at the time of their greatest need! How can we help the Billy Goats Gruff cross that bridge? What can we use to get Jack (aka the Marquis of Carabas in the Puss-in-Boots story) out of the water? Early examples they created were: a get-a-way vehicle using wheels and axles to help the Three Little Pigs; a pulley to rescue Rapunzel; and a screw (Alchimedes Screw) to protect and help Jack and the Beanstalk. Working in teams, the students selected a fairy tale, analyzed the problem and designed a complex machine that would help one of the characters in the story.

Principal Trout listens as Eva
demonstrates her team's invention

This project-based challenge led the students to learn across the curriculum drawing on their abilities to comprehend a story, identify and analyze a problem, think critically about possible solutions, apply their understanding of simple machines, work towards a shared vision, collaborate in designing and constructing their machine, write about their work using both technical writing to note design features and persuasive writing to create a brochure about their product, then finally use their public speaking skills to present their inventions to other students, staff and parents. This combination of language arts, science and engineering served to ensure a multifaceted understanding of a real world problem - albeit the world of fairy tales!

Mr. Shriman Gurung, Senior Director Solution Engineering
with Metaswitch Networks in Reston, explains the
Engineering Design Process

A guest speaker, Mr. Shriman Gurung, Senior Director Solution Engineering with Metaswitch Networks in Reston, explained the Engineering Design Process: identify and define a problem; brainstorm a solution; plan and develop a prototype; test it; improve it! The students used this cycle during their final project.  They recorded and reflected upon their ideas and the creative process using their Inventor's Journals, and used predominantly recyclable materials and craft supplies to construct their inventions.

The convention saw all the students presenting their inventions, answering questions, and glowing with pride as they demonstrated their models of the machines they devised.

Terraset Artists at Lake Ann

Terraset students' artwork was exhibited at Lake Ann Community Center as part of Youth Art Month in March. Here are some snapshots from the display!

6th grade, Coil Baskets

6th grade, Coil Baskets & Kindergarten, Stitch on Painted Fabric

4th grade - Pocket of Memories

Families from all around Reston attended the reception.

 

2nd grade - Animal Sculpture

Fourth grade - Still Life in Oil Crayon

Fifth grade fish

2nd grade Fluff a Luff a Fluff

6th grade, Self Portrait Prints

Our brilliant art teachers Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Whele

It's all about sharing our talents

Great to catch up with old friends

There is more than art to explore

Terraset parents enjoy the show

A Day in the Life of a WatchDOG

"Your WatchDOGS' day is amazing from the start.  It begins with your very own RESERVED PARKING SPACE when you arrive to HIGH-FIVING KIDS with PrincipalTrout or Assistant Principal Hunstad as buses arrive for the day, to a SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE on WTER TV with your child - WatchDOGS Dad's Rule The School." (www.terrasetwatchdogs.com)

It's true... WatchDOGS rule the school! The children get so excited to see any of the "Dads of Great Students" (DOGS) as they roam the hallways. WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer for at least one day each school year. During the day, WatchDOGS may read with students, work on flash cards with the kids, play at recess, eat lunch with their child, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow, mentor students, or perform any other assigned activities. They actively engage with not only their child(ren), but other students as well.  

The WatchDOGS program was launched at Terraset in 2012 and has grown from strength to strength each year. The WatchDOGS Hall of Fame now has over 85 photos to salute each visit. We thought you may like to see how our WatchDOGS spend their day... just in case you are thinking about signing up!

On Wednesday, December 17th, 2014, Brian Blase was one of Terraset's WatchDOGS for the day. Here is some insight into his Day.

Brian got to spend some time with his son, Spencer,
in the classroom. Here they are in a music lesson!

Time to help the office staff! Mail deliveries
to all the teachers.

Lunch time! All the kids want to sit next to the
WatchDOG!

Quick moment of quiet in the library... time to
catch up on "real job" email.

O-oh.. sore head! Escort a student to the clinic
for an ice-pack.

Time for PE. First stop, information station for
safety tips from Mr. Costello.

WatchDOGS are a welcome sight in the
hallways. Brian is preparing for his next
round of "hi-fiving".

What a blast to be able to do the monkey bars... with a little
bit of help from one of our WatchDOGS.

This is how you do it Dad!

Bye Spencer's Dad! thanks for coming!

Ideas for Non-Perishable Grocery Donations

With Terraset SCA and Community Services Committee Canned Food Drive on November 10-14, it seems timely to think about what items may be suitable to donate. Here are some ideas!

DRY GOODS: Rice (white and brown) Potatoes Macaroni & Cheese Noodles and Rice Mixes Pasta Powdered milk Soup mixes Beans (dry) Coffee Tea Flour Corn meal Sugar Cereal (hot & cold) Cookies Crackers Mixed nuts CANNED ITEMS (avoid glass please): Large #10 cans as well as single serving sizes often needed, consider low sodium canned goods Soups Tomato sauces Pasta sauces Spaghetti-O’s, ravioli Vegetables: beans, chick peas, corn, peas, etc. Fruits Cooking oil Salad dressings Peanut butter Jelly Baby food/formula Puddings Fruit juice Canned meats – tuna fish, chicken, corned beef hash, salmon

CONDIMENTS: Hot sauce Mayonnaise Mustard Ketchup Parmesan cheese SPICES: Garlic powder Italian spice mix Adobo Sasón SPECIAL NEEDS ITEMS: Low/no salt and low/no sugar items Sugar substitutes TOILETRIES: Shampoo and conditioner Diapers Baby wipes Toilet tissue Disposable razors Kleenex Feminine hygiene products Soap Toothpaste/tooth brushes Deodorant Lotion

New Faces in Terraset ES

Probably your school year routines have started to settle and part of that routine includes time to talk to your children about their day. You may have noticed a few new names being mentioned (or maybe, a few unknown names?). We thought it would be a good idea to put some faces to those names. So, following are some brief introductions to the staff who are new to Terraset for the 2014-2015 school year.

Ms McFeely with some of her students

Firstly, welcome to Jennifer McFeely who will join Mr. Costello on Tuesdays and Thursdays to teach PE. This will be her 9th year of teaching PE. However, she took 4 years off to be at home with her two children (ages 6 and 4). Prior to that she taught Health and PE at Madison High School in Vienna. She has also worked in Middle Schools. This is her first year as an elementary PE teacher having always wanted to work with younger children. "Having children in this age group at home, I understand the importance of physical activity for children." Ms McFeely told us. "Watching the children leave our gym with smiles on their faces is what I find rewarding." she went on to say.  So far, she has enjoyed quit a few highlights at Terraset... "most of them include students really putting forth effort to do their best."  Ms McFeely says that Physical Education should be fun and it should challenge students to learn new fitness skills and activities. "Mr. Costello and I are hoping the children will learn while having fun in our class."

Ms Parker reading with a student

Anna Parker came to Terraset because in her interview, and after visiting the school, she could tell there was a wonderful sense of community. "Everyone was so welcoming, helpful, and enthusiastic about teaching."This will be her second year teaching at elementary school level and so far, a highlight has been getting to meet and learn about her students. "I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning and growing in 2nd grade!" she told us.

Ms Courtney Meiklejohn

Courtney Meiklejohn is excited to join Terraset as a Kindergarten Teacher. This is her fourth year teaching.having most recently been at  Eagle View ES where she taught for 2 years. She mentioned that a highlight from the beginning of the year  been getting to know her students.

Jennifer Lawrence has joined Terraset as a Special Ed Teacher. She has been working in elementary schools for the past eight years and is looking forward to a new opportunity to teach 4th grade. Ms Lawrence will be co-teaching with Mrs. Glenn this year. When asked to share a highlight from the beginning of the year she instantly said "Meeting Terraset staff members, students and families. Everyone has made me feel welcome!"

Mr Brooks

Evan Brooks has recently completed the requirements to be a Licensed School Psychologist and brings to Terraset many years of experience working with children. He worked in multiple elementary schools in Prince George's County as part of his internship last year and after college, he taught grades 5-11 as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine. We asked him what brought him to Terraset? "Tough question!" he responded "I didn't know to which school I would be assigned when I was hired." Mr. Brooks explained "I had always wanted to work in Fairfax County because of its reputation for excellence. After a couple of weeks at Terraset, I think I was placed correctly. The staff is all about teamwork and providing the best for our students. Plus, I think it is exciting to be a part of Terraset during its transformation year." Mr. Brooks will also serve Bull Run ES. We talked about the beginning of the school year and Mr. Brooks said "I love those little moments during the day... they make all the difference. In the first week of school, a young student saw the 'School Psychologist' sign on my door and said to his friend "Mr. Brooks, he's the school physical-ologist."

Ms Skhuja

Anu Skhuja has been working at the elementary school level for three years and has joined the Terraset Staff as an Instructional Assistant. Prior to joining Terraset she was working at Navy Elementary. She came to Terraset because of its diverse population. "I want to reach out to more kids in our community and impart knowledge and good values to them!" she told us. "I have started this school year on a great note. I am touched by the friendliness and caring attitude of my co workers. They check on me on a daily basis to see if I feel settled, if there is anything they can do to make me feel at home." Welcome Ms Sakhuja, we are all looking forward to getting to know you.

Ms Rafat

Adrienne Rafat has joined the Special Education team at Terraset and will be working with the lower grade students. This will be her 10th year teaching. She has taught Kindergarten, 1st, 5th and 6th grades, as well as Special Education for all ages. "Family, diversity, and career growth brought me to Northern Va." Ms Rafat mentioned. "My girls have so many cousins and extended family here, that my husband and I felt it was necessary for them to be near family."  With family and friends in the area, Terraset's reputation for having an inclusive teaching philosophy, and shared concern for building community,  this seemed like a good fit. Apparently the plan worked... while setting up the classroom with two Instructional Assistants who will support Ms Rafat this year, the transition into a new school and change of life was made very easy. "Both ladies are amazing and special to me." 

Ms Skerker with her daughter.

Jennifer Skerker came to Terraset as an Instructional Coach. In this position, she acts as a resource for other teachers, guiding them to resources and methods that may enhance their teaching. She has worked with Fairfax County Public Schools for 14 years including 11 years as a classroom teacher at Keene Mill ES and Colin Powell ES.. "This is my 3rd year as an Instructional Coach." Ms Skerker commented. "I’d also like to add that I am a product of FCPS having graduated from West Springfield HS." We talked about why she came to Terraset and she said "I had heard wonderful things about Terraset for many years now. The amazing leadership, caring staff, and fabulous children are all reasons why I joined the Terraset Family!" Ms Skerker has had many opportunities to get to know the staff and students these past weeks. "I was getting to know some of the students in a Kindergarten class. They immediately wanted to know who I was and what I did. I explained that I’m a teacher, but I don’t have a class of students, so I get to spend time with teachers. A little boy exclaimed, 'That’s so sad. We need to get you a class of your own!”'  And he’s right, because the kids are the reason we all come to work every day!  I’ve since changed my answer when asked what I do."

There are seven other new staff at Terraset. Alisa Bedker (Music Teacher), Jann Canestra (Kindergarten Instructional Assistant), Addrienne Glenn (Fourth Grade Teacher), Patricia Kaffk (Clinic Room Aide), Ann Marie Mochen (School Based Technology Specialist), Melissa Mioni (Strings Teacher), and Sarah Sciolto (Special Ed Instructional Assistant). We hope to catch up with them soon so we can add them to this introduction.