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.

Slow Down Plea From Parents

Ridge Heights Road, Reston VA, is a busy place when school is in! With three schools bordering the street -- Terraset ES, South Lakes HS, and Langston Hughes MS -- there can be a lot of traffic at arrival and dismissal times. Unfortunately, some drivers forget to obey the 25 MPH speed limit.

This was a hot topic at the Terraset PTA meeting on Monday, September 15th. A parent of a kindergarten student expressed concern that Ridge Heights traffic is often too fast, making it difficult for children to cross! Observing that Terraset is the only school in the area without a Crossing Guard, she contacted FCPS Department of Facilities and Transportation in addition to the Reston Police.

There is a little history here.... some years ago, Terraset requested an additional bus to service students in the school district who live on the west side of Soapstone Drive and north of South Lakes Drive. This bus was allocated at the expense of a crossing guard at the corner of Soapstone and Ridge Heights. Given that there is an underpass on Ridge Heights into Terraset, this seemed to be a reasonable solution. However, at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, the underpass was closed due to the school renovation.

Fortunately, the Ridge Heights underpass is now open for arrival and dismissal. In theory! At least three times this week, the underpass gate was not open at 4:15 pm when some walkers were still making their way home. The gate is supposed to remain open through 4:30 pm. One student walking through the meadow behind the Ridge Heights Pool on Friday afternoon exclaimed "The gate was closed! But I found a way around!" Has the gate been closed at any other arrival/dismissal times?

Apparently there has been widespread concern about Crossing Guards in Reston. On September 18th the Fairfax County Chief of Police posted this comment regarding "traffic congestion in and around certain schools".

Given the level of shared concern expressed at its September 15th meeting, Terraset PTA created a committee to further investigate Ridge Heights traffic issues, with a goal to define the extent of the problem and propose possible solutions. The committee will report back to the next PTA meeting on October 7th.