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Mrs. French's Art Class
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| Dear Friend of Terraset,
When you stop and think about what
is required in a well rounded curriculum, you realize how much work is
needed to develop a rich, interesting and appropriately challenging
learning environment that meets each child's needs. These past few
weeks have highlighted how successful Terraset ES is in achieving that
ambitious objective.
Last week we saw our children excel
in the "Jump Rope for Heart" program, demonstrating their own physical
development, their understanding of the importance of physical fitness
in general health, and their willingness to work so hard to raise
$5,346.85 for the American Heart Association.
This week you'll read about an
incredible production of Annie Jr. which provided more learning
opportunities, for every child in the school, than you can count. In
addition, you'll read about a variety of activities that have been
organized by teachers, with support from school parents, to introduce
variety and first-hand experiences that enhance a child's understanding
of the world around them.
Let's not take all of this for granted... Terraset is truly a treasure.
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Terraset's Talent Shines in Annie Jr.
In an economic climate scarely reminicent of the 1930's, Annie Jr. brings a smile to the Terraset community.
Reston, VA
- Rachael Goldman, Music Teacher at Terraset Elementary School, is the
first to tell you that she could not have done it alone, but if it had
not been for her vision, enthusiasm and sheer talent, Terraset
Elementary School would not have been able to shine the way it did this
week!
After three months of hard work, the Terraset Elementary School Chorus
staged its production of Annie Jr. on Wednesday May 13th and Thursday
May 14th. The fifth and sixth grade students worked tirelessly on
music, choreography and dialogue to produce the first major musical
production at the school in over 20 years. Mrs. Goldman, herself a
passionate musical actress, shared with the children her vast
experience in live theatre to ensure they had a complete experience.
"Rachael has shown all of us the power of the arts to inspire
excellence and build community" said Jane Dreyfuss, Director of Cluster
VIII, Fairfax County Public Schools. However, as Mrs. Goldman
told us, it was a community effort. Every child, teacher, and virtually
every parent was touched by this show.
Mrs. Goldman,
Director and Music Director, creates a "circle of energy" with the cast
before the final performance of Terraset ES production of Annie Jr.
Fifty cast members and over 50 adult volunteers brought the show alive.
Professional muralist and Terraset parent, Steve Dueno, placed us
within a 1930's orphanage, transferred us to the streets of NYC, and
dazzled us with the opulance of Oliver Warbucks' Mansion.
The whole Terraset community came together for this show. Terraset
staff assisted with weeks of early morning rehearsals, organized props
and costumes, and performed countless other duties. School parents
assisted with costumes, backstage, front of house, and the concession
stand. And financial support for the show was provided by Terraset PTA.
The wider community helped too! WUSA Channel 9 News provided the sound
mixer; Outback Steakhouse in Herndon provided aprons for the servants;
Rachael Carson Middle School, Kings Glen Elementary School, Waples Mill
Elementary School, South Lakes High School and the Reston Community
Players all helped by loaning props, lights and costumes; and Lifetouch
Photos assisted with publicity shots.
Importantly, all of this was done for the Terraset kids, and boy did
they shine! Gisela Johnson-Harbers brought to us a strong, confident
Annie that was not going to let the world beat her. Juliet Lenor, as
Miss Hanigan, had the audience rolling in their seats. And Levi
Prudhomme, as Oliver Warbucks, complete with recently shaved hair,
convincingly showed a tough industrialist softened by his gowing
affection for a fiesty little girl. The entire cast from orphans to
servants to apple-sellers worked hard to deliver an amazing evening of
theatre.
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Silent Auction Fun Continues
The tables are stacked, the bid sheets are filed, and the auction items have been distributed, but the fun goes on!
Kathryn Goetz was Librarian for the
day on Thursday,April 30. "She did an excellent job of reading to
classes, particularly her own class!" said Mrs.
Stanmyre. Kathryn also checked out books, checked them in, and
managed the bus announcements via WTER for dismissal. "I hope
Kathryn had as much fun as I did, and that maybe she will want to be a
librarian some day in the future." Mrs. Stanmyre told us.
On May 5th, 2009, Calista Somer
was Principal for the Day! She attended meetings, appeared on
WTER, and had first hand experience of the multiple things a principal
has to deal with each day. Mrs. Cury presented Calista with a
certificate to commemorate the day.
And true to their word, Mrs. Cury
and Mrs. Carter accompanied a group of kids as they travelled in style
in a limousine. It was too wet to go to mini-golf, but the group went
out for afternoon tea at the Regency Hyatt in Reston Town Center
instead. Then they went to an exhibition, and completed their own
art project, at the Greater Reston Arts Center.
Above: Katie Conner (Kindergarten),
Katie Falcone (Kindergarten), Katie Veter (3rd grade), Emma Murphy (4th
Grade), Jessica Klonaris (4th grade), and Ellie Krull
(1st grade) with driver John Sullivan, returning from their trip
compliments of Reston Limousine.
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Kindergarten Field Trip to Frying Pan Park
Hot, but great fun!
All three Kindergarten classes, along with their chaperones, went on a school bus to Frying Pan Park on Friday, May 15th.
Comments about the day included "The
pigs were really stinky!", "Did you know cows have four stomachs?", "We
got to milk a fake cow!", "The fake cow burped in my face!", "The baby
goat was soooooo cute!".
Click the photo above to see more images provided by Jen Hoh, one of the chaperones on the trip.
Clearly there was plenty of fun and
plenty of learning. The teachers do a wonderful job organizing these
field trips, but they couldn't manage without the parent volunteers...
so thanks to all those parents who helped to make this such a fun day
for our youngest students.
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Photos Please?
If you have any photos from Terraset community events that you would be happy to share, send them to:
We would like to use them in both the newsletter and web site publications.
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Terraset Elementary PTA 
