21 December 2009
Terraset Elementary PTA
Winter Holidays Come Early 
 
ImprovU
In This Bulletin
Next PTA Meeting
Winter Fun!
Tunes For Tots
Tip Sheet for Parents
And Sign-up for Three4Me
Dear Friend of Terraset,
 
Well this probably wasn't part of your plan... Winter holidays starting today! We hope you didn't send your kids to school today. Fairfax County Schools will be closed today (Monday), Tuesday, and Wednesday.
 
12/19/2009 -- 18 inches of snow!So, let's take this opportunity to wish everyone in the Terraset Community -- staff, students and all their families -- a joyful holiday and a happy new year.
 
Some of the announcements we were going to send out today are now redundant. With school closed most activities have been cancelled. However, there are always a couple of things that are worth sharing!
Next PTA Meeting 

 
7pm, Tuesday, January 5th
In the Library
 
Please join us and keep yourself informed! 
Winter Fun!
What we have planned...
 
There are two dates you need to put in your calendars!
Skate Night -- Saturday, January 16th.
Bingo Night -- Friday, February 5th!
Keep these dates free -- your kids will have a great time.
 
We will call for helpers in the New Year, so please let us know if you are able to assist.
Tunes for Tots 
Sunset Hills Monterssori School
 
Rocknoceros
Make plans for more family fun this season!  Tunes for Tots is a holiday concert featuring Rocknoceros, DC's premier children's band.  They will perform holiday classics as well as new songs from their PINK! CD and other favorites!
 
Admission is $7 per person (cash or check only) and includes light refreshments.  Kids are encouraged to wear their PJs!
You may want to contact Sunset Hils Montessori on 703.476.7477 to confirm that the show will still be on. At time of preparation, there was no announcement on their web site. 
 
Tunes for Tots featuring Rocknoceros
Tuesday, December 22
Sunset Hills Montessori School
11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston
7:00 - 8:00 PM
 
Tip Sheet for Parents
Are You Following the ABCs of Homework?
 
Most teachers give homework. They use it to reinforce what your child has learned in school and to allow your child to practice skills. Take this quiz to find out if you're following the ABCs of homework. Give yourself five points for something you usually do, zero points for something you never do-or any score in between.
A is for Attitude. I help my child develop a positive attitude toward school and learning.
B is for Breaks. I know my child learns better in short chunks of time. I make sure my child schedules breaks while doing homework.
C is for Choice. I let my child make choices. I let him or her decide if he or she wants to study math first or write a required essay. I let my child decide to study after school or in the evening.
D is for Directions. I teach my child to read the directions carefully. If necessary, I restate directions so my child can understand them.
E is for Encouragement. I know my main job as a parent is to encourage my child. I find positive things to say-about his or her effort, accuracy, or attitude.
 
How Did You Score?
More than 20 points means you're doing an excellent job helping your child with homework. Fifteen to 19 is average. Below 15 points? Try to practice some of the ABCs of homework given in the quiz.

Note: Copyright 2009. Reprinted with permission from the Parent Institute. Additional tip sheets and other resources for parents can be found on the Family and School Partnerships web site at: