News from the Nest

Calling All Creative Families! 

It’s time to bring your favorite books to life—pumpkin style! Join our Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest and transform a pumpkin into a beloved character from a favorite story. This contest will take place at Literacy Night on Wednesday, November 18th from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. 

Sign up to get the whole family involved, let your imaginations run wild, and have some gourd-geous fun together! Whether your pumpkin becomes Pete the Cat, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Dog Man, or another favorite character, we can’t wait to see your creativity! See steps below. 

• Sign your family up to decorate a book character inspired pumpkin (sign up below) 

• Pick a favorite book character. 

• Decorate your pumpkin—no carving, please! 

• Bring your masterpiece to school the week of 11/9-13 and join the fun! Please be sure to have a label with your child's name, teacher name, book character name, and book title. Families may choose to decorate one pumpkin as a family if preferred!  

We can’t wait to see our school filled with pumpkins, books, and creativity! 

PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST SIGN UP 

Veterans Day Lunch (Updated 10/23)

 UPDATE:  We want to let families know that seating for our Veterans Day Luncheon is limited, and we are nearing our maximum capacity for this year's event. If you would like to attend, please complete your RSVP as soon as possible. Once registration closes, we will not be able to add additional guests, including day-of requests.

We are excited to recognize the veterans in our Piney Branch community! Veterans and their families are invited to attend our Veterans Day Luncheon on Tuesday, November 10 at 12:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy a complimentary lunch and special performances by our PBES Chorus Club and Purple Star Ambassadors. 

RSVP by November 2nd using the attached form. 

Questions? Contact Merissa Bartoli at [email protected]. 

Wall of Honor Help us honor the veterans in your family! Please send in a photograph by October 30 labeled with: 

• Veteran's name 

• Branch of service 

• Student's name 

Please send a copy of the photograph, as submitted photos cannot be returned. 

Literacy Night 

Save the date for our Fall Literacy Festival - Wednesday, November 18th, 6:00-7:30PM. Please join us for a night of literacy games, read aloud stories, food, and more - every family will receive reading games and materials to take home! If you plan to attend, please use the link below to help us with a headcount for the event.  

Fall Literacy Festival – Fill out form 

Emergency Contact Information  

To help us continue communicating effectively with Piney Branch families, please notify the school office whenever someone other than a parent or legal guardian will be picking up your child. 

Please note that emergency contacts are only contacted when a parent or legal guardian cannot be reached. Emergency contacts are only authorized to pick up a student with prior notice from parent or legal guardian.  

Piney Branch Elementary School Office 
Email: [email protected] 

Picture Retake 

Fall Picture Retake Day will be on November 12th.  Any student new to Piney Branch after the original picture day (September 23rd) will have their picture taken.  A QR code will be sent home for you to scan, view, and order.  

If your student had their picture taken on September 23rd, but you would like to have it retaken, please send in the original package you purchased.  Only students with their packages will have their picture retaken. 

School Messaging Troubleshooting 

Having problems receiving School Status emails? Try these troubleshooting steps:  

1. Check your spam folder in your email.  
2. Open ParentVUE and verify that your email is correct. If you have trouble doing this, you can email the school and we can check. 
3. Make sure you have not accidentally unsubscribed to School Status by asking to resubscribe. To resubscribe to email, a parent or user can email [email protected]. Once resubscribed, you user will receive a reply email stating that you have been removed from the unsubscribe list.
4. In your email filters, make sure that you have not blocked School Status. Also ALLOW or WHITELIST the following: 

Having trouble receiving texts?  

Text START to 855-813-4963 to subscribe to messages from your child’s school. You will receive an auto-reply message that lets you know that you have been subscribed to receiving those messages. 

Recognize an Outstanding PBES Educator or Staff Member! 

Is there a PBES educator or staff member who has made a positive difference for your child or family? We’d love to hear about it! Take a moment to share your appreciation through our Outstanding Educator and Staff Recognition form. Your kind words help us celebrate the dedication, care, and hard work that make PBES such a special community. 

Thank you for helping us recognize our amazing staff! 

Watch D.O.G.S. is Back

Watch D.O.G.S. is ready to start taking volunteers to come and spend a day at Piney Branch. We are asking dads, uncles, grandfathers, older brothers to volunteer their time and come and spend a day or half day at Piney Branch. Our PBES Watch D.O.G.S. coordinators have created a schedule to keep you busy and active throughout the day. For any questions you can contact [email protected]

What is Watch D.O.G.S?

• Watch D.O.G.S. stands for Dads of Great Students, and it encourages dads of a school community to actively volunteer at their child's school and be presence of extra security, to provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
• To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.

How can I sign up?

Click the Sign-Up link! 

Do I need anything to volunteer? 

PTO is happy to provide t-shirts for the first five volunteers! T-shirts can be purchased at the link below.

Click here to obtain a Watch D.O.G.S. T-shirt

Testing Information 

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3) – Grade 2 

On Thursday, October 22, all second-grade students will take the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3) as part of PWCS's universal screening process for Gifted Education. The NNAT3 is a 30-minute, nonverbal assessment that measures students' reasoning and problem-solving skills through visual patterns and logic questions rather than language-based tasks. Results will be reviewed alongside other classroom achievement data to help identify students' learning strengths and instructional needs. The best way to prepare is to encourage your child to do their best. A copy of your child's results will be shared with families when scores become available. 

For additional information, please contact Monica Sobers at [email protected] or Megan Howland at [email protected]  

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) – Grade 3 

This fall, all third-grade students will participate in the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) as part of PWCS's universal screening process for Gifted Education. CogAT measures students' reasoning and problem-solving abilities and helps identify learning strengths and instructional needs. Results are reviewed alongside other classroom achievement data to support the development of effective learning opportunities for each student. Testing will take place between October 19 and November 20, 2026, with specific testing dates to be determined by the school. The best way to prepare is to encourage your child to do their best. A copy of your child's results will be shared with families when scores become available. 

For additional information, please contact Monica Sobers at [email protected] or Megan Howland at [email protected]. 

Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS)   

STAR Test Results  

Parents of Students in Grades 3-5,  

 Your child has recently taken a Renaissance Star Reading assessment. Your child’s teacher uses the results to measure general achievement in reading skills, and to determine your child’s learning needs. It is important to understand that these scores provide only one picture of how your child is doing in reading. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher. 

In addition to the Star Parent Report accompanying this letter, the information below will provide more context about your child's score and performance. 

Scaled Score 

Scaled scores are useful for comparing student performance over time and across grades. A scaled score is calculated considering the item’s difficulty and number of correct responses. For example, a score of 889 on the Star Reading test results in having a higher score than 77% of students in second grade and is typical of a second-grade student at this time of the year. 

Percentile Rank 

Percentile Rank ranges from 1-99 and compares student performance to other students in the same grade nationwide.  

Grade Equivalent 

Grade Equivalent scores show how a child’s performance compares with that of other students nationally. For example, a first grader with a Grade Equivalent of 2.3 performed as well as a typical second grader after the third month of the school year. The score does not necessarily mean that the student is capable of doing` second-grade work. Instead, it indicates that this student’s skills are above average for the first grade. 

Instructional Reading Level 

Instructional Reading Level is the grade level where a student is at least 80% proficient at recognizing words and comprehending reading materials in the classroom. 

Zone of Proximal Development 

Zone of Proximal Development is the ideal range where students can read independently to show optimal growth in reading. 

How You Can Support Your Child’s Learning   

1. Consult resources created for parents by PWCS and the Virginia Department of Education.  

• For additional information on English Language Arts instruction, please visit English Language Arts and Literacy Program   

• For additional information about testing and resources, visit the VDOE website

1. Contact your child’s teacher to learn more about ways you can give support from home. Below are questions you can ask:  

• In what skills does my child need more support?  

• How can I support these skills at home?  

• Are there other classroom assessments I should be aware of to help me understand my child’s progress?  

Translations:

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26-27 Encore Calendar 

For your convenience, Ms. Nichols has created an Encore Events Calendar for the 26-27 school year. See link below to preview.  

PBES Encore Events 2026-2027 

Boxes of Basics

Boxes of Basics is a non-profit company that our social worker here at Piney Branch works with closely to help provide clothes for some of our low-income families. Piney Branch is now a donation center and we’re asking the community for any new or gently used clothes for sizes newborns through 16-youth. For more information about Boxes of Basics you can visit their website.

PWCS School Device Insurance 

PWCS has arranged discounted device insurance to help families avoid repair or replacement costs if a school-issued device is damaged, lost or stolen.  

What is covered?                                                                    

• Accidental damage, including drops, cracks, and spills 

• Lost or misplaced devices 

• Theft or burglary 

• Damage from fire, flood, or vandalism 

Please see the link below to register for the Securranty School Device Protection 

Register here for School Device Protection.  

School Meals 2026-2027

Applications for free and reduced-price meals are now available on the PWCS Nutrition Site. Below, please find the USDA-approved school meal prices for the 2025-2026 school year:

Breakfast

• Student full price - $1.80
• Adult price - $2.95

Lunch

• Elementary school student full price - $2.80
• Adult full price - $5.05
• A la carte –
  • Milk, $1
  • Bottled Water $1.00
  • *Cookie $1.00
  • *Packaged Snack $1.00
  • Side Dish $1.50
  • *Strawberry Shortcake $2.50

(* one per day ) 

PTO News

Color Craze competition is on! With two weeks left to fundraise, grades are battling for the top spot and every donation counts. Check out the latest rankings below to see where your grade stands, then join us at Wednesday's PTO meeting for important updates and a look ahead at what's coming. 

2026 Color Craze Prize Deadline | October 30 

The competition is on! 5th Grade currently leads followed closely by Kindergarten and 1st Grade. With two weeks left, every donation counts and could shake up the leaderboard. Keep sharing those fundraising pages and let's see which grade claims the top spot before the October 30 finish line! 

Current Standing 

1st Place - 5th Grade 

2nd Place - Kindergarten 

3rd Place - 1st Grade 

4th Place - 4th Grade 

5th Place - 2nd Grade 

6th Place - 3rd Grade 

7th Place - P3 

8th Place - Pre-K 

Every dollar raised through October 30 supports Piney Branch literacy and S.T.E.A.M. initiatives. Students are competing for our exciting grand prizes, including top-earner rewards, grade-level winner celebrations, and classroom parties. Whether your student is just getting started or looking to climb the leaderboard, now is the perfect time to share their fundraising page with family and friends and finish strong! Winners will be announced the week of November 2nd. 

PTO Meeting October 21 

Join us on Wednesday, October 21 from 7-8 p.m. in the PBES Library to learn about upcoming PTO events, volunteer opportunities, membership options, and more. Meetings are open to the entire Piney Branch community regardless of membership status and will be held throughout the year in the school library. Free childcare will be provided by our NHS students from Gainesville High School to make it easier for families to attend. Plus, save the date for future meetings. 

Can't attend in person? Join us via Zoom. 

Color Craze Run October 30 

Our Color Craze fundraising event will culminate with a running event during the school day on October 30th, 2026. Students will join the Color Craze run by grade to celebrate their hard work. The school grounds will transform into a colorful canvas as students dash through clouds of color with laughter and excitement. They will enjoy a dance party and popsicles after the run. All students participate regardless of fundraising status. Learn more about how your student can earn a commemorative t-shirt and qualify to have family members join in the running event. 

Our 2026 Color Craze running event schedule and additional details for students, additional participants, and volunteers will be available shortly. 

Volunteer registration for Color Craze is now open! If you're available to help during the school day, we invite you to sign up today! Volunteer space is limited and spaces fill up quickly. 

2026 Fall PTO Calendar of Events & Moments 

Check out what's new and save the date for our marquee fall events.

October 

• 10/21 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PTO Meeting @ PBES Library - Free child care will be provided. 

• 10/30 Color Craze Run - Fundraising is now live! Students are competing for coveted grand prizes from now through October 30th. All winners will be announced the week of Nov. 2nd. (Rain date: Nov 6th) 

December

• 12/11 NEW! Mad Science of Washington Event 
  Stay tuned... more details will be announced shortly. 

More exciting events will be announced later in the year. Bookmark our events page to get updates in real time. *Events and dates are subject to change. 

PTO Sponsored Initiatives 

In addition to PTO events, we sponsor initiatives that support our students, teachers, staff, and community. Check out some of our upcoming initiatives for the 2026-2027 school year and see what's new this year. 

• Piney Branch Elementary School Spirit Wear  
  NEW! Designs for the 2026-2027 school year are now available for purchase online through Sep 8.    

• Teacher Appreciation Events & Moments 
  We sponsor monthly teacher appreciation events to ensure our teachers, administrators, and staff know how grateful we are for all they do. 
• 2026-2027 Yearbook 
  Enjoy photography, design, storytelling, or simply want to help celebrate our school community? We welcome you to join the PTO Yearbook Committee. Email the committee to learn more or express interest at [email protected]. 
• Square 1 Art Fundraiser  
  More information coming soon. 

Support the PTO!  

There are many ways to support the PTO - choose the option(s) that fit your schedule and commitment level. 

• Volunteer at one of our marquee events or chair a committee! 

• Become a member for as little as $10! Attending meetings or participating in events is appreciated, but NOT required! 

• Make a financial contribution to support our events and initiatives! The PTO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We appreciate your contributions. All donations can be sent to the PTO via Venmo @PineyBranch-ElementaryPTO. 

Stay informed and follow the Piney Branch Elementary School PTO Facebook page! Get event updates, connect with fellow members, and catch all the latest news. Join our social community!

Thank you for supporting the PTO! 

Visit the PTO Website! 

 **PTO Websites (Webpages) and social media accounts are not managed, approved, or sponsored by the Prince William County Public Schools.

Community Flyers/Announcements 

Trick or Treatment 

Prince William Water’s annual Trick or Treatment event is on Saturday, October 24th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This family festival takes place every year at the H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility (1861 Rippon Blvd, Woodbridge, VA 22191) and is free and open to the public. For more information please visit the PWC Water website.  

Click here to visit the Prince William County Water Website  

Petite Pioneers Clinic 

Next month on October 28th we will be hosting our annual "Petite Pioneers" Clinic! Open to grades K-8, our petite dancers who join us will receive a t-shirt, dinner, learn a fun Halloween-themed dance routine, and most importantly perform with us during our halftime show! The participants of the Petite Pioneers Dance Clinic will perform the dance they learned at the Patriot vs. Garfield game during halftime on Friday, October 30th at 4:30pm. Feel free to contact [email protected] with any questions. See link below for registration details. 

Click here to register for Petite Pioneers Clinic 

Cub Scouts  

Cub Scouts is a year-round program for boys and girls in grade levels K-5th. Scouts and their families enjoy participating in safe, age-appropriate activities like camping, service projects, life skills, games, and other fun activities that guide them through Scouting’s core values, give them a sense of personal achievement, and prepare them for life. To register your student or learn more information about the Cub Scouts you can click the link below.  

Learn more or and register for Cub Scouts here