News from the Nest

Fall Book Fair 

 Piney Branch will be hosting the Bookworm Central Book Fair the week of September 28th through October 2nd. Students will have the opportunity to preview the Book Fair and create a wish list on September 29th.  

Students can start making purchases during the school day on Wednesday. The last day to make a purchase will be Friday until noon. 

Family nights are listed below. We will NOT be taking cash payments this year on Family Nights.  

Thursday, October 1st from 5:30-7 PM 

Parent Volunteers are needed! Please consider donating some of your time to make our Book Fair a success!  

Book fair volunteer sign up link.  

Join SCA for Grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th  

Is your student interested in being a student leader and helping make our school an even better place? The Student Council Association (SCA) gives students in grades 3-5 the opportunity to develop leadership skills, share ideas, promote school spirit, participate in service projects, and help plan special school activities and events. SCA members are expected to be positive role models, demonstrate responsibility, and work collaboratively with their peers to support our school community.  

All meetings will begin at 8:15 a.m. 

• Friday, October 2 

• Friday, November 6 

• Friday, December 4 

• Friday, January 8 

• Friday, February 5 

• Friday, March 5 

• Friday, April 2 

• Monday, May 3 

If your child is interested in participating in SCA, please complete the interest form below. We look forward to helping our student leaders make a positive impact on our school! 

If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. McAfee at [email protected] or Mrs. Nicewonger at [email protected]  

SCA (Grades 3-5) Interest Form  

October Counseling Lesson 

In the month of October, school counselors will be delivering a classroom lesson on bullying prevention using the Character Strong bullying prevention curriculum. This resource provides students with engaging, age-appropriate instruction that promotes a safe, respectful, and inclusive school environment.   

During this lesson, students will learn how to recognize bullying behavior, understand the impact bullying can have on others, practice strategies for responding safely and respectfully, and identify trusted adults who can help when concerns arise. Students will also explore ways they can contribute to a positive school culture by showing empathy, kindness, and respect.   

If you have questions about this lesson or would like additional information, please contact Mrs. McAfee at [email protected] or Mrs. Nicewonger at [email protected] 

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 

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 

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

Purple Star  

Do you have a military-connected student? A military-connected student is a child of a service member who is in the military, National Guard, or the Reserves. The Purple Star committee is designed to support our military-connected students, as they face the unique challenges of military life, by connecting them with other military-connected students. We have two Purple Star opportunities for our military-connected students. Sign up below! 

Students in all grades can come to our Purple Star Fun Days. We will be meeting three times this year in Mrs. Bartoli’s classroom. At the first meeting we will eat donuts, play board games, and chat with other military connected students. At the second meeting we will have a guest presenter from the Marine Corp Museum. The last meeting will be a “boot camp” that our Purple Star Ambassadors will be organizing for our younger military-connected students. 

Students in 4th and 5th grade can also be Purple Star Ambassadors. Ambassadors are upper-grade students that are military-connected. The purpose of the group is to show support to other military students as they face challenges, like deployment; and to show pride in our military. They will meet monthly before school in Mrs. Bartoli’s classroom to work together to plan events such as our Veterans Day lunch, Month of the Military Child activities and other fun activities here at Piney.  

Purple Star Fun Days (Grades K-5) Sign-up 

Purple Star Ambassadors (Grades 4-5) Sign-up 

Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS)   

Career Day 

We are hosting our annual Piney Branch Career Fair on Friday, October 23rd, 2026. Volunteers can choose to speak to one grade level or stay with us for the entire day.  

This special event is designed for our Kindergarten through 5th grade students, giving them a chance to explore the wide world of careers through the eyes of our amazing parent community. 

We’re looking for parent volunteers to share their career journeys, tools of the trade, or even lead a hands-on activity. Presentations can be simple, fun, and tailored to young learners. No public speaking experience required—just your enthusiasm! 

Interested in joining us?  Please sign up so we can begin planning the schedule. 

Thank you for helping us make Career Day a meaningful and memorable experience for our students. We can’t wait to see the incredible variety of careers represented this year! 

Career Day Schedule: 

9:30-10:25AM  2nd grade

10:25-11:20AM  Kindergarten

12:05-1:00PM  1st grade

1:00-1:55PM  5th grade

1:55-2:50PM  4th grade

2:50- 3:45PM  3rd grade

Please reach out to Courtney McAfee at [email protected] and/or Kelly Nicewonger at [email protected] or 571-261-5300 for questions 

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

We’re kicking off an exciting week at Piney Branch! We’re excited to announce this year’s Color Craze prizes, including classroom rewards, grade‑level celebrations, and our all‑new Prize Catalog for top earners. And don’t forget to save the date for Outdoor Movie Night on Friday, October 9, where we’ll host a special Squishy Basket Raffle featuring NEEDOHs, RMS dumplings, and more squishy favorites. It’s a perfect mix of school spirit, community fun, and big surprises ahead — read on for all the details. 

2026 Color Craze Deadline Approaching

Color Craze is officially underway, and our students can earn amazing rewards all season long — from commemorative t‑shirts and family participation to coveted grand prizes, including our new prize catalog for the top 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place students.  

Students unlock prizes by meeting fundraising milestones by the published deadlines, competing within their grade level and classroom, and aiming for one of our Top Earner spots. 

T-shirts & Additional Participants   

All students participate in our Color Craze Running Event on October 30, 2026. Students who raise $30 will receive the official 2026 Piney Branch Color Craze T‑shirt — a bright white tee designed to capture every splash of color during our school‑wide run. It’s the perfect keepsake to celebrate their hard work and show off their Piney Branch pride. 

Students can earn the opportunity to invite family members to join them on race day if they meet the required fundraising minimums. Additional participants must be registered in advance.  

• Raise $60: 1 Student + 1 Additional Running Event Participant. T-shirts for both included. 

• Raise $90: 1 Student + 2 Additional Running Event Participants. T-shirts for all three included. 

• Raise $120: 1 Student + 3 Additional Running Event Participants. T-shirts for all four included. 

• Raise $150: 1 Student + 4 Additional Running Event Participants. T-shirts for all five included 

Grand Prizes 

Top Earners Prize 
Our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place earning students across the entire school unlock the Top Earner Prize Catalog, featuring premium rewards students personally select — up to $300, $200, and $100. 

Grade-Level Top Earners 
The highest‑earning student in each grade will be invited to a special Chick‑fil‑A Party with Mr. Thorne — a fun, celebratory way to recognize leadership and school spirit. 

Classroom Prizes 
Across each grade level, the classroom that raises the most will earn a party of their choice — an Ice Cream Party or S’mores Party — plus extra recess. It’s a great way to build teamwork and keep the excitement high 

Important Fundraising Deadlines   

• T‑Shirts & Additional Participants 
  Fundraising minimums, t‑shirt eligibility, and additional participant registrations are due October 9 at 5:00 PM. Once you've met the fundraising minimums, you MUST complete our t-shirt order and additional participant registration form by October 9 at 5:00 PM. 

• Grand Prizes 
  All fundraising that counts toward grand prizes must be completed by October 30 at 5:00 PM. Donations are tracked through Donately. Winners will be announced the week of November 2. 

Learn more about Color Craze and start your student's fundraiser today! 

PTO Movie Night October 9 

Save the date for Outdoor Movie Night! On Friday, October 9, we invite you to the PBES field for a cozy outdoor theater experience. Admission is free, the field opens at 6:15 p.m., and the movie begins at 7:15 p.m.— with students voting in class (managed by their teachers!) to choose our feature film. Bring your chairs and blankets, enjoy concessions for purchase, and take part in our 50/50 raffle to support school initiatives. Mark your calendars now and get ready for a great night under the stars! 

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. 

2026 Fall PTO Calendar of Events & Moments 

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

October 

• 10/9 IT'S BACK! Movie Night + 50/50 Raffle - Admission is free. Concessions will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the 50/50 Raffle will support school initiatives. 

• 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 - Keep an eye out for our fundraising kick-off! Rain date: Nov 6 

December

• 12/11 NEW! PTO Event TBA - 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. 

 Learn more about how to support the PTO. 

Piney Branch Elementary School PTO Facebook

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 

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 

Girl Scouts

Join Girl Scouts today! Girl Scouts is hosting a discovery/ informational night for parents whose daughters are interested in joining Girl Scouts and learning about their organization. Adults and kids are invited to come to Piney Branch on Tuesday, October 6th from 6pm-7pm. RSVP using the link below. For questions you can contact Julia Funari at [email protected].  

Click here to RSVP to Girl Scouts Information Night 

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 

Prince William County Fire & Rescue System Annual Fall Festival 

Prince William County Fire & Rescue System (PWCFRS) will be hosting their 3rd Annual Fall Festival. This festive event encompasses various public safety agencies/organizations across the county and region. In addition, the event provides local county and regional community agencies, interactive activities, music entertainment, and food trucks. This family-friendly event provides vital information and resources to the public to keep our communities, residents, and visitors informed, educated, and safe. To learn more about this family event click the link below.  

Click here for the PWCFRS website Fall Festival Information Page 

When: Saturday, October 3rd 

Time: 12pm-5pm 

Where: Pftizner Stadium, 7 County Complex Court , Woodbridge, VA 22192