News from the Nest

What is Fresh Takes? 

Fresh Takes is where new, timely information can be found. Club sign-ups are posted in this section, so check back every week. 

Back to School Packet 2026-2027

The Back to School Packet refers to the process at the beginning of each school year, where parents can review emergency and contact information for their student(s) and complete any annual policy reviews and acknowledgments. This process will be completed online through ParentVUE. Completion is required to access 2026-2027 teacher assignments when made available.

AUGUST 20^th Orientations and Supply Drop-off

We are excited to welcome everyone back on August 20 for our various orientation events. Please see below for times:

• Kindergarten Orientation will begin at 9:00 am in the cafeteria/gym. Please join us to meet PBES team members and get important school information.
• New Student Orientation: We are excited to welcome new families promptly at 12:00 pm in the cafeteria/ gym for a presentation with useful information to make your students transition to their new school easy. We will conclude with a building tour and visit your child’s new classroom.
• Supply Drop off (Returning Families) Bring your student by during the designated time below for a quick informative session, then drop off their school supplies and see their classroom.

 Due to limited parking, we ask that you follow the schedule below by last name as best your schedule allows.

• A-E 1:00
• F-L 1:45
• M-P 2:30
• Q-Z 3:15

Mini Lunch For Kindergarten Orientation 

Kindergarteners and their parents are welcome to come see what PWCS meals are like at Kindergarten Orientation. The cafeteria will serve these main dishes:

• Popcorn Chicken (3 pieces) 

• Pizza Sticks (1 stick) 

Students may try serving themselves from our sides bar: 

• Baby Carrots (1 carrot) 

• Celery Sticks (1 stick) 

• Apple Wedges (1 wedge) 

• Orange Wedges (1 wedge) 

We hope you give it a try!

Looking for Ecology or Biology Experts! 

Our Robotics Teams are seeking experts in ecology, wildlife biology, and conservation to interview as part of their Innovation Project work this year. If you or someone you know has experience in one of these fields and would be willing to share their expertise with our students, we would love to hear from you! 

Please contact Jennifer Roberts at [email protected] for more information. 

Thank you for helping support our young innovators! 

Student Immunizations and Physicals

If you have been receiving notifications regarding missing immunizations and/or physicals not compliant Ms. Joann will contact you regarding what you need for your student to start on August 24. All immunizations are due on August 21^st. Listed below is a link for PWCS information page for all immunization requirements along with Vaccine clinics information.

Required immunizations for 2026-2027 School year

Back to School Packet

The annual Back to School Packet, where parents/guardians can review emergency cards, update contact information, and complete annual policy reviews and acknowledgments, will be available in ParentVUE beginning Monday August 10, 2026. All families should complete the Back to School Packet by Friday, September 12, 2025. The information you provide will allow school staff to ensure your student's safety this school year.

Log in to the ParentVUE app or the ParentVUE website using your ParentVUE user name and password. Once logged in to ParentVUE, click the Online Records button at the top of the screen. Please the office if you need assistance or do not have an active ParentVUE account.

2026-2027 Bell Times & Bus Information

Piney Branch bell times remain 9:20-4:00.  Kiss n’ Ride drop-off will begin at 9:10am. For more information check the PWCS Transportation webpage for updates.

Preliminary bus stop information will be available in ParentVUE the week of August 14.

Information on how to access The Hub’s StudentVUE and ParentVUE applications can be found on The Hub page of the PWCS website. 

Bus Tracking App

The EZ A2B app, integrated with EZRouting, allows families to view student bus information and receive notifications about bus stop arrivals and delays.

Kindergarten Bus Transportation Information

PWCS ensures the safest transportation protocols possible to safely get our newest students to and from school. Please review the PWCS Kindergarten Bus Transportation page to learn how we implement this system.

Kiss N’ Ride (Car Drop-off)

If you are new to Kiss N’ Ride (car drop-off) and require a hang tag or are a KNR veteran and need a replacement tag, please come by the office 9am-3pm daily, or at supply drop-off/orientation events. ID will be required. If you want to double-check your number, please call the office and we’ll be happy to help you.

Health Treatment Plans & Medication Dropoff

Students requiring health treatment plans and medication while at school should plan to make arrangements with Nurse Denise beginning August 17^th.

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 )

Cell Phone Policy

Prince William County Public Schools remains committed to the research-based step of the Cell Phone-Free Education Policy. In August 2025, all schools implemented a bell-to-bell policy that limits cell phone use during the instructional day. This decision, shaped by community input and a successful pilot across 33 schools, is rooted in a shared goal: creating classroom environments where students are fully present—mentally, emotionally, and socially.

Essentially, elementary school students’ phones must be turned off and be stored away, smart watches must remain in airplane mode throughout the day – communication, even with parents, is prohibited by the Code of Behavior. Please reach out if you have further questions.

The student-created slogan, “Stop the scroll, take control,” reminds us that this policy is about empowerment, not restriction. It is about reclaiming focus, restoring meaningful human connection, and giving our students every opportunity to thrive. For more information, I invite you to review the PWCS FAQ page. We are grateful for your engagement and look forward to continuing this important work together.

Beginning of Year Lockdown Drills

Per PWCS regulation, we are required to hold our four Lockdown drills this year; the first being in the first 10 days of school, and the second in the first 20 days of school.  The purpose of this drill is to prepare students and staff for our procedures if there is any danger outside or inside the building. We understand that these drills can be a little scary for students, so classroom teachers will be talking to their classes and walking them through our procedures. Just like when we practice fire drills, these drills are necessary to make sure all students know what to do in case of an emergency.

We will have our first required drill during the second week of school and the 2^nd drill during the month of September. Preschool and kindergarten students will not participate in the first drill. Both drills will be announced to staff and students.

What is For Good Measure?

For Good Measure has news that is no longer "fresh," but may still be useful. Items here have already appeared in the Fresh Takes section in an earlier newsletter. 

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.

PTO News

The last stretch of summer always has its own kind of magic — long evenings, sun-tired kids, and that gentle shift as everyone starts to feel the school year getting closer. With less than two weeks until Piney Branch opens its doors again, our students are still soaking up every bit of summer fun. At the same time, your PTO is busy preparing to welcome our students back with joyful messages and colorful designs through our Chalk the Walk event. Read on for more details and sign up to volunteer today — we’d love to have you join in the fun. 

Chalk the Walk August 23 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. 

Help us kick off the school year with color and joy! Join the PTO for Chalk the Walk, where families decorate the sidewalks with encouraging messages and bright artwork to welcome students back. It’s a quick, fun way to make their first day feel special. Check out the details and sign up to volunteer — we’d love to have you join us. 

2026 Fall PTO Calendar of Events & Moments 

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

August 

• 8/23 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. NEW! Chalk the Walk - Welcome our students back to school with messages of encouragement. Volunteer to Chalk the Walk today! 

September 

• 9/11 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. 2ND ANNUAL PTO Carnival Night - Tickets will be available for purchase soon! Rain date: Sep 1 

• 9/16 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. PTO Meeting @ PBES Library - We will have free child care provided by our NHS Students from Gainesville High School to make it easier for parents to attend. 

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. 

• Sprout School Supply Kits The PTO Board is busy delivering orders to each class room so our students' supplies are ready when they arrive Aug 24. 

• Piney Branch Elementary School Spirit Wear NEW! Designs for the 2026-2027 school year will be dropping soon. Be sure to keep an eye out for our online store opening 

• Teacher Appreciation Events & Moments If you want to help spread joy to our staff, we welcome you to join the Teacher Appreciation Committee. Email [email protected] to learn more or express interest 

• 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. 

Become a PTO Member | 2026-2027 School Year

If you haven't renewed your annual PTO membership yet, we invite you to check this item off your to-do list before the school year ends! Become a PTO Member today—for just $10 for an individual or $20 for a family—and make a difference in our school community!

Members are not required to participate in meetings or events if you don't want to. Your level of involvement is completely your choice. Your membership grants you voting rights so you can vote on the initiatives that are important to you and your financial contribution helps fund our mission to support the students, teachers, staff, and families of Piney Branch Elementary School.

We hope you will join today!

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! 

• 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. 

Stay Informed | 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!

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

Community Flyers/Announcements 

Check this section regularly for information about activities offered by community organizations.