News from the Nest
December 13, 2023
A note from Mr. Thorne and Ms. Sobers . . .
As we pass the midway point of 2nd quarter, we look towards 2024 with excitement for the great learning, and events we have in store. Please be sure to stay aware of your student’s academic progress. High dosage math tutoring is underway daily across our building as we have had the past two years in response to COVID learning loss and we will begin implementing Virginia’s “All In Tutoring” program. As soon as PWCS rolls-out implementation plans, we will contact eligible students’ parents and communicate plans to support students.
While many families remain focused on various religious and cultural celebrations of the December/January season (Happy Hannukah to our families of the Jewish faith!) we look forward to welcoming the entire community to the PBES Family Heritage Night on January 26. Please see the signup below to come represent the traditions, culture, and pride in your family’s heritage while learning about our amazing community.
Please be sure to read all the Nest for information about:
- Family Heritage Night
- PE Dance Performances
- Giving Tree – due 12/15
Sincerely,
Steve Thorne and Monica Sobers
Fresh Takes
3rd Grade Minecraft Club Application Form
Let’s create! The Minecraft Club will allow 3rd grade students to use Minecraft Education to design builds and solve challenges. Minecraft Education is a version of Minecraft that is specially designed for classroom use. No experience in Minecraft is necessary to join.
The club will meet on Wednesdays before school at 8:15 a.m. with Ms. Roberts up in the Innovation Station. We will meet for 10 sessions starting on January 17th and ending March 20th (right before spring break.)
Please note, Minecraft Club is a crafting club! Before filling out your child’s application, please tell them that they will be crafting cool creations with their clubmates, not battling zombies, skeletons, or ender dragons.
Due to logistics, space is limited to 20 students. If more than 20 students apply, applicants that turn in their applications by the end of the day on January 30th will be entered into a draw for the 20 spots.
Please fill out this online application by the end of the day Wednesday, January 3rd.
Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) Assessment
Piney Branch Elementary School will be administering the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) to all KG, 1st and 2nd grade students, as well as to 3rd grade students who do not have scores in the system or whose progress is being monitored. The testing window is from January 2nd - February 2nd. Testing for each individual student will only require one session within that window which will last an average of 15 - 20 minutes. Make-up testing will continue throughout the testing window as needed.
A letter will be sent home with your child to explain testing in more detail. For more information, visit the PALS website at and click on the tab “Families +”. Please feel free to contact Emily Kennedy, Piney Branch Reading Specialist, at [email protected] or 571-261-5300 if you have any questions about PALS testing or procedures.
SCA Sponsored Spirit Week
SCA will be sponsoring our Spirit Week and a special day on December 20th before break:
- Thursday- December 14th - Holiday hat and accessories day, wear a holiday hat with accessories
- Friday- December 15th - Ugly Holiday Sweater Day, teacher contest
- Wednesday - December 20th - PJ day
PBES Family Heritage Festival
On Friday, January 26, 2024, Piney Branch will celebrate its Family Heritage Festival at 6:30 p.m. We invite all students and their families to join us by sharing their own family's heritage. This is a fun night, where PBES families come together to share and learn about each other's cultures, traditions, countries/regions/states. Many families choose to share information about their culture and traditions on a poster, bring food to share, dress in traditional clothing, do an art or craft, perform dances, sing, martial arts, read stories in their language, and more! We hope your family can join us to celebrate and learn about the wonderful diversity within our school! We can't wait to see you what you have to share!
PE Dance Performances
For our culminating dance project, we are inviting family members to come and watch the dance performances. Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will be performing 10-12 dances from various cultures that they have learned throughout the dance unit. 3rd grade through 5th grade will be performing self-created group dances that incorporate dance steps/movements that they have learned throughout the dance unit as well as their own creativity. These will take place during the regular PE class that your child attends. The students have worked extremely hard over the course of the unit and would love to see you come in. The schedule below is subject to change if we have inclement weather. As space in our parking lot is limited, we ask that all family members ride together, if possible, to allow for safety in our parking lot and as many families as possible to be able to come to the performances.
Student Absence Information
As we enter the second quarter, we would like to share some key information to help your student(s) stay strong through the colder months and on track to have a successful school year.
Missing 2 days a month, or 4 ½ days in a marking period, adds up to 18 days a year (10% of the school year) which is considered chronically absent. Students who attend regularly are more likely to stay on track, and we are here to support you!
Cold/Flu season is nearing. View illness or injury exclusion criteria for more information on when your student could be sent home from school/School Age Child Care (SACC) or when you should keep the child home from school/SACC.
The second quarter contains many scheduled days off for students
· December 21 – January 1 – Winter Break
· January 15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Remember to report your student’s absences. If your student is absent, please remember to contact us at 571-261-5309 or email [email protected] .
Giving Tree
If you have taken a tag from our Giving Tree to purchase a gift, thank you so much. Our families will appreciate the assistance. As a reminder all unwrapped gifts are due this Friday, December 15th.
If you have questions, please email Mrs. Biegler ([email protected]) or Mrs. Nicewonger ([email protected]). Thank you so much for your generosity!
Cold Temperatures/Wind Chill
Please review the following PWCS policy guiding outdoor activity during the winter months.
- When outside during recess or physical education, all students shall wear appropriate clothing to remain warm and dry. Students shall be physically active with limited periods of inactivity.
- At or above 32⁰F with or without wind chill: recess and physical education activities may be held outdoors.
- Below 32⁰F to 20⁰F with or without wind chill: principal discretion with the following considerations:
- Precipitation: snowy, wet, and icy conditions should be evaluated for student safety;
- Playground safety: the playground equipment and surface (i.e. icy conditions) should be evaluated for student safety;
- Student preparation: students have jackets, gloves, and hats. The ability to communicate to school community the intention to hold recess during cold spells and for children to come prepared to play outdoors;
- Sun/Ground: sun is shining and the grounds are safe for play; and
- Time: availability to limit outdoor time.
For Good Measure
Attendance/Dismissal
When you email your child’s teacher regarding their absence and/or dismissal changes, please include the office ([email protected]) just in case your child’s teacher has a substitute teacher. Absences can be reported by calling 571-261-5309. All changes of dismissal should be sent to your child’s teacher/office before 2:00 p.m. For the safety of our students, early dismissals need to take place before 3:15 p.m.
Watch D.O.G.S. is Back!!!!
The Watch D.O.G.S need you! Calling all dads looking to provide support at our school. The Watch D.O.G.S. program helps provide positive male role models for students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. Meanwhile, you will provide an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance school security, reduce bullying, and provide a greater sense of campus safety allowing students and teachers to focus on learning and instruction. You will help by supporting lunch, recess, hallways, encore, and security around the school. Should you have any questions about this exciting program, please reach out to Jim Pawlak at [email protected]
If you are ready to become a Watch D.O.G.S, follow the link to sign up!
Accessing PBES Resources Outside of School
You can access our PBES resources like Canvas, Office 365 and Clever from almost wherever you are. Please see the following help videos to:
One Warm Coat Drive
SCA is hosting a warm coat drive. As the weather gets colder, there are many members of our community who do not have a warm coat to wear. One Warm Coat is an organization who collects coats to distribute to members of our community who are in need of new or gently used warm coats. When you clean out your closets, and find you have coats that do not fit you or your children, please consider donating them to this cause. Attached is a flyer for One Warm Coat. Once again, thank you for supporting SCA and One Warm Coat.
Mark Your Calendar/Upcoming Events
- December 15 – Giving Tree items are due
- December 18-20 PE Dance Performances
- December 21-January 1st - School closed for winter break
- January 2 – School Reopens
- January 18 – PTO Meeting
- January 19 – PTO Back to the 90’s Neon Nights Winter Dance
- January 26 – Heritage Night
PTO News
Back to the 90’s-Neon Nights Winter Dance
Save the date – PTO will be welcoming “Back to the 90’s Neon Nights Winter Dance” with DJ Wesley. It will be on Friday, January 19th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Gym. More information to come!
Cookie Exchange
PTO will be holding their 7th Annual Cookie Exchange on December 19th for the faculty and staff at Piney Branch. If you are willing to donate please do so.
If you have any questions feel free to contact Trish Neall at [email protected]
PTO Meeting
Next PTO meeting will be held on January 18.
Join the PTO
Support our school and get free PBES swag by joining the PTO! Join online on our website!
Please visit www.PineyBranchPTO.com for all information related to the PBES PTO.
*This Website (Webpage) is not managed, approved, or sponsored by the Prince William County Public Schools.
Community Flyers and Announcements
Evening Guitar Classes at Piney Branch
Did you know Musically Creative has taught evening music classes at Piney Branch for years? They have a new semester starting in January and they offer very affordable, small group ukulele and guitar classes. They also have piano classes in Nokesville. It makes for a great gift idea for the holidays. Ages 6-adults grouped by age and ability.
Visit the Musically Creative website to find out more.
Marsteller Math & Science Speciality Program
The Marsteller Math and Science Specialty Program is an interest-based program. To be eligible to apply, students must have earned at least a grade of B in Math and Science and Cs in all other classes. Additionally, students must have satisfactory conduct/effort grades and satisfactory attendance based on PWCS attendance regulations. Students must maintain these standards throughout middle school. Please check Marsteller’s website for additional details.
Eligible rising 6th-grade students zoned for Marsteller MUST apply for the Math and Science Specialty Program if interested. There is no automatic placement without applying. Families apply for their students with the PWCS program’s online application. Students who are zoned to attend Bull Run, Gainesville, Nokesville, Parkside, Reagan, and Unity Braxton Middle Schools may be eligible to apply as transfer students. Families should check the PWCS find my school website to check school zones. Marsteller accepts 25 transfer students per year by lottery.
Important dates:
- Information Night: October 26 at 6:30 pm at Marsteller Middle School (Spanish translation will be available)
- Information Night: January 11 at 6:30 pm at Marsteller Middle School (Snow date Jan 18) (Spanish translation will be available)
- November 1st, 2023: Application opens.
- February 1st, 2024: Application is due (Firm deadline - No late applications will be accepted)
- Mid-Late February 2024 Program decision is released.
- March 5th, 2024: Program Acceptance is due if offered a seat (Firm deadline – seats will be dropped after this date)
Email Kerry Adkins, program coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions