News from the Nest
January 3, 2024
A note from Mr. Thorne and Ms. Sobers . . .
We hope that the whole Piney Branch community had a joyous holiday season and found time to enjoy the company and love of friends and family. We sincerely wish everyone a happy new year. 2024 is shaping up to be another amazing year with lots of exciting events for the community happening at our school in the coming months. The new year provides a natural opportunity to explore our students’ hopes and dreams for the school year and beyond. Spend time with us reflecting on resolutions for the new year that will set students up as outstanding kind caring courageous cardinals.
Please be sure to read all the Nest for information about:
- Family Heritage Night
- 3rd Grade Minecraft Club
- Winter Testing
- 2024 Scripps Spelling Bee
- Teacher of the Year Nominations
Sincerely,
Steve Thorne and Monica Sobers
Fresh Takes
3rd Grade Minecraft Club Application Form
Let’s create! The Minecraft Club will allow third 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 17 and ending March 20 (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 30 will be entered into a draw for the 20 spots.
Please fill out this online application by the end of the day Wednesday, January 3.
2024 PBES Spelling Bee
Calling all spellers! We will be hosting a schoolwide spelling bee for grades 2-5 on Wednesday, February 7. Students in grades 3-5 will be participating in classroom-level spelling bees the week of January 22. 2nd grade participation is optional. Interested 2nd graders are invited to participate in a grade level spelling bee by filling out this survey. Please contact Emily Kennedy, Piney Branch Reading Specialist, at [email protected] with any questions. Families can help students prepare with these classroom lists attached to the Nest email.
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.
PBES Family Heritage Festival
On Friday, January 26, 2024, Piney Branch will celebrate its Family Heritage Festival at 6:30 pm. We invite all students and their families to join us by sharing your own family's cultural heritage. It's just a little over 3 weeks away! Please consider signing up today to bring food, do a song, dance, or other talent, create a display with information about your country/culture, an art activity, do henna, or other ideas to share with others. So far, we have over 15 countries represented from those who have signed up already. We hope for many more countries to be represented, as well as more US traditions! We look forward to celebrating with you and your family on January 26th!
Please see this information about the event and photos from previous years.
Teacher of the Year Nominations
Prince William County would like to give recognition to our outstanding educators. If there is a beloved Prince William County teacher you feel deserves to be nominated for this award, please see the form below. Please note that the last day to enter a nomination is February 5, 2024.
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] .
Virginia Growth Assessments
As we approach mid-year we are preparing for Winter VGA testing. In response to legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has developed the Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA). The VGAs were created to help measure growth in reading and math for students in grades 3-8. This year, Piney Branch students in grades 3-5 took the Fall VGA in September and will take the Winter VGA on January 24-25.
Although these tests will measure the same content as the Standards of Learning (SOL) reading and math tests given in the spring, they will not be used to assign a passing or failing score to a student. The Fall VGA provided us with a baseline for student’s proficiency in reading and math and the Winter score will give us an indication of their progress thus far.
The VGAs will be taken onsite at schools using a computer adaptive format just like the SOL tests unless there is a situation where a student must test using paper. After testing is complete, parents will receive a report of their student’s performance. For more information on the VGA’s please visit the VDOE Website or the PWCS Testing Webpage.
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.
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.
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:
Lost and Found
We have accumulated a lot of lost and found ranging from water bottles, lunch bags, sweaters and coats. Any time you come to the school please take a moment to stop by and look for any lost items your child may have left behind.
Mark Your Calendar/Upcoming Events
- January 19 – PTO Back to the 90’s Neon Nights Winter Dance
- January 23 – PTO Meeting – Zoom Only
- January 26 – Early Dismissal at 12:40 pm/ Parent Teacher Conferences
- January 26 – Heritage Night 6:30 PM
- January 29 – Teacher Work Day/No School for Students
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!
PTO Meeting
Our first 2024 PTO meeting will be on January 23rd and will be held via Zoom only.
Meeting ID: 838 3546 3612
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.
PWC Girls Softball Little League 2024 Spring Season
Spring registration is now open. Save $20 if you register by January 31st. If you have registration questions, please reach out at to [email protected].
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