News from the Nest
March 20, 2024
A note from Mr. Thorne and Ms. Sobers . . .
Spring break is upon us and aligns nearly perfectly with NCAA March Madness. The break is much needed for students and staff and will setup the homestretch to this school year, which is very exciting! While I’ll be rooting for a JMU win in Brooklyn Friday evening (Ms. Sobers will certainly be rooting against them!!) to be the first step in my quest for a perfect bracket, I’m thinking of other more important predictions including our anticipated enrollment for next school year. It’s important to have a clear picture now to staff exceptional staff for our students for next year. Please help us plan for next year by RSVP’ng for 2024-25! Our brief survey should take about 2 minutes to complete but may be the difference in a fully staffed school for next year. Everyone should do their part ASAP… and then enjoy Spring Break! See everyone in April!
- Spring Individual/Class Pictures
- Kindergarten Registration
- SOL Dates
- 5th Grade Promotion
Sincerely,
Steve Thorne and Monica Sobers
Fresh Takes
2024-25 Kindergarten Online Registration Open
The 2024-25 online registration is now open. Kindergarten students who are five years of age or older by September 30 are eligible for enrollment in kindergarten. You will need to upload your child’s birth certificate, primary proof of residency (deed, lease, mortgage statement), two proofs of residency (utility bills, driver’s license, car registration, etc.), and an updated physical and immunization record. Online registration information can be found on the PWCS Kindergarten Registration website.
After your registration has been processed, you will receive information about our Meet & Greet.
Henry Cole is visiting Piney Branch
Nationally published author and illustrator Henry Cole is visiting Piney Banch on April 3rd. If you would like to purchase your own copy of any of Mr. Cole’s books you can order in our Rycor student payment system (please be sure to enter the dollar amount in order to place your order). The last day to place an order for a copy is Friday March 22nd.
Nest for Celeste #1 Ages 7-10 $12.99
Celeste is a mouse who is looking for a home. Is it nestled in the toe of a warm boot? In the shirt pocket of Celeste’s new friend Joseph? Or is home the place deep inside Celeste’s heart, where friendships live? A Nest for Celeste is a short novel that tells the story a mouse living in the 1800s and his friendship with John James Audubon’s young apprentice.
Another Quest for Celeste Ages 8-12 $12.99
Celeste is hundreds of miles from home following an unexpected journey aboard a Mississippi steamboat. It's 1822, and Celeste meets a tall, lanky boy wielding an ax: a young Abraham Lincoln. But with the help of Celeste’s new woodland animal friends and some creativity, she may just prove that even the littlest creatures can make a big difference.
Nesting Ages 4-8 $15.99
In this black-and-white picture book highlighted with robin’s egg blue, the reader will follow two robins as they build a nest with twigs and grass. Then mother robin lays four beautiful blue eggs and will keep the eggs warm in the nest until they hatch into four baby robins. The father robin protects the babies until they can fly on their own. The perils the babies encounter are many, including snakes and storms. The nest is always their safe place.
Big Bug Ages 4-7 $12.99
Beginning with a beautiful close-up of a “big” ladybug, this book artfully depicts the concept of scale. The book zooms out from the bug to a flower, to a cow, all the way to an expansive spread of sky.
Albert’s ABCs: A Sibling Story Ages 2-5 $18.99
Over the course of a day, big brother Albert manages his interactions with his little brother Baxter and the feelings that result in this relatable romp through the alphabet. A normal day and a familiar sibling interaction escalate alphabetically until Grandma resolves all the problems, with an X for a kiss goodnight, followed by Yawn, and, of course, ZZZZ.
Spring Individual/Class Pictures
Spring individual/class pictures will be on March 21, 2024. Spring photography is a prepay session. Only those students that prepay in advance and bring their order to the photographer will have individual pictures taken. Online is the most popular method for parents to order pictures. The online prepay will close the night before picture day at 7:00 p.m. Parents that do not prepay online in time can still fill out the traditional paper order form and pay by cash or check. All students will still be featured in the class group regardless of purchase. See flyer or go to Candid Color for more information.
Purple Star News
April is the month we celebrate the “Military Child”. Here at Piney Branch Elementary our Purple Star Ambassadors have a spirt week planned for all students to participate.
Monday April 15th- Patriotic Day - Wear Red/White and Blue (This was changed since publication.)
Tuesday April 16th- Camo Day
Wednesday April 17th- Purple Up Day - Wear Purple (This was changed since publication.)
Thursday April 18th- Hats off Day- Wear your favorite hat
Friday April 19th- Pajama Day
Virginia SOL Testing
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has created the Virginia Assessment Program to help measure students’ academic progress in the Standards of Learning (SOLs). The SOLs indicate the Commonwealth of Virginia’s expectations for what students should know and be able to do in the subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history/social science. Copies of the
SOLs are available online at the VDOE website.
Each year, students at various grade levels are expected to participate in SOL testing or alternative assessments unless specifically exempted by state or federal law, or by Virginia Board of Education regulations. In grades 3-8, most students will participate in some type of SOL testing or assessment annually. Some SOL tests, like the Integrated Reading and Writing test, are only given to students in grades 5, 8, and 11. According to VDOE, parents may also request to have their high school student participate in additional testing beyond what is required by state and federal law if they are currently enrolled in a related course. Once testing is complete, information about your student’s performance will be shared with you.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Sobers [email protected]
Our Piney Branch Students will be testing on the following dates:
- April 16 - 5th grade Integrated Reading/Writing
- April 30/May 1- 3-5 Reading SOL (test is given over two days)
- May 8/9 - 3-5 Math SOL (test is given over two days)
- May 15 – 4th grade Virginia Studies SOL
- May 15 – 5th grade Science SOL
SCA Book Drive
Tomorrow is the last day to bring by donations to support the VVA's mission of helping America's veterans and their families. A collection box will be in the main lobby of the school.
- Textbooks
- Magazines
- Hardcover Books
- Softcover Books
- Children's Books
- Fiction, Non-Fiction Books
Field Day
We will be looking for volunteers to help with Field Day on May 29 (K-2) and May 30 (3-5)! Stay tuned for more info!
Gainesville Middle School - Rising Sixth Graders
GVMS would like to welcome our fifth graders moving into their sixth-grade halls next school year. Listed below are some important dates for upcoming information nights along with the links for the Zooms. Gainesville Middle Newsletter
April 17 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Rising 6th-Grade Open House
5th Grade Promotion
5th grade parents, we would LOVE for you to send us your students Kindergarten picture. We will be using this at promotion. In the email, please send us your student’s name, 5th grade teacher name and Kindergarten teacher’s name (even those from other schools).
Email photos to: [email protected]
Want to help out at 5th grade promotion? Sign up now:
Fifth Grade Yearbook Ad Sale
Parents, if you are interested in buying an ad spot for your fifth grader to be featured in the yearbook this year, please order here. 1/8 page ads are $30 and Love lines are $5. Orders are due by April 15th.
Preschool Registration 2024-25 School Year
Preschool applications open February 1st!
Families apply online by completing an Online Application. (Spanish version)
Applications may also be completed in-person or via phone. Families should call the preschool office with any questions.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 703-791-8708
The preschool program has income limits. During the online application, families are asked to upload proof of family income, a copy of the child's birth certificate, and at least one proof of address. Other information will be requested if a child is accepted. Information on the application and approval process is available on the PWCS Preschool Application website. Selections begin in April and continue until classes are filled.
Preschool Registration Information (English)
Preschool Registration Information (Spanish)
Preschool Registration Information (Farsi)
Preschool Registration Information (Arabic)
Preschool Registration Information (Urdu)
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/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.
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!
A La Carte Foods Available for Purchase to Complement School Meals
There have been many requests across the division for PWCS to bring back a la carte food for purchase such as bottled water and cookies. In response to these requests, the Food and Nutrition Department will resume offering additional foods for purchase to complement school meals starting on March 11. These additional items include bottled water, freshly baked cookies, and packaged snacks such as baked chips, crackers, pretzels, and more. These new items all meet Smart Snack Guidelines and meet our division’s Clean Label Policy to not include any artificial colors, preservatives, sweeteners, and partially hydrogenated fat in our menu items. Students also have the opportunity to purchase second entrées, sides, and milk in addition to their first school breakfast and lunch.
The new A La Carte Menu options can be purchased using cash or can be charged to a school meal account if there are sufficient funds available in this account. Prices for these new a la carte items and information about setting up and managing school meal accounts can be found on the PWCS Nutrition website
** Please note that if you do not want your child to get a la carte items, restrictions can be set. Please email [email protected].
Lunar New Year Writing Challenge
2024 is the Year of the Dragon according to the Lunar Calendar. To help celebrate with our students and families whose cultures observe this annual celebration and help others learn about a culture different from their own, I sponsor an annual Lunar New Year Writing Challenge. This year over 50 student authors participated. Some wrote stories on their own and others worked together in a group or with their class to write. All authors in this anthology are to be commended for their hard work and great writing! I'm incredibly proud of them for taking the initiative to participate in this extracurricular work.
We invite you read the anthology of all of the qualifying stories that were submitted to the challenge.
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did!
-Adrienne Nguyen
2024-25 Transfer Requests
Transfer season for the 2024-25 school year is now open and will close on April 30, 2024. If your student is at Piney Branch on a transfer, a form needs to be completed each school year. See PWCS Regulations 721-1 for more detailed information about the reasons for student transfer. Transfer Request and Daycare Verification.
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.
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:
Mark Your Calendar/Upcoming Events
- March 21 – SCA Book Drive Ends
- March 21 – Spring Individual/Class Pictures
- March 25-29 Spring Break (Schools Are Closed)
- April 9 – Teacher workday no school for students
- April 10 – PWCS closed in observance of Eid-ad-Fitr
- April 19 – PTO Bingo Night
PTO News
April PTO Meeting
Please join us for our April PTO Meeting on April 16 at 6:30 PM in the Library and via Zoom.
BINGO Night- Save the Date- April 19
Due to scheduling and calendar conflicts, administration and the PTO have decided that this year's Spring PTO sponsored event will be BINGO!!!! Get ready for another fun filled evening with friends and family on Friday April 19. More details to come! Cardinals Got Talent will return in the 2024-25 school year so stay tuned!
Yearbook Committee
Yearbooks are now available for presale. Order by May 3 to receive the yearbook before the end of school. Yearbooks can still be purchased after May 3 at a higher cost.
The Yearbook Committee needs photo submissions. Please include context and the names of the people included. Email pictures to [email protected]
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
Learn to Swim
Summer is right around the corner; pool days and beach days are upon us. Swin Kids of Gainsville offers many classes for different ages and levels to learn about water safety and swim lessons. Register at Swim Kids.
Camp Invention
Piney Branch Elementary will host a one week Camp Invention during the week of June 17-18– June 20-21, 2024. Camp Invention is not open on Juneteenth.
This camp encourages growth mindset and social-emotional growth with a deep focus on STEM activities. Camp Invention works with Prince William County Public Schools to ensure that this camp can come back each summer and bring these awesome skills to our community. For more information, visit the website.