News from the Nest
April 10, 2024
A note from Mr. Thorne and Ms. Sobers . . .
We wish all of our families of Muslim faith a blessed Eid Al-Fitr as you celebrate the end of Ramadan. 4th quarter starts Thursday! This is the final push towards the end of the school year. We look forward to everyone ending the school year on a high note. We fully expect April and May to fly by. We want to ensure everyone is aware of our major end of the year events. We look forward to seeing all the accomplishments and successes and celebrating with our Cardinals and families.
- Book Fair
- Kindergarten Registration
- SOL Dates
- 5th Grade Promotion
- SCA Collection for Bethany House
Sincerely,
Steve Thorne and Monica Sobers
Fresh Takes
Autism Awareness
April is Autism Awareness Month, here at Piney we are asking students to wear blue in honor of Autism Awareness Month on Friday April 12th.
Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) Assessment
Piney Branch Elementary School will be administering the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) to all Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students and to 3rd grade students who do not have scores in the system or whose progress is being monitored. The testing window is from April 22 - May 17. 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.
Scholastic Book Fair
The Book Fair is coming to Piney Branch. It will open in the library on April 4th – April 12th (until noon). Please consider offering some of your time to support our wonderful library and make this event a success!
Family nights will be held on Thursday April 4th, and Thursday April 11th from 5-7. Bring your family and come and enjoy the Book Fair in Candyland! Of course, the more parents who come, the more colors Mrs. Kay will have to change her hair color.
100=Blue
200= Blue and Red
Over 200= Rainbow!!!!
2024-2025 Intentions Survey
We want to take a moment to share some information. You may have been receiving various text messages regarding taking a quick survey regarding your intentions for our upcoming school year. It is important that you answer this quick questionnaire to help us plan and prepare our school with the exceptional staff required for your students' educational success. If you have already answered the survey all future messages can be ignored, your data has already been received and entered.
BINGO Night- April 19th
Spring PTO sponsored event will be BINGO NIGHT!! Get ready for another fun filled evening with friends and family on Friday April 19 from 6-8pm.
Plan ahead and pre-order pizza for your family here. Orders are due by April 17th.
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.
SCA Collection for Bethany House
SCA's next service project includes a collection for a Women's and children's shelter called Bethany House of Northern Virginia. They are collecting the following items from now until May 23rd. Please note that items must be new.
- Toothpaste, Toothbrushes
- Soap, Shampoo
- Lotions
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Cleaning Supplies
- Trash bags
- Toilet Paper
- New Blankets
- New Sheets
- Food gift cards (McDonalds, Aldi, Walmart, Subway, Giant)
- Drug Store gift cards (CVS, Walgreens)
- Clothing gift cards (Target, Kohls)
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
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
Tuesday April 16th- Camo Day
Wednesday April 17th- Purple Up day- Wear purple
Thursday April 18th- Hats off Day- Wear your favorite hat
Friday April 19th- Pajama Day
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
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!
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].
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.
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
- April 4-12 Scholastic Book Fair
- April 16 - 5th Grade Integrated Reading/Writing Test
- April 16 – PTO Meeting
- April 19 – PTO Bingo Night
- April 30/May 1- Reading SOL Grades 3-5 (test is given over two days)
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- April 19th
Spring PTO sponsored event will be BINGO NIGHT!! Get ready for another fun filled evening with friends and family on Friday April 19 from 6-8pm.
Plan ahead and pre-order pizza for your family here. Orders are due by April 17th.
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
Touch A Truck
Brentsville District High School is hosting a fundraiser and would like to invite Piney Branch students to Touch A Truck Fundraiser on April 13 from 10-1. Tickets are $10 a person, $35 for a family of 4 and $45 for a family of 5. Purchase tickets here with your Rycor account. Directions for signing up for Rycor.
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.