2025-2026 Cell Phone Policy

This year, Prince William County Public Schools took a bold and research-based step forward by adopting the new Cell Phone-Free Education Policy. Beginning in August 2025, all schools will implement 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. 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.

Cardinal Connections

What is Cardinal Connections?

Our Vision is to form a group of experienced parents and teachers dedicated to helping new families feel welcome at Piney Branch.

Our Mission:

To connect new and experienced families with diverse backgrounds to provide information regarding our school, school experiences, the PTO , and our local community.

We need YOU!

Piney Branch is a very diverse school. Families of all backgrounds, cultures, and languages are needed to make Cardinal Connections successful.

If you are interested in forming part of the Cardinal Connections and helping a new family feel welcomed to our school please fill out this form linked below.

Interest form for Cardinal Connections

Free Summer Lunch

Prince William County Public Schools is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals are available for all children 18 years of age and younger. Meal service is Monday-Friday at different locations. Meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis. Children must remain on-site while consuming their meals.

Click this link to view the PWCS schools that will be participating in Free Summer program.

Lunch Debts

Please check your student’s lunch balances by either checking the MySchoolBucks app, calling PBES, or speaking with our cafeteria manager at 571.261.5030. Currently, PBES students owe nearly $2,000 which will be deducted from our budget and impact our student experience ability to meet our school’s needs in the future. As a reminder, MySchoolBucks no longer has a service fee for credit card payment. Need financial assistance? Applications for Meal Benefits are still open.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration has opened for the 2025-2026 School year. Please visit the PWCS website to register your rising kindergartener for the next school year. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the school registrar Ms. Joann.

2025-2026 Intentions

As this school year ends, we are asking parents to help us prepare for the upcoming school year. If you know your family will be moving over this summer and will no longer be here for the next school year please take some time to fill out a quick survey so that we can plan accordingly.

Sign-up for PBES Chorus for 2025-2026

Complete this form if your rising 4th/5th grade student is interested in joining our PBES Chorus with Mrs. Nichols (PBES music teacher) for the 2025-2026 school year.

Rehearsals are Tuesday mornings from 8:15-9:10 a.m.

All information, updates, and reminders will be communicated through School Status.

A detailed rehearsal and concert schedule will communicated soon.

*For rising 5th grade students:
1. If your student participated in chorus as a 4th grader and would like to continue next year, please still complete the sign-up form for the 2025-2026 school year.
2. Rising 5th grade students are able to participate in both chorus and strings.

Medication Pick Up 

All medications must be picked up from the school clinic by 12:00 p.m. on June 12. Medications not picked up will be discarded. No medications are held in the school clinics over the summer. New Medication Administration Forms and/or Health Treatment Plans are required each school year. Forms may be obtained from your school or the Student Health Services website.  

Lost and Found 

As the year comes to a close, please take some time to swing by the Lost and Found located by the aux gym to collect anything your child may have misplaced this school year. 

CAMP INVENTION  

Piney Branch Elementary will host a 4 day Camp Invention during the week of June 16th-18– June 20, 2025. 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 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.

Please Note: For a more convenient program schedule, add the Extended Day option to your cart at registration. Extended Day hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for an additional $100 per week. 

SUPPLIES NEEDED for Camp Invention! 

ACCEPTABLE EXAMPLES: • Balls (rubber, golf, tennis, ping-pong) • Bubble wrap • Building blocks, wood blocks • Boxes (small/medium in size) • CDs, discs • Containers, cups • Craft supplies (beads, buttons, fabric, ribbon) • Dolls, action figures • Doorknobs, outdoor faucet knobs • Erector set pieces • Game parts • Hardware (nuts, bolts, washers, hinges, hooks) • Paper towel or wrapping paper tubes • Pinwheels • Plastic bottle caps • Pulleys • Rubber bands • Scrap paper • Sporting goods (no golf clubs or bats) • Springs, strainers • String • Tape • Trays • Umbrellas  

UNACCEPTABLE EXAMPLES: • Batteries • Coils, cords • Glass • Glitter • Glue, paint or liquids of any kind • Medicine containers, prescription bottles • Packing peanuts • Soda pop cans • Wire hangers 

 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:

• Logging into PWCS Applications
• Setting up a Canvas Parent Account

 Accessing Unit Test Results (Grade 2-5) 

You can view your child’s unit assessments given in Mastery Connect after they have taken the test. Please watch these videos for the steps you can take. 

Accessing Mastery Connect on a Computer 

Accessing Mastery Connect on an iPad 

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.

As we wrap up an incredible school year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support, dedication, and involvement. Your time, energy, and generosity have made a lasting impact on our students, teachers, and school community. From events and fundraisers to volunteer efforts, none of this would have been possible without you.

Before you sign off for the summer, we encourage you to take a quick moment and a few simple steps to prepare for next year - learn more below!

Thank you for making this year so special—we truly appreciate all that you do! Wishing you a wonderful summer, and we look forward to another great year ahead.

2025-2026 School Supplies

Skip the stores and save both time and money on back-to-school shopping with a Sprout School Supply Kit. These kits are teacher-approved, matching our Piney Branch supply lists and will be delivered to school and ready for the first day. Learn more about how to order your 2025-26 school supply kit. Order deadline is July 8, 2025.

Become a PTO Member for the 2025-2026 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!

Stay Informed with PTO Facebook Page

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!

New PTO Website

Visit our brand new website*!

*This Website (Webpage) is not managed, approved, or sponsored by the Prince William County Public Schools.

OPHS Cheer Camp

Let's hear it for CHEER CAMP! Come learn cheer skills from our very own Yellow Jacketcheerleaders. We are offering two summer camps this year!

Kids Cheer Camp

Ages: 4 -7 years old
Dates: 18th - 20th June 2025
Times: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Osbourn Park High School
Cost: $125

Youth Cheer Camp

Ages: 8 - 13 years old
Dates: 14th - 16th July 2025
Times: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Osbourn Park High School
Cost: $125

Register for Osbourn Park Kids Cheer Camp

Youth Summer Volleyball Camp 

The Gainesville High School volleyball team will be hosting a Youth Summer Camp for boys and girls in rising 3rd-8th grades. The summer camp will be held from June 16- June 18 from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. An emphasis will be placed on fun, fundamentals, and game play, all skills are welcome. If you have any questions, you can reach out to Ashely Heidtke.  

Register for 2025 GHS Volleyball Youth Summer Camp 

The Stage Door Dance Studio 

Registration is open for summer dance classes for kids ages 3 and up. Se link below to register.  

View flyer for summer classes 

Online Registration - The Studio Director 

Forest Camp 

Forest Camp is having a week long summer day camp by NatureBridge. Visit their website to learn more about their program and register your child.   

Stemality Summer Camp Registration Now Open

Stemality has opened their registration for their Summer Camp Program. Check out their website to see what workshop best interests your child.