Message From Principal Yacubovich

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/18/2018 08:00 AM EDT

Welcome

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year!  I am excited to be joining you as the proud new principal of Pine Spring Elementary. We have been busy gearing up for a wonderful school year, where we can celebrate each of our students as we help them grown. I am thrilled to share that we continue to welcome back so many of our amazing staff and were lucky enough to find some wonderful additions to our Bobcat family.

This year I will be sending our regular communication through the News-You-Choose system, as the previous system is no longer available. This system will allow us to keep you up-to-date on fun and important things happening at Pine Spring.  Below you will find directions on how to get set-up for News-You-Choose.

As you prepare to send your precious little ones to school, please take a moment to read below for some exciting updates and important dates. If you have any questions or feedback, please always feel free to reach out to me via e-mail at neyacubovich@fcps.edu or call me at (571) 226-4400. I am eager to support you in any way possible.

Nikki Yacubovich, Principal

Important Dates and Information

Open House for All Students and Families

Monday, August 27, 2:00-3:00

 

  • You will learn who will be your child’s teacher and visit the classroom to meet him or her.
  • You may put money on your child’s lunch card at that time
  • If you cannot attend the Open House, staff members will be available on the first day of school to assist students in locating their classrooms. You could also look it up in your ParentVue account if it is already enabled.

 

First Day of School

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

 

  • School hours:  8:45AM-3:30PM Monday-Friday                                                                 
  • We will open the doors to all students at 8:25AM.
  • We will close Kiss-n-Ride at 8:40AM.
  • Students are expected be in their classrooms ready to learn at 8:45AM

 

Breakfast/Lunch (UNIVERSAL BREAKFAST)

  • We are excited to share that all students at Pine Spring will be offered free breakfast each day in the classroom. Student will now come into the building starting at 8:25 and go straight to their classes.

  • UPDATE: Breakfast will now start on Tuesday, August 28, 2018.
  • Students may bring their lunches or purchase lunch from the cafeteria.
  • If your child qualified for free or reduced-price meals last year, that eligibility will continue only until October 19, 2018.  If you have not done so already, you must submit your renewal application immediately.  Renewal applications were sent by mail in August.
  • You may place money—using cash or check—in your student’s account at Open House. If paying by check, please make the check payable to Food Services.  You may replenish the account during the year as needed.
  • You may also prepay online by credit card at www.MySchoolBucks.com.  This site will allow you to load money on your child’s account without a service charge. You will need your child’s ID number, which can be obtained from a past report card or by calling the school.
  • For additional information about the lunch program please check out the Food Service web page.   https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs

 

Transportation

Kindergarten Students:

 

  • The FCPS practice for Kindergarten is that each child will get yellow tape put on their book bag. This allows the driver to know that your student should be met at the bus stop. This tape will remain on their bags for the year.
  • It is county regulation that kindergarten students must be accompanied to the bus stop by an adult in the morning and must be met by an adult at the bus stop in the afternoon.
  • Please know that if your child is not met at the bus stop, they will be returned to Pine Spring. You will then come to the main office to meet with an administrator and pick up your child.
  • For their safety, all Kindergarten and Pre-K students will be assigned a seat in the front section of the bus.
  • Please be sure that your child understands what his or her mode of after-school transportation will be, as this will ensure that a smooth dismissal, and a positive experience for your child.
  • If your child is taking the bus, please help them know their bus number.
  • Your child’s transportation information is attached to the letter coming home this week and will be available at Open House.  If your child rides a bus, please send them to their assigned stop at least 10 minutes before the time listed.
  • If you are walking home with your child, he or she will be dismissed to the lobby (Door #1).
  • If you are picking your child up by car, he or she will be dismissed from Door #2 to the Kiss & Ride line
  • We urge you to have your kindergarten student begin taking the bus on the first day, rather than using Kiss & Ride which experiences long lines.
  • If your child changes his or her transportation at any time during the year, a note must be sent to school.

 

First-Day Packets (white envelopes)

  • A packet of information will be sent home on the first day of school. 
  • Please complete all mandatory forms in the packet and return them to school by Friday, August 31.
  • White envelopes will be sent home each Wednesday.  Please be sure that you check these envelopes each week and review the contents with your child.

 

School Supplies

  • If you pre-ordered school supplies through the PTA, they will be delivered to your child’s new classroom prior to Open House.
  • Supply lists for each grade level are available on the Pine Spring website.

 

6th Graders – Reminder about Tdap Booster Immunization

  • State law requires all 6th grade students who have not been immunized against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus within the past five years will need a Tdap booster immunization before the first day of school.
  • Your 6th grader will not be able to start school without verification that he or she has been immunized.

 

 

Welcome Back Parent Coffee with the PTA

  • Friday, September 14th, 2018, 9:00AM

  • After dropping off your student, please join us in the library for a chance to enjoy some refreshments and reconnect with friends.

 

Back-to-School Night for Parents

  • Grades K-2: Wednesday, August 29, 2018, 7:00-8:30pm
  • Grades 3-6: Thursday, August 30, 2018, 7:00-8:30pm

 

News-You-Choose Set-up

  1. Click this link to begin https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/subscriber/new?preferences=true.
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Click Subscriptions
  4. Click Add Subscriptions
  5. Click Elementary Schools
  6. Select Pine Spring

Important Dates to Remember

Monday, August 27        2:00 – 3:00      Open House

Tuesday, August 28       8:45 – 3:30      First Day of School

Wednesday, August 29  7:00 - 8:30       Back to School Night (K-2)

Thursday, August 30      7:00 - 8:30       Back to School Night (3-6)

Help Us Spread the Word

News You Choose will be an important way that our Pine Spring families receive information and event details throughout the school year. Please help us spread the word by asking others to sign up in order to receive these newsletters. Your help is appreciated!