A Message from Principal Yacubovich

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Preparing for In-Person Instruction

The excitement at Pine Spring was palpable this week as we prepare to bring our PreK and Kindergarten students whose families selected in-person instruction for them starting on November 17th. All PreK and Kindergarten families should have received a letter with information about your child’s new classroom placement. Please keep in mind that if your child is returning in-person, you must complete the Return to School Health form before the first day of school. ! 

As we plan for each grade level, we will continue to communicate important information. We encourage you to continue to share with us as well. Let me know what questions you might have and how we can help your family make this school year a success. 

FCPS continues to monitor the metrics that will govern our Return to School Plan. These metrics guide the decisions on when new groups of students can begin in-person instruction. They also determine the criteria for when existing in-person instruction may need to be transitioned back to a virtual setting. The criteria are based on the Virginia Department of Health Phased Guidance for Schools and identifies thresholds for the total number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons and the percentage of persons testing positive. The data that is used can be found here.

For a group to BEGIN in-person instruction: 

  • The established thresholds for the group must be met for BOTH the number of cases per 100,000 persons and the percent positivity for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.

For a group to REMAIN in in-person instruction:

  • The number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity for may not exceed the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days. 

Groups will transition back to DISTANCE LEARNING if:

  • The number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity exceeds the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days. 

Thresholds for student Groups 1-6 can be found here.

Here is a listing of links that may help support you with concerns as we prepare. 


Return to School

This week families of first and second graders will receive a letter sharing your child's new classroom assignment. These assignments were determined by your in-person or virtual decision, as well as working to meet each family's preference and special situation requests. Students will start with their new teachers on 

Kindergarten will start with their new teacher on November 16. We will be waiting to transition additional grades. 

To find additional information that will support you with your transition, we encourage you to consult A Family Guide for Return to School for important information, including the mask policy. 

 

Grade Level:

PreK, K, and NCE

1st and 2nd Grade

3rd-6th Grade

Teacher Assignments Mailed Out:

11/6

11/13

12/11

Teacher Planning Days (Asynchronous Days for Students)

 

11/9, 11/12, 11/13

 

11/30, 12/3, 12/4, 12/7

Tentative

1/4, 1/7, 1/8, 1/11

Students start with the new teachers and return to school:

Week of 11/16

Week of 12/7

Week of 1/11


Arrival/Dismissal Plan for PreK and K

Our arrival and dismissal process will look similar to the typical school year, with some noticeable changes.

Kiss and Ride

  • Kiss and Ride students will continue to come to Door 1. We will not be opening car doors as we have in the past.
  • Students will exit the car and get in line at one of the colored markers.
  • Children will have their temperature taken at the door each day.
  • After passing the screening, students will walk down the marked hallways, 6ft apart, to get to their classrooms.
  • Kiss and Ride dismissal will be called one child at a time during this phase. The child’s name will be called, and they will walk to the front of the school to be dismissed.

 

Walkers

  • During this phase, walkers will use Door 1.
  • Students should stand next to a colored marker to ensure social distancing while waiting for their turn to have temperature checks before entering the building.
  • After passing the screening, students will walk down the marked hallways, 6ft apart, to get to their classrooms.
  • Walkers will be dismissed in small groups. We ask that you meet your child outside of the library doors. We will place colored makers to ensure social distancing.

 

Bus Riders

  • Bus riders will enter at Door 2.
  • Students will exit the bus at a time.
  • They will stand a colored marker to have their temperature checked before entering the building.
  • They will then walk the designated path to go directly to class.
  • Bus Riders will be excused by bus

Report Cards and Universal Screener Reports

The quarter ended on November 6th and we mailed home your child’s progress reports late last week. This year, we have also sent the Universal Screener Parent report home as well. You DO NOT NEED to request reports this year – if your child took the screener, you will receive this report. If you do not receive this mailing by November 21st, please contact our office.

The report indicates your child’s scale score -- a three-digit number between 100 and 800 that indicates your child’s performance on the screener in reading and in math. Think of this number as one plot on your child’s height or weight chart; while there may be ups and downs, significant increases, and times of little change, this number will grow over the years. A typical range for a student at your child’s grade level is provided for you to interpret this score. Remember that the screener is a snapshot of performance at one moment in time, and scores in the at-risk range are followed by diagnostic assessments to determine if the score indicates a need for additional academic support.


Parent Health Commitment Form- MUST be completed before returning to in-person instruction

Parents/guardians who chose in-school instruction for their child will be required to complete a Parent/Guardian Health Screening Commitment form.

The document indicates the parental/guardian’s agreement and commitment to completing a daily health screening before sending the student to school and keeping ill students at home. These health screenings will be done on an honor basis and will not be submitted to the school each day. 

Families can complete this form in ParentVue – OR – submit the form directly to Pine Spring via email at lebreeden@fcps.edu- OR- drop a copy off at the main office between 8:30 AM- 3:00 PM

Health Commitment Form- English

Health Commitment Form- Arabic

Health Commitment Form- Chinese

Health Commitment Form- Farsi

Health Commitment Form- Spanish

Health Commitment Form- Urdo


Parent Homework

Each year at the start of the year, you get a packet of information and forms to complete. This year most of those forms are electronic, so each family has an adult homework assignment. All forms are due November 16. 


Free and Reduced Meals Applications

Please see the links below to apply for free or reduced meals.

 Application in English

https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/FAIRFAXCPS_VA?langid=1

 

Application in Spanish

https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/FAIRFAXCPS_VA?langid=2


Federal Impact Aid

Due to the virtual start of the school year, the Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid will be handled centrally. Pre-printed survey forms will be mailed to parents of specific students. Parents will be asked to return the survey in an enclosed postage-paid envelope by November 6. The forms will be sent back to Wilton Woods Center for processing by Information Technology (IT).  

Parents will be provided an email address and phone number for questions. Please forward all parent inquiries about Impact Aid to IT using the following email address or phone number:


FCPS Outstanding Employee of the Year Nominations

Let's tell FCPS all about the fantastic people that work at Pine Spring Elementary! To submit a nomination for a Pine Spring Elementary Outstanding Employee of the Year in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link

You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees.  However, one individual may only nominate one employee per category.

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in that category's criteria. 

 

Outstanding Teacher 

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

 

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

 

Outstanding New Principal

Eligibility: Has less than three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)

 

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employees in a school that supports school leadership

Typical roles in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist,  Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor

 

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Typical roles in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons 

 

The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, November 16, by 5:00 PM.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Ganci at jlganci@fcps.edu


PineSpring Acknowledges Wonderful Staff (PAWS awards)

Our excellent Pine Spring staff goes out of their way each day to make this is an incredible year for all of our families. If one of our staff members has done something to let you know just how special your family is to us, we ask that you tell us about it here. We will share your stories with our staff, and their name will be put into a drawing for a gift card from our PTA.  


AAP Level IV Referral

If you could not attend our information session about the FCPS Local Level IV referral process, we have included the recording of the meeting here

If you would like your child screening for Level IV services, you will want to complete a referral form and compile a packet. Please note that the deadline this year is December 1. 

You can click here to read more about the Local Level IV referral process or email Mrs. Haynes at tlhaynes@fcps.edu


PTA

Join the PTA

Pine Spring wouldn't be the outstanding school you have come to know without our PTA. Our PTA ensures that we can provide materials and opportunities for all of our students. This year, this organization is critical to holding our community together while we can't be in the same space. 

Please consider taking a few moments to join the PTA at https://pinespring.ptboard.com/home