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Dear Poplar Tree Families,
It's hard to believe that next week is Thanksgiving! This year has certainly been an unusual one with numerous challenges, and yet there is still so much to be thankful for. We are thankful for our wonderful staff whose dedication to our students makes a difference each and every day. We are also thankful for our supportive parent community and outstanding students. In times of challenge it is important to look for the joy, and we have plenty to be joyful about!
For those of you that submitted a Panther Praise (see below), it meant a great deal to the staff member who received that Praise. What a great way to express how THANKFUL you are for a PTES staff member!
There will be no Paw Print next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Be on the lookout for the next Paw Print December 5.
Stay safe, healthy, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Sue Andujar
Principal
Carol Larsen
Assistant Principal
SCA Sponsored Food Drive
December 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 10th
SCA will be running a food drive. Bins will be placed outside the school to collect food. Please see the flyer above with additional details.
Speech Screenings
Screening children in various areas has been an important responsibility of Virginia public schools for some time. Speech, voice, and language are areas in which screenings are routinely conducted for students newly enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools in grades K-3. These screenings are completed by the school speech-language pathologist and are done in collaboration with the classroom teacher. As part of the Virginia child find initiative, the screenings help to identify students who may need consideration for a further evaluation or a referral to medical personnel. Parents of children who do not pass the screening will be notified by the school speech-language pathologist.
Screenings are planned for both in person and virtual learners according to the following schedule:
Kindergarten, first, and second grader screenings will begin the week of December 1, 2020. Screenings for newly enrolled 3rd graders are set to begin the week of January 4, 2021.
Poplar Tree School Picture Day
On Monday, December 14 our photography company, Lifetouch, will be at Poplar Tree taking student portraits. In order to keep everyone safe, pictures will be taken by appointment only. Only those families signed up will be able to have their child's picture taken on that day.
If you would like a picture taken of your child, please sign up here.
 Poplar Tree Staff Panther Praise!
We are starting a new online tradition here at Poplar Tree that gives the community the opportunity to say thank you and/or show appreciation for all of the effort the Poplar Tree Staff is putting in day and night! We will share these praises with the staff members. To submit a Staff Panther Praise, please fill out this form!
Thank you for helping to recognize our amazing staff!
Reminder: Referral Window for Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Level IV Screening Consideration Ends December 1
Tuesday, December 1 is the close of the window (Sept 8-Dec 1) for parents to submit a referral form for their student to be screened for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Level IV. The parent referral form, submitted to the school, is one pathway to have a student screened for AAP Level IV. Parents should not wait for an announcement of the second grade screening pool if they want to make sure their students is screened for AAP in the coming screening cycle. Parents of students in grades 2-7 will need to submit the referral form by December 1. Referrals will not be accepted after December 1. For more information about AAP Level IV or the screening process, please visit https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs.
Panther Prowl Photos
Thank you to everyone who participated in the first annual Panther Prowl! The weather was beautiful and the pictures that were posted were fantastic. So great to see all that Panther spirit!! Check out the photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QN52aXxc8vh4t9mi9
PTA Fundraiser
Today is the last day to sign up for the Snap! Raise fundraiser! In order for this fundraiser to be a success, we need as much participation as possible. Thank you so much for your support! Please click this link to sign up: Http://www.snap-raise.com/join_code/693982365
Nominations are now open for the 2020-2021 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!
To submit a nomination for a Poplar Tree Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form. You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Please note that if your nominee is selected to represent Poplar Tree ES, you will be asked to complete the Nomination Packet. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
🌟 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: Within their first three years of being a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
🌟 Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Currently working as an elementary principal. Has begun their fourth year in this position.
🌟 Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
🌟 Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
🌟 Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)
Please Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 20. If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Leisey at lfleisey@fcps.edu.
 Saturday, November 21: 8AM to Noon
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, December 1,2 and 3 from 7AM to 4PM
📌Location: Rocky Run Middle School 4400 Stringfellow Rd. Chantilly, VA 20151 Please place your gift(s) in the labeled drop boxes.
🙏Thank you for making a difference in the life of a child!
For more information or to volunteer with us, please visit 🔗www.ourneighborschild.org🔗
Tech Help Info
We know that as we move through Virtual Learning, technology issues arise. If you're having trouble with your FCPS laptop, here's a few things to try:
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Restart your computer! (We have found that this solves MANY of our problems - including those microphone, camera, and sound issues!)
- Visit this webpage to checkout some self-help guides!
- FCPS has launched a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.
- If you still cannot get your laptop working, students and/or parents can submit an IT support ticket to get help with district digital resources or your FCPS issued laptop. Find the portal here.
We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding!
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