In This Week's Paw Print:
1. Principal's Message📬
2. We love our Office Staff!❤️
3. SPOTLIGHT on Belonging 🔦
4. Important Spring testing information❗
5. Kindergarten Orientation 🎒
6. Library Curbside Checkout Information📚
7. STEAM Checkout Kits 🤖
8.Updated Rising 7th grade Immunization requirement❗
9. Panther Praise Staff Recognition Form👏
10. Technology Help Information💻
11. PTA Online Auction information🛍️
12. Doughraiser reminder🍕
Dear Poplar Tree Families,
Happy Friday! It was another busy week of learning. Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we certainly appreciate our wonderful staff! They have risen to every challenge and change this year. Please take a moment to thank your child's teacher next week.
Stay safe and have a wonderful weekend!
Sue Andujar
Principal
Carol Larsen
Assistant Principal
 We love our Office Staff!
Last week was Administrative Professionals Week. Our front office staff is outstanding and things certainly would not run as smoothly without their hard work. Thanks for all you do for our students and staff!
SPOTLIGHT on Belonging:
Meet Angela Velasquez!
At Poplar Tree we recognize that equity means more than just access to programs and curriculums. Equity means creating an inclusive learning community where each staff person and student feels like they belong.
This is the first in a series of interviews that will highlight Poplar Tree staff persons, their journey to belong and their strategies for creating an inclusive learning community here at Poplar Tree.
Interview: Poplar Tree Spotlight on Belonging
Questions about the interview or equity at Poplar Tree?
Contact Shari Hirsch, School Counselor & Co-Equity Lead
Important Testing Information
Update Requirements for FCPSOn Devices for SOL Testing and Virginia Remote Student Progress Test
All virtual students, whether they take the SOL or the Virginia Remote Student Progress Test (VRSPT), need to make sure that computers have been restarted and are updated prior to testing. Students who are in-person will update their computers when they are here at school.
Additional information about the Virginia Remote Student Progress Test is available here.
Virtual students will have the opportunity to come into the building and connect to the FCPS Wi-Fi and restart their computers and update prior to testing. The dates and times are:
- Monday, May 3, 2021 from 10 AM- 12 PM
- Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 3:30 PM- 5:30 PM
Students should enter the school through the Poplar Tree Cafeteria door. Parents may escort their child into the cafeteria, or wait in the car for them to return. There is no need to sign-up for a specific time -just come what when it works for you within these times. If you have any questions, please contact Jason Simons (jmsimons@fcps.edu ), Technology Specialist or Carol Larsen (calarsen@fcps.edu ), Assistant Principal.
Spring Universal Screener (iReady)
The online iReady assessment (also known as the universal screener) provides a snapshot of students’ skills to help teachers monitor progress in reading and mathematics. Spring reading testing is scheduled for all students in grades K-2, and select students in grades 3-6. Spring math testing is scheduled for all students in grades 1 & 2, and select students in grades 3-6. More information about the assessment can be found on the FCPS Universal Screener Parent Notification webpage.
Students may take iReady at home or at school depending on whether families have selected virtual or in-person learning. Teachers will discuss the assessment with students in advance, including how to log in and what to expect. Resources to help families administer the assessment at home can be found on the FCPS Universal Screener webpage.
For questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
SOL Testing Schedule Grades 3-6
Students in Grades 3-6 will take the SOL tests in May. Below is the schedule for testing. Virtual students are invited to come in to take the tests at the same time as the in-person students and should plan to arrive at school between 9:00-9:15 a.m. Additional details will be sent closer to the testing dates. Most students will complete the test in the morning, finishing at around lunch time. If a student is not available the day of testing make-up testing dates will be offered.
Grade 3: May 14 (Reading) & May 26 (Math)
Grade 4: May 11 (Reading) & May 21 (Math)
Grade 5: May 12 (Reading), May 20 (Science) & May 25 (Math)
Grade 6: May 19 (Reading) & May 27 (Math)
If you have any questions, please contact Carol Larsen, Assistant Principal (Calarsen@fcps.edu)
Dear Incoming Kindergarten Families,
Welcome to Poplar Tree! We hope this message finds you healthy and safe. For those of you new to Poplar Tree ES and Fairfax County Public Schools the message you are reading is called a News You Choose (NYC) message. We send a weekly NYC messaged called the Paw Print on Fridays during the school year and we also send other NYC messages throughout the year with other school information.
This spring we are not having an in-person kindergarten orientation. Instead we will be offering a virtual Kindergarten Q&A session on Thursday, May 6 at 6:30. Prior to our Q&A session we invite you to review the slideshow below to learn more about kindergarten at Poplar Tree ES.
In August we will have an opportunity for your child to visit Poplar Tree in-person. Stay tuned for details in July.
We are excited to welcome your children to Poplar Tree and look forward to partnering with all of you to make next year a fun and memorable one.
Stay safe and healthy!
Sue Andujar, Principal
Carol Larsen, Assistant Principal
Check out this slide deck that delves deeper into the daily life of a Kindergarten student!
And check out this slide deck about Clinic and Health Services.
🔗To join the Q&A session on Thursday, May 6 at 6:30 please click here. 🔗
Library Curbside Checkout
The next Grab n’ Go curbside library book pickup at Poplar Tree will be on Monday, May 3 from 1-3pm. Students who are learning from the school building may now select an option to have their book bags delivered to them in their classroom. Families who are interested can fill out the book request form and a personalized book bundle will be created just for you with the latest and greatest from the Poplar Tree Library!
Log into Google Apps with a student login, then click the link below to fill out the form:
Poplar Tree Library Book Request Form (5/3)
Interested in checking out a Dash Robot or Steam Kit?
Check out the STEAM tab on the Poplar Tree Student Resources Site to learn more! (must sign in with student fcpsschools.net account)
The next distribution day will be April 26th from 1-3 PM! Checkout Form
You will be notified by PTESSTEAM@gmail.com if you are chosen for the April 26th pick up.
Updated 7th Grade Immunization Requirement Notice
The Code of Virginia requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases prior to entrance into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Effective July 1, 2021 all students entering 7th grade will be required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), and Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY).
Seventh grade students cannot begin school in August without proper Tdap and Meningococcal documentation.
Please provide one of the following documents to our registrar, Kirsten Cordial (kkcordial@fcps.edu), as soon as possible:
- An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the missing immunization(s).
- A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the vaccine(s) was given.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf
Immunizations are available from your student's healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department clinic locations and hours are available online at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/immunization/school or by calling 703-246-2411.
 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!
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:
-
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!
PTA Online Auction Starts Today!
Poplar Tree's 6th Annual Online Auction starts today Friday, April 30 at 6pm and closes on Tuesday, May 4th at 9pm.
Thanks to the generosity and creativity of our parents, teachers, neighboring businesses and organizations, we have a great variety of really cool and unique goods, services, and experiences that we hope will be exciting to everyone!
Here is the login link for bidding: https://www.biddingowl.com/PoplarTreeElementary
Take an early peek before bidding starts to check out the goodies! On the site you will find further instructions and details. Prize pickup will be arranged after the auction.
Big THANKS again to all who contributed! This couldn't have been pulled off without your help.
Please spread the word, mark your calendars, and Happy Bidding!!
GO PANTHERS!!!!
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