In This Week's Paw Print:
1. Principal's Message📬
2. Amazing Things Happen Everywhere!🐾
3. SPOTLIGHT on Belonging 🔦
4. Important Spring testing information❗
5. Hero Squad Update 🩸
6. Dining with Daniels 🥗
7. Library Curbside Checkout Information📚
8. STEAM Checkout Kits 🤖
9.Updated Rising 7th grade Immunization requirement❗
10. Panther Praise Staff Recognition Form👏
11. Virtual Kahoot Challenge 🖱️
12. Volunteers Needed - PTA Executive Board 🆘
13. Technology Help Information💻
Dear Poplar Tree Families,
We hope everyone had a good week. This week FCPS shared plans for the fall. We are excited to have all staff and students return in the fall to five days of in-person instruction! Our schools are safe. Our in-school transmission rates remain less than 1%, even as we have reduced social distancing to three feet in our schools.
We do realize that some students may have a documented health or medical need for virtual instruction. Enrollment in FCPS’ Virtual Program for the 2021-22 school year will be VERY limited. Eligibility will be based on a health/medical certification of need completed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, or a licensed clinical psychologist. Families will need to apply. Enrollment will be based on the health needs of the student only and not on the health of their family members. All currently enrolled virtual families should have received communication about next year and the steps to take this month.
We are looking forward to next school year!
Stay safe and have a wonderful weekend!
Sue Andujar
Principal
Carol Larsen
Assistant Principal
 Check out some of the amazing things that are happening everywhere around Poplar Tree! Whether in-person or virtually, we are all one school and one community!
💻 1st Graders at home! 🏡
🏫 4th Graders around the building 🍎
♻️ Kindergarten Recycling Projects! ♻️
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
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. Emails were sent in the last week with testing details to each student's family. Separate emails were also sent if your child required transportation.
If your child is taking the SOL test, please make sure they bring their FCPS charged laptop, power cord, and water bottle. Cell phones are not permitted and should be left at home.
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)
Hero Squad Update
The SCA would like to give a HUGE thank you to the Poplar Tree community for the incredible support of the Hero Squad program. Due to the generosity of our community we were able to surpass our $5,000 goal with a grand total of $7,775. We are so thrilled to be able to support the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in this way and couldn’t have done it without you!
The third graders donated the most money combined as a grade level, so Mrs. Sniffin, Mrs. Salamone, Ms. Gomez, and Ms. Turner will be completing a dare voted on by the third graders. The dare will be recorded and sent out to the community for all to enjoy! Stay tuned.
Again, thank you SO much!
Celebrate the LAST Episode of Dining with Daniels!
Whether you are at school OR at home, you are able to participate in the LAST EPISODE which will air Wednesday, May 12th
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Who: all students wanting to participate
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What: Cup of Dirt (YUMMM)
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Where: Dining with Daniels BBCU (tune in on your classroom’s smartboard or at home!)
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When: During your lunch block (11:50 OR 12:25)
If you would like to participate, you can bring your personal ingredients to school:
- 1 serving of pudding
- Oreos or chocolate cookie to crumble
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Napkin
- 1 Ziplock bag
- Optional: Gummy worms (or gelatin free gummies of any kind)
Library Curbside Checkout
The LAST Grab n’ Go curbside library book pickup at Poplar Tree will be on Monday, May 17 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 (5/17)
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!
Join us for a Virtual Kahoot Challenge!
Students in grades 4-6 are invited to join the Connections Crew Club on Monday the 10th at 2:00 p.m. for some Kahoot fun! We will host three kahoot challenges and there will be prizes given out to the winner of each! The topics of those three kahoots are Marvel, Fun Foods, and Teacher Trivia. The link for the google meet will be posted on the Virtual PTES Student Site on Monday morning.
Join us for tons of fun!
POPLAR TREE NEEDS FOUR (4) VOLUNTEERS
FOR FOUR (4) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PTA POSITIONS!
The Executive Committee develops goals for the PTA; appoints committee chairpersons for individual committees; and makes time-sensitive decisions between regular board meetings.
Please consider volunteering for one of these positions! It is a very rewarding experience and the PTA’s efforts have a positive impact on our school by enriching the experience for students, parents, and teachers.
The outgoing Executive Board Members will be available to assist with transition activities.
If interested, please complete the Nomination Form which includes position descriptions located at the link below and email it to Mike Santoro at misantor@gmail.com.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1flt8MP4aBpbccFOlc7_S5PHhhJep9dW0/view?usp=sharing
everychild. onevoice.
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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