Pine Spring Paw Print

NYC Aug 18

Paw Print Topics


First Day

The first day is always a special day for our students. To ensure a smooth start, we kindly request your cooperation with a few important guidelines:

  • Please have your child arrive at school using their regular transportation method on the first day. Consistency helps establish a positive routine from day one.
  • Discuss with your child their planned method of transportation for going home. Clear communication ensures a successful dismissal process.
  • It's essential for all children to confidently share their first and last names to ensure we can guide them to the correct morning location. For students in grades K and 1, please write their first and last name inside their backpacks using the name provided during registration. For example, if your child's name is John Robert but goes by JR, please write John Robert in the backpack. This will help to eliminate any confusion.

Bus Riders

If your child is going to take the bus, you will receive communication from transportation with your child’s bus number, stop, and approximate times. During the first week, your child should arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes early until the bus driver establishes a regular routine. We encourage you to practice going to your bus stop before the first day of school to help eliminate any additional first-day jitters. 

Here Comes the Bus® 

FCPS knows that knowing when the bus is coming is an important part of your morning and afternoon. You can download the app to know when your bus is approaching your stop.  Here Comes the Bus® app is a school bus tracking app that can simplify morning and afternoon routines for parents and students by giving them real-time bus location and text or email notification alerts, helping them get to the bus stop on time. You can get additional information about the app and how to download it here.


Kiss and Ride

If you are planning to use Kiss and Ride during the school year, we ask that you please have a tag. If you previously had a Kiss and Ride tag, you will continue to use your current number. If you are new to Kiss and Ride, please complete the Kiss and Ride form. Please note that Kiss and Ride will take longer during the first week. We ask that you continue to be patient and allow extra time.

The Kiss and Ride process will remain the same as the last 3 years with one small change. 

AM Drop-off 

  • Cars will pull to the front of the building with their student on the passenger side of the car if at all possible. (We do understand that some families have babies that need to be in that seat.)
  • A Pine Spring team member will open your child’s door and ensure your child gets into the building. Please do not get out of your car. 
  • We ask that you have said goodbye to your child and ensured that your child has everything they need for the day before you get to the drop-off zone. This ensures that all families are able to get through the line in a timely manner. 
  • This year Kiss and Ride will close at 8:40 AM. Families who come after 8:40 AM will need to bring their child into the building. Children coming after 8:40 must be accompanied by an adult.  

PM Pick-up 

  • Cars will line up in the Kiss and Ride line outside of the main door, where you dropped your child off. We ask that you do not line up for pickup before 3 PM. 
  • A staff member will collect your tag number (or your child’s name for the first week). 
  • Once dismissal begins, children will come out of the building in the order of your arrival once you stop at the designated cones. 
  • Again, a team member will open your door so that your child can get into the car. 
  • If your child does not come out in time, or if your child still needs support with their seatbelt/car seat you will pull to the designated area so that you can park the car to wait/support your child. 
  • Please do not go around a car in line unless you are directed by a Pine Spring staff member. 

Walkers

Walkers Arrival 

  • We will welcome PreK-K students starting at 8:30AM at Door 1.
  • We will welcome 1st-6th students starting at 8:30AM at Door 6.
  • We will have staff stationed outside to support the transition.

Walkers Dismissal 

  • Parents of PreK walkers will be asked to meet their child at outside of the cafeteria. 
  • Parents of K walkers will be asked to meet their child at the library door across from the flagpole.

Parents of 1st-6th walkers will be asked to meet their child at Door 6 near the playground.

 

*All students in Kindergarten or younger must be picked up by an adult on their emergency care card each day. Students in kindergarten or younger not picked up by an adult from the bus will be returned to Pine Spring. 


First Day Packets

  • A packet of information will be sent home on the first day of school in our new Wednesday Folder. Please complete all mandatory forms in the folder and return both the folder and the forms to school by Friday, August 23. 
  • The Wednesday Folder will be sent home each Wednesday.  Please be sure that you check these envelopes each week and review the contents with your child. The folder should be returned each week.

New Assistant Principal, Ms. Wallace

Ms. Wallace

We are pleased to officially welcome Ms. Wallace as the newest Assistant Principal at Pine Spring. With over 20 years of experience in education, Ms. Wallace brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. She holds a master's degree in Special Education, as well as a master's in Administration and Supervision. For the past two years, she has served as the Dean of Special Services at Pine Spring, where she has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting both students and staff. Ms. Wallace is eager to continue her dedicated work in her new capacity as Assistant Principal.


📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at 751-226-4400.


Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights

Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents and caregivers to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.

In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available: a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents/caregivers with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice, because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.

Get more information and view the 2024-25 Opt-Out Booklets.


Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. 

If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. 

Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website.


3-Hour Early Release

 Please remember to complete this form for each child in your home. While we anticipate that most students will go home after school, we understand that some families may need additional support with childcare on these days.  Completing this form will allow us to coordinate child care on these days while our teachers attend state required trainings. 

The scheduled Early Release Mondays are:

  • September 16
  • October 21
  • November 18
  • February 10
  • March 10
  • April 21
  • May 12

Mark Your Calendars

save the date

August 19: First Day of School

August 20- September 2: Labor Day Break

September 5: PTA Meeting (7PM)

September 16: 3-Hour Early Release

September 17: Back to School Night (K-2)

September 18: Back to School Night (3-6)

September 27: Fall School Portraits

September 27: PTA Fall DanceÂ