Pine Spring Paw Print

NYC Sept 2

Paw Print Topics


2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities 

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30

You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.


SEL Screener

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school. Pine Spring Elementary students in grades 3-6 will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring. 

 After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. You can also learn more on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.


Primary Elementary (PreK-2) Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic

Primary grade levels PreK-2 use different assessments to meet state and division requirements. Students in grades PreK-2 participate in literacy screeners required by the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA). Mathematics screeners fulfill a Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) requirement for grades PreK-K and fulfill a FCPS Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirement for grades 1-2.

  • Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) is used with all Grade PreK-2 students in fall, winter, and spring
  • Early Mathematics Assessment System (EMAS) is used with all Grade  PreK and Kindergarten students in fall and spring 

iReady Math is used with all Grade 1-2 students in fall and spring; students whose fall score is below benchmark will also retest in the winter.


Upper Elementary (3-6) Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic

Upper elementary grade levels 3-6 use different assessments to meet state requirements. Reading screeners and additional diagnostics fulfill Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) requirements. Mathematics screeners fulfill FCPS Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirements. Screening tests at these grades also serve as growth assessments to fulfill Virginia Assessment Program (VAP) requirements.

  • iReady Math is used in fall, winter, and spring with all Grade 3-6 students scheduled to take a spring SOL test
  • iReady Reading is used in fall, winter, and spring with all Grade 3-6 students scheduled to take a spring SOL test
  • Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) is used as a state screener for select Grade 3 students each window
    • In fall, VALLSS is used with students new to Virginia public schools and students who are identified for a reading plan based on their iReady Reading score 
    • In winter and spring, VALLSS is used with students whose fall VALLSS scores showed a need for support. 
  • iReady Passage Reading Fluency (PRF) diagnostic is used with Grade 4-6 students who are identified for a reading plan based on their iReady Reading score 
  • CORE Phonics Inventory diagnostic is used with Grade 4-6 students whose iReady PRF result is below benchmark 
  • Developmental Spelling Assessment (DSA) diagnostic is used in fall and and spring with all Grade 4-6 students 

Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. We have a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan for our school that is reviewed and updated regularly. Our plan includes procedures on how to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Students and staff regularly practice these drills every school year. We also practice lockdown drills.

A new Virginia Law (22.1-137.2) requires schools to notify parents at least 24 hours before a school practices a lockdown drill. However, we are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. We are required to practice lockdown drills two times a year. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of active shooter scenario training, they are instruction and classroom based.

We will conduct a lockdown drill at our school soon. Our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are exempt from mandatory participation in lockdown drills during the first 60 days of the school year. They will participate in our second and final drill later this school year.

Additional information on our lockdown drill program to include parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this content, you should discuss the value of these safety drills with your child.

Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe. 


Save the Date

September 5: PTA Meeting (7:00 PM) 

September 16: 3-Hour Early Release

September 17: Back to School Nights K-2

September 18:  Back to School Nights 3-6

September 20- Falls Church High School Homecoming 

September 27: Fall Pictures

September 27: PTA Dance

October 3: No School (Rosh Hashanah)

October 4: No School (Teacher Workday)

October 10: PTA Meeting (7:00 PM)

October 14: No School (Staff Development)

October 18-25: Book Fair 

October 21: 3-Hour Early Release

October 31: 2-hour early release (End of quarter)

November 1: No School (Diwali)

November 4-5: No School (Parent Conferences)

November 7: PTA Meeting (7:00 PM)

November 8: Veterans’ Celebration Concert

November 14: School Picture Makeups

November 18: 3-Hour Early Release

November 27-29: No School (Thanksgiving)

December 5: FLE Preview Night (5:00 PM)

December 5: PTA Meeting (7:00 PM)

December 12: Literacy Night