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Our amazing K–2 team is already ‘Leveling Up’ for the new school year! These dedicated teachers returned early for ECRI professional learning to strengthen reading instruction, setting the stage for an incredible year of literacy growth!
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Please review this checklist to make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at 571-226-4400 if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meal benefits.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell). Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at 571-226-4400. Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone policy, which helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school.
The first day of school is August 18th, and we can’t wait to welcome our students back! Doors open at 8:30 AM. Please help your child arrive ready to learn, grow, and, most of all, have fun as we kick off this exciting new chapter together.
Starting this school year, students will enter their student ID number — not their current cafeteria PIN — at the cash register to receive school meals. Please remind your child of their student ID number, which you can find in SIS ParentVUE. View more updates and reminders for school meals this year.
 Limited early release days for elementary schools will shift to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year. Pine Spring releases students at 12:30 PM on 3-hour early release days.
Our three-hour early release days will include:
- September 10
- October 29
- November 12
- December 10
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
 Incoming kindergarten families, get ready to press start on an amazing year at Pine Spring! The Pine Spring PTA invites you to our Kindergarten Playdate, where our newest Bobcats can meet new friends, explore the playground, and begin their journey of “leveling up” for school.
This is a perfect opportunity for children to meet new friends and for parents and caregivers to get to know one another before the first day of school!
📍 Where: Pine Spring Elementary Playground
🕙 When: Saturday, August 16, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Each year we welcome families into the building the Thursday before school starts for you to have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, and see their classroom. We will continue this tradition, as we have in years past.
- You will meet your child's teacher and visit the classroom to explore the safe and welcoming environment that our incredible teachers have created.
- If you cannot attend the Open House, staff members will be available on the first day of school to assist students in locating their classrooms. You can also find this information in your ParentVUE account.
- You are welcome to bring your child’s school supplies so they do not have to bring them on the first day. If you purchased your supplies through the PTA, they will already be delivered to your child’s classroom before the first day of school.
- While we understand that the schedule below may not be the most convenient for all families, we have prioritized a safe and low-stress opportunity for all children to walk into the building for the first time. We ask for your patience and understanding.
- Please note that only teachers of the assigned time will be in their room, as all other teachers will be assisting you to your new classrooms. We ask that all students stay with their caregivers for the duration of the Open House.
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County.
- Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children 3 years old by September 30.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and for children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however, space is limited and provided based on need, not “first come, first serve.” Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail, or in person at our office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
Students will be welcomed into the building promptly at 8:30 AM, with the late bell ringing at 8:45 AM. We will release all students starting at 3:30 PM each day.
Additionally, please note that Kiss and Ride will close at 8:40 AM after the first week of school. This adjustment will provide students with a valuable 5 minutes to travel to their classrooms and be fully prepared for a productive day of learning. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in adhering to this schedule change.
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar, Ms. Breeden if you need a code.
Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. You may also access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
Walkers Arrival
- We will welcome PreK-K students starting at 8:30 AM at Door 1.
- We will welcome 1st-6th students starting at 8:30 AM 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.
- 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.
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 2025-26 Opt-Out Booklets.
Pine Spring is working to ensure that families are well connected. We use a variety of platforms to provide you with the type of information you are looking for about your child. Below is a brief explanation of what you can expect from each of these avenues of communication.
eNotify
Critical and timely information will be shared through eNotify. Every family is automatically enrolled in eNotify with the email you provided when you registered your child. This platform is used by both Pine Spring and other FCPS departments to communicate information such as school closures, emergency information, attendance information, and critical health information. Please be sure that your email is up-to-date in your ParentVue account.
SIS ParentVUE
This platform is used for you to access information about your child such as homeroom teacher, attendance, county assessment results. You can also use this platform to update information such as your contact information and your child’s emergency contact information. If you need support setting up this platform, please contact our front office at 571-226-4400.
News You Choose
This is a weekly email from Principal Yacubovich. This is our primary method of communication used for noncritical information with families. You will find information about important news, upcoming events, answers to frequently asked questions, PTA events and information, and stories about things happening in the building. Do you know someone who hasn't signed up for NYC yet? If so, please encourage them to subscribe here.
TalkingPoints
Teachers use the TalkingPoints messenger app, which allows teachers and staff to connect and communicate with families via text messaging directly to their phones and in their native languages. Teachers will share information on how to sign up for TalkingPoints.
Schoology
Schoology is FCPS' Learning Management System that replaced Google Classroom. In this platform, you will be able to find information about the curriculum, assignments, due dates, and other information about what your child is doing in class. Your child’s teacher will discuss this platform during our virtual Back to School Night.
August 14: Open House
August 18: First Day of School
August 29-September 1: Labor Day Break
September 4: Back to School Night (5:00-6:30)
September 4: PTA Meeting (7:00 PM)
September 9: No School
September 10: 3 Hour Early Release
September 24: Fall Picture Day
September 19: PTA Dance
September 23: No School
Grade Level Supply Lists
Bell Schedule
Attendance Procedures
Pine Spring PTA
Pine Spring Website
Early Release Wednesdays
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