In this Paw Print:
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School News:
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PTA News:
- FREE T-SHIRTS!! 👕
- Join the PTA! ❤️
Dear Poplar Tree Families,
What a wonderful start to the 2025-2026 school year we've had! It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces and feel the energy and excitement in the hallways and classrooms this week. We are so proud of how our students have transitioned back into the school routine, reconnecting with friends and getting to know their new teachers. Thank you for all you do at home to support them—it truly makes a difference.
The excitement continued today with our highly anticipated House Reveal Assembly! It was so much fun to see the entire school community come together to celebrate. We talked about the importance of attendance and how being at school every day helps us learn and grow. We even had a special "Atten-DANCE" where we all got to show off our best moves!
The highlight of the assembly was the big reveal, and we're so excited to announce which house each class is in. This house system will be a fantastic way to build community and show our school spirit throughout the year. Ask your child which house their class is in!
We can't wait to see what this year holds as we celebrate all our students strengths as they grow!
Sue Andujar, Principal
Amy Alley, Assistant Principal
Where in the school is Ms. Andujar!?
Click the image below to see what Ms. Andujar is up to this week!!
👟 Asha Jyothi 5K 🏃♂️➡️
Join our Poplar Tree team and register for the Asha Jyothi 5K on Saturday, September 21 at 8am at Fairfax Corner! This exciting event not only supports a great cause but also gives money back to our school!
Who doesn't love a little
The Virginia government requires assessments for the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) in all schools. These assessments help state officials understand literacy and school readiness needs across Virginia. Additionally, the mathematics assessment in grades 1-2 fulfills a Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) MultiTiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirement. Test results help teachers, school leaders, and parents know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screeninggrowth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
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Grade
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Literacy Assessment
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Mathematics Assessment
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Behavior Assessment
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PreK -K
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Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS)
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Early Mathematics Assessment System (EMAS)
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Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS)
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1-2
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VALLSS
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Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math
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none
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Teachers assess all PreK-2 students with the VALLSS in fall, winter, and spring. Grade PreK-K EMAS and CBRS tests are given in fall and spring. In grades 1-2, all students take the MAP Math test in fall, winter, and spring. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-testsassessments/grade-level-tests).
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may need additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator.
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 3-8. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments within the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development.
- Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math - required for all students who are scheduled to take the spring Standards of Learning (SOL)
- iReady Reading - required for all students who are scheduled to take the spring SOL
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) - required for certain students based on other reading performance data
If your student is identified to participate in VALLSS, you will receive additional communication from your student’s school with details about this assessment. Families may also choose to opt-in to VALLSS participation by contacting their student’s teacher.
Teachers assess grade 3-8 students with MAP Math, iReady Reading, and VALLSS in fall, winter, and spring. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
iReady and MAP tests are generally delivered during the classroom instructional block. VALLSS may be delivered within classroom instruction or at another time, such as an intervention or advisory period. The division schedule for iReady, MAP, and VALLSS tests can be found on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests). Teachers set specific testing schedules for students in their class.
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator.
✅ Important Action Items ✅
Before we see you at Open House next Friday, August 15, we would love it if families could complete the following action items:
- Make sure the enrolling parent in your family has a SIS ParentVUE account. If you do not have access to ParentVUE, please contact our School Information Assistant, Claudia Munson at caguitjensmu@fcps.edu or our School Based Technology Specialist, Leslie Leisey at lfleisey@fcps.edu.
- Complete the digital consent forms for your child. You will use your ParentVUE username and password to login to the Parent Digital Consent. Here you will provide consent for your child to use many of our digital resources, complete a form regarding the 3 hour early release Wednesdays this year, and give your permission for retakes of state assessments. In addition, you have the option to opt your child out of various things such as Family Life Education and SEL Screener participation.
- Complete THIS FORM indicating your plan for our first 3-hour early release Wednesday, September 17. This is in addition to the form mentioned above as this gives us more details about the Early Release that we will need.
Thank you for your help in getting these done!
📅Back to School Nights 📅
We look forward to seeing all our parents and caregivers at Back to School Night in September!
- Grades K-2: Wednesday, September 3
- Grades 3-6: Wednesday, September 10
This year we will start at 6:00 with session 1 in the classrooms and session 2 will begin at 6:30. This will allow those families with multiple children to visit each classroom.
If you are interested in previewing our Family Life Education (FLE) curriculum, you can meet Ms. Alley in the library following the 2nd session at 7:00.
FLE curriculum will also be available in the Parent Schoology course.
🍽️ Cafeteria Hostess Needed🍕
We are in need of a cafeteria hostess! This a job that would be needed Monday - Friday from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm. If you are interested, please email our Assistant Principal Amy Alley avalley@fcps.edu.
👕FREE House Shirts for ALL Students!!👚
Send us your size and you might win a prize!
Now that the sorting hat (or Ms. Andujar) has spoken, make sure you send the PTA your student's t-shirt size HERE for their free house t-shirt, sponsored by the PTA! Make sure you submit one form for each of your students.
If you submit your form(s) by September 5, you'll automatically be entered to win a Harry Potter board game!
❤️ Join the PTA! ❤️
Please join the PTA to help support our school!!
If you haven't joined yet, please do so HERE!
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