 In this Paw Print:
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School News:
- Principal's Message 🗣️
- Where in the School is Ms. Andujar!?🔍
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Lockdown Drill🔒
- Spring Picture Day - Volunteers Needed! 📸
- Prayer & Fasting for Ramadan ✨
- Ramadan Student Fasting Meal Kits 🍽️
- Talent Show 🎹🎻🩰🎸🤹
- Yearbook Photo Submissions 📷
- STEM Club ⚙️
- Middle School Transition Fair ↗️
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PTA News:
- We Need YOU!!! 🫵
- Mario Kart Coin Race! 🪙
- Chick Fil A Spirit Night Rescheduled 🐔
- Join the PTA! ❤️
Dear Poplar Tree Families,
Although this was a short week, we still had a lot of fun! We closed out our Olympic challenge with a fun schoolwide assembly where many of our staff "competed" in Olympic events! From speed skating to bobsledding - lots of fun was had by all! To see the lineup for the events, click HERE! Check our social media for some fun photos and videos soon!
Next week we will have a 3-hour early release on Wednesday, February 25. You will receive confirmation via Talking Points on Monday for how and when your child will be dismissed. Please be sure to let us know if there are any changes in your child's dismissal!
We hope everyone has a great weekend!
Sue Andujar, Principal
Amy Alley, Assistant Principal
Where in the school is Ms. Andujar!?
This week's video features Ms. Andujar introducing you to our new Visitor Management System! (Spoiler Alert - we're still working out the kinks so bear with us!!) 💻
Lockdown Drill 🔒
Every school in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan in place. Keeping students and staff safe is a priority. We practice a number of safety drills throughout the school year, including lockdown drills which helps us know what to do if there is a potentially violent intruder inside the school or on school property.
Today, our school conducted a lockdown drill and teachers talked to students to prepare them for the drill.
We are very proud of our students today. They listened to directions and the drill was conducted in a calm and orderly fashion. Our students did a great job, and we encourage you to discuss the drill with them. Additional guidance on discussions with your child about lockdown drills can be found in the Parent/Guardian tip letter, as well as on the frequently asked questions (FAQs) page.
Our emergency preparedness plans have been developed in coordination with the FCPS Office of Safety and Security, local law enforcement, emergency management officials, and FCPS mental health professionals. The plans are regularly reviewed and updated and include procedures on how to respond to critical incidents such as fires, tornadoes, and other events. Students and staff regularly practice safety drills.
We will continue to keep you informed of safety and security measures in place at our school. If you have questions, please call or contact the school office. We appreciate your continued support in these matters.
 Spring Picture Day 📸
Spring Picture Day is scheduled for March 6th, 2026.
To order your pictures click HERE.
Volunteers Needed!🤚
Please consider volunteering for picture day on March 6th. Sign up to volunteer HERE.
A Note about Ramadan for our Poplar Tree Families
Ramadan, one of the holiest times on the Islamic calendar, begins on February 18 at sundown. If your child needs an alternative space for lunch or prayer during this time, we will accommodate them. Please complete THIS FORM and we will make arrangements. Please note that students will be required to bring a quiet activity during this.
Student Fasting Meal Kits 🍽️
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
- Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
- Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
- Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
- Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
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February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
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March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
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March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
🎹🎻🩰🎸🤹
PTES Talent Show 2026
Sign Up For The Talent Show!
Come showcase your skills!!
- Every performer must complete the registration form by this Sunday, February 22nd. Register HERE!
- Any background music (cut down to 2 min. in length) is to be submitted to uncramer@gmail.com by no later than February 22nd.
- Rehearsal will be held on Monday March 2nd directly after school, a parent/chaperone per act is required for rehearsal and for the night of the performance.
- The performance date is Friday March 6, 2026
Questions? Email: uncramer@gmail.com
Photos needed for the Poplar Tree Yearbook! 📷
Grown-ups, do you have photos from school events such as the Panther Prowl, Book Fair, First Day, Pajama Dance, field trips, class parties, or other memorable occasions? Do you have photos of students participating in after-school clubs or performances? Submit them to the Poplar Tree Yearbook for the chance for your photos to be featured. Please make sure to include information such as the name of the event and tag students pictured (if possible). The deadline for submitting photos is Sunday, March 1st.
Submit photos HERE!
STEM CLUB⚙️
STEM CLUB spots available!!
Students from 3rd-6th grade will learn basics in technology, AI, coding, and other related subjects. The club is sponsored by Mr. Hsiao from Virginia Tech, and we use his program to help teach the students.
The club is first come, first serve! Register HERE!
Middle School Transition Fair ↗️
Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
For families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services.
- March 4, 2026
- 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Luther Jackson Middle School 3020 Gallows Road
- Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school!
It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your future. We want to help you start planning for a successful transition from school to life as a young adult. Ensuring postsecondary success of our students with disabilities is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
You will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from CTS programs and services for students with disabilities, as well as learn about short and long-term postsecondary supports, employment, postsecondary education considerations, Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post school success.
Click HERE to register.
We Need YOU!! 🫵
Each year our PTA Sponsors an Online Auction and Block Party. At this time, we do not have enough volunteers to make these events happen! Our Online Auction is a great money maker for the school and the Block Party is a very fun community event!
Please consider volunteering your time to support the PTA and our school!
Sign up to volunteer HERE!
(And check out the video below of some 1st graders encouraging you!)
Mario Kart Coin Race!🪙
Starts Monday, February 23!
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📅 WHEN:
- Monday, February 23 - Friday, February 27
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☑️ RULES:
- Houses competes against each other to earn the most points!
- Students bring in money each morning before classes start.
- Put COINS in your own house jar for POSITIVE points.
- Put BILLS in other house jars for NEGATIVE points.
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🎮 PRIZE:
- The house with the most points will win an opportunity to watch staff members compete against each other in Mario Kart! 🎮
 Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night 🐔
Rescheduled to Tuesday, Feb. 24th!
Come support the Poplar Tree Elementary PTA! A portion of the evening's sales will be donated. Make sure to mention Spirit Night when ordering.
If placing an order online: please enter the code: PANTHERS.
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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