The Puma Paw
A Pinebrook community information source
December 2, 2022
Hello Puma Families!
We hope that you've had a wonderful weekend! Also, we hope you had a chance to enjoy the Pancake Breakfast and Holiday Shop/Vendor Fair sponsored by the PTA and 5th Grade Class. The students did an incredible job serving the community as they raised money for their promotion at the end of the year. Even further, thank you to everyone that came out to support them.
I had two other points that I wanted to share with everyone. First, I wanted to talk about student attendance. The reason for my emphasis on student attendance is that VDOE considers student attendance as a requirement for accreditation. Many families take extended trips during the school year to places near or far. I greatly appreciate the need for family time and fully support the efforts to create family memories.
I'm writing to ask that those trips limit the days away from school or consider taking the trips during an extended break in the school year. Also, if your child has a fever, please keep them home, but if no fever is present and they can make it through the day, consider giving it a try. Thanks for helping us meet the requirement.
Next, I enjoy watching the Nightly News, and something that always strikes me is what Lester Holt says at the end of the program, which is, "Please take care of yourself and each other." He delivers that line well - genuineness, meaningfulness, and kindness are all present in his words. If you still need to see it, check it out. I bring it up to emphasize the models we are to our students. We must model healthy habits - self-care and quality interactions with others for the children in our community. Whether in the grocery store, the kiss-n-ride line, or wherever, please remember to follow the excellent message - take care of yourself and each other.
"Paw-erful Points"
- Dec. 5 - 9 is an A Week
- Dec. 5-6 - Gr. 5 Field Trips to Camp Highroad (check teacher schedule for which day is your child's assigned day)
- Dec. 7 - Interim Reports available in ParentVue for Q2 if applicable
- Dec. 8 - Grade 5 Spelling Bee
- Dec. 8 - PEP Session 2
- Friday, Dec. 9 - Movie Night hosted by PNB Teacher's Makin' Tracks - See Flyer Below.
- Monday, Dec. 12 - Grade 5 Musical - 6:00 PM at Lightridge HS. The entire PNB community is welcome to attend the performance created by the fifth-grade students!
- Wed., Dec. 14 - Krispy Kream Pickup for those that ordered - PNB Bus Loop
- Fri., Dec. 16 - Last Day before Winter Break
- Mon. Dec. 19 - Mon. Jan. 2 - Winter Break
- Tues. Jan. 3, 2023 - School Resumes - arrival begins at 7:40 AM, and school starts at 8:00 AM.
Pumas That Pounce
Pinebrook Parent Rita Israni did a fantastic job organizing the Pancake Breakfast alongside the PTA members that supported the breakfast and Holiday Shop/Vendor Fair. It was awesome. Thank you!
Also, SPED Resource Teacher, Gina Latorre, has been leading the effort to evolve our Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports at Pinebrook Elementary and has done an extraordinary job. She's connected new people to the program and accelerated new ideas. She's handled details and delegated work to forge the effort ahead. Thank you, Gina. YOU make a difference in our school.
Scholastic Book Fair
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair! This event is an opportunity for students of all ages to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. Books also make wonderful gifts. As always, all purchases benefit our school library.
Book Fair Hours of Operation:
Monday 12/12/2022 – Thursday 12/15/2022 8:00-2:30
Family Night: Tuesday December 13, 2022 3:00 – 6:30
Friday 12/16/2022 8:00- NOON
Online Book Fair: If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. The free shipping only applies to the purchase of books (no erasers, pens, journals, etc.).
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/pinebrookelementaryschool1
Book Fair Browse: All students will have the opportunity to browse the Book Fair on Friday, December 9, 2022. They will not purchase books at this time.
Payment Information
eWallet is a safe and secure alternative to cash. Simply create a free account to add funds so your child can select his/her own books. Any unused funds can be spent at The Scholastic Store Online or to fund a future eWallet.
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/parent-how-it-works.html?fairID=5197881
Cash: If you send in cash, be sure it is in an envelope or baggie marked with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and the total amount enclosed.
Checks: Please do not make a check out for a set amount as students cannot be given change from checks. The exact amount of the purchase will be written on the check and a receipt will be sent home. Make checks payable to Pinebrook Elementary and please note Book Fair on the memo line. Thanks for helping us help your children handle money safely and make smart Book Fair purchases.
Teacher eWallets: Teachers may set up an eWallet which is a convenient, cash-free way to contribute to help teachers stock their classroom shelves with books their students will love. Teachers will share this link with you.
Tax: Tax will be charged on all Book Fair purchases.
All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Let’s celebrate our love of books together at the Book Fair.
PNB Chorus Performs at Kirkpatrick Farms HOA
On Saturday, the Pinebrook Chorus, comprised of interested Grade 4 and 5 students, performed holiday songs at the Kirkpatrick Farms HOA building as part of a community event. Dr. Varona led the student performance as the students sang songs reflective of the many cultures represented in our community. Thank you to all that attended! We greatly appreciate Catherine Zumwalt and the HOA for their support and partnership. The opportunity was a tremendous one for our students.
Retired Kitchen Staff, Ms. Jay, Honored at Den Rally
Ms. Jay has served lunch for the students at Pinebrook for nearly 18 years! On Oct. 28, she served her last student and entered retirement. She was known for her generous spirit, timely serving, and mac-n-cheese. On Nov. 22, we brought her back to say goodbye and honored her legacy by renaming the counter she served from "Ms. Jay's Counter." Students and staff got to wish her well, and with her family in attendance, we returned the kindness she gave to Pinebrook for many years. Congratulations, and enjoy retirement, Ms. Jay!
5th Grade Musical Invite
We are so excited that the holiday season is here! We have an extraordinary performance to which we'd like to invite you:
Monday, Dec. 12, 6:00 PM, Lightridge HS Theatre - 5th-grade musical
Join us at 6:00 PM as the amazing 5th-grade class presents their student-written and produced 5th-grade musical! This one is fun for the whole family!!
If you have any questions, please email Dr. Varona at dana.varona@lcps.org. We hope to see you soon!
Turkey Of Year - Ms. Wilson!
We are confident you've heard, but on Nov. 22, 5th-Grade Teacher Ms. Wilson strut-her-stuff as the 2022 Turkey Of The Year. Students collectively read for thousands of hours, and we couldn't be happier as the purpose was to highlight and create excitement about reading and reading skill development. Thank you for the support and fun with the incentive. Thank you to the staff that energized the students to read and program organizer, Mrs. Higgins. Lastly, congratulations and thanks, Ms. Wilson!
PTA Updates!
Name Change for Mercer - Community Input
The Loudoun County School Board is considering changing some school names that do not reflect the School Board's values of inclusion and diversity and is seeking public comment. The first two school names to be considered are Mercer Middle School and Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School.
A Community Town Hall will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, specifically on Mercer Middle School's name. The public meeting will be held in the auditorium of Mercer Middle School (42149 Greenstone Drive, Aldie).
A community meeting to receive comments on the name of Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Information on the school name review is provided on the Loudoun County Public Schools webpage. The potential renaming of schools is addressed in the School Board Policy 6510, Naming School Facilities.
Citizens may attend the Dec. 8, public meeting and/or submit comments via lcpsplan@lcps.org.
Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any disability to participate meaningfully at the Dec. 8, Community Town Hall should contact the Division of Planning & GIS Services at 571-252-1050 at least three (3) business days prior to the meeting.
Parent Resources To Know
See the flyer below for SchoolCash Online! Field trip fees, scholastic orders, and other school payments will now use SchoolCash for transactions. Please sign up today!
School Information
Specialist Content Google Site
Remember, when you come to school...
- When you come to school, it's essential to be in the habit of three things:
- Make an appointment
- Have your ID;
- Have your phone, especially if you are tardy, picking up, or returning a child to school, as we use an electronic form to record the child's return. You will access the form via a QR code scanned by your phone.
Pinebrook Elementary - "Every Teacher for Every Child ... Everyday"
Website: https://www.lcps.org/pinebrook
Location: 25480 Mindful Court, Aldie, VA, USA
Phone: 703-957-4325