Bristow Run ES Panther Press
May 2021
Dear Parents,
The 2020-21 school year has been an unprecedented time in the world of education, and it’s hard to believe that the school year is finally winding down. I can safely say that this has been my most challenging year as an educator, and I feel many other educators would say the same. Although the year has been challenging, I can’t think of a better place to be than Bristow Run Elementary. Our staff has worked tirelessly and given 100% since the beginning. Along with the dedication of our amazing staff, we continue to be grateful for the support of our families. I can honestly say your kids are in good hands at BRES, and I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work of our staff and students.
With a grateful heart,
Mrs. Jeck
Student Placement for 2021-22 School Year
As we are closing out this year, we are also planning for the 2022-23 school year. With all the planning, we have to consider student placement for next year. I value and appreciate parent feedback on the type of learning environment in which you feel your child may learn best. Specific teacher requests are not part of the form on purpose, but we do like to match up the characteristics of a teacher with what you believe your child needs. The form will be open until Friday, June 3. Thank you in advance for your input.
Click below purple button below to access the form.
PWCS 2021-22 Learning Plan
Per PWCS: Plans are subject to change.
- The first day of school is August 23, 2021.
How many days a week will students attend?
- All students will attend school five days a week Monday-Friday.
- Virginia state law requires school divisions to provide in-person learning to all students five days a week, and that school boards may provide a virtual option during the pandemic.
- The Prince William County School Board further directed that a 100 percent virtual option be provided to students at all grade levels.
- Exact times will be communicated by each school before the first day and will vary by school. Bell times will be approximately
- Elementary Schools 1st run 9 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. and 2nd run 9:30 a.m.-3:40 p.m
- Schools will follow modified bell schedules to accommodate extra runs for elementary school buses to ensure no more than two students to a seat.
Will there be a virtual option?
- All students will be considered in-person unless their parent/guardian opts-in to virtual learning. Virtual learning attendance requirements will be different for 2021 new school year including having a camera on.
- Virtual students will be grouped with other virtual students to the extent possible and may be grouped across schools. Additionally, virtual students may be enrolled into classes through Virtual Virginia and Virtual Prince William.
- Please note not all classes may be available virtually (such as certain hands-on CTE classes).
- School counselors and schedulers will work with students on individual schedules.
- Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to opt-in to virtual learning via ParentVUE from May 24–28.
- Planning for the fall school year is occurring at schools now. Schools must plan staffing and budgeting to match student needs at each school. In order to ensure proper staffing and scheduling it is important for schools to have information on fall attendance as soon as possible.
- Per VDOE guidance, PWCS must allow any virtual students to transition seamlessly to an in-person setting at any point.
Will concurrent teaching occur?
- Concurrent teaching (students in-person in the classroom, some at-home virtual) will be eliminated to the greatest extent possible.
- Concurrent teaching will occur if students are quarantined.
- Scheduling of virtual-only sections will be maximized within schools, and may include students across schools, and may require limited use of concurrent teaching in some cases.
What will be the health mitigation requirements?
- PWCS will follow the orders of the Governor, Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and Virginia Department of Education in effect at that time. The following are current planned mitigations and subject to change:
- Classrooms — physical distance to the greatest extent possible with a minimum of three feet, face coverings will be worn.
- Buses — students will share seats, and all passengers will be expected to wear face coverings.
- Cafeteria — students will be separated six feet to greatest extent possible.
- Quarantine may occur — requiring impacted students to have concurrent teaching during that time.
Will students receive technology?
- All students will be provided a laptop and will have access to free internet at-home if needed.
Will school-aged child care be available?
- Before and after school child care will be available via Alphabest. Registration information is available on their website.
Will COVID-19 vaccines be required for students to attend?
- Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are not required for students.
Camp Invention at Bristow Run
Hi, Parents and Guardians!
I’m so excited to share that this summer I will be the Director for Camp Invention®! To learn more about the program for your child, visit http://https://experience.invent.org/#1st
Then go to https://www.invent.org/programs/camp-invention and register for virtual camp at Bristow Run. To save an additional $30 off this virtual camp, use the code RECHARGE30 until April 30th! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re looking forward to an exciting week with your innovator!
Denita Relaford (BRES Teacher)
Information from School Nurse: Mrs. Antonucci
Just as a reminder:
If your child becomes sick at school with any Covid-19 and/or influenza-like symptoms that cannot be attributed to another known diagnosis, you will be called and asked to take your child home.
It is extremely important to review and complete your child’s emergency card. Please be sure all phone numbers are accurate and up to date. Notify the school immediately should your contact information change.
Parents are asked to evaluate their students for symptoms of illness each day before sending them to school. If your child has any of the following symptoms, please do not send them to school: fever greater than or equal to 100.4, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of sense of taste or smell, sore throat, nasal congestion/nasal discharge, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, or headache.
If your child has been exposed to someone who has tested positive and it's been determined that he/she is a close contact, your child will need to quarantine at home for 14 days and may return to in-person learning on day 15 providing they have no symptoms.
It is important for me to know if a student is a close contact or has tested positive, even if they are virtual learners. Please call or email me with questions or to provide medical updates regarding your child.
Beth Antonucci, RN
571-222-9875 (clinic)
See below to access the daily home screening questionnaire for PWCS students:
Art News from Ms. Foelsch:
Hello Bristow Run Community!
The last month has been full of exciting artmaking moments! Kindergarten through 2nd grade worked on making beautiful pattern art! I have been so impressed with their detailed artwork. 3rd grade through 5th grade have been learning about poet and illustrator, Shel Silverstein. Students have been working on writing their own poem and making an illustration to go with it.
I’m very excited to announce that the virtual PWCS all-County arts festival has arrived! It has been so much fun to look at all the amazing artwork from all the different schools.
Stay creative!
Ms. Foelsch
Library News from Mrs. Tucker:
30 Book Challenge
Congratulations to the following students for completing the 30 Book Challenge! This challenge is for 3rd-5th grade students to read 30 good fit books from various genres during the school year. Once they complete the challenge, they get a shirt and new book!
Owen McCormick
Juliana Dennis
Chetana Srinivasan
Bristow Run's Garden: Needs Your Help!
Music News from Mr. M:
5th grade: We spent these past few weeks learning about the 5 different instrument families and the instrument(s) in them. The 5 instrument families are the voice family, woodwind family, brass family, percussion family, and strings family. We are also learning about the 4 musical periods which are the baroque period, classical period, romantic period, and modern music.
3rd and 4th grade: WE HAVE STARTED OUR RECORDER UNIT!! This past week begins our journey to master playing recorders. Our song book is on canvas and students will be able to "pass off" on some songs to earn a mastery belt for their recorder. We will also have additional practice for anyone who would like to attend on Mondays, check the announcement tab on canvas Friday to know when the Monday practice will be.
2nd grade: We are listening to music from different cultures and music from different time periods. This week we are learning about Jazz music and a famous singer named Ella Fitzgerald.
1st Grade: We are learning about different musical traditions from different cultures. For example, this week we are talking about the song happy birthday and when we sing it. Some students sing cha-cha cha's with it, others don't, and others sing something entirely different because they are from another culture. If you want to watch the video with us here is the link: 70 People on How To Sing the Happy Birthday Song in Their Country | Condé Nast Traveler - YouTube
Kindergarten: This week we are learning the song called "This land is your Land" and reading the book "F is for Flag". The students also learned what a performer is and who can be a performer.
PE News from Mrs. Francis & Mr. Nenni:
The countdown is on. Summer will be here before you know it!
In the last few weeks of school, we are focusing on the Functional Fitness Challenges for grades 3-5. Although we are not recording the challenge scores for third grade, we are going through the activities to be sure the students know what to expect next year. Fourth and fifth graders are doing well. We are impressed with their post-test scores at this point in the year and their efforts during class.
Over the last month we have enjoyed celebrating Jackie Robinson Day, April Fool's Day, Spring sports and activities, the annual “May the 4th be with you,” as well as Cinco de Mayo and health lessons about the heart.
The students have learned a lot more in PE this year than just being physically fit. It's exciting to hear feedback from the parents and to watch the students retain what we have covered.
We enjoy hearing PE is the talk at your dinner tables! Thanks for allowing the students to challenge you with our fun facts and jokes!
Here is to the final countdown……
Mrs. Francis and Mr. Nenni
Counseling News from Mrs. Leischner & Mrs. MacWhorter:
Students in grades 3-5 will be taking the virtual Division student satisfaction survey which focuses on students opinions regarding school. Students will be taking the survey during School Counseling/Library encore class the week of May 7-14. Results will be shared with students when the results arrive. We will also talk about the Acceptable Use Policy in regards to using technology safely.
Counselors will be teaching grades 2,4,5 for the remainder of the year during encore. We will focus on Diversity, Careers, and Mindfulness. 5th grade will also prepare for Middle School and learn about combination locks.
Congratulations to Mrs. Leischner on being elected to the Virginia School Counselors Association Board of Directors! This is a volunteer leadership opportunity for Mrs. Leischner. She will still be back at Bristow Run with Mrs. MacWhorter next year:)
Saftey Patrol & News Crew Applications
Dear 4th Grade Students and Parents,
Applications are now available for responsible student leaders to apply for News Crew and/or Safety Patrol for the upcoming school year! If you are interested in applying to be on our News Crew Team and/or for a Safety Patrol position, please complete the application(s) below. All applications will be done online and must be submitted no later than May 28. A committee will blindly review (names redacted) the applications and inform the applicants of the decision prior to the end of the school year. If accepted to the program(s), a training will be held the week prior to school starting. If your child cannot attend the training (more details to be announced regarding the date and if the training will be virtual or in person), I am happy to train them on another date. Thank you for your interest in the Safety Patrol/News Crew programs. We look forward to reviewing these applications. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Leischner at leischma@pwcs.edu.
Safety Patrol Application
https://forms.office.com/r/UHp5qTwU5j
News Crew Application
Last Call for videos for out Talent Show! Email Mrs. Leischner your video :) leischma@pwcs.edu
CASTING CALL: BRES Morning Announcements
Is your child interested in being featured during the mindful moments segment of the morning announcements? If you give permission for them to be on our public youtube channel, we are happy to feature them doing a mindful moment that is 1 minute or less. You can film your idea and send it to leischma@pwcs.edu or text it to Mrs. Leischner at 703.593.4525. If your child does not want to be on the announcements but has an idea for a mindful moment they would like to share, please email Mrs. Leischner. We look forward to featuring our students on the morning announcements!
For ideas of what our BRES Mental Health Team has already shared, click button to see the BRES YouTube Channel.
Talent Show submissions due Friday, May 7th
Strings Concert: Thursday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. Virtual event
Memorial Day Holiday: May 31st No School
Talent Show: June 4th 6:30 pm Virtual Event
Last Day of School: June 11th
BRES Spirit Days
Friday, May 14th : Work Out Day: Wear Exercise Gear!
Friday, May 21st: Silly Sock Day
Friday, May 28th: College Day: Wear a college tshirt or your favorite college school colors.
Bristow Run Elementary School
Website: https://bristowrunes.pwcs.edu/
Location: 8990 Worthington Drive, Bristow, VA, USA
Phone: 703-753-7741
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BristowRunES/
Twitter: @BristowRunES