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Paw Print Topics
Multilingual Learner Family Night
Join us for the Stay Connected Tech Event on Wednesday, December 11th, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Pine Spring Library! This event is tailored for Multilingual Learner families, but all families are welcome to join.
Learn more about essential tools like Talking Points, ParentVue, and Schoology. Our team will assist you with account setup and navigation to ensure you're fully connected to your child's educational journey. Plus, enjoy delicious pizza while you learn! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stay informed and engaged
PTA Meeting- December 5th
You're invited to our PTA Meeting on Tuesday, December 5th, at 7:00 PM at Pine Spring Elementary! This meeting is open to everyone—no membership required. Free childcare will be provided, so bring your ideas and join the conversation!
Agenda Highlights:
- Stock the Lounge
- Upcoming Events
- Open forum: We want to hear from you!
Not a member yet? Join the PTA today for just $10 per family and make a difference in our school community. Scan the QR code for easy signup. See you there!"
Should I Send My Child To School?
Winter is here, but learning doesn’t stop! Unless Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) announces a delay or closure, school will be open, and we look forward to seeing your child each day—even on chilly mornings.
Please bundle them up in warm coats, hats, and gloves, and rest assured we’ll keep them cozy and safe at school. Thank you for your support in making every day a great day for learning!
One way to help everyone stay healthy and keep coming to school is to remind your child to be a handwashing hero—we’ll do the same here at Pine Spring.
If your Bobcat isn’t feeling their best, don’t forget to follow Fairfax County Public Schools’ guidelines for staying home when sick. Together, we can keep our school happy and healthy all winter long!
Symptoms and Illnesses
Can My Child Go to School?
Parent is Sick, Stressed, Hospitalized
YES
If you are sick, your child still needs to attend school. Your illness does not excuse your child from attending. Plan for these days. Ask a neighbor, relative or spouse to take your child to and from school.
Chronic Illnesses (Asthma, Diabetes, Sickle Cell, Epilepsy etc.)
Chronic illness is a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured
YES
As long as your child’s symptoms are controlled, your child should attend school. School personnel are trained to assist children with chronic illnesses and related health care requirements.
Child Doesn’t Want to go to School
Frequent crying, fear, anger, not wanting to socialize, behavior change, stomachache, nausea
(These can be signs of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or fear)
YES
You should keep your child in school but try to determine what is causing the changes. Talk to school personnel and consult a health care provider. Your child may be experiencing bullying or trauma, may be behind in schoolwork or not getting along with others. Persistent Indicators of distress may require support from school person- nel or health care professionals.
Cold Symptoms
Stuffy nose/runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, mild sore throat, earache
YES
If your child can participate in school activities school should be attended.
Head Lice
Intense itching of the head; may feel like something is moving
YES
Your child can be in school if an initial treatment of shampooing of hair with a product for lice has been completed.
Menstrual Issues
YES
In most cases, menstrual issues (periods) can be managed at school. If severe pain is interfering with your child attending school, consult with a health care provider.
Strains, Sprains and Pains
YES
If there is no known injury and your child can function (walk, talk, eat), school should be attended. If pain is severe or doesn’t stop, consult a health care provider.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
The white of the eye is pink and there is a thick yellow/green discharge.
NO
If there is yellow/green discharge from the white of the eye, your child must be evaluated by a healthcare provider before returning to school. If diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis, the child should remain home while symptomatic or until 24 hours of antibiotic treatment has been completed.
Coughing
Severe, uncontrolled, rapid coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
NO
Keep your child home and contact a health care provider. If symptoms are due to asthma, provide treatment according to your child’s Asthma Action Plan. When symptoms are controlled, send your child to school.
Diarrhea
Frequent, loose or watery stool may mean illness but can also be caused by food and medication
NO
Keep your child at home until their diarrhea has improved, they are not having accidents, and they are having no more than 2 bowel movements above what is normal for your child in a 24-hour period.
If there is blood in your child’s stool, see a healthcare provider before returning to school. If your child also has a fever, keep them home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medicine.
Fever
Fever usually means illness, especially if your child has a fever of 100.4 or higher as well as other symptoms like behavior change, rash, sore throat, vomiting etc.
NO
If your child has a fever of 100.4 or higher, keep them at home until his or her fever is below 100.4 for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. If the fever does not go away after 2-3 days or is 102.0 or higher, consult with a health care provider.
Rash With Fever
NO
Keep your child home if they have a rash with a fever. If a rash spreads quickly, is not healing, or has open weeping wounds, you should keep your child at home and have your child seen by a health care provider.
Strep Throat
Sore throat, fever, stomachache, and red, swollen tonsils
NO
Keep your child at home for the first 12 hours after an antibiotic is begun. Your child may return to school when they have completed at least 12hours of antibiotic use, is fever free and symptoms are improving
Vomiting
Child has vomited 2 or more times in a 24-hour period. If vomiting is associated with diarrhea or fever, please reference the recommendations for those symptoms (diarrhea, fever).
NO
Keep your child at home until their vomiting has stopped overnight and your child can keep food and liquids down in the morning.
Student Experience Survey
Between Monday, December 9th, and Friday, December 13th, children in grades 3-6 have the opportunity to participate in the Student Experience Survey. This survey is a valuable tool for gathering insights about their school experience and helping us improve our educational environment. If you have opted your child out of the survey, they will not take the survey.
If you would like to learn more or preview the survey, please visit the Student Experience Survey webpage.
Thank you for your support in helping us make Pine Spring Elementary an even better place for all our students!
FLE Parent Preview- December 5th
Parents/Guardians are invited to attend an evening opportunity to preview the Family Life Education media and lessons and to talk with school staff about the program. The meeting will be held on December 5th from 5:00PM-6:00PM in the Pine Spring Library. All program materials and media for all grade levels will be available for your review at this time. Students in K-3 receive instruction in emotional and social health and students in grades 4-6 receive instruction in both human growth and development and emotional and social health.
For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed grade-level program descriptions at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle. You can also find grade level-specific curriculum lessons online in Schoology
If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, you may access the opt out forms online at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle. If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons, you do not need to complete another form. Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify the front office of this change.
If you have any questions about FLE, please email Jennifer Ganci at [email protected].
7607 Willow Lane Falls Church, VA 22042 | Main Office: 571-226-4400
Attendance: 571-226-4444 | Web | Twitter | Instagram
