Penn Elementary School
12980 Queen Chapel Road • Woodbridge, VA 22193
703-590-0344 • FAX 703-590-528 • pennes.pwcs.edu
Dr. Elliot F. Bolles, Principal
Christy Parthenakis, Assistant Principal
Aprale Gonsalves, Assistant Principal
August 8, 2024
Dear PENN Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the new school year. We are going to have an exciting year! We have been busy preparing for your child’s arrival and planning for an outstanding year ahead. Your child’s teacher (Aug 14th), along with their bus information (Aug 12th), will be available in ParentVUE once you have completed the Back To School Packet for this school year. The Back to School Packet contains Emergency Contact information for our families. We need the packet reviewed annually. Once the packet is complete, parents/guardians will be able to access important information in ParentVUE to start the new year (including teacher assignment and bus information).
Important Lunch change: 😊
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) will expand the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2024-25 school year. The CEP allows schools and districts that meet specific criteria to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Penn has been added to this list along with 23 other schools. This means ALL students at Penn will be able to eat breakfast and lunch at no cost. Your child will be charged if they want to purchase optional items such as a cookie or a bottle of water. No action is required on your part for your child to receive a free lunch/breakfast every day. They will use the same student ID number. If you wish to fund your child’s account for optional items, you can send a check or cash to the school or fund your child’s account online at My School Bucks.
Kindergarten Orientation is on Thursday, August 15th.
We are organizing the grade levels alphabetically to give students more quality time with their teachers and the opportunity to ask questions. Both sessions will commence in the cafeteria with a briefing from the principal, where important information will be shared. After that, the students will transition to their respective classrooms.
- Students whose last name starts with A-L will be in the cafeteria from 1:00-1:15 p.m. and will meet their teachers and visit their classrooms from 1:15 - 2:00 p.m.
- Students whose last names start with M-Z will be in the cafeteria from 2:30-2:45p.m. and will meet their teachers and visit their classrooms from 2:45 - 3:30 p.m.
New Student/Family Orientation: Friday, August 16th from 9:00–10:00 a.m.
This is for 1st through 5th students who are NEW to Penn. There will be a brief meeting with the principal and the specialist teachers in the Cafeteria/Gym from 9:00–9:15 a.m. At 9:15 a.m., families will be released to visit the classroom.
Returning Students and Parents Say Hello: Friday, August 16th from 10:00-11:00 am. This event is specifically for parents and students who are returning to the school. It is intended to help your child become acquainted with the classroom, allow for the drop-off of school supplies, and give everyone a chance to meet and chat with the teacher.
Encore/Specials:
Students will participate in one of several 'Encore' classes every day, following a 5-day rotation: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, and Day 5. The Encore classes will include Physical Education (twice a week), Art, Music, Library, Computer, and Guidance. Students are required to wear tennis shoes or rubber-soled shoes every day as there will be physical activities, including a 'fresh-air' break and a daily recess period, weather permitting.
Bus Schedules: Important Changes
Beginning August 12th, parents can check the bus schedules in their ParentVue account. Some bus stops have been combined, so there might be a change at your bus stop. The Hub allows parents and students to get the most current bus information.
Remind your children that riding the school bus is a privilege. They must always follow the bus driver's instructions. We understand the excitement of the first day of school, but your child needs to come to school on the first day just like they would every school day. Make sure your child knows how they will go home on the first day of school. You may want to send a note to your child’s teacher to make sure we have accurate information about your child’s dismissal.
School Hours:
Our school's daily instructional schedule runs from 9:20 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Regular attendance is crucial for student success and academic progress. It is important for your child to arrive on time, as the school day begins promptly at 9:20 a.m.
Entry and Dismissal Procedures:
Entry will begin at 9:00 am. Buses are expected to arrive in the bus loop by 9:10 a.m. Walkers and car riders will enter at 9:00 a.m. through the school’s main front doors. Students should not arrive before 9:00 a.m.
Any student entering the building after 9:20 a.m. will be tardy and must be accompanied to the front office by an adult and signed in.
Afternoon Car Riders and Walkers:
If you plan to pick up your child(ren) from school daily, you will need to complete an “Afternoon CAR RIDER Dismissal Form” OR an “Afternoon WALKER Dismissal Form”. Car riders will receive a CAR RIDER NUMBER, and walkers will receive a WALKER NUMBER. You may come to the office between 8 and 4 starting on Friday, August 9th to sign up for a number OR to renew your number. Staff will also be available during Kindergarten Orientation, August 15th and Say Hello, August 16th with
forms for you to complete to receive the appropriate number. You will need a picture ID to complete the process. Forms will also be available on the first days of school at dismissal. You must update the form each school year and you will be given a NEW COLORED number for the current school year.
Dismissal: Car Rider / Walker Numbers
Dismissal will be at 4:00 p.m. for walkers and car riders. Walkers will be dismissed from the front door (Door 1) and car riders will be held in the gym until their car arrives. They will then be brought out from the double doors in the gym (Door 2). Please stay in your car and follow the traffic-flow directions to ensure the safety of our students at dismissal. Car Number and Walker Number systems are enforced for safety and to ease the flow of traffic. Please review the Car Rider information sheet for specific details. If you need to park your car, please park on Queen Chapel Road, and walk to the front of the school building. Bus and daycare van dismissal will begin at the back of the school after walkers and car riders are dismissed.
Medications:
If your child requires prescription medication at school, it should be brought in by an adult along with the necessary documentation. If feasible, please deliver the medications to the school office before August 21st. If you have any inquiries, feel free to reach out to our school nurse, Catherine Lucas, at [email protected].
2024-2025 Penn Calendar of Events: The calendar and other valuable information are posted on our Penn website We hope you will find the calendar helpful when planning your participation in Penn events and activities. Visit our webpage often for additional information and updates.
Calendar Reminders:
- August 15th – Thursday Kinder Orientation A-L 1:00-2:00; M-Z 2:30-3:30
- August 16th – Friday 1st – 5 New Student Orientation: 9:00-10:00
- August 16th – Friday 1st – 5th Returning Students Meet Teacher: 10:00-11:00
- August 19th – Monday – First Day of School!
- August 19th – Monday – PTO Boo-Hoo Breakfast Library 9-10:00 a.m.
- August 27th - First Lockdown Drill (notice to parents)
- August 30th – Friday – School CLOSED Labor Day Weekend
- Sept 2nd – Monday – School CLOSED Labor Day
Sincerely,
Elliot F. Bolles, Principal
Christy Parthenakis, Principal Asst. Principal
Aprale Gonsalves, Principal Asst. Principal