Pearl Sample Elementary School

🚀 Career Exploration Day! 🚀
Today our 5th graders traveled to CTEC (Culpeper Technical Education Center) for an exciting hands-on look at a wide variety of trades! Students rolled up their sleeves and tried out real activities from programs offered at CTEC.

They explored:
🍳 Culinary
💇‍♀️ Cosmetology
🚗 Automotive
❄️ HVAC
🔌 Electrical
🚑 EMT
🩺 Medical Assistant
🪚 Carpentry
📐 Drafting
🛡️ Cyber Security
🔥 Firefighting
⚖️ Criminal Justice

Our Tigers loved getting a glimpse of future career pathways and discovering new interests. 💛🐅💙
#PearlSamplePride #CTEC #FutureReady #TigerStrong

7 months ago, PSES

Two girls working on cyber security on a computer

A student in a green sweatshirt cutting wood

It was an exciting day here at Pearl Sample! This week is a spirit week and our Tigers are celebrating "anything but a backpack day!" We also made Mrs. Hokanson and Mr. Slezak into human ice cream sundaes to celebrate a successful fundraiser!

7 months ago, PSES

Mr. Slezak and Mrs. Hokanson ready to be made into a Sundae

A group of students sitting and watching two people get covered in whipped cream and ice cream

A group of students watching two adult adults, get covered in strawberry and chocolate syrup

A group of students watching sprinkles being added to two adults

Dear Pearl Sample Family,

THANK YOU!! MAHALO!! GRACIAS!! MOTESHAKERAM!! SPASIBO!!

On behalf of Pearl Sample Elementary School Library, here are a few of the ways we say ‘Thank You’. We appreciate your support of our students during our 2025 Book Fair! You all came in support, whether through your time, money or words of encouragement. However you showed up, we felt the LOVE! It was AWESOME! Due to the overwhelming love and support, our 2025 Book Fair raised enough money to purchase more books and Library materials to continue to engage our students no matter their grade level.
On top of the support, you went above and donated money to the ‘Share the Fair’. Through your generous donations, students were able to afford getting at least one of the things on their Wish Lists. The amount of joy and excitement generated from your donations were priceless. We saw so many sad faces become excited and we heard thank you everyday. We are grateful for your generosity, giving spirits and compassion to share with those who were not able to participate otherwise. I hope you understand the impact you have had on our students. YOU GUYS ROCK!!

Querida familia de Pearl Sample,

¡GRACIAS!! MAHALO!! THANK YOU!! MOTESHAKERAM!! SPASIBO!!

En nombre de la Biblioteca de la Escuela Primaria Pearl Sample, aquí les compartimos algunas de las maneras en que decimos “Gracias”. Agradecemos profundamente su apoyo a nuestros estudiantes durante nuestra Feria del Libro 2025. Ustedes apoyaron de muchas formas: con su tiempo, sus contribuciones económicas o sus palabras de ánimo. De cualquier manera, en que se hicieron presentes, ¡sentimos el AMOR! ¡Fue INCREÍBLE! Gracias a todo ese cariño y apoyo, nuestra Feria del Libro 2025 recaudó suficiente dinero para comprar más libros y materiales para la biblioteca y así continuar motivando a nuestros estudiantes, sin importar su nivel de grado.
Además de todo ese apoyo, ustedes fueron más allá al donar dinero a “Share the Fair”. Gracias a sus generosas contribuciones, muchos estudiantes pudieron obtener al menos uno de los artículos de sus listas de deseos. La alegría y la emoción que sus donaciones generaron no tienen precio. Vimos tantos rostros tristes convertirse en sonrisas emocionadas y escuchamos “gracias” todos los días. Estamos muy agradecidos por su generosidad, su espíritu de dar y su compasión al compartir con quienes, de otra manera, no habrían podido participar. Espero que comprendan el gran impacto que han tenido en nuestros estudiantes. ¡USTEDES SON LOS MEJORES!

7 months ago, PSES

🦃🍁 Get Ready for Thanksgiving Spirit Week! 🍁🦃
We’re gearing up for a fun-filled week of festive themes, laughter, and Tiger pride from November 17–21! Check out each day’s activity and join in on the fun!

✨ Monday: Anything But a Backpack Day
✨ Tuesday: Gobble Gobble Twins
✨ Wednesday: Feast Flip
✨ Thursday: Turkey Topper Day
✨ Friday: Thanksgiving Snooze Day

We can’t wait to see everyone’s creativity and holiday spirit! 🍂🧡 #TigerPride #ThanksgivingSpiritWeek #PearlSampleElementary

7 months ago, PSES

🦃🍁 Get Ready for Thanksgiving Spirit Week! 🍁🦃 We’re gearing up for a fun-filled week of festive themes, laughter, and Tiger pride from November 17–21! Monday: Anything But a Backpack Day Tuesday Gobble Gobble Twins Wednesday: Feast Flip Thursday: Turkey Topper Day Friday: Thanksgiving Snooze Day

Honoring Our Veterans at Pearl Sample
This morning, our amazing PTO welcomed Veterans with a special breakfast, followed by a school-wide parade to celebrate and honor their service. ❤️🤍💙

Our hallways were full of cheers, smiles, and gratitude as students lined the route to show their appreciation. Thank you to all who have served — we are proud to celebrate you today and every day. 🇺🇸✨

7 months ago, PSES

Two male service members in camouflage uniforms walking through a school hallway lined with cheering students waving American flags.

An elderly male veteran in a tan jacket and a VFW cap walking down a school hallway, extending his hand. A large group of excited children, many holding small American flags, line the walls to greet him.

Two male veterans, one in a green military uniform and campaign hat and one in a jacket, walking through a school hallway. Children line the walls reaching out to shake hands.

A wide shot of a school hallway where students are lining both sides, waving American flags. Two veterans are walking down the center aisle, receiving applause and greetings. A large sign in the background reads, "WE ARE [...]."

A long view of a school hallway lined on both sides with students facing the center, clapping and waving small American flags. A sign for "BIRCH HALL" is visible on the left.

A breakfast buffet line with pancakes, sausage, fruit, and whipped cream. Several people, including children and an elderly man in an "ARMY" sweater, are serving themselves.

An elderly male veteran in an "ARMY" sweater serving himself from a large table of food, including fruit, pancakes, and pastries. Two young boys are standing next to him, holding plates.

A crowd of people, including families and veterans, seated at tables in a brightly lit cafeteria. A man in a dark shirt is standing near the front addressing the attendees.

A large group of families and students sitting at tables with blue and red coverings in a cafeteria or large room. An orange and black tiger-stripe mural covers the back wall.

🎉 Math + Skittles = sweet learning! 🍬📊 5th graders in Ms. Keyser's class dove into Mean, Median, Mode, and Range today using Skittles to make the numbers come to life! Hands-on learning + a tasty twist = one awesome math lesson. Love, seeing our tigers, explore math in creative (and delicious!) ways! 🐯✨

7 months ago, PSES

three girls smiling while working with skittles

Our newest Leader of the Pack is… 🥁 Hayley Yoder! 🐾 Hayley shows what it means to be a true leader — kind, helpful, and full of school spirit! Way to go, Hayley! 🎉 #LeaderOfThePack #ElementaryPride #StudentLeader

7 months ago, PSES

Hayley with her leader of the pack tshirt

🎄🥫 SCA Holiday Food Drive! 🥫🎄

We’re kicking off our annual Holiday Food Drive to support individuals and families in need this season. From Nov. 10–Dec. 5, students can bring non-perishable food items directly to their classroom — every donation makes a difference! (Please, no glass items.)

🍩✨ Bonus fun: The class that brings in the most items will win a donut party!

Let’s come together, Tigers, and spread some holiday cheer through giving! 💚❤️

7 months ago, PSES

SCA Holiday Food Drive Nov. 10-Dec. 5. The class with the most goods will win a donut party!

🎉 Attendance Champions! 🎉
Congratulations to Mrs. Houser's class! Our top-attending class for the month of October! Their outstanding commitment to showing up, working hard, and supporting one another earned them a special extra recess with some of our amazing resource teachers! 🌟🧡

From games to giggles, these Tigers enjoyed every minute — and we are so proud of them for setting such a great example. 🐯✨

Keep showing up, Tigers… great things happen when you’re here! 📚💪

7 months ago, PSES

two students playing on a climbing structure

A child in a blue outfit kneeling using a hula hoop with a teacher.

Close-up selfie of a smiling girl with a child sitting on a swing.

Several children sitting and playing on a large, gray climbing structure under a blue sky.

A large group of children and adults posing together for a class or team photo outdoors.

Here we go Tigers! Another monthly challenge is underway! We are so excited to share that our Tigers have improved their attendance and continue to strive to reach their monthly goals. Way to go! Let's keep the momentum going and continue to show our Tiger pride by showing up each and every day.

As we enter the holiday season, maintaining regular attendance helps children stay focused and ensures that students don't miss key lessons that build reading and math skills.

7 months ago, PSES

Monthly attendance calendar. Come to school 15 out of 16 days in November to win a free pass to Urban Air in Fredericksburg

🧡🐯 What are YOU thankful for at Pearl Sample? 🐯🧡

We want to know what makes you thankful to be part of our amazing Tiger family! 🌟

Students and families are invited to share a photo or short video showing what you’re thankful for at Pearl Sample. We’ll feature your submissions on Tiger TV throughout November to show our incredible staff just how much they’re appreciated! 💛

📸🎥 Send your pictures or videos to:
✉️ ahokanson@ccpsweb.org

or
✉️ Mrs. Ortman, ITRT – jortman@ccpsweb.org

Let’s fill November with gratitude, kindness, and Tiger pride! 🐅🍂 #ThankfulTigers #PearlSamplePride #TigerTV

7 months ago, PSES

📢 Important Update for Virginia SNAP Recipients

Virginia will temporarily issue state-funded food assistance on a weekly basis to households’ existing EBT cards while federal SNAP benefits are delayed.

These state funds, called the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program, will:
✅ Use the same EBT cards and beneficiaries as SNAP
✅ Deliver about ¼ of monthly benefits each week
✅ Begin issuing benefits on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in November

For questions or the latest updates, visit DSS.Virginia.gov
or contact your local Department of Social Services office.

7 months ago, Culpeper County Public Schools

Graphic titled “Virginia Acts to Protect SNAP Recipients.” It announces that Governor Glenn Youngkin has launched the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program to provide state-funded food assistance amid a federal shutdown. The program uses the same EBT cards and beneficiaries as SNAP, is funded by Virginia’s budget surplus, and delivers about one-quarter of monthly benefits each week—$37.5 million weekly statewide. Benefits are issued Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in November. The chart lists new VENA payment dates for SNAP groups: Group 1 – Monday, November 3; Group 2 – Wednesday, November 5; Group 3 – Friday, November 7. The graphic also notes that updates and FAQs are available at DSS.Virginia.gov and reminds recipients to keep their EBT cards secure using the ConnectEBT app.

👻 Happy Halloween from Pearl Sample Elementary! Our halls are filled with smiles, costumes, and Tiger spirit today! Wishing all our students and families a safe, fun, and spooktacular evening! 🐯🕸️🍬 #TigerPride #HappyHalloween

7 months ago, PSES

Pumpkin Math Fun! 📏🔢
Ms. Van Pelt's first grade class had an amazing couple of days diving into "pumpkin math" after reading "How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin"! 📚

Her little scientists were busy with:

⚖️ Estimating the weight of the pumpkin and then checking it on the scale.

➖ Estimating the number of lines around the pumpkin before counting them.

🧵 Estimating the circumference by cutting a piece of string they thought would fit all the way around!

💡 The grand finale: Estimating the number of seeds and then counting them by grouping them into sets of 10. They found a whopping 527 seeds in their pumpkin!

It was a fantastic way to practice estimation, measurement, and counting! These hands-on activities make learning so much fun!

#PumpkinMath #HowManySeedsInAPumpkin #Estimation #Measurement #Math

7 months ago, PSES

A group of elementary school children, possibly kindergarten or first grade, sitting at a table engaged in a hands-on activity, likely counting pumpkin seeds. A girl in the foreground is focusing intently on the task.

Several young children clustered around a table, actively involved in a classroom activity. Two girls in the foreground are looking down at a task in front of them.

A group of students sitting at a blue table, with several children reaching toward the center of the table. They appear to be counting or sorting small items.

Multiple young students seated around a bright blue table, working on an activity together, with various expressions of focus and engagement.

Two children, a boy and a girl, smiling and looking up from their task while sitting at a table with other classmates. They are in a brightly lit classroom setting.

A girl with a bright smile sitting at a table with other students, participating in a group activity.

A wider view of the classroom showing a larger group of students sitting at multiple tables, all engaged in the same activity, likely involving counting.

A photo of a smiling girl sitting at a table in the classroom, with other students and classroom materials visible in the background.

🎉🐯 Congratulations to our 2025 Teacher of the Year — Mrs. Jennifer Bodekor! 🐯🎉

We are so proud to celebrate her for her dedication, creativity, and the countless ways she make(s) a difference in the lives of our students every day. 💛

Mrs. Bodekor truly embodies our Tiger spirit — showing respect, working hard, and helping every student succeed! 🧡

Drop a 🐅 or 👏 in the comments to help us celebrate this amazing educator!

#TigerPride #TeacherOfTheYear #WeShowRespectWeWorkHardWeWillSucceed

7 months ago, PSES

A smiling woman holding a bouquet of flowers stands in front of a classroom bulletin board that says “We Are Nuts About Fall.” The board is decorated with pumpkins, acorns, and squirrels. Backpacks hang on hooks along the wall behind her.

🐾 Girls on the Run Community Impact Project! 🏃‍♀️💜

This season, our Girls on the Run team is teaming up with SCA to support our local animal shelter! 🐶🐱

📦 What: Animal Shelter Drive – bring food, treats, toys, etc.
📍 Where: Ms. Cook’s Room (PSES)
📅 When: October 27 – November 3
💡 Why: To make a pawsitive difference in our community!

Help us spread kindness, one wag at a time! 🐾💜 #GirlsOnTheRun #TigerPride #CommunityImpact #PSESCares

8 months ago, PSES

🎉📚 It’s almost time for our Book Fair & Spirit Week! 📚🎉
Get ready to celebrate reading and show your Tiger spirit all week long — October 27–31!

Here’s what’s happening each day:
🌍 Monday – Destination Day: Wear gear from your favorite city, state, or theme park!
🤪 Tuesday – Crazy About Reading Day: Rock your craziest hair or hat!
👕 Wednesday – Read Me Day: Dress in clothes with words (school-appropriate, of course!)
📖 Family Night: 5–7 PM – Join us for books, games, and fun!
💛 Thursday – All About the Feels Day: Dress to match your mood!
🎃 Friday – Halloween: Wear your costumes to wrap up the week!

The Book Fair runs October 23–31, so stop by and find your next great read! 🐯💥
#BookFair #SpiritWeek #TigerPride #ReadersAreLeaders

8 months ago, PSES

🎃🐄 Our first graders had a moo-velous time at Cows-N-Corn! They learned all about the life cycle of pumpkins and how both people and animals use them. 🍂

From petting goats and donkeys to hayrides, climbing hay bales, riding mini trains, and conquering the spider web — it was a day full of learning, laughter, and fall fun! 🍁🐐🚜

#TigerPride #FieldTripFun #CowsNCorn #PumpkinLearning

8 months ago, PSES

A large group of diverse elementary school children are seated on long picnic benches facing a small, wooden stage with a few pumpkins. A person is standing by the stage, apparently telling a story or giving a presentation. Several children are raising their hands, and an adult is sitting with them on the bench. The setting is a sunny, grassy field.

A large group of elementary school children are sitting and lying on a large, outdoor black net or spiderweb-style climbing structure supported by wooden posts. The ground beneath is covered in black mulch. The sky is bright blue and sunny, and a few farm buildings are visible in the background.

A group of children are playing and climbing on a pyramid structure made of large, square hay bales in a grassy field on a sunny day. A red barn and a few smaller outbuildings are in the background.

A young boy wearing a mint green shirt and red sunglasses gently pets the nose of a donkey over a wooden fence. An older man in a cap and light-colored shirt stands next to the donkey, also looking at the animal. The scene is bright and grassy.

A close-up shot of two smiling children, a girl with dark hair wearing a light pink sweater and a boy with dark hair wearing a black jacket, looking out of the red wooden window of a small structure, possibly a train car or playhouse. The boy is holding up a peace sign.

A group of diverse elementary school children are seated on hay bales inside the metal frame of a farm trailer for a hayride. Many are smiling and looking through the metal bars at the camera. A red and white reflective slow-moving vehicle sign is visible in the foreground.

A closer view of a few smiling elementary school children, including a girl in a purple fleece hoodie and a boy in a blue jacket, climbing and posing on a large black spiderweb net on a bright, sunny day at a farm. Other children are playing in the background.

A group of elementary school children and one adult female teacher are making silly faces and striking fun poses while standing and sitting on large hay bales in a sunny, grassy field. They are all smiling and enjoying the outdoor setting, with red farm buildings in the background.

Today it was Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Jennings' classes turn to visit Kenmore! They got to experience a little bit of history and see what life was like long ago.

8 months ago, PSES

students in a line listening to a man dressed in colonial clothes

A student is playing a game that was played long ago

students learning about the Kenmore plantation

students listening to a man dressed in colonial attire

A group of students checking out an old school house

A group of students learning more about life long

A group of students standing outside on a sunny day, listening to a man talk about life long ago, while dressed in colonial clothes

This morning, our SCA officers met our bus drivers outside with cards, signs, and donuts! We are so thankful for them!!

8 months ago, PSES

students standing near the bus holding a thank you sign