PLE Summer Updates
2026
Pine Lane Crew,
I am very much looking forward to this next school year. Every year brings about opportunities for growth and improvement. One exciting thing to share with you is that our students as a whole exceeded expectations in Math on CMAS! This is such an amazing and encouraging achievement and reflects their efforts and our teachers' efforts. It is so great to see that our efforts have had their intended outcomes. Our efforts this year will revolve around the theme Elevate and Engage as we seek to keep the momentum going!
Beginning of Year Information
Here are just a few logistical details as we near the beginning of the school year. Teacher Assignments will be posted in Parent Portal on August 3rd. Express Check-In will also be open then, so please complete that at your earliest convenience. Pine Lane Orientation is August 12th. This is a critical day to ensure the efficiency of the start of the school year. For those new to us, please plan to attend with your child, as the information you receive will help clarify several of the systems unique to Pine Lane, namely, pick up and drop off. This is not a full day of school; plan to take your child home with you after you are done.
If you have a kindergartner, please refer to the Balanced Beginning Slides (Linked Here). More information will be sent to you as our Kindergarten team gets back in the building.
Stay Informed
Here is a reminder of the best ways to stay informed on Pine Lane happenings.
Linked here is a year-long calendar for your reference and planning: 2025-26 PLE Year Long Events Calendar (Highlighted Items have not been finalized). If you utilize Google Calendar, you can also subscribe to our PLE Events Calendar
Our website is also a great resource. Please familiarize yourself with the resources linked here: PLE Website. You can also stay informed through social media via Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Our community has also created a group on Facebook called Pine Lane Families; this group is an amazingly helpful community, and they are very responsive.
Continue to enjoy your summer break and get ready for a great school year where we strive to empower excellence in character, achievement, and contribution to a better world!
Chris Stairs
Principal
PIne Lane Elementary
Important Dates
AUGUST
- 3 | Express Check In Opens
- 3 | Open Enrollment Closes 4pm
- 12 | Pine Lane Orientation Day (Modified split day schedule see below for details)
- 12 | Kindergarten 15 Min Assessments & Photos
- 13 | First Full Day of School 1st - 6th Grade
- 13 & 14 | Kindergarten 1/2 Day sessions
- 17 | First Full Day of School Kindergarten
- 17 | PLEA Kinde YaHoo/BooHoo. 9:10am - 10:00am
- 21 | First Friday Delayed Start
- 24 | PLEA Swirls Frozen Yogurt
- 27 | Band and Orchestra Rental Night at Mammoth Heights Elementary
SEPTEMBER
1 | NC Vision & Hearing Checks
- 2 | PLEA Bear Brunch 8 - 9am
- 2&3 | SC Vision & Hearing Checks
- 3 | 5th/6th Grade PLUM Parent Mtg
- 4 | PLEA Bear Crawl Kick-Off
- 7 | No School Labor Day
Friday Late Starts
π’ Beginning in the 2026β27 school year, all Douglas County School District elementary and middle schools will start β° 45 minutes later every Friday beginning August 21st.
- π« Pine Laneβs Friday start time will be 9:55 AM.
- π©βπ«π¨βπ« This time will be dedicated to teacher collaboration focused on improving instruction and better supporting students.
- π Please review the information below for complete details and scenarios.View full district information about PLCs
School Supplies
Pre-Ordered School Supply Delivery
- All Kits will be delivered to the school.
- Families can pick them up on August 12th.
PLE School Supplies / Lend a Hand
School Supply Lists and Lend a Hand Backpack information can be found using the link below:
Classroom Placement/ Teacher Assignments
1st Grade - 6th Grade Families
Teacher names will be posted to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal on Monday August 3rd.
- To login to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, use just your username and password.
- To login to the EngagED Parent Portal, add β@p.dcsdk12.orgβ to your user name. (It is not your personal email address.) .
Kindergarten Families
- Classroom teachers will not be released until the assessment days have been completed.
Registrar Information
- Questions about Registration/Enrollment or call 720-433-0095
- Questions about Open Enrollment (closes August 3rd at 4pm)
Whether you are a new or existing family, below are some helpful resources to assist with your familyβs transition to Pine Lane Elementary including Express Check In, our Contact Information, School Supplies, PikMyKid, and Transportation.
We know there are several steps and a lot of information, if you have questions or need help, please reach out to PLERegistrar@dcsdk12.org at any time.
Thank you for choosing Pine Lane for your family.
Express Check In
Opens August 3rd
Express Check-In is a Douglas County School District application that allows parents to update household information, sign off on district forms, update health conditions and pay select school fees. This application helps prevent families from having to manually enter a full batch of information for numerous children in the household when checking in prior to the start of the school year.
You will need your EngagED Parent Portal sign in: yourusername@p.dcsdk12.org (not your personal email address) and your password.
Every household must complete this process. We will send out a reminder eblast prior to the open date. Complete details and instructions are available here: PLE Express Check In
Technology Contract
PLE Technology Contract
Every student at Pine Lane will be issued a device to use for the year in their classrooms. Please complete the online form below for each of your students.
Students will not be assigned a device until this form has been completed.
- PLE 26/27 Technology Contract - Online Form
If you completed this during Express Check-In you do not need to complete again.
Student Picture Day
πΈ Picture Day is Coming! - August 12th
Picture Day is your student's opportunity to capture a timeless memory you'll cherish for years to come!
Pre-Order Your Photos Today!
Visit mydorian.com and search for Pine Lane Elementary. Then click the green "Order" button or the yellow "Help" button associated with your student's Picture Day.
Online pre-orders are available now through August 14, which is two days after Picture Day. Ordering in advance helps you avoid additional processing fees.
Picture Day Tips
- Wear solid colors or simple patterns for the best-looking portraits.
- Avoid clothing with large logos, graphics, or text, as they can distract from your student's smile and may be cropped in the final image.
We look forward to capturing another year of unforgettable memories at Pine Lane Elementary!
1st Week of School August 12th -14th
Kindergarten Students
Balanced Beginnings & Assessment Days
- You will bring your student to school for a 15 minute assessment. Please ensure you sign up for a time slot when it is shared out to you the beginning of August when teachers are in the building.
- School Photos will be taken
August 13th & 14th
- Your student will be assigned a half day morning session on either Thursday the 13th or Friday the 14th.
August 17th
- Kinde "Yahoo/BooHoo" 9:10 am South Campus for Parents of Kindergarten Students
- First full day of school for students
- Parents are invited to join us from 9:10 - 10:00 for Kinde Yahoo / Boo Hoo
1st - 6th Grade Students
August 12th - Pine Lane Orientation Day
This is a modified day and students need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This is a time for students to meet their teacher, tour the school, bring in their school supplies, take their school photos, download Pik My Kid and complete Express Check in if you have not already completed this process. Note: There is no bus transportation on this day.
- 9:15am -12:00 pm - families last name A-M
- Noon - 1:00 pm closed for staff lunch
- 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm - families last name N-Z
Our offices will be open and we will have representatives from transportation, nutrition services, PLEA in our lobbies to assist you with any questions you may have.
If your assigned time does not work with your schedule we are flexible! Just come anytime during the hours we are open. We want to ensure we see as many of our families as possible.
As a reminder we will close our buildings from Noon to 1pm for staff lunches.
August 13th
- 1st Full Day of School
9:05 am - 4:00 pm
Staff will be outside at 8:50 to greet students as they get off buses/parent pick up
PLEA PTO
Hi Pine Lane! We have lots of fun things planned for everyone after we return to school!
Restaurant Spirit Nights!
- π¦ Swirlβs Frozen Yogurt on August 24th
- π½οΈ Chick-fil-A on September 24th
PLEA receives a portion of profits back from all Spirit/Restaurant Nights which will go towards the general fund for playground improvements
πBear Crawl: Water & Color Run
- September 18th
- more details to come including volunteer positions for adults!
Join Our BAND App
As always, feel free to connect with our PTO group, Pine Lane Educational Alliance, via email at pleabears@gmail.com or by joining The Band app using this link: https://band.us/n/aaacb479N4c1o, or click on the PLEA image.
Car Tags
PikMyKid Car Tags for the New School Year
We are gearing up for a smooth dismissal process this year!
Please read below to see how to get your PikMyKid car tags:
New Families & Kindergarten Families: You will automatically receive your printed PikMyKid car tagsβno action is needed on your part for car tags.
Returning Families: If you still have your car tags from last year, you are good to go! They are still active and ready to use.
Need a Replacement or Extra Tag? If you are a returning family and lost your tag, or simply need an extra one for another vehicle, please let us know by filling out our quick request form below.
Nutrition Services
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
JULY 15th - The application window opens for Free and Reduced Lunches
Again this year Douglas County School District is excited to announce its participation in the Healthy School Meals for All program for Breakfast and Lunch. All students enrolled at Douglas County School District may participate in the Breakfast (where available) and Lunch at no cost!
Do I need to fill out a Free and Reduced Application?
Even though all students will receive meals at no cost, we still ask families to complete the income information form when requested. This helps Douglas County School District RE-1 qualify for important state and federal funding. These funds go directly to our schools to help:
Cover the cost of school meals
Support after-school programs
Enhance other nutrition and student support services
Summer EBT benefits
Reduced school fees
Discounts on class materials
Transportation support (bus passes)
Utility assistance and more
Communications - Stay Informed
- Linked below is a year-long calendar for your reference and planning:
- 2026-2027 PIne Lane Year Long Calendar (Highlighted Items are not finalized).
- If you utilize Google Calendar, you can also subscribe to our PLE Events Calendar
- Please familiarize yourself with our PLE Website.
- You can also stay informed through social media via Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter.
- Our community has also created a group on Facebook called Pine Lane Families; this group is a very helpful community and they are very responsive.
