Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
I have been thinking this week about what it means to be #BulldogStrong. Of course, this begins with our vision for this year: Putting the First Things First and focusing on Relationships, Learning, and Structure, but it is showing up in our school and community in so many different ways.
Yesterday the PVMS PTA came to school and did a Coffee Cart with hot drinks and pastries for staff in the building. Thank you Ms. Macoomber and Ms. Stokenbury for building community and connection in our building. This is #BulldogStrong.
Between September 15 and October 15 we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Already staff and students are collaborating on ideas for our door decorating contest, we are sharing information on morning announcements, we will be hosting our Patuxent Valley Hispanic Family Night on 10/10, and Latino Bulldog student town halls on 10/13. One of the ways we build belonging is by allowing individuals and groups to see their unique identities reflected in all facets of education here at PVMS. This is our work throughout the year, not only in specific months for specific groups, and I’m also proud of the work we are doing for Hispanic Heritage month - this is #Bulldog Strong.
Check out the information below for items we’ve been sending out this week, and a number of new items. Let us know if you have any questions or if there is something you’d like to see in the newsletter. All of this information is also posted on our website at http://pvms.hcpss.org/.
There is nothing too big or too small for us to work on together, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Regards,
Richard Smart, Principal (richard_smart@hcpss.org)
Estimadas familias y comunidad del Valle de Patuxent,
He estado pensando esta semana en lo que significa ser #BulldogStrong. Por supuesto, esto comienza con nuestra visión para este año: poner lo primero en primer lugar y centrarnos en las relaciones, el aprendizaje y la estructura, pero se está manifestando en nuestra escuela y comunidad de muchas maneras diferentes.
Ayer la PTA de PVMS vino a la escuela e hizo un carrito de café con bebidas calientes y pasteles para el personal del edificio. Gracias Sra. Macoomber y Sra. Stokenbury por construir comunidad y conexión en nuestro edificio. Este es #BulldogFuerte.
Entre el 15 de septiembre y el 15 de octubre celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana. El personal y los estudiantes ya están colaborando en ideas para nuestro concurso de decoración de puertas, estamos compartiendo información sobre los anuncios matutinos, organizaremos nuestra Noche Familiar Hispana de Patuxent Valley el 10/10 y reuniones comunitarias para estudiantes de Bulldog Latino el 13/10. Una de las formas en que construimos pertenencia es permitiendo que los individuos y grupos vean sus identidades únicas reflejadas en todas las facetas de la educación aquí en PVMS. Este es nuestro trabajo durante todo el año, no sólo en meses específicos para grupos específicos, y también estoy orgulloso del trabajo que estamos haciendo para el mes de la Herencia Hispana: esto es #Bulldog Strong.
Consulte la información a continuación para conocer los artículos que hemos estado enviando esta semana y una serie de artículos nuevos. Háganos saber si tiene alguna pregunta o si hay algo que le gustaría ver en el boletín. Toda esta información también está publicada en nuestro sitio web en http://pvms.hcpss.org/.
No hay nada demasiado grande o demasiado pequeño para que podamos trabajar juntos, así que no dudes en comunicarte.
Saludos,
Richard Smart, director (richard_smart@hcpss.org)
UPCOMING DATES:
9/15 - 10/15: Hispanic Heritage Month
10/9/2023: Professional Learning Day - No School
10/10/2023: PVMS Hispanic Family Night, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
10/11/2023: PVMS PTA Spirit Night at Olive On Maine
10/12/2023: PTA Meeting @ 7:00pm in the Media Center
10/16/2023: PVMS Vision and Hearing Screening
10/20/2023: Professional Learning Day - No School
10/27, 10/28, 10/29: PVMS Fall Play - The Wizard of Oz Gone Wrong
10/31: End Quarter 1
Transportation Updates: The morning bus drop off time has been changed to 7:35am beginning on October 2. Pick up times have been adjusted in bus locator. See HCPSS Transportation Page for more bus locator information: https://www.hcpss.org/schools/transportation/
HC Drug Free Updates
Free parenting class and Medication and Sharps Disposal Take Back Day Read more
HCPSS and The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County (TCOE) have partnered to sponsor the following parent workshops series: October 14: Navigating the Howard County Public School System December 16: Social Emotional Well-Being and Substance Abuse January 27: Processes for Parent Empowerment March 9: Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships Each engaging session is held virtually on Saturdays from 9-10:30 a.m. Please see the save the date flyer Read more
HCPSS’ Multilingual Parent Leadership Program will begin on October 5. The six-week program is designed to help multilingual parents navigate the school system and develop the confidence to serve as advocates for their children. The program also provides training for multilingual parents to assume leadership roles in schools and the community. The program is held on Thursdays on the dates listed below and runs from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Participants must attend all sessions.Read more
PVMS Spirit Wear
The PTA's first Spirit Wear sale is open until Friday, September 29. You will want your student to be ready to show their School Spirit. There are t-shirts, sweatshirts, performance shirts, flannel pants and sweat pants - something for everyone! Orders must be placed online at: http://bit.ly/pvmsspirit
For Families of students taking High School Credit Courses
Please note, if your student is currently taking a high school credited course, you should review important information about the withdrawal date of October 4th. Please find the letter for families linked here for further information. Read more
PVMS Vision and Hearing Screening
PVMS's Vision and Hearing Screening will be held on Monday October 16th; the re-screening date is scheduled for November 9. 2023. Please contact our school nurse, Russell Smith (RN) with any questions, russell_smith@hcpss.org. Read more
PVMS Attendance Procedures 23-24
Please review for comprehensive attendance procedures.Read more
Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Saturday Math Academy Fall 2023 Program
Registration for HCPSS’ BSAP Saturday Math Academy will offer an in-person enrichment program for HCPSS students in all levels of math for grades 3 through 12 based on course availability. Registration will take place online Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until capacity is reached. Class space is limited.
FAMILY FILE UPDATES
HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. All parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child each school year. Parents/guardians can access their student's Family File by logging into HCPSS Connect, selecting the “More Options” tab on the left and then selecting “Family File” in the center column.
Please be sure to read each section carefully and answer all of the questions. You can contact us here at school if you have any questions or concerns.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR VISITORS
Please be aware of the following procedures for any visitor to a school/office:
The front door is the only entrance point for all visitors.
Please ring the bell and look into the camera.
Be prepared to state your name and purpose for visiting.
All visitors must walk directly into the front office with a valid photo I.D. and sign in using our LobbyGuard system.
A visitor’s sticker will be given to visitors following the above procedures and must be worn and prominently visible.
Any visitor in the school without a visitor sticker will be escorted directly to the front office by a staff member.
NEW SCHOOL MEALS AND PAYMENT INFO
HCPSS no longer will use Nutrislice for school menus or MySchoolBucks for meal payments. LINQ Connect is a secure, online portal that allows families to view breakfast and lunch menus, make online meal payments, monitor their child’s account, schedule automatic recurring payments, set up low balance alerts, submit a Free and Reduced Meals program application, and more. Details and information. are available online.
WELLNESS CENTER AT PVMS
The Patuxent Valley Middle School-Based Wellness Center is a partnership between Howard County Health Department and Howard County Public School System. School Wellness Centers do not replace students' regular health care providers in the community. By providing some health care at school we can help parents stay at work and help students stay at school or more quickly return to school. There is no co-pay or fee for visits at the Wellness Center. Read more
COMMUNITY RESOURCE NEWSLETTER
Click here to see a comprehensive list of resources and support available to our community. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need help navigating any of these opportunities.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please visit the Community News and Programs page on the HCPSS website for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.