Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
Today at Patuxent Valley we took time to recognize the efforts of our December Students of the Month!  Each of these young people demonstrated our #BulldogStrong values through their hard work, caring and excellence.  Please take time to congratulate them if and when you see them!

6th Grade: Mae M, Noah R, Jayden G, Liam P, Victor T, Oseas S-J, Caleb C, Sarah K, Jimena G, Wesley J and Rayna M
7th Grade: McKinley D, Andrew B, Donovan H, Jinae M, Myca W, Yerik S-V, Nissi Q B, Evan S, Colin M, and Owen K.
8th Grade: Zoya R, Halimat S, Alexander A, Caitlin Z, Hector M, Robert B, Hamayel M, and Luvear O.

Next week is Inclusive Schools Week! Each day, both students and staff have resources to learn more about our topics of disability inclusion, differences, friendship, empathy, and taking action for inclusion. We will be engaging with a lesson around inclusion during Flextime, staff will be experiencing two professional learning opportunities and there will be activities in a number of our classes.  Inclusive schools week is a great time for us to reflect on how well we honor those in our school and community with disabilities and how much richer our world is when we work to include everyone and their different needs.

Next week is also Computer Science week and our school will participate in the HCPSS Hour of Code Week during Science and Computer Science classes.  Students will engage in activities related to coding and computer science. Parents, feel free to learn more or do some coding yourself here. Thank you, Ms. Langan and Ms. Petry for organizing this opportunity for our students.

On Tuesday The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County (TCOE) in partnership with the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) will host an annual Celebration of Academic Achievement to acknowledge and honor students of African and African American heritage across the county.

Students in 7th - 9th grade must have earned a final grade of A or B in English, mathematics, science, and social studies in the 2022-2023 school year. 

I am proud to report PVMS has over 160 students being honored this school year. While we recognize that each student earned that honor, we also recognize the role our students' families play in supporting their academic efforts. Thank you to the Council of Elders, and our BSAP liaison, Ms. Peguese for their tireless efforts in acknowledging our amazing students!

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 )

UPCOMING DATES:

12/05 The Council of Elders (TCOE) Celebration of Academic Achievement, 6pm

12/11 8th grade orchestra at the Hammond HS feeder concert     Hammond HS

12/13 3 Hour Early Dismissal (11:35am)

12/14 All Bands Winter Concert at Hammond HS

12/15 Choral concert at Hammond HS

12/18 All Orchestras Winter Concert at Hammond HS

PVMS Updates (New this week)

Angel Tree

During the holiday season we have a tradition here at PVMS of having an Angel Tree to help some of the families in our community that might need extra support during the holidays.  If you would like to participate, you can click on the sign-up genius link below which contains all the details of what we are collecting.  All gifts are due back to the school by Monday December 18th.  Link to sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084FA8AA2FA6FF2-46040244-angel

Cold Weather Reminder

As we are approaching the cold winter weather, we wanted to remind you that students will still be going outside for recess. Please make sure you send your child to school with warm clothes. All clothing needs to be labeled with your child's name to prevent it from being lost.

Below you will find the HCPSS criteria we consider when having outdoor activities:

• Temperature and humidity
• Wind chill
• Heat index and air quality
• Age of students
• Length of time outdoors
• Adequacy of the children’s clothing
• Condition of the playground
• Falling precipitation (more than a sprinkle or mist)
• Thunder and lightning

Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess, physical education, or any other outdoor activity when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index reading is less than 95.

We appreciate your help to ensure all our students stay healthy and safe

CAREER ACADEMY INFORMATION SESSIONS 

Current 8-11 grade students and their parents/guardians are invited to attend in-person information sessions on HCPSS career academies on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 at the Applications and Research Laboratory, 10920 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD. The evening will include two 15-minute information sessions and a visit to a third academy beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Participants will learn how Career and Technical Education (CTE) career academies provide high school students with opportunities to earn college credit, scholarships, and industry certifications, participate in worksite and mentorship experiences, and become creative problem solvers by participating in hands-on project-based learning.
Complete information on all career academies is available online. Students/parents are encouraged to review the Career Academies Overview.

Parking at Applications and Research Lab (ARL) is limited. Please plan to arrive at the ARL by 6:15 p.m. to ensure time to park at either at the ARL, Homewood School or Board of Education lots next to the ARL.

HCDRUGFREE UPCOMING EVENTS
Free Parenting Classes - As educators, we are well aware of the ever-increasing pressures placed on students. The academic demands, social challenges, and rapidly changing world can be overwhelming. Our parenting classes can equip parents and/or grandparents with the knowledge and skills to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. These classes are for families with children 9 - 14 yrs. old and held over Zoom.   http://www.hcdrugfree.org/

PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)

Mobile Dental Clinic will be held January 18th, 2024. Parents should check for the forms which will be sent home with the students this week. 

HCPSS and The Council of Elders (TCOE) Community Academy - Social Emotional Well-being and Substance Misuse: On December 16 from 9-10:30 a.m., parents and families are invited to attend a virtual session regarding how to effectively support students in maintaining positive Social and Emotional Well-Being and prevent substance misuse. Representatives from HCPSS and community partner organizations will provide resources for social and emotional development and education on prevention, risk factors, and warning signs of substance misuse. This session is for families of students at the elementary, middle, or high school levels and will be held virtually. To register, please complete the registration form linked here.

Apply for JROTC by Jan. 5, 2024

HCPSS’ Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program provides an introduction to career opportunities in the United States Armed Forces and teaches principles of leadership, discipline and civic responsibility. To apply for participation for the 2024-2025 school year, students must contact a JROTC official between Nov. 13, 2023, and Jan. 5, 2024, to schedule an interview. Only students who are interviewed during this designated period will be considered for enrollment.

To learn more about the program, visit the HCPSS JROTC website- https://www.hcpss.org/academy/jrotc/

LGBTeaQi&A - opportunity for parents and parents with middle and high school students

One of the topics of interest/concern brought forward in our LGBTQIA+ Advisory group is that parents of our LGBTQIA+ students have been looking for ways to connect and receive support. As one possible solution, we're starting an LGBTeaQi&A to provide an opportunity for parents to meet, connect, ask questions, and receive information and answers.

We're holding our first opportunity on Saturday, December 9th from 2:00PM - 4:00PM at Plot Twist Horse Farm in Glenwood. Parents are welcome as well as middle and high school students who want to connect with peers. Service learning opportunities for our middle and high schoolers will be available - though space for students is limited. 

A flyer is connected to this email as well. Registration is required to attend. 

Please share with parents who you think might be interested in participating.

Viewable/Downloadable Flyer

Registration Form

Do you need support during the holidays?  See resources here

Fan Behavior and Safety at HCPSS Athletics Events

 

High school athletic events serve as a wonderful opportunity for students, friends, families, staff and community members to come together in support of their favorite teams. To ensure these games are able to be safely enjoyed by all in attendance, it is imperative that everyone adheres to the rules, expectations and laws in place to ensure safety.

All children who are in 8th grade or younger must be accompanied by an adult or will be turned away from entry.

Athletic contests are considered extensions of the school day, and behaviors that violate the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct or Board of Education policies are subject to the same disciplinary measures as those that occur during the school day. Any students found to engage in inappropriate, illegal or dangerous behavior, including verbal and physical abuse at games, are subject to discipline up to the forfeiture of the game itself. Non-student spectators who violate event rules may be asked to leave the premises and may be banned for the remainder of the season. Additionally, the Howard County Police Department maintains a presence at games and will be sure all applicable laws are adhered to.

Please note that substances such as tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol are illegal to have on school grounds. Furthermore, no spectators are permitted to be under the influence of these substances upon entering school grounds.

HCPSS schools are welcoming environments for our friends around the county and state. All spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship to the athletes, coaches officials, members of the marching band, cheerleaders and poms, dance teams, opposing fans, and anyone in attendance. Please show respect for all those around you.

PVMS Attendance Procedures 23-24

Please review for comprehensive attendance procedures.Read more

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.

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 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.