Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
Winter Concerts, all the costumes for our spirit week, the PTA Coffee Cart, Staff Chili Cook Off, Angel Tree donations, and the PTA 2nd Avenue Fundraiser — I don’t think it's possible to list all the community-centered activities and events that have happened at Patuxent Valley over the past week!
As I think about the winter break that is now beginning, I’m grateful for everyone who helps me to feel connected and valued at our school, and I hope that every person in our school and those reading this message has those connections that make life meaningful.
I also know that the holiday can be challenging for many, both in terms of material resources and for our mental health. I’m glad that the Patuxent Valley community has been involved in a number of ways to support those who have material needs, and I also want to uplift these mental health resources from HCPSS, and encourage anyone who needs support to get connected with the help that is available in our community.
In this spirit also, I offer this poem by Cleo Wade that has been on my mind as I think about the role that we can play in each other’s lives:
“And be sure to keep your light bright and shining — you never know just how many people you may be a lighthouse for. You never know how many people find their way home, in even the wildest storms, because you are there.” Cleo Wade
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:
12/23 - 1/1/24 Winter Break
1/15: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/17: 3-hour Early Dismissal
1/18: Incoming 6th Graders Parent Night @ 6pm
High School Course Registration Information:
https://www.hcpss.org/academics/high-school-course-registration/
Contact Ms. Taylor at: gwen_taylor@hcpss.org with any questions.
Guilford Park Scheduling Information:
Academic Scheduling Night - January 4, 2024
To assist students and their parents in this process, we will host an Academic Scheduling Night for all students. This includes current students and rising 9th graders. Please join us on January 4, 2024 at 6pm to learn more about the scheduling process and learn more about our Academic Programs.
Hammond High Scheduling Information
Site: https://sites.google.com/hcpss.org/hahsschedule/home
SCHEDULING EXTRAVAGANZA
In-Person
Hammond High School
Wednesday, Jan. 4th @ 6pm
5:30pm - Rising 9th Grade Welcome and Presentation
6:00pm - General Welcome and Scheduling Overview and Opportunities
6:15pm - Midterm Review/Explanation
ITL Presentations for Electives, Course Levels
6:45-7:15pm - Department Open Houses and Choose your Own Adventure Begin (Cafeteria)
6:45-7:15pm - AP Potential Breakout (PL Room)
CELL PHONES - MIDDLE SCHOOL
This is a friendly reminder to our community that per HCPSS Policy 8080, middle school students “will not use personal technology devices during non-instructional time, to include but not limited to transition between classes, lunch, recess, or in bathrooms.” Please remind your students that their cell phones should be off and away during the school day. Students are always welcome to use an office phone to reach out to a parent during the school day. If you need to contact your child at school, please call 410-880-5840.
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:
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
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/
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.
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/
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.