Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
Today our 8th grade students who will be attending Hammond High School next school year met with members of the Hammond High 9th grade team and learned more about their next steps in their educational journey.
As a former High School educator and ninth grade administrator it made me reflect again on the importance of the work we do in middle school to help our students feel ready for their next steps. I shared with our 8th graders this morning that the most important factor in a successful transition to high school is having a person, or people that you are connected with both as peers and on staff. I’m so glad that our Golden Bear colleagues share the commitment to relationship building that we are centering at Patuxent Valley and I can’t wait to hear the message from Guilford Park’s staff next Wednesday.
Thank you to Ms. Robbins for organizing our Inclusive Schools week events this week, and a huge thank you to Daria Wise, one of our parents and the co-chair of the HCPSS Special Education Community Advisory Council, for the engaging and challenging professional learning on Monday. We will continue to strive as a faculty and school to create the inclusive community that all our students deserve.
Next week we will have the opportunity to attend our Band concert on Thursday, and Choir concert on Friday with Orchestra the following Monday. All of our students have been working hard to be ready and I can’t wait to see proud parent faces and enjoy the wonderful music they are preparing - come join us at Hammond High School for these events.
Finally, another huge congratulations to all the students who were recognized by the Council of Elders for their outstanding academic achievements during the past school year - we are so proud of you!
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:
12/11 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
12/23 - 1/1/24 Winter Break
Angel Tree
Thank you to everyone who has signed up for Angel tree this year, we truly appreciate it! As a reminder all gifts are due back Monday 12/18. Gifts should be wrapped and labeled with the information form the signup. You can drop gifts off to the secretaries in the front office, but please make sure it has a label on it. Please do NOT include cards or notes as the parents prefer to give the gifts from themselves. If you have forgotten what you signed up for here is the list with all the information. We still have a few unclaimed slots if anyone else would still like to participate.
Please let us know if you have any questions, you can reach us at michelle_langan@hcpss.org or stacey_petry@hcpss.org
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)
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
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/
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.
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.