Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,

This week we welcomed our rising 6th graders to our building and gave them a taste of the amazing activities and learning opportunities they will have at Patuxent Valley, but, most importantly, we introduced them to people who will hopefully become their people as they adapt to life at Patuxent Valley.  After meeting our next group of sixth graders I am filled with hope for the future. Thank you to Mr. Howe, our student representatives, and the grade 6 team for putting together a great welcome.

Today I was fortunate to see our GT Seminar students, David O, Alina T and Colin M lead their seminar on Micro:Bits at the HCPSS County Middle School GT Expo, and I’m looking forward to the Theater Showcase this evening.  Well done to all students who participated and were or will be recognized at each event!

We also had the opportunity to celebrate our quarter 3 Honor Roll and On a Roll students on Tuesday.  There were over 400 students invited to celebrate their academic achievement in quarter 3.  Look out for certificates and recognitions during the morning news for students with over 90% attendance for the school year in our Showing Up awards.  It’s our plan to continue those recognitions of meaningful accomplishments next year - what great students we have! 

Next week is a big week for our eighth graders as we go on the rising 9th grade visits to their next High Schools,  our Field Trip to the Baltimore Zoo and the PTSA hosts our 8th Grade Dance.  I can’t believe we are already engaging in our end of year activities with them, I have so many dreams for them as they end middle school and think about beginning the High School Journey.  Check out the latest information that was share with our 8th grade students at lunch today through these slides.

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:

6/4 - Band Concert at Hammond HS, 6:30pm

6/4 - High School Visits

6/5 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal

6/7 - 8th grade dance

6/11 - 8th Grade Promotion from 6-8 at GPHS

6/12-14 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal

PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)

Howard County School-Based Wellness Centers are offering free health visits this summer for children without health insurance.

Families with medical coverage should visit their primary healthcare provider. You must make an appointment; no walk-ins.

Email HowardSBWC@howardcountymd.gov or Call 410-313-6362 to schedule a summer appointment if needed.

English Flyer

Spanish Flyer

2024-2025 Bus Service Registration Deadline is Tuesday, June 5th

We currently have 39% of our students eligible for transportation registered  for 2024-2025 Bus Service.  The deadline for this has been extended. Please be sure to complete your child's registration by this Tuesday June 5th.  

The instructions are in the link below. 

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2024/05/bus-service-registration-deadline-extended-to-june-5-2024/

Parents/guardians whose children are eligible for bus transportation are asked to register to receive bus service each year to help the school system plan for student transportation needs. The transportation registration process will open at 9 a.m. Monday, April 8 through June 5, and will be completed online via HCPSS Connect Synergy. Registration must be done for each eligible child.

To be eligible for bus service, your child’s home address must be outside of a school’s walk zones. You can verify address eligibility in the HCPSS School Attendance Area Locator. After inputting your address, a window will appear that will indicate either bus or walk for each school level. Please note, the attendance area locator also includes a link for the bus stop locator, which is set for the current school year. Bus stop information for the 2024-2025 school year will be available in August.

You do not need to take any action if:

• Your child is not eligible for bus transportation
• Your child receives transportation as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, or
• Your child is a graduating senior

Last Call for Lost and Found

There are so many lunch boxes, water bottles, and clothing items in the lost and found. Please encourage your student to stop by to retrieve lost items. Parents are welcome to visit and look through the collection as well! All items will be donated at the end of the school year.

Information on 8th Grade Activities
This is such a busy time of year for 8th graders and there are so many details to keep track of. 

Next week is a big week for our eighth graders as we go on the rising 9th grade visits to their next High Schools,  our Field Trip to the Baltimore Zoo and the PTSA hosts our 8th Grade Dance.  I can’t believe we are already engaging in our end of year activities with them, I have so many dreams for them as they end middle school and think about beginning the High School Journey.  Check out the latest information that was share with our 8th grade students at lunch today through these slides.

To help answer any questions and organize everything our students (and families!) need in one place, I’ve put together a class link tree: https://linktr.ee/pvms8thgrade 

From the PTA: A reminder that the 8th grade dance will be held on Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m. This year's theme is “A Starry Night Masquerade Ball.” Our 8th graders are excited to spend these last few moments celebrating before they say farewell to PVMS. Parents/guardians please register your student as soon as possible, and no later than June 1.

The student permission slip for 8th grade parents/guardians is HERE.

Your help is requested!

This is a PTA/parent-sponsored dance, and we need many hands to make the dance a safe and enjoyable event. Please consider signing up to help volunteer and/or donate items.
·      Volunteers can sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AA8AB2FA1FC1-49737934-8thgrade#/
·      Donations are requested – please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AA8AB2FA1FC1-49739174-8thgrade#/

Hammond Booster Camps 

Hammond Boosters is offering one week camps for incoming 5th-9th graders for multiple activities:  Note: All camps will be held at Hammond High school this year.

Band -- June 17-21, no camp on the 19th (9am-12pm) *

Tennis--June 17-22, no camp on the 19th (9am-12pm) **

Baseball--June 17-22, no camp on the 19th (9am-12pm)  **

Girls Soccer--June 17-22, no camp on the 19th (9am-12pm)  **

Track (week 1)--June 24-28 (8am-11am)

Track (week 2)--July 15-19(8am-11am)

Boys Soccer--June 24-28 (9am-12pm)

Field Hockey--June 24-28 (1:30pm-4:30pm)

Wrestling--July 8-12 (9am-12pm)

Cheer--July 8-12 (9am-12pm)

Football--July 15-19 (9am-12pm)

Boys Lacrosse--July 29-August 2 (9am-12pm)

Softball--August 5-9 (9am-12pm)

Girls Basketball--August 5-9 (8am-11am)

Volleyball--August 5-9 (12pm-3pm)

Boys Basketball--August 5-9 (4pm-7pm)

Each session is $150 per camper and includes service fee. 

* Band Camp is cost is reduced to $125 per camper, because the camp is only 4 days.

**Tennis, Baseball, Girls Soccer camps extend into Saturday, because of the holiday.

Sign up at: https://www.simpletix.com/e/2024-hammond-summer-camps-tickets-163091

Parents of Students Entering Guilford Park - Fall 2024 - GPHS Boosters Is Looking For You! Next Meeting:  6/3 - 7PM

GPHS Boosters, a parent led organization with the sole purpose of raising money and supporting GPHS extra-curricular activities, is looking to welcome parents rising to GPHS, along with their students.  Our next meeting (monthly on the 1st Monday of the month, will be 6/3 @ 7pm in the GPHS Cafeteria.  We will be electing our open Executive Board positions for next year. We are looking to fill Vice President, Secretary, Treasure and 3 At-Large Members for the Executive Board. If you are interested and have not yet communicated your interest, please complete the form linked below.  If you just want to see what we are about, come join us on Monday 6/3!

https://forms.gle/RA2oxdcYViAYyWVM8

 

 

PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)

Guilford Park HS - Athletic Update - 5.19.24

• Volleyball Camp Added!  GPHS Boosters is excited to announce the addition of a Volleyball Boosters Camp for Rising 4th-9th Graders on 8/5-8/9 from 9-12pm in the GPHS Gymnasium.  Registration is NOW open - go to https://gphsboosters.com/summer-camp to register and for a full list of camps!

• Girls Soccer Summer 7v7 Opportunity for Rising 9th Graders - GPHS will play in a summer 7v7 soccer leagues with games over the summer.  If your are a Rising 9th grader, you are eligible to participate with the team.  Please reach out to Coach Molly_Schaefer@hcpss.org for more information. 

• Boys Soccer Summer 7v7 Opportunity for Rising 9th Graders - GPHS will play in a summer 7v7 soccer league with games over the summer. If your are a Rising 9th grader, you are eligible to participate with the team.  Please reach out to Coach Tomas_Potts@hcpss.org for more information.

• Fall Academic Eligibility for Sports:

  • Athletes returning to high school must earn a MINIMUM of a 2.0 weighted GPA for 4th quarter of THE CURRENT school year to be academically eligible to participate in fall sports.

  • Rising 9th Graders are ALL academically eligible for to participate in fall sports.  HOWEVER, this is a one time exemption from the policy.

REMINDER:  Rising 9th Grade Fall Sports Information Night - 6/4/24 @ 6:30PM - Cafeteria

- A brief presentation will be given by the Athletic Director followed by break-out sessions led by coaches for fall athletes and their parents.

Need More Information About GPHS Athletics?  Go to https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YTsOFoK3c_f0Tu0Cx52r0VcHFizXYSIfip-zMPJCzvA/edit?usp=sharing 

BIPOC Leadership Panel Discussion:
BIPOC Leaders Panel Discussion: The Howard County Student Committee for Equity has planned a BIPOC Leaders Panel Discussion for June 6 from 6-8pm. Please register and share with others. Registration is recommended (for refreshment planning). See this flier for registration information.

Wellness Workshop and Supports Summer Series: In partnership with Backpack Healthcare and Congruent Counseling/Integrative Counseling, HCPSS presents a spring/summer series of "Wellness Workshops and Support for Parents". All HCPSS parents are invited to attend any or all of these free, virtual evening workshops. Sessions are from 6-7 p.m. on a variety of dates. Wellness Workshops and Supports for Parents Flier

2024 Free Summer Meals Program

To continue meeting the growing need to feed hungry children and families in Howard County and fill the nutritional gap over the summer months, HCPSS once again will provide free summer meals Monday-Friday, June 24-Aug. 2, at locations throughout the county. Meals will be served only on days schools are open and there will be no meal service on Thursday, July 4. Complete details on the HCPSS 2024 Summer Meals Program are available online.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL SCHEDULED
HCPSS used three inclement weather days this school year, and as such, the last day of school for students in full-day Pre-K through grade 11 is now scheduled to be Friday, June 14, with June 12-14 being three-hour early dismissals. The last day for half-day Pre-K/RECC students is currently Tuesday, June 11.

Recognizing and Reporting Bullying

As we approach the second half of the school year, we wanted to remind you that HCPSS is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment that focuses on student well-being. We are taking this time to uplift the importance of reporting any type of bullying that has occurred. We will be reviewing this with our students and staff as we start the second half of the school year, and we hope that you, too, can uplift this at home. 

For children facing the emotional toll of bullying, a supportive individual can make all the difference. Please encourage your children to reach out to a trusted staff member at school should they need to report anything. As parents and guardians, you will use the same reporting form as students by following the steps outlined below. 

How do I report bullying?

1. When you believe bullying has taken place, you should report it through the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation (BCHI) reporting form.  Reporting can take place in one of three ways:
   1. Complete a BCHI online reporting form
   2. BCHI paper reporting form (available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office
   3. An oral report to a staff member 
2. It is important to note that the policy states “In the event the reporting party does not complete a BCHI Reporting Form, school administrators/supervisors will take the appropriate steps to address and document the incident.”  Therefore, if you or someone else makes an oral report, it then must be documented (i.e. through a BCHI reporting form) by the administrator.

Thank you for your partnership and attention to this important topic.

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.

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.