Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
The communications roll over has happened, August is here and the rhythm of the summer tells us that school is back soon!
Welcome to all of our new families to Patuxent Valley! It has been great to meet some of you at our Summer Community Circles and I'm looking forward to meeting more of you at our back to school events!
Our theme for the 2024/2025 school year is: "Making a Home for Everyone at Patuxent Valley." We are hoping that our back to school events will help your young person and your family get connected and find your home at our school. See below for more information on the New Student Orientation, Back to School Block Party and Supply List.
Our summer office hours are 9am to 2pm. After August 12 the office will be open from 8am to 3pm. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need anything. We are here to help.
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:
8/22 - New Student Orientation
8/26 - First Day of School for Students
9/2 Labor Day, Schools and offices closed
9/5 - Back to School Night
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
New Student Orientation:
On August 22 at 1pm we are looking forward to welcoming our new 6th graders and students who will be new to PVMS in 7th and 8th grade for the 2023 -2024 school year.
- Student will meet in the gym and parents in the cafeteria
- All students will have a chance to walk their schedule and get to meet staff and students, and find some of their people for this school year.
- There will be a meeting for parents to share information and answer questions about the school and school year. Parents will also have a chance to find some of their people for this school year too.
Back to School PTSA Block Party!
- On August 23 from 5pm to 7pm the PVMS PTSA is hosting a Welcome Back to School Block Party on the PVMS Blacktop.
- There will be games, music provided by DJ POV, 360 photo booth and food from Chick Fil-A! -More information to follow!
UPDATED PATUXENT VALLEY SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
Click here for the 24-25 PVMS School Supply Menu!
- This is the most comprehensive list. Most students will not need all items, and no student is expected to have more than what is listed here.
- Teachers will share needs for individual classes at the 6th grade orientation and on their Canvas page.
- The supply list includes a need for a School Planner to help all of our students with organization.
- Contact team leaders or Richard Smart with questions.
2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
The 2024-2025 school year is scheduled to begin for most students Monday, Aug. 26. Pre-K/RECC students will begin Thursday, Aug. 29. The calendar is updated and posted online for viewing, subscribing to, or downloading.
Information on preparing for the 2024-2025 school year can be found online. That page will be continually updated as new information becomes available.
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
Changes in Social Media and Gaming Access
Beginning July 1, HCPSS will block access to social media at all schools and most game websites at middle and high schools only on the HCPSS instructional (student) network and on student Chromebooks. Español | 中文 | 한국어
Message from the Health Room:
Immunizations for Upcoming 7th Graders
Current 6th grade parents- Please email your students updated immunizations records to the Health Room if you have been contacted by the health room about your student missing required 7th grade immunizations.
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.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR VISITORS
Please be aware of the following procedures for any visitor to a school/office:
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The front door is the only entrance point for all visitors.
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Please ring the bell and look into the camera.
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Be prepared to state your name and purpose for visiting.
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All visitors must walk directly into the front office with a valid photo I.D. and sign in using our LobbyGuard system.
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A visitor’s sticker will be given to visitors following the above procedures and must be worn and prominently visible.
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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.