Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
I hope you are all enjoying the amazing return of Fall weather and are looking forward to a great weekend!
This week we celebrated our November Students of the month. Look out below for the amazing young people who were recognized for their hard work and service:
6th grade: Angel A, Christine B, Abel M, Pelumi O, Alice R, Delilah W, Sean C, Celina M, Jason E,
Emily V, Parker P, Joselyn VF, Aiden D, Melani R-S, Dalton W, Aaron N, Josh A.
7th grade: Andy B, Averie B, Diron G, Alana H, Charli H, S'Aung H, Marcos MR, Enma PJ, Ada P, Anoushka S, LuluBelle S.
8th Grade: Jaden B, Jamal K-I, Victor T, Estrella CA, Osman S, Greenleigh J, Tamanna V, Ashton S
Tomorrow is our Fall Craft Fair to support our 8th grade class. Come find some wonderful and unique pieces from local artisans. PTA will be selling coffee and treats as well! Hopefully I’ll see you there!
The month of November is jam packed with important events:
- Report cards will be released on November 10 in HCPSS connect and we encourage you to review grades with your students, celebrate successes and consider signing up for conferences in November if there are areas that should be problem-solved with our instructors.
- You are invited to attend PVMS’ fall play, Heist at the Giardina Museum, Nov. 13, 14, and 15, with an additional matinee on Nov. 15. Students have been hard at work practicing their lines, incorporating character, and/or serving in the many crew positions. Tickets can be purchased at hcst.booktix.com
- American Education Week is from November 17-21. We are sending out more information this coming week, but look out for an opportunity to come to an Honor Roll and On a Roll celebration, and to join us at school for coffee with the principal and visits to classrooms.
- Conferences will be held from November 24 to November 26. Conference sign ups open on November 7 (TODAY!) in HCPSS Connect.
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:
11/8 - PVMS Fall Craft Fair
11/10 - Report Cards Issued
11/13-11/15 - PVMS Fall Play
11/9 - Spiritwear Sale Ends!!
11/16 - PVMS Board Painting Workshop at Board and Brush (2 pm)
12/6 - PVMS FunDrive Collection Day ( 9 am -1 pm, PVMS Parking lot)10/20 - School Closed
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Fall Craft Fair on Nov 8th from 9-12.
Come find some wonderful and unique pieces from local artisans. PTA will be selling coffee and treats as well!
SBWC Flu Clinic Information
Dear Patuxent Valley families, Families were previously notified that HCPSS would not offer in-school flu clinics this year. However, we are pleased to inform you that the Howard County Health Department (HCHD) will provide free flu shots for students in our school as part of our School-Based Wellness Center (SBWC). Our clinic will occur on November 14, 2025 and be…Read More »
PVMS Fall Play November 13-15
You are invited to attend PVMS’ fall play, Heist at the Giardina Museum, Nov. 13, 14, and 15, with an additional matinee on Nov. 15. Students have been hard at work practicing their lines, incorporating character, and/or serving in the many crew positions. Tickets can be purchased at hcst.booktix.com
Supporting Our Community
We understand that the recent federal government shutdown is creating challenges for many of our families. We recognize that this situation may be impacting household finances and access to important resources. Please know that our Patuxent Valley community is here to support you. Below, we’ve included a list of resources that may be helpful during this time. If you need…Read More »
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
PVMS Spelling Bee!
Parents, does your child love to spell? If so, please encourage them to sign-up for the PVMS Spelling Bee using this link: Spelling Bee Google Form Sign-up
Once students have signed up using the google form, they can pick up a spelling bee practice word list in the media center. This list will be available starting Monday, Nov 3rd.
Our school Spelling Bee is scheduled for Jan 8 at 8:30 AM in the school cafeteria. Parents are welcome to attend.
You may message Mrs. Chelidona with any questions at mchelidona@hcpss.org
Roving Radish, a partnership between HCPSS and Howard County Government, is coming to our school community to promote healthy eating with a mobile produce market!
Where: School Bus Loop (*parking or driving in the Bus Loop during dismissal times is still prohibited - please walk over or park in the PVMS lot after 2:45pm)
When: Tuesdays, 2:45-4:30pm
Anyone can participate -- students, families, staff, and community members!
Regular Members: Sign up for 50% off weekly special items.
Exclusive Members: Qualify through a subsidy to receive free weekly specials + 50% off all other items.
Applications will be available at the mobile market. An online application link will be coming at a later date.
Ben Carson Scholarship Nomination Information:
Patuxent Valley Middle School can nominate one student for the chance to win a Ben Carson Scholarship Award. To be considered, students must have at least a 3.75 GPA, have completed community service, and submit an essay. The nomination is not a guarantee of an award. Please see this link for more information. Read More »
Telehealth Appointments
Starting with the 2025-2026 school year middle and high school students may participate in a telehealth appointment with a provider selected by the family, medical or behavioral health, during the school day. The Telehealth Procedures Manual outlines the requirements for a telehealth appointment and can be found on the HCPSS website. To schedule a telehealth appointment for your child please contact Jennifer Whitebloom (Jennifer_Eley-Whitebloom@hcpss.org). If you have questions please contact Richard Smart, Principal, (Richard_Smart@hcpss.org).
The HCPSS Telehealth Procedures Manual is now available on the HCPSS website.
October Career Corner (From Monica Stevens Career Readiness Advisor (Monica_Stevens@hcpss.org)
One of our goals as Career Readiness Advisors (CRA’s) is to provide opportunities for our students to self-reflect, develop skills, and explore careers to ensure that all students graduate with a well-informed post-high school plan aligned with their career goals. At the middle school level we want our students to take self assessments in Naviance to acquire and apply self-knowledge to personal learning and eventually career goals; Connecting Passion, Purpose and Path. Throughout this school year our PMVS students will take Naviance self-assessments in each grade level, through their content classes or through CTE classes. Once a month we will be hosting a Career Cafe, where speakers will come in to expose students to careers related to a career cluster we will focus on that month. If you are interested in being one of our career speakers please complete this form. Here is some information on this Month’s Career Cluster Advanced Manufacturing. This month HCPSS is hosting a College Fair. This is a good opportunity to begin exposing students to the variety of colleges that are out there. We welcome middle school students to come with their parents/guardians. More information including registration can be found here.
HC-Drug Free Updates:
Parenting Classes: Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. Evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years old, but it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: November 11, 13, 18, 20 and December 2 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://tinyurl.com/GGC-Fall2025
Drive-Thru Medication Disposal: Saturday, October 25 in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot near the Swim Center from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medication, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more. Unlike previous events, we will not collect sharps (needles, syringes and EpiPens). Need student, adult, and medically-trained adult volunteers. Earn Community Service Hours! Giving away 100 medication lockboxes. For more information and to volunteer visit HC DrugFree's website: https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/
Teen Advisory Council: Open to Howard County students in grades 8-12. Earn Community Service Hours and make meaningful contributions to the community. Next meeting: Monday September 29, 2025 from 5:30-7:00pm on Zoom. Earn Community Service Hours. Register to receive the meeting link: https://forms.gle/SgMrjdeo11JpNuuV8 For more information, visit HC DrugFree's website: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/
Free Newsletter: Stay up to date with HC DrugFree's free events offering Community Service Hours to HoCo students, resources, and a variety of substance use and behavioral health information! Sign up for HC DrugFree's free digital newsletter: https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/
Locker information for families
Students can pick up a locker request form beginning on Monday, September 23 in the front office before or after school, or between periods. Completed forms should be dropped off to the bin in the front office at the same times. We will assign lockers and share assignments with students through their first period teacher within a few days.
PVMS Arrival and Dismissal Information:
Talk with your young person today about how they are getting to school on the first day. Consider a trial run and check out the resources below. Contact us with any questions - we are here to help.
HCPSS Important Transportation Reminders and Updates
We are excited to return to the school buildings and have been working hard to prepare for a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal from Bollman Bridge and Patuxent Valley. The administrations at both Bollman Bridge and Patuxent Valley Middle Schools have been collaborating this summer on a joint traffic pattern and arrival and dismissal plan.
- Please review the map below carefully as you review with your child and those taking them too and from school and read the key points below.
- Both the PVMS and BBES parking lots are available to families from both schools for drop off and pick up.
- The Bus loop is for School Buses and Staff Parking only.
- Please only drop off and pick up in the designated areas and follow all traffic laws, signs and school personnel’s instructions.
- Staff will be posted at arrival and dismissal to support walkers, car riders and bus riders.
- PVMS’ School Day begins at 8am and school is open to students from 7:40am. School finishes at 2:35pm
- BBES’ School Day begins at 8:45am and school doors will open for students at 8:35. School dismisses at 3:15pm.
Please contact the office at either school with questions - we are here to support you.
BBES PVMS Arrival and Dismissal Map
HCPSS Change of Residency Communication
Any change of residency must be reported through Family File within 10 school days of the move. Current residency documentation must be provided to the school each time residency changes.
Update Your Student/Family Emergency Information Today!
Parents/guardians must verify and/or update emergency information for each child every school year. This is completed online in Family File, which has several new updates including how and where to access. Full details on updating your Family File are available online.
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.
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.