Dear Patuxent Valley Families,
Thank you to everyone who Wore Red Instead on Wednesday to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month at Patuxent Valley. We are so fortunate to live in a community that seeks to celebrate the uniqueness of every individual and I was encouraged to see so many people supporting autistic people at school and in our community.
A huge congratulations to our Choir students and their director, Ms. Beauchamp who performed at assessments this week and represented Patuxent Valley very well.
Next week is the beginning of the fourth quarter and we want to remind students to check their schedules for the changing of quarterly classes and to reset their motivation for the final quarter of the school year. It’s important to start quarter 4 strongly so that you can finish the year well.
Tomorrow is the PTA-sponsored Spring Social for our students. The PTA committee has been working tirelessly to create an amazing experience for our students. Please read the message below carefully and share with your young people who are attending. Thank you PTA for all you do for our students!
From the PTA Final Reminders: PVM Spring Social on Saturday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm
1. The Social is FREE to attend but a student can not be admitted without a permission form completed before Friday night! https://forms.gle/H1Cbe5xBS4h7HFHJA. There will be a dance in the Gym, board games & cards in the Media Center, and concessions in the Cafeteria - and lots of fun!
2. This event is entirely sponsored by PTA Volunteers; help is needed to ensure a great experience! Volunteers can indicate that they will be there and select their preferred tasks here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AA8AB2FA1FC1-55333843-2025 We are also asking for concessions to be donated: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AA8AB2FA1FC1-55334177-2025
3. Upon arrival on Saturday, students will need to check-in at the Brick Gazebo by the Bus Lane. Check-In begins at 5:15 and doors open at 5:30. The entrance to the Social will be the "Back Lobby" double doors. The event will end promptly at 7:30. Students must remain inside PVMS at the Social until 7:15; if a student needs to leave earlier, a parent will need to come inside to escort them out.
4. Students coming from Columbia / Savage North should by dropped off/picked up using the PVMS Bus Loop on Savage-Guilford Road. Students coming from Laurel / Savage South should use the Bollman Bridge Elementary car loop. Please be patient at drop off & pickup and remember that the usual front parking lot will be closed & used only for volunteer parking.
5. Concession snacks will be $1 each, CASH ONLY, so students may want to bring some $1 bills. All HCPSS behavior codes and dress codes apply. Students are encouraged by the Student Council to dress up a bit; "dressy casual" is fine.
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:
4/4: End of 3rd Marking Period
4/5: PTSA Spring Social
4/14 - 4/21 Schools closed for Spring Break
4/24 - Take Your Child to Work Day
4/25 - Report Cards Issued at 4:00 pm
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Student Service Learning Update
As part of 6th and 7th grade third quarter science units, students have engaged in a Curricular Embedded Student Service Learning (SSL) experience. When students pass these courses in the third quarter, the 25 hours for SSL will be issued and will appear on the student report card. Similarly, there is a project in grade 8 social studies during the fourth quarter that will be documented this way. This is an updated process to ensure all students who have engaged in these learning experiences in middle school will be issued the hours if they pass that quarter. Students who do not pass the quarter of a course or are not enrolled in SSL embedded instruction will not receive hours. These students will have the opportunity to engage in high school courses that include SSL and/or engage in high school independent SSL projects. 75 Hours of SSL are required by MSDE for graduation and more information can be found on the HCPSS website here: https://www.hcpss.org/academics/service-learning/
PVMS is having an Community Yard Sale to support our end of year events on Saturday 4/26/2 from 8am-12pm in the Patuxent Valley MS bus loop
Sellers wanted: Reserve your space before 4/23 Spaces will be on a first come first served basis. Large spaces are roughly 11ft x 10ft and cost $25 (2 spaces for $40). And Small spaces are roughly 5ft x 10ft and cost $15.
Sellers will be able to start setting up their areas at 7:15am and will be able to park next to their spot in the bus loop to unload.
Rain date will be 5/3 if needed.
Shoppers wanted: Bring your cash and get some great deals while supporting PVMS 8th grade students and local community members.
Contact Michelle Langan with any questions or to reserve a spot: michelle_langan@hcpss.org
It is that time for pre-orders and sharing favorite memories for all our students, and submitting dedications for our 8th graders! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Salik at kandyce_salik@hcpss.org.
Pre-ordering the yearbook:
Though students will have the opportunity to purchase the yearbook once the shipment is received, it will be on a first come first served basis. Any remaining yearbooks will be sold during lunches for $25. You still have time to pre-order the yearbook however!
1. Online Link: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/patuxentvalleymiddle - Deadline April 16th
2. Complete Yearbook Form and turn into Mrs. Salik with payment. - Deadline April 25th
Picture Sharing: Due by April 11th.
It is always a great addition to the yearbook for families to share moments in or outside of the school building. Does your student take part in an extracurricular activity? Sport? Celebrate a milestone? Did you take pictures of a school event? Please share! The more the better!
1. Simply follow the link and place your photo in the ‘Parent Upload Folder’ or an appropriate ‘Event Folder’ Photo Upload Link
2. Or you can email me directly with the photos attached including a label of student name and
grade. kandyce_salik@hcpss.org
8th Grade Dedication Submission (8th Graders ONLY): Due by April 11th
Each year, we offer family members the opportunity to share a message of congratulations or love to our graduating middle school class. Each student is allowed TWO dedications (ranging from 25-50 words)
1. Online Option: www.osp.osmsinc.com (Middle School - Patuxent Valley Middle)
2. Paper Option: Complete the form sent home via homeroom and submit with form, dedication, and payment to homeroom teacher or directly to Mrs. Salik
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
HC DRUGFREE UPDATES
Free Parenting/Grandparenting Classes - Open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in Howard County or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in the County. 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 olds, but we believe it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: March 18, 21, 25, 28 and April 1 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025GGC
Drive-Thru Medication and Sharps Disposal – Saturday, April 26 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, EpiPens and other sharps, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more! Need student, adult, and medically-trained adult volunteers. Giving away 100 medication lockboxes.
- For more information: https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/
- To sign up to volunteer: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/4-26-25TakeBack
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 May 19, 2025, from 5:30-7:00pm on Zoom. For more information, visit: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/
PVMS Ramadan Announcement
On behalf of Patuxent Valley Middle School I would also like to extend our best wishes to Muslims throughout our community on the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan later this week.
For any student who is participating in the month of Ramadan we are offering our front office conference room during grade level lunches. Students should check in with the secretaries as they come to lunch.
If any student has other needs during the month of Ramadan, they should contact the principal, Richard Smart (richard_smart@hcpss.org or in Canvas Inbox), and he will arrange with them how we can support them.
8th Grade Families… It is time to order your student’s “Class of 2025” tshirt!
Shirts are $5 each. Please visit https://pvalleymspta.givebacks.com/store/items/1155048 to pay online. The deadline is February 28th but get it done today! For those families who would prefer to pay cash, PTSA representatives will be available at 8th grade lunches on Tues, 2/4, and Wed, 2/5, to collect money for shirts - $5 exact cash only.
$5 helps defray the PTSA overall cost to provide the shirts to the 8th graders. If you would like to donate a t-shirt, please see the "8th Grade T-shirt Donation" in our store. (https://pvalleymspta.givebacks.com/store/items/1155094) The more money the PTSA brings in to cover the cost for the shirts, the more money will be available for other 8th grade activities.
Students have already provided their requested sizes to Ms AC at school.
Support For Immigrant Students and Families:
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) remains steadfast in its commitment to providing all 57,000+ students with a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment. This dedication guides our efforts as we collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to support our students and families.
On Jan. 23, 2025, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright reaffirmed that every Maryland student-regardless of immigration status—has the right to receive the educational support they need from their public school system. She also shared guidance for school systems on responding to requests from immigration or law enforcement officials while ensuring the rights of students are upheld.
HCPSS policies and procedures, along with the State Superintendent’s guidance, continue to serve as the HCPSS foundation for fostering equity, access, and opportunity for all students.
For more information please visit our HCPSS website.
New Options for Reporting Hate Biases Now Available: HCPSS is committed to providing safe and inclusive learning environments for all students. When harmful incidents occur in schools, it is important that those incidents are appropriately investigated and responded to. On February 11, the HCPSS Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation formLinks to an external site. was updated online and new paper copies of the form have been distributed to your school. This new form now allows students, staff and families to report hate bias incidents as a type of harassment.
PVMS Attendance Procedures 24-25
If your student is absent or will be absent, please contact us at the following email address to explain the reason:pvmsabsence@hcpss.org. In the email please Include the following information:
- Student First and Last Name
- Grade
- Reason for absence (e.g., illness, bereavement, observance of a religious holiday, lack of transportation)
Late Arrivals Procedures
If your child is late to school, please either send in a note/email to pvmsabsence@hcpss.org explaining the reason for the lateness if you are unable to sign your child into school.
Early Dismissals
Please email on the day of your student's early dismissal, pvmsabsence@hcpss.org, and indicate the time they will be picked up and by whom. Please bring your ID to show the main office.
With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents, staff and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and in future life!
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL MESSAGE FOR PVMS/BBES CAMPUS
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. Read more
LIGHTSPEED PARENT NOTIFICATIONS
Parents/guardians can monitor their child’s HCPSS Chromebook internet usage by signing up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications to receive a weekly email summary of their child’s usage.
Once parents have signed up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications, the email summary delivered each Sunday will contain a link with access to the Lightspeed Parent Portal, which provides near real-time information on their child’s internet activity.
The Lightspeed Parent Portal offers additional details about internet usage and the ability to control a child’s online activities when they are not on the HCPSS network at school by allowing parents to pause the internet for 1 hour, 3 hours or until 6 a.m. the next morning. Frequently asked questions about Lightspeed and the Parent Portal can be found online.
HCPSS teachers will access Lightspeed in the classroom to monitor student Chromebook usage. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher if they notice their child is regularly on non-academic websites during the day.
Find instructions on signing up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications online.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to review HCPSS Student Mobile Technology Duties and Obligations, which outlines the responsible use of technology in accordance with HCPSS Board Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media.
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.