Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
This week I was encouraged to see so many students participating in our 8th-period activities. I had the pleasure of sitting in on our STEP team rehearsal yesterday and seeing many students participate in auditions for the Spring Play earlier this week. There are many things I love about Patuxent Valley, and our after-school activities are some of the best things we do. I know that students who are engaged in after-school activities experience a greater sense of belonging in school and perform better academically. What extracurricular activity is your child involved in?
On Monday, we took time to recognize the efforts of our December Students of the Month! Each of these young people demonstrated our #BulldogStrong values through their hard work, caring, and excellence. Please take a moment to congratulate them if and when you see them!
6th Grade:
Oluwapamilerin A, Oluwajomiloju A, Siri A, Sophia B, Alice R, Keiji B-O, Lucy D’A, Penny D, Zoe D, Taliyah E, Milton G-L, Michael G, Adriana H, Thomas J, Zola L, Layla L, Ben N, Drew N, Allison O, Bailey R, Noelle S, Delilah W
7th Grade:
Kofi A-K, Eyan E, Anfaal F, Thomas F, Khadija K, Kimberly M-F, Ana M, Milton M, Andy M, Heaven S-R, Danny S, Taviana V, LaVin Z
8th Grade:
Aisha A, Emily C, Elec D, Naomi H, Tea L, Jason S
The music team would also like to recognize the following students who were selected for the Howard County GT Honor Band and Howard County GT Honor Chorus this year. We are so proud of you!
GT Honor Band:
Benjamin H – Euphonium, Dean L – Percussion, McLane O – French Horn
GT Honor Chorus:
Michelle O, Martina E, Emery W, Rylee W, Diron G, Solah F, Braelyn P, Xiyaya B
Next week is both Inclusive Schools Week and the Hour of AI in HCPSS, along with a visit from GPHS and HaHS to our 8th graders, as well as multiple winter concerts. December is a busy month, so don’t forget to keep up with the HCPSS calendar.
We are also clearly into the colder months of the school year. Remember to send your child to school with warm clothing. Generally, students are expected to be outside for recess, outdoor eating, physical education, or any other outdoor activity when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or when the heat index is less than 95.
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:
12/6 - PVMS FunDrive Collection Day ( 9 am -1 pm, PVMS Parking lot)
12/6 - Savage Mill Tree/Bridge Lighting at Carol Baldwin Hall, 6:30pm orchestra, 7pm Chorus
12/8 - Band Winter Concert beginning at 6:15pm, Hammond HS
12/11 and 12/12 - Winter Dance Concert at 7pm, Guilford Park HS
12/12 - Chorus Winter Concert at 7pm, Hammond HS
12/16 - Orchestra Winter Concert at 7pm, Hammond HS
12/18 - 9th Grade Scheduling Night at Guilford Park High School, 5:30pm
1/6 - 9th Grade Scheduling Night at Hammond High School, 5:30pm
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Angel Tree
During the holiday season we have a tradition at PVMS of doing an Angel Tree to help our families that might need extra support during the holidays. If you would like to participate, we will be doing the sign-up digitally through a sign-up genius. You can find all the additional information here.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084FA8AA2FA6FF2-60196461-angel
8th Period Programs (Intramurals and Co-Curricular Activities)
8th Period Programs (Intramurals and Co-Curricular Activities) will begin December 2nd and run through February 12th. Some clubs meet on Tuesdays and some Thursdays. Please refer to the link for descriptions of programs being offered. The deadline for submissions is November 21st .
All programs meet 2:35 and end at 3:45. There is no snack or transportation offered.
This form must be completed as it is the permission slip for the clubs. No students will be permitted to stay without a completed form from a parent or guardian.
Notify Jenny Whitebloom, jennifer_whitebloom@hcpss.org with any questions.
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
Hammond Hoops Night
The Hammond High School Girls & Boys Basketball Programs are excited to invite the community to join us for Hammond Hoops Night—a celebration of the start of basketball season! The evening will feature short scrimmages, 3‑point shot and basketball skills competitions, cheer performances, a live DJ, giveaways, and the energy of a new season. Bring your family, cheer on local talent, and let’s have fun together! 🏀💛 Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door: https://tinyurl.com/HoopsNightHaHS
Wednesday, December 3rd 6:30–8:00 PM
Hammond High School Gym
Additionally, if any PVMS basketball players or teams are interested in putting their names into the hat to get a chance to participate in a scrimmage or contests, they can enter using this form: https://forms.gle/r3ZdzovEusXoHn7R7
We hope to see lots of Patuxent Valley families at Hammond Hoops Night on December 3rd!
REGISTRATION FOR BSAP SATURDAY MATH ACADEMY
The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program Saturday Math Academy Spring Session is approaching! The BSAP Saturday Math Academy will offer an in-person enrichment program for Howard County Public School System students in all levels of math for grades 3-12, based on course availability. Registration will take place online on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9:00 am until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Families can register by accessing the HCPSS Connect Website on the registration date. For more information, please visit HCPSS News.
Flyers for distribution:
BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (English)
BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Spanish)
BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Chinese)
BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Korean)
The Guilford Park HS Boosters are thrilled to host the 3rd Annual Reindeer Run Crusher 5K! This year’s course will take you through the Savage Stone quarry—a truly unique experience and the same route our XC team conquered earlier this season. It’s a rare opportunity to run and explore an area few ever get to see.
To keep the energy high, our GPHS Marching Band will be performing along the course! On behalf of the GPHS community, we warmly invite you, your staff, families, and students to join us on Saturday morning, December 6, 2025.
Following the race, we will have:
- Prizes for top finishers and best holiday costumes
- Craft Fair inside the school sponsored by the Class of 2027
- Math Club Puzzle Competition
More details can be found at https://gphsboosters.com/rr5k ($5 off code for HCPSS students/staff: "RR5OFF")
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.
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.
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.