Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
I hope that everyone staying warm in the cold! I was truly encouraged to see students and staff engaged in important work this week, and I’m thankful that we were able to host our Rising 6th Grade Family Night on Wednesday.
It was great to see so many new and familiar families and young people pack our cafeteria to begin our journey to the 2025-2026 school year. I’m grateful to our staff and students who helped provide the presentation and tours of the building.
A special shout out to these amazing students from our Boys Mentoring Group, NJHS and our Hispanic Heritage Club who gave tours and shared about their experiences at Patuxent Valley. We are fortunate to have such an engaged student body and parents willing to pick them up from school late on a wintry evening.
This week we took time to recognize the efforts of our January Students of the Month! Each of these young people demonstrated our #BulldogStrong values through their hard work, caring and excellence. Please take time to congratulate them if and when you see them!
6th grade: Damien H, Lucia H, Mia RG, Tamani R, Kai Allen, Muhammad HR, Miguel S, Bouba C, Braden L, Sofia B
7th grade: Dylan CP, Cing S, Limaj H, LaVin Z, Jorel OR, Deija W, Kofi A-K, Kelsi P, Ariel C, Florencia R, Monsserat HG
8th Grade: Liv M, Kai K, Munsif R, Umu K-M, Rhy'n B, Cassandra D, Stella G, Jesenia C, Andrea S, Monica CR
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:
1/19: School Closed for MLK Day
1/22: Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Professional Learning Day
1/23: 2nd Qtr Ends, Schools Close 3 Hours Early
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Bulldog Strong Celebration and Recognition
Wishlist Items Needed by January 30
On January 30, 2026 we will be holding our first Bulldog STRONG recognition during lunches and we want to be able to celebrate our young people who have been showing our values of: Success, Tenacity, Respect, Nobility and Growth.
In order to do this we need some more items to add to our celebrations. Please consider donating items from the wishlist below and bringing them to the front office for the attention of Ana Gonzalez.
The items on this list will be used as incentives and rewards to encourage positive behavior and reinforce our school-wide expectations.
Please send in any donations by January 30, 2026.
Any contribution—big or small—is greatly appreciated and will have a direct impact on our students. Thank you so much for your continued support and partnership!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094EAAAE28A1FA7-61570797-pbis
Mark Your Calendars for the Spring Fling! 3/14/26
The PTSA will be hosting this fun event on Saturday, March 14, from 6-8 pm. There will be a DJ, dancing, games, snacks, and more. All current PVMS students are invited to attend. We cannot run this event without community support. Please consider volunteering to help!! A student permission slip and sign up genius will come out soon.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7TjNB2u-cpfwSOUFDnNRknWQA79d5z3AT47w6lF1VqEsGIw/viewform
Volunteers Needed!!!
We cannot run this event without community support and we will have to limit attendance if we do not get enough adult volunteers. There are many opportunities to help including checking students in, chaperoning, helping in the game room or at the trivia table, set up, clean up, and more. Please consider volunteering to help!! Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094DA4AA2CA5F85-61019585-pvms?useFullSite=true#/
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
January Career Corner
I hope you all had a fun and relaxing break! We are kicking off this new year with this month’s Career Cluster Spotlight: Healthcare & Human Services—a dynamic and fast-growing field that focuses on improving the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
This cluster includes a wide variety of careers—from hands-on medical care to emotional and behavioral support, from biotechnology and health data to personal wellness services. It brings together science, compassion, and innovation to support health at every stage of life.
Why It Matters in Maryland:
Maryland is a national leader in health sciences and biotechnology, with major employers like Johns Hopkins Medicine, NIH, and hundreds of biotech firms. In 2024, Maryland added over 1,600 healthcare jobs in just one quarter, showing how fast this sector is growing. From hospitals to home care, and from research labs to counseling centers, there are expanding opportunities across the state.
Below is an overview of the six sub-clusters within this diverse career area:
Behavioral & Mental Health
Sample Careers: Counselor, Psychologist, Psychiatric Tech
Biotechnology Research & Development
Sample Careers: Biomedical Scientist, Lab Technician, Biotech Researcher
Community & Social Services
Sample Careers: Social Worker, Case Manager, Community Health Advocate
Health Data & Administration
Sample Careers: Health Info Technician, Medical Records Clerk, Healthcare Admin
Personal Care Services
Sample Careers: Hairstylist, Massage Therapist, Esthetician
Physical Health
Sample Careers: Nurse, Physical Therapist, Radiologic Tech
Industry Trends to Know:
- VR and gaming tech are being used for medical training and therapy.
- Health data and analytics are driving new job growth.
- The aging U.S. population is increasing demand for home care and support services.
- Maryland’s biotech corridor is among the most advanced in the country.
Many careers in this cluster offer short-term certification programs, dual enrollment options, and even pathways that start in high school—making it an excellent fit for students with interests in science, technology, helping others, or wellness.
This month's Career Cafe will take place on Thursday, January 29th. If you are interested in speaking for this month's Career Cafe please complete this form. Any student interested in attending this month's Career Cafe can sign up by completing this form. (Students will need to be signed into their hcpss.me account to complete the form.)
Feel free to reach out to our CRA, Ms. Monica Stevens at monica_stevens@hcpss.org with any questions.
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.
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.