Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
Thank you to so many families for joining us this week on Tuesday evening for the rising grade 7 and 8 scheduling night. I hope that families got what they needed to support course selections for next year - there were some great questions.
Next week we will be welcoming our rising grade 6 families on Wednesday evening and I’m looking forward to meeting new Bulldogs and seeing some familiar faces.
As the winter season is upon us, we might have a chance of wintery weather this year. Please make sure to check the HCPSS status webpage for the daily status of the school system. You can find that information here: https://status.hcpss.org/.
Please celebrate with me two of our students are representing PVMS in the greater community:
- Brianna P was chosen as an alternate in the MMEA All State Junior Mixed Chorus. Ms. B has checked and double-checked and believes Brianna is the first student in PVMS history to do so.
- On January 11, 2025, Tara O-A recently received an Award of Excellence plaque from the Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission for earning third place in the 2025 Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School Essay Contest, where she represented PVMS. She attended a ceremony where she and other awardees in the county recognized.
- 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:
1/20 - Schools and Offices Closed MLK Jr. Day
1/22 - Rising 6th Grade Night
1/23: Schools Close 3 Hours Early-Professional Work and Wellness Day (No half-day Pre-K/RECC)
1/29: Schools Closed for Students-Professional Work Day
1/30 - Family Night
2/4: Report Cards Issued at 4:00 pm
2/12: Rhythm and Flow: The Ties that Bind Us, 6pm in the Cafe
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Black History Month at PVMS Save the Date!
- Rhythm & Flow: The Ties that Bind Us
- When: February 12, 2025
- Where: PVMS Cafeteria
- Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
- BSAP Starbooks BH 365 Cafe
- February 18th, 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th, 27th
- Google sign-ups coming soon - Be on the lookout for the announcement
- When: 6th, 7th, 8th grade lunch
- Where: PVMS Media Center
From the PVMS PTSA:
Happy New Year PVMS families!
The PVMS PTSA is asking for your help these next few month’s to bring some amazing events to our students and faculty.
We have a Culture Night planned for March, a spring dance planned for April and staff appreciation week planned for May!
We are asking for help in leading and organizing these events, without this help we will unfortunately not be able to pull these wonderful events off, please review the sign up below and consider volunteering for an event that you would like to help organize.
A PTSA board member will reach out via email to discuss further details. Thank you so much!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AA8AB2FA1FC1-53295955-ptsa
UPCOMING PTSA FUNDRAISER!!
Join us on February 22, 2025 in the PVMS Cafeteria. This event will be run by Twisted Sister Artistry (https://www.facebook.com/twistedsistersartistry) and hosted by the PVMS PTSA. We will be making pressed flowers in a frame. Please be sure and choose pattern you would like to make when ordering your tickets.
Please invite your friends and share!!! Registration is open at: https://pvalleymspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true
This is a *fundraiser* that is open to anyone in the community -- please share and invite your friends!! Everyone is welcome! Make sure to grab a ticket for your special Valentine! Our PTSA will earn $10 per participant to help fund PTSA activities and events! There will also be concessions for purchase for $1. CASH ONLY!
PLEASE NOTE, that if you wish to participate with someone other than a PVMS student, you will need to buy individual tickets for each person that will be in attendance. Unfortunately, we cannot offer discounted tickets for anyone that is not a PVMS student.
Rising Grade 6 Family Orientation Night, 1/22
On January 22 Patuxent Valley Middle School will be hosting our Rising 6th Grade Family Orientation from 6pm to 7:30pm in the school cafeteria.
Come and learn more about middle school, the academic schedule, and the Gifted and Talented program, and get a chance to see the building and meet some of our amazing staff and students. Contact Richard Smart, richard_smart@hcpss.org with questions.
PVMS Family Night: Middle School Success January 30, 2025
JOIN US FOR FAMILY FUN AND INFORMATION NIGHT
Thursday January 30, 2025, 5:30-7:00 PM
PVMS families are invited to join us for our annual Family Night focusing on Middle School Success. We will be serving a pizza dinner 5:30-6:00 PM, followed by information sessions for parents/guardians. Community partners will be available to provide additional resources.
Please note, all students must be accompanied by an adult. This is a great way to connect with the school and the greater PVMS community.
Register here: PVMS Family Night Registration
Session topics include:
- How to use Canvas
- High School Pathways (with our Career Readiness Advisor)
- BSAP Presentation
- ELA Curriculum Discussion
- Helping your student with middle school Math
- Learning what your student’s data means
- And more!
Our Voice Creative Works Magazine Announcement
Does your child love to write poetry or short stories? Do they enjoy photography? Here is their chance to be published in the annual Howard County Middle School Creative Works Magazine, Our Voice. Students can submit an original photograph and/or a short story, poem, review, essay, journalistic writing, photography or other creative composition for their chance to be published. All submissions are due January 31st. To submit original student creative writing or photography, students can complete the google form here: https://forms.gle/GiLQ3T2svr3iXT9r6
Please message Mrs. Chelidona, the G/T Teacher with any questions.
From HC-Drug Free
Free Life Skills Classes for HoCo Middle/High School Students
- Classes will be taught by HoCo college students with high school student assistants and adult supervision. Botvin’s Evidence Based Curriculum promotes positive health and personal development for students in grades 6 to 9. (Slightly younger students will be considered especially if joining an older sibling, and students older than 9th grade may be invited to join our high school team to earn Community Service Hours while learning.) If parents/guardians have questions about the appropriateness for students, register the students and HC DrugFree’s team will contact you. Siblings and friends are encouraged to take these classes together.
- Class dates: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 31, April 7, 28, and May 5 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register students at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025LifeSkills
- HoCo High School Student Leadership Opportunity to Earn Community Service Hours: Join HC DrugFree’s instructional team to assist college students teaching online Life Skills classes – all while serving as a role model and mentor to younger HoCo students. This leadership experience looks good on resumes and college applications. For more information and to register to volunteer, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AssistLS2025spring
Free Parenting/Grandparenting Classes
- Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. This evidence-based, interactive prevention program provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs including 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
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
HCPSS Emergency Closing Information (For Delays, Dismissals and Closings due to weather and other emergencies: https://www.hcpss.org/schools/emergency-closings/
New Late Arrival Procedures, Beginning December 18, 2024
On December 18th, the process for logging late arrivals will be changing. Currently, parents/students are asked to sign in on the Late Arrivals clipboard and a pass is generated for the student to be admitted to their class.
There are two ways for students to sign in beginning December 18th:
- Student barcodes (based on student ID#, unique to each student) have been generated and will be stored in the front office. Starting December 18th, when a student is tardy, their barcode will be scanned; this timestamp will be captured directly into Synergy.
- Students, with parental/guardian permission can use the StudentVUE app. This free app is a HCPSS app that will have a unique QR code the students will scan themselves (with staff assistance) and have a pass generated for class admittance.
If the app is the method being used, please note that the cell phone is used as the student enters and must immediately be put away for the balance of the school day.
Parents can view time of arrival via HCPSS Connect by navigating to the Attendance tab>clicking on the day of concern in the calendar display>reviewing the timestamp under Attendance detail.
As a reminder, if you student is going to be absent, please send an email to PVMSabsence@hcpss.org .
PVMS 8th Period Clubs will begin on October 15th and run through January 16th. All registrations closed on October 9.
NOTE: We will not have transportation during this session. Your child will need to be picked up at 4:15 if they are not walking home.
If you have any questions, please contact LaVerne Porter via email at lporter@hcpss.org or via phone at 410-880-5840.
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.