Dear Patuxent Valley Families,
I write this as I’m sitting in a much quieter Patuxent Valley than this time last week! Students are out for the summer and our 8th graders have left for their next adventure. We are so very proud of all of our students for their accomplishments this year and wish them all time for rest, fun and hopefully many engaging activities during the summer break.
I also wish each of you a great summer and opportunities to recharge with the different summer rhythm. Thank you to each of you for your support of our young people and our school - we are stronger for your involvement and we love serving the amazing community that sends us our students.
Our amazing 8th grade class is leaving their legacy at Patuxent Valley in many ways, but most concretely in the new mural in the 8th grade hallway. Check out their message to our school of their values. Thank you to each 8th grader for the impact you have made on so many lives here at Patuxent Valley:
This newsletter will be sent out bi-weekly in the summer and we’ll keep you up to date with our summer planning, comings and goings of staff and information on PTSA and School Activities during the summer. Do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything.
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:
8/21 - New Student Orientation
8/25 - First Day for Students 2025-2026 School Year
9/4 - Back to School Night
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Quarter 4 Report Cards
Quarter 4 report cards will be available in HCPSS Connect Synergy after 4 p.m., Monday, June 23. Directions on how to access them are available online.
From the Health Room
Vaccines: The Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene requires all incoming 7th- and 8th-grade students in the state of Maryland to have one Tdap and one meningococcal (Meningitis) vaccine before entering school. Letters have been mailed home to parents of students who still need to provide proof of vaccination. Failure to provide proof of updated immunizations by the first day of school, August 25, 2025, will result in your student being excluded from school.
See flyer for details: English Version and Spanish Version
HCPSS Summer Meal Program
HCPSS will offer its free summer meal program weekdays from June 23 to August. 1 (except July 4) from 12:30-2 p.m. at locations across Howard County. Open to all HCPSS students and children aged 18 and under, this program has no application, enrollment, or fee requirements. However, children must be present to receive free meals. Free meals will also be provided to all students participating in HCPSS summer programs.
Free Summer Program:
Calling all Howard County tweens and teens, age 11 to 17. Are you looking for a fun way to spend your free time this summer? Be sure to check out Recreation & Parks’ Teen Kick Backs program this June through August. This FREE drop-in program features free pizza and snacks, sports, video games, and lots of fun. Times & Locations:
- Gary J. Arthur Community Center, Fridays, 5-8:30pm (July 11-August 22)
- Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, Fridays & Saturdays, 6-9pm (July 11-August 23)
- North Laurel Community Center, Fridays, 5-8:30pm (June 20-August 22)
- Roger Carter Community Center, Saturdays, 1-4pm (June 21-August 23)
- Thomas Viaduct Middle School, Fridays, 5-8pm (June 20-August 22)
- Wilde Lake High School, Fridays, 5-8pm (June 20-August 22)
Summer Reading
Recommended summer reading lists for students in all grade levels, developed by HCPSS library media specialists and Howard County Library System staff, are available online. Children, teens, and adults are also invited to participate in the HCLS Summer Reading Program. All HCPSS students received an A+ Student Card account number at the beginning of the school year. With it, they have access to all HCLS eContent by using their account number to log in via hcpss.me.
HC DRUGFREE UPDATES
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 June 9, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Must register to receive the meeting link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TAC_6-9-25 More information: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/
Senior Week: Staying Safe in Ocean City - Senior Week should be a celebratory, memorable time with friends—not a risk! With the right planning, it can be a safe and fun experience for everyone. Check out HC DrugFree's recorded webinar, "Senior Week: Staying Safe in Ocean City", for graduating high school seniors and their parents. The tips shared by Howard County teens, the Ocean City Police, and the Ocean City Beach Patrol are appropriate for all families or anyone visiting Ocean City, MD this summer or throughout the year. View webinar: https://hcdrugfree.org/senior-week/
Thank you for your continued support!
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
Guilford Park HS Boosters - 2025 Summer Camps - Baseball/Volleyball/G. Lax/Basketball/Soccer/Wrestling/Football/Cheer/Field Hockey - Open For Registraton
- - Most camps are $145! Go to https://gphsboosters.com/summer-camp to register!
- - Camps are open to rising 4th-9th graders
- - Campers will be grouped by age and skill level
- - Campers DO NOT have to be future GPHS athletes to attend
- - All camps will be led by GPHS coaches - skill development, drills, assessments, games, and competitions will be conducted
- - All campers will receive a GPHS t-shirt upon the conclusion of camp
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.