From the Desk of the Principal, March 14, 2025

Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
What a great week this week at Patuxent Valley!  I was so proud of our Band Students who participated in their assessments this week at Guilford Park High School and demonstrated how much they have learned this year.  I can’t wait to hear more at the Music in the Parks and the Spring Concert.  A huge thank you to Mr. Bickham, Ms. Goeke and our music team for their endeavors with our young musicians.

Last Night we hosted our first PTSA Culture Fest since 2019 and it was so encouraging to be in the building with so many students, community members and staff who wanted to celebrate the diverse cultures that make up our school and community.  A huge thank you to PTSA and NJHS for their leadership - this is the first time we have truly run an event as a Parent Teacher Student Association and I’m hoping we’ll do this more.  We are one of only a few middle schools that include students in the PTA charter.

This month is Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month.  Check out this great infographic from HCPSS with information about the context for both of these designations:

This week I also want to share a resource for Women’s history month. This excellent website from the Smithsonian includes so many important stories.  It is through storytelling that we build understanding and I hope you make time this month to celebrate the role of women in the story of our nation.  I know I’m grateful for the leadership of female students, staff and community members in our work at Patuxent Valley. 
 

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:

3/21-3/23: The Spring Musical: Descendants

3/28: PVMS Dance Concert

4/4: End of 3rd Marking Period

4/5: PTSA Spring Social

4/14 - 4/21 Schools closed for Spring Break

PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)


 


 

PTSA Spring Social, Saturday April 5th

Sign Up Now to Volunteer for the Spring Social: Dance, Games, & Snacks!

All PVMS Students are invited to attend the PTSA Spring Social on Saturday April 5th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm! Tickets are free for students but parents must complete their online permission form: 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!

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

PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)

HCPSS SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE FAIR

Saturday, March 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Cedar Lane School, 11630 Scaggsville Road. Fulton, MD

The HCPSS Special Education Resource Fair provides families with information available from the community and HCPSS to support their students receiving special education and related services (those who have an IEP or IFSP). Get connected to:

  • Recreational Activities
  • HCPSS Speech, OT, PT, Vision, and Adapted PE
  • Camps
  • Community Groups
  • Service Providers
  • Transition to Adulthood Information
  • Assistive Technology
  • Behavioral Health
  • Howard County Government Resources
  • And Much More!

For information, please contact FSRC@hcpss.org. Registration is not required. The event will be cancelled if HCPSS has an inclement weather closure. This event is part of the HCPSS Parent Empowerment Series including training sessions related to special education and events for families of students with an IEP or IFSP.

2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR UPDATES

In order to meet the State-mandated 180 days for students and account for the six inclement weather days used this school year, the Board of Education approved making Monday, March 31 a full day for students. (Schools had previously been slated to be closed for students that day.) The Board also approved moving the end of the third marking period to April 4 and issuing report cards on April 25. Barring any additional inclement weather days, the last day of school will be Wednesday, June 18.

HBCU COLLEGE FAIR MARCH 15

HCPSS will host its first HBCU College Fair on March 15, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Guilford Park High School. Over 15 HBCU representatives will be in attendance to provide students and families with information on admissions, scholarships, and pathways to higher education. Many HBCUs offer rolling admission, making this event especially beneficial for students who have not yet applied to college. Students, families and community members can click here for more information and to register.

Families will have access to workshops on financing education, campus life, athletic scholarships, the application process, and preparing for college success. Contact Kareem Penn at kareem_penn@hcpss.org

or Monica Stevens at monica_stevens@hcpss.org with any questions. English flier, Spanish flier

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.

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.
 

Personal Electronics Policy Changes

On January 30, 2025, the Board of Education approved adjustments to Policy 8080 - Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media that changes the ability for students to use personal devices during the school day.

 

The Board approved the following changes related to the use of personal devices by students at school:

  • No students, PreKindergarten-12, will be permitted to use cell phones and other personal technology devices during the student day (first bell to last bell of the day or posted school hours) except for reasons detailed in a student’s IEP, 504, or health plan. Under the prior version of the policy, elementary and middle school students were not permitted to use personal devices during the school day at any time. For high school students, this policy removes access to personal device in between classes and at lunch. For all grade levels, the addition of consequences for violating the policy is new.
  • When a personal device is used in violation of the new policy, the device will be confiscated for the remainder of the student day. Following the first violation, the student may retrieve the device at the end of the student day. For all subsequent violations, a parent/guardian must retrieve the device from the school.
  • A device that is confiscated during the final period of the student day will be confiscated for the entire next student day. The student may retrieve the device at the end of the day it was originally confiscated to take home but must provide it to the front office upon arrival on the next student day.
  • Students may be in possession of personal devices, but they must be “away and silenced,” meaning devices are not able to be seen by either the student or staff member and are set to make no noise. Additionally, devices may not be a distraction.
  • Smart watches will be permitted to be worn to check time but may not be a distraction.
  • Personal laptops may be used for instructional activities in high school when permitted by the teacher.
  • A staff member on a school-sponsored field trip may permit the use of a personal technology device by a student in limited situations where capturing a picture or video may be appropriate or contacting a parent/guardian is necessary.
  • School administrators and school administrators’ designees may authorize use of a personal device in rare instances such as an emergency for communication purposes.

     
  • These new expectations will take effect on Monday, March 3, 2025. The complete changes and expectations may be found online. Please take time to review these new expectations with your student to ensure they do not violate the new policy.

     

Our school will adhere strictly to the policy with hopes that the elimination of the distractions that personal devices cause use will result in healthier and more productive learning and social environments during the school day. More information will be shared before the implementation date.

 

Thank you for your collaboration in the successful implementation of these changes.

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.