Dear Patuxent Valley Families,
It has been a wonderful week at Patuxent Valley! Not only have students worked hard on assignments and projects for the end of the quarter that is coming fast next week, but there have been many opportunities to showcase the excellence of our young people.
Last weekend our theater program produced four amazing performances of Descendants and I could not be more proud of the students in the cast and back stage and thankful for Ms. Clark, Ms. Beauchamp and all the staff who helped.
Congratulations on our NHD winners from the Howard County competition last Saturday. We are rooting for our students going to the NHD State Competition next:
- Exhibit, 1st Place, Japanese Internment Camps, Zahra U
- Junior Individual Documentary, 3rd Place, The Fall of Jim Crow Laws, Erin G
- Junior Group Performance, 1st Place, Take a Stand: The Lowell Girls Strike of 1836, Charlotte C, Elena H, and Elle M
We are so proud of you!
Congratulations also to two amazing young women from PVMS who are winners of the Howard County Government Women's History Essay writing contest. Their thought-provoking essays reflected the 2025 theme, Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations:
Noelle W, 1st Place
Aubrey C, 2nd Place
Next Saturday is the PTSA Spring Social. Check out information below and I know that our young people will be looking forward to time together, and remember it can only happen with support from parent volunteers.
Tonight we host our Spring Dance Showcase with a full cafeteria and a celebration of the hard work of all our dancers this school year. Thank you to the young people, Ms. Gum, all the staff helpers and our parents for your support. I know the joy in the room will be palpable!
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:
3/28: PVMS Dance Concert
3/31: Full Day of School (Updated from original calendar)
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)
Expectations for March 31, Eid al-Fitr
As a makeup day for inclement weather, schools will be open for students on March 31, which coincides with the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Expectations are in place to ensure that holiday can be observed without concern of unexcused absence and missing important instruction at school.
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 is having an Community Yard Sale to support our end of year events on Saturday 4/26/2 from 8am-12pm in the Patuxent Valley MS bus loop
Sellers wanted: Reserve your space before 4/23 Spaces will be on a first come first served basis. Large spaces are roughly 11ft x 10ft and cost $25 (2 spaces for $40). And Small spaces are roughly 5ft x 10ft and cost $15.
Sellers will be able to start setting up their areas at 7:15am and will be able to park next to their spot in the bus loop to unload.
Rain date will be 5/3 if needed.
Shoppers wanted: Bring your cash and get some great deals while supporting PVMS 8th grade students and local community members.
Contact Michelle Langan with any questions or to reserve a spot: michelle_langan@hcpss.org
It is that time for pre-orders and sharing favorite memories for all our students, and submitting dedications for our 8th graders! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Salik at kandyce_salik@hcpss.org.
Pre-ordering the yearbook:
Though students will have the opportunity to purchase the yearbook once the shipment is received, it will be on a first come first served basis. Any remaining yearbooks will be sold during lunches for $25. You still have time to pre-order the yearbook however!
1. Online Link: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/patuxentvalleymiddle - Deadline April 16th
2. Complete Yearbook Form and turn into Mrs. Salik with payment. - Deadline April 25th
Picture Sharing: Due by April 11th.
It is always a great addition to the yearbook for families to share moments in or outside of the school building. Does your student take part in an extracurricular activity? Sport? Celebrate a milestone? Did you take pictures of a school event? Please share! The more the better!
1. Simply follow the link and place your photo in the ‘Parent Upload Folder’ or an appropriate ‘Event Folder’ Photo Upload Link
2. Or you can email me directly with the photos attached including a label of student name and
grade. kandyce_salik@hcpss.org
8th Grade Dedication Submission (8th Graders ONLY): Due by April 11th
Each year, we offer family members the opportunity to share a message of congratulations or love to our graduating middle school class. Each student is allowed TWO dedications (ranging from 25-50 words)
1. Online Option: www.osp.osmsinc.com (Middle School - Patuxent Valley Middle)
2. Paper Option: Complete the form sent home via homeroom and submit with form, dedication, and payment to homeroom teacher or directly to Mrs. Salik
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
From the Health Room:
Parents: Spring Allergy Season is around the corner and we are recommending parents start treatment at home if their child is susceptible to seasonal allergies.
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.
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.
- For more information: https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/
- To sign up to volunteer: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/4-26-25TakeBack
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.
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.