Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
This week was short but filled with energy and learning throughout the building. Thank you to each parent for the conversations you had with your young people about social media challenges. I spoke on the morning news today and had some great conversations with our students about how much we care about them and how important it is for them to take care of themselves and each other. Please continue these conversations and consider setting restrictions on social media use for your young people.
Next week is filled with spirit days, the end of the quarter, and lots of fun events in the community:
- October 29 – We’ll be wearing red for Red Ribbon Day. Thank you to the Continental Societies for coming to PVMS to help our students pledge to be drug-free. Check out the resources from HC DrugFree below to support healthy choices for our young people.
- October 30 – Join us for our Pink Out Day to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We’ll also be holding our Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser. It looks like I’ll have to dress up next week… but please donate to make sure!
- October 31 – The end of the quarter! We’ll celebrate with a Pajama Day. Please remember that, as in all HCPSS schools and to ensure an inclusive environment for everyone, Patuxent Valley will not be holding Halloween activities during the day or allowing Halloween costumes for students or staff.
- There are only a few days left in the quarter. We encourage you to review grades with your young person — they can show you on their Canvas page, or you can log in at hcpss.org/connect. If you have any questions, please reach out to their teacher first, and to their counselor or an administrator if needed.
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:
10/29 - Red Ribbon Day - Wear Red
10/30 - PTSA Game Night (6-8pm, Cafeteria)
10/30 - Pink Out for Breast Cancer Awareness
10/31 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal/End of Q1: Pyjama Day!
11/3 - Music Dept Fundraiser Begins!
11/4 - Chick Fil A Restaurant Night (6 am - 10 pm, Johns Hopkins Road)
11/8 - PVMS Fall Craft Fair
11/13-11/15 - PVMS Fall Play
11/9 - Spiritwear Sale Ends!!
11/16 - PVMS Board Painting Workshop at Board and Brush (2 pm)
12/6 - PVMS FunDrive Collection Day ( 9 am -1 pm, PVMS Parking lot)10/20 - School Closed
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Art in the Front Office - check out the amazing work from our amazing students and thank you Ms. Ciccarello and Ms. Band for your leadership and teaching!
Ben Carson Scholarship Nomination Information:
Patuxent Valley Middle School can nominate one student for the chance to win a Ben Carson Scholarship Award. To be considered, students must have at least a 3.75 GPA, have completed community service, and submit an essay. The nomination is not a guarantee of an award. Please see this link for more information. Read More »
October is Breast Cancer AWARENESS Month
PVMS will honor all who have been affected by breast cancer on Thursday, October 30, by wearing pink.
Students can donate during lunch on 10/24 -10/28 and receive a pink ribbon!
All proceeds go to St. Jude’s Research Hospital
If we raise $300 or more during the lunch collection dates (October 25 -October 29), our fabulous administrators will dress up in pink. Mr. Smart will wear a pink tutu and a pink wig, and our Assistant Principals will wear pink tutus and fancy headpieces on our PINK OUT DAY: October 30th. Some of your teachers will dye their hair pink and dress up as well.
New this year.
Donations for a message on a ribbon.
We will have pink laminated ribbons, that students and staff member can get and write a positive message, like “hope! Strength,” or to honor a person who have been affected by breast cancer, like “in honor of..( name) “.
We wear PINK on 10/16, 10/24 and on 10/30!
Fall Craft Fair on Nov 8th from 9-12.
Come find some wonderful and unique pieces from local artisans. PTA will be selling coffee and treats as well!
Join the PTSA!
Support our school by becoming a PTSA member for the 2025-2026 school year. Visit us at https://pvalleymspta.givebacks.com/shop to join!
Find out more at our October meeting on Thurs, 10/16 at 7 pm in the media center. All are welcome!!
PTSA Game Night: Thurs, 10/30/25
Bring a friend and come join us in the PVMS cafeteria on Thursday, 10/30, from 6-8 pm, for some fun and games! Play an old favorite, learn a new game, or bring your own game to share!! All students must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Pizza, chips, drinks, and cookies will be available for purchase - $2/item or pick three items for $5. (Cash only, please bring small bills!!) Sign up to help at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AA8AB2FA1FC1-59327136-game#/
PVMS Board Painting Workshop: Sun, 11/16/25
Time to get crafting!! Come out to Board and Brush in Columbia to create your own board art project and support the PTSA!! There are tons of options available including holidays, school, sports, mini trays, and more, and these projects make great gifts!! Sign up now at https://boardandbrush.com/columbia/events/private-make-and-take-workshop-11-16-2025-2pm-3pm/ (Access Code: PVMS). Bring your student! Bring a friend!
Upcoming Restaurant Nights!
Nov. 4, 6 am - 10 pm, Chick Fil A (John’s Hopkins Rd.
Mark Your Calendars!! PVMS FunDrive, Collection Day: 12/6/25
Support our school by cleaning out your closet!!Are you cleaning out your closets as the seasons change and the holidays approach?? Don’t donate those items just yet… save them to donate to the PVMS FunDrive on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025!!! There will also be an option to drop off items during the school day on 12/4 and 12/5. All items will go to Second Avenue Thrift Store in Laurel and the PTSA will earn money based on the amount of items donated. We will be accepting clothing, shoes, toys, stuffed animals, books, and small household items. More info to come!!
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
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.
Support for Families Affected by the Gov’t Shutdown:
As many Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) families are impacted by the federal government shutdown, we understand that many people in our community may experience financial hardship or uncertainty. HCPSS remains committed to supporting all students and families during this time.
Howard County families who have lost pay due to the shutdown may apply for the Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FARMs) program and the HCPSS Food and Nutrition Office will determine their eligibility status within 24-48 hours. Families that would not ordinarily qualify for the FARMs program could be eligible for the remainder of the school year because of the current loss of income.
Families that are adversely impacted, including those who do not receive FARMs assistance, will have the remainder of the school year to pay off any meal balances incurred during the government shutdown.
Additionally, many students may be suffering fear or anxiety about their family’s current financial situation. Student Services staff at each school are prepared and available to assist students at any time during the school day. Numerous resources are also available for families on the HCPSS website, and other supports are available through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services.
October Career Corner (From Monica Stevens Career Readiness Advisor (Monica_Stevens@hcpss.org)
One of our goals as Career Readiness Advisors (CRA’s) is to provide opportunities for our students to self-reflect, develop skills, and explore careers to ensure that all students graduate with a well-informed post-high school plan aligned with their career goals. At the middle school level we want our students to take self assessments in Naviance to acquire and apply self-knowledge to personal learning and eventually career goals; Connecting Passion, Purpose and Path. Throughout this school year our PMVS students will take Naviance self-assessments in each grade level, through their content classes or through CTE classes. Once a month we will be hosting a Career Cafe, where speakers will come in to expose students to careers related to a career cluster we will focus on that month. If you are interested in being one of our career speakers please complete this form. Here is some information on this Month’s Career Cluster Advanced Manufacturing. This month HCPSS is hosting a College Fair. This is a good opportunity to begin exposing students to the variety of colleges that are out there. We welcome middle school students to come with their parents/guardians. More information including registration can be found here.
HC-Drug Free Updates:
Parenting Classes: Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. 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 old, but it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: November 11, 13, 18, 20 and December 2 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://tinyurl.com/GGC-Fall2025
Drive-Thru Medication Disposal: Saturday, October 25 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, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more. Unlike previous events, we will not collect sharps (needles, syringes and EpiPens). Need student, adult, and medically-trained adult volunteers. Earn Community Service Hours! Giving away 100 medication lockboxes. For more information and to volunteer visit HC DrugFree's website: https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/
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 September 29, 2025 from 5:30-7:00pm on Zoom. Earn Community Service Hours. Register to receive the meeting link: https://forms.gle/SgMrjdeo11JpNuuV8 For more information, visit HC DrugFree's website: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/
Free Newsletter: Stay up to date with HC DrugFree's free events offering Community Service Hours to HoCo students, resources, and a variety of substance use and behavioral health information! Sign up for HC DrugFree's free digital newsletter: https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/
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.
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.