Dear Patuxent Valley Families,
This message is a late version of the message intended to be sent out on April 10! I was enjoying the Chorus Performances and did not get it out on time! The next message will be this Friday as usual!
Last week was our first back from Spring Break - I hope that each and every one of you got the rest and margin you needed. I saw our young people recommitting to their classes and many exceptional moments, including student speeches in 8th grade ELA, and our amazing Chorus students who performed in assessments on Friday. A huge congratulations to our Choir students and their director, Ms. Beauchamp!
In addition I want to take a moment to recognize some exceptional academic and leadership achievements by our 8th grade students. Each year our 8th graders compete in National History Day and put in applications for recognition as Carson Scholars and for the National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Awards. This year we have multiple amazing students being recognized and moving on to further competitions. Congratulations to them, their families and the staff who sponsored them!
National History Day HoCo Winners:
Junior Individual Exhibit, 3rd Place, The Creation of Afrobeats: A Global Cultural Reaction: Neha A
Junior Group Performance, 2nd Place, and LGBT Experience Award, The Pink Triangle and Its Reformation, Jessica P and Arabelle R
Staff Sponsors: Tim Williamson, Heather Siepel, Sarah Gallagher and Monica Chelidona
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA)!:
Deebshana K, Jessicah B, Monica C
Staff Sponsors: Monica Chelidona and Michelle Langan
Carson’s Scholar Winner:
Deebshana K
This week on April 15 is the beginning of the fourth quarter and we want to remind students to check their schedules for the changing of quarterly classes and to reset their motivation for the final quarter of the school year. It’s important to start quarter 4 strongly so that you can finish the year well.
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:
4/16-4/18 - Spring Play - A Comedy of Errors
4/3 - 4/13 - PTSA Taharka Brothers Ice Cream Fundraiser
4/14: End of Quarter 3
4/15: UPDATED 3 Hour Early Dismissal
4/19 - PTSA Jason’s Deli Restaurant Day, 11 am - 9 pm
4/23 - Culture Fest
5/14: UPDATED FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
6/16th: 6/18 - UPDATED 3 Hour Early Dismissal
6/18: UPDATED LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Maryland School Survey (ESSA) April 16
Dear parent/guardian: State law requires that all public schools in Maryland survey students about school climate. The purpose of the survey is to gain valuable information about the quality and character of each school’s learning environment so that schools can promote a climate that supports student learning. Students will take the Maryland School Survey during regular school hours on April…Read More »
PVMS Spring Pictures April 28
PVMS Spring Pictures April 28 see here for the flyer: Picture Day Flyer Read More »
All About Yearbooks: April 2026
All About Yearbooks: April 2026 Hello PVMS Family! 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…Read More »
The PVMS Community & Culture Night on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The PVMS National Junior Honor Society is excited to invite you to The PVMS Community & Culture Night on Thursday, April 23, 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our diverse school community. We invite you to share your heritage by bringing a traditional food or drink item, setting up a cultural display, or participating in a live performance.
Important Details:
- Event Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Setup: All food, displays, and performers must arrive to PVMS by 5:00PM on the day of the event.
- All PVMS students must have an adult with them at the event.
Please complete this form by April 10, 2026 if you plan to contribute a dish, host a display, or perform. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Please send a Canvas inbox or email to Mrs. Chelidona (mchelidona@hcpss.org) if you have any questions about the event.
HC Drug Free is offering parenting classes for Free!
Classes are virtual (on Zoom) and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. The classes are evidence-based, interactive prevention programs that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will engage in other dangerous behaviors. Classes are appropriate for K-12 families.
Class dates: April 14, 15, 21, 22 (and April 28 will be optional) from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and to register at https://tinyurl.com/GGCSpring2026
HC Drug Free Drive-Thru Medication Disposal Volunteers Needed:
A drive-thru medication disposal will take place on Saturday, April 25 in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot near the CA 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). HC Drug Free is in need of 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/.
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
An Evening on Adolescent Health: LGBTQIA+
The Active Minds chapter at Long Reach High School invites students and families to attend a special evening program on April 20 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. focused on adolescent mental health and the transition to life after high school. The evening will begin with a presentation by Pablo Campos, a nationally recognized speaker with Active Minds, who will share his powerful personal story about struggling with anger, risky behaviors, and mental health challenges during high school, and how receiving a clear diagnosis and treatment changed the trajectory of his life. His message emphasizes hope, help-seeking, and the importance of early support. Following the keynote presentation, we will host a panel of college students who are Active Minds members. These students will discuss their transition from high school to college, the mental health challenges they encountered, how they sought support, and strategies that helped them adjust academically, socially, and emotionally. After the student panel, families and students will split into separate sessions:
- Students will participate in the ASK (Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch) Workshop, an interactive session designed to build skills in recognizing warning signs, supporting peers, and strengthening help-seeking behaviors.
- Parents and caregivers will attend a panel discussion focused on mental health and the transition to young adulthood after high school. Panelists will include representatives from college counseling professionals. This session will provide guidance on how families can prepare students for the emotional and academic demands of college, recognize early warning signs of mental health concerns, and support their child’s well-being while fostering independence.
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.
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.
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.