Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
Today over 200 of our Band, Orchestra and Choir students are at the Music in the Parks Field Trip in Hershey, PA. As I write they are beginning to travel back after a great day and some superb performances. I admit, I’m a little jealous that I did not get to enjoy the performances or ride the rollercoasters, but I’m so proud of each of them and thankful for our amazing teachers, Ms. Lentz, Ms. Beauchamp, and Mr. Bickham, and all the chaperones who helped make the trip possible.
This week we also held our Spring Math MCAP testing which ends our season of Spring Testing and allowed our students to demonstrate their learning in those classes. I’m grateful for their hard work and the priority that our school puts on ensuring our young people are growing as learners.
We also took time this week to remind our young people of the expectations we have for them and they have for each other in terms of how we show up at school. This is especially important as we move into the last month of the school year and the dreams about summer can impact our decision-making. Please take time to talk with your young people about the importance of being kind and taking care of each other at school, taking care of their own and other people’s property and the importance of following the expectations for shared spaces like buses, hallways, the cafeteria and the playground.
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:
5/28 - Spring Chorus Concert @HaHS
5/29 - Spring Orchestra Concert at HaHS
5/30 - Theater Showcase
6/3 - Spring Band Concert, @HaHS
6/5 - High School Visits
6/6 - PTSA 8th Grade Dance
6/11 - 8th Grade Promotion from 6-8 at GPHS
6/13 - 8th Grade Field Trip to the Baltimore Zoo
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
PTSA: 8th Grade Dance!
All 8th Grade PVMS Students are invited to attend the 8th Grade Dance: “A Night at the Oscars!” on Friday, June 6th from 5:30 - 8:00 pm!
The time has come for 8th grade students to celebrate their middle school years! There will be a dance, desserts, & concessions in the Cafeteria; games, volleyball & socializing in the Gym; and lots of photo booths & memory opportunities in the hallways! Tickets are free for students but a parent or guardian must complete their online permission form: https://forms.gle/ZbUUW4pVupdKH6yV6
This event is entirely sponsored by PTA Parent Volunteers & community help is needed to ensure a great experience; tickets will be released based on the number of adult volunteers signed up to chaperone. Volunteers can indicate that they will be there and select their preferred tasks here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AA8AB2FA1FC1-56664803-2025
From PTSA:
The PVMS PTSA is urgently needing volunteers willing to serve on the board and/or fulfill positions for the upcoming school year.
Does your student look forward to the “Back To School Block Party”, “The school dance”, “Spirit-wear”, “8th grade activities”?
Do you want to support our staff?
If we do not have parents willing to step up to fill these vacant positions for next year BY JUNE 12TH, we risk not having a PTSA and that means none of the events above for your children.
If you are interested in helping please email pvmsptamd@gmail.com for more details.
Mark Your Calendars - May Spirit Nights!
The PTSA is sponsoring two spirit nights this month to support 8th grade end of the year activities. Mark your calendars now!
Coldstone Jessup: 5/29/25, 4-10 pm
How it works: Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to Cold Stone Creamery in Jessup on 5/29/25 from 4P-10P, and mention “PVMS" at checkout. You can also support our school by ordering online during the event timeframe. Customers should enter "NICECREAM" into the Promo Code field at https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/stores/2384
In turn, Cold Stone donates 20% of that day's sales back to your organization. It's that easy!
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
SAVE THE DATE - GPHS Rising 9th Grader Sports Information Night - Tuesday 6/10 @ 6pm - GPHS Auditorium
GPHS is hosting Rising 9th graders and their parents on Tuesday 6/10 @ 6pm in the GPHS Auditorium. We encourage ANYONE interested in playing sports at GPHS to attend to learn about dates, required forms, summer workouts, and meet the coaches!
- Entrance will be on the side of the school with the panther graphic on the doors
- There will be a 15 minute presentation by the Athletic Director
- Handouts with all important information will be provided
- Student-Athletes and parents will be given time to meet and ask questions of the coaches
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
Important Chromebook Message
As we're coming to the end of the school year, we are noticing a rash of Chromebooks with damage not due to normal wear and tear. We have also heard talk of various TikTok challenges that involve damaging Chromebooks in various ways, including trying to set them on fire with graphite.
This email is to remind everyone that having a Chromebook is a privilege, and with that privilege comes various responsibilities. There are instances where accidental damage to a screen or port might take place, and the county has instituted a policy that takes those situations into account. If, however, damage is being intentionally inflicted, this violates the county's technology use policy and could lead to administrative consequences in addition to financial charges being assessed.
Below is the link to the county webpage describing typical damages and the resulting costs:
https://www.hcpss.org/devices/repair-costs/
We'd also like to remind families that students should be charging their Chromebooks nightly and bringing their chargers to school. Each teacher has a limited number of chargers in their classroom.
Thank you, families, for partnering with us and your students to ensure a positive end to the school year when it comes to technology. Any encouragement you could give to your students to treat their devices with respect would be greatly appreciated.
Student Service Learning Update
As part of 6th and 7th grade third quarter science units, students have engaged in a Curricular Embedded Student Service Learning (SSL) experience. When students pass these courses in the third quarter, the 25 hours for SSL will be issued and will appear on the student report card. Similarly, there is a project in grade 8 social studies during the fourth quarter that will be documented this way. This is an updated process to ensure all students who have engaged in these learning experiences in middle school will be issued the hours if they pass that quarter. Students who do not pass the quarter of a course or are not enrolled in SSL embedded instruction will not receive hours. These students will have the opportunity to engage in high school courses that include SSL and/or engage in high school independent SSL projects. 75 Hours of SSL are required by MSDE for graduation and more information can be found on the HCPSS website here: https://www.hcpss.org/academics/service-learning/
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/
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.