Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
This week was the beginning of Black History Month. Our amazing Black Student Achievement Program Liaison, Tiffani Peguese has been collaborating with a team of staff and students to create opportunities for all students and staff in our school to participate, and to include our community too:
Black History Month Spirit Fridays
February 6th: Wear Red, Black, and Green (Red remembers, Black unites, Green is for the future.)
February 13th: Wear HBCU gear or the colors of an HBCU you'd like to attend. (Will be highlighting the PVMS staff that attended HBCUs.)
February 20th: I am Success... And I Dress Like it. (Dress for the future you're building.)
February 27th: Flags, Colors and Culture... Rep Where You're From. (Wherever you're from, wear it proudly.
Back History Month Save the Dates
The Third Annual Rhythm & Flow: The Ties That Bind Us program is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Sponsored by the PVMS Step Team, this is a signature experience that celebrates culture, creativity, and collective expression. This year's Rhythm & Flow is especially meaningful as it marks the 100th commemorative year of national observances of Black History Month. Join us as we continue the tradition of learning, celebrating, and moving forward - together. Be on the lookout for more details.
It is still National School Counseling Week 2026! This week is dedicated to recognizing the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. PVMS is so lucky to have three amazingly caring and talented individuals serving our students and school. They have a unique set of skills that make them invaluable, including knowing what to say when someone is feeling down, creating time to recognize someone’s accomplishments, and being available to listen. Often, they are the first to learn of family tragedies, illnesses, and more. They handle difficult situations involving the welfare of students and secure outside resources when kids are in need. They are sought out, daily, when students have questions about their classes or how to handle situations with friends or teachers. They see and hear it all!
Next week we settle into the rhythm of a five day week! Please take time to process this week with your child academically and socially. It’s time to refocus and reflect on what it looks like to be our best at school. At PVMS we recognize the values of Success, Tenacity, Respect, Ownership, Nobility and Growth. This week I have seen students struggle with Respect and Ownership as we have seen an increase in lateness to class, and horseplay and other disruptive behaviors in the hallway and at transitions that can easily lead to conflict and certainly distract from learning. I know that next week is a new week and I see students showing up with these Bulldog Strong values every day - let’s encourage each other be Bulldog Strong so that we can all get what we need from school. Thank you for your support families!
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:
2/9 Report Cards Issued (New Date)
2/16 Schools & Offices Closed - Presidents Day
2/17 Schools & Offices Closed - Lunar New Year
2/25 Rhythm and Flow: The Ties that Bind Us (BHM Celebration at PVMS)
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Rising 7th & 8th Grade Course Selection for the 2026-2027 School
Middle school course registration for the 2026-2027 school year will be available online from February 5 - February 18, at 8:00 a.m. Current 6th and 7th graders need to select the following: (1) a yearlong Fine Arts class and (2) an additional elective class (can be a Fine Arts class pending availability and space) and (3) alternate course(s) Current 6th…Read More »
Mark Your Calendars for the Spring Fling! 3/14/26
The PTSA will be hosting this fun event on Saturday, March 14, from 6-8 pm. There will be a DJ, dancing, games, snacks, and more. All current PVMS students are invited to attend. We cannot run this event without community support. Please consider volunteering to help!! A student permission slip and sign up genius will come out soon.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7TjNB2u-cpfwSOUFDnNRknWQA79d5z3AT47w6lF1VqEsGIw/viewform
Volunteers Needed!!!
We cannot run this event without community support and we will have to limit attendance if we do not get enough adult volunteers. There are many opportunities to help including checking students in, chaperoning, helping in the game room or at the trivia table, set up, clean up, and more. Please consider volunteering to help!! Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094DA4AA2CA5F85-61019585-pvms?useFullSite=true#/
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
HCPSS Family Empowerment Academy: The HCPSS Family Empowerment Academy is designed to equip parents and guardians with practical strategies, resources, and insights to support their children’s academic, social, and emotional success. The academy will take place on four consecutive Saturdays- March 7 through March 28, 2026, from 9:00-10:30 AM- and will feature interactive learning experiences, guest speakers, and opportunities to connect with other HCPSS families. Participation is limited to 30 participants, and registration is first-come, first-served. Attendance is encouraged for all four sessions. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Please complete the application form to be considered for participation. For additional information, please contact BSAP Supervisor, Ashley Armstead.
HCPSS HBCU College & Career Fair English & HCPSS HBCU College & Career Fair Spanish, with event details and link to register for the fair with staff, students, and families.
8th Period Programs (Intramurals and Co-Curricular Activities)
8th Period Programs (Intramurals and Co-Curricular Activities) will begin December 2nd and run through February 12th. Some clubs meet on Tuesdays and some Thursdays. Please refer to the link for descriptions of programs being offered. The deadline for submissions is November 21st .
All programs meet 2:35 and end at 3:45. There is no snack or transportation offered.
This form must be completed as it is the permission slip for the clubs. No students will be permitted to stay without a completed form from a parent or guardian.
Notify Jenny Whitebloom, jennifer_whitebloom@hcpss.org with any questions.
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.