Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
We are now six weeks into the school year and time is marching on to the end of the quarter. I have been impressed with the hard work of our students and staff in classrooms and I see learning happening every day. I’d encourage all families to look at student grades with your young people and contact staff members if you have any questions - this partnership is crucial to the success of our students.
This week at Patuxent Valley we took time to recognize the efforts of our October Students of the Month! Each of these young people demonstrated our #BulldogStrong values through their hard work, caring and excellence. Please take time to congratulate them if and when you see them!
6th grade: Joyce K, David O, Sharif H, Keith S, Evan S, Jeremiah E, Cameron J, Emmanual A, Martina A, Amaru F-Q, Michael D, Haniah W, Hannah O, Brooke S, Samuel R
7th grade: Amy G L, Alex H, Addie B, Owen D, Jo’Siah E, Genesis R R, Misbak D, Bethel A, Marcellus T, and Jayden C
8th grade: Savan Z., Dylan B, Rabira B, Deebha K, Braelyn P, Betania A, Bella F, and Saniyah B
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:
10/17 - School Closed
10/16 - October PTSA Meeting (7 pm, Media Center)
10/20 - School Closed
10/31 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal/End of Q1
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Fall Flea Market - 11/6
PVMS will be hosting a fall flea market/craft fair on November 6th from 9am-noon in the gym. We are currently looking for vendors and crafters. If you are interested, please contact michelle_langan@hcpss.org.
Vaccinations Clinics
Due to extenuating circumstances, HCPSS will not offer in-school seasonal Flu or COVID vaccination clinics this year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact their child’s pediatrician for vaccination information, or consider accessing vaccinations from local pharmacies, urgent care centers, retail stores, etc. Additionally, the Howard County Health Department will offer free flu shots at various community events this fall.
PTSA Updates
Mark Your Calendars for these Upcoming Events:
10/6 - 10/10/25 - Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser (Online)
10/9/25 - BJ's Restaurant and Brewery Restaurant Night (11 am - 11 pm)
10/18/25 - October PTSA Meeting (7 pm, Media Center)
10/30/25 - PTSA Game Night (6 - 8 pm, Cafeteria)
11/4/25 - Chick Fil A Restaurant Night (6 am - 10 pm, Johns Hopkins Road)
11/16/25 - PVMS Board Painting Workshop at Board and Brush (2 pm)
12/6/25 - PVMS FunDrive Collection Day ( 9 am -1 pm, PVMS Parking lot)
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, 10/18 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!!)
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!
Oct. 9, 11 am - 11pm, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
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.
Registration for BSAP Saturday Math Academy:
The BSAP Saturday Math Academy fall session is approaching! The program offers an in-person enrichment for Howard County Public School System students in all levels of math for grades 3-12, based on course availability. Registration will take place online Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 9:00 am until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Families can register by accessing the HCPSS Connect Website on the registration date. Please contact BSAP Supervisor, Nicole Brown if you have any questions. For more information, please visit: https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2025/09/black-student-achievement-program-bsap-saturday-math-academy-fall-2025-program/
Flyers for distribution:
BSAP SMA Fall 2025 Flyer (English) / BSAP SMA Fall 2025 Flyer (Spanish)
BSAP SMA Fall 2025 Flyer (Chinese) / BSAP SMA Fall 2025 Flyer (Korean)
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
Transportation Information
The online HCPSS bus locator application is scheduled to be available Wednesday, Aug. 20. At that time, eligible families can access bus stop locations, and pickup/dropoff times.
Based on revisions to Board of Education Policy 5200 Student Transportation, the distance students may walk to school has decreased. As a result, more households in our school community will be eligible for bus transportation for the 2025-2026 school year.
Please view the online map SY25-26 Walk Area Map that shows the updated non-transportation (walk) area for our school. Families can use the 2025-2026 Attendance Area Locator to verify their transportation status. Please note: bus stop information will be available in mid-August, prior to the start of the school year.
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.