Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
There are so many exciting things to talk with you about this week! This evening, I will attend the Hammond High School vs. Guilford Park High School football game at Hammond High to support our former students and carefully not pick a side! Please note that middle school students are welcome to attend but must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
On Thursday, we recognized more than 300 students for their outstanding academic achievements during the fourth quarter of last year at our Honor Roll celebrations. We commend these students for their hard work and encourage them to continue striving for excellence.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins Monday at PVMS. Throughout the month, we will host several events, including a family night on September 25 and a cultural celebration for students in October. I am proud of the ongoing work at PVMS to honor and celebrate Hispanic heritage as part of our commitment to building a strong and inclusive school community.
Next Thursday, we will hold our inaugural Donuts with Dads and Father Figures event. If you have not yet registered, please review the information provided below. We look forward to honoring the important role of fathers and father figures in our community and exploring opportunities for meaningful partnership.
Finally, I encourage you to attend the first PTSA meeting of the school year on September 18. Your participation provides valuable opportunities to contribute to school initiatives and support the success of all students. Additional details are included below.
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:
9/15 - Picture Day
9/17 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal
9/18 - Donuts with Dads and Father Figures
9/18 - PTSA Meeting
9/23 - School Closed
9/25 - United by Our Cultures (Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration)
9/27 - HCPSS Family Kick Off at OMHS
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
Picture Day Information: 9/15/2025
Back to School Night Feedback Form!
Donuts with Dads and Father Figures, 9/18
Calling all Dads, Grandpas, Uncles, Brothers, and/or Coaches! Join us for a special morning of connection and community!
This is a time to enjoy donuts and coffee, meet other father figures in our school community, and strengthen the connection between home and school. Together, we’ll share values, celebrate the important role you play in your child’s success, reflect on your hopes for your child(ren) this school year, and explore meaningful ways you can support your child and our school community this school year.
What: PVMS presents: Donuts with Dads and Father Figures – Coffee & Conversations
Where: Patuxent Valley Middle School (Cafeteria)
When: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 8:45 - 9:45 am
To assist us plan and make sure we have enough for everyone, please complete this form to rsvp by September 15, 2025.
We look forward to sharing space with you.
Please direct any questions to: Mr. Lee or Ms. Peguese: john_lee@hcpss.org or tiffani_peguese@hcpss.org
PVMS Presents: Donuts with Dads and Father Figures -- Coffee & Conversations
Patuxent Valley MS Girls Basketball Tryouts
Grades 6th- 8th
Dates: 9/16 & 9/23 Time: 6:30-8pm
Location: Lime Kiln Middle School
11650 Scaggsville Rd, Fulton, MD 20759
PTSA Updates!!
September PTSA Meeting: Thurs, 9/18/25, 7 pm
Please join us for our first PTSA meeting of the year on Thursday, 9/18, at 7 pm in the PVMS Media Center. Find out what we have planned this year and bring your ideas to share! Everyone is welcome. Hope to see you there!
Donations Needed for the PTSA Coffee Cart: Friday 9-26-25
We are excited to roll out the first coffee cart of the school year for our wonderful PVMS staff! This is a staff favorite but we can't do it without your donations!! Please consider helping! Please drop all coffee cart items off at the PVMS front office no later than 7:15am on Friday, September 26. Items can be store-bought or homemade. We appreciate your donations and thank you for your support!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AA8AB2FA1FC1-58403659-pvms#/
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!
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 Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
High School Credited Course Withdrawal Notification:
Last day to withdraw: September 30, 2025
The last day to withdraw from High School credited courses is Monday, September 30th. If a student is withdrawn after this date, then they will be issued a "W" as their final grade for the course. The W will be carried onto their high school transcript. Affected courses include the following:
- ELD - English Language Development 1 & 2
- Mathematics - Algebra I, Algebra I G/T, Geometry G/T, Algebra I/Geometry G/T, Geometry/Algebra II G/T, Algebra II G/T, and Statistics - AP
- Computer Science, Engineering, and Technology Education - Exploring Computer Science & Foundations of Technology
- World Language - Spanish I & II, French I & II, and Chinese I & II
For more information, click here for the full letter regarding high school credited courses taken in middle school.
Is your student looking for a great and fun way to get involved, learn new things, and make new friends?
GT Seminars are a great way to expand students' knowledge and skills around a topic of interest in a non-graded environment, and they will have the opportunity to get know other students! Our seminars this year include book club, creative writing, debate, morning news/ television production, photography, forensics, STEAM and stock market game seminar. Participation in seminars is open to all students.
Each seminar offers a unique focus. However, all seminars have these components. They all (1) develop critical and creative thinking skills, (2) involve conducting research, (3) involve working collaboratively to produce an authentic product or creative production, and (4) utilize technology to create and communicate. Check out this document. to learn more about each seminar.
How do students sign up?
Since students are pulled from classes once a week or once every two weeks, it is important that students make up missed work.
Please complete this form.
by Wednesday, September 10th. The form is also located in the GT module of Student Canvas Resources. You may email Mrs. Chelidona with any questions at mchelidona@hcpss.org.
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
PVMS BCHI Communication:
Parents, Guardians, and Families, The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. Preventing bullying is an important part of this goal. HCPSS Policy 9460 states that bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation are prohibited in HCPSS. Our administration and staff have been trained and made aware of this policy as…
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.
HCPSS Family Academy Kick-Off
New Date: Friday, Sept. 27, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Location: Oakland Mills High School
This districtwide event is open to all HCPSS families and will feature:
- A session with Superintendent Bill Barnes
- Resource tables hosted by HCPSS offices and local organizations
- Information on programs, resources, and services available throughout the school year
- Childcare and language access provided
For additional information, please visit the Family Academy Kickoff HCPSS News Post.
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.