Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
Thank you so much to all the families who came out to Back to School Night yesterday. The sense of community was palpable in the school building. A special thank you to all the staff members who shared their care with our community, and to the community partners like PTSA, HC Health Dept, HC Library, JTROTC from OMHS, and other groups who came to connect with each of us.
If you are interested in seeing the opening presentation you can view it here. You can also find the feedback form here. We’d love to get lots of responses, especially as we tried a slightly different format this year:
Back to School Night Feedback Form!
Note the slides on Family File, and please take time to complete this emergency information at https://hcpss.org/connect if you have not done so already.
I spoke with students yesterday about increasing conflict around large backpack tags due to some social media trends. I told students that any types of tags connected to these trends should not be visible at school. Please talk with your students about this and assist us in limiting the opportunity for students to engage in following these trends that distract from learning and can cause conflict between students.
On Thursday, September 11 we will be celebrating our young people on Honor Roll. This is to celebrate students for their hard work in quarter 4 of the last school year. Parents are welcome at the celebrations at the times listed below! You do not need to pre-register to attend, but you will need to sign in at the front office.
Q4 Honor Roll Celebration for Grade 8, Sept 11 at 8:50am
Q4 Honor Roll Celebration for Grade 7, Sept 11 at 9:45am
Look in HCPSS Connect for the Q4 Report cards which indicates if your students is listed on the the Honor Roll. Students will receive passes through their 1st period class early next week.
We plan to continue this practice throughout the school year and look forward to celebrating students from all three grades in November for their quarter 1 academic performance.
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
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.
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
HCYP Basketball Try Outs for PVMS Team
(This is not a school sponsored activity)
When: Sept. 8th & Sept. 10th
6-9:30 PM
Where: Mayfield Woods Middle
School
All interested students are encouraged to tryout.
Registration for players is $370 and that parents CANNOT register before their child is invited to be on the team. Also, uniforms are an EXTRA COST.
Questions: Robpryor22@gmail.com
PTSA Updates!!
Chipotle Night: Thurs, 9/11/25, 5-9 pm
The PTSA will have it's first restaurant night of the school year next Thursday, Sept. 11, from 5-9 pm, at the Chipotle on Brokenland Parkway. 25% of event sales will be donated to the PTSA! To participate, show the flyer below in the restaurant or order online for in store pickup using code NVZJF2P.
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!
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
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…
PVMS Theater:
The back to school edition of the Narrator! It includes a welcome from Ms. Clark and news on auditions, ITS, and the fundraiser.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DI50iDY7O2VKA6iSVRQnSG1bbKn-6vVYm5BiRRSQ3dU/edit?usp=sharing
Student Schedules
From Aug. 8-15, high school students and their parents/guardians can log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy to view a list of scheduled courses only without details (no teachers or periods). Beginning Aug. 20, all students and parents/guardians can log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy to view schedules including courses, teachers, and room numbers.
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.
Mental Health Advisory Council (MHCAC)
The Mental Health Advisory Council (MHCAC) is a group of community members who seek to remove barriers and build awareness for behavioral health support in Howard County for our children and families. HCPSS is an active member of MHCAC. MHCAC Fall Newsletter 2025
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.
UPDATED PATUXENT VALLEY SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
Click here for the 25-26 PVMS School Supply Menu, now updated to include a School Planner to help all of our students with organization.
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.