“This a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before.” —Maya Angelou
“Make it a habit to tell people, ‘thank you.’ To express your appreciation sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.”
—Ralph Marston
"I am learning that happiness is an emotion that’s a result of circumstances. Joy, though, is a spiritual engagement with the world based on gratitude. It’s not the big things that make me grateful and bring me joy. It’s more the glory of the small: a touch, a smile, a kind word spoken or received, that first morning hug, the sound of friends talking in our home..." - Richard Wagamese, Embers"
I love our American tradition that gives us a time to practice Thanksgiving, and the rhythm that the school calendar that makes it possible to slow down. I'm grateful to our community for the support to our young people and staff from the parents in our community. There were so many parents in our building on Monday for in person conferences and I know that many virtual interactions have been taking place also. A truly huge thank you to our PTSA for the staff lunch that was provided on Monday - when you take care of us in that way it deepens the connection between school and community. Thank you.
We are engaged in to two important donation activities to support those in need in our community. In partnership with the Howard County Education Association we are collecting good to support Columbia Cares, the Community Action Council and Grassroots, and we are also receiving donations to support our PVMS families for the holidays through our Angel Tree program. Please consider supporting these initiatives - and thank you to everyone who is helping to organize to support those in our community and beyond.
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:
11/26 - Schools Closed for Students
11/27-28 Schools and Offices Closed
12/6 - PVMS FunDrive Collection Day ( 9 am -1 pm, PVMS Parking lot)
12/6 - Savage Mill Tree/Bridge Lighting at Carol Baldwin Hall, 6:30pm orchestra, 7pm Chorus
12/8 - Band Winter Concert beginning at 6:15pm, Hammond HS
12/11 and 12/12 - Winter Dance Concert at 7pm, Guilford Park HS
12/12 - Chorus Winter Concert at 7pm, Hammond HS
12/16 - Orchestra Winter Concert at 7pm, Hammond HS
PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)
HCEA and PVMS Food Drive
As many of you know, several school food pantries across the county are running low, and this drive is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and support students, families, and educators in need. We are asking for donations of canned goods, dry goods, non-perishable items, and personal care products.
Collection boxes will be available in:
The Front Office
The Media Center
Room 107 (Ms. Galloway)
Any classroom where a teacher is willing and able to set up a designated collection space
The drive is already underway and will continue until Friday, December 5th.
Angel Tree
During the holiday season we have a tradition at PVMS of doing an Angel Tree to help our families that might need extra support during the holidays. If you would like to participate, we will be doing the sign-up digitally through a sign-up genius. You can find all the additional information here.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084FA8AA2FA6FF2-60196461-angel
Theater Newsletter from Ms. Clark
Auditions
A Comedy of Errors
Summary: Twins, separated due to a shipwreck, are mistaken for their long-lost twins when they arrive in Ephesus, resulting in hilarious encounters. Dialogues and permission slips can be found in Student Canvas Resources, Theatre News module. Dialogues do not have to be memorized
Dates: December 2 or 3
Place: the stage
When: 2:35 - 4:30
Hammond Hoops Night
The Hammond High School Girls & Boys Basketball Programs are excited to invite the community to join us for Hammond Hoops Night—a celebration of the start of basketball season! The evening will feature short scrimmages, 3‑point shot and basketball skills competitions, cheer performances, a live DJ, giveaways, and the energy of a new season. Bring your family, cheer on local talent, and let’s have fun together! 🏀💛 Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door: https://tinyurl.com/HoopsNightHaHS
Wednesday, December 3rd 6:30–8:00 PM
Hammond High School Gym
Additionally, if any PVMS basketball players or teams are interested in putting their names into the hat to get a chance to participate in a scrimmage or contests, they can enter using this form: https://forms.gle/r3ZdzovEusXoHn7R7
We hope to see lots of Patuxent Valley families at Hammond Hoops Night on December 3rd!
REGISTRATION FOR BSAP SATURDAY MATH ACADEMY
The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program Saturday Math Academy Spring Session is approaching! The BSAP Saturday Math Academy will offer an in-person enrichment program 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 on Saturday, January 10, 2026, 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. For more information, please visit HCPSS News.
Flyers for distribution:
BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (English)
BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Spanish)
BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Chinese)
BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Korean)
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.
PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)
The MultiService Center and DCRS will, once again, be holding a Holiday Food Distribution for Howard County families.
If a household could use a little extra support heading into the holidays, you are welcome. No registration required. Monday, November 24, at the North Laurel Community Center, from 4:30–6 p.m., while supplies last. 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD 20723 *This information is neither sponsored nor endorsed by HCPSS, but serves to extend resources for students and families.
The Guilford Park HS Boosters are thrilled to host the 3rd Annual Reindeer Run Crusher 5K! This year’s course will take you through the Savage Stone quarry—a truly unique experience and the same route our XC team conquered earlier this season. It’s a rare opportunity to run and explore an area few ever get to see.
To keep the energy high, our GPHS Marching Band will be performing along the course! On behalf of the GPHS community, we warmly invite you, your staff, families, and students to join us on Saturday morning, December 6, 2025.
Following the race, we will have:
- Prizes for top finishers and best holiday costumes
- Craft Fair inside the school sponsored by the Class of 2027
- Math Club Puzzle Competition
More details can be found at https://gphsboosters.com/rr5k ($5 off code for HCPSS students/staff: "RR5OFF")
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.
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/
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.