Dear Patuxent Valley Families and Community,
I love American Education Week!  It was wonderful to see over 70 families come visit over the course of the week - Honor Roll today was an amazing set of celebrations, Coffee with the Principal was a really pleasant way to get to know some wonderful family members.  We are lucky to have such an engaged community, and please know that there are lots of ways for families to be engaged in our school and community.  Let us know if you want to participate.

Next week is parent teacher conference week.  Conference sign ups ended yesterday and we’re looking forward to some great conversations next week.  Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

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:

11/25 Schools close 3 hours early, Parent/Teacher Conferences, in person

11/26 Schools close 3 hours early Parent/Teacher Conferences, virtually

11/27 Schools closed for students

11/28 Schools and offices closed, Holiday

11/29 Schools and offices closed, Holiday

12/5 - Orchestra Winter Concert, 7pm @HaHS

12/9, 2024 - Band Winter Concert, 7pm @HaHS

12/11, 2024 - Chorus Winter Concert, 7pm @HaHS

PVMS Updates (Priority and New this week)

Parent-Teacher Conferences: November 25, 26, & 27

Read more

PTSA Help with the Teacher Luncheon

The PVMS PTSA will host a luncheon on November, 25th for all our hardworking PVMS staff during parent/teacher conferences. We are catering the main meal from Pepperjacks but are asking that parents help by donating a side, dessert or drinks. 

Please click the link below to sign up to donate. All donations need to be dropped off on November, 25th 7:00am - 10:00am. 

Thank you so much for your continued support!!!

SIGN UP HERE 

A Conversation and Book Signing with Dr. Kathy Evans 

Part of the vision of Guilford Park HS is building a community rooted in a restorative justice culture that benefits staff, students, and families. To ensure everyone has the same understanding, our staff have been involved in a book study on The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education. On December 5 from 6-8pm, we want to invite our families and community members to learn more about restorative justice and hear what it looks like at GPHS, as one of the book’s coauthors, Dr. Kathy Evans, will join GPHS staff and students in conversation. If you are interested in attending, please register here. 

PVMS Updates (recurring from previous newsletters)

College and Career Readiness Monthly Newsletter

November 2024 Read more

Ben Carson Scholarship Nominations:

Patuxent Valley Middle School can submit one student to be nominated for the chance to win a Ben Carson Scholarship Award. To be considered, students must have at least a 3.75 GPA, have completed community service, and submit an essay. The nomination is not a guarantee of an award. Please see this link for more information. 

If your child would like to be considered for this scholarship award, please have them write an essay of no more than 500 words, and a list of community service activities that they have participated in. 

Essay Questions (between 450 and 500 words). Students choose one to respond to for consideration of the Carson Scholarship. 

1. Imagine you have the opportunity to create a new club or organization in your school or community. What would it focus on, and how would it benefit others?

2. Think of someone who inspires you to reach for the stars. How has that person influenced you to achieve more?

 Student Essays will be evaluated on the following criteria by our committee.

1. CONTENT: An essay with ample information, including supporting details.

2. ORGANIZATION: An organized essay with a well-developed beginning, middle and end.

3. STYLE/MECHANICS & USAGE: Interesting, varied, imaginative and age-appropriate vocabulary. Correct punctuation, capitalization, spelling and paragraph distinction.

4. FOCUS: Appropriate information to make the reader clearly understand the ideas being presented.

Interested students should submit their essay and list of community service to Mrs. Chelidona, mchelidona@hcpss.org by December 1st, 8PM. Title the document: “(Your Last name) Ben Carson Essay Entry”.

 

WINTER COAT GIVEAWAY

November 25 and 26 at Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia. See flyer for more information.

From PTSA: Spirit Wear is now available to order online! 
Show your school spirit and be prepared for our upcoming spirit wear days by ordering your PVMS spirit wear today! 

ORDER HERE : https://www.selectspiritwear.com/v5store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=1751

PVMS 8th Period Clubs will begin on October 15th and run through January 16th.  All registrations closed on October 9.

NOTE: We will not have transportation during this session.  Your child will need to be picked up at 4:15 if they are not walking home.

If you have any questions, please contact LaVerne Porter via email at lporter@hcpss.org or via phone at 410-880-5840.

From HC Drug Free:

Free Online Parenting Classes (Open to HoCo grandparents too) - HC DrugFree offers an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that helps parents, guardians and/or grandparents develop stronger relationships with their kids, while also providing skills proven to reduce the risk of youth engaging in substance use or other risky behaviors. These classes are for families with children 9-14 years old (slightly younger and older may register and will be considered) and held on Zoom on November 12, 15, 19, 22, and December 3 from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. For more information and to register, go to https://hcdrugfree.org/currentevents/

Medication and Sharps Disposal Take Back Day - HC DrugFree will host another convenient drive-thru medication and sharps collection on Saturday, October 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot (near the CA Swim Center). Bring unwanted and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medication, “sharps” (needles, syringes, and EpiPens), vapes without the batteries, inhalers, and more. Medication will be guarded and transported by the Howard County Police and DEA. For more information and to volunteer, go to https://hcdrugfree.org/currentevents/

Teen Advisory Council - The Teen Advisory Council (TAC) receives Community Service Hours for providing the youth perspective to HC DrugFree's staff and Board of Directors. Youth input increases the effectiveness of HC DrugFree's educational programs, newsletters, website and other services. TAC is open to Howard County students in grades 8 through 12 (public, private and homeschool) who meet monthly during the school year to discuss teen use of alcohol and other drugs and to develop educational messages that promote a vision of a county where youth are drug-free by choice. For more information and to register, go to https://hcdrugfree.org/currentevents/

 

Annual MLK Contest from Howard County Government MLK Commission:

We are approaching the time to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in our community. I am reaching out to invite you to share information about the upcoming Annual MLK Contests.

This year, we have several exciting opportunities for students to engage with Dr. King’s vision of equality, justice, and community service. Additionally, all the awards come with cash prizes.

The contests include:

Oratory Contest: Open to Middle and High School students, this contest challenges participants to express their understanding of Dr. King's message through the art of speech.

Essay Contest: Also, for Middle and High School students, this competition invites students to articulate their thoughts and reflections on Dr. King's impact and teachings in essay form.

Poster Contest: Open to Elementary, Middle, and High School students, participants can visually express their interpretation of Dr. King's dream through creative poster designs.

Additionally, they are hosting a Living the Dream Award Contest for individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to making Howard County a better place, embodying the principles that Dr. King championed.  We believe that these contests not only honor Dr. King's legacy but also inspire our students to think critically about their roles in serving the community.  We encourage you to share
these opportunities widely with your students and families and to support their participation.

For more information, including deadlines and submission guidelines, please visit https://bit.ly/2025MLKContests 

PVMS Attendance Procedures 24-25

If your student is absent or will be absent, please contact us at the following email address to explain the reason:pvmsabsence@hcpss.org.  In the email please Include the following information:

• Student First and Last Name

• Grade 

• Reason for absence (e.g., illness, bereavement, observance of a religious holiday, lack of transportation)

Late Arrivals Procedures

If your child is late to school, please either send in a note/email to pvmsabsence@hcpss.org explaining the reason for the lateness if you are unable to sign your child into school. 

Early Dismissals

Please email on the day of your student's early dismissal, pvmsabsence@hcpss.org, and indicate the time they will be picked up and by whom. Please bring your ID to show the main office.

With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents, staff and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and in future life!

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL MESSAGE FOR PVMS/BBES CAMPUS
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. Read more

LIGHTSPEED PARENT NOTIFICATIONS
Parents/guardians can monitor their child’s HCPSS Chromebook internet usage by signing up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications to receive a weekly email summary of their child’s usage.

Once parents have signed up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications, the email summary delivered each Sunday will contain a link with access to the Lightspeed Parent Portal, which provides near real-time information on their child’s internet activity.

The Lightspeed Parent Portal offers additional details about internet usage and the ability to control a child’s online activities when they are not on the HCPSS network at school by allowing parents to pause the internet for 1 hour, 3 hours or until 6 a.m. the next morning. Frequently asked questions about Lightspeed and the Parent Portal can be found online.

HCPSS teachers will access Lightspeed in the classroom to monitor student Chromebook usage.  Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher if they notice their child is regularly on non-academic websites during the day.
Find instructions on signing up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications online.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to review HCPSS Student Mobile Technology Duties and Obligations, which outlines the responsible use of technology in accordance with HCPSS Board Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media.

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.

SCHOOL MEALS AND PAYMENT INFO

HCPSS no longer will use Nutrislice for school menus or MySchoolBucks for meal payments. LINQ Connect is a secure, online portal that allows families to view breakfast and lunch menus, make online meal payments, monitor their child’s account, schedule automatic recurring payments, set up low balance alerts, submit a Free and Reduced Meals program application, and more. Details and information. are available online.

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.