Together Everyone Achieves More!

Dear PMS Families,

We are onto the second nine weeks! With that being said, we will have parent teacher conferences on November 7th. I encourage you to signup with teachers where you student may have some difficulties. If you don't get a spot, you can still schedule with the teacher during their planning time. There is more information on PTC below.

Each year, Powhatan Middle School observes National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. The Multicultural Student Association sponsors schoolwide activities to celebrate the history, culture and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos to American society. This year the MSA sponsored a week of sidewalk chalk decorations, a school wide Hispanic/Latino Trivia Kahoot! with Mr. Richardson's ACCT class winning a Piñata filled with candy, the MSA fundraised with an hispanic/latino themed candy sale and finally the ACCT classes competed in a door decoration competition to celebrate the different Spanish-Speaking countries around the world with Mrs. Wasosky's and Mrs. Erazo's ACCT classes winning a Piñata filled with candy as well. As an added bonus this year the Spanish 2 classes decided to present a "La Gozadera" dance flash mob during 8th grade lunch to end the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at PMS. "Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We are all, We are one." -2023 Theme

Reminder that pictures are this week!

Warm Regards,

Courtney Jarman (Swartz)

courtney.jarman@powhatan.k12.va.us

Principal

• Oct. 25: Pink Out Day (wear Pink- no hats allowed)
  
• Oct. 26 and 27: Fall Picture Day (taken in PE class)
  
• Oct. 26: Middle School Band Night w/PHS Marching Band (7:00)
  
• Oct. 27: Report Cards issued
  
• Nov. 7: Parent Teacher Conference (Student Holiday)
  
• Nov. 22-24: Staff & Student Holiday
  
• Dec. 7: Fall Make-up Picture Day
  

Pictures will take place October 26 & 27, during your students PE class. If you want to purchase pictures, please complete the Strawbridge form and send it in with your student on picture day or go online to strawbridge.net and enter the school code: FM435268

CHEER TRYOUTS

WHEN - Tuesday, October 24th - Thursday, October 26th

TIME - After school until 4:30

WHERE - PMS Gym

BOYS BASKETBALL

WHEN - Monday, October 30th - Wednesday, November 1st

TIME - After school until 4:00

WHERE- PMS Gym

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WHEN - Monday, October 30th - Wednesday, November 1st

TIME - 4:00 - 5:30 (girls will stay after school)

WHERE - PMS Gym

Tryout forms will be in the office this week. YOU MUST ALSO HAVE A PHYSICAL DATED MAY 1, 2023 OR LATER ON FILE OR PRIOR TO TRYOUTS.

The five schools are participating in an aluminum can tab competition to benefit the local Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond provides a "home away from home" for families traveling to the Richmond area while their children receive medical treatment in local hospitals. By collecting the pop tops from aluminum cans, you can help us continue to carry out our mission of keeping families close. The competition will run from October 23 to December 11, 2023, and students can turn the tabs in to their 1st block teacher. The first block that collects the most tab weight, will win a prize. PMS Student Leadership will be helping with the collection for this worthy cause!

Please sign up for conferences using this link: https://ptcfast.com/schools/Powhatan_Middle_School.

Also, please click the link for directions and support! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rw_9qR9D_GSz3d2Of-Q_t5I5xMwJ9DJNkCV4Osd5jgg/edit

Parents, please do not have your child lock their belongings they will need throughout the course of the day in their gym locker. Students are showing up for class unprepared because their belongings aren't with them. Please only have them lock their PE supplies in the locker. Thank you!

Week of October 22nd:

• Ms. Acampora, Mr. Fields, and Mr. Jackson will be in health.
• Ms. Henderson, Mr. Miles, Ms. Lazaro, and Mr. Allanson will be in PE.

Parents, middle school students must be accompanied by an adult to all high school games. Thank you!

Please do not drop students off in the side teacher lot in the morning. It is a safety concern, and we appreciate you using the car line. Thank you!

The division also now has official Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/powhatancountypublicschools) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/powhatan_pcps/) accounts. We encourage you to follow the accounts and enjoy these fun new windows into our schools to see the amazing work being done every day by our staff.

Please click on the document below for information about this training through school counseling at PMS.

Powhatan Middle T·E·A·M t-shirts are now on sale!!! T-shirts are $13.00 and are on sale through October 15. Click Here to see the “T·E·A·M” design. Shirts can be purchased online through School Cash Online.

Parents, we need your help! In today's environment, it has become increasingly important for us to be vigilant about our children's well-being, which includes addressing the issue of vaping.

Vaping has become a serious concern, and it's crucial that we remain proactive in ensuring our student's safety. While we always encourage open communication and trust with our children, there may be times when we, as parents, need to search their belongings for their own good. Please note that vapes come in many shapes, sizes and can look like an ordinary object; for example, a highlighter which can be very hard to spot.

PMS is being as proactive as possible with vape detectors in the bathrooms as well as teachers in the hallway and outside of bathrooms during their duty. We respond immediately when detectors go off or a teacher has a concern; however, many times students flush the vape. In an effort to protect our students and guide them toward making healthy choices, we'd appreciate your support with this at home. Lastly, it is important to know that if a student is found with a vape, in Powhatan County, the student is charged. Thank you for your continued support with this very serious matter.

Please click below for an update from Mr. Richardson and band!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z6Fck0yiklXxzkoFaOUvhPzPy_iStdNTGhYCtSoZGts/edit

When visiting or picking up your child during the school day, please bring a photo ID, ring the doorbell to the right, identify yourself, and state the reason for visiting the building. In preparation for dismissal, all early dismissal must be before 2:00 unless extenuating circumstances. Please give additional time for your child to be called down for dismissal. Parents do not need to escort their child into the building when arriving late to school. The student should ring the doorbell and enter the building. The student can check themselves in at the attendance office to get a pass to go to class.

Per transportation, students are not allowed to ride another bus home with another student.

The message will read: Happy (age) Birthday, (student’s first name)!!

Complete this form and submit payment through School Cash Online.

Note: Please submit Requests & Payments by the dates listed below

All September Birthdays due by September 8

October Birthdays due by September 16

November Birthdays due by October 21

December Birthdays due by November 18

PTO would love your help! Below are the upcoming events October with a sign up genius link for each. We appreciate as much or little as you'd like to contribute- it all helps!

If it's more convenient for you, you can always donate $ directly to our hospitality fund for these events by clicking here

Upcoming Event Opportunities:

PTO MEMBERSHIP FORM

POWHATAN MIDDLE PTO FACEBOOK PAGE

POWHATAN MIDDLE PTO INSTAGRAM PROFILE

SPIRITWEAR FUNDRAISER SALE