Together Everyone Achieves More!

Dear PMS Families,

We need your help, please. Phones and airpods are becoming a distraction to the learning environment for many reasons:

• Notifications: Cell phones constantly receive notifications from various apps, including social media, messaging, and email. These notifications can interrupt students' focus during class or while studying, pulling their attention away from the learning material.
• Social Media: Social media apps on cell phones, such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, are designed to be engaging and addictive. Students may feel tempted to check their social media feeds frequently, leading to distractions from their academic tasks.
• Texting and Messaging: Texting and messaging apps make it easy for students to communicate with friends and family at any time. While convenient, constant texting and messaging can disrupt students' concentration and detract from their learning experience.
• Addictive Behavior: For some students, cell phone use can become addictive, leading to compulsive checking and usage patterns that interfere with their ability to focus on learning tasks.
• Sleep Disruption: The blue light emitted by cell phone screens can disrupt students' sleep patterns if they use their phones late at night. Poor sleep quality can negatively impact cognitive function and academic performance.

Please speak with your student about their cell phone use, and please review the Students Rights and Responsibilities regarding cell phones and electronic devices at school which could result in disciplinary action. Finally, it's essential for students to develop self-discipline and establish boundaries for cell phone use to minimize distractions and optimize their learning experience. We thank you in advance for your help!

Warm Regards,

Courtney Jarman (Swartz)

courtney.jarman@powhatan.k12.va.us

Principal

• Monday, March 11th: Odd Day
• Tuesday, March 12th: Even Day
• Wednesday, March 13th: Odd Day
• Thursday, March 14th: Even Day
• Friday, March 15th: All class day. Dismissal at 10:40 AM. End of 3rd nine weeks.
• March 21st: Writing SOL for 8th grade students

• March 22: Report cards and verification report of classes goes home to rising 7th and 8th graders.
• March 29: Parent and student overrides of class registration for rising 7th and 8th graders are due.

The Virginia Department of Education is excited to celebrate Family Reading Month in March. Join the Virginia Department of Education & Virginia PTA for a Reading Together. A webinar designed for families to learn about best practices in reading instruction, the event also covers how families can support their student through all stages of learning to read and improving reading comprehension.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 13th from 7-8pm. Registration is required to participate and is open to the public.

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!

COFFEE CART Wednesday, March 13

We will be treating our teachers & staff to a coffee and breakfast bar cart. We have a few items and volunteer spots needed if you'd like to be a part!

Sign Up Genius Link

Hospitality Fund Donation Link (a great option if you are too busy to drop items off but want to contribute)

SPRING 2024 POWHATAN MIDDLE DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT

Get ready to DIVE, DUCK & DODGE in our schoolwide dodgeball tournament!

Form a team of 6-8 people and REGISTER HERE with a team name. Powhatan Middle School Students, Parents, Teachers, and Staff are all invited to play! Come in themed uniforms, athletic shoes, and ready to play!

WHEN? Tuesday, March 19th, 5:30 to approximately 9 pm (Games begin at 6 pm)

WHERE? Powhatan Middle School Gym

COST? $5 per person to PLAY or WATCH; cash or card at the door

*Team spots are limited - Don't wait to register!

WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Click Here To Volunteer

BEST PLACE TO STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL THINGS PTO IS THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES

Facebook PTO Page Link

Instagram PTO Page Link

Thank you to everyone who came or streamed the session from the VDH on the dangers of vaping. It was extremely informative and filled with resources. Please take time to read the information below and speak with your student. If you need help, please let us know.

Cessation apps and tools:

• https://livevapefreeva.org/
• Home | Smokefree Teen
• https://thisisquitting.com/

Discussion Guides for Parents and Adults:

• Live Vape Free's Vaping Discussion Guide​
• Empower Vape-Free Youth Campaign | Electronic Cigarettes | Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDCALA's Vaping Conversation Guide​
• SAMHSA's Talking With Your Teen About Vaping​
• Surgeon General's Tip Sheet for Parents​
• What If My Child Doesn’t Want to Quit Vaping? (becomeanex.org)

How to report a tobacco retail violation in Virginia:

• https://www.abc.virginia.gov/enforcement/violation-complaint-form

Dangers of Vaping PowerPoint Presentation:

Week of March 11th:

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

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

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

Wish your favorite student a very Happy Birthday on our Powhatan Middle School Marquee!!! For $10, we will run a message for 1 week (24/7).

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

Complete this form and submit payment through School Cash Online.

March Birthdays due ASAP

April Birthdays due by March 16

May Birthdays due April 20

June, July & August Birthdays due May 18

*Birthdays go live on the Marquee the day before your student’s birthday*