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September 2016 Newsletter

Potomac Middle

School "Staff, Students, and Parents Working Together as One"

3130 Panther Pride Drive, Dumfries, VA 22026

703.221.4996 Fax: 703.221.4998

Dear Parents and Students,

I am thrilled to welcome you back to school for the 2016-2017 year at Potomac! The faculty and staff are busy

preparing the school and classrooms for an exciting year of learning and growth. We are looking forward to hearing about your summer adventures, getting caught up with returning families, and meeting our newest

Panthers.

Student success is the goal of every staff member at Potomac. We believe with our structure and dedication to

high quality, research-based best practices, every student will learn to their full potential. We are prepared to

offer time and support as needed. I ask for your support and participation in this effort by sending your

child to school every day, encouraging him/her to read for pleasure every night, monitoring homework

and progress, and asking your child to share what they learned at school each day.

Parents please mark your calendars for the upcoming Back to School Nights. Sixth Grade Back to

School Night will be held on Tuesday, September 13, Seventh Grade Back to School Night will be held

on Wednesday, September 14, and Eighth Grade Back to School Night will be held on Thursday,

September 15, 2016. All Back to School Nights will begin at 7:00 pm. More information will be coming

home soon.

Each year, the Prince William County Schools’ Office of Transportation sets the opening and closing time

schedules for our schools. In the spring, it was posted that Potomac’s school hours are 8:10 a.m.-2:50 p.m.

Students who arrive early to school are asked to report to the school cafeteria prior to the start of school. At 7:50 a.m., students will be released from the cafeteria or from their bus, and welcomed to participate in another

day of quality learning. In order to maximize on our instructional program, announcements will begin promptly

at 8:05 a.m. and the first class will begin promptly at 8:10 a.m. School will dismiss at the scheduled time of 2:50 p.m. Because Potomac is a 100% commuter school our busses tend to begin arriving around 2:30 pm.

Parents if you are planning on picking up your child for early dismissal for your convenience I ask that you

send a note in with your child and have proper identification available, so that we can ensure that you are able to pick up your child and that you are able to make your scheduled appointment on time.

Finally, we urge you to become involved at Potomac! All parents are encouraged to become members of the School’s (Parent Teacher Student Organization) PTSO. There are literally hundreds of ways to be involved in

activities both big and small depending on the amount of time you have. You may want to consider working

with the School’s Principal’s Advisory Committee. There are also many opportunities to help in the classroom, with field trips, and attend some or all of the many school events. We send home important information about

events each Month in the school newsletter. From time to time we must send home important information with

students outside of the newsletter, so it is a good idea to check backpacks daily. Other places for news and information include the school website, marquee, and the bulletin boards and flyer rack near the main office.

From time to time we may also make automated or personal phone calls to all parents so it is important we

have current phone numbers.

The staff and administration are eager to welcome you to another wonderful year!

Mr. Kevin J. Smith

Principal

Upcoming Events

September 6

Fall Sports Tryouts begin

September 13

6th Grade Back to School

Night 7:00 pm

September 14

7th Grade Back to School

Night 7:00 pm

September 15

8th Grade Back to School

Night 7:00 pm

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PTMS “Jewel of the East “Administrative Team

Kevin J. Smith, Principal

Brian Coleman, Assistant Principal

Latanya Haskins, Assitant Principal

6th Grade Back to School Night – Tuesday, September 13 at 7:00pm

7th Grade Back to School Night – Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00pm

8th Grade Back to School Night – Thursday, September 15 at 7:00pm

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Welcome to your PTMS Library Media Center! We are excited about the start of the new school

year! Students who enter our library media center are immersed in an inviting atmosphere that is

educationally and visually appealing. To assist students in finding books that are of interest to

them, they may visit our numerous book displays. We currently have special displays of:

Series books

New books

Read with a friend books

Election related/patriotic books

Va. Readers’ Choice books

International books (Vietnamese, Chinese, French, Spanish and German)

Newbery Medal winners

Chills, thrills, mystery and suspense books

As the school year progresses, we invite you to discuss with your student the exciting activities

that are going on in the library!

Media Center Message

Author A. B. Westrick will visit Potomac Middle School!

In conjunction with Teen Read Week, Nationally acclaimed Author A.B. Westrick will visit our school

to share a presentation on her book Brotherhood on Oct. 12, 2016. Set in Richmond, Va. during the

Reconstruction era, Brotherhood provides a revealing glimpse of life in the former capital of the

Confederacy. We are extremely excited about this opportunity! It will enhance student’s

understanding of the curriculum objectives on writing, on the Reconstruction era, and will allow them

to interact with a nationally honored, published author. Please visit our school web page for additional

information.

Brotherhood is

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… a Virginia Readers’ Choice Selection 2016 - 2017

… an ALA/YALSA 2014 Best Book for Young Adults,

… a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award 2014 honor book for older readers,

… a National Council for the Social Studies

… a Junior Library Guild selection and

… a 2014 Notable Trade Book

On the Bobcat team this fall, we have been taking time to go over the 4 Ps with

our classes and cover the Code of Behavior. In Math, Mr. Samaniego will start by going over the

computational process in math and reviewing the basic steps to solving mathematical problems.

In Science, Mrs. Williams is working on the scientific process and heading into the watershed unit

that will culminate with a trip to an actual watershed! Miss Hoot is working on pre-testing and

getting the STAR reading scores for each student. Once she does that, each student will have a

plan of action in how to improve their reading. Lastly, in Social Studies, Mrs. Gardner is starting with

the Code of Behavior and then heading into the Geography unit, after that we will explore the

five Native American nations of early North America. We hope you enjoy the Bobcat team and if

you need us we are only an email away!

Parents, a few reminders to help your student succeed!

Always check the Potomac webpages and parent portals

Keep an eye out for frustration and lack of wanting to come to school, and be sure to report it

as soon as possible to check for bullying

Have a designated spot that is quiet and non-distractible for your student to do homework

Observe good bedtime routines and put electronics to BED as well for your student’s good

night sleep

Eating a good breakfast is very important. We serve one at school each morning! Yummm

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Tdap Immunization Required for Sixth Graders

Parents are reminded that all students entering sixth grade in Prince William County

Public Schools this fall must present proof that they have had a booster dose of the

tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine before entering the sixth

grade. The law changed in 2014 to require Tdap vaccination of all sixth graders,

including those under the age of 11.

Wrestling Club Message

Not playing a Fall sport? Thinking about trying out for Wrestling this Winter? Why wait?!

Prince William Wrestling Club will be starting its program for new (and returning) wrestlers on October 17th. It will

run M-W-F 6:30-8:00 pm. Prince William Wrestling Club operates out of Pope John Paul the Great High School

located on Dominican Dr. right here in Dumfries.

PWWC produces Middle School regional champions every year. For further information please check out their

website http://www.princewilliamwrestlingclub.com/

Potomac Middle School has multiple individual regional champions every year and would like to continue that

tradition. PtMS is still seeking its first team regional championship and the only missing part is YOU. The more you

learn now the better you will be when our season starts. The PWWC coaches are excellent and can teach you the

fundamentals you need to win.

Come out and cheer on the Panther Fall Sports Teams!!

Football – 1st game – September 22 vs Godwin Middle

Boys Soccer – 1st game – September 19 vs Benton

Volleyball – 1st game - September 19 vs Benton

Girls Track – 1st meet – September 20 vs Rippon Middle

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Panther of the Month – Coming in October!!

Potomac Middle School’s Panthers of the Month! This award honors children who deserve special

recognition for outstanding abilities, achievements and efforts.

Panther of the Month/Year Criteria

1. Student must have the cumulative, non-rounded GPA of 3.0 or higher for the month receiving

award. * For a student to be eligible for Panther of the Year Award they must have earned the

Panther of the Month Award.

2. Leadership:

A. Student exemplifies positive attitude.

B. Demonstrates reliability and dependability.

C. Is a leader in the classroom and in school activities.

3. Service:

A. Works well with others and is willing to take on various responsibilities.

B. Volunteers and provides dependable and well-organized assistance and is gladly

available to offer assistance to others.

C. Shows courtesy in and out of classroom by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

4. Character:

A. Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise,

composure).

B. Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office,

and hallways.

C. Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.

D. Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.

E. Engaged during instruction, observes rules, and is punctual.

F. Actively helps promote Potomac Middle School in a positive manner!

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“Let’s GO Panthers”

** Please send in your completed form and dues with your student. **

Dear Parents,

We invite you to help make a difference in your child’s Middle School

Experience by joining the PTSO. The PTSO has partnered with Potomac

Middle School to help expand several great programs that include:

1. Make PTMS a place where parents want to help out and be involved.

2. Create opportunities for parents to be involved and have a place where

they can share their concerns and ideas.

3. Help raise money to help teachers with additional learning tools for our

children. Our goal this year is to donate new laptops for teachers and

students.

4. Have more fun family events throughout the school year.

We have a page on the Potomac Middle School website. We will update

with all our latest information of upcoming events, program updates and

ways you can help our students, school, and community.

You can also “Join” our Facebook Page “Potomac Middle School PTSO”. If

you have any questions or would like more information on the PTSO, and

volunteer opportunities please contact us at

potomacmiddlePTSO@gmail.com

Please fill out this form and return along with payment with your student.

Checks can be made out payable to Potomac Middle School PTSO.

Returned checks will be subject to a $36 service charge.

Sincerely,

Potomac PTSO

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** Please send in your completed form and dues with your student**

Student Name (s) _______________________________________

Grade 6th 7th 8th Homeroom Teacher ____________________

Parent/Guardian ______________________________________

Address ______________________________________________

City __________________ State_______________ Zip ___________________

Email (Please print clearly) __________________________________

Telephone _________________________ Cell Phone _____________________

I prefer to be contacted by ____Email ____Phone _____Text

PTSO FEES

______ $ 15 per family

______ $ 5 per facility member (Must be part of PTSO to request funding and

supply donations)

______ $ 150 Business donation and membership. This will insure your

advertising of business on the bulletin board at school throughout the school

year. As well as advertising on the PTSO web page and the PTSO newsletter.

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Right to Special Programs/Services The Prince William County Public Schools Division is required to inform the community of a

student’s right to a free, appropriate public education and the availability of programs and

services, including a special education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education

Improvement Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) are federal

laws that give the School Division certain responsibilities with respect to providing such

educational programs to students with disabilities. Under the IDEA and Section 504, the School

Division has the responsibility to actively and continuously identify, locate, and evaluate those

children, infant to age 21, living in Prince William County who may be in need of special

education and/or related services, or adaptations or accommodations to regular education

services.

These laws also require the School Division to:

• Refer for possible evaluation any student of school age living in the School Division who a

school staff member suspects may be disabled.

• Provide appropriate educational and school‐related opportunities to students with disabilities

in an inclusive setting to the maximum extent appropriate.

• Provide notice of the availability of services and types and location of services to nearby

private schools, pediatricians, and the Health Department.

• Provide parents/guardians of students with disabilities with notice of their rights annually,

and prior to their student’s evaluation and placement, or any significant change in their

student’s placement.

• Develop and implement procedural safeguards with respect to actions regarding the

identification, evaluation, and placement of students with disabilities.

• Provide written notice of the School Division’s procedural safeguards to parents or guardians.

If you suspect that your student may have a disability affecting your student’s development or

academic performance, or may have a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a

major life activity, please contact the Director of Special Education at 703.791.7287 for further

information.