Page 1 of 12

October 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 Potomac Parents and Guardians:

The 2016-2017 school year has gotten off to a fast and fantastic start! We had a wonderful opening

day as well as a productive first few weeks of school. It was wonderful to see so many parents and

guardians during the Back to School Nights in Mid-September.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the September Panthers of the Month. These

students have been recognized by their teachers for demonstrating characteristics of leadership in the

classroom, academic excellence, and good citizenship. The Panther of the Month students will be

recognized at breakfast with their counselors and administrators on Friday, October 7, 2016.

If you are a returning parent or a new parent to the Potomac Middle School Community and you

would like to find out about other ways to connect to the Potomac Middle School Community, then

please consider joining our PTSO. There will be information regarding the PTSO in this newsletter

as well as on our school’s website.

Parents and Guardians please note that October 10, 2016 is a Professional Work day for teachers

and there is no school for our students. Students will return back to school on Tuesday, October 11,

2016.

On October 12, 2016, our 7th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in an Author’s

Visit which will be sponsored by our school’s librarians. Also, mark your calendars for the

upcoming Book Fair. The dates are October 19-November 1, from 8:00 to 3:00. For your

convenience, our Book Fair accepts credit cards! Discover, Visa, MasterCard, American Express,

and secured debit cards (with MasterCard or Visa logos on them) are all welcome.

The Interims are Coming! The Interims are Coming! Parents are on the lookout for your child’s

Interim report. Interims will be coming home on October 11, 2016.

As school continues, I want to wish every member of our school community success and

fulfillment as we strive together to provide the best possible education for each student. I am

personally grateful to the many staff members, parents, and students who do so much to make

Potomac Middle School an exceptional place to work and learn.

Mr. Kevin J. Smith

Principal

Upcoming Events

October 10

Teacher Work Day – No

School for Students

October 12

Author Visit - A.B. Westrick

October 21 – November 1

Book Fair

Important

Announcement

October 11

1st Quarter Interims go

home

Page 2 of 12

PTMS “Jewel of the East “Administrative Team

Kevin J. Smith, Principal

Brian Coleman, Assistant Principal

Latanya Haskins, Assitant Principal

Counselors’ Corner

New students and returning students have adjusted well to being back in school. They began the year by

participating in global Character Day. Students were asked to identify their character strengths and

recognize that they rely on these strengths in different situations. Character strengths tell others a lot about

who we are as a person. Students should also be able to identify any strengths they would like to work on as

well.

Sixth graders are settling into PTMS nicely and have adjusted to their new schedules and middle school

expectations. Please support your child by signing up for Parent Portal to monitor academic progress, and

continue to encourage positive Panther expectations by being: PROMPT, PREPARED, PRODUCTIVE and

POLITE.

SOS- As a part of the middle school counseling curriculum, the seventh grade students will participate in the SOS- Signs of Suicide

Prevention Program. The students will watch an informative video and participate in discussions regarding ACT-Acknowledge,

Care & Tell. A letter will be sent home with all 7th grade students with more information. A copy of the letter will also be

available on the school’s website.

Transition to High School-During the weeks of October 3-13th, eighth grade students will be learning about the graduation

requirements for high school and the different specialty school programs that are available to them. More information will be

placed on our counseling webpage. Students have already received information for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science

and Technology. It is important that students remember the application deadline date and ensure their application is submitted

in a timely manner.

Page 3 of 12

Upcoming Event:

PTMS Celebrates Red Ribbon Week October 24-28!

#YOLO Be Drug Free

Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. It is a

week-long celebration to encourage students to choose to live a drug free life. This year's

theme is #YOLO Be Drug Free! We will celebrate each day with a different activity. Please

support your students as they participate and use this as an opportunity to discuss your

family values regarding living a Drug Free Lifestyle! For more information about Red Ribbon

Week go to: redribbon.org

Monday-"I ELECT to be Drug Free!" pledge sign at lunch

Tuesday-"Put a CAP on Drugs!" Hat day

Wednesday-"RED"-y to be Drug Free" wear RED day

Thursday-"SMARTIES choose to be Drug Free!" Smarties candy

Friday-"Be on a Drug Free Team" wear your favorite team jersey

________________________________________________________

Wrestling 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.

Page 4 of 12

Media Center Message

Scholastic

BOOKANEER Book Fair

Fall 2016

Our Book Fair Will be Held in the Library Media Center--October 25-31, 2016

The entire school is excited about our upcoming Book Fair. An amazing selection of books is

headed our way! At the “Bookaneer” Book Fair—where books are the treasure--you will find the

latest and finest titles for students, as well as books of interest for parents. The Book Fair is a great

way to get everyone excited about reading! We look forward to seeing you at the PTMS Book Fair.

Shop at the Book Fair Online October 15 - November 6, 2016

If you are out of town or cannot attend our Book Fair, you can also help support our school by

shopping online. Lists can be sent to family and friends, and all orders ship free to the school.

Page 5 of 12

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

… 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

Page 6 of 12

Panther of the Month

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!

Page 7 of 12

Congratulations to September Panthers of the Month!

Gabriela Hawkins Riel Boone

Donovan Tra Mackenzie Wright

Jerry Ramirez-Quintero Emmanuel Andoh

Derin Robinson Himali Dahal

Vincent Lin Amaan Hassan

Nathaniel Obeng Jeffrey Alcantara Orellana

Crystal Kwakye Mitchell Billingsly

Herschel Ivy Haya Al-Bana

Brian Montoya-Portillo Amanda Kelley

Page 8 of 12

RED RIBBON WEEK October 24- 28, 2016

# YOLO Be Drug Free (You only live once!)

Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. It is a week-long

celebration to encourage students to choose to live a drug free life. This year's theme is #YOLO Be Drug

Free! We will celebrate each day with a different activity. Please support your students as they participate

and use this as an opportunity to discuss your family values regarding living a Drug Free Lifestyle! For more

information about Red Ribbon Week go to: redribbon.org

* Monday-"I ELECT to be Drug Free!" pledge sign at lunch

* Tuesday-"Put a CAP on Drugs!" Hat day

* Wednesday-"RED"-y to be Drug Free" wear RED day

* Thursday-"SMARTIES choose to be Drug Free!" Smarties candy

* Friday-"Be on a Drug Free Team" wear your favorite team jersey

Page 9 of 12

This year we are excited to be partnering with a fun, free, and truly easy fundraiser called

Shoparoo! Schools nationwide are already earning hundreds and even thousands every year

through Shoparoo and it’s a great opportunity for us to really make a difference this year!

Shoparoo is school fundraising made easy: the free app turns pictures of your everyday shopping

receipts into cash donations and sweepstakes entries for our school! Yep, it’s that simple. No more

cutting labels, selling door to door, or time-consuming coordinating. All you have to do is shop as

you normally do, snap pictures of your receipts with the app, and voila Just shop, snap, earn!

Get started today:

1. Download the free Shoparoo app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store

2. Select our school from the list and start taking pictures of your receipts - shop anywhere, buy

anything!

There’s no limit to how much money we can raise with Shoparoo - the more supporters, the more

we will raise for our school. Schools with just 40 supporters are earning an average of $1,000 every

year. That’s free, easy money that we could be fundraising too. Check out shoparoo.com to learn

more about this awesome app!

Thank you for your support!

This is our second year using Shoparro. Last year we earned over $85, let’s see if we can earn even

more this year!

Page 10 of 12

** 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

Page 11 of 12

** 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.

Page 12 of 12

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.