Dear PVMS Families,
I want to take a moment to share how well your children have transitioned back to school for our 2026-2027 school year. It usually takes a while to become adjusted to new routines but our students have done this exceptionally well. In fact, our school wide community meeting was a true reflection of this with such respectful and engaged audience members who reflected what this school year will be like.
We have been very lucky to start the year with warm temperatures and little to no rainfall (except on our weekends). This has allowed our students to get outside for recess and they have taken full advantage of the opportunities afforded to them. Please know that with the sun setting earlier and with early mornings full of darkness, it will be vital for our students to start dressing in layers. This will ensure that as cooler temperatures approach, they will continue to be prepared for outside recess.
Thank you to all of our families that were able to come out to our Back to School Night(s) and partnering with us in your child’s educational journey. If you would like to schedule a meeting with your child’s teachers, please contact the teacher directly and/or the team leader on the grade level to set up a day that works for everyone. Topics of these meetings may range from academic, social and emotional, or just letting teachers know who your child is as a learner. I highly encourage you to reach out and schedule these meetings at your convenience.
In addition, for the first time in over 20 years, we will be offering parent/teacher conferences at Putnam Valley Middle School. This will be similar to what the elementary school has done in the past for many years. These will take place on November 10th from 12:15 – 5:40PM (half day for students) and November 17th from 5:00 – 8:00PM. There will be more information to come with regard to scheduling times with teachers. This will result in additional ½ days for students on November 24th and May 28th.
Some of our clubs have started and many more will start this month. We always encourage students to expand their horizons in trying new things and this is a wonderful opportunity to do so. Seventh and eighth grade students that may qualify for National Junior Honor Society can expand on their experiences and application requirements by joining modified sports and joining clubs. Many of our clubs run in the afternoon but some run in the morning so there is a need to be dropped off at 7:00AM. Please sign your child up prior to attending and remember students can sign up for as many as they would like to. Students will take the loop bus that runs home or must be picked up by parents/guardians at 4:15PM.
Our Student Council speeches were outstanding! Elections were held on Monday, September 28th and it took a great deal of courage to give speeches in front of our student body. Congratulations to all who were able to speak on initiatives and positive change in representing our PVMS community. The following students will hold positions for our upcoming school year.
8th Grade President:
Adam Davino
8th Grade Vice President:
William Marinelli
7th Grade Senators:
Ryan Byrd & Elora Carson
6th Grade Representatives:
Leo DaSilva & Benita Lajqi
5th Grade Representatives:
Luca Antoinette & Charlie Cannon
Please note that our first Student of the Month recognition will be focused on what it means to be a Risk Taker. We look at this attribute along with the 9 other attributes for nominating students. Breakfast for students and families will take place on Wednesday, October 14th from 8:00-8:30AM in the Dining Hall and is through invitation only. A continued thank you to our PTA for sponsoring this throughout the year. We are always looking for volunteers to help set up and take pictures the morning of the event.
Some important dates to mark on your calendar this month:
October 2 Mid Point Quarter 1
October 5 PVMS Picture Day – Dress Your Best
October 6 MS Flu Clinic 12-2PM
October 6 6th Grade TOEC Trip (Group #1)
October 7 6th Grade TOEC Trip (Group #2)
October 8 7th Grade TOEC Trip (Group #1)
October 9 Game Show Assembly (5th/6th & 7th/8th) PAC
October 9 Emergency Management Drill – Dismissal 15 minutes early – 2:21PM
October 12 Columbus Day – School Closed
October 14 Student of the Month Breakfast #1 (invitation only)
October 14 MS Building Steering Meeting 2:45-3:45PM
October 16 End of Encore #1 for Grade 6
October 19 Beginning of Encore #2 for Grade 6
October 20 7th Grade TOEC Trip (Group #2)
October 20-23 MS Fall Book Fair (during lunch periods)
October 21 8th Grade TOEC Trip (Group #1)
October 22 8th Grade TOEC Trip (Group #2)
October 23–31 Red Ribbon Week – (Dress Theme Flyer attached to this email)
October 23 End of Encore #1 for Grade 5
October 25 PVEF Trunk or Treat – 2:00 – 4:00PM – PVMS Parking Lot
October 26 Beginning of Encore #2 for Grade 5
October 29 MS Halloween Bash 5 – 7PM
October 30 Recognition of Halloween – Students may dress up
(no full facemasks, weapons, or face paint)
The midpoint of quarter 1 will be Friday, October 2nd. Please log-on to PowerSchool on October 7th for comments from your child’s teachers regarding the first 5 weeks of school. Please contact your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns.
This month we recognize “Red Ribbon Week” where we support healthy, drug free kids.
Miami, FL — The National Family Partnership (NFP) has announced the official 2026 Red Ribbon Week theme: “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.™” The theme was selected through NFP’s annual Red Ribbon Week Theme Contest and highlights the idea that choosing to live drug-free is an everyday act of leadership, courage, and positive influence.
The winning slogan was submitted by Ava Tackett, whose message stood out for its clarity, empowerment, and strong focus on personal responsibility and peer influence. “Drug free means not taking drugs and making an impact on others,” Ava shared.
Though we draw attention to this topic during the week of October 23rd, it is imperative that we open lines of communication with our children so that they are comfortable sharing anything with us throughout the entire year and through their entire life. Please continue to talk with your children to see how they are doing. The use of group text messages and use of social media platforms continues to grow. Please monitor the words and actions taking place on these platforms. If something is concerning then bring it to our attention as there is a nexus between what happens outside of school and its impact on those in school. Continue to help us in raising children who are upstanders in using positive language and actions as opposed to bystanders who join in and/or look the other way. It is through these relationships that we continue to inform and reflect.
As you can see, we have an extremely busy month ahead of us! Please remember to contact the middle school if you have any questions. We hope to continue to work hard in partnering with you in helping to develop life-long learners who make good choices.
Sincerely,
Travis W. McCarty