Dear PVMS Families,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We are extremely excited to see our students back in our classrooms and it has been a smooth transition thus far. It has been so nice to see new students to our district and fifth graders in our building getting acclimated to their new surroundings. Sixth graders are getting used to opening their lockers and memorizing their combinations and our seventh graders are getting used to transitioning more often with more teachers on their schedules. We look to our eighth graders as the role models of our building with whom all of our students will look up to and our staff will help to guide them along the way. I know you are full of emotions as well! Some of you may be excited, hopeful, curious, nervous, and wondering what this year will look like. Please know that your children are in great hands and that we all work together for what is best for all students. We have an exciting year planned! With change comes numerous opportunities for growth and we are excited to welcome a few new staff members to our PVMS family as we continue our work in becoming an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) School.
Our hope this school year is to embrace change, build relationships, and continue to form a positive climate and culture. I look forward to continuing our work together and value your feedback and collaboration. We are on this journey together and our students are our number one priority in all decisions that we make.
To start our school year, it is imperative to establish a routine that will help to promote success. Please create time where your children can focus on school, inclusive of your busy schedules outside of our school day. An academic planner will come home soon and should be used on a daily basis for students to write down homework, take notes, and schedule their busy lives. In addition, please check Google Classroom for assignments that may be posted by classroom teachers.
Grades will be posted on PowerSchool. Please work with your children and partner with us in checking assignments and grades so that everyone stays up to date on work. We will use an opt in system to send home paper report cards twice a year if you choose this option. Otherwise, report cards can be seen electronically at the end of each marking period. We will send home reminders of these calendar dates. We will send home reminders when interim reports are posted as well as end of the quarter posting. As always, you may check grades as often as you would like.
Please note that if you ever have any questions regarding grades, an event that took place in class, or you just want to share information; please contact your child’s teacher directly. If you would like to schedule a meeting with your child’s teachers then you may arrange to do so through a grade level team leader. We encourage you to do this at any point of the school year. Please see below for a list of each grade level team leader.
2023-2024 Team Leaders
5th – Mrs. Dreessen – cdreessen@pvcsd.org
6th – Ms. Roth – oroth@pvcsd.org
7th – Mrs. Diaz – wdiaz@pvcsd.org
8th – Mrs. Dugal – mdugal@pvcsd.org
Please join our Putnam Valley PTA as they help to partner with us and support many events in our schools. We are looking forward to a continued relationship that brings experiences beyond our classrooms.
To purchase a PTA membership, go to https://putnamvalleypta.memberhub.com/store
As always, if you have any questions/concerns please reach out to the PTA at putnamvalleypta@gmail.com
In addition, please consider joining our Putnam Valley Education Foundation. They partner with us as well provide funding for our teachers and students. 
Please give your support this 2023-2024 school year.
If you haven’t done so already, please make sure to read and complete the following three important student and parent agreement documents found on this page as they are the Code of Conduct, Student Handbook, and Laptop and Mobile Device Agreement. You must then complete the Online Middle School Agreement Permission Form. We will not issue a laptop unless this form is completed in full and returned electronically. Laptop distribution will take place during school hours.
Mark Your Calendar
September 11th (7th Grade A-K) Trip to TOEC – Team building activities
September 12th (7th Grade L-Z) Trip to TOEC – Team building activities
September 13th – 15th – Fall iReady Assessments – More to come!
September 19th (8th Grade A-K) Trip to TOEC – Team building activities
September 19th – Back to School Night 5th and 6th Grade 6:30 – 9:00 – More information to come!
September 20th (8th Grade L-Z) Trip to TOEC – Team building activities
September 20th – Back to School Night – 7th and 8th Grade 6:30 – 9:00 – More information to come!
September 25th – Yom Kippur – School Closed
September 28th – 8th Grade Washington DC Trip – Parent Interest Meeting 6-7 pm (PVMS Dining Hall)
Please stay involved and partner with us in your child’s educational journey. Contact us with any questions, feedback, or stop by and schedule an appointment to meet with us.
We look forward to an outstanding and exceptional year!
Sincerely,
Travis W. McCarty
Principal