Principal's Newsletter
Potomac Middle School
August 1, 2023
Welcome back to Potomac Middle School! We hope this letter finds you all in good health and high spirits as we eagerly embark on a new academic year.
To our returning students, we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome back. We are thrilled to continue supporting your educational journey. To our new students and their families, we extend an equally warm welcome, as we are excited to have you become a part of our close-knit Potomac community.
At Potomac Middle School our daily commitment is to fulfill our vision of Staff, Students, and Parents working together as one. We believe that every student can achieve and succeed with the support of caring educators and a safe learning environment.
As we begin this academic year, we are excited to introduce new initiatives and enriching extracurricular activities. We hope that every student will find something they love while at school.
In addition to academic excellence, we emphasize our commitment to the 5 Potomac Pillars of Success, The 5 P’s: Polite, Prompt, Productive, Prepared, and Show Perseverance. We recognize the importance of character development and instilling core values such as integrity, respect, and empathy are each targeted through our 5 P’s.
Parental involvement remains a crucial role in a student's success. This year we will increase our family and community engagement through various parent camps and the addition of a Parent Liaison. We hope that each parent or guardian will commit to attending our events and taking on an active role in our school community.
In conclusion, we look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences. Together, we can accomplish great things! Let us embrace the challenges and celebrate the successes that lie ahead. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated faculty and staff.
Once again, welcome back Panthers! Let us make this academic year an unforgettable and transformative one.
Information will be communicated weekly up until the start of the new school year.
Sincerely,
Rachel Preston
Principal
Meet Ms. Sutton our New Admin Intern for 7th Grade
I am so excited to be a part of the PTMS Panther team! I've spent my last 5 years at Gainesville Middle School, and 3 years at Rippon Middle School prior to that. I'm originally from Long Island, New York but have lived here in Virginia for roughly the last decade and am proud to call PWC my home. As a former 8th grade teacher, I know the challenges and triumphs that come from working with middle schoolers and I am really looking forward to working with everyone at PTMS to have a fantastic 2023-2024 school year.
Sincerely,
Ms. Sutton
Open House
Welcome, Panthers to the 2023 - 2024 school year! We are so excited for you to join us for our annual beginning-of-the-year Open House event. Open House is a great opportunity for students and parents to become more familiar with the building, find their classes, try opening lockers, and learn more about the school.
Open House Schedule - Thursday, August 17, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM: 7th & 8th-Grade Students
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: 6th-Grade Students
Some important reminders:
- The student and a parent/guardian must both attend Open House.
- If the student is unable to attend Open House, they will receive any important information on the first day of school. Students and parents/guardians will still be able to access their schedules on Parent and Student Vue.
- Any returning students with outstanding library books or payments for lost books can bring those items with them to Open House.
I'm not able to attend Open House, what do we do?
Fear not! Our teachers and staff are wonderful at easing nerves and assisting ALL students on the first day of school. Many of our students, including those who attended Open House, get lost at some point during the first week of school. If you are unable to attend, you will still be able to access your student's schedule via Parent and Student Vue before the first day of school. Your student will receive their schedule on the first day of school.
This is a student only event. Transportation will be provided at satellite bus stops.
Click HERE to register!
School Supply List
6th Grade Supply List
6th Grade-Level General List
- 2 dozen pencils (no mechanical pencils)
- 4 glue sticks
- 4 pens
- 1 pack of colored pencils
- 2 highlighters
- 1 pack of erasers
- 1 pencil pouch w/ 3 holes
- 1 handheld pencil sharpener w/cover
- 4 packs wide-rule notebook paper
- 2 5-subject notebooks
- 4 composition notebooks
- 4 (2-pocket) folders w/ brads/prongs
- red, blue, green, yellow
7th Grade Supply List
7th Grade Level General Supply List
- 1 pack blue/black ink pens
- 2 packs wide-ruled notebook paper
- Pencils (no mechanical pencils)
- 1 pencil sharpener
- 1 pack of colored pencils or markers
- 3 packs of index cards
- 1 pack dry-erase markers
- 1 large pencil pouch/supply box (non-metal)
- 4 large glue sticks
- 5 pocket folders with prongs, varying colors (one for
- each class)
- 5 wide-ruled composition notebooks
- 1 set of personal headphones for laptop use
8th Grade Supply List
8th Grade-Level General List
- Pens
- Pencils (no mechanical pencils)
- Loose-leaf notebook paper
- Two 1-subject notebooks
- One 3-subject spiral notebook (8 ½ x 11)
- One 5-subject notebook
- 3 glue sticks
- 1 pack of graph paper
- 2 packs colored pencils
- 2 packs 3x5 inch index cards
- 3 highlighters
- 1 pair of scissors
- 3 composition notebooks
- 1 pencil pouch
- Tape
- 5 two-pocket folders
Encore and Specialty Class Supply Lists
Spanish
- Spanish 1: Yellow composition notebook Yellow two pocket folder
- Spanish 2: Blue composition notebook Blue two pocket folder
- Fluent Speakers 1: Red composition notebook Red two pocket folder
- Fluent Speakers 2: Green composition notebook Green two pocket folder
FACS (Quarterly)
- One package of markers
- Pen or Pencil
- One folder
- Notebook paper
Music Department
Students will wear black pants, black shoes and a music
department t-shirt on concert days. Instrument/Instrument
Supplies details will be given at the start of the year. There
will be a low/no cost option available for those who need it.
Orchestra
3 pencils
10 sheet protectors
1 spiral notebook
1 black two-pocket folder with prongs
2 dry erase markers
1 pack of colored pencils or markers
Band
A Band two pocket folder with music will be provided.
Choir
1 two-pocket folder with prongs
Pencils
Piano Class
1 two-pocket folder with prongs
1 pack of sheet protectors
Pencils
Art (Quarterly)
One sketchbook (8.5x11 or 9x12 hard covered or spiral, 50
pages or more of blank paper)
Pencil Sharpener with Cover
Erasers
1 pack of markers
Black Sharpie Marker
Please Mark Your Calendars Accordingly
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Rising 6th Grade Camp-Click HERE to Register
Thursday, August 17, 2023
GVMS Open House
- 12:00-1:15pm 7th and 8th Grade Students
- 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: 6th-Grade Students
Monday, August 21, 2023
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Monday, August 28, 2023
Fall Sports Tryouts - 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Fall Sports Tryouts - 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Fall Sports Tryouts - 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday, September 1, 2023
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Weekend
Monday, September 4, 2023
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Friday, September 15, 2023
NO SCHOOL - Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
6th Grade Back to School Night - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Thursday, September 21, 2023
7th and 8th Grade Back to School Night - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Monday, September 25, 2023
NO SCHOOL - Yom Kippur
Tryout Information!
PTMS Fall Sports Tryouts - August 2023
All information can be found on the PWCS Student Athletics Website.
Fall Sports Tryout Dates 23-24
Monday 8/28/23
Tuesday 8/29/23
Wednesday 8/30/23
All try-out dates run from 3:00 - 5:00 PM.
*Extra tryout days may be added due to weather.
It is important to note that students are NOT allowed to use ride share apps for any reason. Please arrange pick up promptly.
Fall sports include Football, Cheerleading, Boys' Soccer, Girls' Track, and Volleyball.
In order to try out for an athletics team, all students must:
- Take concussion training;
- Meet participation requirements; and
- Have a current physical dated after May 1, 2023.
Important Forms
Middle School Physical Exam Form (PDF)
Middle School Activities Participation Guide (PDF) (Will be posted soon)
Concussion Training Information
All student-athletes and their parent/guardian are required to complete an annual Concussion Training according to PWCS Policy 759. Concussion training information can be found on the PWCS Concussion Information Website.
You are eligible for Online Concussion Education Training if you are in grades 6, 7, and 8 and are currently enrolled in the Prince William County Public Schools. More information and the Online Concussion Education Training can be found by clicking the button below.
Please email Mr. Cordero at corderr@pwcs.edu with any questions.
ATTENDNACE MONITORING SYSTEM
Did you know attendance is the number one predictor of dropout and graduation rates? That’s why this year we are increasing communication to our parents and students around the importance of attendance- a critical indicator of success. Attending school every day helps our students build a solid foundation for their future in school and in life.
Our new strategy includes an attendance management system that carefully tracks attendance and ensures that parents are notified in a timely and consistent manner. Our goal is to connect with parents quickly so that we can remove any barriers that families face in getting students to school on time, every day.
You may receive a letter regarding your students’ attendance in the mail. Please understand that these notifications are to bring awareness on how much school has been missed this school year. We pledge to partner with you to find solutions and resources to support your student. If you feel that you have received the letter in error or have questions, please contact your school directly.
We understand there are unavoidable illnesses or other times when your child should remain at home. We also know that absences add up quickly, and that “showing up” is critical to your child’s success in school and in life.
We are committed to achieving our goals and supporting our Prince William County Public School families. Our students stand to benefit the most from this!
Together, let’s create a culture of showing up. Thank you for your continued support.
Immunization Requirements
The deadline to meet the immunization requirements for the upcoming school year is August 17, 2023. If required immunization documentation is not provided by the deadline date, the student will not be permitted to start school on Monday, August 21, 2023, until documentation is provided. Parents/guardians may view information about student immunization compliance in ParentVUE. For specific questions about immunization non-compliance or for assistance in setting up a ParentVUE account, please contact your school.
The Virginia Department of Health provides a current list of school and day care minimum immunization requirements. Additional information can also be found on the Student Health Services webpage.
Immunization appointments may be scheduled with your health care provider, or Prince William Health District, or Mason and Partners, or urgent care, or local pharmacy for your child to receive the missing immunization(s). Appointments are currently available at all locations.
Prince William Health District: Accepts Insured, Medicaid, and Uninsured
Manassas-703-792-6300
Woodbridge-703-792-7300
Mason and Partners (MAP): Accepts Only Medicaid and Uninsured and only children younger than 19 yrs.
Manassas Park-703-993-5880
Greater Prince William Health Center: Accepts Insured, Medicaid, and Uninsured
Dumfries, Manassas, and Woodbridge
703-680-7950 ( to make an appointment at one of the three locations)
Once completed, please provide documentation to your student’s school indicating that your student has received the immunization(s) and include the student’s full name and ID number. You may email the immunization information directly to the school nurse or deliver in-person to the school. If your student cannot receive an immunization for some reason, the health provider must give you a medical exemption statement to provide to your student’s school.
If a student fails to comply with providing the completed proof of the required immunization(s) by August 17, 2023, the student will be excluded from starting/attending school on August 21, 2023, and will remain excluded until the required immunization record(s) have been provided to the school.
The paperwork on this required immunization(s) is due in by August 17, 2023.
Dress Code
Pro Tip: Sometimes the way your student leaves the house, is not the way they remain dressed at school. Have a chat with your child regarding following the dress code.
No Crop Tops
No hats, hoods, or sunglasses
Keep Calm and Follow the Dress Code
Cell phones and Back Packs in Lockers
Please assist us in reminding students to keep their cell phones and back packs in their lockers at all times. We will continue random sweeps to confiscate cell phones and direct students to store their bags. This is a part of our school wide expectations and helps reduce instances of cyber bullying, unwanted photos and more.
Cell Phones in Lockers
Keep it P
Prepared
Productive
Polite
Show Perseverance
Backpacks in Lockers
About Us
Website: https://potomacms.pwcs.edu
Location: 3130 Panther Pride Drive, Dumfries, VA, USA
Phone: 703-221-4996
Facebook: facebook.com/potomacMS
Twitter: @PotomacMS