POMS Weekly Patriot Post
Week of December 6 - 10, 2021
From the Principal:
Hello Post Oak Families –
We are just a few weeks away from Winter Break! Students are reminded to make sure that all assignments are submitted by the end of the school day on Thursday, December 16th. Students are also reminded to continue to stay focused and make good choices behaviorally as we all work together to finish the first semester strong.
Thank you to our POMS SCA and FBLA clubs for holding a hat and glove drive for Micah Ministries. They successfully gathered two box full thanks to the generosity of our POMS families. The SCA also made Holiday cards to add to the donation.
I am excited to share that our Student Agendas (planners) finally arrived for this school year! Unfortunately, due to shipping delays, they came much later than expected.
Each student received an agenda this week during Advisory. The student agendas will be used as an organizational tool, monthly and weekly calendars, and hallway passes. The structure and use of the agenda was presented to the students and we hope students use this resource to their advantage.
It is important for students to have their agendas each school day so they can keep track of assignments and due dates. Furthermore, the agendas will be used as hallway passes - students have three passes to use each day - if they need to leave the classroom. We are fortunate to be able to provide this useful tool for our students and we will encourage agenda use throughout the school year.
Save the dates of our Winter Music Concerts this week:
- December 6th = Chorus Concerts
- December 8th = Orchestra Concerts
Our Music Teachers will provide their students and families additional information with regards to concert times and specifics this week. I look forward to seeing our students return to the stage for their performance this holiday season!
We continue to recognize our students for demonstrating responsible, respectful, and productive behaviors. The past week our Patriots turned in over 2,100 Pride Cards! Sixth grade earned 696, seventh grade earned 811 and eighth grade earned 785 Pride Cards for exhibiting positive behavior! Students were selected for the Pride Card Random Drawings that included a wireless mouse, Xbox controller, iCloudbit set, or Virtual Reality headset. Thanks to the many students who submitted cards for these drawings! We look forward to continuing to recognize our students for being responsible, respectful, and productive.
Feel free to contact our main office with any questions at 540-582-7517. Thank you for your continued support and educational partnership. Have great week!
Sincerely,
Scott Belako, Principal
Congratulations to our POMS November Students of the Month
Festive Photos from the POMS Holiday Band Concerts
Reminders & Announcements
- VDOE Assessment Parent Portal - students participated in the Virginia Fall Growth Assessment for reading and math earlier this fall. The Virginia Department of Education has now released the Virginia Assessment Parent Portal to view your child's test results. Please see the attached letter containing more information as well as links to create your Parent Portal account.
- Have you started shopping for the holidays? A POMS Yearbook would be a GREAT gift for your student! Order online at yearbookforever.com and reserve a yearbook today! Email Mrs. Olinger at kolinger@spotylvania.k12.va.us if you would like to receive a file for a printable ticket to wrap as a gift! Yearbook prices will increase second semester.
- Commonwealth Governor's School and International Baccalaureate Application information has been released. If your child is interested in applying, please see the attached information. For questions, please contact the counseling office or Mrs. Mabie.
- SCPS Employment Opportunities - Long Term Substitutes, Daily Substitutes, Bus Drivers, Custodians, and Food Service employees are needed. Please contact our school office and apply online if are interested in any of these employment opportunities. Your consideration is appreciated as we work to support our amazing school community!
COVID 19 Mitigation/Quarantine Reminders - We continue to do all we can to implement mitigation strategies to reduce the number of students that are impacted due to COVID and required quarantines. Please note that it is extremely important that students remain home if they are sick. This will reduce the number of staff and students that have to quarantine. Please understand that we want ALL of our students to be in school. However, both staff and students who are not fully vaccinated are required to quarantine per current guidance.
Students that are quarantined may be invited to join their classes virtually by their teachers. All of our English, history, math, science, and world language teachers recently received OWL Cameras that allow students to view instruction virtually from home. Teachers will also provide work electronically and/or by hard copy for those students that are quarantined.
Additional quarantine information can be found in the SCPS ReEngage Plan. Your understanding and support is appreciated as we work together within the current operational procedures to remain safe and healthy.
Classroom Canopy Donation Drive - We have partnered with the Belmont Foundation to begin a donation drive to purchase a permanent canopy for our outdoor classroom. Please use the following links for more information and if you (or an organization you know of) are interested in supporting this effort: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/100002533940837/posts/4413488282078926/ or the Belmont Foundation website - https://belmontfoundationva.org/donations
- Bus Transportation – Our bus drivers are going above and beyond to cover multiple routes due to the driver shortage. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding when buses are later than expected. Please note that requests for students to ride a different bus (bus passes) will not be accepted due to mitigation strategies and transportation challenges. All students are required to wear a face covering/mask while riding the school bus to and from school.
- Masks/Face Coverings – Recent CDC guidance and Virginia Public Health Order requires all students, staff, and visitors to wear a mask/face coverings in public indoor spaces (schools). We greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation as we work together to remain safe and healthy!
The 2021-2022 Instructional Calendar is available on the SCPS website and can be viewed using this link.
Directions for ParentVue - can be viewed using the following links: Directions in English and Directions in Spanish.
- POMS PTO - The PTO will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 9 at 4:30 p.m. Be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW the POMS PTO Facebook Page. The Livingston ES PTO is currently looking for recess volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lorraine at 703-932-6420.
POMS PTO Holiday Candy Gram Fundraiser
Belmont Foundation Christmas Angel Tree Donation Drive
POMS Athletic Information
Athletic Events this week:
- 12/7 = Volleyball HOME vs. BMS
Please note that student spectators may stay after for home sporting events. Students must have a permission note from a parent and $3.00 for admission. Students must be picked up by 5:15 pm.
Post Oak Middle School is hosting a Wrestling Clinic on December 11, 2021 from 9-11am. The cost of each clinic is $10.00. Students must pre-register for the clinics. Please see the attached registration forms for more information.
Please contact Sarah French, Athletic Director, at sfrench@spotsylvania.k12.va.us, or 540-582-7517, ext. 6417 with any questions.
Post Oak Middle Schools
6959 Courthouse Road
Spotsylvania, VA 22551
(540) 582-7517