Patriot Points
Powdersville Middle School - Fall Newsletter - 2022
Principal's Corner
Todd Binnicker, Principal
Welcome to our 2022-2023 school year! We had a great opening. I want to thank you for taking care of the online registration requirements before the start of school and for taking the time to attend our Open House. Attendance at our Open House on August 10 and 11 was outstanding. This shows how involved our parents are in the education process. For those who have not completed the Returning Student Registration please do so as soon as you are able. You can access it through Parent Portal and there you can update emergency contacts, medical concerns, and parent contact information. I also want to thank all of you for your patience as we continue to improve on our dismissal process and bus transportation issues.
All schools in Anderson One will dismiss early on Wednesday, September 14, and Wednesday, November 16, 2022, for TALK (Teachers Advancing Learning for Kids) Professional Development. This time allows teachers to work collaboratively in grade levels or subject areas to define essential standards, create common formative assessments, and create methods for acceleration and remediation for students.
Dismissal times are as follows:
Concrete Primary: 10:45 AM
Powdersville Elementary 11:00 AM
Powdersville Middle: 11:30 AM
Powdersville High School: 11:30 AM
Powdersville Middle School (PVMS) will continue to focus on providing rigorous academics and building positive relationships as we strive to prepare all students for the challenging academic and career/technical courses in high school. PVMS is committed to continuing the ASD1 tradition of excellence by providing world class knowledge, skills, and life characteristics based on the individual needs of each student.
Lastly, I am honored to be your middle school principal. If I can ever do anything to make your child’s learning experience better, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to working with each of you and wish you a wonderful school year.
Teacher of the Year -Danielle Young
Hey Patriots! I am SO thankful to have the opportunity to represent our school as the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year! I am Mrs. Young and I teach seventh grade math here at PVMS! I have had the privilege of teaching for a total of 14 years. Seven of those have been here at Powdersville Middle. I LOVE working with middle schoolers and strive to make math fun and engaging for my students. I am beyond blessed to work at the BEST school in the world with the BEST staff and teachers! I received my Bachelor’s degree from Anderson University and got my Masters from Walden University. In addition to teaching, I am very involved in my church where I play cello in the orchestra, direct the Kids Choir, work with our youth group, and sing in a ladies trio. In my spare time, I love spending time with my husband, Nik, and two sons, Jackson(11) and Laylan(5)! We love to play putt putt, go bowling, and watch movies together! I also love watching my sons play the sports they love! I am excited for year 15! Go PATRIOTS!
Support Staff of the Year - Ame Powers
Welcome Patriots to the 2022-23 School year!
I have had the honor of working at PVMS for 9 years! My PVMS career started off full time helping in the front office as well as substituting in the classroom. Next, I had the tremendous blessing of being invited into the Special Education classroom as a teacher assistant for 8 years! At present, I have the great pleasure of returning to work in the front office with my dear friends! My husband and I have two amazing sons, Ryan (pilot), Connor (Combat Medic/Army for 4 years, currently attending college) and our precious 15 year old dog Lucky! Some of my hobbies include hiking, kayaking, golf, reading and traveling. I LOVE the outdoors! PVMS is truly a “one of a kind” workplace!!! I work alongside the most incredible teachers and staff who dearly love and care for your students and your families each and every day! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my PVMS family with all my heart for the honor of recognizing me as Support Staff of the Year! I am so excited as I begin my 10th year here at PVMS!!! It’s going to be a fabulous 2022-23!!! May every student, parent, teacher, and staff member have a happy, successful and healthy year!
What's New
The 2022-23 school year has several changes from the past year:
School Time – 8:15 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Morning Announcements and WPPL - 7:55 a.m.-8:15 a.m.
Pick-Up - Students not riding a bus home are expected to be picked up in a timely manner. Dismissal is at 3:20 p.m. For safety concerns, all car riders are to be picked up in the car circle area. Students should never cross traffic lanes. Adult supervision is provided daily until 4:00 p.m. We do realize that, on occasion, parents may be delayed due to heavy traffic, car trouble, or some other unforeseen circumstance. However, this situation should be the exception and not the rule. Middle school students who have siblings who attend Powdersville Elementary or parents who work at Powdersville Elementary are permitted to walk over to the elementary school at dismissal. These middle school walkers should always use the crosswalk and follow the directions of our crossing guard. Parents will also need to fill out the permission to walk form. (See below)
Drop-Off - Students arriving to school by car are to be dropped off curbside in the car circle area (Roe Road Entrance) as early as 7:20 a.m. For safety reasons, students should not get out of the car and walk across the parking lot or through the line of cars.
Middle school students who have siblings who attend Powdersville Elementary or parents who work at Powdersville Elementary are permitted to walk over to the elementary school at arrival. These middle school walkers should always use the crosswalk and follow the directions of our crossing guard. Parents will also need to fill out the permission to walk form. (See below)
Additionally, drop\off in the parking lot in front of the school (Roe Rd. car circle), the bus loop and parking lot by the front office (Hood Rd., Driveway B), and the parking lot by the gym (Hood Rd., Driveway A) is NOT permitted.
All other changes regarding dress code, cell phone use, attendance, student conduct, etc. can be found in the 2022-2023 Parent Handbook which can be accessed via the link below, our web page or you may get a hard copy from our front office.
PVMS School Counselors
Absent?
Parenting Workshops at PVMS
Join us on September 21, 2022, for our PVMS Parenting Workshop! This month’s Workshop will focus on the social side of the “Middle School Years”. It will be a great opportunity to learn about the changes your child is experiencing socially. Maybe you have some questions we can help answer: Is there a group that your child is seeking to be part of? Why are they trying to impress so many people? Why is my child so emotional? We want to encourage you and give you some practical ways to understand the mind and emotions of an adolescent. Refreshments will be provided starting at 5:45 PM. The workshop will begin promptly at 6:00 in the library. Please enter the school using the front entrance, or the entrance closest to Powdersville Elementary. We look forward to seeing you! If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Williams at williamsk@apps.anderson1.org.
Please fill out the form associated with the link below if you plan on attending.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RL4ijHdoYIgodfJMdDMzGXa6tg1sDiu234jS86ec928/edit?ts=631e461d
Who's New
Dr. Cord - Assistant Principal
I am honored to serve as Assistant Principal at Powdersville Middle School. This is the start of my 33rd year in Education. I previously taught all grade levels and subjects in Middle Schools in Arizona and Florida. I also served as an Assistant Principal at the high school level for five years. Interestingly enough I taught seven years at Powdersville Middle, seven years ago! It is my pleasure to return and serve once more in this amazing school.
I am happily married to my husband of 31 years and we have three children; all of whom were fortunate enough to be taught at Powdersville Middle. Two of them have graduated from Powdersville High School and have gone on to attend Arizona State University. The youngest is a Senior at PVHS this year. I look forward to assisting students, teachers, and parents alike. It is going to be a fantastic year as we have instituted many layers of support to ensure success for ALL students.
Tammie Collins - English Language Arts Lab
Treva Davis - English Language Arts
Greetings!
My name is Treva Davis and I am originally from Greenville, SC. I received my BS in Education from Appalachian State University, my Masters in Ed Leadership and Supervision from Furman University, and am a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescent Generalist. I taught almost 30 years in several upstate school districts, but my home is Anderson One. After being retired for four years, I realized I was not completely finished with teaching and returned to PVMS for the 2022-2023 school year. Spending time with my husband, our two grown children, and seven grandchildren, gardening, reading, travelling, and taking LOTS of pictures takes up any spare time I may have.
Jennie Farmer - Pre-Algebra and English Language Arts Lab
Sharon Huff - English Language Arts & English 1 Honors
Mary O'Shields -
Ashley Weaver - Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 Honors
Crystal Whiteside - LDSC
Hello! I am so glad to be teaching at PVMS. Prior to teaching here, I taught for 15 years at Berea HS. I have taught special needs my whole career and wouldn’t want to teach anything else. I have 2 daughters, a boxer and husband who keep me very busy. I am originally from NJ, but have stayed down South since college. I have a BA in Special Education and a MS in Instructional Tech.
GO Patriots!
Amanda Yarbrough - Computer Science
School Picture Day is September 27, 2022
Parenting Workshops
iPad Protection Plan
If you have not paid the $29 fee for the iPad Protection Plan please do so as soon as possible. This fee is required by the district. Until payment is made, if your student's iPad is lost, stolen, or breaks, you will be responsible for the full amount of the cost for repair and/or replacement.
Parent-Teacher-Student Organization
Please support the Powdersville Middle School PTSO today by joining our PTSO membership! The cost is $10.00 for the family which goes towards programs for the students, teacher and staff appreciation and much more!
Your membership alone will give us a BIGGER voice in our school and community! Budget, programs, school events & volunteer opportunities will be discussed at meetings (attendance is not mandatory).
We would love for you to join us at our next meeting and see all the awesome things PVMS PTSO has to offer and will be doing throughout the year 2022-2023!
Yearbook
Mrs. Meg Cole, Yearbook Manager
*Yearbook sales have begun. Yearbooks can be purchased online at www.jostens.com or you can bring cash or a check made payable to PVMS to the school office or Mrs. Cole. If you want to personalize your yearbook, you can order it through the Josten's website OR here at school. The link to the order form and personalization is: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lmfdBPV_sqOx1N9_q_8YiVX2PsrS6PSY/view
Anytime your child orders a yearbook here at school, they will receive a receipt. If you order online, Josten's has payment plans!
* If you ordered your yearbook already and want to add personalization, you can use the link above, send the form with $7 payment to Mrs. Cole and she will take care of it. Copies of the yearbook and personalization form are available in the front office.
Here is the list of the students who have ordered a yearbook already this year, just in case you can't remember. This will be the link all year but will update! This list is also on the school Google Classroom updated frequently.
The early-bird purchase price for this full color, 90+ page yearbook is $40 through September 16, 2022. This is also the last day to get free icons with your personalization of $7. On September 17, 2022, the price increases to $45 and you will pay full price for the personalization at that point as well. Yearbooks ordered after December 30, 2022 will cost $50. The final day to purchase your yearbook is April 24, 2023. After this date, yearbooks will only be available for purchase if there are extra ones, on a first-come-first-serve basis, and they will cost $50, cash only.
8th Grade Ads will also be tiered pricing this year. The earlier you order, the cheaper the ad! The early (and cheaper) deadline is November 1st and the final deadline to order an 8th grade recognition ad is February 3rd. Ad sales are online only! See link above.
Watch Our WPPL Broadcast
Mrs. Meg Cole, WPPL Broadcast Advisor
Our PVMS announcements and broadcasts are recorded daily and can be found on our school YouTube Channel. Search for "WPPL" or click here. The missing broadcasts can be viewed from your students iPad through our PVMS Google Classroom.
PVMS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL
Gift Cards for Field Trips!
We anticipate being able to offer field trips this year! PVMS offers the opportunity to purchase gift cards as a great way to earn credit for your child’s school field trips and to help PVMS reach its goals for school improvement! Every gift card you purchase gives you 100% of the purchase value in addition to a designated credit percentage (80% of profit) towards your child’s trip and a designated percentage (20% of profit) towards the school's improvement goals. This program has paid the entire field trip cost for many of our students and their parents in past years. Consistency is the key! Don’t buy gas without gift cards! Ingles and WalMart/Sam’s Club give discounts on gas if you buy with gift cards! Don’t buy groceries, eat out, or go to the movies without gift cards! Don’t buy birthday, wedding, or shower gifts without gift cards! Don’t do home improvements or purchase appliances without gift cards! Definitely don’t go shopping without gift cards! Encourage relatives, neighbors, and co-workers to order gift cards in your child’s name.
There are many gift cards available through our online ordering. To get started, go to www.scripzone.com. Our group ID is 864269PMS. It is best to use your child’s name when you register as a new user.
We typically place our school order for gift cards on Wednesday morning. In most cases, gift cards will be ready for pick-up (or to give your child) by Thursday afternoon of each week.
We are not able to accept postdated checks.
A record is kept of your child’s credit through our online software. A record of your credit may be requested through e-mail (pvmsgiftcards@gmail.com).
We are not able to exchange gift cards after they have been picked up or sent home by your child. Please check your written or online order carefully before submitting. If we make a mistake in filling your order, we will be glad to make the necessary correction. We keep order forms on file for verification.
Plan ahead for what you will need for holidays. Filling orders the week before holidays is very challenging and availability is not guaranteed. Order early to ensure that you get what you need!
Lost and Found
Save the Dates - Testing
Annual standardized testing will be on the dates listed below. Parents and guardians, please avoid scheduling appointments and trips during this time period:
Standardized Testing this Spring 2023
May 15 - SCREADY ELA Day 1
May 16 - SCREADY ELA Day 2
May 17 - SCREADY Math
May 18 - SCPASS Science (6th grade only)
May 19 - Make-up testing until complete
May 24 - Algebra 1 EOC (8th Algebra 1 Honors students only)
May 25 - Make-up EOC testing until complete
Powdersville Middle School Calendar
September Events
12 - Volleyball @ PVMS vs. Palmetto 5:30 p.m.
14 - T.A.L.K. Time for Teachers - 11:30 a.m. dismissal for middle school students.
14 - Volleyball @ Walhalla 5:30 p.m.
21 - Volleyball @ West-Oak 5:30 p.m.
21 - Parent Workshop 6:00-7:00 p.m.
22 - Football @ Wren 5:30 p.m.
26 - Volleyball @ PVMS vs. Riverside 5:30 p.m.
27 - Picture Day
28 - Volleyball @ Palmetto 5:30 p.m.
29 - Football @ West-Oak 5:30 p.m.
30 - Middle School Band Night @ PVHS Stadium 3:30 - 10:00 p.m.
October Events
3 - Volleyball @ PVMS vs. Walhalla 5:30 p.m.
5 - 8th Grade AOP Business Showcase 10:15 - 11:30 a.m.
6 - Football PVMS vs. Palmetto @ PVHS Stadium 5:30 p.m.
10 - Volleyball @ PVMS vs. West-Oak 5:30 p.m.
12 - Volleyball @ Riverside Middle (Pendleton) 5:30 p.m.
12 - PSAT for 8th Grade
12 - Football vs. Riverside @ Pendleton High School 5:30 p.m.
14 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS / Professional Development Day for Teachers
19 - Football vs. Walhalla @ PVHS Stadium 5:30 p.m.
26 - Football vs. Glenview @ TL Hanna High School
27 - Parent Workshop 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
November Events
1 - Basketball Tryouts in the gym: Girls 3:45 - 5:30 p.m. and Boys 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
2 - Basketball Tryouts in the gym: Girls 3:45 - 5:30 p.m. and Boys 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
3 - Basketball Tryouts in the gym: Girls 3:45 - 5:30 p.m. and Boys 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
11- Veterans Day Ceremony in the gym 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
16 - T.A.L.K. Time for Teachers - 11:30 a.m. dismissal for middle school students.
17- Parent Workshop 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
17- Girls Basketball Scrimmage @ Glenview (time TBD)
23- 25 - SCHOOL IS CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break
28- Basketball @ PVMS vs. Dacusville Girls at 5:30 p.m. and Boys to follow