POMS Weekly Patriot Post
Week of December 13 - 17, 2021
From the Principal:
Hello Post Oak Families –
It is hard to believe that the first semester of this school year is coming to a close this week. Students are reminded that all assignments are due 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 this semester strong. Your educational support is appreciated!
Please make note of the following dates as we conclude this semester and begin the second semester.
December 17 = Early Dismissal at 11:35 a.m.
Winter Break = Monday, December 20 - Friday, December 31
* All school offices will be closed December 22 - December 31
January 3 = Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
January 6 = Report Cards available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE
January 12 = Early Dismissal at 11:35 a.m.
January 17 = Student/Staff Holiday
We continue to recognize our students for demonstrating responsible, respectful, and productive behaviors. The past week our Patriots turned in over 4,000 Pride Cards! Sixth grade earned 1,073, seventh grade earned 1,537 and eighth grade earned 1,417 Pride Cards for exhibiting positive behavior! This month the students will also have the opportunity to enter special raffles for BIG Candy prizes. We look forward to continuing to recognize our students for being responsible, respectful, and productive.
Our school team would like to wish each of our families a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season! The next edition of the Patriot Post will be shared on January 2, 2022.
Happy Holidays!
Scott Belako, Principal
Festive Photos from the POMS Holiday Chorus 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..
- 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 - Be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW the POMS PTO Facebook Page.
Belmont Foundation Christmas Angel Tree Donation Drive
POMS Athletic Information
Athletic Events this week:
- 12/13 = Volleyball HOME vs. NRMS
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.
Boys Basketball and Wrestling tryouts will begin immediately after winter break on January 4, 5, 6, 7. Winter break is a great time to get the VHSL Physical completed. To try out, students must have a completed VHSL Physical Form and complete Concussion Education. All forms and trainings are found on the POMS Athletic webpage. Please contact Ms. French with questions.
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