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The Panther Press
Pouncing on the Latest News - June 2, 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Congratulations to our newest team champions, the Baseball and Softball Teams! They join Forensics, Wrestling, and Boys Soccer to give us five team city championships this year! Moreover, I am so proud that our student athletes and activities participants met the challenge to play with class no matter the score or situation. From fall through spring, we showed tremendous character and sportsmanship throughout the year. The only thing that beats winning is winning while doing it the right way. Thank you for reinforcing this message with your students. And be proud of what we've accomplished together!
Student activities including club meetings, athletics, and music department activities have finished for the year. Beginning Tue, June 4, 2024, there are no more activity buses so no students should stay after school. Security assistants leave at 4:30p and admin are not on duty.
8th Grade parents/guardians, can you believe you will have high schoolers in just two weeks?! 😢😁!! See below for the activities, dates, and volunteer opportunities for these last two weeks at PAMS. On a personal note, I've been told principals will never forget their "first class". I am so pleased to tell you The Class of 2028 is a very strong class. We have some amazingly talented, brilliant, hard working, and KIND kids in it. I cannot wait to see what they will accomplish in high school and beyond.
Go Panthers!
Andy Filipowicz
Principal
Princess Anne Middle School
8th GRADE INFO
Yard Signs
If you ordered 8th Grade Yard Signs through the PTSA, you can pick them up at any of the following times:
- Mon, June 3, 12:00p-2:00p in the drop off / pick up loop
- Main Office between June 4 - June 11
- 8th grade awards assembly on Wed, June 12, 3:00p-4:00p (this event is invite only for families of students who will receive an award)
- 8th grade picnic/field day on Thurs, June 13, 2:30-5:45p (LAST CHANCE!)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jessica Bueno via email Jessicabueno@verizon.net or text at 757.880.1662.
Chromebook & Charger Return
8th Graders will return their Chromebooks and chargers on Mon, June 10 during Pulse Check. Damage and/or loss assessments will be charged to any students with a broken or lost Chromebook and/or charger. Student Fees are viewable in Student/Parent VUE. Families will be notified by email by our bookkeeper (Dena.Taylor@VBSchools.com) should their student be charged.
Awards Assembly
The 8th grade awards assembly is on Wed, June 12 from 3:00-4:00p. As we have limited seating in the auditorium, this event is invite only. Parents/Guardians of students receiving an award will receive an email invite (alert) by Tuesday, June 4 at 5:00p. Award winners are nominated by teachers for a variety of reasons from best academic performance to tremendous character displayed to outstanding perseverance. This is NOT a graduation ceremony.
Field Day
The 8th Grade Field Day is Thurs, June 13 from 2:30p-5:45p. We need donations and volunteers to help chaperone and help with the various activities. Please consider helping out! Click the buttons below. Students must have a signed paper permission slip to attend. Students may leave as normal at the 4:05p dismissal or may stay until 5:45p and get picked up or take an activity bus home.
YEARBOOKS
Pre-purchased yearbooks will be distributed to students during Pulse Check on Wed, June 12.
Families wishing to purchase one of the few extra yearbooks may do so through SchoolCashOnline beginning Tue, June 11 at 5:00p. Yearbooks will be delivered to students as soon as possible beginning Wed, June 12. There is a finite number of extra yearbooks; once sold out, that's it. Set a phone reminder now! SchoolCashOnline LINK
A GUIDE TO GRADING AND REPORTING AT PAMS
Parents/Guardians play an important role in the learning process. A school’s grading system can sometimes be a barrier to families effectively playing that role as they first must decipher multiple grading formats, methods, and terminology. To reduce those barriers, a committee of PAMS teachers formed in SY23-24 to gather stakeholder input on the purpose and function of grades. They developed the document below detailing a set of common grading beliefs and practices that reflected our stakeholders’ input. In SY24-25, teachers may voluntarily implement this system. The committee will continue to gather feedback, adjustments will be made, and in SY25-26, all PAMS teachers will implement a single common grading system. Through this work, we hope to allow more families to make sense of their students' grades and ultimately play a more direct role in their students’ learning and growth.
TESTING CORNER
- SOL’s continue this week! Please encourage your student to get a good night's rest, eat breakfast, and have a charged Chromebook every day.
- SOL Results are posted in Student/Parent VUE by teachers within 48 hours of us receiving the result. Students who score between 375-399 will receive additional help and retest beginning June 6. One completed parent permission form is needed for any students who qualify for a retest.
- Kindly note that any student who does not have a passing score on this year's Reading and/or Math SOL test will be placed in an SOL Lab in the first quarter next school year (middle school only). Remediation is required by state law and the SOL Lab is how all VBCPS middle schools provide that remediation. Other options include "Independent Reading" or an "Academic Support" class if required by an IEP.
- If you have any questions about SOL testing, please contact our School Improvement Specialist, Kerri Manyo, at kerri.manyo@vbschools.com.
SOL Test Schedule
- June 3 - All 8th Graders - Math
- June 4 - All 7th Graders - Math
- June 5 - All 6th Graders - Math
- June 6-11 - Expedited retakes and make-ups
REPEATS
PAMS Summer Fitness and Running Camp
Keep active this summer by joining the PAMS Summer Fitness and Running Camp! This is open to all girls and boys that are rising 6th through 9th grade students. Every Tuesday in July we will have indoor futsal soccer from 4:00p-5:00p. And every Wednesday in July we will have indoor running and weight training. Click on this link below for more info and email aaprater@vbschools.com with any questions. GO PANTHERS!
Kellam Fall Sports Tryout Info
Visit kellamstudentactivities.com for all info. Or click here for the fall sports info.
Back-to-School Care Fair
The Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) is excited to announce the fourth installment of the Back-to-School Care Fair, scheduled for Sat, Aug 17, from 12:00p-4:00p at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. This event serves as a platform for all division departments to showcase the wide variety of resources available to our students and their families. In addition to a showcase of division resources our valued partners will also be contributing free resources including:
- Vision screenings by local Lions Clubs.
- Haircuts by Rudy and Kelly and Legacy Barber Academy.
- Backpacks provided by Langley Federal Credit Union.
- Dental screenings by Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Dental Team.
- Physicals and vaccines by Virginia Beach Department of Public Health.
- Transportation will be provided from a selection of areas of the city.
Shark Tank
8th Grade Civics needs YOU! Our 7th annual Business Expo is underway and we need community volunteers to help judge students' original business ideas. Think of Shark Tank - but without the lights and cameras! More information is at the top of this Google Form. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Thompson at lindsay.thompson@vbschools.com.SY24-25 Transportation Selection
Parents' registration to request bus transportation for the 2024-25 School Year is now open. All students must register for transportation each year. Please log in to your ParentVUE account for each of your students and select how your student will be getting to and from school. Select “VBCPS Bus”, “Provide Own” or “Walker” from the drop down for BOTH pick-up and drop-off transportation. Be sure to click “Save” to complete your transportation registration! Specific ParentVUE instructions on registering for transportation for next year are available here. Please complete this request no later than June 14. As of June 15, the information in ParentVUE will be locked so bus routes and schedules can be planned for the new year. If you do not register for transportation, there will be no bus service for your family. Click here to log in to ParentVUE or activate an account. If you need assistance, please contact the school and we will be happy to assist you.
YMCA Summer Programs
Parents/Guardians, did you know the YMCA offers summer program opportunities available for VBCPS families through our partnership as well as financial assistance? To learn about these opportunities, please click on the flyer.
Cox Hotspots
During COVID, VBCPS used ESSER funds to assist families with internet access by providing T-Mobile hotspots and subsidized Cox Communications internet. As of June 28, these available services will no longer be available as ESSER funds are depleted. Those who need hotspots for internet services can obtain them free of charge through Virginia Beach libraries, for information, please click here to visit their website.
TCC STEM Camps
Are you Ready for an Exciting Summer? Do you want to be enriched, engaged and enjoy fun activities and programs? Tidewater Community College (TCC) is partnering with Black Rocket Productions to offer interactive STEM camps. Students will learn about coding, robotics, and so much more! Please select the link below for information on this great opportunity! https://blackrocket.com/online/TID/
VBCPS SY24-25 Calendar
Families, as a reminder and for planning purposes, click here to view the VBCPS 2024–2025 School Calendar. As a reminder, the first day of school for students will be Monday, Aug. 26 (Pre-Labor Day Start).
UPCOMING EVENTS
All school events can be found on the PAMS ParentSquare calendar.
- Mon, June 3 - Grade 8 Math SOL
NO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES BEGINNING JUNE 4
- Tue, June 4 - Grade 7 Math SOL
- Wed, June 5 - Grade 6 Math SOL
- Cheer Team Meeting, 4:15p (no activity buses; parent pick-up only)
- Thurs, June 6 - Expedited and Make-Up SOLs Begin (through June 11)
- Kellam HS GradWalk, 2:30p
- 4th Quarter Activities Awards Ceremony, 6:30p
- Fri, June 7 - Championship Walk, 9:30a (Baseball, Forensics, Softball)
- Mon, June 10
- Locker Clean Out, 1st Block Class
- Chromebook (and charger) Collection for 8th grade, 1st Block Class
NO BACKPACKS ALLOWED BEGINNING JUNE 11
- Tue, June 11
- Grade 7 Awards Assembly, 10:15a-11:15a (Auditorium) - Invites will be sent to parents of students receiving awards
- Grade 6 Awards Assembly, 1:00p-2:00p (Auditorium) - Invites will be sent to parents of students receiving awards
- Remaining yearbooks available for purchase through School CashOnline ONLY (NO CASH SALES, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!), 5:00p
- Band Award Banquet, 6:30p
- Wed, June 12
- Yearbook distribution to students who have prepaid, Pulse Check
- Grade 8 Awards Assembly, Auditorium - Invites will be sent to parents of students receiving awards, 3:00p-4:00p (Auditorium)
- Thurs, June 13
- 8th Grade Field Day, 2:30p-5:45p (Back Field)
- Fri, June 14
- Last Day of School / Adjusted Dismissal
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Miss the last newsletter? Check it out here: The Panther Press - May 19, 2024.