Principal's Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Where has the time gone? Soon we'll be welcoming our students back for an exciting year at Potomac Middle School. Each year we aim to provide an authentic and dynamic middle school experience for our students.

I want each of our students to be held to high academic standards, while being provided opportunities and experiences that are exciting and educational. This year, our students will be challenged academically with a rigorous curriculum, high quality instructional materials and high expectations for achievement. Through in class assignments, clubs, guest speakers, and field trips, we hope to provide students with relevant real world connections to the curriculum.

This year we encourage families to take an active role in building healthy literacy habits with their students. We hope to reignite our students love for reading which will help them achieve in all subject areas as well. More information regarding our literacy efforts will be shared throughout the year!

Each week leading up to the first day of school, I will provide a Principal's Newsletter with timely updates and information to ensure all students are ready to learn on August 24th.

At the heart of our school community are the 5 P's: Prompt, Prepared, Productive, Polite, and Perseverance. These core values will guide us throughout the year, ensuring that our students not only excel academically but also grow as respectful and resilient individuals.

We look forward to partnering with you to make this school year a memorable and successful one for your child. Thank you for your continued support and trust in our school community.

With Panther Pride,

Dr. Rachel Preston

Principal

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 20, 2026

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: 7th & 8th-Grade Students

*8th Grade Open House will begin with a Parent Informational Meeting at 12:00pm in the Cafeteria

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM: 6th-Grade Students

Our first fundraiser of the year will also take place at Open House! We encourage all families to visit the Kona Ice Truck once they have finished visiting their classes.

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.

On Tuesday, August 11th, PTMS will host its annual Rising Sixth Graders Summer Camp. The camp starts at 8 a.m., and students will follow a modified schedule resembling a typical school day. The camp aims to help students adjust to the middle school experience. Simultaneously, parents can attend mini seminars on topics that contribute to their students’ success.

Join Prince William County Public Schools and the Prince William County Community Foundation for a free community event for the entire family. Enjoy free food, STEM activities, school supplies, career exploration, entertainment, and so much more! All items while supplies last.

There will also be resources and services for our families, including healthcare information, PWCS program information and offerings, and more.

Staff from the following schools will be in attendance to meet with families:

• High School: Freedom
• Middle Schools: Fred M. Lynn, Hampton, Potomac, Rippon, and Woodbridge
• Elementary Schools: Belmont, Dale City, Featherstone, Fitzgerald, Kilby, Leesylvania, Marumsco Hills, Vaughan, and Woodbridge

Event Details

Saturday, August 15, 2026
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location

Freedom High School
15201 Neabsco Mills Rd.
Woodbridge, VA 22191

The event is outdoors, rain or shine.

No registration is necessary.

As we prepare for the first day, we ask that all families log in to ParentVUE and complete the Back-to-School Packet as soon as possible.

The information you update in ParentVUE helps us support your child and maintain a safe and connected school community. One of the most important steps is reviewing and updating your emergency contacts. Accurate emergency contact information allows us to quickly reach parents, guardians, and trusted adults if an unexpected situation arises.

While completing the Back-to-School Packet in ParentVUE, please take a few moments to verify:

• Parent/guardian contact information
• Emergency contacts
• Phone numbers and email addresses
• Medical and health information
• Any other information that may have changed since last school year

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure a safe and successful start to the school year. We look forward to welcoming your family back soon!

Here are eight things parents can do to help their child get ready for the school year:

1. Establish Consistent Routines: Start setting a regular bedtime and wake-up time to help your child adjust to the school schedule. Doors open for students at 7:55am.
2. Practice Using a Locker: All Potomac students will be using a locker, practice opening and closing it to build confidence. A simple lock can help prepare your student for this middle school rite of passage.
3. Get a Sports Physical: Schedule a physical exam if your child plans to participate in school sports.
4. Organize School Supplies: Purchase and organize necessary school supplies, such as notebooks, pens, and a backpack.
5. Review the School Calendar: Familiarize yourself and your child with important dates, such as the first day of school, holidays, and parent-teacher conferences.
6. Set Up a Study Area: Create a quiet, organized space at home where your child can do homework and study.
7. Discuss Goals and Expectations: Talk with your child about their goals for the school year and any expectations you have. Have a success meeting and share your criteria for a successful school year for your child.
8. Plan Healthy Meals and Snacks: Breakfast and Lunch are FREE to all Potomac students. Ensuring your child has nutritious meals and snacks at home can keep them energized throughout the day.

These steps can help make the transition back to school smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your child.

The PTMS Athletics Department is excited to welcome back our student athletes to the 2026-2027 school year! We look forward to building off the success we achieved last year.

Fall tryouts will begin on Monday, August 31st and continue through Thursday, September 3rd. Tryouts will run after school through 5 PM. An activity bus will be provided Monday through Thursday.

Our fall sports include:

• Cheerleading
• Football
• Volleyball
• Boys soccer
• Girls track

We continue to navigate the changes implemented last year by PWCS in regards to our sports physicals and student health training. The Arbiter system remains the hub for these required pieces of information.

Please read the following information carefully so that your student may participate in athletics if they desire.

For returning students to PTMS (rising 7th and 8th graders) that already have an Arbiter account and uploaded physical approved by our Athletic Trainer:

• Please login to your Arbiter account and update any relevant information. Your student will also need to read the material for the student health training (formerly known as concussion training).

• Please check the expiration date on your students sports physical. As a reminder, per the changes in PWCS policy last year, sports physicals remain active 14 months after dated by a physician.

• You WILL NOT be able to try out for fall sports unless your account has been updated, student health training complete completed and physical date within the approved range.

For students new to PTMS (this includes students transferring from another PWCS middle school):

• Please log into Arbiter, create an account, and then upload a COMPLETED PWCS sports physical approved by a physician. Information on how to complete this process can be found on the PTMS Athletics webpage.

We thank you for your cooperation as we navigate the changes to our sports physical process. We will be hosting a Sports Physical Night on Wednesday, August 26th from 5 to 7 PM for those who need assistance with creating an Arbiter account. This is an optional event for those that want in-person help.

ANY STUDENT THAT DOES NOT HAVE AN ACCOUNT ON ARBITER AND AN APPROVED PHYSICAL WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRY OUT. Please make sure your student has these things completed before they stay after school on August 31st. HARD COPIES OF SPORTS PHYSICALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

More specific information to those sports and their seasons/schedules will be provided by the Coach if your student makes the team.

If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Price, Athletic Coordinator, at priceea@pwcs.edu.

On day 1 of the 2026-2027 school year PWCS will implement safety screening technology. This is a critical component in PWCS’ multi-layered security protocol to “deter, detect, and defend.”

Families are encouraged to help reduce the possibility of “false alerts” on everyday items, while none are prohibited, using these guidelines will ensure a quick entry for everyone:

1. Select clear and plastic school supplies over covered/concealed and metallic when applicable.
2. Use three-ring binders with plastic spines/rings (non-metal).
3. Utilize plastic (versus metallic) BPA-free water/coffee bottles.
4. Use hard plastic eyeglass cases (versus metal).
5. Students should “pack-light” and limit the number of items in bags or other equipment.
6. Keep superfluous metallic items home (game consoles, beauty products, USB drives).
7. Umbrellas will be passed around the technology via a staffed table.

We will also provide information for students on the first day of school to make morning arrival run smoothly.

PWCS is a BELL to BELL cell phone free school division.Prince William County Public Schools’ (PWCS) cell phone-free education policy aims to enhance student engagement and participation in classroom activities by removing a major distraction in the classroom – cell phones.

Middle School student cellular devices will need to be "Off and Away for the Day!" as we STOP THE SCROLL and TAKE CONTROL.

Reminders

• All cell phones and personal electronic communication devices must be turned off and stored away during the bell-to-bell school day and during any instructional periods, regardless of location, including field trips.
• Dual-purpose watches are allowed, but wireless/cellular features must be turned off during instructional times (e.g., must be in airplane mode).
• All cell phones and personal electronic communication devices may be turned on and used within the school and on the school campus before or after the bell-to-bell school day.
• Cell phones and wireless communication devices may be used on school buses provided the device does not distract the driver, compromise safety, or violate the Prohibited Content and Use for All Students provisions detailed below.

Parents may view information about their child’s compliance with immunization(s) and/or school physical in ParentVUE. If you do not have a ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school. The school nurse can provide additional information on your child’s immunization(s) and/or school physical.

Deadline to prevent school exclusion

The deadline for your student to meet this immunization and/or school physical requirement is Friday, August 21, 2026.

Please read below and follow these two steps:

1. ​Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider, urgent care center or with a community healthcare center:
   • The Prince William Health District – 703-792-6300 (Manassas) or 703-792-7300 (Woodbridge)
   • Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinic – 703-993-5880 (must leave a message)
   • Lunera Health (formally the Greater Prince William Community Health Center) – 703-680-7950
   • Sentara Community Care Clinic – 703-523-1095
   • Inova Cares for Families – 571-719-4180 (Manassas)
2. Submit proof of your student's immunizations and/or school physical to the school. Include their full name and student ID on the documents. You may email or deliver this information directly to the school nurse.

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Rising 6th Grade Camp 8:30am

Saturday, August 15 2026

PWCS Community Event @ Freedom High School

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Open House

8th Grade 12:00-1:15 pm (Parent Meeting begins at 12:00)

7th Grade 12:00-1:15 pm

6th Grade 1:15-2:15 pm

Monday, August 24, 2026

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Athletics Physical Paperwork Night 5-7pm

Monday, August 31, 2026

Fall Sports Tryouts Begin- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

*Activity busses will run on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for tryouts*

Friday, September 4, 2026

NO SCHOOL-Labor Day Weekend

Monday, September 4, 2026

NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

6th Grade Back to School Night - 5:45 PM - 7:30 PM

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

7th and 8th Grade Back to School Night - 5:45 PM - 7:30 PM

For assistance please contact the main office during school hours.

Website: https://potomacms.pwcs.edu
Location: 3130 Panther Pride Drive, Dumfries, VA, USA
Phone: 703-221-4996
Facebook: facebook.com/potomacMS
Twitter: @PotomacMS