PHMS Parent Newsletter

PHMS Parents,

This has been a fun week at PHMS. 6th and 7th grade student enjoyed successful field trips to the Smithsonian Zoo and Maryland Zoo, respectively. We were also busy in the classroom, with major assessments in a number of classes to wrap up the marking period.

Please continue encouraging your students to use their agendas to write down assignments and important dates for each class. Students who do use their agendas regularly may receive a little prize in the near future (hint!).

Friday, October 30, is a half-day for students. Students are welcome to wear costumes to school if they choose. Please review costumes carefully before students leave home. For safety reasons, the following are not permitted:

• Masks that cover the face
• Weapons or weapon-like props
• Inflatable costumes

As always, costumes should be school-appropriate and allow students to participate fully in the school day while following our regular rules and expectations.

Friday also marks the last day of the first marking period. As we continue to monitor student progress and analyze grades, families of students needing additional academic support will receive communication from the school. Please note that failure to meet grade-level standards could result in retention. If you have questions about a specific course or your child's academic progress, please reach out directly to their teachers. Our counselors and administrators regularly review student performance as well and are available to provide support as needed.

Thank you for your continued support.

Until next time...

HALL TOGETHER

Justin Benjamin

Principal

10/29 - Trunk or Treat TONIGHT 6-7pm

10/30 - Half Day for Students - Dismiss at 12:05

10/30 - Last day of the 1st Marking Period

10/31 - Middle School Cross Country Championships at Randallstown HS

Next Week - Fall Book Fair! (runs 11/2-11/10)

11/2 - Book Fair Family Night 4:30-6:30

11/5 - Fall Sports Meeting 5:00

Week of 11/9 - Hearing and Vision Screening

11/9 - PTSA Meeting 7pm - Meeting Room or Virtual

11/17 - American Ed Week Visitation 8:45-10:30

11/18 - American Ed Week Visitation 8:45-10:30

11/18 - Band Concert - Informance

11/19 - Orchestra Concert - Informance

11/20 - Family Friday during Lunch

We are proud to showcase our students and teachers as much as we can throughout the school year. We offer many opportunities for families to join us - from movie nights and sporting events to fine arts nights and drama productions. We hope that families feel connected to the student experience at PHMS.

With that, we are offering some exciting opportunities for families to come into the building during American Education Week this year. See the schedule below. If you plan on visiting on 11/17 or 11/18, please be sure to read the letter attached for very important details about the visitation days.

Tuesday 11/17 - Parent/Guardian Visitation 8:45-10:30

Wednesday 11/18 - Parent/Guardian Visitation 8:45-10:30

Wednesday 11/18 - Band Informance with Families 6:00

Thursday 11/19 - Orchestra Informance

Friday 11/20 - Family Friday during Lunch - Sign up coming soon

The book fair runs 11/2 - 11/10. Students will all have opportunities to visit during the school day.

Family Night is 11/2 from 4:30-6:30. PLUS there is a Family Night Special of buy one book get another book ½ off.

Hope to see you there!

Our wonderful parent volunteers of the PTSA organize one "big" fundraiser every year. That fundraiser is the "Fund-a-Day" fundraiser. It requires no volunteering, no selling, no hassle. Please consider participating in our fundraiser and spread the word to neighbors and family members. The goal this year is $5,000, and the grade that raises the most money will win a PAJAMA DAY. Our PTSA is able to support our students only through membership fees and donations like this. Thank you for supporting us! See the link and flyer below.

October 29 Update: $1,943 has been raised so far. Thank you for your kind donations!

STUDENT SERVICE-LEARNING ANNOUNCEMENT

Students may begin earning and accumulating service-learning hours towards their high school graduation requirement in middle school. If your child has participated in, or is considering, any volunteer activities this school year, read on for essential information.

The service-learning approval form is available for download from the PHMS website or printed copies may be picked up in-person from the PHMS school counseling office. Complete one approval form for each unique service-learning project or activity. In brief: students will fill the front side for their project to be pre-approved, then engage their project and complete the back side of the form for final approval. Whether handwritten or typed, this approval form must be submitted to PHMS’s Service-Learning Coordinator, Benjamin Allen, in the school counseling office or emailed to ballen4@bcps.org.

Please do not delay. Submit your approval form immediately after a project has been completed. For ongoing or long-term projects, students may document and submit their activity by the end of each Marking Period.

All projects completed in Summer 2026 to the present date should be submitted to Benjamin Allen no later than Friday, November 13th. Contact ballen4@bcps.org with any questions.

BCPS Website: https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/FACE/student_service_learning

PHMS Website: https://perryhallms.bcps.org/students/service_learning_at_p_h_m_s

Visit this Padlet for inspiration, ideas, and a sampling of local non-profit organizations.

Click the photo for website

Each year, parents are required to complete the BCPS Volunteer Application and Training. We will need field trip chaperones and event volunteers throughout the year. If you would like to be considered for these opportunities, you need to complete your volunteer paperwork! See link below to get started.

https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/FACE/b_c_p_s_volunteers

Questions? Email Holly Bartolomeo at hbartolomeo@bcps.org

Questions, Concerns, Comments? Feel free to email Mr. Benjamin at jbenjamin2@bcps.org or call us at 443-809-5100