community newsletter

Grizzlies,

Can you believe we’ve made it to the end of the year? This truly has been the BEST year, and we have so much to celebrate! Our 8th graders have begun their end-of-year celebrations, and a huge thank you goes out to our parents who volunteered to decorate for the dance and sent in drinks and snacks. Our students had an amazing time. I’d also like to thank our 8th grade teachers, especially Ms. Wilder, for planning such a signature and meaningful experience for our students.

As we head toward the finish line, our 6th and 7th graders will be heading out on their final field trips of the year, and our 8th graders still have Field Day and our Grove Goodbye Family Event to look forward to. We are also excited about our upcoming end-of-the-year Band and Chorus concerts.

Please remember that finals will take place May 18–20 and are required for your child’s end-of-year grades. The last day of school is Friday, May 22, and it will be an Early Release day. All car riders must be picked up by 1:30 PM.

I truly appreciate everyone for welcoming me into the Piney Grove community. I love being a Grizzly! Thank you for an incredible year of partnership, support, and love for our school.

With #pineypride,

Lori

May 15 - 8th Grade Field Day

May 15 - 8th Grade Grove Goodbye

May 22 - Early Release, Last Day & 8th Grade Walk

Finals will be May 18-20

Please be aware that our campus will be under construction for the entire summer, beginning May 27 and scheduled to be reopened at the start of Pre-Planning.

There will be no on in the office at PGMS while our campus is under construction. If you need assistance during the summer, please email administration and we will assist you.

We look forward to being back on campus right before school starts!

Quick reminder for our families: students must be picked up in the car rider line by 4:35 PM. We do not have staff on contract to supervise students after this time. Please plan accordingly to ensure timely pickup. Thank you for your support in helping us keep all students safe.

Quick reminder for families: Students may not be dropped off or picked up from school using Uber or other ride-share services unless a parent or guardian is present at drop-off or pick-up. This expectation is in place to ensure student safety and clear supervision during arrival and dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re excited to celebrate our amazing Piney Grove teachers. They do so much behind the scenes to support, encourage, and inspire students in ways big and small. Check out the ways you and your child can treat their teachers this week!

Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 4, and PTSO is still collecting gift cards to help celebrate our amazing teachers. We welcome donations of $5–$20 to places like Walmart, Amazon, or Chick-fil-A, or anywhere you’d like to contribute from. You can drop off physical gift cards at the front desk (labeled PTSO) or email e-gift cards to pineygroveptso@gmail.com.

School supply kits are now available for purchase! With one click, you can order your child’s complete grade-level supply kit, saving time and up to 40% off retail prices. Kits will be shipped directly to your home a few weeks before Open House; use the link below and Account: 28738 to order. Purchase Here

You may recall from our common midterms earlier this year that Forsyth County Schools is in the process of aligning assessment and grading practices across all middle schools. This work is part of our Strategic Plan and is designed to create a more consistent and balanced experience for all students.

As part of this effort, the district has developed common final exams for middle school students in English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Spanish I. These assessments help:

• Support student learning by identifying what students have mastered and where additional support may be needed

• Strengthen instruction by providing teachers with meaningful data to adjust and plan lessons for the future

Final exams will begin the week of May 18. Schools will share specific exam schedules and details directly with families. We strongly encourage families to prioritize student attendance during the exam window, as these assessments are an important part of each student's learning experience and course grade.

• Final exam grades will be available in Parent Portal the week of May 25

• Report cards will be posted on Wednesday, May 27

In the event of an unforeseen absence, the following makeup opportunities will be available. Schools will provide specific times and locations for makeup testing:

• May 20 (afternoon), May 21, and May 22

• July 20 and July 21

After July 21, final exam makeup opportunities will no longer be available. Any exam marked as missing will remain a zero.

• If your student has lost their charger, please go on SchoolPay and purchase the $25 insurance policy (if you have not already) - this will cover the cost of the charger.

We are excited to celebrate your 8th grader and their time at Piney Grove Middle School! The month of May is filled with meaningful and fun experiences as we honor our students and the journey they’ve had with us. We kick things off with the 8th Grade Dance on May 1. On May 15, students will enjoy Field Day, followed by our special Grove Goodbye celebration that evening on the football field. Families are invited to join us from 5:30–7:00 PM as we celebrate together with students and teachers.

To help make these signature experiences memorable for every student, we are asking each family to pay the $25 8th Grade Dues. These funds directly support the activities and celebrations planned throughout the month. If you are unsure whether your dues have already been paid, please reach out to your child’s Thrive teacher. The link to pay is included below. Thank you for partnering with us as we celebrate your student and send them off in true Grizzly style!

We can’t do any of this without YOU! We have a few open positions on our PTSO board including Co-President, Vice President, VP of Fundraising, and VP of Programs. We also welcome parents who want to get involved in any capacity, big or small. If you have any questions, please email us at pineygroveptso@gmail.com.

To join the PTSO, click HERE.

Want to celebrate one of our AMAZING Piney Grove Staff Members? Please use THIS FORM to shout out our staff and celebrate the incredible ways they support our students!

We are excited to launch Partner Connect, a special opportunity for parents, families, and community members to get involved and support our students. Whether it’s volunteering at events, sharing your expertise, or lending a helping hand, your partnership makes a difference in the success of Piney Grove Middle School.