Unity Braxton Weekly Newsletter

Dear Jaguar Families and Staff,

Unity Braxton Middle School has been named a 2026 America’s Healthiest School by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation!

This national recognition celebrates schools that are making intentional efforts to support the physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being of their students, staff, and families.

At Unity Braxton, we believe that when our students are healthy, supported, and ready to learn, they are better positioned to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our entire Jaguar community to create a school environment where wellness, belonging, and student success are valued.

A Friendly Reminder for Jaguar Families about toys:

To help us maintain a focused and productive learning environment, please ensure that personal toys and other non-instructional items remain at home. These items can become distractions during the school day and may be lost, damaged, or misplaced. In accordance with PWCS policy, only items necessary for educational instruction should be brought to school. Any items can be confiscated by teachers and administration and could result in discipline according to the Code of Behavior. Thank you for your partnership in supporting a safe, engaging, and distraction-free learning experience for all students.

Just In Time Jaguar Challenge

UBMS has started the Just In Time Jaguar Challenge of arriving to every class "Just in Time"! Students, advisories, and houses will compete for weekly and monthly prizes to see who can get the most students to class "Just in Time" Being on time helps students start their class ready to learn, build positive habits, and avoid missing important instruction. Families can support this challenge by monitoring their student attendance in ParentVue and encouraging students arrive to every class "Just in time" every day. Together, we can make every minute count!

Building Habits for Success

Student success starts with strong daily habits at home. Families play an important role by encouraging consistent routines like arriving at school on time, completing all assignments, getting enough sleep, and coming prepared each day with a charged iPad and ready to learn. These simple habits help students build responsibility, confidence, and a strong foundation for learning. These habits also help the teachers make the most of the class time for help drive the students achievement. Thank you for partnering with us to support the success of every Jaguar!

Join the UBMS PTO for the 2026-2027 School Year!

PTO membership is FREE, and every parent, guardian, family member, and staff member is welcome. Whether you can volunteer regularly or simply want to stay informed, your involvement makes a difference.

Together, we can:

• Support students and staff through meaningful programs and events

• Celebrate our amazing teachers and school community

• Strengthen family-school partnerships

• Create memorable experiences for our students

• Help make UBMS an even stronger, more connected community

Ready to Get Involved?

Take the first step today and become a UBMS PTO member!

🔗 Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/y0qxMeyLP2

Every volunteer, every idea, and every family makes a difference. We invite you to join us as we continue building a supportive, vibrant, and thriving UBMS community where every student can succeed.

PTO Meeting Calendar for the 2026-2027 School Year

Stay connected and informed by attending our PTO meetings throughout the year. We look forward to partnering with you!

October 20

December No Meeting (Winter Break)

May 18

Families are invited to attend the PWCS Secondary Specialty Programs Fair on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 5:30–8:00 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Students and families can meet program representatives, ask questions, and learn about programs and the application process. The fair is open to students in grades 5–10.

Attention Jaguars!

Come out and join the Coaches by supporting the Boys and Girls Basketball Program at Chipotle on

October 20th 4-8pm

7311 Sudley Road in Manassas

Please show the flyer when ordering or use an online pick-up CODE: EEGCWLE.

Let's support our Basketball Program!

Thank you everyone for your generous support for the Book Fair! Please remember to write "LIBRARY" or, "BOOK FAIR" on passes given to students so that we know they are to visit the book fair and aren't making an extended water fountain trip 🙂 Typically, during the second week of book fair, there's no big emergency for a student to visit 🙂

There are a few spots left for book fair relay passes. Please call Ms. Diaz if you would like passes for the day.

Everyone is welcome to shop the online book fair for cozy fall reading

The book fair closes on Friday 10/25. Hooray! It will return for Jaguar Night in April.

Jaguar Reading passports are for students AND staff! If you complete a Jaguar Reading Passport, you get a treat from the librarians.

Clubs and activities are a vital part of building a strong and vibrant school community at Unity Braxton Middle School. We’re excited to kick off another great year with a variety of after-school clubs and activities led by our enthusiastic faculty and staff!

We hope you find something that sparks your interest and encourages you to get involved. To join a club or activity:

• Reach out to the sponsor either in person or via email.
• Request a permission slip from them to get started.

Let’s make this year memorable by connecting, exploring new interests, and having fun together!

26-27 Clubs & Activities.docx

Middle and High School Grade Students

• 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.

Prohibited Content and Use for All Students

Students are not allowed to create, access, or share content that is incompatible with a K-12 educational environment while on school property, including school buses, or at school-sponsored events, regardless of location. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Content that is obscene, contains profanity, or involves or threatens illegal acts.
• Content that bullies, harasses, threatens, or degrades others is strictly prohibited, including the use of artificial intelligence to impersonate others.
• Videotaping misconduct is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary actions.
• Use of cell phones and wireless communication devices in restrooms or locker rooms is strictly prohibited. Photographing or videotaping other students in a state of undress in these or other areas of the school will result in discipline and may result in a referral to law enforcement.
• Use of cell phones and wireless communication devices to cheat or in ways that violate the school division’s acceptable use policy.

At Unity Braxton Middle School, we believe that a positive school culture begins with three simple expectations. Throughout the year, students will be encouraged to follow our three school rules:

• Take Care of Yourself – Make healthy choices, be prepared to learn, and always do your best.
• Take Care of Others – Show kindness, respect, empathy, and include everyone in our school community.
• Take Care of This Place – Take pride in our school by keeping our classrooms, hallways, and campus clean, safe, and welcoming.

These three expectations guide everything we do and help us create a school where every Jaguar feels safe, valued, and ready to succeed. We encourage families to reinforce these principles at home as we work together to build a strong, respectful, and caring school community.