July 25, 2016

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2016 – 2017 School Year! I hope you are having a wonderful and exciting summer. The faculty and staff of Prince Edward County Middle School have been working and preparing throughout the summer to offer students programs that will not only benefit them academically but also benefit them through more self-discovery and independence. With the students’ academic and emotional well-being as our focus, we have worked diligently to prepare a daily program that will pinpoint each individual student’s needs and tailored a variety of interventions, remediations, and enrichment opportunities that students will benefit from. The activities offered are research-based strategies aimed at improving student success.

We are also excited to say that the roof construction and HVAC repairs will be completed by the end of the summer! While the construction on the school will not be seen within the building, it will be felt! With temperatures that seem to be stuck near 100 degrees, we are grateful for cool classrooms and common areas for our students. The custodial staff have been working diligently throughout the school to ensure our building is clean and a place that our students and staff can be proud of as they embark upon the 2016-2017 school year.

The mission of Prince Edward County Middle School is to enable each student to achieve full intellectual, personal, and vocational potential. We recognize that in order to be successful in school, our students need support from both the home and school. We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for student success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:

1)  Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s learning experience;

2)  Completes all homework assignments given by teachers;

3)  Reads 20 minutes a day to develop a love for reading and to improve literacy skills;

4)  Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life;

5)  Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject.

To further provide our students with resources and support, we are exploring the idea of a PTO this school year. The decision to explore a PTO program is based on the fact that a PTO is not part of a national network and would, therefore, allow us to focus on the specific needs of our school and own community rather than statewide or national policy issues. If you are interested in helping with this, please contact me at your earliest convenience. We will have information available during our Open House on Thursday, August 4th.

You will also be provided with other valuable information and important dates at Open House but here are some things to remember:

Attention ALL GRADE 6 STUDENTS!!!! T-dap Shots required! All students entering the 6th grade need to have the “T-dap” shot BEFORE entering school for the 2016-2017 school year. Students who have NOT had their “T-dap” shot will NOT be allowed to start school. Please call the school if you have questions.

*Please note this shot is NOT offered at the school.

Thursday, August 4, 2016 – 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Open House. At that time you and your child may pick up their class schedule in the cafeteria. Also, this will be the opportunity to meet with your child’s teachers and discuss supplies, materials, and expectations.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 – First Day of School. Students should arrive to school no earlier than 7:45 a.m. and no later than 7:55 a.m. They should be in their classrooms and ready to begin the day no later than 8:00 a.m. Student dismissal begins at 3:10 p.m. Car riders will be released with second wave at 3:15 p.m. (If it is necessary for you to pick your child up before 3:15 p.m., you will need to sign them out in the main office.) Make sure your child is on time each day and please try not to pick your child up early from school unless it is an emergency. This is an important part of student success as instruction lasts all day.

The assistant principals, Mrs. McQuaige-Hicks and Mr. Harshman, and I are very excited about this new school year. I look forward to working with you and your child this year and I know that with your support and cooperation, it will be a successful year for all. Please do not hesitate to contact our administrative team if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Tammy Hurt, Ed.S.

Principal

Prince Edward County Middle School

1603 Zion Hill Road

Farmville, Virginia 23901

434-315-2120