August 11, 2021

KNIGHTLY NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS:

8/25/21: Schedules will go live for students and families in Synergy

8/26/21: New Student (Rising 6th Grader) and New to Patapsco 8th Grader (Never attended Patapsco) Family Orientation at 1:30 PM

8/26/21: Rising 7th Grader Student and Family Orientation at 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

8/26/21: PTA Sponsored Block Party at Patapsco Middle for all students and families 2:00 - 4:00 PM outside

8/26/21: 8th Grade Open House - 8th Grade students will have the opportunity to walk through the building from 3:00-4:00 PM. 

8/30/21: First day of school for students

9/6/21 Schools and Offices closed - Labor Day

9/7/21 Schools and Offices closed - Rosh Hashanah

9/9/21: Back to School Knight at 6 PM 

9/16: Schools and offices closed - Yom Kippur

9/27: School Picture Day

Refer to the Patapsco Calendar to stay up-to-date with all the events at Patapsco Middle School. 

School Supply List

The school supply list for 21-22 school year

Dear Patapsco Families:

I am so excited to start this school year and meet all of our students on the first day of school, August 30. We have been working hard this summer to get ready for the new school year. This email is to provide some information that students and families will want to review to prepare for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. We will be sending frequent newsletters over the next several weeks and we also will have all information linked to our Patapsco Middle School website. If one of your neighbors or friends is not receiving this communication, please encourage them to call the front office at 410-313-2848. 

We are looking forward to our 6th grade and 7th grade orientations on August 26. We will also have an Open House for our 8th graders who wish to walk the building before the first day of school. If your student is unable to attend, no worries, we plan the entire first week of school orienting each student and showing them tons of love and patience so everyone feels comfortable and ready for the year. We know middle school is a big transition and in particular this year, we are ready to welcome and care for each Knight. More information about the specific orientation will be shared in our next update. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and that our students have had plenty of opportunities to read a good book.

I look forward to seeing all of our students on August 30 and all of our families at Back to School Knight on September 9. 

Mike Babe

Principal

Patapsco- a place where everyone is valued and important! 

Mask Requirement this year

Howard County Public School System Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano outlined several health and safety updates for the 2021-2022 school year, including that, effective immediately, masks will be required in school buildings for all students, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Please click here for more information.

Homeroom Assignments

Here is the list of homerooms that students will have each morning. They are divided by grade and by alphabet (last name). Homerooms may need to be adjusted as enrollment changes occur over the next month. We will send this out again as we get closer to the start of the year. 

It's Time to Update Your Student's 2021-2022 Information Using Family File

We need each family to do this before August 30!

Family File is now available for the 2021-22 school year: Parents can now access and complete the FAMILY FILE for this year and it is done through HCPSS CONNECT. Parents must complete the Family File every year to ensure HCPSS has the most current information for each child. Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to verify, or update the following information: Student Information, Parent/Guardian Contact, Emergency Contact, Medical Information, Arrival/Dismissal Procedures, Photo Approval, Data Confidentiality, PTA/PTSA Directory.

Updating your information, including EMAIL addresses and contact information, and pushing the SUBMIT button will ensure that you are receiving the most recent news from Patapsco Middle School. 

If you've forgotten how to access your Connect account, or are new to the system, you can find all the information here including instructions in English, Korean & Spanish as well as a video link.  

Please have this back-to-school necessity completed by the beginning of school, 8/30/21. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Douglass at Jennifer_Douglass@hcpss.org who is available to assist you. Thank you for completing the Family File.

Changes of address may not be made through Family File. If you have recently moved, please contact your child’s new school as soon as possible. As we are preparing for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, it is imperative that we have accurate addresses on file for all of our students. If you have moved, and have not provided us with your updated information, we ask that you email the following documents to Ms. Miles, Student Service Secretary  at lindsey_miles@hcpss.org 

Please complete a change of address form - Click here to download PDF fillable version

You will also need to send in the following:

• A deed or deed of trust that has all required signatures or an original lease with all required signatures
• A current bill for cable television, non-cellular telephone, or gas and electric.

Student Course Listing  

Student course listings are currently available for your review in Synergy. Please note that these are not full schedules with teachers, class periods, rooms, etc. To view your student's course listing, log into HCPSS Connect and select "More Options" from the menu on the left. When the "More Options" menu opens, select "2021-22 Scheduled Courses" towards the bottom of the list. 

If there is an error with your student's courses, please contact your assigned school counselor for the 2021-2022 school year.

Counselors:

Last Names A-L - Kendra Lee (Kendra_Lee@hcpss.org)

Last Names M-Z - Morgan Kempthorn (Morgan_Kempthorn@hcpss.org) 

All families and students will be able to view full schedules in Synergy on August 25th.

From The Health Room

Dear Patapsco Middle Parents and Guardians,

Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene requires all incoming 7th grade students in the state of Maryland to have one Tdap and one Meningitis vaccine BEFORE entering school.  

Some students may have already received these immunizations, but the Health Room may not have the updated immunization record.  Please contact your child’s health care provider and send or fax an updated copy of your child’s immunizations to the Health Room.  The fax number at Patapsco Middle Health Room is 410-313-2852.

Immunizations may also be sent to Megan Blouse, school nurse, at Megan_blouse@hcpss.org 

Failure to provide proof of updated immunizations by the first day of school, or to provide evidence of an appointment to receive those immunizations within 20 calendar days from the first day of school, will result in your student being excluded from school.  If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse.​​​​​​​

Megan Blouse, RN

HC Health Department Vaccine Clinics

Please click on the link below for important information on Howard County Health Department's upcoming vaccination clinics.

HCHD vaccination clinic information

Back To School Vaccine Clinic 

Back To School Vaccine Clinic Spanish  

Free and Reduced Meals Program 

The coronavirus pandemic is causing a lot of hardship for many of our friends and neighbors. Many HCPSS families have been impacted financially by the pandemic, and may be eligible now to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program. Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including testing fees, tuition, internet and more. Click here to learn more or to apply.