Hello Pine Hollow Middle School community. This is your principal, Andrew Livengood, with the weekly message for May 3.

• Teacher Appreciation Week: Is this week! I would like to personally thank all of our teachers for their hard work in ensuring our students continue their learning during the pandemic. The transition to remote learning has been a challenge for everyone as we have adjusted to this new normal. But through it all, our teachers have done an amazing job and shown again what true Rock Stars they are! Please consider expressing your thanks and appreciation to your child’s teachers during this special week.
• Track Assignments for 2020-21: Will be posted to the website this week by student ID number.
• Loose Ends: With Governor Cooper’s recent announcement that we will not return to school this school year, we now have many loose ends to clean up. Among the issues to be addressed are: locker clean-outs, library book returns, yearbook distribution, athletic uniform collections, 8^th grade spirit rock signing, medicine pick-ups, etc. etc. I am working on plans right now for these various issues and will communicate details as plans are developed.
• Digital Learning: At this point all students should now be engaging in online learning. Most of our students are engaged in their core classes, but we are seeing a significant drop off in elective classes. Please have your student check their elective teacher's website for information about class assignments and weekly virtual meetings. Our teachers are trying to strike the balance between keeping parents informed when students are not engaged while also understanding that there are many legitimate reasons why students might not be able to fully participate. Please know that there is no “right” or “wrong” way for you to support your child with his/her remote learning as each family is unique. If you or your student have any questions regarding the structure or format for this new way of teaching/learning, please email the teacher and they will be glad to assist. Please note, each teacher has daily office hours in order to help students and answer questions. If you are unsure exactly how your student’s teachers are teaching remotely, please start with his/her webpage. If you are unable to get in touch with a specific teacher, feel free to email me and I can help connect you with the teacher.
• Athletics: Adams, our Athletic Director, has made several changes and updates to the athletics website. Please click here for more information. He has also been working hard recently to highlight some of our 8^th grade student athletes via Twitter. Please click here to see all of those highlights.
• Instructional Packets: WCPSS has also provided this document with links to grade-level instructional packets. If your family is unable to access remote learning due to technology or internet access issues, we can print a copy of the packet and mail it to you. If you are interested in this option, please contact your child’s teacher.
• Access to Remote Learing: A number of Chromebooks were distributed to PH families who needed one on Monday, April 6 and again on April 27. So far we have distributed 88 Chromebooks and 11 hotspots for students who needed them! Anyone who needs a Chromebook or a hotspot needs to let a teacher know asap as we are nearing the end of device deployment.
• Coronavirus Information: Visit wcpss.net/coronavirus for the latest information from WCPSS. Another helpful link regarding WCPSS Remote Learning Resources is available at: https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/instructional-continuity-wcpss/home.
• Field Trip Refunds:
  • By now most families should have received their refund check for the cancelled band trip to Williamsburg.
  • For the 8^th grade DC field trip, we are mailing checks this week. I thought we might have them ready to go last week, but it has taken longer than originally expected. Most families should have them by the weekend. Each family will receive $350 (88%) per paid traveler which is more than the 80% we were originally told to expect.
  • We are still trying to get a response from the bus company regarding the Richmond, VA 7^th grade trip. I will share more information as soon as we hear from the bus company.
• National Junior Honor Society: We will communicate with eligible students once we return to school and a new due date for applications will be communicated.
• Yearbooks: We still have a few yearbooks available for purchase. The price is $50 and can be ordered online http://www.strawbridge.net/Our school code is YB112059.
• From the PTSA:
  • Find all you need to know about your PHMS PTSA on the Pine Hollow MS website athttps://www.wcpss.net/Page/21473 and click on the Parents tab. Then click on Pine Hollow PTSA
  • Please email any questions to phmsptsa16@gmail.com
• Have a great week and enjoy this beautiful spring weather! And remember, even in the midst of a quarantine, at Pine Hollow Middle School, the sky is the limit!