Williamsburg Middle School PTA Newsletter

February 23, 2026

UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb. 23-27: Spirit Week!

Feb. 27: 7th and 8th Grade Dance - "Glow Up" - STILL NEED CONTRIBUTIONS

Mar. 3: Restaurant Fundraiser - Pie-Tanza

Mar. 12: Early Release - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Mar. 13: No School for Students - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Mar. 20: No School - Eid Holiday

Mar. 30-Apr. 3: Spring Break

Apr. 7: Talk About Books (TAB) Meets in Library During Lunch

Apr. 13: No School for Students - Grade Preparation Day

May 5: Talk About Books (TAB) Meets in Library During Lunch

May 25-26: No School - Memorial Day Holiday

May 27: No School - Eid al-Adha Holiday

Jun. 18: Last Day of School - Early Release

To access the APS school calendar, click here.

THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES

7th and 8th Grade Dance - STILL NEED CONTRIBUTIONS - THIS FRIDAY!

We are looking for parent volunteers to help make this event a success! Volunteer opportunities include assisting with snacks, set-up, clean-up, and chaperoning. Sign up here: WMS 7th and 8th Grades: WMS 7th and 8th Grade School Dance – Glow Up!

Restaurant Fundraiser - Pie-Tanza - Mar. 3

Our next restaurant fundraiser will be at Pie-Tanza on Tuesday, March 3. Mark your calendars!

Join the WMS PTA!

If you haven't joined the PTA yet, it's quick and easy.

Click here, and then click on Memberships. Note that you have to rejoin each year. So if you haven't signed up this school year, you're not a PTA member!

If you received this newsletter as a forward, please sign up to get it weekly.

Click here, and then click on Get the PTA Weekly Newsletter.

WMS Morning Announcements

Keep up with the latest news that your kids are getting each morning.

Click here for the WMS Morning Announcements!

Our PTA cannot carry out its programs and support for our students.

Please consider making a donation today!

Click here to DONATE to the WMS PTA

PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS

Spirit Week - THIS WEEK

Get ready to dress up, show out, and bring the energy all week long!

Monday – PJ Day

Roll out of bed and straight into school! Comfy vibes only.

Tuesday – Color Wars

Time to rep your grade loud and proud!

6th Grade: Blue

7th Grade: White

8th Grade: Black

Wednesday – Twin Day

Grab a friend and match from head to toe!

Thursday – Black History / Pan-African Day

Wear Red, Green, and Black to celebrate culture, pride, and history.

Friday – Neon Day

Glow big or go home! The brighter, the better!

Let’s see that school spirit ALL week long!

7th and 8th Grade School Dance - "Let's Glow" - STILL NEED CONTRIBUTIONS - THIS FRIDAY!

The 7th and 8th grade school dance " Let's Glow" will be held on Friday, February 27, from 6:00–8:00 PM at WMS.

We are looking for parent volunteers to help make this event a success! Volunteer opportunities include assisting with snacks, set-up, clean-up, and chaperoning.

WMS 7th and 8th Grades: WMS 7th and 8th Grade School Dance – Glow Up!

Restaurant Fundraiser - Pie-Tanza - March 3

Mark your calendars for our next restaurant fundraiser!

- Pie-Tanza

- Tuesday, March 3

- 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

- Dine in or carry out!

2025-2026 PTA Volunteer Vacancies

The WMS PTA has several openings for the upcoming school year. Please consider signing up (with a fellow parent if you'd like!) to ensure we can support these programs and events.

Our PTA cannot function without you. Even if the none of the roles below appeal to you but you are otherwise interested in getting more involved, please reach out to our PTA President at president@wmspta.org. We would love to hear from you!

ADVOCACY AND OUTEACH ROLES

SEPTA Representative

Special Education PTA facilitates events and resourcing related to Special Education and provides advocacy and awareness for students with disabilities and special needs. Coordinates with the President and Communications VP. Meets monthly for 1-2 hours.

HOSPITALITY ROLES

Most of these roles are one time events that require 2-4 hours to plan and organize.

Winter Teacher Luncheon Coordinator

Plans the Winter Luncheon that typically occurs during Parent/ Teacher conferences. Creates and manages a sign up for volunteers and donations.

Teacher Appreciation Week Committee

This committee consists of 2-3 parent volunteers to help plan and support TAW events.

Message from YHS for Rising 9th Grade Families

Dear rising 9th grade families,

The Yorktown Parent Teacher Student Association (YHS PTSA) is looking for candidates for the following Board positions for the 2026-2027 school year:

Internal Vice President (coordinates volunteer activities for student-focused programs)
Communications Vice President (creates and sends out the weekly newsletter)
Assistant Treasurer (backup Treasurer)

If you're interested in joining the nominating committee or would like to self-nominate, please reach out by email: nominations@yorktownptsa.org

Arlington Central Library's "Hang Out" Events for 6th-12th Graders

Check out these hangout events at Arlington Central Library on the Tuesdays at 4 PM.

Ready, Set, Game

- Jan. 6 and 20

- Feb. 3 and 17

- March 3 and 17

Art Cafe

- Jan. 13 and 27

- Feb. 10 and 24

- March 10 and 24

Arlington Central Library's "Art at the Library" Opportunity for Teens

Arlington Central Library is accepting submissions by teen artists to exhibit at the Central Library.

They invite teen artists to apply to the Library's Incubator program.

Artists can create a temporary exhibition of several of their works and have it hosted at the Central Library teen space (or other library location if they prefer). The teens are welcome to indicate that the art is for sale.

Judging for this round will take place in March.

Youth Ultimate League of Arlington - Register by March 1

Spring League registration for middle school ultimate frisbee is open.

Games occur on Sunday from March 22 to June 7.

Practices occur on weekday evenings.

For more information, click here.

WMS Food Bus to Assist AFAC

The Helping Hands club is bringing the AFAC Food Bus back! Each school day, students are encouraged to place unopened and/or unused food in the dedicated AFAC fridge or bins in the cafeteria, which is transported to AFAC in a bulk delivery at the end of the week. This partnership provides for our community's food insecure, diverts food waste, and promotes a culture of giving among the entire student body.

We need parents (and their students) to help to make this possible by collecting and transporting the food from WMS to AFAC (2708 S Nelson St, Arlington, VA 22206) at the end of the school week (usually Friday afternoons).

It is SUPER easy, a great lesson for our children, and it feels good to give!

Please consider volunteering to drive the food donations to AFAC!

CLICK HERE to sign up!

"Growth" Speaker Series for Parents and Professionals - FREE Admission

Parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists: if there’s a child in your life with learning differences, chances are you are seeking some advice. Discover the Lab School's popular Speaker Series! Our monthly lectures are rich with information, insights and tips that will help you nurture the opportunities—and navigate the challenges—learning differences can present. Coming up...

The Secret Power of a Growth Mindset at Home and School - Mar. 18

March 18, 2026 | 6:00-7:00 PM

Mary Cay Ricci, Educational Consultant, Author of NYT Best Selling Education Book, Mindsets in the Classroom and Ready to Use Resources for Mindsets in the Classroom

The Intersection of Learning Differences and Culture - May 6

May 6, 2026 | 6:00-7:00 PM

Linda Fleming McGhee, J.D., Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist, McGhee & Associates, LLC

CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

WMS GENERAL INFORMATION

Main Phone Line: 703-228-5450

Attendance Line: 703-228-5444

Technical support: 703-228-2570, Monday through Thursday from 7 am - 9 pm, and Friday from 7 am - 6 pm

Technical support information: click here.

ParentVue: click here.

Morning announcements: click here.

APS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

Upcoming APS Community Engagement Opportunities:

Thu, Feb. 26 School Board Meeting: Superintendent’s Proposed Budget Presentation

7:00 pm Watch School Board meeting online, on Comcast Ch. 70, Verizon Ch. 41 or at Syphax Education Center, 2nd FL, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204

The 2026 Honored Citizen Nomination form is now available

Nominate a deserving volunteer in your school community. Every year, the School Board recognizes volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to Arlington Public Schools. Details about this award and nomination can be accessed here. The nomination deadline is Fri, March 13.

More at: Community Engagement Opportunities with automatic translation into: Español Монгол አማርኛ العربية (Other languages)

Arlington Community Opportunities and Events:

Fri, Feb. 27 Teen Takeover: Amazon After Dark for middle and high school students. Teen DJs will showcase their skills, only clear backpacks allowed. Hosted by Parks & Recreation in partnership with Amazon.

7-10:00 pm Register here. Amazon HQ2

Mott Million Dollar Challenge: A Pitch Competition for Kids and Teens

The 50 State Afterschool Network competition invites K-12 students to submit a short, 30-90 second video showcasing an idea that would make a positive impact in their school, home, or community. Students may enter individually or in teams of up to three, and a total of $1 million in prizes will be awarded. Details here. Submissions are due Feb. 27.

Scholarships for high school students

The George Washington Chapter AUSA 2025 Scholarship Committee is accepting digital scholarship applications at C2101@ausa.org. Email questions to karen.lowe1956@gmail.com or dickwinter1@gmail.com. Applications are due Fri, May 1.

Have content for a future PTA Newsletter? Send it to our Communications VP by Thursday and we will include it in the following week's newsletter.