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Williamsburg Middle School PTA Newsletter
November 10, 2025
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THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES
Restaurant Fundraiser - Chipotle - THIS WEDNESDAY
Mark your calendars for this upcoming restaurant fundraiser to support WMS: Nov. 12 at Chipotle.
Slide Presentation from Recent PTA Meeting
Thanks to all who joined us for our recent PTA Meeting.
Guest Speaker Dr. Katia Fredriksen of Neuropsychmoms.com shared her expertise in "Building Healthy Habits for the New School Year." We have posted the slides from her insightful presentation on the PTA website, in the "News" section.
Join the 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!
Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter
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.
Volunteer Needs
Please see the complete list of volunteer vacancies below. If you don't see a vacancy that is a perfect match for you, but you still want to help out, please reach out to us at president@wmspta.org.
Future PTA Meetings - Guest Speakers Welcome!
We are trying to identify potential speakers for future meetings - if you are or know of a potential speaker who could present on topics that might be of interest to our membership, please reach out to vpinternal@wmspta.org.
Morning Announcements
Keep up with the latest news that your kids are getting each morning.
Click here for the WMS Morning Announcements!
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Our PTA cannot carry out its programs and support for our students.
Please consider making a donation today!
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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.
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WMS Food and Toiletries Drive - Last Day to Contribute - Nov. 20
WMS invites all students, families, and staff to participate by donating nonperishable food items and/or toiletries. Every contribution—big or small—will help make a difference for our neighbors during this challenging time.
Large collection boxes are located throughout the building for your donations. All collected items will be delivered to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) (https://afac.org/) on Friday, November 21.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and commitment to supporting our community. Together, we can make a meaningful impact
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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!
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White House Ornament Fundraiser to Benefit WMS PTA - Deadline to Order Dec. 1
Since 1981, The White House Historical Association, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, has proudly created the Official White House Christmas Ornament to bring the history of the White House into millions of homes across the country and support their mission. The mission of the White House Historical Association to protect, preserve, and provide public access to the rich history of America’s Executive Mansion.
This year's ornament celebrates the 150th anniversary of State Dinners at the Executive Mansion. Hand assembled, the ornament design is cut from delicate brass, etched, and printed with enamel ink and finished with 24-karat gold for the ultimate holiday shine. It features two highly recognizable plates from the White House State china collection. Adorned with a red and gold twist cording for elegant hanging on your tree, it comes packaged in a keepsake giftbox. Includes an educational booklet with full color photos and informative descriptions of the history of White House State China Services.
The cost of the ornament is $24.95 with a portion of proceeds benefiting Williamsburg Middle School PTA. These ornaments make excellent holiday gifts for family, friends and colleagues. Orders are not limited to the WMS community, please feel free to share with friends and colleagues.
If you would like to purchase an ornament please fill out this order form by no later than Monday, December 1. Ornaments should be ready by Monday, December 8 for pick-up from the Milans' home close to Jamestown. Thank you for your support of WMS PTA!
Questions? Contact Liz Milans at pehickam@yahoo.com.
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YHS Crew Winter Conditioning - Open to 8-12th Graders - Registration and Open House Info
WINTER CONDITIONING REGISTRATION ENDS TODAY
Registration for Yorktown Crew winter conditioning is now available through SportsEngine.
Click here to register.
-Nov. 10: Registration for winter conditioning will close.
-Nov. 17: Winter conditioning season will begin.
Click here for more information on the Winter Conditioning Season.
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YHS Crew Annual Wreath Fundraiser - Last Day to Order is TODAY
Support Yorktown Crew and Deck the Halls!
Support Yorktown Crew and get a jump start on decorating your home this holiday
season! Our annual wreath fundraiser is happening now!
Your generosity covers vital costs like oars, boats, and transportation, keeping rowing
affordable for all our families.
Every wreath purchase or donation directly fuels the
team's success.
Order or Donate Easily: Scan the QR codes to place your order or contribute to
our program.
Local delivery wreaths will arrive the first week of December and will be
hand delivered by our rowers.
Find Us Locally: Be on the lookout for our team at your local farmer's markets and
Election Day polling places.
Join the Excitement: Interested in learning more about crew? Come check us out and
help cheer us on at one of our spring regattas: https://www.yorktowncrew.org/
Thank you for supporting our success on and off the water!
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"Growth" Speaker Series for Parents and Professionals - FREE Admission - This Wednesday
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...
Growing Up in Public - Nov. 12
Devorah Heitner, PhD, Author of Growing up in Public: Coming Of Age In A Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World
CLICK HERE for more information and to register.
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PTA Reflections Contest Deadline - Nov. 21
Hello Wolfpack! It’s time to create artwork in response to the I Belong! theme for the 2025-2026 Reflections program.
You can virtually submit one piece in each of the arts categories (Dance, Film, Literature, Music, Photography and/or Visual Arts).
Entries and Student Entry Forms are due online by Friday, November 21.
Visit the Williamsburg PTA website for more information on how to submit artwork and student
Email ReflectionsWMSPTA@gmail.com with any questions.
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Annual Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation 5K & Carnival - Community Event - Nov. 22
Each year, the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation event brings together families from across Arlington to celebrate, connect, and make a real difference for local moms and babies. Over the past decade, JBLF has helped hundreds of economically vulnerable moms and babies in our community—providing essentials like prenatal care, ride vouchers for medical visits, car seats, and newborn supplies. Every step we take together helps another family get the start they deserve.
Here’s how you can join in:
- Volunteer: Opportunities for adults and teens, both on race day and in the days leading up. Volunteer here.
- Register: Run the 5K at 9:00 a.m., cheer on the kids’ fun run around 10:00/10:30 a.m., or just stop by for the carnival (open until 1:00 p.m.). Register here.
- Amplify: Share this event with your school community.
- Celebrate: Enjoy inflatables, games, face painting, balloon artists, laser tag, a bungee jumper, music, and so much more!
- Eat & Drink: Free beer and mimosas in the Beer Garden, plus delicious bites from Knights, Duck Donuts, and Timber Pizza.
- Bid: Our Silent Auction will be packed with getaways, signed sports memorabilia, and local business favorites.
- Donate: Can’t make it? Your support still makes a big difference.
Learn more at www.jb-lf.org.
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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.
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APS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
Upcoming APS Community Engagement Opportunities:
Thu, Nov. 13 School Board Meeting: Native American Heritage Month recognition; Strategic Plan Priority - Student Academic Growth and Success (Focus on Chronic Absenteeism); Action on the Proposed Revisions to the 2025-26 School Year Calendar and School Board Direction on the Superintendent’s Proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP); Information on the Revisions to School Policy E-5.1.2 School Start Times, J-5.3.32 Administrative Placements, and J-13 Physical Interventions; Middle and High School Programs of Studies; and Final Fiscal Close-Out Status Report and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Quarterly Report
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
Tue, Nov. 18 School Board Work Sessions on the Advisory Committee Working Group; Non-Traditional Secondary Program; Grace Hopper Center Programming; and High School Schedules. Agendas, background information, and minutes are posted, when available, on BoardDocs.
9 am-2:45 pm Watch Work Sessions Live or at Syphax Education Center, School Board Room, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204
School Board Accepting Applications for Advisory Councils
The School Board Advisory Councils and Committees provide valuable input on the APS decision-making process. Click here to learn more.
Arlington Community Events:
Nominate a Teacher of the Year by Nov. 14 - Deadline extended!
Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) selects elementary, middle, and high school teachers to participate in the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program. Complete the 2025-2026 entry form and brochure to nominate a teacher and mail to VFW Post 3150 by Nov. 14.
Scholarship opportunity for Spanish students 12-18 years of age
The 1st Carlos V Education Spanish Contest encourages language learners to submit their creative works, including short stories, short essays, posters, and podcasts. Winners attend a summer session in Spain, as well as a week of professional development for their teachers. Click here for details. Applications are due Jan. 31, 2026
Thu, Nov. 20 Hiawatha in History, Legend and Poetry, a talk on a famous literary Native American hero! Hosted by Arlington Public Library
6:30-7:30 pm Registration recommended. Columbia Pike Library, 816 South Walter Reed Drive, 22204
More at: Community Engagement Opportunities with automatic translation into: Español Монгол አማርኛ العربية (Other languages)
APS Extended Day in Hiring!
Extended Day provides students a safe, enriching, and fun environment before and after school. Learn more and apply here to be an aide, trainees or program supervisor.
More at: Community Engagement Opportunities with automatic translation into: Español Монгол አማርኛ العربية (Other languages)
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