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

Please consider making a donation today!

PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS

WMS Bookfair - Need Volunteers - THIS WEEK

Please review the available slots and sign up to help at the book fair the week of December 1-5.

The book fair takes place in the library at Williamsburg Middle School.

Click here to sign up!

Questions? Contact Cristina Pereira at crid28@gmail.com.

White House Ornament Fundraiser to Benefit WMS PTA - Deadline to Order TODAY

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.

Restaurant Fundraiser - Lebanese Taverna - TOMORROW

Applies to the Westover and Market locations: dine-in, carry-out, catering, and gift card purchases.

No DoorDash.

Be sure to use the code: WMS

They give 20% back!

Helping Hands Club - Holiday Toy Drive - Dec. 8 is Last Day to Contribute

The Helping Hands Club is collecting gifts to support Northern Virginia Family Services Holiday Toy Drive. Donations will be included in NVFS' holiday shop where caregivers can select a gift for a child for free. NVFS has a Favorite Items flyer of preferred items. The final day for donations is Mon. Dec. 8. For any questions, please reach out to Helping Hands NVFS project parent leads: Molly Wolff (molly.wolff@gmail.com) and Molly Savage (molly.k.savage@gmail.com)

Guidelines:

• Gifts must be new, unopened, and unwrapped for children ages 0-14.

• They also collect gift cards for older children aged 14-18 (Target, Amazon, Walmart, Visa; suggested $25). 

• NO stuffed animals and toys resembling weapons. 

Ways to donate: 

Purchase directly from the NVFS Amazon Wish List (items are mailed directly to NVFS).

Bring your donation to Williamsburg MS. Drop off bins are near the front office and cafeteria.

Drop off your item(s) at the following homes: 

• Witschorik family: 4012 N. Woodstock St (near Jamestown ES) 
• Wolff family: 3823 N Tazewell St (near Madison Community Center & Fort Ethan Allen)

WMS Science Fair - Need Volunteer Judges - Jan. 13

The WMS Science Department is in need of parent volunteers for judging the WMS Science Fair on Tuesday, January 13th from 5:30-8:00pm in the WMS cafeteria.

Part of what makes the WMS science fair so successful is parental involvement! No science or judging experience necessary. All judges will be given a tutorial and rubric to help support the judging of the projects.

If you have any questions, please contact either of the Science Fair Directors: Christy Zarro (Christy.Zarro@apsva.us) or Logan Thompson (Logan.Thompson@apsva.us).

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, January 13th!

Link to Science Fair Judging: 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...

"Bounce Back Stronger: Proven Tactics to Build Resilience in Your Child" - Jan. 28

January 28, 2026 | 6:00-7:00 PM

Nina Shiffrin, PhD, Psychologist and Director of Research, Alvord Baker

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:

APS Serving Free Hot Meals for Families thru Dec. 5

APS will resume meal service on Mon, Dec. 1 at Wakefield and Washington-Liberty high schools only.

Mon, Dec. 2 Is Screen Time Pulling Your Child Away? Balancing Parental Controls & Student Privacy? Join APS Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán and SmartSocial for a live virtual event designed to help families balance screen time, simplify parental controls and support healthy communication at home. 

7 pm Register here to win a 3D printer, Kindle or Bluetooth speaker.

Tue, Dec. 16 Children and Youth Well-Being Network Meeting. We welcome ideas and thoughts and are also looking for groups to host conversations.

4:30-6:00 pm Register to join this virtual meeting.

Thu, Dec. 18  School Board Meeting: Farewell to Outgoing Board Member Mary Kadera; VSBA Awards; and Board sign off on the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Arlington Education Association (AEA) and the Arlington School Administrators (ASA);  Strategic Plan Priority - Operational Excellence (Focus on Safety and Security); Action on Middle and High School Programs of Studies, 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

Explore School Options for the 2026-27 School Year

Learn about APS Neighborhood Schools, Option Schools and Programs. Information Video About the Application Process is available online.

Key dates:

• Fall Option School Information Sessions: Nov. 10, 2025 – Jan.10, 2026
• Apply Online: Nov. 10, 2025 – Jan. 16, 2026
• Live lottery & Seat Offers: Feb. 6, 2026

Upcoming Information Sessions about the many options available are especially helpful for families with rising Kindergarten, 6th, or 9th graders.

Resources for local food assistance from the Arlington County Department of Human Services.

Mon, Dec.1 Free, Walk-In HIV Testing thru Dec. 4 for persons over the age of 13. No insurance or appointment needed for HIV2025 Event, hosted by Arlington County Public Health in observance of World AIDS Day! 

3 - 6:00 pm Department of Human Services - Second Floor, 2100 Washington Blvd. 22204

Sat, Dec. 6 Holiday Pop Up Book Shop hosted by the Friends of the Arlington Library

10 am-4:30 pm Arlington Central Library Quincy Room, 1015 N Quincy St. 22201

Tue, Dec. 9 ACEs and Self-Healing Communities training on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), provided by Arlington County DHS.

4:30 pm Register here. 2100 Washington Blvd. Sequoia 1 Auditorium, lower level.

Sat, Dec. 13    Teen Takeover: Winter FUNderland | Hosted by Arlington Parks & Rec.

7-10:00 pm     Info & Registration | Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N Park Dr., 22203

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

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

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.