Williamsburg Middle School PTA Newsletter

September 22, 2025


UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept. 23: No School - Rosh Hashanah

Sept. 24: First PTA Meeting of School Year - Join Us!

Sept. 25: Restaurant Fundraiser - Badd Pizza

Sept. 30: Boys Ultimate Begins

Oct. 2: No School - Yom Kippur

Oct. 10: Early Release - Parent/Teacher Conferences

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

Oct. 14: Boys Basketball Tryouts Begin

Oct. 15: Restaurant Fundraiser - Sloppy Mama's

Oct. 16: Girls Soccer Interest Meeting

Oct. 20: No School - Diwali

Oct. 22: Girls Soccer Tryouts Begin

Oct. 29: Early Release - Professional Learning for Staff

Nov. 4: No School for Students - Grade Preparation Day

Nov. 11: No School - Veterans Day

Nov. 21: PTA Reflections Contest Deadline for "I Belong"

Nov. 26-28: No School - Thanksgiving Break

To access the APS school calendar, click here.

THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES


First PTA Meeting in the Library - THIS Wednesday 6 PM at WMS!

We are excited to welcome you to the first PTA General Membership meeting of the year this Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 6pm in person in the WMS Library.  This is hopefully the moment all of you (or hopefully even a few of you) have been waiting for. Nevertheless, we recognize a PTA meeting may be currently lower on your list of priority events this week, so we want to encourage you to reconsider and not miss this opportunity to:

  • hear directly from WMS and PTA leadership on the year ahead;
  • connect with your fellow WMS parents;
  • make your voice heard on issues of importance to your students; and
  • discuss ways to get more involved in your child's education. 

In addition to being the first meeting of the year, Wednesday's meeting is likely the only in-person general membership meeting we will hold this school year. We are tentatively planning to hold the remaining membership meetings virtually so we really hope you can join us this week!


Restaurant Fundraisers

Mark your calendars for two restaurant fundraisers to support WMS:

  • Badd Pizza on Sept. 25
  • Sloppy Mama's on Oct. 15.


URGENT NEED: 6th and 7th Grade Parent Coordinators - Fall Fest is coming soon!

Fall Fest is Friday, November 7. We do not have any parents to coordinate this event. We need 6th and 7th grade parents to help plan and support Fall Fest and also Spring Courtyard Chaos. These events simply cannot happen without more parent volunteers. Please reach out to president@wmspta.org if you can help coordinate these fun activities for our kids!


Other 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

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.  


Join the PTA!

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

Click here, and then click on Memberships.


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.


PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.


Volunteer Coordinator

Helps fill Volunteer positions and reports any volunteer needs. This role is busiest at the beginning of the school year.



HOSPITALITY ROLES


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


Fall Teacher Luncheon Coordinator

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


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.



GRADE-LEVEL EVENT COORDINATORS


These committees may require volunteer support throughout the school year.


URGENT NEED: 6th & 7th Grade-Level Parent Coordinators for Fall Fest and Spring Courtyard Chaos

Each grade should have 2-3 parents to help plan and support grade level social events like the Fall Fest (coming up soon!) and Spring Courtyard Chaos.

It's easy!! Prepare and plan Fall Fest and Spring Courtyard Chaos, which are largely plug and play when it comes to planning. Volunteer requirements include facilitating sign-up genius, collecting and organizing donations from families, and being onsite the day of the event from 10am until 1pm


8th Grade Promotion Committee - 7th Grade Parents

2-3 parent volunteers help plan and organize 8th grade events like the 8th Grade Dance and end of year Promotion events. These 7th Grade parents host the 8th Grade graduation reception and help with decorations for graduation. Sixth grade parents are also welcome to volunteer.


8th Grade Graduation Boardwalk Beach Carnival Committee

6th and 7th grade level parents needed to plan and execute a fun evening of games, food, a DJ, etc. for 8th grade students prior to graduation.


YULA Youth Ultimate League of Arlington - Sept. 14 - Nov. 2


Register today for YULA Skills and Scrimmages!


Sundays, 1-3 pm

Sept. 14 to Nov. 2


YULA is open to all middle school grades, all genders, and all levels (beginners to advanced).


Scan the QR code to register today!





PTA Reflections Contest Deadline - Nov. 21


The 2025 WMS PTA Reflections program has officially launched.


ALL students are encouraged to create artwork in response to this year’s theme I BELONG! using one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.


Visit the Williamsburg PTA website for more information on how to submit artwork and student


WMS Reflections Communications Copy 2025-26 entry forms online by Friday, November 21.


Email ReflectionsWMSPTA@gmail.com with any questions.


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:


Welcome back, students! First Day of School Photo Gallery


School Board Accepting Applications for Advisory Councils for the 2025-26 School Year

The School Board Advisory Councils and Committees provide valuable input on the APS decision-making process. Click here to learn more.


APS Calendar Update: Diwali Holiday - Mon, Oct. 20

At the July 24 School Board Meeting, a correction was made regarding the date of Diwali. It was previously listed as Tue, Oct 21. The correct date is Mon, Oct. 20. 


Tue, Sep. 30   School Board Work Sessions on Planning factors - Planning for Phase 2; Human Resources Audit Report - Update on Implementation; Feasibility Studies; FY 2027-36 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Direction

9 am-2:45pm See full schedule here.



Arlington Community Events:


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.