Williamsburg Middle School PTA Newsletter

September 3, 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept. 8: Girls Ultimate Begins (no tryouts)

Sept. 11: YHS Dance Team Babysitting Fundraiser

Sept. 15: Co-ed Cheerleading Begins

Sept. 17: Back to School Night

Sept. 23: No School - Rosh Hashanah

Oct. 2: No School - Yom Kippur

Oct. 10: Early Release - Parent/Teacher Conferences

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

Oct. 20: No School - Diwali

Oct. 29: Early Release - Professional Learning for Staff

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

Nov. 11: No School - Veterans Day

To access the APS school calendar, click here.

THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES

PTA Meetings

We will send a notice next week regarding our first general membership meeting, which will be in person later this month. We are still trying to identify potential speakers - 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.

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.

We Need Volunteers!

Thank you to all who have already reached out to offer help. 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.

Click here to DONATE to the WMS PTA

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.

Back to School Night Teacher Dinner

Coordinates the BTSN dinner for teachers and staff in September, and organizing a sign up for donations.

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.

Custodian Appreciation Luncheon Coordinator

Plans the Custodian Luncheon that typically occurs in early October. Coordinator orders lunch for the custodial staff and coordinates with Treasurer and WMS for delivery.

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.

6th & 7th Grade-Level Parent Coordinators

Each grade should have 2-3 parents to help plan and support grade level social events like Courtyard Chaos and dances.

8th Grade Promotion Committee

Parent volunteers help plan and organize 8th grade events like the 8th Grade Dance and end of year Promotion events.

8th Grade Promotion Reception Committee

This 2-3 person committee is traditionally managed by 7th grade parents to plan and host the reception that occurs after the 8th grade Promotion. Sixth grade parents are also welcome to volunteer.

8th Grade Promotion Yard Signs Coordinator

This role can be 1-2 volunteers to work with the sign designer to creates an online shop link for 8th grade families to order yard signs. The role will also be responsible to help distribute or arrange for sign pick up.

YHS Dance Team Babysitting Fundraiser - Sept. 11

On September 11, 2025, the Yorktown Dance Team will be hosting a babysitting event so that parents can attend their child's Elementary Back to School Night.

Scan the QR Code for more information!

Questions? Contact Dance Team Parent Lee Thorsen.

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

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!

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.

Thu, Sep. 4 School Board Meeting; Membership Appointments and Changes to School Board Advisory Committees; Beginning of School Update; Action on ERP Update and Funding Needs; Information on the FY 2025-26 Internal Audit Work Plan

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

Fri, Sep 12 Youth Mental Health First Aid, designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents (age 12-18), hosted by the APS Office of Student Services for staff, families and community members.

9 am – 3 pm Register prior. Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204

Thu, Sep 18 School Board Meeting: Hispanic Heritage Month Recognition; Membership Appointments and Changes to School Board Advisory Committees; Academic Data Update; Action on the FY 2025-26 Internal Audit Work Plan; Information on the School Board FY 2027 Budget Direction

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

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:

Thu, Sep. 4 Guided tour: "From Barriers to Ballots” exhibition to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, hosted by Arlington Public library staff

3:30- 4 pm Courthouse Lobby, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. 22201

Sat, Sep. 6 4^th Annual Hispanic Heritage Community Festival hosted by the Arlington Schools Hispanic Parents Association, Arlington County Police Department, and Arlington County Sheriff's Office

1-4:00 pm Tyrol Hill Park, 5101 7th Rd S. 22204

Wed, Sep. 10 Ranked Choice Voting panel, hosted by Advance Arlington

7 - 8:00 pm Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N Park Dr. 22203

Sat, Sept 20 Green Valley Day, hosted by the Green Valley Civic Association

12-5:00 pm John Robinson Town Square, 2406 S. Shirlington Rd. & Dr. Charles R. Drew Community Center, 3500 S. 23rd St. Learn more here

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.