Pleasant Valley Elementary School
Weekly Newsletter
Week of September 21–25, 2026
A Message from School Administration
It is difficult to believe the upcoming week is the last full week of September! We are still within the VALLSS (VA Language and Literacy Screening System) assessment window, so teachers will be wrapping up those assessments this week.
Our first fundraiser for the PVES House System is on Thursday evening at Smiley's Ice Cream in Bridgewater. The mobile dentist clinic will also be at PVES this week. Please see the articles later in this newsletter for more information.
We continue to have more students bringing NeeDoh/squishies to school that burst while students are playing with them and cause a mess. These items also seem to create more of a distraction to learning. Parents, please have your child keep these items at home.
We look forward to a great week ahead and hope to see everyone at the Smiley's Ice Cream fundraiser on Thursday evening!
Pam Dowrey, Principal
Luke Roadcap, Assistant Principal
📅 Upcoming Events
- Monday, September 21: Kindergarten Color Day – Yellow
- Tuesday, September 22: Kindergarten Color Day – Green
- Wednesday, September 23: Kindergarten Color Day – Orange
- Thursday, September 24: Kindergarten Color Day – Brown
- Thursday, September 24: Smiley's Ice Cream House Council Fundraiser, 5:00–9:00 PM
- Friday, September 25: Kindergarten Color Day – Favorite Color
- Friday, September 25: Fun Friday – Dolly Day, celebrating Dolly Parton
- Friday, September 25: Smiles Virginia Mobile Dentist at PVES
Elementary Grades
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Interim reports will be going home with your child on Monday. Please take a few minutes to review your child's report, sign the confirmation slip, and return it to school on Tuesday with your child.
You may notice that there are fewer grades for this interim report than you might typically expect. During the first few weeks of elementary school, teachers spend important time helping students learn classroom procedures and routines, building a positive classroom community, and establishing expectations for learning.
As the school year progresses, there will be many more opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning and receive grades. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we begin a successful school year together.
Why Grades and Progress Are Important
A grade helps show what your child knows and can do. It can help you see where your child is doing well and where they may need more time, practice, or support.
This week: Ask your child to tell you about something they are learning at school.
PVES House System Fundraiser
Join us for our first PVES House System fundraiser!
Smiley's Ice Cream
Thursday, September 24
5:00–9:00 PM
Bridgewater, Virginia
Smiles Virginia Mobile Dental Clinic
The Smiles Dental Clinic will be at PVES on Friday, September 25.
Please make sure all forms are turned in before next Wednesday if you would like your child to be seen by the dental clinic.
Questions? Call Nurse Weaver at the school or email mweaver@rockingham.k12.va.us.
Parent permission form: Add the original newsletter's permission form link here.
Traffic Pattern at PVES
Parking: Vehicles planning to park in the PVES front parking lot may enter through the upper entrance on Early Road. Please stop at the stop sign, obey traffic laws, and follow directions from school staff.
Morning Drop-Off
- Enter through the lower entrance as usual and pull up to the stop sign at the corner to allow more cars to unload.
- After dropping off, all traffic will be directed to turn LEFT onto the new exit. If that route becomes backed up, traffic will be directed to use the exit onto Pleasant Valley Road.
- Please do not get out of your vehicle. If your child needs help unbuckling, stop first or teach your child how to unbuckle independently.
Afternoon Pick-Up
- Continue forming a lane on the right side of the driveway leading to PVES from the lower entrance off Early Road.
- Do not block the space between the cones at the rear of the school. Wait until instructed to pull forward after alternate school transportation vehicles have left.
- An orange cone will be placed behind the last car in the right lane when that lane is full. Once the cone is placed, form or join the left lane.
- Important: Do not start a left lane until instructed. Buses and alternate transportation vehicles must leave before the left lane begins. Continue forming the right lane until directed to pass and begin the left lane.
- All traffic will be directed to turn LEFT onto the new exit. If that route becomes backed up, traffic will be directed to use the exit onto Pleasant Valley Road.
- Please do not exit your vehicle during drop-off or pick-up.
You're Invited!
Add the original invitation flyer or event details here.
Cafeteria Information
The RCPS Food and Nutrition Services team is committed to serving healthy, quality, and affordable meals every day to help fuel your child's learning and well-being.
Changes to Purchasing “Extras”
Elementary school cafeterias will no longer sell certain items, such as chips, on a daily basis.
Add the updated cafeteria information link here.
Meal Payment
- Student breakfast: $2.00
- Student lunch: $3.25
Payments may be made online or by cash or check at your child's school. If paying by cash or check, send payment in an envelope with your child's name, grade, and PIN number.
Add the online meal payment link here.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
Applications are available throughout the school year. Online applications may be completed online, and paper applications are available at each school.
To qualify for free or reduced-price meals at RCPS schools, families must submit an application or qualify automatically through participation in certain programs, such as SNAP.
Add the online meal application link here.
Nutritious Meals
- Elementary students are encouraged not to consume carbonated beverages at school.
- Energy drinks are not allowed during school lunches or other times of the day.
- Students may bring a water bottle and refill it as needed.
- Packed lunches should be healthy and nutritious and should not regularly include commercial fast food.
Questions? Call 540-434-7783 or email foodservice@rockingham.k12.va.us.
School Safety Drills
At the beginning of each school year, Virginia law requires each school to complete several safety drills.
We complete four fire drills within the first 20 days of school, along with one lockdown drill within the first 20 days. Students who ride school buses will also complete a bus evacuation drill during the week of September 14.
Please take time to talk with your child about the importance of following the teacher's directions during all drills. These drills help students clearly understand what to do in the event of an emergency.
Hello from Mrs. Woodward
Hello! I am excited about beginning my School Counseling Classroom lessons for the 2026–2027 school year!
This year, I will be sharing topics the PVES School Counseling Lessons will focus on each month.
- Grades 3–5: What makes a good friend, compromising, and solving friendship conflicts.
- Grades K–2: How school counselors help us and strategies to solve friendship conflicts.
Mrs. Woodward, School Counselor
Attendance Information
Parents/Guardians: Please remember to notify the school when your child is absent. This allows us to ensure and verify our attendance is correct.
If your child has been sick, please keep your child home until he or she is fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
You may notify the school using either of these methods:
Phone: (540) 434-4557
Email: pvesattendance@rockingham.k12.va.us
Box Tops for Education
Add the original newsletter's Box Tops information or flyer here.
Transportation Notice
Please notify the school office or your child's teacher with any transportation changes.
If a change happens during the day, call the school before 1:00 PM so staff have adequate time to notify your child's teacher and bus driver, if necessary.
If the school is unaware of any transportation change, your child will be placed on their assigned school bus.
Preschool Programs Information
There are two preschool programs at Pleasant Valley Elementary:
- Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI): For students who have reached age 4 and qualify for the program.
- Early Childhood Special Education: For students eligible for services who have not yet reached school age.
Add the original preschool program flyers here.
Home of the Panthers!