School in Session for Track 1 Only on Monday, April 21

 

This is a friendly reminder that Monday, April 21 is a school day only for Track 1 students. Students on Tracks 3 and 4 DO NOT report to school.

WCPSS Family Engagement Survey Now Open (for Parents)

 

Each year, parents at schools in WCPSS are asked to complete a Family Engagement Survey to help schools make informed decisions to improve practices for students and families. This survey is now live, and we are asking ALL families to take a few minutes to take the district family engagement survey. 

 

This past year we had the highest participation rate we’ve had in FIVE YEARS, so we hope to beat that record again this year. Click here to take the survey on behalf of our school by May 16.

Student Engagement Survey Now Available for PHMS Students

 

Like parents/guardians, WCPSS students in grades 5-13 will also have an opportunity to share their feedback about their schools in the annual WCPSS Student Engagement Survey. Your child will be given an opportunity to complete this survey during the school day at some point near the end of April or in May (depending on their track). The survey includes questions about their school experience, including topics such as teacher-student relationships, relevance of school work, and future aspirations and goals (click here to view the questions)

 

If you would prefer your child not complete the survey, please contact Dr. Carrington via email (jcarrington@wcpss.net) by Friday, April 18, 2025.

Shrek Green Day on Thursday, April 24

 

Everyone is invited to show their support of our students involved in the spring production of Shrek the Musical Jr. by wearing their favorite shade of green on Thursday, April 24 to channel your favorite green ogre! Let’s turn PHMS green!

Shrek the Musical Jr. On Stage Soon!

 

Speaking of the spring musical—Shrek the Musical Jr. is coming to the PHMS Stage April 24-26th! Tickets will be on sale starting on Monday, April 14 and can be purchased via SchoolCash Online through this link. All families who have already registered and made an account should have access to the tickets right away. If you have not yet utilized SchoolCash, you will need to quickly make an account to be able to purchase tickets. Please note that we will also be selling tickets at the door the night of each show! Show dates and times are as follows:

• Thursday, April 24 - 7:00 pm

• Friday, April 25 - 7:00 pm

• Saturday, April 26 - 1:00 pm

EOG/EOC Testing Information

 

With the end of the year coming up, we wanted to provide you with some important information about End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests, which are required by NC law. As such, it is critical that all students are present to take these exams on the testing dates listed below. 

 

Track 1 EOG/EOC Testing Schedule

 

• Monday, May 19: 8th grade Math EOG; Math 1 EOC

• Tuesday, May 20: 6th, 7th and 8th Grade ELA EOG

• Wednesday, May 21:  6th and 7th Grade Math EOG; 8th Grade Science EOG

• Thursday, May 22 - Wednesday, May 28: Makeup EOGs as needed

 

Track 3 & 4 EOG/EOC Testing Schedule

 

• Friday, June 13: 8th Grade Math EOG; Math 1 EOC

• Monday, June 16: 6th Grade Math EOG; 7th and 8th Grade ELA EOG

• Tuesday, June 17: 6th Grade ELA EOG; 7th grade Math EOG; 8^th Grade Science EOG

• Friday, June 20 - Wednesday, June 25: Makeup EOGs as needed

If you have any questions about testing, please feel free to reach out to our Testing Coordinator (Mrs. Stern) at jstern@wcpss.net. 

Nominate a PHMS Staff Member for “Pilot of the Week”

 

Do you know a staff member who goes above and beyond for our students at Pine Hollow? If so, we invite you to nominate them for Pilot of the Week. Your nomination helps us recognize and appreciate the incredible work happening every day at our school! Click here to submit your nomination. Each week, the admin team will recognize one lucky winner based upon community nominations.

Support Our PTSA Advocacy Project

 

As you may know, our PTSA is a critical component of our school community. As a part of their work, they uplift four key pillars of our school community through their support of academics, arts, athletics, and advocacy. In support of the advocacy component, our PTSA is sponsoring a community sign-on letter aimed at underscoring the importance of supporting our school and all public schools in retaining a strong workforce.  Click here to learn more about this initiative and to sign on and show your support.

Athletics Update

 

For updates about athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log, a newsletter intended to keep our families up to date with what is going on in the world of Pine Hollow Athletics. For questions regarding athletics at Pine Hollow MS, please contact our Athletic Director Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net).

 

WCPSS Family Engagement Survey Now Open (for Parents)

 

Each year, parents at schools in WCPSS are asked to complete a Family Engagement Survey to help schools make informed decisions to improve practices for students and families. This survey is now live, and we are asking ALL families to take a few minutes to take the district family engagement survey. 

 

This past year we had the highest participation rate we’ve had in FIVE YEARS, so we hope to beat that record again this year. Click here to take the survey on behalf of our school by May 16.

Student Engagement Survey Now Available for PHMS Students

 

Like parents/guardians, WCPSS students in grades 5-13 will also have an opportunity to share their feedback about their schools in the annual WCPSS Student Engagement Survey. Your child will be given an opportunity to complete this survey during the school day at some point near the end of April or in May (depending on their track). The survey includes questions about their school experience, including topics such as teacher-student relationships, relevance of school work, and future aspirations and goals (click here to view the questions)

 

If you would prefer your child not complete the survey, please contact Dr. Carrington via email (jcarrington@wcpss.net) by Friday, April 18, 2025.

Shrek the Musical Jr. On Stage Soon!

 

Shrek the Musical Jr. is coming to the PHMS Stage April 24-26th! Tickets will be on sale starting on Monday, April 14 and can be purchased via SchoolCash Online through this link. All families who have already registered and made an account should have access to the tickets right away. If you have not yet utilized SchoolCash, you will need to quickly make an account to be able to purchase tickets. Please note that we will also be selling tickets at the door the night of each show! Show dates and times are as follows:

• Thursday, April 24 - 7 PM

• Friday, April 25 - 7 PM

• Saturday, April 26 - 1 PM

Dr. Longo Trading His Pilots Wings for Hawks Wings

 

As you may know by now, this past Tuesday, the WCPSS Board of Education approved our 6th grade assistant principal Dr. Longo to become the newest assistant principal at Herbert Akins Road Middle School, Wake County’s newest multi-track year-round middle school in Fuquay-Varina. We are so sad to see Dr. Longo go, but we are so excited for him and the opportunity to get closer to home and to work and lead in the very community in which he lives. Dr. Longo will be with us at PHMS through the end of April, before assuming his new role on Thursday, May 1. Please join us in celebrating Dr. Longo and his contributions to PHMS the past few years and wishing him all the best on this next journey. Once a Pilot, Always a Pilot!

Parent Volunteers Needed for Two Opportunities

 

Volunteer for Artist in Residence Experience Beginning April 15

 

From April 15-23, we will be hosting award-winning professional artist (Mrs. Leni Newell) for a cultural arts residency experience with Pine Hollow art classes (students who had art last semester will also have a chance to participate). As a part of this residency, Mrs. Newell will be working with students to develop a large art piece that will be hung within the main entrance of our school. Click here to see examples of the types of banners that other schools have created.

 

That being said, we are in need of adult volunteers to assist with making this event a success! On each of the dates listed below, we will need approximately four (4) volunteers during the following time slots: 8:30 am - 10:30 am; 10:30 - 12:45; and 1 pm - 3:00 pm. No prior experience with anything artsy is required! If you’re free, please come join us! Click here to sign-up to assist.

Volunteer for One of the Last Two Track Meets

 

In preparation for our final two track meets of the year on April 17 and May 7, we are looking for a few parent volunteers to assist with running the long jump and high jump events. Assistance will be needed from approximately 3:45 pm to 5:30 pm. We will have a rules sheet at the event, and we can forward it to you prior to the date for reviewing. If you are able to assist please email Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net) or Ms. Wagner (twagner@wcpss.net).

Save the Date for the WCPSS Family & Community Engagement Summit on April 26

 

On Saturday, April 26, WCPSS will host its annual Family and Community Engagement Summit on Saturday, April 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Summit at Capital Hills. The summit will feature a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and more. All staff, families, and community members are invited to attend! Registrants for the Summit are invited to attend the Kick Off event at Marbles Kids Museum on April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m! If you would like to join a PHMS team attending the FACE Summit, please let Dr. Carrington (jcarrington@wcpss.net) know by Friday, April 18, 2025.

Nominate a PHMS Staff Member for “Pilot of the Week”

 

Do you know a staff member who goes above and beyond for our students at Pine Hollow? If so, we invite you to nominate them for Pilot of the Week. Your nomination helps us recognize and appreciate the incredible work happening every day at our school! Click here to submit your nomination. Each week, the admin team will recognize one lucky winner based upon community nominations.

Support Our PTSA Advocacy Project

 

As you may know, our PTSA is a critical component of our school community. As a part of their work, they uplift four key pillars of our school community through their support of academics, arts, athletics, and advocacy. In support of the advocacy component, our PTSA is sponsoring a community sign-on letter aimed at underscoring the importance of supporting our school and all public schools in retaining a strong workforce.  Click here to learn more about this initiative and to sign on and show your support.

Athletics Update

 

For updates about athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log, a newsletter intended to keep our families up to date with what is going on in the world of Pine Hollow Athletics. For questions regarding athletics at Pine Hollow MS, please contact our Athletic Director Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net).

Community Opportunities

 

Opportunities listed below are NOT affiliated with WCPSS or Pine Hollow MS and are not endorsed by either. These are merely opportunities we have become aware of that we thought may be of interest to our students and their families.

 

• Girls in Gear—a nonprofit, volunteer-led program that teaches confidence-building through bike riding for girls—recently started accepting registrations for their spring programming in Raleigh. To learn more about the organization and opportunities, view their flier.

 

Reminder: Saturday Makeup Day on April 12 for Tracks 1 & 3

 

This is a friendly reminder that we have another Saturday make-up day for Tracks 1 & 3 on Saturday, April 12. The school day will be from 8:15 am until 11:45 am. As shared before, per reporting requirements beyond our control, students must be present the entire time for their attendance to count for the day.

 

As a reminder, school transportation will run as it would normally. Furthermore, breakfast will be served for students who wish to purchase it on these dates; however, lunch will not be served due to the abbreviated schedule. For additional information about other Saturday make-up days at Pine Hollow, please view the Make-Up Days page on our school website created to streamline communication for families.

Join Us in Celebrating Assistant Principal Appreciation Week April 7-11

 

This week, we are celebrating Assistant Principal Appreciation Week, a special time to recognize the incredible dedication, leadership, and support our APs provide to our school community each and every day. From ensuring a safe and welcoming environment to supporting students, staff, and families, they do so much to make our school function. Please join us in showing our appreciation of our wonderful assistant principals—Dr. Longo (6th Grade AP), Mrs. Richey (7th Grade AP), and Ms. Johannes (8th Grade AP).

Parent Volunteers Needed for Two Opportunities

 

Volunteer for Artist in Residence Experience Beginning April 15

 

From April 15-23, we will be hosting award-winning professional artist (Mrs. Leni Newell) for a cultural arts residency experience with Pine Hollow art classes (students who had art last semester will also have a chance to participate). As a part of this residency, Mrs. Newell will be working with students to develop a large art piece that will be hung within the main entrance of our school. Click here to see examples of the types of banners that other schools have created.

 

That being said, we are in need of adult volunteers to assist with making this event a success! On each of the dates listed below, we will need approximately four (4) volunteers during the following time slots: 8:30 am - 10:30 am; 10:30 - 12:45; and 1 pm - 3:00 pm. No prior experience with anything artsy is required! If you’re free, please come join us! Click here to sign-up to assist.

Volunteer for One of the Last Two Track Meets

 

In preparation for our final two track meets of the year on April 17 and May 7, we are looking for a few parent volunteers to assist with running the long jump and high jump events. Assistance will be needed from approximately 3:45 pm to 5:30 pm. We will have a rules sheet at the event, and we can forward it to you prior to the date for reviewing. If you are able to assist please email Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net) or Ms. Wagner (twagner@wcpss.net).

Save the Date for the WCPSS Family & Community Engagement Summit on April 26

 

On Saturday, April 26, WCPSS will host its annual Family and Community Engagement Summit on Saturday, April 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Summit at Capital Hills. The summit will feature a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and more. All staff, families, and community members are invited to attend! Registrants for the Summit are invited to attend the Kick Off event at Marbles Kids Museum on April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m!

Nominate a PHMS Staff Member for “Pilot of the Week”

 

Do you know a staff member who goes above and beyond for our students at Pine Hollow? If so, we invite you to nominate them for Pilot of the Week. Your nomination helps us recognize and appreciate the incredible work happening every day at our school! Click here to submit your nomination. Each week, the admin team will recognize one lucky winner based upon community nominations. This past week, we celebrated our first honoree Mrs. Larsen (7-3 Social Studies & Science Teacher). Who will be the next honoree?

Support Our PTSA Advocacy Project

 

As you may know, our PTSA is a critical component of our school community. As a part of their work, they uplift four key pillars of our school community through their support of academics, arts, athletics, and advocacy. In support of the advocacy component, our PTSA is sponsoring a community sign-on letter aimed at underscoring the importance of supporting our school and all public schools in retaining a strong workforce.  Click here to learn more about this initiative and to sign on and show your support.

Athletics Update

 

For updates about athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log, a newsletter intended to keep our families up to date with what is going on in the world of Pine Hollow Athletics. For questions regarding athletics at Pine Hollow MS, please contact our Athletic Director Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net).

Community Opportunities

 

Opportunities listed below are NOT affiliated with WCPSS or Pine Hollow MS and are not endorsed by either. These are merely opportunities we have become aware of that we thought may be of interest to our students and their families.

 

• Girls in Gear—a nonprofit, volunteer-led program that teaches confidence-building through bike riding for girls—recently started accepting registrations for their spring programming in Raleigh. To learn more about the organization and opportunities, view their flier.

 

 

Reminder: Saturday Makeup Day on April 5 for Tracks 1 & 3

 

This is a friendly reminder that we have a Saturday make-up day for Tracks 1 & 3 on Saturday, April 5. The school day will be from 8:15 am until 11:45 am. As shared before, per reporting requirements beyond our control, students must be present the entire time for their attendance to count for the day.

 

As a reminder, school transportation will run as it would normally. Furthermore, breakfast will be served for students who wish to purchase it on these dates; however, lunch will not be served due to the abbreviated schedule. For additional information about other Saturday make-up days at Pine Hollow, please view the Make-Up Days page on our school website created to streamline communication for families.

Spring Portrait Packages Have Arrived

 

Spring pictures have arrived! All students who were photographed on the recent Spring Picture Day will receive a portrait package from their teachers this week (or when they return to school in the case of Track 1 students). If you would like to purchase these pictures, you can do so by paying online (using the following code: FM448927AUAA) or by returning payment in the payment envelope that is included in the package. If you do not wish to purchase the pictures, your child will simply need to return the picture package to their teacher so that we can send it back to Strawbridge.

Nominate a PHMS Staff Member for “Pilot of the Week”

 

Do you know a staff member who goes above and beyond for our students at Pine Hollow? If so, we invite you to nominate them for Pilot of the Week. Your nomination helps us recognize and appreciate the incredible work happening every day at our school! Click here to submit your nomination. Each week, the admin team will recognize one lucky winner based upon community nominations.

Help Us Build our School-to-Career Resource Database

 

We’re building a school-to-career resource database that will allow us to connect with parents and local professionals with specific areas of expertise for career fairs, guest speaking, job shadowing, and business partnerships, and we need your help!

 

Your expertise can help students explore careers and gain real-world skills! Please complete our short survey to share your skills—completing the form requires no commitment. If you know an employer, business owner, or professional who may want to assist, please feel free to forward this survey to them, as well. For questions, please connect with Ms. Rowe, our Career Development Coordinator (arowe2@wcpss.net). 

Volunteers Needed for Artist in Residence Experience in April

 

From April 15-23, we will be hosting award-winning professional artist (Mrs. Leni Newell) for a cultural arts residency experience with Pine Hollow art classes (students who had art last semester will also have a chance to participate). As a part of this residency, Mrs. Newell will be working with students to develop a large art piece that will be hung within the main entrance of our school. Click here to see examples of the types of banners that other schools have created.

 

That being said, we are in need of adult volunteers to assist with making this event a success! On each of the dates listed below, we will need approximately four (4) volunteers during the following time slots: 8:30 am - 10:30 am; 10:30 - 12:45; and 1 pm - 3:00 pm. No prior experience with anything artsy is required! If you’re free, please come join us! Click here to sign-up to assist.

Support Our PTSA Advocacy Project

 

As you may know, our PTSA is a critical component of our school community. As a part of their work, they uplift four key pillars of our school community through their support of academics, arts, athletics, and advocacy. In support of the advocacy component, our PTSA is sponsoring a community sign-on letter aimed at underscoring the importance of supporting our school and all public schools in retaining a strong workforce.  Click here to learn more about this initiative and to sign on and show your support.

School Yearbooks Now on Sale!

 

Time is flying by, and we’re capturing every special moment in this year’s yearbook! Order your copy today and give your child a keepsake they’ll cherish for years to come. Be sure to secure yours before it’s too late! To order a yearbook for your student, go to the following link: https://yearbookordercenter.com/. Upon getting to this site, you will need to enter a special code, which is 21759. 

 

Want to make your child's yearbook even more memorable? Purchase a personalized ad! Celebrate their accomplishments or share a heartfelt message with an ad in this year’s yearbook. But act quickly – ad submissions are due by Monday, March 31st. If you have any questions, please contact our yearbook advisor Mrs. Wenner (swenner@wcpss.net). 

Athletics Update

 

For updates about athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log, a newsletter intended to keep our families up to date with what is going on in the world of Pine Hollow Athletics. For questions regarding athletics at Pine Hollow MS, please contact our Athletic Director Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net).

Community Opportunities

 

Opportunities listed below are NOT affiliated with WCPSS or Pine Hollow MS and are not endorsed by either. These are merely opportunities we have become aware of that we thought may be of interest to our students and their families.

 

• Girls in Gear—a nonprofit, volunteer-led program that teaches confidence-building through bike riding for girls—recently started accepting registrations for their spring programming in Raleigh. To learn more about the organization and opportunities, view their flier.

 

 

Spring Portrait Packages Have Arrived

 

Spring pictures have arrived! All students who were photographed on the recent Spring Picture Day will receive a portrait package from their teachers this week (or when they return to school in the case of Track 1 students). If you would like to purchase these pictures, you can do so by paying online (using the following code: FM448927AUAA) or by returning payment in the payment envelope that is included in the package. If you do not wish to purchase the pictures, your child will simply need to return the picture package to their teacher so that we can send it back to Strawbridge.

Nominate a PHMS Staff Member for “Pilot of the Week”

 

Do you know a staff member who goes above and beyond for our students at Pine Hollow? If so, we invite you to nominate them for Pilot of the Week. Your nomination helps us recognize and appreciate the incredible work happening every day at our school! Click here to submit your nomination. Each week, the admin team will recognize one lucky winner based upon community nominations.

Help Us Build our School-to-Career Resource Database

 

We’re building a school-to-career resource database that will allow us to connect with parents and local professionals with specific areas of expertise for career fairs, guest speaking, job shadowing, and business partnerships, and we need your help!

 

Your expertise can help students explore careers and gain real-world skills! Please complete our short survey to share your skills—completing the form requires no commitment. If you know an employer, business owner, or professional who may want to assist, please feel free to forward this survey to them, as well. For questions, please connect with Ms. Rowe, our Career Development Coordinator (arowe2@wcpss.net). 

Volunteers Needed for Artist in Residence Experience in April

 

From April 15-23, we will be hosting award-winning professional artist (Mrs. Leni Newell) for a cultural arts residency experience with Pine Hollow art classes (students who had art last semester will also have a chance to participate). As a part of this residency, Mrs. Newell will be working with students to develop a large art piece that will be hung within the main entrance of our school. Click here to see examples of the types of banners that other schools have created.

 

That being said, we are in need of adult volunteers to assist with making this event a success! On each of the dates listed below, we will need approximately four (4) volunteers during the following time slots: 8:30 am - 10:30 am; 10:30 - 12:45; and 1 pm - 3:00 pm. No prior experience with anything artsy is required! If you’re free, please come join us! Click here to sign-up to assist.

Support Our PTSA Advocacy Project

 

As you may know, our PTSA is a critical component of our school community. As a part of their work, they uplift four key pillars of our school community through their support of academics, arts, athletics, and advocacy. In support of the advocacy component, our PTSA is sponsoring an community sign-on letter aimed at underscoring the importance of supporting our school and all public schools in retaining a strong workforce.  Click here to learn more about this initiative and to sign on and show your support.

School Yearbooks Now on Sale!

 

Time is flying by, and we’re capturing every special moment in this year’s yearbook! Order your copy today and give your child a keepsake they’ll cherish for years to come. Be sure to secure yours before it’s too late! To order a yearbook for your student, go to the following link: https://yearbookordercenter.com/. Upon getting to this site, you will need to enter a special code, which is 21759. 

 

Want to make your child's yearbook even more memorable? Purchase a personalized ad! Celebrate their accomplishments or share a heartfelt message with an ad in this year’s yearbook. But act quickly – ad submissions are due by Monday, March 31st. If you have any questions, please contact our yearbook advisor Mrs. Wenner (swenner@wcpss.net). 

Athletics Update

 

For updates about athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log, a newsletter intended to keep our families up to date with what is going on in the world of Pine Hollow Athletics. For questions regarding athletics at Pine Hollow MS, please contact our Athletic Director Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net).

 

 

8th Grade Band Earns a Superior MPA Rating

 

Last week, we shared positive news about our 8th grade chorus and their performance at MPA (Music Performance Adjudication), and we're excited to share that our 8th grade band managed the same feat this past week, earning SUPERIOR ratings in all categories! As a part of MPA, students were required to perform three prepared selections and a sight-reading selection in front of judges and receive comments and ratings on their performance. Again, we are so proud of our students for all of their hard work at MPA and leading up to it. A big congratulations to all of our talented musicians and our band director, Mr. Powell.

Nominate a PHMS Staff Member for “Pilot of the Week”

 

Do you know a staff member who goes above and beyond for our students at Pine Hollow? If so, we invite you to nominate them for Pilot of the Week. Your nomination helps us recognize and appreciate the incredible work happening every day at our school! Click here to submit your nomination. Each week, the admin team will recognize one lucky winner based upon community nominations.

Help Us Build our School-to-Career Resource Database

 

We’re building a school-to-career resource database that will allow us to connect with parents and local professionals with specific areas of expertise for career fairs, guest speaking, job shadowing, and business partnerships, and we need your help!

 

Your expertise can help students explore careers and gain real-world skills! Please complete our short survey to share your skills—completing the form requires no commitment. If you know an employer, business owner, or professional who may want to assist, please feel free to forward this survey to them, as well. https://bit.ly/PHMSShareYourSkills. For questions, please connect with our Ms. Rowe, our Career Development Coordinator (arowe2@wcpss.net). 

Volunteers Needed for Artist in Residence Experience in April

 

From April 15-23, we will be hosting award-winning professional artist (Mrs. Leni Newell) for a cultural arts residency experience with Pine Hollow art classes (students who had art last semester will also have a chance to participate). As a part of this residency, Mrs. Newell will be working with students to develop a large art piece that will be hung within the main entrance of our school. Click here to see examples of the types of banners that other schools have created.

 

That being said, we are in need of adult volunteers to assist with making this event a success! On each of the dates listed below, we will need approximately four (4) volunteers during the following time slots: 8:30 am - 10:30 am; 10:30 - 12:45; and 1 pm - 3:00 pm. No prior experience with anything artsy is required! If you’re free, please come join us! Click here to sign-up to assist.

Support Our PTSA Advocacy Project

 

As you may know, our PTSA is a critical component of our school community. As a part of their work, they uplift four key pillars of our school community through their support of academics, arts, athletics, and advocacy. In support of the advocacy component, our PTSA is sponsoring an community sign-on letter aimed at underscoring the importance of supporting our school and all public schools in retaining a strong workforce.  Click here to learn more about this initiative and to sign on and show your support.

School Yearbooks Now on Sale!

 

Time is flying by, and we’re capturing every special moment in this year’s yearbook! Order your copy today and give your child a keepsake they’ll cherish for years to come. Be sure to secure yours before it’s too late! To order a yearbook for your student, go to the following link: https://yearbookordercenter.com/. Upon getting to this site, you will need to enter a special code, which is 21759. 

 

Want to make your child's yearbook even more memorable? Purchase a personalized ad! Celebrate their accomplishments or share a heartfelt message with an ad in this year’s yearbook. But act quickly – ad submissions are due by Monday, March 31st. If you have any questions, please contact our yearbook advisor Mrs. Wenner (swenner@wcpss.net). 

Athletics Update

 

For updates about athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log, a newsletter intended to keep our families up to date with what is going on in the world of Pine Hollow Athletics. For questions regarding athletics at Pine Hollow MS, please contact our Athletic Director Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net).

 

 

Thank You for a Delicious Chili Cookoff Lunch

 

This past Friday, our PTSA coordinated a delicious chili lunch for our staff, which was an absolute hit! Thank you so much to the parents, guardians, and families who assisted with this—whether you prepared items, brought in desserts or drinks, assisted with setup, or anything else. It was a great way to wrap up a super busy past week. There were so many comments about the wonderful aroma that filled the entire main office wing the entire day!

Concert Chorus Earns a Superior MPA Rating

 

This past week, our 8th grade Concert Chorus participated in the annual Music Performance Adjudication (MPA), where they prepare and perform two pieces of music in front of judges and receive comments and ratings on their performance. Students are also required to do rhythm and melodic sight reading, where they look at and read/sing music on the spot without prior preparation. We are so excited to share that they received a SUPERIOR rating, which is the highest possible rating in both the performance and sight reading components. Congratulations to all of our singing Pilots and our chorus director, Ms. Cain.

Artist in Residence Experience in April

 

From April 15-23, we will be hosting award-winning professional artist (Mrs. Leni Newell) for a cultural arts residency experience with Pine Hollow art classes (students who had art last semester will also have a chance to participate). As a part of this residency, Mrs. Newell will be working with students to develop a large art piece that will be hung within the main entrance of our school. Click here to see examples of the types of banners that other schools have created.

 

That being said, we are in need of adult volunteers to assist with making this event a success! On each of the dates listed below, we will need approximately four (4) volunteers during the following time slots: 8:30 am - 10:30 am; 10:30 - 12:45; and 1 pm - 3:00 pm. No prior experience with anything artsy is required! If you’re free, please come join us! Click here to sign-up to assist.

Support Our PTSA Advocacy Project

 

As you may know our PTSA is a critical component of our school community. As a part of their work, they uplift four key pillars of our school community through their support of academics, arts, athletics, and advocacy. In support of the advocacy component, our PTSA is sponsoring an community sign-on letter aimed at underscoring the importance of supporting our school and all public schools in retaining a strong workforce.  Click here to learn more about this initiative and to sign on and show your support.

School Yearbooks Now on Sale!

 

Time is flying by, and we’re capturing every special moment in this year’s yearbook! Order your copy today and give your child a keepsake they’ll cherish for years to come. Be sure to secure yours before it’s too late! To order a yearbook for your student, go to the following link: https://yearbookordercenter.com/. Upon getting to this site, you will need to enter a special code, which is 21759. 

 

Want to make your child's yearbook even more memorable? Purchase a personalized ad! Celebrate their accomplishments or share a heartfelt message with an ad in this year’s yearbook. But act quickly – ad submissions are due by Monday, March 31st. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Wenner at swenner@wcpss.net.

Athletics Update

 

For updates about athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log, a newsletter intended to keep our families up to date with what is going on in the world of Pine Hollow Athletics. For questions regarding athletics at Pine Hollow MS, please contact our Athletic Director Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net). 

 

Friday Fun at Pine Hollow!

 

This past Friday, we had quite a bit of fun at PHMS. First we got things started off in the morning with a special visit from MIX 101.5’s Carpool Casanova with hundreds of our students participating in a carpool pep rally if you will. It was so great to see so many parents/guardians also get in on the fun with their decorated cars in the carpool lane (click here to see us featured on MIX 101.5’s Facebook page).

 

Later that day, we had our Candyland winter/spring dance, which was a big hit, as always. A special thank you to the PTSA Dance Committee for all of their hard work to make this event possible and to the dozens of parents and guardians who provided snacks, supervised as a chaperone, helped set up/clean up, or anything else. We truly could not do all of this without the collective team approach, and we are so thankful for you!

Tornado Drill This Wednesday, March 5

 

As a part of North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week, we will be participating in the statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 5. Staff will review expectations for students this week about what to do in the event of severe weather while we are at school. For additional information on tornado safety, please visit the National Weather Service website.

Help Fuel Our PTSA Staff Appreciation Chili Lunch on March 7

 

Our wonderful PTSA is coordinating one of our favorite traditions—our now annual Staff Appreciation Chili Cook Off—on Friday, March 7. If you’d like to assist with this by providing anything, please click here to access the sign-up list. Even if you don’t want to make a chili dish, there are other things that you can assist with like drinks, toppings, etc. 

Elective Course Registration for 2025-26 Continues This Week

 

Over the course of the next week or so, our Student Services team will be finalizing elective registration for 2025-26 with current 6th and 7th grade classes. As a part of this process, students will select the electives they wish to take next year through PowerSchool. If you would like to review elective course options with your child in advance, please feel free to view the elective course registration sheets below for their appropriate grade level(s).

 

• Rising 7th Grade Elective Course Selection Sheet

• Rising 8th Grade Elective Course Selection Sheet

 

Current 8th graders (rising 9th graders) will also be completing high school course selections with members of our Student Services team in February/March. For more information about this, remember you can always view the High School Registration page on the PHMS Student Services website.

 

If you have any questions, please email your child's school counselor listed below.

 

• 6th Grade: Mr. Martin (jwmartin@wcpss.net)

• 7th Grade: Mr. Brown (gbrown5@wcpss.net) 

• 8th Grade: Mrs. Haunsperger (lhaunsperger@wcpss.net) 

School Yearbooks Now on Sale!

 

Time is flying by, and we’re capturing every special moment in this year’s yearbook! Order your copy today and give your child a keepsake they’ll cherish for years to come. Be sure to secure yours before it’s too late! To order a yearbook for your student, go to the following link: https://yearbookordercenter.com/. Upon getting to this site, you will need to enter a special code, which is 21759. 

First “Captain Chats” Roundtable Event on March 12

 

On March 12, 2025, we will host our first "Captain Chats" roundtable event at Pine Hollow Middle School in partnership with our PTSA. This event, which will begin at 6:00 pm, is intended to be an informal, yet focused event where parents and guardians come together with school leaders to discuss important school-related topics. As a part of our first "Captain Chats" event, Dr. Carrington will be discussing the upcoming 2025-26 school year at PHMS and the transition from year-round to traditional.

 

To assist us in planning for the event, please complete this RSVP form if you plan to attend. Responses requested by Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Please complete this form for each person that plans to attend.

Athletics Update

 

For updates about athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log, a newsletter intended to keep our families up to date with what is going on in the world of Pine Hollow Athletics. For questions regarding athletics at Pine Hollow MS, please contact our Athletic Director Mr. Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net). 

 

 

This is a friendly reminder that we have our first Saturday make-up day scheduled for tomorrow, March 1, 2025. This is a make-up instructional day for students on Tracks 1, 3, and 4. 

 

The school day will be from 8:15 am until 11:45 am. Upon further guidance, please note that students must be present the entire time for their attendance to count for the day.

 

As has been shared, students will only attend their four core classes (ELA, math, science, and social studies) as shown in the schedule below. Individual teams may opt to adjust this a little to account for the needs of students and staff; however, this is the general structure we will follow.

 

• Core 1 (8:15 am - 9:06 am)

• Core 2 (9:08 am - 9:59 am)

• Core 3 (10:01 am - 10:52 am)

• Core 4 (10:54 am - 11:45 am)

 

As a reminder, school transportation will run as it would normally. Furthermore, breakfast will be served for students who wish to purchase it on these dates; however, lunch will not be served due to the abbreviated schedule.

For additional information about other Saturday make-up days at Pine Hollow, please view the Make-Up Days page on our school website created to streamline communication for families.

 

 

Saturday Makeup Day Information

 

As has been shared in school and district communications, as of this point, we will be required to make up four (4) instructional days over the next few months—one of which was from last month and three from this week’s snow. To streamline and simplify communication, below is a list of the scheduled Saturday makeup days as of this point.

 

• March 1 – for missed day on February 21 (Tracks 1, 3, & 4)

• April 5 – for missed day on February 20 (Tracks 1 & 3 only)

• April 12 – for missed day on January 23; rescheduled from February 22 (Tracks 1 & 3 only)

• May 17 – for missed day on February 19 (Tracks 1 & 3 only)

 

On these Saturdays, our school day will take place from 8:15 am until 11:45 am and will operate on a four-period schedule in which students will only attend core classes (ELA, math, science, and social studies) as shown in the schedule below.

 

• Core 1 (8:15 am - 9:06 am)

• Core 2 (9:08 am - 9:59 am)

• Core 3 (10:01 am - 10:52 am)

• Core 4 (10:54 am - 11:45 am)

 

As a reminder, school transportation will run as it would normally. Furthermore, breakfast will be served for students who wish to purchase it on these dates; however, lunch will not be served due to the abbreviated schedule.

Spring Pictures on Wednesday (2/26)

 

Strawbridge will be on campus on February 26 for spring pictures. Students will take pictures during the period they have Health/PE. Families do not need to pay in advance for these photos. Instead, portrait proofs will be sent home from the school in about 3-4 weeks with additional details about how to order actual photos. Click here to see package prices.

Important Details for the Dance on Friday (2/28)

 

Our next school dance will take place this Friday, February 28 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The dance’s theme is “Candyland” and is open to all Pine Hollow Middle School students (students who do not attend PHMS are not permitted to attend). Below are some important details about volunteering, ticket sales, and more.

 

Volunteers Still Needed! Can We Count on You?

 

We are in dire need of some additional parent volunteers. If you are willing to assist with the dance in some way—whether as a chaperone or by donating snack items—please click here to sign up.  As a reminder, all chaperones are required to be cleared as volunteers in the WCPSS Volunteers system. If you have not done this for PHMS, please click on the WCPSS Volunteers link to be taken to the registration site.

 

Dance Ticket Sales This Week

 

Tickets will be $5 per person and will be sold at the following times for students in the following grade levels. If possible, we ask that students bring exact cash when purchasing tickets.

 

 

Pickup From Dance

 

As a reminder, the dance will conclude promptly at 6:30 pm, at which point all students will need to be picked up. Students who are not picked up within a reasonable amount of time may not be able to participate in future after-school activities. To assist with traffic flow, each track is being asked to pick up their students from the following locations:

 

• Tracks 1 & 3 pickup will be in the front of the school (Bus Loop)

• Track 4 pickup will be in the back of the school (Carpool)

MIX 101.5’s Carpool Casanova at PHMS on Friday (2/28)

 

We’re thrilled to announce that MIX 101.5’s Carpool Casanova will be joining us at carpool this Friday (2/28)! Get ready for fun, laughter, and live entertainment in the carpool loop. As a part of this special event, we are asking everyone to wear their favorite shades of pink on this day. Furthermore, we invite families to get in on the fun by decorating their cars to help us turn our carpool PINK! Bus riders will also be able to participate in the fun, as well. 

 

 

First “Captain Chats” Roundtable Event on March 12

 

On March 12, 2025, we will host our first "Captain Chats" roundtable event at Pine Hollow Middle School in partnership with our PTSA. This event, which will begin at 6:00 pm, is intended to be an informal, yet focused event where parents and guardians come together with school leaders to discuss important school-related topics. As a part of our first "Captain Chats" event, Dr. Carrington will be discussing the upcoming 2025-26 school year at PHMS and the transition from year-round to traditional.

 

To assist us in planning for the event, please complete this RSVP form if you plan to attend. Responses requested by Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Please complete this form for each person that plans to attend.

 

 

Athletics Update

 

In preparation for spring tryouts starting this week, students and families should be sure to review important information that is posted on the Athletics website. For additional details about athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log, a newsletter intended to keep our families up to date with what is going on in the world of Pine Hollow Athletics. For questions regarding athletics at Pine Hollow MS, please contact our Athletic Director Mr. Jason Adams (pjadams@wcpss.net).