Join us for March Madness Basketball Tournament on March 2

 

We are excited to share that our March Madness 3-on-3 basketball tournament is officially a go for Monday, March 2. We have a dozen teams who will be participating in this PTSA-sponsored event, which will also include prizes for spectators and guests. The event kicks off at 4:00 pm and tickets to watch are only $5 at the door. We hope you and the whole family will come out to enjoy the fun—and have a chance to win some fun raffle prizes and whatnot!

No School for Students on Tuesday, March 3

 

As a reminder, Tuesday, March 3 is a Teacher Workday, meaning that students do not have school.

Severe Weather/Tornado Drill on Wednesday, March 4

 

As a part of North Carolina’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which is this week, we will conduct our severe weather/tornado drill with students on Wednesday, March 4. Additional details will be shared with students early this week about what they will need to do.

Join Us In Celebrating Our Social Worker & Regional Maintenance Team

 

Join us in celebrating two special groups of people this week as we mark School Social Worker Appreciation Week (March 2-6) and Maintenance Workers Appreciation Day on March 6. We are so thankful for our school social worker (Ms. Smith) and all the kindness, patience, and continuous support she brings to our school. Her work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt in every classroom and every student who feels seen, heard, and cared for. Likewise, we are just as appreciative of the work that our regional maintenance team does to keep our school in tip top shape each and every day. We are deeply grateful for all the ways that these special people show up for our school community!

Don’t Forget to Order a Yearbook

 

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. Click here to order one for your student before it’s too late (our school's order number is 21759)! 

 

Want to make your 8th grader's yearbook even more memorable? Purchase a personalized ad to celebrate their accomplishments or share a heartfelt message with an ad in this year’s yearbook. Act quickly because the ad submission deadline is coming up soon! If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Carrington as Mrs. Wenner (yearbook advisor) is currently out on maternity leave. 

WAKE Up and Read Book Drive Running February 23 - March 19

 

Our National Junior Honor Society is participating in the annual WAKE Up and Read Book Drive from February 23 through March 19. During this time, they will be accepting new and gently used books for babies, toddlers, and anyone through age 12 as a part of this WCPSS-wide literacy initiative to promote reading and improve literacy in our community. As such, if you have any books you’d like to donate, please send them in. Books can be dropped off in the LLC. Thanks for helping us support literacy across Wake County!

Athletics Updates

 

To keep up to date with the weekly schedule, game results, outstanding game performers, tryout requirements and all things related to Pine Hollow Athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log. You can also follow the Athletics department on Instagram and check the Athletics Website.

 

Thank You to Our 2025-26 PTSA School Sponsors

 

A special thank you to the generous local businesses who have signed on to be a sponsor for the 2025-26 school year. If your company—or one that you know—is interested in serving as a sponsor, please connect with our PTSA Fundraising Co-Chairs at phmsptsafundraising@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Annual Chili Cookoff Lunch for Staff

 

This past Friday, we had the chance to enjoy what has become an exciting tradition at Pine Hollow Middle School, which is our annual PTSA Hospitality Committee-sponsored Chili Cookoff. The staff thoroughly enjoyed the chance to relax and enjoy an assortment of really tasty chilis and soups, along with some other sweet treats that various families brought in. Thank you to our Hospitality Team for coordinating this and to all of the parents and families who assisted in other ways. It was a HUGE hit!

Spring Picture Day on February 23

 

Strawbridge will be on campus on Monday, February 23 for spring pictures. We are aware that some students may have received picture forms with an incorrect date on them, but February 23 is the actual picture day. 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. 

CTE Careers Spirit Week This Week

 

As part of Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month, the CTE department is coordinating a Career Cluster Spirit Week from February 23–27. This is a schoolwide activity that gives students daily exposure to different career pathways they may be interested in pursuing. Below are the assigned spirit days, which we encourage students to participate in. The homeroom that has the greatest participation rate in the spirit week will win a special prize!

 

• Monday (2/23): Health Careers Day

• Tuesday (2/24): Tech Tuesday

• Wednesday (2/25): Construction Day

• Thursday (2/26): Business Day

• Friday (2/27): Manufacturing & Transportation Day

 

If you have any questions or want to know more about career exploration and development at Pine Hollow, please feel free to contact Ms. Rowe (arowe@wcpss.net), one of our CTE teachers who also serves as our Career Development Coordinator and is spearheading this effort.

NJHS Applications for 7th Graders Due February 27

 

Current 7^th graders who are interested in applying for the National Junior Honor Society can now apply! All information can be found on this Google Doc, including the link to apply. Students must submit their application by February 27, 2026,  and once submitted, a copy of responses will be sent to their WCPSS email as confirmation of submission. Students can see Ms. West in Room 3705 or email her (cwest4@wcpss.net) with any questions they may have. 

Initial Pilots Fun Friday Character Awards to Take Place February 27

 

This Friday (Feb. 27) marks the start of a new monthly tradition we are launching at PHMS to celebrate exceptional character that our students demonstrate inside and outside of the classroom! Each month, we will celebrate a group of students who are nominated by their teachers for demonstrating strong character and making a positive impact on our school community. You can click here to see the awards students are able to earn. 

 

If you would like to contribute individually wrapped snacks for this event, please click here to sign up! You can bring these snacks to the front office and let them know you are dropping them off for our Pilots Fun Friday Character Awards. Please have them here on or before February 26th! Your generosity helps make this recognition meaningful and memorable for our Pilots. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Corder (jcorder@wcpss.net).

Join us for March Madness Basketball Tournament on March 2

 

We are excited to share that our March Madness 3-on-3 basketball tournament is officially a go for Monday, March 2. We have a dozen teams who will be participating in this PTSA-sponsored event, which will also include prizes for spectators and guests. The event kicks off at 4:00 pm and tickets to watch are only $5 at the door. We hope you and the whole family will come out to enjoy the fun—and have a chance to win some fun raffle prizes and whatnot!

Don’t Forget to Order a Yearbook

 

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. Click here to order one for your student before it’s too late (our school's order number is 21759)! 

 

Want to make your 8th grader's yearbook even more memorable? Purchase a personalized ad to celebrate their accomplishments or share a heartfelt message with an ad in this year’s yearbook. Act quickly because the ad submission deadline is coming up soon! If you have any questions, please contact our yearbook advisor Mrs. Wenner (swenner@wcpss.net). 

 

WAKE Up and Read Book Drive Running February 23 - March 19

 

Our National Junior Honor Society is participating in the annual WAKE Up and Read Book Drive from February 23 through March 19. During this time, they will be accepting new and gently used books for babies, toddlers, and anyone through age 12 as a part of this WCPSS-wide literacy initiative to promote reading and improve literacy in our community. As such, if you have any books you’d like to donate, please send them in. Books can be dropped off in the LLC. Thanks for helping us support literacy across Wake County!

Athletics Updates

 

To keep up to date with the weekly schedule, game results, outstanding game performers, tryout requirements and all things related to Pine Hollow Athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log. You can also follow the Athletics department on Instagram and check the Athletics Website.

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 flyer.

Thank You to Our 2025-26 PTSA School Sponsors

 

A special thank you to the generous local businesses who have signed on to be a sponsor for the 2025-26 school year. If your company—or one that you know—is interested in serving as a sponsor, please connect with our PTSA Fundraising Co-Chairs at phmsptsafundraising@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Monday, February 16 is a Makeup School Day

 

This is a reminder that Monday, February 16 is a makeup day for students from the missed school day on February 2. We look forward to seeing our students bright and early on Monday morning!

Shoutout to Deputy Hart for SRO Appreciation

 

This past week, we had the chance to celebrate School Resource Officer Awareness Day by recognizing our SRO Deputy Hart of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.  His dedication and genuine care for our students and school community make a real difference every single day. Thank you, Deputy Hart for helping to keep our school safe and for being a valued part of our Pine Hollow Middle School community.

Final Day to Register for March Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

 

The deadline to register for the March Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on Monday, March 2 has been extended to Monday, February 16. Help us get to at least 10 teams so that the event can continue as planned. For more information and/or to register your student, click here.

Help Fuel Our PTSA Staff Appreciation Chili Lunch on February 20

 

Our wonderful PTSA is coordinating one of our favorite traditions—our now annual Staff Appreciation Chili Cook Off—on Friday, February 20. If you’d like to assist with this by providing anything, please click here to sign up. Even if you don’t want to make a chili dish, there are other things that you can assist with like drinks, toppings, etc.

Spring Picture Day on February 23

 

Strawbridge will be on campus on Monday, February 23 for spring pictures. We are aware that some students may have received picture forms with an incorrect date on them, but February 23 is our picture day. 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. Students will also receive portrait package information handouts during homeroom/advisory this week.

New Pilots Fun Friday Character Awards Launching Soon!

 

We are excited to begin a new monthly tradition that celebrates the strong character our students demonstrate inside and outside of the classroom! Each month, we will celebrate a group of students who are nominated by their teachers for demonstrating strong character and making a positive impact on our school community. You can click here to see the awards students are able to earn. 

 

We invite our Pine Hollow community to support this celebration by donating individually wrapped snacks for our recognized students. Please click here to sign up! You can bring these snacks to the front office and let them know you are dropping them off for our Pilots Fun Friday Character Awards. Please have them here on or before February 26th! Your generosity helps make this recognition meaningful and memorable for our Pilots. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Corder (jcorder@wcpss.net).

NJHS Applications for 7th Graders Due February 27

 

Current 7^th graders who are interested in applying for the National Junior Honor Society can now apply! All information can be found on this Google Doc, including the link to apply. Students must submit their application by February 27, 2026,  and once submitted, a copy of responses will be sent to their WCPSS email as confirmation of submission. Students can see Ms. West in Room 3705 or email her (cwest4@wcpss.net) with any questions they may have. 

Athletics Updates

 

To keep up to date with the weekly schedule, game results, outstanding game performers, tryout requirements and all things related to Pine Hollow Athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log. You can also follow the Athletics department on Instagram and check the Athletics Website.

Summer 2027 Trip to Japan, Anyone?

 

Mrs. Carlson and Mrs. Kirby are excited to announce an upcoming 2027 international trip to Japan for middle school students! This hands-on adventure blends culture and fun as students explore bamboo forests and golden temples, visit arcades and the Pokémon Center, meet deer in Nara, and experience the energy of Tokyo. Families are invited to RSVP for the required info meeting here: https://bit.ly/3M8iaAQ (RSVP required even if you can’t attend—trip details will be shared afterward). Mrs. Carlson is also taking a group to Spain in July 2026, and there are still a few spots available for that if you are interested as well. Please contact her (accarlson@wcpss.net) for additional details. While coordinated by PHMS teachers, these trips are neither sanctioned nor sponsored by WCPSS or Pine Hollow Middle School.

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 flyer.

Thank You to Our 2025-26 PTSA School Sponsors

 

A special thank you to the generous local businesses who have signed on to be a sponsor for the 2025-26 school year. If your company—or one that you know—is interested in serving as a sponsor, please connect with our PTSA Fundraising Co-Chairs at phmsptsafundraising@gmail.com.

 

 

 

NC Check-In for ELA on Monday, February 9

 

As we continue working to make up missed Check-In assessments from the inclement weather we recently had, this is a reminder that ALL STUDENTS will complete the NC Check-In for ELA at the start of the day on Monday, February 9 from 8:15 am - 10:15 am. Please help us by ensuring that all students arrive at school on time so that we can get started with testing ASAP. Please remind your child to be sure to bring their CHARGED Chromebook on Monday and to do their absolute best!

Love the Bus Week This Week (February 9-13)

 

This week, we are celebrating our bus drivers as a part of Love the Bus Week across Wake County! For many students, our bus drivers and transportation staff are the first faces our students see in the morning and the last ones they see before heading home. They navigate traffic, weather, and early mornings to ensure our children arrive safely and ready to learn. We are so grateful for their commitment to safety and excellence. 

 

Please join us in showering our drivers with "love" next week through a kind word, a handmade card, or a simple "thank you" at the bus stop! We are partnering with our PTSA to try to make next week extra special for our drivers, and have designated Wednesday, February 11 as student and family recognition day, so if you’d like to do something special to recognize your child’s bus driver, Wednesday, February 11 is the day!

Valentine’s Dance on Friday, February 13

 

Our next school dance of the year will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 5:00 – 6:30 pm for all PHMS students, grades 6-8 (students from other schools are not permitted to attend). The theme for the dance is Valentine’s Day. The dress code is casual, so students should come comfortable and ready to dance! Students may wish to wear their favorite Valentine’s colors—pinks, reds, and whites. Tickets will be $7 per person and will be sold before school and during lunch at the following times:

 

• Before school: Tuesday, February 10 – Friday, February 13, from 7:45 am until 8:10 am

• During lunch on the following days for each grade level:

  • Tuesday, February 10 during 6th Grade Lunch

  • Wednesday, February 11 during 8th Grade Lunch

  • Thursday, February 12 during 7th Grade Lunch

 

Tickets will not be sold at the door. Also, 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. Students who have received three or more days of in-school OR out-of-school suspensions during the 3rd quarter will not be permitted to attend.

Volunteer to Assist with Valentine’s Dance

 

As mentioned above, our next school dance is on Friday, February 13 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm. This dance will be open to all Pine Hollow Middle School students who meet behavior expectations. That being said, our PTSA Dance Committee is looking for some assistance if you are interested in signing up to chaperone and/or donate snacks. Click here to sign up to assist.

Help Fuel Our PTSA Staff Appreciation Chili Lunch on February 20

 

Our wonderful PTSA is coordinating one of our favorite traditions—our now annual Staff Appreciation Chili Cook Off—on Friday, February 20. If you’d like to assist with this by providing anything, please click here to sign up. Even if you don’t want to make a chili dish, there are other things that you can assist with like drinks, toppings, etc.

Spring Picture Day on February 23

 

Strawbridge will be on campus on Monday, February 23 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. Students will also receive portrait package information handouts during homeroom/advisory this week.

New Pilots Fun Friday Character Awards Launching Soon!

 

We are excited to begin a new monthly tradition that celebrates the strong character our students demonstrate inside and outside of the classroom! Each month, we will celebrate a group of students who are nominated by their teachers for demonstrating strong character and making a positive impact on our school community. You can click here to see the awards students are able to earn. 

 

We invite our Pine Hollow community to support this celebration by donating individually wrapped snacks for our recognized students. Please click here to sign up! You can bring these snacks to the front office and let them know you are dropping them off for our Pilots Fun Friday Character Awards. Please have them here on or before February 26th! Your generosity helps make this recognition meaningful and memorable for our Pilots. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Corder (jcorder@wcpss.net).

Registration Now Open for PTSA March Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on March 2

 

Get ready for a March Madness Fundraiser!  The PHMS PTSA is thrilled to host the March Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 4:00 - 6:30 pm. Whether you’re a hoop star or just looking for some fun with friends, we want to see you on the court! Registration is currently open online and is $45 per 3-person team. This fee covers your tournament entry and a team t-shirt for each player! Gather your squad of three and sign up today to secure your spot in the bracket and raise money for our PTSA!! 

Save the Date for the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

 

Parents and guardians of 8th graders, we would like to invite you to go ahead and mark your calendars for our 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony that will take place Thursday, June 11 from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. This ceremony will take place at school.

Athletics Updates

 

To keep up to date with the weekly schedule, game results, outstanding game performers, tryout requirements and all things related to Pine Hollow Athletics, be sure to check out The Flight Log. You can also follow the Athletics department on Instagram and check the Athletics Website.

Summer 2027 Trip to Japan, Anyone?

 

Mrs. Carlson and Mrs. Kirby are excited to announce an upcoming 2027 international trip to Japan for middle school students! This hands-on adventure blends culture and fun as students explore bamboo forests and golden temples, visit arcades and the Pokémon Center, meet deer in Nara, and experience the energy of Tokyo. Families are invited to RSVP for the required info meeting here: https://bit.ly/3M8iaAQ (RSVP required even if you can’t attend—trip details will be shared afterward). Mrs. Carlson is also taking a group to Spain in July 2026, and there are still a few spots available for that if you are interested as well. Please contact her (accarlson@wcpss.net) for additional details. While coordinated by PHMS teachers, these trips are neither sanctioned nor sponsored by WCPSS or Pine Hollow Middle School.

Open House for Future Leesville Road HS 9th Graders

 

Leesville Road High School will be hosting their Rising 9th Grade Open House on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. As a part of this event, students and parents will be able to learn about the different course offerings, clubs, sports, and extra-curricular activities available at LRHS.

Thank You to Our 2025-26 PTSA School Sponsors

 

A special thank you to the generous local businesses who have signed on to be a sponsor for the 2025-26 school year. If your company—or one that you know—is interested in serving as a sponsor, please connect with our PTSA Fundraising Co-Chairs at phmsptsafundraising@gmail.com.

 

No School for Students on Monday, February 2

 

As was shared earlier today, all WCPSS schools will be closed for students on Monday, February 2 due to the inclement weather. Instead of a remote instruction day, we will make up this missed day by having a regular school day on Monday, February 16, which was previously scheduled to be a Teacher Workday. 

School Counselors Appreciation This Week (February 2-6)

 

This week is National School Counseling Week, a time when we get to recognize and celebrate the incredible impact our counselors have on our students every day. From navigating social-emotional challenges to helping students plan for their futures, our counselors play a critical role in making sure that every child feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed. This week, the admin team and our PTSA will be celebrating our wonderful counselors Mr. Brown and Mrs. Haunsperger, and we’d like to invite you and/or your child to do the same if you would like to give them a special shout out!

Love the Bus Week Coming Up Next Week (February 9-13)

 

Next week (February 9-13) is Love the Bus Week across Wake County! For many students, our bus drivers and transportation staff are the first faces our students see in the morning and the last ones they see before heading home. They navigate traffic, weather, and early mornings to ensure our children arrive safely and ready to learn. We are so grateful for their commitment to safety and excellence. Please join us in showering our drivers with "love" next week through a kind word, a handmade card, or a simple "thank you" at the bus stop! We are partnering with our PTSA to try to make next week extra special for our drivers, and have designated Wednesday, February 11 as student and family recognition day, so if you’d like to do something special to recognize your child’s bus driver, Wednesday, February 11 is the day!

Valentine’s Dance on Friday, February 13

 

Our next school dance of the year will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 5:00 – 6:30 pm for all PHMS students, grades 6-8 (students from other schools are not permitted to attend). The theme for the dance is Valentine’s Day. The dress code is casual, so students should come comfortable and ready to dance! Students may wish to wear their favorite Valentine’s colors—pinks, reds, and whites. Tickets will be $7 per person and will be sold before school and during lunch at the following times:

 

• Before school: Tuesday, February 10 – Friday, February 13, from 7:45 am until 8:10 am

• During lunch on the following days for each grade level:

  • Tuesday, February 10 during 6th Grade Lunch

  • Wednesday, February 11 during 8th Grade Lunch

  • Thursday, February 12 during 7th Grade Lunch

 

Tickets will not be sold at the door. Also, 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. Students who have received three or more days of in-school OR out-of-school suspensions during the 3rd quarter will not be permitted to attend.

Volunteer to Assist with Valentine’s Dance

 

As mentioned above, our next school dance is on Friday, February 13 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm. This dance will be open to all Pine Hollow Middle School students who meet behavior expectations. That being said, our PTSA Dance Committee is looking for some assistance if you are interested in signing up to chaperone and/or donate snacks. Click here to sign up to assist.

Help Fuel Our PTSA Staff Appreciation Chili Lunch on February 20

 

Our wonderful PTSA is coordinating one of our favorite traditions—our now annual Staff Appreciation Chili Cook Off—on Friday, February 20. If you’d like to assist with this by providing anything, please click here to sign up. Even if you don’t want to make a chili dish, there are other things that you can assist with like drinks, toppings, etc.

Spring Picture Day on February 23

 

Strawbridge will be on campus on Monday, February 23 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.

Registration Now Open for PTSA March Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on March 2

 

Get ready for a March Madness Fundraiser!  The PHMS PTSA is thrilled to host the March Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 4:00 - 6:30 pm. Whether you’re a hoop star or just looking for some fun with friends, we want to see you on the court! Registration is currently open online until February 15 and is $45 per 3-person team. This fee covers your tournament entry and a team t-shirt for each player! Gather your squad of three and sign up today to secure your spot in the bracket and raise money for our PTSA!! 

Save the Date for the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

 

Parents and guardians of 8th graders, we would like to invite you to go ahead and mark your calendars for our 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony that will take place Thursday, June 11 from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. This ceremony will take place at school.

Athletics Updates

 

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). 

Thank You to Our 2025-26 PTSA School Sponsors

 

A special thank you to the generous local businesses who have signed on to be a sponsor for the 2025-26 school year. If your company—or one that you know—is interested in serving as a sponsor, please connect with our PTSA Fundraising Co-Chairs at phmsptsafundraising@gmail.com.