Highlander Hilltop: November 6th Newsletter

Posted Date: 11/06/26 (03:00 PM)

Principal’s Message

November 6, 2026

Good afternoon, PMS Families!

It is hard to believe we are saying this already, but Happy November! The school year continues to move quickly, and it has been great to see our students settle into their routines as we begin the second quarter. We have a few exciting updates and important reminders to share as we head into next week.

Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11

A reminder that there will be no school next Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

I also want to take a moment to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the parents, grandparents, family members, and members of our community who have served or continue to serve in our Armed Forces. It is difficult to fully put into words how appreciative we are of your service, commitment, and sacrifices. Please know that we recognize and are incredibly grateful for all that you have done, and continue to do, for our country. Thank you!

Our First PRIDE Ticket Cash-In!

Prepared, Respectful, Integrity, Dignity, and Excellence. This program is all about recognizing the positive choices our students make each day and continuing to build a school culture where those choices are celebrated.

Moving forward, we plan to offer PRIDE ticket cash-ins once or twice each month, giving students opportunities to save their tickets or redeem them for available prizes. We will also be incorporating larger, experience-based rewards to recognize students for their achievements throughout each quarter, including positive behavior, strong attendance, and academic success.

A big thank you to our Student Council and Mr. Marino for helping get this initiative off the ground!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Finally, please be on the lookout for Parent-Teacher Conference sign-ups, which will be sent out on Tuesday, November 10. Conferences are scheduled for November 23 and 24 and provide a valuable opportunity for families and teachers to connect, discuss student progress, and identify goals as we move further into the school year.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and once again, a sincere thank you to all of our veterans and military families!

Michael Searson
Principal
Portland Middle School

11.10 ~ No School, Veteran's Day
11.23 ~ Early Dismissal - Parent-Teacher Conferences
11.24 ~ Early Dismissal - Parent-Teacher Conferences
11.25-11/27 ~ No School, Thanksgiving Break

Congratulations to Bianca Vibberts!!
Bianca tied the Cross Country course record from 2018!

Good luck to our Cross Country team who will be competing in the State Championship tomorrow

Message from the Nurse

Mononucleosis - aka the “kissing disease” - It's caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that is spread via saliva and causes fever/chills, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, & extreme fatigue. The worst is the first 2 weeks, but the fatigue can take a lot longer to go away, and it’s important to avoid hits to the abdomen during the healing phase.

As far as contagion, there are no special precautions beyond the usual cold/flu prevention tips; it's always good to review this at this time of year!

Frequent handwashing with soap and water
Avoiding close contact with others, especially those who are immunocompromised
Not sharing food, drinks, or utensils (or yes, kissing too)
Using disposable tissues or elbows to cover coughing or sneezing
Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
Masks are available in nursing/office for those who would like to cover their coughs that way, but it is not required.

Attendance Protocols

Please email msattendance@portlandct.us to report absences, late arrivals or tardies.

Students reporting to school after 7:45 must report to the main office to check in and get a pass.

Portland Middle School Athletics Website