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Vernon Johns Middle School

Home of the Wildcats

Week 7 | Destination: Success- Sept 28- Oct 2, 2026

Posted Date: 09/27/26 (06:00 PM)
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THE WILDCAT FLIGHT PLAN

Your Family Guide to the Week Ahead

September 27, 2026
Destination: Success- yellow, blue and read sign with wildcat logo.

Week of Sept 28- Oct 2, 2026

✈️ WELCOME TO WEEK 7 WILDCAT FAMILIES!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Back to School Night - Annual Title I Meeting! We enjoyed welcoming our families into Vernon Johns and sharing important information about the school year.

If you were unable to attend, no worries! Please review the slide deck here to see the information that was shared with families.
We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year as we continue our journey toward Destination: Success! Your support at home makes a difference, and we are grateful to have you as part of our VJMS community.

📚 3 Weeks Left in the Marking Period!
We have just three weeks remaining before the marking period ends. Please continue to encourage your passenger to:
  • Come to school every day and on time
  • Complete assignments and turn in missing work
  • Check grades and ask for help when needed
  • Stay focused and do their best work every day
  • Make choices that reflect our VJMS PAWS expectations

🗓️ Attendance Matters!
Every school day matters. When students are at school, they have more opportunities to learn, grow, connect with their teachers, and stay on track. Please continue helping us make daily attendance a priority.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Three weeks to go, Wildcats! Let’s finish this marking period strong! ❤️💙💛
One School. One Team. One Vision.
✈️ Destination: Success

✈️ INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW

yellow, blue and red

🏀 Lady Wildcats Basketball

The Lady Wildcats are heading into the final stretch of their season come out and support them as they finish this season strong!!! 

Thank you for your continued support and will see you in the den!!!!
roads, pathways, blue, orange and yellow.

🎓 Own Your Journey!

Come spend the evening learning about the different specialty programs Petersburg students are eligible for, including Appomattox Regional Governor's School, Maggie L Walker Governor's School, CodeRVA Regional High School, Richard Bland College and Brightpoint Community College.

October 12 
6pm-8pm
Vernon Johns Middle School

🚌 HELP US KEEP TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION UP TO DATE!

Wildcat Families, we are asking ALL families to complete our Student Transportation Form to confirm your child’s preferred way of getting to and from school.

Whether your Wildcat is a bus rider, car rider, walker, or uses another form of transportation, please complete the form so we have the most current information for your family.

One form should be completed for each student.

Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, organized, and efficient for all Wildcats! ❤️💙
VJMS Student Transportion Form
 

IMPORTANT CALENDAR CHANGE

Please note an important change to the 2026–2027 school calendar. 

Students WILL report to school on October 8th & 9th.

  • The student holidays have been moved from Thursday, October 8, 2026 and Friday, October 9, 2026 to Monday, October 12, 2026 and Tuesday, October 13, 2026. 

All schools will reopen for students on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Please update your calendars accordingly!

Reminders

🎒 PASSENGER REMINDERS: READY FOR THE SCHOOL DAY

🎒 Clear Backpacks Only
Students must carry a clear backpack throughout the school day.

Students may bring clear plastic/refillable water bottles to stay hydrated. Stanley cups, Simply Modern cups, and similar tumblers are not permitted. We absolutely want our students to stay hydrated—we just need everyone to follow our school expectations.

VJMS follows the PCPS Student Dress Code. Please review the image below with your child for full details about what students may and may not wear to school.
blue, white, red with suitcases

🚌 AFTER-SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION: 6TH GRADE CAMPUS TO MAIN CAMPUS

Does your 6th grade student participate in a VJMS sport or after-school program and need transportation to Main Campus?

Please complete this digital form to grant permission for your 6th-grade student to travel from 6th Grade Campus (Blandford) to the Vernon Johns Main Campus for school activities, sports, and programs via district activity bus.

By filling out this form, you will provide emergency contact information, review student behavioral expectations during transit, and submit your electronic parent/guardian consent.

Parent/guardian permission is required before a student may ride the bus.


NEED HELP? CONNECT WITH YOUR GRADE-LEVEL ADMINISTRATOR

Have a question or need specific support for your student? Your VJMS administrative team is here to help! For the quickest support, please contact the administrator assigned to your student’s grade level.

6th Grade | Ms. Bowles, Associate Principal
📧 dabowles@petersburg.k12.va.us

7th Grade | Mrs. Marsh, Assistant Principal
📧 lamarsh@petersburg.k12.va.us

8th Grade | Mr. Harris, Assistant Principal
📧 naharris@petersburg.k12.va.us

Principal Apprentice | Mrs. Pitt
📧 chpitt@petersburg.k12.va.us

Interim Principal | Mrs. Lowery
📧 jolowery@petersburg.k12.va.us

We want our families to feel supported, informed, and connected. Please don’t hesitate to reach out when you need us—we’re here to help! ❤️💙💛

📵 DEVICE CHECK: YONDR POUCHES

All student phones and electronic devices must be secured in the student’s assigned Yondr pouch during the school day.

Students should arrive at school prepared to follow the Yondr process each day. This helps us protect instructional time and keep students focused on learning.

Please review the process below with your student before the first day.
Yondr Pouch Process

VJMS EXPECTATIONS: PAWS FOR SUCCESS

PAWS in blue, white and read with wildcat and airport images.
At VJMS, our Wildcats PAWS for Success!

P — Practices Safety
Make choices that keep yourself and others safe.

A — Accepts Responsibility
Take responsibility for your choices, actions, and learning.

W — Willing to Work Hard
Give your best effort, even when learning gets challenging.

S — Shows Support & Respect
Treat yourself, classmates, staff, and our school community with respect.

Families, please help us reinforce these expectations at home. Success happens when school and home work together!

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER!

✈️WEEK 7: ✈️ STAY FOCUSED. FINISH STRONG. KEEP SOARING!

As we head into Week 7, we are getting closer to the end of the first marking period! Now is the time to check grades, complete missing work, ask for help, and stay focused in class.

Families, please continue encouraging your passenger to come to school every day, give their best effort, and make choices that support their success. We still have time to grow, improve, and finish this marking period strong! ❤️💙💛✈️

Destination: SUCCESS! ✈️

One School. One Team. One Vision.