Incoming 6th grader information

A few things done this summer will save you a lot of scrambling come August. Here is your checklist.

Things to Do This Summer

• Complete summer registration: Registration opens in July. Confirm your student's information and make sure your contact details are current so the Panther Press finds your inbox from day one. Register at pleasantonusd.net/enrollment-registration/annual-registration

• Set up ParentVue: Your essential year-round portal for grades, absences, schedules, and more. Download the app or log in on desktop at ca-pleas.edupoint.com.

A quick note on the three platforms you will hear about:

ParentSquare — how the school sends official communications and the Panther Press to parents.

ParentVue — the parent portal for grades, attendance, and schedule.

StudentVue — the same portal but for students. Connected but a separate login.

• Set up MySchoolBucks: Every student receives one free breakfast and lunch daily. Load funds if your student may want additional food. Set up your account at schoolnutritionandfitness.com.

• Schedule a sports physical: Required before tryouts for any competitive sport. Appointments book out quickly so get ahead of it if your student plans to play. See Section 04 for details.

• PE uniform: The PTSA provides each 6th grader with a PE shirt. Black shorts or sweatpants are also required and can be ordered through Spirit Hero or brought from home. Students are also required to have tennis shoes with laces or velcro for PE. Crocs and slippers are not allowed as they pose a safety risk.

Order online through Spirit Hero and items ship directly to your home. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery. Students begin dressing for PE in weeks two to three of school so order as soon as possible. Learn more at sites.google.com/pleasantonusd.net/pmspe.

School Supplies

For the first few days, have your student come prepared with a notebook, folder, loose-leaf paper, and pens and pencils. Each teacher will share their syllabus and supply list during the first week and students typically have about a week to gather everything.

One heads up: backpacks at PMS can get very heavy. The school is working toward more consistency in syllabi to reduce duplicate notebooks and supplies across classes. In the meantime, make it a habit when you check grades together to also check the backpack and remove anything that can be stored at home for future reference. Your student's back will thank you.

Chromebook

• Chromebook: Issued to students in the first days of school along with a charging cable. No need to bring a device. Make sure your student has a safe backpack compartment to protect it. Repairs for damage are the student's financial responsibility. Tech info at PUSD Technology Services.

PE Lockers

No need to worry about PE on day one. During the first two to three weeks, students do not dress for PE while teachers assign lockers, hand out shirts, and go over expectations together.

• Combination locks: The school may provide one based on availability. If your student brings their own, they will share the combination with staff at locker assignment.

Need a lock? Example: Master Lock on Amazon.

• PE lockers are for PE clothes only: Students carry their backpacks and belongings with them throughout the day.

PRO TIP: Call your pediatrician now if sports are on your student's radar. Summer appointments fill fast and you do not want to miss tryouts over a paperwork delay.

Middle school runs differently than elementary. Here is what to know before day one so nothing catches you off guard.

Drop-Off, Pick-Up and Transportation

Review the drop-off and pick-up zones and traffic flow before the first day so you know exactly where to go. Full details at pleasantonmiddle.pleasantonusd.net/families/drop-off-pick-up.

Bus service is available through Wheels Public Transportation. Visit their site, enter your school, and available routes will come up. A great option if driving is not always possible.

The Bell Schedule and Wednesday Late Start

PMS runs on a regular schedule Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesdays are late start, meaning school begins later to allow for teacher collaboration. Late start is every single week, all year. View the full bell schedule at pleasantonmiddle.pleasantonusd.net/bell-schedule.

Pride Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Pride Time is a dedicated support and enrichment period built into every Tuesday and Thursday schedule. It does not start in the first few weeks while students settle in. Once it kicks in, students sign up for their destination on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

• Mandatory sessions: Teachers can assign students for additional academic support. These take priority.

• Student choice: Students can request a destination such as a club, a teacher, or the library.

• Default: If no selection is made, students automatically go to 8th period, their last class of the day.

Lunch

Every PMS student receives one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. If your student wants additional food, load funds into a MySchoolBucks account at schoolnutritionandfitness.com.

A Few Quick Logistics

Reporting absences: Call the attendance line or log it through ParentVue. Details found here.

Student ID cards: Printed on picture day, typically within the first few weeks of school. Watch the Panther Press for the date.

Cell Phone Policy

PMS has a clear cell phone policy for the school day. Review it with your student before school starts so there are no surprises. Read the full policy here.

Grades

Middle school switches from standards-based grading to traditional letter grades, A through F. It is one of the biggest academic adjustments for 6th graders and the earlier families understand how it works, the smoother the transition.

Parents check grades through ParentVue. Students use StudentVue. Make it a weekly habit to look at missing assignments together since a missing assignment affects the grade immediately.

For grading periods, breaks, and minimum days refer to the PUSD Instructional Calendar.

PRO TIP: Pick one day a week to open ParentVue together with your student. Sunday evenings work well for a lot of families. Catching one missing assignment early beats recovering from several.

Once logistics are handled, plugging into the PMS community is easy. Here is where we live.

Panther Press Newsletter: Your number one resource all year. Lands in your inbox every Wednesday at 10am through ParentSquare. Open it every week and you will never feel out of the loop. Not receiving it? Reach out to the front office to confirm your email is current. Have something to share? Submit at pmsptsa.com.

Social Media:

• Instagram: @pmspanthersptsa

• Facebook: Pleasanton Middle School PTSA

PTSA Website: Events, agendas, signups, and a dedicated page for incoming 6th grade families. Bookmark it at pmsptsa.com.

WhatsApp

For official school information always refer to the Panther Press and official school communications. If something is bothering you, the school administration and staff are the right people to talk to. WhatsApp is best used for community connection and quick questions.

• 6th Grade WhatsApp Group: Join here — grade-level connection and quick questions.

• PMS School-Wide Channel: Join here — broader school news and community updates.

PRO TIP: Add the Panther Press sender to your email contacts so it never lands in spam. One less thing to hunt for on a Wednesday morning.

Panther Nation has something for every kind of kid. Here is how to find it.

Clubs and Pantherfest

The best way to explore clubs is at Pantherfest, the annual club fair held in the fall. Students, parents, and families are all welcome. Watch the Panther Press for the date.

Browse the full list of clubs at pleasantonmiddle.pleasantonusd.net/activities-athletics/clubs.

CIF Sports

PMS competes in CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) sports, meaning students play against other schools in organized official seasons. Here is the 2026 to 2027 lineup:

• Fall: Boys Basketball (A, B, and 6th Grade teams), Cross Country, Girls Volleyball (A, B, and 6th Grade teams)

• Winter: Boys Volleyball

• Spring: Wrestling, Girls Basketball, Track and Field

All athletes must be medically cleared before tryouts. This means a sports physical and a HomeCampus account to submit clearance paperwork.

Full details on the athletics page. Set up HomeCampus at homecampus.com before tryouts.

Athletic Boosters

PMS is forming an Athletic Boosters group to support our sports programs. Interested in getting involved? Reach out at athleticsPMS@gmail.com.

PRO TIP: Encourage your student to sign up for one thing at Pantherfest they would not normally try. Middle school is a great time to discover a new interest or make an unexpected friend.

The PTSA is what makes PMS more than just a school. It is the group of parents, teachers, and students working together to make Panther Nation the best it can be. Here is how to be part of it.

PTSA Membership

Joining is the most direct way to support your student's school. Membership dues fund programs that benefit every student and give parents a voice in how those programs are shaped. You do not have to volunteer or attend meetings to be a member. Your dues alone make a real difference.

• Annual membership fee: $16

Join at registration in July or anytime at pmsptsa.com.

Future Fund

One fundraiser per school year. A direct donation at summer registration. No product sales, no pledge drives, no follow-up asks. Donations fund counselor support, student events, teacher appreciation, the Reflections Art Program, and more.

Donate directly at the Future Fund store.

Volunteering on Campus

Volunteering looks different in middle school. Parents are less involved in day-to-day classroom life by design as students build independence. There are still great ways to show up through PTSA events and campus activities. For any on-campus volunteering you will need PUSD volunteer clearance first, a standard background check that takes time to process so submit it early.

Submit clearance at pleasantonusd.net/families/volunteers.

Other Ways to Support PMS

• Student and Classroom Grants: The PTSA awards grants for student programs, classroom needs, and wildcard opportunities throughout the year. Funded by your dues and donations.

• Yearbook: Order early because they sell out. Details coming soon in the Panther Press.

• Spirit Wear: Show your Panther pride. Details coming soon.

• Classroom and Library Donations: Teachers and the library occasionally share specific needs. Always optional and always appreciated.

PRO TIP: Submit your volunteer clearance before Pantherfest so you are ready to help when fall events kick off. It takes time to process and you do not want to miss the first big event of the year.

Communicating with Teachers

Email is the standard channel. Teacher addresses are in ParentVue and on the school website. For grade or assignment questions check ParentVue first since most answers are already there. We also encourage students to reach out to teachers directly, it is a great habit to build.

Counselor Access

Every PMS student is assigned a school counselor who supports students academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the year. Students can walk in and self-refer or parents can reach out directly. Do not wait for a crisis to make the introduction.

Meet the PMS counseling team here.

Have More Questions?

The PMS School Website is your most complete resource: the health office, bell schedule, staff directory, school calendar, drop-off info, and much more. When in doubt, start there.

The PTSA website is the best place to reach us and stay current on PTSA news and events.

And do not underestimate your fellow Panther families. The WhatsApp communities are full of parents who have been through it and are genuinely happy to help. This is Panther Nation and we take care of each other. Welcome to the family.

Questions? Reach us at president@pmsptsa.com or visit pmsptsa.com