West Word
A Weekly Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word from Mr. Creeden
Quick Snapshot📸
- Monday May 31st - Memorial Day/PVSD Holiday (School Closed)
- What's Up @ PV West
- Onsite Instruction Information
- Important 8th Grade Information
- Music Ensemble Participation for the 21/22 School Year
- Conversation With Dr. Russell
- Summer Reading
- Library Summer Hours
- Purchase Your PV West Yearbook
- West Virtual Art Show
- PV Middle School Summer LIFT Programs
- West Parent Volunteers Needed
- PV West Athletic Update
- Symptom Monitoring
- Power Packs
- Counseling Groups @ West
- Creative Health Social/Emotional Resources for Parents
- Change Demographic Information in Synergy
- Attendance Information
- West Home & School Information
- Technology Help
- PV West on Social Media
- West Weeks At-A Glance
- HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY WEEKEND!
Monday May 31st - Memorial Day/PVSD Holiday (School Closed)
What's Up @ PV West
Plot Comic
Students in Mrs. Lewis' eighth grade ELA classes were tasked with creating comic strips this week, to illustrate the key events in the short story, "The Tell Tale Heart," by Edgar Allen Poe. Their cartoons had to depict the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and the resolution of the story. Researchers have determined that drawing substantially activates the brain to learn and understand. In addition, they agree that drawing is a fundamental component of the learning and communication experience.
Gaga Break
Students in Mrs. Herzog's eighth grade classes took a break from the rigors of physical science with a vigorous game of gaga. The West gaga court is located in back of the school with a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside! Contemporary research reveals that spending time in nature has tremendous benefits for young people. They are better able to focus in natural settings, and studies show that physical activity, especially outside, improves academic readiness and both verbal and mathematical ability.
Green Team Efforts
The Green Team was hard at work this week building raised garden beds from reclaimed pavers and preparing our new courtyard greenhouse! The beds will be filled with composted soil. Students in Mrs. Nelson's English class are currently reading Seed Folks, a novel about urban gardening. Ms. Emers will collaborate with them in a garden design competition and the winners will get to plant their plan in the new raised beds! In addition, dedicated Green Team members, Jacob, Liam, Connor, and Gwen, have busy growing and tending perennials and trees to plant around West's campus.
Onsite Instruction Information
Cell Phones
Water Bottle Availability and Use
All students are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles to school. There are two bottle filling stations available, where students can fill their water bottles, throughout the school day.
Plastic water bottles are also available. If students would like to get a plastic water bottle, they will be available at the times and locations below during the school day.
- 7:30 - 7:50 - Cafeteria (students initials will be placed on the water bottle)
- During lunches in Cafeteria (student initials will be placed on the water bottle)
- After lunches - in office (students may receive another water bottle if they return the empty water bottle with the correct initials)
Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers, and Network Resources
This coming week students will be reminded that district technology resources shall be used for appropriate school-related educational and operational purposes and for the performance of job duties consistent with the educational mission of the district. Use for educational purposes is defined as use that is consistent with the curriculum adopted by the district as well as the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities and developmental levels of students. District technology resources may be used for personal use only when permitted.
All students are responsible for the appropriate and lawful use of district technology resources. The districts acceptable use policy is intended to ensure that all users continue to enjoy access to district technology resources and that such resources are utilized in an appropriate manner and for legitimate purposes.
Important 8th Grade Information
8th Grade Class Photo
PVHS Student Panel
8th Grade Celebration
All 8th graders are invited to the 8th Grade Celebration on June 4, 2021 from 6pm-8pm. Cost is $5.00 at the door, exact change is appreciated. This is an outdoor event in the bus parking lot. Rain Date is June 10th. MASKS MUST BE WORN!
The event is Hawaiian Theme. Dress code is casual, school dress code applies.
PV West Home & School will provide:
DJ for social distanced dancing
Soft Pretzels
Chick fil A chicken nuggets
Bruster’s Ice Cream
Drinks and candy
Cornhole and Can Jam (expect a tournament or two and prizes)
Hula Hoop Contest (with prizes)
Photo Selfie Areas
See the sign-up to volunteer for the event(up to date clearances needed) and to sign up to donate drinks or candy.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c45aba82aa4fdc16-volunteer
Monetary donations appreciated to help offset the cost of the event. Donations can be sent to the office marked 8th grade celebration. Checks can be made out to PVMS West H & S.
Music Ensemble Participation for the 21/22 School Year
6th and 7th grade students participating in music ensembles will do so twice a 6 day cycle during the advisory period. If you are a 6th grade student interested in participating in one or more music ensembles please complete the 20/21 Grades 6 & 7 Music Ensemble Participation form below.
8th grade students participating in music ensembles will participate twice a 6 day cycle during advisory AND every other day throughout the school year in place of two specials classes. Music students will still have the opportunity to take two specials area classes (Art, FCS, Tech Ed A, Tech Ed B) which they can indicate on the form below. If you are a 7th grade student interested in participating in one or more music ensembles please complete the 21/22 Grade 8 Music Ensemble Participation/Special Area Class Choice form below. If you have any questions please contact Dawn Krown at dkrown@pvsd.org.
Students must be signed into their PVSD account to complete the form.
Conversation With Dr. Russell
Summer Reading
Students are expected to take part in the PVSD summer reading program this summer. English teachers will be providing more information to students. Please see the link below for details:
Library Summer Hours
Purchase Your PV West Yearbook
The yearbooks are coming! The yearbooks are coming! The PVMS West 2021 yearbooks will be distributed on Monday, June 14th! Copies of the Junior Voyager will be available for purchase on June 14th, 15th and 16th in the main lobby during morning home room. The cost is $30.00 cash or check made out to PVMS West. Quantities are limited. First come, first served. Get your own piece of West history! You’re in this book!
West Virtual Art Show
Dear Perkiomen Valley Parents, Guardians and Staff,
The Art Department proudly presents The 2021 Perkiomen Valley Middle School & High School Virtual Art Show! This is a Virtual Reality experience which all families in Perkiomen Valley can access via ArtSteps.com. The show features the artwork of 128 PVSD students from grades six through twelve. The artwork displayed was hand selected by both the middle school art teachers Mr. Bernholdt (East) and Ms. DiCicco (West), as well as the high school art teachers, Mr. Tom Komp, Mrs. Wendy Elser, and Mr. Bob Libby.
To access the show, use this link https://www.artsteps.com/view/606e00eefcc0d387bafe868b and sign in to the site using your email address. To navigate the site, you will use your mouse to double-click on the floor where you want to go. The blue footsteps icon will act as your cursor and wherever you click, the camera will take you to that point. To look around, you will need to left click and drag your mouse to rotate the view of the camera. You may also at any point, click in the lower left corner on the map which will take you to that specific spot.
Each artwork is interactive so if you would like to know more about the artist, medium, or grade level, click on the art and it will generate a secondary pop up window featuring this information. You will need to close this window when you are finished viewing.
After you have seen the show, please leave us a comment. The comment area is located underneath the show’s description. You may leave a message for one of the Art Department staff members or an artist that you know in the show.
Thank you for supporting The Visual Arts! We appreciate the hard work and dedication put forth by the students. This collection of work is a true testament to the resilience and determination the students of Perkiomen Valley School District have and will continue to have now and into the future.
Sincerely,
Ms. Marla DiCicco
Visual Arts Teacher, PVMS West
PV Middle School Summer LIFT Programs
Are you making your summer plans? Looking for engaging fun opportunities for your child(ren)? Look no further! PVSD is proud to announce LIFT, Learning is Fun Together, our summer program. Oh, and did we mention these opportunities are being offered at No Cost to families? That’s right, LIFT programs are Free to all PV students!
Please consider registering your child(ren) for one of our Summer LIFT Programs, designed to engage students in various learning activities through both remediation and enrichment opportunities. Camps are available onsite, in our school buildings, and open to all students across the District, at no cost. Transportation is available and our Food Service department will be offering both breakfast and lunch, both at no cost.
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Looking for a virtual camp? We’ve partnered with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit to permit PV students to join their “Dream It, Design It” virtual camps at no cost to our families. There truly is something for everyone!
Check out the LIFT offerings by visiting our LIFT Summer Programs website. On the website you will find information about what is available at each level and how to register. Note: when registering, please select “Other” in the payment section.
West Parent Volunteers Needed!
PV West Athletic Update
Important Dates For Fall Sports
- Varsity football heat acclimation will start August 9.
- First day of fall sports tryouts will be Monday, August 16.
- First day of Middle School Football will be August 23.
- First day of Middle School Sports will be August 30.
Registration for fall sports must occur by August 2. This can be done at http://www.planeths.com. In addition to registering, student-athletes must have a PIAA physical examination done by a doctor and a CIPPE form completed by the doctor. In order to count for the 2021-2022 school year, the physical must occur June 1 or later. The CIPPE form is found on www.planeths.com when you register.
Middle School West Softball
Weekly results: Pottstown (W), Spring-Ford (L), PV East (L)
Unsung athlete of the week: Adrianna DeJesus went 5 for 8 on the week with a Home Run and Two Triples, Sammie Faella went 5 for 7 on the week and picked up the win vs Pottstown pitching a complete game 5 hitter with 9 strikeouts. Special shout out to our trio of captains, Adrianna DeJesus, Brianna King, & Taylor Delo who were great positive leaders that led by example.
Middle School West Baseball
7th grade weekly results: Pottsgrove W 14-1, PV East W 11-3.
7th grade unsung athlete of the week: The team had a fantastic season finishing at 10-1. It was the best finish for the 7th grade team in 11 years. Coach Burns and Coach Riotto would like to congratulate every player for persevering through every game and playing solid baseball on both offense and defense throughout the season!
8th grade weekly results: PV West 10 Pottsgrove 6. PV West 12 PV East 5.
8th grade unsung athlete of the week: Nick Tsitoukis makes a potentially game saving catch in the outfield which could have cleared the bases for opponent PV East.
Middle School West Girls' Lacrosse
Weekly Results: Spring Ford 13 PVMSW 9; PVMSE 14 PVMSW 9
Unsung athletes of the week: Although our season didn’t end the way anyone had planned, many lessons were hopefully learned. A huge shout out goes to all the girls that stuck with the program to the end of the season, never quitting until all games were played. This year was challenging for all of them both on the field, and in the classroom, and we can’t thank them enough. Best of luck to all the athletes that will go to play any and all sports at the high school level. We, the coaches, look forward to watching you grow and mature into some outstanding athletes. LETS GO PV!!
Symptom Monitoring
Parents are reminded to perform regular monitoring for the symptoms in Group A and B below. This should be completed prior to your children getting on the bus or entering any school building. Visitors permitted inside the schools will be limited and screened by a designated staff member prior to entering. Any student who feels symptomatic during the school day is directed to report to the school nurse.
Group A
1 or more symptoms
Cough
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell
Group B
2 or more symptoms
Fever (measured or subjective)
Fatigue
Chills / Rigors
Myalgia (muscle aches)
Headache
Sore throat
Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea
Runny nose / Congestion
Please keep your children home under the following circumstances:
- Have one or more symptoms in Group A OR
- Have two or more symptoms in Group B OR
- Are taking fever reducing medication.
Power Packs
Please fill out a separate form (below) for each child that you would like to receive a Power Pack, including children not yet in school. Power Packs will be sent home with your student on Fridays. If your student is attending school virtually, please indicate that under your student's school and we will be in touch to arrange pickup/drop off of food.
Counseling Groups @ West
The Counseling Center will be offering student counseling groups during the 2nd marking period. All groups will be created based on the information gathered from our student needs survey that will be shared with students. Parents are also encouraged to refer their children to any of the counseling groups listed below by contacting William Montgomery (wmontgomery@pvsd.org)
6th Grade Life Support- (During Advisory on Fridays) A loss group for anyone who is dealing with the death of any loved one in his or her family.
7th Grade Life Support - (During Advisory on Thursdays) A loss group for anyone who is dealing with the death of any loved one in his or her family.
8th Grade Life Support - (During Advisory on Fridays) A loss group for anyone who is dealing with the death of any loved one in his or her family.
SAFE Collective - (Tuesdays at 3:15 on Zoom) An after school club developed to work directly with students to create equity and actionable change within the PVHS community. SAFE Collective provides a judgement free space for students to have open discussions regarding race, gender expression, ability, and shape. From there we are developing actionable solutions and restorative justice practices to create change.
Lunch Bunch Friendship Group - (During lunch on Mondays and Fridays) for all students maintaining friendships while we are socially distancing at school and virtually. This will be an in-person group only.
LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning) A group for students identifying as LGBTQ to create a safe and a judgement free space in school.
Executive Functioning/Study Skills - (During Advisory on Tuesdays) for anyone who wants additional help organizing or studying.
Creative Health Social/Emotional Resources for Parents
Cannabis Info Resources:
https://conversation.zone/whoknew/
https://www.youthnow.me/parents/cannabis-conversations/
Learn more about mental illness
This section covers mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, PTSD, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, OCD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicide, addiction and others.
Learn more at https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness
We provide strength based, trauma informed and caring treatment services that reach out to families in their homes or community environments. All family services are strength based and sensitive to ethnic, cultural, and spiritual differences and needs of each family. The first step in getting help for your family begins with a thorough assessment of your family’s needs leading to the best care options to help improve the life of your family.
To learn more about our family based services, call one of the following locations:
Contact Us: Phone: 484-941-0500 Fax: 484-941-0515
Located at: 11 Robinson Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 8:30AM-9PM; Friday, 8:30AM-5PM
Saturday, by Appointment Only
Click Here For Directions
Contact Us: Phone: 610-326-9250 Fax: 215-679-9795
Located at: 452 Penn Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073
Click Here For Directions
Contact Us: Phone: 610-369-7271 Fax: 610-369-7299
Located at: 5th & Montgomery Avenues, Boyertown, PA 19512
Click Here For Directions
Change Demographic Information in Synergy
Attendance Information
If your child will be absent or missing any class time, please send an email (from the email you have listed in our new SIS system) to:
This will count as your call-out AND parent excuse. Please indicate in your email the date of absence, student’s grade and the reason for the absence. An absence is considered unexcused when the child’s school has not received an email providing an acceptable reason for the absence within a 3-day period.
You may also call our attendance line at: 1 (484) 977-7210, option 1. If you do this, you would still need to submit an email with the above information in order for it to be excused.
Any medical notes should be scanned in. When back to school (in person), any Dr.’s notes should be placed in the Attendance Box, right outside the Guidance Department.
If you have any questions at all, please contact Brenda Continelli at bcontinelli@pvsd.org.
West Home & School Information
Home and School page http://mswest.pvsd.org/home/home-school
Technology Help
Email for Tech help, helpdesk@pvsd.org
Tech Support Zoom Room (Available 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, M-F)
https://zoom.us/j/96825432361?pwd=QTlYS2hzMk9FUmF0ZXhtWmhxalFWZz09
PV West on Social Media
We would love to have you join our social media accounts to stay updated on the latest West news and happenings. Please see below on where to find each of our accounts.
West Weeks At A Glance
Monday May 31st - Memorial Day/PVSD Holiday (School Closed)
Thursday June 3rd - Conversations with Dr. Russell @ 8AM; PVSD Safety & Operations Committee Meeting at 6:30PM
Friday June 4th - 8th Grade Celebration @ West from 6-8PM
Monday June 7th - PVSD School Board Work Session @ 6:30PM
Tuesday June 8th - PVHS Student Panel for 8th Grade Students