West Word
An Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word From Mr. Creeden
I want to remind all West parents of our first What's Up @ West Virtual Parent Info Night this coming Thursday evening at 6:30pm. We hope these virtual parent info nights provide parents with important information that will assist you with supporting your children at home. Please see below for additional info and a link to the info night.
No School on Monday September 26th (Rosh Hashanah)
Quick Snapshot📸
- What's Up @ West
- Additional West News To Know
- Yearbook Art Contest
- Counselor's Corner
- Social Media Awareness for Parents/Guardians
- Free Community Event for Middle & High School Families
- PVSD Foundation First Annual 5K
- Special Education Spotlight
- PVSD Hiring Event
- PV West Athletic Update
- Middle School Handbook Highlights
- Be Part of the Conversation - Upcoming Programs
- PVSD Food Service Updates
- Power Packs
- Safe2Say
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- PV West on Social Media
- Community Bulletin Board
- West Weeks At A Glance
- HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
What's Up @ West
The Amazing Library Race
Our sixth-grade students were introduced to our exceptional library in an innovative way by competing in the PVMS West Amazing Library Race! After a brief tour and library resource review, pairs of students visited thirteen locations in the library to complete knowledge challenges. The race culminated at the circulation desk where they tallied their points and filled out entry forms for a chance to win a book or poster. They then had the opportunity to check out a book and read until everyone finished. The Book and Poster contest will continue all year. At the end of each month, winners will be chosen from entry forms completed by students who checked out books. Thank you to librarian Barb Quintangeli and library assistant, Maureen Monteleon, for orchestrating this informative activity.
Grammar Go-Round
Grammar is important because it is the academic vocabulary we use to talk about language. Grammar names the types of words and word groups that make up sentences not only in English but in any language. Students in Dawn Nelson's eighth grade ELA classes reviewed grammar concepts by playing Grammar Go-round, loosely based on the popular card game "Spoons". They identified various parts of speech in the sentences provided, before all the cards piled up in front of them. The goals were to review the parts of speech, interact with peers, and have a little fun!
A Fond West Farewell
Two of our most passionate, dedicated staff members at Middle School West concluded their careers this week. We wish both Mrs. Foulke (FCS Instructor), and Mrs. Quintangeli (Librarian) a very happy retirement! We will miss you both dearly. Enjoy the next chapter!
Additional West News To Know
Ursinus Program
We are pleased to announce we will soon be starting a new round of our Ursinus Program! This unique community partnership pairs our PV middle school students with students from Ursinus College. Goals for the partnerships range from academic help, goal setting and advice on preparing for high school, college, and beyond, to simply making new friends and staying connected during these challenging times....and to have some fun while doing so! If interested, please register with this link. You child needs to be the one to register with their PVSD account.
Ursinus Program Student Registration at PV West
The program will begin 9/28 and run through 11/30. Please register by Tuesday 9/27. Sessions run every Monday and Wednesday from 2:45-3:45. The late bus is available for anyone who isn’t a walker or parent pick up. All students are eligible, and there is no cost to the program. But, space is limited so please register soon!
We hope that you will take the time to register for this engaging program.
After School Activity Transportation
- 4:00pm Departure (outside main office) - Monday through Thursday
- 5:00pm Departure (outside gym entrance) - Monday through Thursday
Math Club @ West
Math Club is hosting several different competitions during the school year. If you are interested, participate in ONE or ALL the competitions! Participation is FREE.
The first competition, the AMC 8, is Tuesday, January 17th. The American Math Competition 8 is designed for mathematically advanced middle school students who are mathematical thinkers. The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40- minute multiple choice contest. Math skills through pre-algebra are utilized.
Interested students need to register on Google Forms by Friday, September 30th using the link below.
To register, login to your school Google account and click:
https://forms.gle/oVRVrQx8TThJP7G67
For additional information, students or guardians may visit:
http://www.maa.org/math-competitions/amc-contests/amc-8
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=AMC_8_Problems_and_Solutions
Yearbook Art Contest
Counselor's Corner
West Counselors are collaborating with Creative Health Services to offer students the opportunity to participate in counseling groups during school. In the coming weeks all West students will receive a very brief survey asking them if they are interested in participating in the following counseling groups: Changing Families, Coping with Stress/Anxiety, and Managing Friendships/Developing Interpersonal Skills. If you would like to opt your child out of participating in the survey please inform his/her counselor by Friday September 23rd . Please see the flyer below for more detailed information.
Social Media Awareness for Parents/Guardians
The FDA is warning about a rise in adolescents and young adults participating in dangerous social media challenges. One recent challenge posted on social media encouraged people to cook chicken in NyQuil and similar over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. "Boiling a medication can make it much more concentrated and change its properties in other ways," the FDA said. The agency also pointed to a TikTok challenge daring people to hallucinate by taking large doses of the over-the-counter drug Benadryl. The FDA cited reports of teens ending up in hospital emergency rooms or dying after participating. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents should talk to their children about social media dares and discuss them "calmly and without judgment" while encouraging them to think through any potential negative outcomes.
We share this information with you as parents/guardians to be aware and to provide you with information to assist you as you engage in conversations with your children about social media and staying safe.
Free Community Event for Middle & High School Families
PVSD Foundation First Annual 5K
The First Annual Fall Colors 5K will be hosted by Lenape Arboretum and PV Woods in partnership with Perkiomen Valley School District Foundation. Join us on Saturday, October 15th, for this 3.1-mile race starting at 9:00am at Perkiomen Valley Middle School East's campus, located at 100 Kagey Road, Collegeville.
Traverse PVMS East's beautiful campus as the Fall Colors 5K leads you through their cross-country course through Lenape Arboretum and over the athletic fields. Enjoy the beautiful fall scenery and a challenge as you run! In addition to the race, there will be fun activities for kids held by the Take Action club!
There are a few ways you can participate in the Fall Colors 5K:
- Individual 5K - do the 5K as an individual and receive a time. Includes a race t-shirt* and access to the Fun Zone.
- 5K Relay - a team of 5 participants will take on the 5K. Each teammate does a 1K. Create your team name, create and bring your baton, and make a uniform (optional!), but above all, have fun with your friends! Includes a race t-shirt for each participant* and access to the Fun Zone. You must register all five members at the time of registration. If you need to change team members, contact foundation@pvsd.org.
- Virtual 5K - if you cannot make the event or live far away, you can still participate! This option includes an event t-shirt mailed to you*.
Register before Sunday, September 25th, to be guaranteed a 100% Recycled race t-shirt! For more race information, click here.
Proceeds of this event will go towards revitalization efforts at PV Woods and funding projects within the Perkiomen Valley School District. Learn more about PVSD Foundation here. Learn more about PV Woods here.
If you have any questions about the event, please get in touch with foundation@pvsd.org.
Perkiomen Valley School District Foundation
3 Iron Bridge Drive
Collegeville, PA 19426
www.PVSDFoundation.org
Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @PVSDFoundation
Special Education Spotlight
PV West Athletic Update
At our recent home football games, administration has observed the need for greater oversight of our elementary and middle school students. For the remainder of the football season, these students must be accompanied by an adult to gain entry into the game. Student safety is our highest priority and we appreciate your support.
PV West Volleyball had a great start of the season against Pottsgrove this past Tuesday. Varsity won in 2 sets while JV lost 2 sets to 1.
Varsity Highlights
Offensive Player of the Game: Claire Jonassen
Defensive Player of the Game: Olivia Marino
JV Highlights
Offensive Player of the Game: Taylor Quinn
Defensive Player of the Game: Bryn Myer
Upcoming West Athletic Schedule
Girl's Soccer
Tuesday September 29th - Home vs. Upper Merion Middle School (3:45)
Thursday September 29nd - Away vs. Norristown Area (3:45)
Friday September 30th - Away vs. Boyertown Area Middle School East (3:45)
Football
Tuesday September 27th - Home vs. Boyertown Area Middle School West (3:45)
Tuesday October 4th - Home vs. Phoenixville Area Middle School (3:45)
Tuesday October 11th - Away vs. Upper Perkiomen Middle School (3:45)
Field Hockey
Tuesday September 27th (Scrimmage) - Away vs. Arcola Intermediate School (3:45)
Thursday September 29th - Home vs. Upper Merion Middle School (3:45)
Thursday October 6th - Away vs. Norristown Area (3:45)
Cross Country
Thursday September 29th - Away vs. Upper Merion Middle School (3:45)
Volleyball
Tuesday September 27th - Home vs. Perkiomen Valley Middle School East (3:45)
Thursday September 29th - Home vs. Norristown Area (3:45)
Thursday October 6th - Away vs. Spring-Ford Middle School (3:45)
Middle School Handbook Highlights
Dress Code
Cell Phones
Procedure for Administration of Medications in School
No medication should be in the student’s possession (pockets, lunch, purse/handbag, or backpack). All medications are to be delivered directly to the nurse’s office and kept in the health room unless otherwise designated by the school nurse. Please contact our school nurse Sharon Saks at ssaks@pvsd.org with any questions.
Be Part of the Conversation - Upcoming Programs
Be a Part of the Conversation equips families and communities in Pennsylvania with skills and resources to understand substance use, addiction, and related health issues. We provide community programs, foster supportive connections, highlight lived experiences, and challenge stigma.
We are a collaboration of community leaders, clinicians, students, school district representatives, and families who believe that having meaningful, inclusive conversations about substance use and addiction will support individuals and their families in their efforts to develop healthy coping skills and access support whenever there is a need. Learn more about us. See the link below for a number of programs that Be a Part of the Conversation offers.
PVSD Food Service Updates
Power Packs
PV Power Packs is a weekend food program for students experiencing food insecurity. Bags of food, including 2 breakfast items, 2 lunch items, 2 snacks, and 2 fruits, are sent home with students prior to every weekend. There is no financial information required to participate in this program and students pick up their bags from their counselor or designated person every week.
Sign up for your child(ren) to receive a Power Packs bag by filling out this form: 2022-23 Power Packs or by emailing PowerPacks@pvsd.org.
If you would like to make a donation to Power Packs, please do so by sending a check to the District Office at 3 Iron Bridge Dr. Collegeville made out to PVSD and note Power Packs in the memo line or donate through PayPal. For PayPal the email to send a donation is donations@pvsd.org. Thank you for your support!
Safe2Say
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. Please see below for more information.
The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
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.
Community Bulletin Board
Want to find out what’s going on in the PV Community? Visit here for flyers about upcoming events in and around our area!
To submit an event for posting, please send a PDF version of your flyer to webmaster@pvsd.org for review.
Please note that Community Bulletin Board items may contain links to websites of organizations outside Perkiomen Valley School District. Items are posted to this bulletin board as a free service to the community, and should not be interpreted as being sponsored or endorsed by the district.
West Weeks At A Glance
Monday September 26th - No School for Students (Rosh Hashanah)
Thursday September 29th - What's Important @ West Virtual Parent Info Night
Monday October 3rd - PVSD School Board Work Session @ 7pm in PVHS Library
For more details on the 22/23 school year go to the 22/23 Instructional Calendar