Our students have acclimated quickly to the new school year, almost as if they never left. Today, they had a day off from school in honor of Yom Kippur. To those who celebrate, I hope you had a meaningful fast and look forward to a good new year.

As the diversity within our community continues to grow, we strive to facilitate greater awareness and deeper understanding of our differences whether they are cultural or based on gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and/or sexual orientation. We are cultivating inclusive school communities where all students feel a part and equitable opportunities exist in the academic and extracurricular realms. In all of our schools and at all levels, we are prompted to consider how we promote respectful interactions and civil discourse. The Pennsylvania Department of Education includes speaking and listening skills as part of the mandated content standards in the subject area of English Language Arts (ELA). Students of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels are expected to learn the basic tools of argument as well as how to engage in civil discourse. Many students find that exercises in developing structured arguments dramatically improve their ability to read and write. As a public school, we have the opportunity to expose our students to diversity and multiple perspectives in a variety of ways and on many different issues. These experiences serve to enrich the social and academic development of our students, while at the same time nurture their skills as respectful, active, and responsible participants in an ever-more diverse community and world.

At tomorrow night’s home football game, our coaching staff and team are hosting an Inclusion and Autism Awareness Night and encouraging fans to wear blue in support of understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism. Our players will be led onto the field by our autistic friends. I applaud the recognition and view it as one more valuable opportunity for our students to learn, understand and respect differences among us.

Across the District and in all schools, our shared focus is on students and creating a school experience for them that is positive, nurturing and productive for each and every one. We are preparing our students to be future ready and ready for their future, wherever that may lead. As we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, it is my hope that despite the differences among us and in our personal views, we engage respectfully on all that is happening in our world today. I appreciate the community we are and know that we will remain PV Strong!

Sincerely,

Dr. Barbara A. Russell

Superintendent

Congratulations to Mrs. Laurie Smith on her appointment as Assistant Superintendent of Perkiomen Valley School District! She was officially commissioned by Judge Thomas M. DelRicci at the Montgomery County Courthouse on Tuesday, September 14.

We continue to work on supporting our students wearing masks throughout the entire school day. We recognize that providing periodic mask breaks can be helpful to our students and staff. The District received updated guidance on mask breaks indicating that when they occur indoors, it is important other mitigation measures are in place, including quality ventilation and social/physical distancing of 6’ to the greatest extent possible. The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) School Exclusion Guidance spells out the close contact definition which excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student when both are wearing masks/face coverings. As a result, it will be critical that mask breaks are brief in duration, 2-5 minutes, and students maintain social/physical distancing to avoid the obligation of quarantine as well as potential transmission of virus.

Tuesday, September 21 - Policy Committee @ 7pm

Wednesday, September 22 - Wellness Committee @ 7pm

Thursday, September 23 - Elementary Meet the Teacher Night @6:30pm

Thursday, September 23 - Safety & Operations Committee @ 7pm