PATRIOT PRESS
PLEASANT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL * * * November 13, 2022
Welcome to another edition of the Patriot Press.
Inside Scoop
- November late start Wednesdays 9th, 16th 30th.
- Thanksgiving break Nov. 23-25
- Aspire highly capable referral for testing Deadline Dec. 2nd
- PV PTA Holiday Bazaar - vendors wanted
- Join PTA online!
- Parent education/resource night: Teen Mental Fitness, Wed. November 16th 6-7:30 p.m. at PHS
- National School Psychology Week
- Boys basketball and girls soccer registration dates changed Plan your sports physical!
- Boys soccer schedule
- Girls volleyball schedule
- Eighth grade celebration committee
- Counselor's Corner
- Notes From the Nurse ***updated Covid information***
- Inclement weather/school closure information
- Reporting absences
- PTA volunteers needed
- Job openings
- Family Resource Center information
- Menu, info. links, contact info - hours, calendars, handbooks
Upcoming events
- ASB popcorn sale November 7-18 with delivery before Winter Break
- PV PTA Holiday Bazaar Dec. 3rd 9am-4pm
- Hearing and vision screening 5th and 7th grades Dec. 8th
- PV December Food Drive - details to be announced in next newsletter
Aspire referral window open through Dec. 2
Battle Ground Public Schools is accepting referrals to test students for the highly capable Aspire program. Aspire is designed for students in grades 1-12 who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels as demonstrated by one or more of the multiple criteria specified by the state (WAC 392-170-035). The district is accepting referral packets through Dec. 2.
Testing for Aspire takes place in January and February. Identified students will receive services beginning next school year, 2023-2024. Parents who submit the student referral packet by Dec. 2 will be notified by mail of the time and dates testing will occur at their school. Referral packets are available now in your school office or on the district’s website. For more information about the Aspire program, please contact (360) 885-5426 or (360) 885-5455.
Holiday Bazaar vendors wanted
Date: Dec 3rd, 2022
Time: 9am-4pm
Cost: $40-$50
Sign up at: https://pleasant-valley-pta-holiday-bazaar-2022-vendor-application.cheddarup.com
Join PTA! A great way to support our children and school community!
JOIN THE PTA TODAY!!
When you join, you support PTA programs.
You can now join completely online!! Joining PTA does not require volunteering! Please consider joining PV PTA this year. Every membership counts, every dollar counts and there is a little something in it for you.
Every Member counts
Every person signed up in our PTA goes towards votes that our PTA receives at the Washington PTA convention in the spring. These votes allow us to shape PTA policy at the state level. Before convention, we survey our membership to get input on what is important to you!
Each membership raises dollars to support PTA activities locally and at the state level. At Pleasant Valley our dollars go to support programs such as teacher grants, Chrome and Ipads, Learning Incentive Programs, Band Uniforms, Art Enrichment and much more.
A little something for you
Joining PTA offers discounts at a variety of businesses including Fed Ex, Silverwood Theme Park, Wild Waves Theme Park and more...
National PTA teams up with businesses committed to supporting PTA's mission of serving all children by offering our members special discounts, fundraising opportunities and other unique deals, including: Hertz, Metlife, Quicken Loans, Staples, and more
Joining PTA does not "sign you up" for any volunteering. We won't call you to ask unless you have told us that you would like to volunteer.
Please consider joining PTA.Parent education/resource night: Teen Mental Fitness, Wed. November 16th 6-7:30 p.m. at PHS
National School Psychology Week
Last week was National School Psychology Week. We would like to thank our PVM psychologists, Janelle Martin and Spencer Johnson, for all the effort and care they put into coordinating accommodations, interventions, and programs to help our students succeed. They are a valued part of the PVM team.
National School Psychology Week
Nov. 7-11 is National School Psychology Week, highlighting the important work of school psychologists and other educators who help students thrive. The theme this year is “Together, We Shine,” focusing on recovering from recent challenges posed by the pandemic, social justice concerns, economic stress and other challenges to mental and physical health.
School psychologists are considered the “case manager” at their buildings, serving both general and special education students. The services they provide include counseling, group work and guiding the multidisciplinary special education team processes. School psychologists also engage directly with individual students who are struggling to meet behavior expectations. They are instrumental to providing essential life skills for students in all of our schools.
***New *** Boys basketball and girls soccer registration date change
7th and 8th Grade girls interested in soccer, registration begins December 26th. The playing season is January 17th through February 24th. Please note this is a change in dates
6th, 7th and 8th grade boys interested in Basketball, registration begins January 9th. The playing season is January 30th through March 16th.
If interested in playing be sure to get those physicals taken care of now so you can turn them in at registration time. Family ID will also open on registration days and must be filled out even if you have played a sport in the past.
Boys soccer schedule - Fall 2022
Girls Volleyball schedule - Fall 2022
Reporting Absences - New Russian/Ukrainian attendance line information
***NEW*** Our Russian/Ukrainian Support team would like to announce the new attendance line for Russian and Ukrainian families.
Eighth grade celebration committee
Counselor's Corner
During November I will be working with students on strategies to help them become more successful in the classroom. Please reach out if this is something you would like your student to participate in. mccann.amanda@battlegroundps.org
Social-Emotional Supports
There are great resources available for social-emotional support via the Battle Ground Public Schools website. On the district page there are links that lead you to more information for different topics. Here is the link to our school district's page: Social Emotional Supports
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is also a great resource: NAMI
Amanda McCann
School Counselor
Notes from the Nurse
Hello Pleasant Valley Middle School Families.
Hearing and vision screenings for our 5th and 7th grade students are coming up the morning of Thursday, December 8th.
COVID safety in schools
The district posts information about cases in schools on a COVID-19 dashboard.
General guidelines and requirements
- Staff and school volunteers are no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Volunteers must still complete the standard clearance process.
- It is recommended that people with symptoms of an infectious disease stay home and isolate themselves from others for at least five days.
- If someone shows symptoms of an infectious disease while at school, it is recommended that they isolate away from others and be sent home.
- While general masking is not required in schools, masks or face coverings are still required in school health rooms.
- Anyone may choose to continue wearing a mask on school grounds. We expect our students and staff to continue to show respect for one another and the many different viewpoints that make up our community.
- Rapid test kits will continue to be available in buildings for use at home.
Parents and guardians should report positive test results to their child’s building(s). Get contact information for each school.
If you need to email our nurses:
salisbury.janel@battlegroundps.org
School office 360-885-5500
Additional information:
BGPS Corona Virus guidelines/requirements page
Medication at school
If your student requires any medication at school, please be sure we have a current doctor-signed medication at school form and, if necessary, medical orders for your student, for each medication. Medications at school must be unexpired. Please communicate with our nurses if you are not sure if your child's medication is past its expiration date.
Free and low-cost immunization clinics are available. Please see flyer below or download a copy.
Inclement Weather and emergency closure information.
How we notify families
- Automated Phone Calls & Emails: Please keep your contact information updated in Skyward (Family Access) or contact your school office. On weather days, calls begin going out at 5:30 a.m. to families who have not opted out.
- Information Line: (360) 885-5343 (Updated by 6:00 a.m. on impacted days).
- District Website: Bookmark www.battlegroundps.org for easy access.
- Social Media Accounts
- Flash Alert: Sign up for email alerts or download the mobile app for updates about emergency and non-emergency issues.
- TV and radio stations, local newspapers
PTA volunteers needed
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Our PTA motto is “Academics, Activity, and Advocacy.” These are three things we feel are important to our students and their families. This year we hope to host several family activities, fundraisers, and programs. All events are 100% run by volunteers, and we need members to step up to bring these fun activities to our school community. We are very excited to welcome back the Fall Fun Run, Holiday Bazaar, Birthday Book Club & Staff Appreciation, however there are several beloved events that are in danger of being left off the schedule for the 2022-2023 school year.
We are so excited to bring back in-person events however we need volunteers! The following programs are not currently chaired and need some dedicated individuals to bring them to our school:
Scholastic Book Fair – One in October & One in May this event raises funds for the libraries at Pleasant Valley
Sweetheart Dance – Typically held the first Friday evening in February this event is a family dance held for K-6th grade students and their families.
Bingo Night – This fun event has been very well attended in past years.
Spring Carnival – Usually takes place on a Saturday in May and is open to the community.
Stuff the Bus – Raises food for the SHARE House in Vancouver.
Payback Books – Fundraiser selling coupon books to the public.
Family Movie Night – Usually held in the large gym, this requires obtaining a license to show a movie at the school.
If you are interested in any of the programs or events, or if you have any ideas for a program or event that the PTA should look into, please contact the PTA president at pvptapresidents@gmail.com or PTA secretary at pvptasecretary@gmail.com.
THANK YOU!
Pleasant Valley PTA Communications
OPEN DOCUMENT BELOW TO SEE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS THAT NEED FILLED.
Job openings: Join the BGPS team!
Join the BGPS team!
Do you know someone who is looking for work? Battle Ground Public Schools is hiring substitute teachers (certificated substitutes). A teaching license is not required. The rate is $175 per day (higher for some locations). Apply now. Support amazing students and families, work with great colleagues and be an important part of the community!
Here are some of the other current openings in Battle Ground Public Schools:
Special program para - Daybreak Primary School
School psychologist
Game manager - Amboy Middle School
Stadium technician - District Stadium
Middle school assistant coaches (boys and girls basketball, soccer)
High school assistant coaches (Prairie High School softball, swimming, cheer. Battle Ground High School track, basketball, unified)
View the full list of current job openings and apply online at the district website.
Bus drivers
BGPS' transportation provider, First Student, is in need of part-time bus drivers. For more details on First Student driving careers, including sign-on bonuses starting at $2,500, visit https://bit.ly/3TijZcZ.
Cafeteria workers
Sodexo, the district's food service provider, is looking for employees in a number of specialties. Most positions provide on-the-job training and start at $16.20 per hour or more. More information: https://bit.ly/3Fzd8VM
Right At School
The district's new before/after school care provider, Right At School, is looking for program managers and educators. Learn more at https://www.rightatschool.com/careers or email your resume to darcie.torres@rightatschool.com.
Family and Community Resource Center
Battle Ground Public Schools’ Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC) helps meet the needs of families faced with housing instability and similar economic challenges.
While a main goal of the FCRC is to assist families experiencing housing instability, it can also help connect families with many other types of resources and is intended to respond to the changing needs of the community.
The FCRC is a continuation of the district’s joint efforts with the Battle Ground Education Foundation, an all-volunteer, nonprofit community organization whose purpose is to leverage community resources to help maintain quality education for all students in Battle Ground schools.
The Family Resource Guide is full of contacts to aid families in connecting with agencies who are able to help with a great variety of needs. Please click the link below to view this helpful guide.
(click below to be redirected to the FCRC page)
Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC)
Phone: (360) 885-5434
Email: fcrc@battlegroundps.org
School lunch information
There will be a charge for all school meals beginning on the first day of school, Aug. 31, 2022. The USDA waiver that allowed school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch expired at the end of last school year. For the 2022-23 school year, families will be charged regular prices for school meals. Free / reduced meal applications for the 2022-23 school year are available on Skyward (Family Access).
NOTE: Those who qualify for free/reduced lunch may also be eligible for decreased school fees. To learn more and to apply, visit https://www.battlegroundps.org/free-and-reduced/.
November Menu
BGPS information links
Bus routes (to be updated the week before school)
Free/reduced lunch application
Medication at school and other health information
Nutrition services (menus, meal prices)
PLEASANT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION
We believe ALL students can experience academic and personal growth.
PLEASANT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Office: 360-885-5500
Fax: 360-885-5510
Absence reporting: 360-885-5512
District office switchboard: 360-885-5300
Email: info.pvm@battlegroundps.org
Website: https://pvm.battlegroundps.org/
Location: 14320 NE 50th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686 Mail to: Pleasant Valley Middle, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: 360-885-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PVMiddle/
School hours
Late start Wed.: 9:10 - 2:40
Early Release: 8:10 - 11:40
2-hr late start: 10:10 - 2:40
Pleasant Valley Middle Handbook 2022-2023
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The Battle Ground Public Schools provides equal opportunity in programs and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin/language, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, HIV/Hepatitis C status. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other
designated youth groups. Contact the following regarding questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Tom Adams, Director of Student Services, adams.tom@battlegroundps.org, Title IX Compliance Officer, 360.885.5415; Michelle Reinhardt, Executive Director of Human Resources, reinhardt.michelle@battlegroundps.org, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 360.885.5481; or a letter may be submitted to the designated coordinator at the Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604
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November 13, 2022
Issue #6-23