A message from the Superintendent

March 2, 2023

Dear PV Families,

March is upon us and spring is just around the corner. There's a lot happening in our schools. Teachers are working diligently to get students to where they need to be in their learning. To assist in the efforts, the District has organized an Educational Equity Task Force, a Language Mentoring Program for English Language Learners (see below), and meetings with Special Education families to strengthen the services offered.

Our District mission is to cultivate inclusive school communities and empower our students to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. We are fortunate in this district to have strong family partnerships that support the efforts to educate our students. The vast majority of our students are well behaved and attentive to the expectations of school. However, in recent weeks, there have been several negative interactions among students reported to administration in different buildings. These disrespectful behaviors are unacceptable and leave the impacted students feeling marginalized and unincluded. This is not what we want.

It takes a village! Together, we can guide our students and nurture inclusive school communities of learning where students and staff interact in respectful ways and all members feel a sense belonging and being included. Thank you for your partnership in these efforts! Do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or principal with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Barbara A. Russell
Superintendent

• Language Mentoring Program
• Community Meeting (3/7)
  
• Spring Meal Boxes
• Red Carpet K-8 Family Event (3/9)

• Annual Diversity in Education Recruitment Fair (3/22)

• Resource Fair (3/28)
• Vaping - Information Video #3
• 23-24 School Calendar Approved
• Community Education Newsletter -Sign Up!
• Kindergarten Registration
• FID Reminder
• Important District Dates

You may recall a few months ago we announced the Language Mentoring Program. Our intent was to enlist PV high school students, fluent in communicating in other languages, as mentors for our younger students that do not speak fluent English - or know very little English.

We are excited to share that the program is up and running! Our students are truly enjoying communicating and connecting with one another.

Interested high school students can still participate in this program by completing this brief survey: Language Mentoring Program.

The district is considering incorporating school police officers into our existing security team. To further the discussion, we are holding a Community Meeting on March 7 beginning at 7:00pm in the cafetorium at Evergreen Elementary. The District's Safety Supervisor will lead the conversation and share reasons why these ideas are being considered. The meeting will include a school police officer from a neighboring school district who will speak first hand to the job of serving a school community in this capacity. There will be time allocated for questions and answers.

A community member, and former PV student, is organizing FREE Spring Break meal boxes for PV families in need (each box is intended to serve a family of 6). Interested families can use this form to sign up. Pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, between 11am-1:00pm at the PV High School. Registration closes 3/31.

The PV High School National Honor Society (NHS) will be organizing a food drive in support of this program. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Learn more: www.pvsd.org/familynight

The Perkiomen Valley School District is proud to once again participate in the Montgomery County Annual Diversity in Education Recruitment Fair on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 5:30-7:30pm at the MCIU Lafayette Building in Norristown. Current teachers, college students majoring in education, and other educational professionals are invited to speak with school district representatives about professional opportunities within our 20+ Montgomery County school districts. Register online at www.mciu.org/diversityfair. For questions, please contact jobs@mciu.org. We hope you will join us this year!

The Montgomery County Resource Expo provides students, families, educators, and community stakeholders with an opportunity to interact with Local, State, and Federal Organizations and Service providers from the tri-county area who provide services to individuals and their families with disabilities.

Join us Tuesday, March 28, 6:00pm-8:00pm, in the PV High School Cafeteria. For details, visit Montgomery County Resource Fair.

This third video in our series explores the risks of vaping for teens. In the video, we reference links for additional information. Please find the information here: Teens & Vaping.

Do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Ryan Marsh, rmarsh@pvsd.org, or to Dr. Barbara A. Russell, brussell@pvsd.org, with follow-up questions. Thank you for viewing.

The 23-24 School Calendar was approved at the School Board business meeting on February 13. Click the image below for details.

As the weather begins to turn, I thought it best to remind everyone about the possibility of FIDs (Flexible Instructional Days) in response to inclement weather. After utilizing all three (3) built-in inclement weather days, the District may implement a FID to provide virtual instruction to students. FIDs assist schools in meeting the required 180 student days while avoiding the need to extend the instructional calendar year. PA Schools may use up to five (5) FIDs per school year.

Learn more on our website.

• Monday, March 6: Board Work Session @ 7pm
  
• Tuesday, March 7: Wellness Committee @ 3:45pm
  
• Tuesday, March 7: Community Conversation - Safety & Security @ 7pm
• Thursday, March 9: Red Carpet K-8 Family Night @ 6pm
• Thursday, March 9: End of the Second Trimester (Elementary)

22-23 v13 3/2/2023