Weekly Message
an Update from Dr. Barbara A. Russell 1/14/22
Greetings PV Families,
I hope you had a pleasant week and are looking forward to a safe and enjoyable 3-day weekend. Schools will be closed on Monday, January 17, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. We recognize and admire Dr. King, an important civil rights activist, for advancing the rights of minorities and championing social justice. He also advocated the importance of volunteer service and civic engagement. In addition to celebrating Dr. King’s birthday, the day is also recognized as a National Day of Service, coined as a "day on, not a day off.” PV has coordinated a variety of volunteer and community service activities including donation drop off stations, on-site MLK Community Day activities, and take home service projects. Over 440 families signed up to participate in take home activities! MLK Community Day will be held at Thomas J. Keenan Stadium with activities, crafts, and exercises for kids of all ages. To sign up for MLK Community Day and to learn more about how to get involved, visit our website at MLK Day of Service.
Thank you to all who opt to participate in PVSD activities as well as others throughout our community and beyond!
Sincerely,
Dr. Barbara A. Russell
Superintendent
Health and Safety Updates to Quarantine and Isolation
As we continue on this challenging journey called COVID-19 Pandemic, we strive to share the most up-to-date information with our PV Community...and once again, I have updates to share in regard to pandemic guidelines and procedures. While some of the links below connect to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, the District most directly follows the guidance and authority of the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH). The agency recently updated their guidance on January 6 and again this week on January 11 (COVID-19 School Isolation & Quarantine Guide). There are several changes in regard to quarantine and isolation to share:
QUARANTINE - applies to individuals exposed (close contact) to a confirmed COVID-19 person.
Mask to Stay (MTS) - applies to unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated STUDENTS or STAFF, who have been exposed to a confirmed positive COVID-19 person. These individuals will have the opportunity to participate in MTS. In PVSD, MTS requires mask wearing daily in school and outdoors (i.e., recess) for 10 days. An antigen test is also required between days 4-6 after exposure. PVSD will administer the antigen tests onsite prior to the start of the school day.
To participate in MTS, complete the following form: TTS/MTS Form
If an unvaccinated STUDENT or STAFF chooses NOT to participate in MTS, MCOPH recommends they stay home for 5 days. After that, continue to wear a mask for 5 additional days.
*As a note: testing under the MTS program is available to vaccinated individuals with special health care needs, chronic illness, or those desiring confirmation of a negative test result. It is recommended individuals wear a mask through day 10.
Test to Stay (TTS) - now applies to unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated STAFF only as per MCOPH. Updated details of this program will be outlined in the Health and Safety Transition Plan (v3).
ISOLATION - applies to individuals identified as positive for COVID-19.
If a STUDENT or STAFF member receives a positive test for COVID-19, they must isolate. This requires individuals to remain home from school/work for 5 days and presuming symptoms resolve and they are fever free for at least 24 hours (absent fever reducing medication), individuals can return to school/work on day 6 with a commitment to wear a mask days 6-10.
Masks Required Through 1/21/22
During a Special School Board meeting, held on Sunday, January 2, PV's Board of School Directors approved an updated Health and Safety Transition Plan (v3). As part of this plan, masks are required for all students and staff during the school day when indoors extending through January 21. During after school activities such as athletics, music rehearsals, Community Ed., committee meetings, Board meetings, etc., masks are strongly recommended.
Beginning on January 24, masks will be strongly recommended during the school day.
Donation Bins (school parking lots)
Have you noticed the large recycling bins in the parking lot of our schools? The post prom committee works with Keystone Green Textile Recycling to collect clothing and other items through these donation bins. The items collected are responsibly recycled and donated to local nonprofit agencies. This awesome program not only benefits the environment but also our community. In addition, the program has served as a great partner in raising funds for our Post Prom Celebration - coordinated each year by parent volunteers.
Over the past year, our school community has donated a impressive 52,526 pounds of clothing and other items! For your convenience, below we have included a list of accepted/unaccepted items. We appreciate strict adherence to these lists to ensure we do not incur chargers for the disposal of unacceptable items.
- Accepted Items: Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Belts, Linens
- Unaccepted Items: Housewares, books, videos, toys, bikes, furniture, baby equipment, electronics, etc.
Thank you for your support! If you would like to get involved in the Post Prom Committee, please reach out to Betsie Stone at bstone72@verizon.net or Charles Lofton at celofton@verizon.net.
Now Hiring! Guest Teachers, Food Service and Custodial
Safe2Say
As a note, in addition to always encouraging our students to share questionable or concerning information with a trusted adult, they can submit an anonymous tip through the Safe2Say Program. Tips are typically related to a variety of challenges our students experience or witness, such as bullying, harassment, disrespectful language, safety concerns, etc. When a tip is received, the State (who runs Safe2Say) immediately follows up with the respective building administrator and the information is investigated.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday: January 17: PVSD Holiday/Martin Luther King Day (Schools & Offices Closed); MLK Day of Service Events
- Tuesday, January 18: Policy Committee, 7pm
- Thursday, January 20: Safety & Operations Committee, 7pm
- Monday, January 24: School Board Data Presentation, 7pm
Superintendent's Office
Email: brussell@pvsd.org
Website: https://www.pvsd.org/about/superintendent/
Location: 3 Iron Bridge Drive, Collegeville, PA, USA
Phone: (610)489-8506
Twitter: @BarbaraARussell
Having Tech Issues? See Below for Details
- Chromebook malfunctions/damages: Email the helpdesk@pvsd.org
- Forgotten student passwords: Go to https://accounts.pvsd.org
- FAQs about Chromebooks can be found on our website
21-22 v17 1/14/22