Perk E. Mail
Perkiomen Valley School District's Monthly E-Newsletter
March 2016
Greetings!
TOP STORIES
PVSD Community Ed Has Lots to Offer in Spring/Summer
PVSD’s Community Education brochure for the late spring/summer 2016 session is now available online (click here), and our webstore is open for business! We are excited to bring you a number of new options and programs in this session, including:
- American Tango and American Waltz lessons (page 6)
- Music programs for children and adults (pages 8-9)
- Consumer Rights (page 14)
- Science Explorers After-School Programs (page 8)
- About Boating Safely (Page 13)
Please see pages 10-12 of our brochure for summer programs for your child. We have expanded our offerings this year to include Science Explorers – Far Out Space Academy and Choir Camp, as well as our regular favorites such as Scratch (Computer Coding) Camp, Intro to Strings, Jump Start Your Way into Middle School, Bricks 4 Kidz, Summer STEM and Readers’ Theater, as well as swim lessons and tennis camp.
Three of our summer camps – Choir Camp, Science Explorers, and Brick 4 Kidz – will be held in the afternoon at the high school following Summer Fun Camp (which runs all four weeks of July from 8:30 to noon at the high school). Parents who sign their children up for Summer Fun Camp AND one of our afternoon camps can take advantage of our free “Lunch-and-Stay” option at the high school, where children will be permitted to bring lunches with them to eat in the cafeteria between camps.
For a link to our Summer Fun Camp flyer, please click here, or visit our online webstore and select “Programs for Children and Teens.” Dates and times for the afternoon camps can be found in the brochure on pages 10-12.
Students with Special Needs Gain Culinary Experience through Work in High School Cafeteria
Perkiomen Valley High School students with special needs are learning some valuable skills and gaining work experience by helping to prep the food that is served to their peers during lunch.
Students in teacher Amanda Kristofco’s class have spent this year clocking in and clocking out every day at the high school cafeteria, where they work with food service employees to prepare each day’s lunch. From making sandwiches and cookies to washing dishes and organizing the storage room, students are engaged in a variety of activities that are helping them to gain on-the-job experience.
“The ultimate goal is to have the students use the experience and skills they gained working at the high school and transfer those skills to some on-the-job training in the community,” said Cristina Powell, Supervisor of Special Education.
Students like Andrei Lucas and Stephen Anderson are enjoying the opportunity they have to work in the cafeteria, and some of the perks that come along with it – such as sampling new menu items before others try them and working with supportive food service employees.
“I like it really well,” said Andrei. “It’s helping me learn how to work with food.”
Carol Leonard, cafeteria manager at the high school, said having the students assist with prep work has been good for both adults and young people. As the students learn responsibility and how to work with others, the cafeteria employees benefit from the extra sets of hands helping to prepare meals for 1,800 students.
“They’ve been a great help,” she said.
This is not the first time the students have had the opportunity for some real-world training. They have been assisting with cafeteria clean-up for several years, but moved over to the kitchen after expressing an interest in food prep and cooking. So far, the experience has been positive, according to Ms. Kristofco.
“The feedback I am hearing from the students has been great. They are really enjoying the experience,” she said.
Board Honors PVHS Girls Basketball and Swimming/Diving Teams
It was all about "girl power" at the March 14 Perkiomen Valley School Board meeting, where School Directors honored both the Perkiomen Valley High School Girls Basketball and Girls Swimming and Diving teams for their outstanding seasons.
The basketball team clinched the PAC-10 Championship and went on to make school district history by reaching and winning the District 1 AAAA Championship. The team also made it through the first round of state play-off games.
Overall, the team was 28-3, setting a new record with the most wins in a season. KT Armstrong and Meg Jonassen were both named to the First Team All PAC-10. Miss Armstrong had a career 1,519 points, which places her second as the all-time leading female scorer. Miss Jonassen had an amazing 22 double-doubles and pulled in double-digit rebounds in 22 out of 31 games. Double-doubles are when a player accumulates a double-digit number in two of five categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots.
The Girls Swimming and Diving Team was also honored for winning its first PAC-10 Championship since 2012. The team was 7-0 in the PAC-10 with a 7- point win over Phoenixville and a 5-point win over Owen J. Roberts. The 400 free relay team of Megan Gray, Kayla King, Elizabeth Turner, and Elle Thorneloe set a PV pool record that had been held since 2008 and a PV team record in the same event that had been held since 2012.
Congratulations to these student athletes and their coaches on some record-breaking seasons!
EVERGREEN ELEMENTARY NEWS
Experts in the Colonies at Evergreen
Interested in moving and starting a new life in America? Evergreen Elementary School fifth-graders asked visitors to the Colonial Expo this question over the last month.
In this annual project, students select a colony to study and then put their knowledge to the test at the expo, where they act as travel agents trying to entice visitors to their area.
They explain all the highlights of their colony, including geography, climate, government, natural resources, and job opportunities.
Experimenting to Find the "Missing" Play-Doh Recipe
In honor of National Engineers Week, fourth-grade students at Evergreen Elementary School were presented with a challenge to duplicate the “missing” recipe for the world famous Perkiomen Play-Doh. Given the ingredients - salt, flour and water - they had to find the perfect formula to replicate the original Play-Doh. Students needed to record measurements, quantities, and procedures.
Franklin Institute Visit Offers Science Lessons
Among other things, students learned how heating air will make a balloon rise and how cooling it will cause it to fall. They also felt how wind and rain will cause your body to feel cooler. In the picture, "rain" is sprayed via a water bottle and "wind" from a blower are used to bring a chill to Evergreen volunteers.
SCHWENKSVILLE ELEMENTARY NEWS
Students Break Down Items to Understand Their Functions
Mrs. Kate Conaron’s fifth-grade students at Schwenksville Elementary School have the rare opportunity to break things in order to learn. With their safety glasses on, students spent an hour breaking apart various electronics into their parts. Their goal was to gain a better understanding of how the electronic items once worked. Students had to use problem-solving strategies and creativity throughout their explorations. The lesson was a great way to engage students and allow them to act on their curiosity.
Time Out for Teeth
Brushing and flossing your teeth is very important! Students at Schwenksville Elementary School are given this important dental health information by the school nurse, Mrs. Beth Hallowell. After viewing a brief video, the students answered questions regarding healthy snack choices and taking proper care of their teeth.
Getting into the Spirit of Read Across America Day
Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Day were celebrated the week of Feb. 29 at Schwenksville Elementary School. Spirit days included wearing red and white, foxy socks, crazy hats, Grinchiest green, and dressing as a favorite Dr. Seuss character. The students also participated in “Reading Buddy” time where older grades paired up with younger grades for students to read to each other. All of these activities help foster the love of reading.
SKIPPACK ELEMENTARY NEWS
Waving to Show They Care
Mrs. Suzanne Ciuba, during physical education class at Skippack Elementary School, focuses on a different character trait each cycle until all six of the school's character traits are presented. Miss Shannon MacMillan’s first-grade class demonstrates caring by sending a friendly wave to the Skippack community!
Celebrating Dr. Seuss' Birthday
Students Create Music Video Called "Watch Me Read"
SOUTH ELEMENTARY NEWS
Science Fair Students Shine
Engineering a Fun Week at South
Ahoy, South Mateys! "Pirate" Author Visits
Author and songwriter, Daryl Cobb, visited South Elementary School on Feb. 19. Mr. Cobb adapted one of his books, “The Pirate Goes to School”, to include the names of teachers and staff at South Elementary School! The students were able to order a copy of “The Pirate Goes to South Elementary School” and have it autographed by the author. In honor of Mr. Cobb’s visit, South students dressed as pirates.
PVMS EAST NEWS
"Aladdin" Charms Audiences at Perkiomen Valley Middle School East
East's "Hunger Games" Event Benefits Daily Bread
Perkiomen Valley Middle School East teachers and administrators were selected as tributes and hoped the odds were in their favor on Feb. 26 as they competed in the school’s first “Hunger Games" fundraiser event.
The all-school event represented the conclusion of a two-week annual food drive organized by the Builder’s Club, where students and staff collected over $900 and 1,500 food items to donate to Daily Bread, a Collegeville food pantry serving the local area. Staff and students were challenged to bring in food or financial donations, and each homeroom received a raffle ticket for every 10 items collected (every dollar collected equaled two food items).
Students gathered in the auditorium to observe an event meant to mirror what happens in the popular young adult book series “The Hunger Games.” Raffle tickets were drawn to select the four homeroom classes per grade level (total of 12) that were the “districts” to participate in the “Hunger Games.”
The homeroom teachers for the winning classes were considered the “tributes,” and if they did not want to participate in the games, they waved a flag and another staff member volunteered as a tribute.
Following the selection of the districts and tributes, the 12 winning homerooms moved over to the “arena” (school gym), and participated in various games – all of which will were much tamer than the “Hunger Games” stories, in which characters have to survive various life-threatening situations. Competitors took part in foul shot competitions, trivia contests, and other games until one winner remained. Four trophies were awarded – one for the survivor of the “Hunger Games” and three for the homerooms that collected the most food.
Michelle Mozi was the "Hunger Games" survivor, and the three homerooms that collected the most food and donations were those belonging to Adam DeLucia, Lisa Eskin and Kathleen Schoenberger.
3M Visits East Classrooms as Part of National Engineers Week
Representatives from the Royersford-based location of 3M, a global company known for producing items such as Post-It Notes, and Scotch tape, visited science classrooms at Perkiomen Valley Middle School East and West in February and March. Representatives demonstrated how 3M applies various scientific principles to manufacture various products.
During 3M’s visit, students were challenged to build a tower using materials like masking tape, marshmallows, uncooked spaghetti noodles and a paper plate. The objective was to design a tower at least 4 inches high that could withhold weight for at least 3 seconds.
Students had 15 minutes to build their towers. They worked in teams to design structures they thought could hold the most weight.
Click here to watch a video of students engaged in this activity.
PVMS WEST NEWS
West Eighth-Grader Wins Spelling Bee
Twenty-four students, representing all six teams at Perkiomen Valley Middle School West, had the chance to prove their spelling abilities on Feb. 17 at the school's annual Spelling Bee. It was a competitive contest with the final rounds lasting about 15 minutes as each finalist went back and forth spelling challenging words. The winner of this year’s contest was eighth-grader Andrew Donnelly.
Andrew represented West at the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee for Bucks and Montgomery County schools on March 12 at Pennridge Central Middle School. Seventh-grader Drew Curci was the runner-up.
Congratulations to all West's student spellers; you were all worthy competitors. You make us PV Proud!
West Students Participate in Strings Festival
On Feb. 5, Perkiomen Valley Middle School West hosted 11 area school districts for the annual PMEA District 11 String Festival. The event was held at Middle School East, where, after a full day of rehearsals, the ensemble presented a concert at 7 p.m. The West participants included eighth-graders Madison McCabe, Jason Stear, Alexandra Shupard, Valerie Balog, Alyssa Rehm, and Brandon Dare; seventh-graders Aidan Owens, Victoria Tinari, Victoria McFarland, and Griffin Kilgore; and sixth-graders Bella Discuillo, Hannah Powell, Mary Ellen McGlade, Sierra DeMaula, Sophia Anderson, and Tommy Burga. Congratulations to these talented students!
West's Drama Club Raises Money for Charity Through "Cinderella" Production
Audience members escaped into the fairy-tale world of glass slippers, fairy godmothers, charming princes, and extraordinary transformations with Perkiomen Valley Middle School West Drama Club’s performance of “Cinderella" this March.
Children who attended the performances had the opportunity to pose for a picture with Cinderella for a small donation to Happy 2 Be Home, the non-profit organization that the West Drama Club supported with ticket sale proceeds.
The Happy 2 Be Home organization - which enables families to provide a suitable home environment for children with chronic, long-term disabilities - was selected by the West Drama Club as this year’s recipient for ticket sales and related proceeds. Since 2005, the West Drama Club has raised money through its performances for local charities. Students are tasked to research local non-profit organizations and then present their ideas to the cast and crew. The club votes to select a different charity each year.
“Since 2005, I have been directing the musicals at West and early on decided that I wanted it to be a learning experience for all involved. Most importantly, I wanted the students to recognize that theatre is not just a place for themselves to shine as stars, but also that theatre can be used to help others in the community,” said Ms. Yerkes.
Over the past 11 years, the Drama Club has donated $41,500 to local charities such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Montgomery County SPCA, Schwenksville Library, Project Linus, the PVMS West Beautification Fund, and the PVMS West Green Team. The club also created a $500 scholarship to be awarded to a Perkiomen Valley High School senior.
“I am so proud of the work the West Drama Club has done for this community. Although we have all learned many lessons through the process of working together to create grandiose productions, the greatest lesson learned is the joy and pride one feels when being able to help others,” said Ms. Yerkes.
PVHS NEWS
High School Student Artists Win Accolades
Perkiomen Valley High School student artists Trinity Doerr, Hannah Rice, and Celeste Pachella finished highly in a variety of contests this past month.
Trinity, who is also a graphic arts student at North Montco Technical Career Center, won the Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative PSA contest for Youth Suicide Prevention. The contest challenged students to design a PSA, or public service announcement, about the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Celeste and Hannah are digital photography students who were both selected to be published in the 2016 36th Annual College and High School Photography Contest book. The publisher received over 10,000 submissions and Celeste and Hannah were two of the 687 finalists selected nationally.
In the picture, Celeste is pictured on the bottom right (her photo submission is to the left), and Hannah is in the middle (her photo submission is on the top). Trinity is at top left.
Music Students Stay Busy This Spring
Spring is a busy time for Perkiomen Valley High School's music students. Some are rehearsing for the spring production of "Godspell", and others are competing as part of the Percussion Ensemble and Indoor Guard. Students who were selected at the District Music Festivals to attend the Regional Festivals are presenting concerts, while the Perkiomen Valley Select Strings travelled to Upper Dublin to perform/ compete in the its annual String Adjudication Festival.
Alternative Energy Fair Tests Students' Knowledge of Environmental Science
Mrs. Amy Brecht and Mr. Ryan Kuhn's Environmental Science classes hosted Alternative Energy Fairs on March 8. Students were divided into six teams, each representing a type of alternative energy (wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass power) with the goal of trying to sell their type of energy to potential investors. Students from Miss Jenna McGivney and Mr. Tom Lavanga's Earth Systems class, Mrs. Rachel Gallagher's Advanced Geosciences class, and Mrs. Amy Brecht's AP Environmental class, were those potential investors and were asked to complete a survey at the end of the day to provide feedback to the Environmental Science students.
The goals of the Alternative Energy Fair were to research potential sources of energy as fossil fuel use becomes less popular and less economically beneficial, and to communicate the results of that research to an unfamiliar audience. Environmental Science is a science elective course at the high school that explores how humans interact with ecosystems and the resources provided by the Earth.
PV Soccer Boosters Super Smash Brothers Tournament Tonight!
Montgomery County IU Presents Resource Expo March 31
PV Post Prom Spring Clothing Drive Planned for April 3
If you're preparing to do some spring cleaning, please set aside your gently used items for the PV Post Prom Committee's Spring Clothing Drive on Sunday, April 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at South Elementary School. Please click here for a flyer about what items will be accepted.
Also, volunteers are needed to attend PV Post Prom planning meetings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Perkiomen Valley High School on the following dates:
- March 17 (room #135)
- March 31 (room #134)
- April 7 (room #134)
- April 14 (room #135)
- April 28 (room #135)
- May 5 (room #135)
You do not need to be the parent of a high school student to attend. Anyone is welcome to come to learn more about volunteering to support the annual Post Prom event, which will take place this year on May 14-15. The event offers a safe environment for students to continue celebrating after the prom is over. Learn more: http://highschool.pvsd.org/pages/Perkiomen_Valley_High_School/PV_Post_Prom
Attention Parents of PVHS Seniors!
As your student prepares for graduation and possibly college, please keep in mind that the Perkiomen Valley Student Loan Association (PVSLA) is here to help. PVSLA provides interest-free loans to Perkiomen Valley graduating seniors and post graduates (up to five years after graduation). These loans are awarded on the basis of need and can be used at any accredited institute of higher learning.
The loans are repaid after the student graduates from college or leaves school. Applications are available online (click here) or can be obtained from the Perkiomen Valley High School Counseling Office. All applications must be filled out and submitted no later than April 15, 2016. Incomplete applications will not be considered. This is a great opportunity, don’t forget to check it out!
PV Baseball Boosters to Host Vendor Day at PVHS on April 16
The PV Baseball Booster Association is sponsoring "Vendor Day" in the high school cafeteria on Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Vendors are still being sought for this event. Table reservation fee is $25. Please click here to download a form to reserve a table.
Those who attend will have the chance to enjoy basket raffles, food, and displays from vendors including Pampered Chef, Zoey By Designs, Usbourne Books, Hand-Painted Candles, Jamberry Nails, Roden and Fields Skin Products, Chocolotier, Daisy Designs, Tastefully Simple, Chrysalis, and Military Printing Plates.
Youth Baseball Clinic Slated for April 24
Perkiomen Valley High School baseball coaches and players would like to invite all interested players to register for a clinic to improve skills and learn new techniques on Sunday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Perkiomen Valley High School.
Kids in grades 4-8 can experience a day on the high school baseball field! Learn skills and techniques utilized by our high school players and participate in a baseball game. A PV baseball t-shirt and lunch are provided. For more information and a registration form, please click here.
Advertise Your Business on the Varsity Baseball Field!
The PV Baseball Association is offering a way for area businesses to promote themselves by hanging banners on the outfield fence of the varsity baseball field at Perkiomen Valley High School. Sponsorships are available for a 4’ X 8’ sign with the design of your choice for a price of $295 with the opportunity to renew your sign for a low annual fee.
Click here for sponsorship information and an application form. All proceeds from these signs benefit the baseball program at Perkiomen Valley. The PV Baseball Association thanks you for your support! If you have any questions, please contact Heather at familylewis4@comcast.net
PV Water Polo Boosters to Sponsor Water Polo Camp in June at PVHS
The PV Water Polo Booster Club is sponsoring a Nike 5-Meter Pennsylvania Water Polo Camp this June. Instruction will take place each day at Perkiomen Valley High School. Camp dates are June 20-21 for ages 14-18 and June 22 for ages 10-16. A portion of the camp fees will help support the PV Water Polo program. For more information, click here.
St. Patrick's Day
March 17
WHERE
All Schools
PVSD Home & School Coordinating Council Meeting
Thursday, Mar 17, 2016, 09:15 AM
Perkiomen Valley School District: District Office, Iron Bridge Drive, Collegeville, PA, United States
Palm Sunday/First Day of Spring
March 13
PVSD Policy Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2016, 06:00 PM
Perkiomen Valley School District: District Office, Iron Bridge Drive, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD In-Service Day/Graduation Project Presentations
Wednesday, March 23
WHERE
All Schools
PVSD Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)/Holy Thursday
Thursday, March 24
WHERE
All Schools
PVSD Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)/Good Friday
Friday, March 25
WHERE
All Schools
PVSD Holiday (Schools Closed)
Monday, March 28
WHERE
All Schools
Superintendent's Roundtable
Wednesday, Mar 30, 2016, 06:30 PM
To Be Determined
PVSD Safety & Operations Committee Meeting
Monday, Apr 4, 2016, 06:00 PM
Perkiomen Valley High School, Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD School Board Work Session/Finance Committee Meeting-of-the-Whole
Monday, Apr 4, 2016, 07:30 PM
Perkiomen Valley High School, Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD Foundation Board Meeting
Tuesday, Apr 5, 2016, 06:30 PM
Perkiomen Valley School District: District Office, Iron Bridge Drive, Collegeville, PA, United States
HS Spring Musical - Godspell
Friday, Apr 8, 2016, 07:30 PM
Perkiomen Valley Middle School, Kagey Road, Collegeville, PA, United States
HS Spring Musical - Godspell
Saturday, Apr 9, 2016, 06:30 PM
Perkiomen Valley Middle School, Kagey Road, Collegeville, PA, United States
HS Spring Musical - Godspell
Sunday, Apr 10, 2016, 02:00 PM
Perkiomen Valley Middle School, Kagey Road, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD School Board Business Meeting
Monday, Apr 11, 2016, 07:30 PM
Perkiomen Valley High School, Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD 21st Century Teaching and Learning Committee's Student Learning Expo
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2016, 06:00 PM
Perkiomen Valley High School, Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA, United States
About Us
Email: jlester@pvsd.org
Website: www.pvsd.org
Location: 3 Iron Bridge Drive, Collegeville, PA, United States
Phone: 610-489-8506
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pvschool
Twitter: @PV_Schools