West Word
A Weekly Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word from Mr. Creeden
Quick Snapshot
- School is Virtual The Week of 1/4 - 1/8
- Hybrid Updates/Reminders
- Catch My Breath Lessons In Health/PE
- Coming Soon...
- PV West Yearbook Announcement
- Middle School Winter Athletic Information
- Counseling Groups @ West
- Attendance Information
- West Home & School Information
- Technology Help
- PV West on Social Media
- West Weeks At-A Glance
- Have A Happy New Year!!!
School is Virtual The Week of 1/4 - 1/8
The week following the winter break (1/4 - 1/8) all instruction will take place virtually so that we can protect against a potential surge from the holidays entering our schools. We saw upticks in the number of positive cases after Halloween and Thanksgiving and anticipate something similar post-winter holidays. Please be sure your child takes home all that is needed to participate virtually after the holiday break. If we can meet the guidelines of our attestation form, Responding to COVID-19 Case(s) at School, we will plan a return to on-site instruction for the week of Jan. 11. Athletic practices that were scheduled to begin Jan. 4 will also begin Jan. 11. We will post updated calendars on the website soon.
Hybrid Updates/Reminders
School is Virtual from 1/4 - 1/8
Please see the hybrid group activity calendar below for the months of January and February.
Instructional Model Change Requests
COVID Questions
Catch My Breath Lessons in Health/PE
Coming Soon...
We will also be offering a game/activity once a week after-school on Wednesdays from 2:30 - 3:45pm. The game/activity will be announced in each West Word newsletter the week before.
All students are welcome to participate in the after-school homework help and the game/activity. Students who are virtual on any day must be dropped off by a parent at the conclusion of the school and and all students participating must be picked up by a parent outside the front entrance of the school at 3:45pm.
More information to come in the next West Word newsletter...
PV West Yearbook Announcement
Middle School Winter Athletic Information
Boys/girls basketball and wrestling will begin on January 11. When winter sports finally begin, we must all do our part to make sure we can have a successful and safe winter season. Failure to follow safety guidelines can put our students, coaches, school, and community in danger, so it is imperative we are all doing our part to make sure that we have a safe winter sports season. The most significant change from the fall sports season will be the mask mandate. Athletes will now have to wear their masks at all times during a practice and a competition. In order to ensure the safety of all, this policy will be strictly enforced.
Counseling Groups @ West
The Counseling Center will be offering student counseling groups during the 2nd marking period. All groups will be created based on the information gathered from our student needs survey that will be shared with students. Parents are also encouraged to refer their children to any of the counseling groups listed below by contacting William Montgomery (wmontgomery@pvsd.org)
6th Grade Life Support- (During Advisory on Fridays) A loss group for anyone who is dealing with the death of any loved one in his or her family.
7th Grade Life Support - (During Advisory on Thursdays) A loss group for anyone who is dealing with the death of any loved one in his or her family.
8th Grade Life Support - (During Advisory on Fridays) A loss group for anyone who is dealing with the death of any loved one in his or her family.
SAFE Collective- (Tuesdays at 3:15 on Zoom) An after school club developed to work directly with students to create equity and actionable change within the PVHS community. SAFE Collective provides a judgement free space for students to have open discussions regarding race, gender expression, ability, and shape. From there we are developing actionable solutions and restorative justice practices to create change.
Lunch Bunch Friendship Group - (During lunch on Mondays and Fridays) for all students maintaining friendships while we are socially distancing at school and virtually. This will be an in-person group only.
LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning) A group for students identifying as LGBTQ to create a safe and a judgement free space in school.
Executive Functioning/Study Skills - (During Advisory on Tuesdays) for anyone who wants additional help organizing or studying.
Attendance Information
If your child will be absent or missing any class time, please send an email (from the email you have listed in our new SIS system) to:
This will count as your call-out AND parent excuse. Please indicate in your email the date of absence, student’s grade and the reason for the absence. An absence is considered unexcused when the child’s school has not received an email providing an acceptable reason for the absence within a 3-day period.
You may also call our attendance line at: 1 (484) 977-7210, option 1. If you do this, you would still need to submit an email with the above information in order for it to be excused.
Any medical notes should be scanned in. When back to school (in person), any Dr.’s notes should be placed in the Attendance Box, right outside the Guidance Department.
If you have any questions at all, please contact Brenda Continelli at bcontinelli@pvsd.org.
West Home & School Information
We have a limited supply of the orange Perk Valley Strong t-shirts in Adult XSmall, Small and Medium. Email pvmswesths@gmail.com if you’d like one. Only $10.
Our next Home & School Zoom meeting is January 12 at 7pm. If interested in attending please email PVMSWestHS@gmail.com. All parents are welcome!
Home and School page http://mswest.pvsd.org/home/home-school
Technology Help
Email for Tech help, helpdesk@pvsd.org
Tech Support Zoom Room (Available 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, M-F)
https://zoom.us/j/96825432361?pwd=QTlYS2hzMk9FUmF0ZXhtWmhxalFWZz09
PV West on Social Media
We would love to have you join our social media accounts to stay updated on the latest West news and happenings. Please see below on where to find each of our accounts.
West Weeks At A Glance
January 4 thru 8 - All Students are Virtual
January 8 - End of Vector 2
January 11 & 12 - Hybrid Group 1 (A-K) on-site
January 12 - 1/2 Day for students, West Home & School Meeting, 7PM
January 13,14 & 15 - Hybrid Group 2 (L-Z) on-site
January 18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School For Students
February 1 - End of 2nd Marking Period