Weekly Message
an Update from Dr. Barbara A. Russell 6/1/22
Greetings PV Families,
May flew by in a swirl of activity and June is now upon us! We are fast approaching the last day of school for 21-22 (June 14) and preparing for changes typical to the end of a school year. Our seniors are looking forward to graduation on June 10 and then their after-graduation plans. Our current 8th and 5th graders are preparing to embrace new school buildings in the fall, and our kindergarteners, soon to be 1st graders, will transition to a full day of school in August. While bittersweet, these changes are exciting, full of hope and promise! Our PV students possess the tools needed as they embark on new adventures and we are confident they will continue to flourish in their new experiences!
As a follow-up to last week's message about the horrific tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, please know that the District is contemplating what else it can and should consider in its efforts to uphold school safety. We are prompted to think carefully about the policies, procedures and protocols currently in place, the systems of communication, and the physical safety features present in each of our schools.
With respect to physical facility features, I wanted to notify our community of the scheduled installation of the Raptor system in all schools and the district office this summer. The Raptor system will require the scanning of a visitor's license upon arrival to any of our facilities and in response, conducts a background check for sex offender violations. Custody information can also be uploaded and accessed upon a visitor's entry. Raptor is designed to reduce the risk of having unwelcome visitors accessing our schools. The system currently exists at the high school and will be updated and expanded to all other facilities along with additional security safeguards in place. The systems will be operated by front office staff and/or security personnel as visitors enter our schools.
The conversations about school safety and the steps we take to uphold student, staff and community safety are ongoing. Coincidentally, June is National Safety Month. Founded by the National Safety Council, this annual observance focuses on how we can keep environments safe and free from danger. As I view pictures of the funerals being held for the fallen Robb Elementary School children, my heart feels heavy. As a nation, it is my hope we take appropriate steps towards a decline in gun violence and the senseless loss of lives. My thoughts continue to be with the families in Uvalde, Texas and on school safety. Do not hesitate to reach out to me or our Safety Supervisor, Mr. Dean Miller, dmiller@pvsd.org, with questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Dr. Barbara A. Russell
Superintendent
PV Showcase
Visit the PV Showcase for May News & Happenings from the classroom. Learn about:
- "Bee" Kind Garden
- A Visit to the Watershed
- Forensic Science
- The Floating Field
- and more!
Art & Food Truck Festival
Art is for everyone! The 2022 Art and Food Truck Festival will host a wide range of artists and vendors from within and outside of the Perkiomen Valley community. Our event is open to professional and student painters, woodworkers, ceramists, jewelry designers, photographers, fiber artists, etc.
We believe the arts in our community fosters social connection that bonds people.
Need an ESCAPE?
Join Perkiomen Valley School District Foundation at Escape Trappe to kick off the summer!
PVSDF will have exclusive use of Escape Trappe on Monday, June 27th and Tuesday, June 28th so grab your friends and plan a date!
An escape room is a live, interactive puzzle game where you work as a team to decode, decipher and solve the mystery of the room! Each game lasts 60 minutes, but clever sleuths often complete their mission in less time. Ready to test your wits against one of our four escape rooms? Escape Trappe recommends that kids be eight (8) or older for maximum enjoyment. For details and to sign up, visit: PVSDF ESCAPE TRAPPE
Summer Reading
We believe it is critical for students to foster positive reading habits in order to develop as lifelong learners. The district's Summer Reading Program encourages students to read high-interest, self-selected texts. After all, summer reading is a great opportunity for each student to explore personal interests, various genres, topics he/she wants to know more about while discovering his/her own "just right" books. Visit our website to learn more: Summer Reading Program.
In addition, we are excited to share that our libraries will again be open to our families this summer! Students are welcome to visit and check out books. Mark the dates below to visit our school libraries.
PV Hall of Fame
Nominations for the PV Hall of Fame Class of 2022 are now open - and will be accepted through July 31st, 2022. PV Hall of Fame Nomination Form
We are excited to return to this newly formed tradition here in Perkiomen Valley after a brief hiatus. Please use the criteria on the PV Hall of Fame website (also in the form) to guide your nominations. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be a part of Homecoming weekend and will take place on Friday, October 14th, 2022.
Power Packs
This summer, Power Packs will be providing bags of food for students facing food insecurity. Bags will include a week's worth of breakfast and lunch and can be picked up every Wednesday at Middle School East between 5-7 beginning June 15th. If you are unable to pick up your bag at that time, please indicate that on the form and we will be in touch with you to make other arrangements. Complete this form for each student in need of a summer Power Packs bag: Power Pack Form.
LIFT Enrichment Camp - Registration Open!
Are you making your summer plans? Looking for engaging fun opportunities for your child(ren)? Look no further! PVSD is proud to announce LIFT, Learning is Fun Together, our summer program. LIFT programs, available to PVSD students at minimal to no cost to families, are designed to engage students in various learning activities through enrichment opportunities. Camps are available onsite in our school buildings and transportation is available.
Visit LIFT Summer Programs for details and registration.
Celebrate June!
Community Bulletin Board
Black Bear Lacrosse Camp
- New Adventures of Skippack
- Teen Yoga & Mindfulness
- PV Youth Football & Cheer (Fall)
- and more!
To submit an event for posting, please send a PDF version of your flyer to webmaster@pvsd.org for review.
Please note that Community Bulletin Board items may contain links to websites of organizations outside Perkiomen Valley School District. Items are posted to this bulletin board as a free service to the community, and should not be interpreted as being sponsored or endorsed by the district.
COVID-19 Dashboard
As a reminder, we have made changes to our district COVID-19 dashboard. In alignment with reporting to the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH), PVSD data will now be shared weekly, on Mondays, to reflect onsite positive COVID cases for the previous week (Saturday through Friday). The information, broken down by level, includes onsite positive cases for students and staff. To view, visit District COVID-19 Dashboard.
Upcoming District Dates
- Thursday, June 2: Education Committee @ 7pm
- Saturday, June 4: Art and Food Truck Festival
- Monday, June 6: Board Work Session @ 7pm
- Friday, June 10, Monday, June 13, & Tuesday, June 14: Half Day In-service (early dismissal for students)
- Monday, June 13: Board Business Meeting @ 7pm
- Tuesday, June 14: Last Day of School for Students
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
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.
21-22 v37 6/1/22