West Word
An Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word From Mr. Creeden
https://www.montcopa.org/3878/Hurricane-Ida
6th Grade Counselor - Mr. Christian Specht (cspecht@pvsd.org)
7th Grade Counselor - Mr. William Montgomery (wmontgomery@pvsd.org)
8th Grade Counselor - Ms. Lee Militello (lmilitello@pvsd.org)
Although shorter than expected we had a great first week here at West. We love seeing the student's fill the classrooms and hallways and look forward to seeing them learn and grow throughout the school year.
Quick Snapshot📸
- Fun First Week!
- Welcome Back West Students!
- Back To School Info for the 21/22 School Year
- PV Middle Schools Handbook
- AM Drop-off/PM Pick-up
- Important Info to Know
- Mask/Face Covering Exemptions
- 6th Grade Meet The Teacher Night
- 7th & 8th Grade Meet The Teacher Night
- 21/22 Intro to the Middle School West Library
- ParentVUE Online Verification
- Food Service
- PV West Attendance Information
- PVSD Health & Safety Plan
- PV West Athletic Update
- Nurse Notes
- West Home & School Information
- PV Power Packs
- Helpful Resources from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
- Change Demographic Information in Synergy
- PV West on Social Media
- West Weeks At-A Glance - Save The Dates
- HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY WEEKEND!
School Closed on Monday 9/6 (Labor Day) and Tuesday 9/7 (Rosh Hashanah)
Fun First Week!
Miss Gimber's class enjoying time outdoors
Singing "Happy Birthday" to Mr. Ponzio
Playing Volleyball in Gym Class
Welcome Back West Students!
Back To School Info for the 21/22 School Year
PV Middle Schools Handbook
AM Drop-off/PM Pick-up
Parent drop-off can begin taking place at 7:30am each morning. Parent pick-up will occur at 2:30pm each afternoon.
When parents come to drop-off or pick-up their children from school please proceed past the first lot (bus lot) and to the second lot. This lot is our parent drop-off/pick-up lot as well as our staff parking lot. When dropping off or picking up your children please form a line along the curb as you pull into the lot. This is illustrated as the green line in the diagram below. Those arriving earlier can wrap around the curb past the entrance of the building to allow for more cars to pull into the lot.
Please refrain from bypassing the pick-up line and pulling into the parking lot to pick-up your children. This presents some significant safety concerns as it will require students to walk through the parent pick-up line into traffic. This can also be a safety concern for our staff leaving or driving to other buildings at the end of the school day.
Please refer to the diagram below for an illustration of the procedure. Thank you for your understanding.
Important Info to Know
Masks
Teachers will provide brief mask breaks during class that will not extend more than 5 minutes. While students participate in mask breaks, they should be seated at their desks and physically distanced 3’ or more from classmates in grades 7-12 and 6’ to the greatest extent feasible in kindergarten - grade 6 (the recommended distance is greater for this age group, when not wearing masks, due to their inability to be vaccinated).
When students are outside for physical education, learning activities, or recess, masks are optional.
Water Bottles
Cell Phones
Mask/Face Covering Exemptions
Mask exemption forms can be submitted electronically or in print to the school nurse. The email address of your child’s school nurse is available on the website, Staff Directory.
Students with an IEP or 504 requesting a mask/face covering exemption should reach out to their case manager. These requests will be reviewed by the IEP or 504 team, respectively.
6th Grade Meet The Teacher Night
7th & 8th Grade Meet The Teacher Night
21/22 Intro to the Middle School West Library
ParentVUE Online Verification
If you haven't done so already please take a moment to verify your child(ren)’s information. We ask that you complete verification prior to the first day of school, Monday, August 30.
To complete online verification:
Login to ParentVUE
At the prompt, choose the dropdown and select ANNUAL VERIFICATION (NOT new enrollment)
If you are not automatically prompted to complete the online verification process, choose Online Verification from the top menu items.
Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the verification process (the process will need to be completed for each child you have enrolled in the PV School District). For assistance, refer to the directions within each section.
When finished with all steps, select Submit
If you need assistance please reach out to helpdesk@pvsd.org.
Food Service
PV West 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 or written parent note 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 or 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 or you may call her at x3540.
PVSD Health & Safety Plan Update
The following information summarizes information within our current 2021-22 Health and Safety Plan:
when in our schools, all staff and students are required to wear masks indoors;
students are required to wear masks while riding on buses (in accordance with the CDC order);
physical/social distancing of 3’ is recommended;
while eating lunch, students in grades 1-6 will be situated 6’ apart to the greatest extent possible;
masks remain optional when students are outdoors (for example, during physical education classes, recess, learning activities, etc.)
On Tuesday August 31st, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced that masks/face coverings will be required in schools in Pennsylvania beginning Tuesday, September 7, 2021. This order will remain in effect until the Acting Secretary of Health determines the public health risk is sufficiently reduced so that masks/face coverings are no longer necessary as public health mitigation measures in schools.
The order outlines the situations when a mask/face covering must be worn and also identifies the limited exceptions to the mandate. Mask/Face covering exemption requests must be based on a medical or mental health provider attesting to the fact that wearing a mask/face covering either causes a medical condition or exacerbates an existing one, including respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition, or a disability. The District has updated its Student Mask/Face Covering Exemption Request Form. In the event you believe your child needs an exemption and qualifies based on a PA licensed medical or mental health provider’s diagnosis, please complete the form and submit to your child’s school nurse electronically or in print format.
Mask/Face covering exemption forms should be submitted electronically or in print to the school nurse. The email address of your child’s school nurse is available on the website: Staff Directory.
Students with an IEP or 504 requesting a mask/face covering exemption should reach out to their child’s case manager. These requests will be reviewed by the IEP or 504 team, respectively.
As a note, the DOH order does not apply to school sports or outdoor activities. However, the District’s approved Health and Safety Plan continues to require masks/face coverings for student athletes when practicing and competing indoors as well as all spectators attending events indoors. Masks/face coverings are recommended when outdoors on the fields or in the stadium when the gathering size is large, i.e., football games, otherwise they are optional.
The District continues to monitor the incidence and positivity rates and the most appropriate recommendations for health and safety in response. The District’s COVID dashboard is active now that the school year is underway.
Your partnership in supporting student learning as well as upholding these mitigation measures is much appreciated.
PV West Athletic Update
Middle school sports started this past Monday so we are now officially in full swing. Please take the time to read our middle school coach profiles below. As always, thank you for supporting PV athletics!
Middle School West Girls' Soccer Head Coach: Alesia Davis
Head Coach Alesia Davis is a paraprofessional in the Perkiomen Valley School District and she will be entering her first year as the girls' soccer head coach. Coach Davis lives in Schwenksville and has a daughter in 6th grade in the district and they have a lemon beagle pup. She and her daughter love taking advantage of the trail and finding spots to tube and work on their rock skipping skills. She is a fan of all sports and is currently working on her bachelor's degree in elementary education. Her favorite part of coaching is working with the kids and enjoying the sport. Her message to the PV athletic community is ,"I look forward to coaching your kids and teaching them to be a team player. We're going to have a fun season."
Middle School Football Head Coach: Jaloni Hutchinson
7th Grade Head Coach Jaloni Hutchinson joins the PV coaching staff for his first year at PV. Coach Hutchinson lives in King of Prussia and is a warehouse worker when he is not coaching. His favorite part of coaching is getting to meet and work with different kids. His message to the PV athletic community is, "Always try your best, playing sports will always bring people together to form a family bond that will last a lifetime."
Middle School West Field Hockey Head Coach: Naveen Mehta
Head Coach Naveen Mehta is entering his 5th season in his role as head coach. Coach Mehta lives in Collegeville. When asked what his favorite part of coaching, he responded, "Knowledge is one that Liberates. Coaching gives me the opportunity to pass on the Knowledge System to the Seeker. Through coaching, I am able to help aspiring athletes not only learn and get better at the sport, but also to help them learn life skills such as Honesty, Respect, Trust, Teamwork, and Decision-Making, all while having FUN!" His message to the PV athletic community is, "We all have the potential to succeed in our chosen path. I am here to help our athletes realize their true potential and optimize their performance to become the best that they can be."
Middle School West Cross Country Head Coach: Matthew Weygand
Head Coach Matthew Weygand has been at PV for 25 years as a Health and PE teacher and he enters his 6th year as the cross country coach. He lives in Schwenksville and he has a son who is a Sr. at Kutztown University and a daughter who is a Jr. at Drexel. His daughter also plays lacrosse at Drexel. When asked why he enjoys coaching he answered, "I always love seeing the kids improve from day one to the last day of the season. That is the success of the season win, lose, or draw. They get an appreciation for working hard to progressively improve our abilities. They make new friends or strengthen existing friendships. They become good teammates as we push each other and cheer each other on at practice and competitions." His message to the PV athletic community is, "I am a lifelong PV fan as I grew up here, competed here, graduated from here, and I now teach and coach here. I have seen PV grow as a district and the athletics grow into a program where all opponents know that they have a great challenge ahead of them. I love seeing our student athletes, and all students no matter what their interests are, become well rounded people. It's a pleasure to be a part of it."
Middle School West Volleyball Head Coach: Stephanie Glover
Head Coach Stephanie Glover is back for her second year as the volleyball coach at West. She currently lives in Schwenksville and is the Director of Patient and Community Engagement for Skippack Pharmacy where I help with their COVID-19 vaccine roll outs. She has two boys who are students in the District. They are both involved in baseball at CPYA. When they aren't at the baseball fields, they are spending time with their rescue dog, Simba. Coach Glover enjoys watching the girls grow over the season and work as a team. While she loves winning on the court, when she sees personal growth off the court, that's the true win for her! Her message to the PV athletic community is, "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't good enough! Work hard and prove them wrong."
Nurse Notes
Health/Medical Card Information Update
A Health/Medical Information Card will be sent home with students this week. While most of our back-to-school paperwork shifted to an online process this year, we are requesting completion of this paper document to ensure the proper medical care for students during the school day, as well as in the event of emergency situations. We are asking families to complete the card and return to your school nurse as soon as possible.
Immunization Reminder
The Pennsylvania Department of Health mandates immunizations for school-aged students in order to be considered for enrollment in public schools. These requirements are intended to ensure that all children attending school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are adequately protected against potential outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. Please be advised of the following Pennsylvania School Immunization Requirements:
Children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following immunizations for attendance:
● 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis*
(1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
● 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after
● previous dose given)
● 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella **
● 3 doses of hepatitis B
● 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity
Seventh through 12th grade ADDITIONAL immunization requirements for attendance:
● 2 doses meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
o first dose is given 11-15 years of age; a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade.
o If the dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required
● 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
o Usually given as DTaP or DTP or DT or Td
o Usually given as MMR
Exemptions to the school laws for immunizations are:
● medical reasons;
● religious beliefs; and
● philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction.
We are sending this reminder to assist families in fulfilling the mandated immunizations and to avoid the risk of excluding students from school. For more information on required school-aged vaccines, please visit www.montcopa.org/schoolvaccinelaw or talk to your child’s pediatrician.
Please submit immunization records to your school nurse. If immunization records are not received by Friday, September 17, 2021, then your child will be excluded from school as of Monday, September 20, 2021.
West Home & School Information
- The Home and School Meeting that was planned for in-person on 9/13 will now be VIRTUAL. Please email pvmswesths@gmail.com for the Zoom link to the meeting. The meeting will begin at 7 PM.
- Back-to-school Spirit Wear Sale! Get ready for fall and check out our new 2021 logo below. Order your PV West spirit wear online and help support PV West Home & School. Visit https://pvwest.itemorder.com/ to place your order and pay with your credit card
Sale ends September 19, 2021
Orders will be delivered to school 2-3 weeks after
Questions? Contact Jodi Lieb jodilieb@verizon.net
- When you shop on Amazon, be sure to log on through AmazonSmile and designate PV Middle School West as your charity. We will receive .5% of all sales. https://smile.amazon.com/
Home and School page https://www.pvsd.org/west/home-school/
PV Power Packs
PV Power Packs is a weekend food program for students experiencing food insecurity. Bags of food, including 2 breakfast items, 2 lunch items, 2 snacks, and 2 fruits, are sent home with students prior to every weekend. There is no financial information required to participate in this program and students pick up their bags from their counselor or designated person every week.
We will begin distributing Power Packs on 9/10. You can sign up for your student to receive a Power Packs bag by filling out this form: Power Packs Sign Up
If you have any questions, email Sarah at powerpacks@pvsd.org.
Helpful Resources from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
Please join the upcoming events hosted by Montgomery County Health and Human Services!
Back to School Series, hosted by Montgomery County System of Care weekly from 6:30pm – 8pm (Flyer attached)
- September 8 – Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training
- Presented by Anna Trout, Montgomery County Office of Mental Health and Jess Fenchel, ACCESS Services
- September 13 - Protective Power of Parents to Keep Young People Safe and Build Them to be their Best Selves
- Presented by Dr. Ken Ginsburg, Practitioner of Adolescent Medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- September 22 - Positive Parenting Strategies for Less Worrying and More Connection
- Presented by Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder/Director of Brave is Better LLC
- September 29 – A Discussion to Support Family and Youth Wellness
- With Panelists from Access Services, FamilyWorx, NAMI, Office of Mental Health and Dr. Will LaValle of Quintessential Health
Session recordings will be available to registered participants for a limited time period afterwards!
Change Demographic Information in Synergy
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 - Save the Dates
Consult calendar for details regarding activities below
September
3rd - No School for Students (Labor Day Holiday)
6th - No School for Students (Labor Day Holiday)
7th - No School for Students (Rosh Hashanah)
8th - School Board Work Session @ 7pm
9th - Student "Welcome Back" from West H&S during lunches
13th - Home & School Meeting @ 7pm in the West Library; School Board Business Meeting @ 7pm
14th - 7th & 8th Grade Meet the Teacher Night from 7pm - 9pm
16th - No School for Students (Yom Kippur)
21st - Picture Day!