West Word
An Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word From Mr. Creeden
Here at Middle School West we strive to cultivate an inclusive community of learners empowered to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. This month at West we are excited to recognize Bully Prevention Month as we share important messages promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Please see my Monday Morning Message to the students (below) from this past week sharing this important message. During the week of Monday October 17th we will recognize bully prevention week where students will hear important messages during their advisory time about how to promote kindness and eliminate hate. We will also celebrate Unity Day on October 19th by asking all students and staff to wear orange to support those who have been bullied and are uniting to make a difference.
I want to remind everyone that Monday is an inservice day and there is no school for students. The day is recognized as Columbus Day, a federal holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. For many, the holiday honors Columbus’ achievements and celebrates Italian-American heritage. In recent years, this holiday has expanded in select states and cities to also be recognized as Indigenous Peoples' Day. The purpose of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not to erase Columbus Day from history, but rather to recognize, honor, and celebrate the Native American cultures and people who have inhabited the Americas since long before European explorers arrived. Here at West and all that we do as a District, we are creating greater awareness about all who should be. recognized and celebrated in our school communities and community at large.
No School on Monday October 10th
Quick Snapshot📸
- September West Students of the Month
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Monster Mash @ West
- After School Clubs/Activities @ West
- After School Activity Transportation
- Quick Reference Guide for Parents/Guardians
- Yearbook Art Contest
- Nurse Notes
- West Home & School Information
- Power Packs
- Social Media Awareness for Parents/Guardians
- Special Education Spotlight
- PV West Athletic Update
- Middle School Handbook Highlights
- Be Part of the Conversation - Upcoming Programs
- PVSD Food Service Updates
- October Breakfast/Lunch Menus
- Safe2Say
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- PV West on Social Media
- Community Bulletin Board
- West Weeks At A Glance
- HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
September West Students of the Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Monster Mash @ West
After School Clubs/Activities @ West
Disc Golf Club
Starting October 12th, the club will meet every Wednesday weather permitting and will conclude before 4:00pm. All levels are welcome! Discs will be provided, so you don't need your own discs (but are welcome to bring them if you have them). All you need is a positive attitude, sneakers, and a water bottle. The club will meet in the gym hallway at the end of school day. If you have questions, please see Ms. Bangert in Rm. 222 during tenth period.
Homework Club
Homework Club takes place next Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2:30 - 3:45pm in the West library. Homework Club will provide a quiet, comfortable, and supportive setting for students to complete school work and become better organized. Students will receive assistance and support when needed. School resources will also be provided for all students in attendance. There is no sign-up required. If students are attending they can report directly to the Library after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The CAUSE Club
The CAUSE (Connecting And Uniting Students to Empower) is a student leadership group that works collaboratively to educate the larger school community on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as to support the individual club members. Students joining The CAUSE Club will meet every other week to collaborate, plan, create, and help make positive change in our school community. Our first meeting will take place on Wednesday October 12th from 2:30 - 3:45pm in LGI 125. If you are interested in joining The CAUSE Club please email Mr. Creeden at rcreeden@pvsd.org.
After School Activity Transportation
- 4:00pm Departure (outside main office) - Monday through Thursday
- 5:00pm Departure (outside gym entrance) - Monday through Thursday
Quick Reference Guide for Parents/Guardians
Yearbook Art Contest
Nurse Notes
SCOLIOSIS SCREENING: School law requires that a screening for scoliosis be performed on all children in grade 7. The Perkiomen Valley School District will conduct a scoliosis screening program beginning October 18, 2022. The purpose of the screening program is to detect possible curvature of the spine in children. If the condition is detected early and appropriately treated, progressive spinal deformity may be prevented. All grade 7 students are scheduled to be screened.
The screening test is very simple and can be performed in less than a minute. The school nurse will check your child’s back by observing it while your child is standing and bending forward. You will be contacted if there is any reason to have your child examined by your pediatrician, family physician, or orthopedist.
Your cooperation is essential to help us make the program run smoothly. If you have any objections to having your child participate in the screening program, please inform the school nurse Sharon Saks (ssaks@pvsd.org) in writing by October 14, 2022.
West Home & School Information
If you would like to volunteer at any events that Home and School may have in the Spring, please email pvmswesths@gmail.com
Power Packs
Power Packs will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and gifts at the Homecoming Game. All collected items will go to families in our district who need assistance during the winter holidays.
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.
Sign up for your child(ren) to receive a Power Packs bag by filling out this form: 2022-23 Power Packs or by emailing PowerPacks@pvsd.org.
If you would like to make a donation to Power Packs, please do so by sending a check to the District Office at 3 Iron Bridge Dr. Collegeville made out to PVSD and note Power Packs in the memo line or donate through PayPal. For PayPal the email to send a donation is donations@pvsd.org. Thank you for your support!
Social Media Awareness for Parents/Guardians
The FDA is warning about a rise in adolescents and young adults participating in dangerous social media challenges. One recent challenge posted on social media encouraged people to cook chicken in NyQuil and similar over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. "Boiling a medication can make it much more concentrated and change its properties in other ways," the FDA said. The agency also pointed to a TikTok challenge daring people to hallucinate by taking large doses of the over-the-counter drug Benadryl. The FDA cited reports of teens ending up in hospital emergency rooms or dying after participating. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents should talk to their children about social media dares and discuss them "calmly and without judgment" while encouraging them to think through any potential negative outcomes.
We share this information with you as parents/guardians to be aware and to provide you with information to assist you as you engage in conversations with your children about social media and staying safe.
Special Education Spotlight
PV West Athletic Update
At our recent home football games, administration has observed the need for greater oversight of our elementary and middle school students. For the remainder of the football season, these students must be accompanied by an adult to gain entry into the game. Student safety is our highest priority and we appreciate your support.
Important Winter Sports Dates
Winter sports registration must occur by NOVEMBER 7.
First day of Middle School Wrestling is NOVEMBER 18.
First day of Middle School Basketball is NOVEMBER 28.
Registration for winter sports must occur by November 8. This can be done at http://www.planeths.com. In addition to registering, student-athletes must have a PIAA physical examination done by a doctor and the proper paperwork completed by the doctor. In order to count for the 2022-2023 school year, the physical must occur June 1 or later. The form is found on www.planeths.com when you register. If you played a fall sport, you only need to complete and submit section 8.
Girl's Soccer
Unsung athletes of the week: The girls had a tough loss vs Upper Merion. Maddie Palmer had 6 saves at the goal, Brianna Young had 2 goals with Sarah Hartey on the assist. The girls played their hearts out vs Norristown with Aria Vitelli scoring 4 goals and teammates Sarah Hartey and Emma Roy assisting. Belle Moyer took the ball up from defense and scored a goal. Emma Roy playing center mid scored two goals.
Upcoming Schedule
Wednesday October 12th - Away vs. Perkiomen Valley Middle School East (5:45)
Friday October 14th - Away vs. Pottstown Middle School (3:45)
Monday October 17th - Home vs. Pottsgrove Middle School (3:45)
Football
Upcoming Schedule
Tuesday October 11th - Away vs. Upper Perkiomen Middle School (4:00)
Tuesday October 18th - Home vs. Pottstown Middle School (3:45)
Field Hockey
Unsung athletes of the week: After good showing at the scrimmage vs Arcola on 09/27 for a tie, our girls played exceptionally well as a team on 09/29 vs Upper Merion to record a 6-0 win. The entire team contributed in both games.
Upcoming Schedule
Tuesday October 11th - Home vs. Spring-Ford Middle School (3:45)
Friday October 14th - Away vs. Perkiomen Valley Middle School East (3:45)
Monday October 17th - Away vs. Pottstown Middle School (3:45)
Cross Country
Unsung athletes of the week: The cross country team had their first meet last Thursday against Upper Merion and Arcola. Our runners had a very successful day despite being defeated by both schools. The boys ran against 46 other runners. Evan Martin was our top finisher in 4th place followed by Luke Snyder in 8th and Matt Shuta finishing 14th. All had their personal bests on our home course.
The girls also set personal bests on our course. They competed against 29 other runners. Shamiso Mpofu and Ellie Viveros finished 5th and 6th. Ilana Finkelstein finished in the top ten in 8th place. Grace Beitler finished 16th and Tiadora Berkey 24th. All deserve to be proud because they improved their personal bests. Our next meet is this Thursday at home.
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday October 20th - Away vs. Phoenixville Middle School (3:45)
Volleyball
Upcoming Schedule
Tuesday October 11th - Away vs. Arcola Intermediate School (3:45)
Thursday October 13th - Home vs. Phoenixville Middle School (3:45)
Tuesday October 18th - Away vs. Pottsgrove Middle School (3:45)
Middle School Handbook Highlights
Dress Code
Cell Phones
Procedure for Administration of Medications in School
No medication should be in the student’s possession (pockets, lunch, purse/handbag, or backpack). All medications are to be delivered directly to the nurse’s office and kept in the health room unless otherwise designated by the school nurse. Please contact our school nurse Sharon Saks at ssaks@pvsd.org with any questions.
Be Part of the Conversation - Upcoming Programs
Be a Part of the Conversation equips families and communities in Pennsylvania with skills and resources to understand substance use, addiction, and related health issues. We provide community programs, foster supportive connections, highlight lived experiences, and challenge stigma.
We are a collaboration of community leaders, clinicians, students, school district representatives, and families who believe that having meaningful, inclusive conversations about substance use and addiction will support individuals and their families in their efforts to develop healthy coping skills and access support whenever there is a need. Learn more about us. See the link below for a number of programs that Be a Part of the Conversation offers.
PVSD Food Service Updates
Parents/Guardians put money in their student(s) accounts electronically in SchoolCafe or by sending cash or checks in with their students. For more information about SchoolCafe please go to https://www.pvsd.org/departments/food-service/school-cafe-information/. If you are sending funds in with your students, please note the students’ names and account number on the envelope and ask them to give the envelope to their cashier in the cafeteria.
Upon entering the serving area, students make their selections and enter their 6 digit Student ID number on the pin pad or scanner. Our staff will be happy to help them become more comfortable with the system.
October Breakfast/Lunch Menus
Safe2Say
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. Please see below for more information.
The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
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.
Community Bulletin Board
Want to find out what’s going on in the PV Community? Visit here for flyers about upcoming events in and around our area!
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.
West Weeks At A Glance
Monday October 10th - No School for Students (In-Service Day)
Tuesday October 11th - West Home & School Meeting at 7pm in West Library; PVSD School Board Business Meeting at 7pm in PVHS Library or on Zoom.
Monday October 17th - Friday October 21st - Bully Prevention Week at West
Wednesday October 19th - UNITY DAY at West (Wear Orange); Half-Day for Students (Dismissal at 11:30)
Friday October 21st - Monster Mash Activity Night @ West (7-9pm)
For more details on the 22/23 school year go to the 22/23 Instructional Calendar