West Word
A Weekly Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word from Mr. Creeden
I hope you and your family have been enjoying this beautiful weather and weekend. We're excited for the Spring here at West and looking forward to the many things we missed out on at this time last year due the start of the pandemic. Planning conversations have begun about a Spring music concert, an 8th grade celebration, and field days for all grade levels. Along with planning these events, we continue to prepare for student scheduling for next school year, students transitioning from elementary school to West and West to the high school, and PSSA's coming up in May. Stay tuned for many more details in this and future newsletters.
End of 3rd Marking Period on 4/14
Quick Snapshot📸
- West Parent Volunteers Needed!
- Return To Onsite Instruction Information
- After School Homework Help
- Activity Wednesday on 4/7
- PV West 24 Grade Level Tournaments are Coming Soon!
- West Cleans Up The Perkiomen Creek
- PSSA & Keystone Testing Update
- PV West Athletic Update
- Locker Room Procedures For West Athletes
- Power Packs
- Purchase Your PV West Yearbook
- Counselor Corner
- Counseling Groups @ West
- Creative Health Social/Emotional Resources for Parents
- Nurse Notes
- Change Demographic Information in Synergy
- Attendance Information
- West Home & School Information
- Technology Help
- PV West on Social Media
- West Weeks At-A Glance
- HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
West Parent Volunteers Needed!
Return To On-Site Instruction Information
Symptom Monitoring
Parents are reminded to perform regular monitoring for the symptoms in Group A and B below. This should be completed prior to your children getting on the bus or entering any school building. Visitors permitted inside the schools will be limited and screened by a designated staff member prior to entering. Any student who feels symptomatic during the school day is directed to report to the school nurse.
Group A
1 or more symptoms
Cough
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell
Group B
2 or more symptoms
Fever (measured or subjective)
Fatigue
Chills / Rigors
Myalgia (muscle aches)
Headache
Sore throat
Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea
Runny nose / Congestion
Please keep your children home under the following circumstances:
- Have one or more symptoms in Group A OR
- Have two or more symptoms in Group B OR
- Are taking fever reducing medication.
Drop-Off/Pick-Up
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.
Attendance This Week
We will permit students to participate in their classes virtually from 4/6 - 4/9. All students approved to attend onsite may still attend in person, but students will be considered present if they are attending, and participating, in their classes virtually. Please note, this accommodation will only be made for the week of 4/6 - 4/9. You must commit to your child participating for the duration of the week. If you've previously committed to in-person instruction, and choosing for your child to participate virtually from 4/6 - 4/9, please complete this form.
After School Homework Help
After school homework help will take place on Tuesday and Thursday of this week from 2:30 - 3:45 in the West library. Please encourage your children to attend as after school homework help time will be a great opportunity to not only get help, but also get organized, and get caught up.
Activity Wednesday on 4/7
We will be practicing and playing in-person. We hope this will be a time for students to play, connect with others, and have lots of fun. Any West student may participate and there is no need to sign-up. Any students participating can report to the cafeteria at 2:30 on Wednesday. Students not attending school in-person on an activity Wednesday may be dropped off by a parent/guardian at the main entrance and report to the cafeteria. We will continue to be extremely diligent at following all health and safety protocols.
PV West 24 Grade Level Tournaments Are Coming Soon!
Are you looking for a math challenge? The 24 GAME may be for you! The 24
GAME is a fast paced, problem solving and computation competition where
students race to see who can correctly combine four numbers using addition,
subtraction, multiplication and/or division to arrive at the solution of 24. Sound
easy? You may be surprised how challenging it is. For more information see the flyer below.
West Cleans Up the Perkiomen Creek
The Perkiomen Creek is a fun place for our community to walk along, fish, wade in, tube down, and enjoy. Unfortunately, it is also full of litter! This litter pollutes the water, damages the ecosystem, and eventually makes it way to the garbage patch in the Atlantic Ocean. Be part of the solution and sign up to participate in Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy's Annual Stream Clean Up on Saturday, April 10th! Help your community, have fun, and help protect our beautiful Perky! To sign up, you can see Ms. Emers OR have your parents use the links below.
Click here to sign up!
And here for the student permission slip!PSSA & Keystone Testing Update
It's the time of year when schools across Pennsylvania begin to prepare for the administration of PSSA and Keystone Exams. You may recall that last year these assessments were waived due to the pandemic. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is planning to administer these assessments this Spring and have extended timelines for districts to complete the testing. Our administrators are working on detailed plans to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff during the administration, as well as uphold the security of the testing documents. Specific details about testing requirements and procedures will be shared as we approach the testing dates.
At this time, we are anticipating administering the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) to grades 3 - 8 on the following dates:
English Language Arts ~ May 4, 5, 6
Mathematics ~ May 11 & 12
Science ~ May 13 & 14 (grades 4 & 8 only)
Keystone Exams, which are end of course assessments for students currently enrolled in Algebra I, Biology, and English 10, will be scheduled in late May. Specific dates will be shared in the near future.
PV West Athletic Update
Middle School West Softball
Schedule
https://schedulestar.bigteams.com/generated/teamskedaltPA1942640473925.pdf
Middle School West Baseball
7th Grade Schedule
https://schedulestar.bigteams.com/generated/teamskedaltPA1942640474229.pdf
8th Grade Schedule
https://schedulestar.bigteams.com/generated/teamskedaltPA1942640474336.pdf
Middle School West Girls' Lacrosse
Schedule
https://schedulestar.bigteams.com/generated/teamskedaltPA1942640474607.pdf
Middle School West Track and Field
Girls Schedule
https://schedulestar.bigteams.com/generated/teamskedaltPA1942640474908.pdf
Boys Schedule
https://schedulestar.bigteams.com/generated/teamskedaltPA1942640474936.pdf
Locker Room Procedures for West Athletes
We know there are plenty of things to get ready as we prepare for the start of a more typical school day for most. We still need to maintain our safety protocols for the use of our locker rooms and sports participation. Here is a list of information for how we plan to administer these concerns.
- Students will be able to store their sports bags in the locker room for the day. They may bring them down to the locker room upon arrival to school and then they are to remain in the gym and wait for the morning bell to proceed to homeroom. The locker rooms will be locked for the day.
- At the end of the day each team will be given a section of the gym to wait for and meet the coach for check in attendance. This includes students who arrive by car because they are virtual for the school day. This is where the coach will make sure that the daily Covid 19 symptom form has been submitted. This allows a student to practice.
- As students are checked off they will be allowed to go into the locker room three at a time to change and then bring their sports bag back out to the gym to place with their school bag.
- The students are to remain with the coach in their designated gym area until all athletes are changed and ready to go to practice.
- The students will then have a choice to either carry all of their belongings to practice or leave it in their section of the gym. The gym will be locked during practice.
- If a student knows they are leaving practice early they should bring all belongings with them to practice.
- Only students who are seeing the trainer are to enter the training room following the direction of the trainer. There may need to be wait time out in the gym.
- No cleats/spikes are to be worn in the school or gym.
Power Packs
Please fill out a separate form (below) for each child that you would like to receive a Power Pack, including children not yet in school. Power Packs will be sent home with your student on Fridays. If your student is attending school virtually, please indicate that under your student's school and we will be in touch to arrange pickup/drop off of food.
Purchase Your PV West Yearbook
Get your hands on the limited edition collection of our stories from this remarkable year. Share it with your friends and hang on to it for years to come! Pre-order your copy of the PV Middle School West Junior Voyager online or by phone at 1-800-282-1516. (No orders can be taken at school.) It's been a year like no other! Order you piece of West history today!
Counseling Corner
We will be offering two counseling groups starting the fourth marking period and running through the end of the school year. Both groups will be held once a week during advisory.
- Anxious about returning to normal (Tuesdays Advisory): This group is intended to assist students feel more comfortable in returning to school and while life in the community returns to normal.
- Transition to 9th grade (Mondays Advisory, for 8th graders only): This group will help 8th graders who are nervous about the transition to high school.
Please reach out to Kristin Hildreth if your child is interested (khildreth@pvsd.org).
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.
Creative Health Social/Emotional Resources for Parents
We Want You To Thrive!
Our Mission: Creative Health Services provides quality behavioral healthcare designed to empower and promote wellness for individuals, families and communities.
Depression, Anxiety, or Anger causing difficulties?
We provide integrated, trauma informed and caring treatment services that reach out to children, individuals and families in their homes, schools and community environments.
Struggling with Drug or Alcohol Addiction?
Recovery is possible for all who seek our support to achieve a full and satisfying life. Recovery skills and hope are offered in a safe and confidential environment.
We provide strength based, trauma informed and caring treatment services that reach out to families in their homes or community environments. All family services are strength based and sensitive to ethnic, cultural, and spiritual differences and needs of each family. The first step in getting help for your family begins with a thorough assessment of your family’s needs leading to the best care options to help improve the life of your family.
To learn more about our family based services, call one of the following locations:
Contact Us: Phone: 484-941-0500 Fax: 484-941-0515
Located at: 11 Robinson Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 8:30AM-9PM; Friday, 8:30AM-5PM
Saturday, by Appointment Only
Click Here For Directions
Contact Us: Phone: 610-326-9250 Fax: 215-679-9795
Located at: 452 Penn Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073
Click Here For Directions
Contact Us: Phone: 610-369-7271 Fax: 610-369-7299
Located at: 5th & Montgomery Avenues, Boyertown, PA 19512
Click Here For Directions
Nurse Notes
Health Screening
The Pennsylvania Public School Code requires certain school health services for all children of school age, regardless of the school setting. Health services for your child in school include (Board Policies #203, #209): an annual vision screening, an annual growth screening (height, weight, body mass index calculation), and a hearing screening in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 11. Screenings for scoliosis occur in sixth and seventh grades.
We are offering to the parents of our virtual learners the opportunity to have these screenings completed for their children. The Middle School West screening dates are March 25th and 26th. Please call the School Nurse at 484-977-7210 option 4 to schedule your appointment.
The screenings will take 5-10 minutes and will be conducted during the school day.
We ask that you evaluate your child for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entering the school. Please do not bring any child displaying signs of illness. All students are required to wear a mask.
Students should bring their eyeglasses or wear their contacts if they have been prescribed. Sixth and seventh grade students should wear a T-shirt.
Referral letters for additional care will be mailed home if needed.
….
Students will enter through the front door. The nurse will accompany students at all times- from door to screening area and back. She will conduct screenings in the nurse's office near the main entrance. Staff nurse will cover the office for on-site student illnesses and injuries.
Growth screenings are posted on Parent Vue and referrals for failed vision and / or hearing screenings will be mailed home with the appropriate letters.
Change Demographic Information in Synergy
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
Our next Home & School Zoom meeting is this Tuesday, May 11th 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
April 5 - PVSD School Board Work Session @ 6:30PM (Hybrid - In-person in the High School Cafeteria and Virtual via Zoom (map))
April 6 - After School Homework Help @ 2:30PM in Library; Special Education Roundtable Information Session @ 6:30PM (https://pvsd-org.zoom.us/j/4072765887)
April 7 - Activity Wednesday @ 2:30PM in Cafeteria
April 8 - After School Homework Help @ 2:30PM in Library; PVSD Finance Committee Meeting @ 6:30PM (Virtual (map))
April 14 - End of 3rd Marking Period