LVA Jaguar Journal
April 2022 Edition
Upcoming Dates to remember
End of Quarter 3 ( ES K-6): April 5th
Club Photos (K-12): April 7th
Spring Break: April 14th through 18th (Classes resume on Tuesday, April 19, 2022)
PSSA - ELA: April 25th, 26th, 27th
PSSA - Math: May 2nd, 3rd
PSSA - Science: May 4th, 5th
Spring Keystones - Biology: May 16th, 17th
Spring Keystones - Literature: May 19th, 20th
Spring Keystones - Algebra I: May 23rd, 24th
LVA Club Picture Day (K-12) - Thursday, April 7th
LVA Family Night at the IronPigs
LVA Family Night at the Iron Pigs
with Fireworks & A Special Guest Performance by the LVA Elementary School Choir
Lehigh Valley IronPigs vs. Worcester Red Sox
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Gates open at 5:15PM
Game starts at 6:35PM
Tickets are $11.00
Deadline for tickets is 05/24/2022
For online ordering
For paper order form (please send cash or check payable to LVA)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-XlKYq9qB2u49EA5Z5qeEbR6ZYPBe9E9AO0YGg_HFcY/edit?usp=sharing
Parent Drop Off & Pick up - REMINDER dismissal is at 3:30PM
LVA will not permit any early dismissals after 2:45PM. Daily dismissal for all students is at 3:30PM. Please remember to slow down while driving on campus. We ask that you please be patient, observe any posted signage, and be courteous. Please utilize the district busing as much as possible.
This year we have seen an increase in cars on campus. Please make sure that you are not arriving on campus prior to 3:00PM, as it is a safety concern, decreases students academic time in the classroom, and also puts a tremendous strain on our resources. We will continue to evaluate our procedures to provide the most optimal experience for LVA and our neighbors.
LVA’s New Building
We are very pleased to share that Lehigh Valley Academy (LVA) closed on the 2040 Avenue C, Bethlehem, PA property.
Over the next 18 months the school will be renovating the building and adding a gym, so that we can operate out of the space at the start of the 2023-2024 school year. LVA has been dreaming of owning our own building for the past twenty years and has been actively working towards this goal for the past several years.
Moody’s recently awarded the school with a baa2 credit rating. This allowed the school to finance the building purchase, renovation and gym addition through bonds.
Below is a copy of the presentation of the plans for the building which was shared with families in January at our Facilities Committee meeting.
Updated Health and Safety Plan
Updated Health and Safety Plan
Below please see the updated Health and Safety Plan that LVA's Board approved at their last meeting.
Here are some highlights of the changes to the previous plan:
Mitigation levels (high, substantial, moderate, low) are determined by spread within the school rather than within the community. (We used the same percentages to determine the number of cases per level, but used 1,800 students rather than 100,000 county residents for the calculation.)
Masks are optional at the moderate and low level, instead of just the low level
Volunteers are permitted at the moderate level and the low level, instead of just the low level.
Quarantining is optional for those who are close contacts at school, as long as students do not exhibit any symptoms and families choose not to keep them home. Close contacts in the home still have to quarantine.
As we have in the past, we will look for two consecutive weeks of similar numbers in order to shift to a different level.
Volunteering at LVA (Background Certifications) - Get your clearances today! Field trips & events to come!
Pennsylvania laws (PA Act 153) related to volunteers changed as of July 1, 2015. Unlike in the past, when your background certifications remained active as long as you were associated with the school, all volunteers will now be required to update their background certifications every five (5) years so that they can continue to volunteer in public schools like Lehigh Valley Academy.
In order for the cost of the updated background certifications not hinder parents from volunteering, Governor Tom Wolf announced that PA Criminal Background Checks and PA Child Abuse Certifications would be available for free for volunteers.
The following are required for all volunteers:
- Criminal Record / Background Certification: PA Criminal Background Check
- Free for Volunteers
- Must be updated every 5 years
- Child Abuse History Certification: PA Child Abuse History Clearance
- Free for Volunteers. Must be updated every 5 years
- Mantoux (TB) testing:
- Varies according to medical provider
- This medical clearance is only required upon initial processing. It is not required to be updated every five years.
- FBI fingerprint-based background certification: FBI Fingerprint Registration
- Approximately $25.00-$30.00
- USE CODE: 1KG6Y3
- Registration is available online at IdentoGO
- Fingerprinting is required for all volunteers who have not been a continuous resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the last 10 years. If you have been a continuous resident, you will be required to complete an official disclosure statement. Please complete the attached affidavit if this applies to you. Fingerprint Affidavit
- Must be updated every five years
All copies of updated results will need to be provided to the Community Relations Office for our files. Please send them into the school in an envelope marked "Clearances: Attention Shea Ace" or email to clearances@lvacademy.org
Wellness Committee Members Needed!
Purpose:
It shall be the goal that committee membership will include representatives from each school building and reflect the diversity of the community. The Wellness Committee shall serve as an advisory committee regarding student health issues and shall be responsible for developing, implementing and periodically reviewing and updating a School Wellness policy that complies with law to recommend to the Board for adoption. The Wellness Committee shall review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques in establishing goals for nutrition education and promotion, physical activity and other school based activities that promote student wellness as part of the policy development and revision process.
Board Development Committee Members Needed!
Purpose:
The Board Development Committee is commissioned by and responsible to the Board of Trustees to assume the primary responsibility for matters pertaining to Board of Trustees recruitment, nominations, orientation, training, and evaluation in accordance with the bylaws of the organization as well as established policies and practices approved by the Board of Trustees.
Amazon Smile
Bus Transportation
MASKING ON BUSES IS DETERMINED BY THE TRANSPORTING DISTRICT. PLEASE CHECK THE DISTRICT WEBSITE FOR UPDATED INFORMATION, AS THIS MAY VARY BY DISTRICT.
Please remember to keep the number for your child’s home school district transportation department in your cell phone. In case of an emergency, they will have radio contact with the bus driver. See the list of transportation departments contact information below :
School Nutrition Program (Free Breakfast & Lunch)
LVA is participating in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for the 2021-2022 school year. All enrolled students are eligible to receive free breakfast and/or lunch when in attendance (no need to pre-order or sign-up in advance).
Menus are available on the Linton's Website at https://www.myschoolmenus.com/instance/1075/district/1088
Although no further action is required for your child(ren) to receive breakfast and/or lunch at no charge, this school year we are still encouraging families who think they may qualify for Free and Reduced benefits to fill out the Free and Reduced Application.
You can apply on-line on www.compass.state.pa.us or access an application on the LVA website and return to school. Any questions or concerns, please contact:
Lynn Berndt @ (610)866-9660 ext. 4104 or l.berndt@lvacademy.org.
LVA has a mobile App!
LVA offers a mobile app, which is available in the Apple, Android Stores, and on Google Play. With our app, you will have quick access to things like:
Online Attendance Forms
Payment options
K-12 Events Calendar
Breakfast and Lunch menus
And more!
For Apple: Lehigh Valley Academy RCS
For Android: Lehigh Valley Academy RCS
From the LVA Nurses
How to reach the nursing department?
Ms. Andrea Grube, CSN K-3 ext. 2347
Mrs. Brigitte Bortz, CSN 4-6 and 7-12 ext. 3146
Ms. Lois Spouse, RN 7-12 ext. 4127
Nursing Fax: 610-814-6048
Nursing Fax ES 4-6: 484-821-0369 (during school hours only)
- Just a friendly reminder that we are following the CDC guidelines regarding Covid-19 related symptoms at this time. Please keep your child home if he/she displays any symptoms that could potentially be Covid-19 and please consult with your pediatrician/healthcare provider before sending your child to school.
If a member of your household is waiting for covid -19 test results or tests positive, unvaccinated students/staff cannot come to school.
COVID - What to do
If you, your family, and/or your children have been exposed to Covid-19 and/or are experiencing Covid-related symptoms, please keep your child(ren) home until you have spoken to one of the campus nurses.
If a member of the household is awaiting Covid-19 test results, keep all non-vaccinated and symptomatic children home, as well as the individual who was tested regardless of symptoms, until the result has been confirmed. If the result is negative, please send a copy of the result displaying your child’s name and date of test to your child’s building school nurse for his/her health file. Please contact Mrs. Renee Kershner RN Covid Coordinator to discuss your situation prior to sending your child back to school.
r.kershner@lvacademy.org or at extension 3146.
If your child is considered a close contact to a family member and is not vaccinated, he/she is required to quarantine for a minimum of 5 days from the last day of exposure (may require 10 days if lives in the same household). Vaccinated students do not have to quarantine, unless they become symptomatic.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe and healthy.
Helpful Covid-19 related links:
Health Services Webpage: http://www.lvacademy.org/for_parents/health_services/c_o_v_i_d-19_resources
Quarantine and Isolation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
What to do if you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
Health Update/Standing Orders Form Due
This form was sent home with your child on the first week of school and again this fall. They do need to be completed at the beginning of every school year or when a new health condition has been diagnosed by your PCP. Please return asap to the nurse’s office. Forms may be found on the LVA website under Parent Resources >Health Services > Health Forms > Health Update and Standing Order Form 2021-22. It also allows the nurses to administer over-the-counter medications for mild ailments up to twice per month.
http://www.lvacademy.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=28535148
Medication Policy
http://www.lvacademy.org/for_parents/health_services/action_plans
Please do not send any medication to school with your child. Medications need to be dropped off at the nurse’s office by an adult. Doctor’s orders are required for the administration for both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. New orders are needed every school year. If you have any questions, please call the nurse’s office at 610-866-9660.
ES K-3 Ms. Grube CSN ext 2347
ES 4-6 Mrs. Bortz CSN ext 3146
JrSr HS 7-12 Mrs. Sprouse RN ext 4127
Physical / Dental Exams Due
Dental exams are required for K , 3 , 7 grades. http://www.lvacademy.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=21350568
Physical exams are required for K, 6, 11 grades. http://www.lvacademy.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=21350570
We accept exams that were performed within one year of the beginning of the school year. Exams dated July 1st, 2020 and after are acceptable. Please submit the completed form by your provider to your school nurse as soon as possible.
Screenings
Every school year the nursing staff performs the state mandated screenings which includes: Height/Weight/BMI (all grades) , Vision (all grades), Hearing (K-3, 7th, 11th), and Scoliosis (6th and 7th grade). If your child wears glasses, they should be wearing them for the vision screening. Screenings will be conducted anytime as allowed by the nurses’ schedule.
Scoliosis Screening:
Pennsylvania State Health Law requires that students in 6th (letters were sent home for 6th grade physical and scoliosis screening on November 2nd) and 7th grade be screened for scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. When this condition is detected early and treated appropriately, progressive spinal deformity may be prevented or minimized. Scoliosis screening will be conducted at Lehigh Valley Academy for all sixth-grade (6th) and seventh grade (7th) students who do not have a current physical on file. The screening procedure is simple and can be performed in less than one minute. The school nurse will check your child’s back by observing it while your child is standing and bending forward.
Any objection to the scoliosis screenings requires notification in writing to your child’s building school nurse by March 11, 2021. A private exam by your provider will need to be submitted if you opt-out of screenings.
Change of clothes (for students in K-6)
Please keep a change of clothes in your child’s book bag in case of a mishap (bathroom accident, nosebleeds, spillage of food/liquid, fall in puddle, etc). We have limited sizes of clothing in our swap closets. Nurses do not have clothing in their offices.
Cold Weather is not over
Please make sure your child has appropriate winter clothing for recess (coats, gloves, hats as they will go outside if the temperature is 32 degrees F or above). If your child is also asthmatic and needs an inhaler in the cold weather, please make sure you have the appropriate paperwork and inhaler in the nurse’s office. Please contact your building nurse if you have any questions regarding asthma paperwork.
PLEASE KEEP SICK CHILDREN HOME
IN ORDER TO TRY TO KEEP EVERYONE HEALTHY THIS SCHOOL YEAR, WE ALL NEED TO DO OUR PART.
The students and the staff have been fantastic about social distancing when possible and wearing their masks indoors. (Please note that vented masks are not permitted.)
It is also very important that you keep your child home if he/she is exhibiting symptoms (see list below) or if anyone in the household is covid positive or is currently waiting for the result of a covid test.
If your child is sick, please follow the guidelines for when to keep him/her home:
If you checked 1 or more symptoms, your child should stay home from school
Column A
☐Fever (100°F or higher)
☐Cough
☐Shortness of breath
☐Difficulty breathing
☐Nausea or vomiting
☐Diarrhea
☐Lack of smell or taste (without congestion)
If you checked 2 or more symptoms, your child should stay home from school
Column B
☐Sore throat
☐Chills
☐Muscle pain
☐Headache
☐Congestion or runny nose
LVA Alumni Update
Are you or someone you know a graduate of LVA? Update your alumni contact information today to stay in the know about upcoming alumni events and reunions!
We ask all Alumni to complete this Contact form.
Join LVA's official alumni group page on Facebook!
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About Us
Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School, located in Bethlehem, PA is an accredited, independent, K-12 public charter school authorized by the Bethlehem Area and Saucon Valley School Districts. LVA serves over 1,800 students from 19 different school districts in the Lehigh Valley Region.
LVA is a fully authorized International Baccalaureate World School offering the Primary Years, Middle Years, Career-Related, and Diploma Programmes. LVA prides itself on being 1 of 3 schools in the United States to offer all 4 IB programmes.
Beginning with full-day kindergarten and continuing through a student's senior year, LVA emphasizes inquiry-based learning and critical thinking to prepare a student for higher education.
LVA is committed to developing the whole student with a strong emphasis on citizenship, both locally and globally, as well as attention to strong 21st century learning practices. Lehigh Valley Academy holds fast to our mission of developing young people into active, knowledgeable and caring members of a world-wide, diverse society.
Email: info@lvacademy.org
Website: www.lvacademy.org
Location: 1560 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, PA, USA
Phone: 610-866-9660
Facebook: facebook.com/LVARCS/
Twitter: @LVACADEMY