West Word
A Weekly Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word from Mr. Creeden
Quick Snapshot
- Hybrid Updates/Reminders
- Face Covering Update
- Stuff-A-Bus @ West
- Picture Day Announcements
- PV West Yearbook Announcement
- Counseling Groups @ West
- Nurse Notes
- Attendance Update
- Middle School Winter Athletic Information
- West Home & School Information
- PV Cares Holiday Drive
- Technology Help
- PV West on Social Media
- West Weeks At-A Glance
- Have a Wonderful Weekend!
Hybrid Updates/Reminders
Virtual For Week of 12/7 - 12/11
Instructional Model Change Requests
COVID Questions
Face Covering Update
Stuff-A-Bus @ West
The event will look different this year and will take place during school hours to better follow all health and safety guidelines. There will be 9 days of Stuff-A-Bus Spirit Week starting on Monday (see below for the theme days). We are also asking students to bring in a new, unwrapped toy during these 9 days along with decorate their bedroom or other door at home for the holidays. Students will receive 1pt./day for wearing their spirit wear, 5pts for showing their first period teacher their decorated door on Zoom, and 10 pts. for bringing in a toy. The three winning homerooms after the 9 days are complete will receive prizes.
We look forward to this event creating much needed excitement at West, but ultimately encourage and support many less fortunate children during the holidays.
Picture Day Announcements
Printed school pictures will be distributed during Advisory the week of 12/14/2020.
Picture retakes are 12/14 and 12/18 from 1:00pm - 4:30pm, in the West Auditorium. No appointments necessary.
PV West Yearbook Announcement
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.
Executive Functioning/Study Skills - (During Advisory on Tuesdays) for anyone who wants additional help organizing or studying.
Nurse Notes
The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) will be reopening for Immunizations and flu only appointments in the Norristown Public Health Center, 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown PA (entrance on DeKalb Street) on Monday, December 7, 2020.
OPH will begin accepting immunization appointments on Monday, November 30th at 8am. There will be no walk-in services. Clients must call and make an appointment. The Pottstown and Willow Grove Public Health Centers remain closed for now. There are currently no plans for their reopening; although they will reopen at some point. Please stay tuned…
*Clients should call 610-278-5145 to schedule an immunization or flu only appointment beginning on Monday, November 30th. Please see the eligibility to receive immunizations or a Flu Shot below:
Community Health and Dental in Pottstown can be utilized to receive free/reduced cost vaccines (if eligible). Their number is 610-326-9460.
Efforts to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 have led to many children not receiving routine preventative medical services. It is vital that all children receive recommended vaccinations on time and get caught up if they are behind as a result of the pandemic. Routine vaccination prevents illnesses that lead to unnecessary medical visits, additional outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, hospitalizations, and further strain on schools, families, and health care systems.
At this time, all Perkiomen Valley students must be compliant with the state vaccine mandates or risk exclusion to school on November 8, 2020. If your child requires vaccines, you have received an email communication from the nurse
Also, Mrs. Lind is accepting 6th grade physicals, and 7th grade dental exams. These forms can be turned in to the office, or scanned and emailed to Mrs. Lind at clind@pvsd.org. It is highly recommended that while having their 6th grade physical, your child should receive their Tdap and Meningitis vaccinations to avoid having to return prior to the start of 7th grade for these shots. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please don't hesitate to contact Mrs. Lind by calling 484-977-7210 extension 4.
Please stay healthy and well!
Attendance Update
Middle School Daily Attendance
0-99 minutes absent = No Absence
100-199 minutes absent = 0.25 day absent
200-347 minutes absent = 0.50 day absent
348-400 minutes absent = 1.00 day absent
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.
Middle School Winter Athletic Information
Due to the county-ordered two-week virtual shift, the official start for the winter sports season has been delayed by the Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Middle school basketball tryouts and wrestling will begin Dec. 14. Middle school registration will be open until Dec. 1. For more information, click here.
West Home & School Information
We have a limited supply of the orange Perk Valley Strong t-shirts in Adult XSmall, Small and Medium. Email pvmswesths@gmail.com if you’d like one. Only $10.
Our next Home & School Zoom meeting is January 12 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
PV Cares Holiday Drive
Perkiomen Valley School District is proud to support families in need this holiday season through the fifth annual PV Cares Holiday Drive, which will be held Nov. 16 through Dec. 11 at each school.
Toys and gift cards are being collected to support the Daily Bread Food Pantry and the PV Power Packs program, both of which are serving PV families during the holiday season.
Instead of providing a specific “wish list” this year for toys, the pantry is inviting donors to provide toys, gift cards, or books that are similar to what they would purchase for their own children. As an example, if you are the parent of a fourth-grade boy, consider donating a toy or book that your child would want to play with. The pantry’s goal is to provide every child with three toys and a book.
Donations can be dropped off at any school until Dec. 11 and placed in the large cans that will be located in the vestibule of each school’s main entrance. We thank you in advance for your generosity this holiday season.
If you are a family who is need of assistance this holiday season, bring this flyer to the Daily Bread Food Pantry or say you are with the “PV Cares” program. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only one family member at a time may shop at the pantry starting Wednesday, Nov. 25, between these hours:
Wednesdays: 9 to 11 a.m.
Thursdays: 6 to 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 to 11 a.m.
Daily Bread is located at 3938 Ridge Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426. PV Power Packs families may also reach out with requests to powerpacks@pvsd.org by Dec. 4.
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
9 Days of Stuff-A-Bus (12/7 - 12/17)
December 7 - 11 - Virtual learning for all students
December 14 & 18 - Picture Retakes