Pleasant Valley Family Newsletter
April 13, 2020
Our mission is to empower and inspire a community of lifelong learners and leaders.
Dont forget to attach parent letter for ABC Mouse and grades.
Dear Pleasant Valley Families,
We hope this newsletter finds all of you safe and healthy. We will be heading into the fourth week of Distance Learning. We see that many of our learners are engaged in the learning activities on our weekly Distance Learning Plans. Please know that we realize that parents are doing a lot, and we appreciate the structure you are providing- as children need structure! WE also appreciate the encouragement you provide to your child to complete activities and assignments. If you or your child is feeling overwhelmed, please reach out to your child's teacher to clarify what is being graded or checked and then make those specific assignments the priority. All assignments are for engagement, but not all will be graded or counted. We realize that our learners have lost a lot, for one is the daily routine that school provides, as well as many social interactions they have at school. That is a lot for our children to lose.
CLICK HERE to visit the PCSD, scroll down, and then click on PCSD Online Distance Learning Activities. There you will find Pleasant Valley's Phase Two Distance Learning link that outlines the plan for the week of April 13. The link will be available at 10:00 am on Monday. Please feel free to take Monday off as many teachers only planned for a 4-day week. Remember to do what you can! We understand that distance learning can be overwhelming for many. Be kind to yourselves, know that we are here for you, and we are in this together. Let us know how we can help you by filling out our PV Family Check-in Survey.
Stay connected by following PCSD on Twitter (PVs Twitter handle is at the bottom of the newsletter) and reach out to your child's teacher, home liaisons, or PVs administrative team if you have any concerns or questions.
Very Sincerely Yours,
Stephanie Boka, Principal
Emily McKim, Assistant Principal
Kira Karabanvos, Dean of Students
The Plesant Valley Staff
Kindergarten Options for 2020-21
We are proud to continue expanding our efforts to meet the needs of all learners by offering four options for incoming Kindergarten students beginning in the 2020-2021 school year.
Capitalizing on the significant educational foundation of Kindergarten, we are now offering (1) Kindergarten Launch Academy, (2) Kindergarten, (3) STEM Project-Based Learning Kindergarten, and (4) Early Entrance Testing.
STEM Project-Based Learning
Is a process that promotes learning by working together to solve a real-life problem.
STEM Learners are required to (1) Share thoughts and ideas with others (2) work with a team to reach a common goal, (3) persevere when faced with a challenge, (4) think creatively to solve problems, (5) demonstrate self-control and work well independently, (6) take ownership of their own learning.
All new students to the STEM Project-Based Learning program MUST complete the online application process. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of STEM Coaches, building administrators, and department of curriculum and instruction.
The digital application provides a streamlined process for families as well as ease of use, timestamped submissions, and access.
Read more about STEM Project-Based learning »
Kindergarten Launch Academy
Is a brand new program for incoming Kindergarten students turning five-years-old between May 1 and September 30. This full-day (9:15 AM-3:30 PM) district-wide program will be held at Green Valley Elementary School and Thoreau Park Elementary School.
Simply put, the creation of the Kindergarten Launch Academy is an extension of our continuing efforts to better meet the needs of our individual learners. While some districts elect to adjust the Kindergarten enrollment deadline dates, we prefer to offer parents a choice around which kindergarten option is best for their child. We have listened to feedback from parents and teachers, indicating some of our students would benefit from an alternative step between preschool and Kindergarten. The Kindergarten Launch Academy offers a unique solution for students and is an additional way we are working to meet the needs of every student.
Learn more about our Kindergarten Launch Academy »
Spring Pictures from Lifetouch
If a parent would like to view or order spring pictures, either call 1-800-736-4753 or go to mylifetouch.com and use the "chat" feature. Parents will need to know the Spring picture date and then will be asked a few questions before given access to the image. Our Spring picture day was 3.4.2020.
Guidance for Google Classroom
Students need to be signed into the correct Google account appropriate for the intended application. Here are some step by step directions to access different Google accounts.
Switch between accounts
On your computer, sign in to Google.
On the top right, select your profile image or initial.
On the menu, select the account you'd like to use. If the account is not listed, you can add it using the instructions below.
Add accounts
On your computer, sign in to Google.
On the top right, select your profile image or initial.
On the menu, choose Add account.
Follow the instructions to sign in to the account you want to use.
Google Support for Distance Learning:
The links below are direct links to Google Support websites as well as a YouTube video introduction for Google Classroom. If for some reason a link no longer works, it is due to Google Support changing the link. If notified, we will be happy to update the link.
Google Classroom Help - Describe your issue and get suggestions from Google Help.
Install Classroom to your mobile device - Instructions for Android, iPad, iPhone, and Chrome OS. Do you need other apps? This site will answer that question.
Join a class as a student - Join with a class code or an invitation from a teacher.
Google Classroom Email Summaries - Email summaries show your student’s progress in Classroom.
Guardian email summaries FAQ - Here are frequently asked questions by guardians and educators.
See your overall grade for a class - See your grade from the Classes page or Classworks page.
How to use Google Drive - Upload, create, share, and organize files
Hard Copies:
Hard copies are available by completing your school’s Google Form each week by Tuesday at 9:00 am. The request will close at 9:00 am.
Only families who do not have internet service are eligible to request hard copies of materials.
Families that have internet access but need support with materials should contact their child’s teacher and/or Principal for assistance.
PV Packet Pick-up/Drop-off Procedures
Our teachers have planned to make student engagement activities digitally for most or all of the assignments. The online Hard Copy Request Form is reserved for families who do not have internet access. We are not encouraging families to fill out the request form.
Parents who have completed the online Hard Copy Request Form will be permitted to pick up packets on Thursday, April 16th, from 12 pm to 2 pm. To ensure families get their necessary packet, please only come to get a packet if you completed the online Hard Copy Request. It is also imperative that we follow the Governor's orders to keep everyone safe and help to flatten the curve by maintaining social distancing. Below are the specific procedures we are asking each of you to follow when you come to pick up your packet.
- Please pull into the main driveway and make a lefthand turn into the A-G pick-up line.
- We ask that you use an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper to write the last name of your child and the last name of his/her homeroom teacher.
- When you pull up to the pick-up location (A-G car rider pick-up doors), you will hold up your sign with your child's last name and homeroom teacher's name. (This will help us maintain social distancing so that we do not have to stop and talk to one another.)
- A staff member will retrieve your packet(s). You will then roll your window down enough for us to hand the packet to you quickly.
- If you have completed work that needs to be turned in, at this time we are asking that you keep all work at home until we return. Please take a picture of the work and send it to the teachers via email. All of the teacher's email addresses can be located on the district website.
Please adhere to the above procedures as we are working very hard to keep everyone safe, while also providing families with the packets needed.
Nutritional & Community Resources
Parma City Schools Nutrition Services will be offering Emergency Meal Pickups. The pickups will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays at Parma Senior High from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Families must complete a weekly survey if they would like to participate. The surveys will be released on the PCSD website and social media sites on Monday mornings at 9:00 AM for the Wednesday pick and on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM for the Friday* pickup.
The Parma Area Family Collaborative located at 5210 Loya Parkway Parma, Ohio- Will also have community supports during this- more information can be located on their Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/Family-Collaborative-408375042558677/
Additional Community Resources can be located by calling United Way's 2-1-1. 2-1-1 is the gateway that connects people with community resources. By simply dialing three digits, you can make one call to find or give help. No more wasted time trying to find the right resource. It’s efficient, fast and easy to use. And the call is free and confidential.
State & County Links
VoteOhio.gov:
https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/
United Way 211:
https://www.unitedwaycleveland.org/
2-1-1 is the gateway that connects people with community resources. By simply dialing three digits, you can make one call to find or give help. No more wasted time trying to find the right resource. It’s efficient, fast and easy to use. And the call is free and confidential.
Ohio Department of Health:
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/home
Ohio Department of Education:
Pleasant Valley Elementary School
Email: bokas@parmacityschools.org
Website: https://www.parmacityschools.org/pleasantvalley
Location: 9906 West Pleasant Valley Road, Parma, OH, USA
Phone: 440-885-2380
Twitter: @PCSDpleasantval