West Word
An Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word From Mr. Creeden
This past week was our first What's Up at West Virtual Parent Information Night and it was a great success. Thank you to the parents that attended and thank you to the front office staff at West for sharing your expertise throughout the presentation. During the presentation information was shared about navigating ParentVUE, attendance procedures, and how we at West safely administer medications at school. If you were unable to attend you can view a recording of the entire presentation below. Also below is a link to the slide presentation. Within the slide presentation are links that will provide easy access to important documents and resources to assist you with supporting your child.
Now we turn our attention to the month of October, a month of cooler weather🌞, pumpkin flavor for everything imaginable🎃, and beautiful colors🍂. Along with these wonderful things October here at school also brings us Bully Prevention Week, and Red Ribbon Week. Information about these theme and recognition weeks will be shared in upcoming newsletters.
No School on Wednesday October 5th (Yom Kippur)
Quick Snapshot📸
- After School Clubs/Activities @ West
- After School Activity Transportation
- Yearbook Art Contest
- Social Media Awareness for Parents/Guardians
- Free Community Event for Middle & High School Families
- Special Education Spotlight
- PVSD Hiring Event
- PV West Athletic Update
- Middle School Handbook Highlights
- Be Part of the Conversation - Upcoming Programs
- PVSD Food Service Updates
- Power Packs
- Safe2Say
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- PV West on Social Media
- Community Bulletin Board
- West Weeks At A Glance
- HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
After School Clubs/Activities @ West
Disc Golf Club
Disc Golf Club will be starting Tuesday, October 4th. This will be the only week that the club will meet on a Tuesday. 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
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.
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.
Free Community Event for Middle & High School Families
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: Captains Emma Roy and Belle Moyer did an outstanding job communicating on the field and building the girls up on the field. Stella Guarino-Mcwilliams did a phenomenal job moving forward to defense and playing hard attacking the ball.
Upcoming Schedule
Tuesday October 4th - Away vs. Upper Perkiomen Middle School (3:45)
Thursday October 6th - Home vs. Spring-Ford Middle School (3:45)
Football
Upcoming Schedule
Tuesday October 4th - Home vs. Phoenixville Area Middle School (3:45)
Tuesday October 11th - Away vs. Upper Perkiomen Middle School (3:45)
Field Hockey
Results from last week: MS West Field Hockey had scrimmage vs Phoenixville Area MS on Thursday, Sep 22. The team struggled in 1st quarter and conceded 3 goals, but then picked up nicely for next three quarters without conceding any further goals and creating some good attacking opportunities and played with great resolve. Final result was a 3-0 loss.
Unsung athletes of the week: The entire team!
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday October 6th - Away vs. Norristown Area (3:45)
Cross Country
Upcoming Schedule
No Meets Scheduled Next Week
Volleyball
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday October 6th - Away vs. Spring-Ford 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
Power Packs
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!
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 3rd - PVSD School Board Work Session @ 7pm in PVHS Library
Wednesday October 5th - No School for Students (Yom Kippur)
Monday October 10th - No School for Students (In-Service Day)
Wednesday October 19th - Half-Day for Students (Dismissal at 11:30)
For more details on the 22/23 school year go to the 22/23 Instructional Calendar