West Word
A Weekly Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word from Mr. Creeden
Quick Snapshot📸
- What's Up @ PV West
- Water Bottle Availability and Use
- Pre-Season Football Meeting
- Music Ensemble Participation for the 21/22 School Year
- Conversation With Dr. Russell
- 8th Grade Celebration Info
- West Virtual Art Show
- PV Middle School Summer LIFT Programs
- West Parent Volunteers Needed
- Symptom Monitoring
- PV West Athletic Update
- Purchase Your PV West Yearbook
- Power Packs
- Counselor Corner - May is Mental Health Awareness Month
- Counseling Groups @ West
- Creative Health Social/Emotional Resources for Parents
- 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 WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
What's Up @ PV West
Pucket Game
Students in Dr. Matt Weir's eighth grade Tech Ed classes honed their woodworking skills by building their own Pucket Gameboards. Pucket is an exciting and frantic game where players catapult wooden pucks through the hole in the middle of the wooden board. The first player to shoot all the pucks onto the opponent's side wins! The student carefully cut and sanded the components, then nailed the frame and bottom together. Elastic bungee bands were attached to both sides and it was time to play!
Spring Orchestra Concert
The MS West 2021 Spring Orchestra Concerts took place on Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 in the MS West Auditorium. Parents and members of the public were invited to enjoy the performance in the West auditorium in compliance with CDC protocols. A live stream could also be viewed from any location through the Perkiomen Valley Middle School West YouTube Channel link. The sixth grade orchestra performed at 6:30 PM followed by the combined seventh and eighth grade orchestra at 7:30 PM. It was so exciting for the orchestras to share their amazing skills and music! Many thanks to our dedicated orchestra director, Nadine Hoffman, and to the families who support our important music program.
Sidewalk Chalk Cartographers
Students in Mr. Cooks seventh grade social studies classes took advantage of the beautiful May weather by practiced their mapping skills in the front parking lot. Using colorful sidewalk, the young cartographers drew huge renditions of the United States. Education expert, Youki Terada explains on the Edutopia website, "It’s long been known that drawing something helps a person remember it. A new study shows that drawing is superior to activities such as reading or writing because it forces the person to process information in multiple ways: visually, kinesthetically, and semantically." Additionally, there are studies that have found that teaching outdoors increases students' interest in a subject and intrinsic motivation to learn, and may help them to retain information longer than regular indoor classes! Way to go Mr. Cook!
Water Bottle Availability and Use
All students are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles to school. There are two bottle filling stations available, where students can fill their water bottles, throughout the school day.
Plastic water bottles are also available. If students would like to get a plastic water bottle, they will be available at the times and locations below during the school day.
- 7:30 - 7:50 - Cafeteria (students initials will be placed on the water bottle)
- During lunches in Cafeteria (student initials will be placed on the water bottle)
- After lunches - in office (students may receive another water bottle if they return the empty water bottle with the correct initials)
Pre-Season Football Meeting
Music Ensemble Participation for the 21/22 School Year
6th and 7th grade students participating in music ensembles will do so twice a 6 day cycle during the advisory period. If you are a 6th grade student interested in participating in one or more music ensembles please complete the 20/21 Grades 6 & 7 Music Ensemble Participation form below.
8th grade students participating in music ensembles will participate twice a 6 day cycle during advisory AND every other day throughout the school year in place of two specials classes. Music students will still have the opportunity to take two specials area classes (Art, FCS, Tech Ed A, Tech Ed B) which they can indicate on the form below. If you are a 7th grade student interested in participating in one or more music ensembles please complete the 21/22 Grade 8 Music Ensemble Participation/Special Area Class Choice form below. If you have any questions please contact Dawn Krown at dkrown@pvsd.org.
Students must be signed into their PVSD account to complete the form.
Conversation With Dr. Russell
8th Grade Celebration Info
All 8th graders are invited to the 8th Grade Celebration on June 4, 2021 from 6pm-8pm. Cost is $5.00 at the door, exact change is appreciated. This is an outdoor event in the bus parking lot. Rain Date is June 10th. MASKS MUST BE WORN!
The event is Hawaiian Theme. Dress code is casual, school dress code applies.
PV West Home & School will provide:
DJ for social distanced dancing
Soft Pretzels
Chick fil A chicken nuggets
Bruster’s Ice Cream
Drinks and candy
Cornhole and Can Jam (expect a tournament or two and prizes)
Hula Hoop Contest (with prizes)
Photo Selfie Areas
See the sign-up to volunteer for the event(up to date clearances needed) and to sign up to donate drinks or candy.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c45aba82aa4fdc16-volunteer
Monetary donations appreciated to help offset the cost of the event. Donations can be sent to the office marked 8th grade celebration. Checks can be made out to PVMS West H & S.
West Virtual Art Show
Dear Perkiomen Valley Parents, Guardians and Staff,
The Art Department proudly presents The 2021 Perkiomen Valley Middle School & High School Virtual Art Show! This is a Virtual Reality experience which all families in Perkiomen Valley can access via ArtSteps.com. The show features the artwork of 128 PVSD students from grades six through twelve. The artwork displayed was hand selected by both the middle school art teachers Mr. Bernholdt (East) and Ms. DiCicco (West), as well as the high school art teachers, Mr. Tom Komp, Mrs. Wendy Elser, and Mr. Bob Libby.
To access the show, use this link https://www.artsteps.com/view/606e00eefcc0d387bafe868b and sign in to the site using your email address. To navigate the site, you will use your mouse to double-click on the floor where you want to go. The blue footsteps icon will act as your cursor and wherever you click, the camera will take you to that point. To look around, you will need to left click and drag your mouse to rotate the view of the camera. You may also at any point, click in the lower left corner on the map which will take you to that specific spot.
Each artwork is interactive so if you would like to know more about the artist, medium, or grade level, click on the art and it will generate a secondary pop up window featuring this information. You will need to close this window when you are finished viewing.
After you have seen the show, please leave us a comment. The comment area is located underneath the show’s description. You may leave a message for one of the Art Department staff members or an artist that you know in the show.
Thank you for supporting The Visual Arts! We appreciate the hard work and dedication put forth by the students. This collection of work is a true testament to the resilience and determination the students of Perkiomen Valley School District have and will continue to have now and into the future.
Sincerely,
Ms. Marla DiCicco
Visual Arts Teacher, PVMS West
PV Middle School Summer LIFT Programs
Are you making your summer plans? Looking for engaging fun opportunities for your child(ren)? Look no further! PVSD is proud to announce LIFT, Learning is Fun Together, our summer program. Oh, and did we mention these opportunities are being offered at No Cost to families? That’s right, LIFT programs are Free to all PV students!
Please consider registering your child(ren) for one of our Summer LIFT Programs, designed to engage students in various learning activities through both remediation and enrichment opportunities. Camps are available onsite, in our school buildings, and open to all students across the District, at no cost. Transportation is available and our Food Service department will be offering both breakfast and lunch, both at no cost.
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Looking for a virtual camp? We’ve partnered with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit to permit PV students to join their “Dream It, Design It” virtual camps at no cost to our families. There truly is something for everyone!
Check out the LIFT offerings by visiting our LIFT Summer Programs website. On the website you will find information about what is available at each level and how to register. Note: when registering, please select “Other” in the payment section.
West Parent Volunteers Needed!
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.
PV West Athletic Update
The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) has revised its masking guidance for outdoor activities, effective May 14, 2021. The new guidance applies directly to physical activities such as athletics and the Perkiomen Valley School District will follow this guidance. This means that while our spring athletes are involved in outdoor sports, they will not have to wear masks. During practice and games, while in competitive action, masks do not have to be work. Our athletes still need to wear masks when not involved in physical activity, on the sidelines, and in the dugout. While coaches and spectators still need to wear masks, this is a great change for our student-athletes.
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
Purchase Your PV West Yearbook
The yearbooks are coming! The yearbooks are coming! The PVMS West 2021 yearbooks will be distributed on Monday, June 14th! Copies of the Junior Voyager will be available for purchase on June 14th, 15th and 16th in the main lobby during morning home room. The cost is $30.00 cash or check made out to PVMS West. Quantities are limited. First come, first served. Get your own piece of West history! You’re in this book!
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.
Counseling Corner - May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year. People struggling with their mental health may be in your family, live next door, teach your children, work in the next cubicle or sit in the same church pew.
However, only half of those affected receive treatment, often because of the stigma attached to mental health. Untreated, mental illness can contribute to higher medical expenses, poorer performance at school and work, fewer employment opportunities and increased risk of
A mental illness is a physical illness of the brain that causes disturbances in thinking, behavior, energy or emotion that make it difficult to cope with the ordinary demands of life. Research is starting to uncover the complicated causes of these diseases which can include genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure, experiencing trauma and/or having another medical condition, like heart disease.
For more information and resources please visit:
https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month
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
Learn more about mental illness
This section covers mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, PTSD, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, OCD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicide, addiction and others.
Learn more at https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness
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
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
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
Tuesday May 25th - Algebra 1 Keystone Exam for select students at 8AM
Wednesday May 26th - Algebra 1 Keystone Exam for select students at 8AM; PVSD Education Committee Meeting @ 6:30PM
Monday May 31st - Memorial Day/PVSD Holiday (School Closed)
Thursday June 3rd - Conversations with Dr. Russell @ 8AM
Friday June 4th - 8th Grade Celebration @ West from 6-8PM