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What Are Cells?Students in Mr. Ponzio's seventh grade science classes explored the wonderful world of cells this week. Cells are the basic structural, functional, and organizational units of both single-celled and multicellular organisms; cells divide and pass on hereditary information; and energy flows within cells. Using microscopes and prepared slides, the young biologists compared human bone, blood and sperm cell structure. | Bullying Prevention Month and Unity DayWest acknowledged Unity Day on Wednesday, October 20th with activities and discussions about how we all can take steps to create a world without bullying. Unity Day is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month and has been recognized in the United States since 2011. To participate in Unity Day, individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear or share orange to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent students being bullied. Photo courtesy of Amanda Gimber | Guitar Heroes Seventh grade students in Mr. Sand's music classes were given the opportunity to channel their inner Hendrix by learning the basics of playing the guitar. The lesson included how to hold the instrument, how to strum and pick as well as some basic chords. Who knows? One of our novices could end up being the next Ed Sheeran! |
What Are Cells?
Students in Mr. Ponzio's seventh grade science classes explored the wonderful world of cells this week. Cells are the basic structural, functional, and organizational units of both single-celled and multicellular organisms; cells divide and pass on hereditary information; and energy flows within cells. Using microscopes and prepared slides, the young biologists compared human bone, blood and sperm cell structure.
Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day
West acknowledged Unity Day on Wednesday, October 20th with activities and discussions about how we all can take steps to create a world without bullying. Unity Day is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month and has been recognized in the United States since 2011. To participate in Unity Day, individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear or share orange to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent students being bullied.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Gimber
Guitar Heroes
Picture Retakes
PV West Halloween Guidelines
PV West students may celebrate the spirit of Halloween on Monday, October 31st by choosing to come to school in costume. Costumes are not required but if worn, all costumes must comply with each of the following guidelines below.
What's Up @ West October Virtual Parent Information Night
Laurel House is a comprehensive domestic violence agency serving individuals, families, and communities throughout Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Part of their mission is to advance social change through preventative education, community training, and collaboration to foster a coordinated response to domestic abuse
Victim Services is the only non-profit, comprehensive crime-victim agency serving Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Their mission is to provide advocacy and counseling for all who have been affected by sexual violence and other crimes against the person, and to promote sensitivity and awareness in the community through education.
We invite you to join us virtually at the link below to learn more about these organizations as well as the very helpful information they would like to share with our PV community.
“Books Bring Us Together” Book Fair at West
Our annual fall book fair will run from Monday, October 31, until Monday, November 7, 2022. Online shopping will extend to November 13th. The theme of this year’s fair is “Books Bring Us Together.” We look forward to students finding amazing new books to share with friends and family!
All students will visit the book fair with one of their core classes. Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful MSW Home and School Association, one student from each visiting class will be eligible to win a book at the fair! Parents/guardians may shop at the book fair during the school day.
We encourage parents and guardians to set up an eWallet account for their students. Please go to the book fair homepage for details. https://www.scholastic.com/bf/pvmsw1
We will be rounding to the nearest nickel for all cash sales at the book fair. Rounding proceeds will be used to purchase new books for our MSW Library collection. Cash, credit cards, Scholastic eWallet, and checks, made payable to PVMSW, will gladly be accepted at the live book fair. Don’t forget to SHOP the book fair ONLINE for a wider selection! Visit the book fair homepage to shop any time from October 31, through November 13, 2022. https://www.scholastic.com/bf/pvmsw1
Thank you for your support! We look forward to seeing you at the fair!
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Disc Golf ClubThe Disc Golf 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 ClubHomework 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 ClubThe 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 next meeting will take place on Tuesday October 25th 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. |
Disc Golf Club
The Disc Golf 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 next meeting will take place on Tuesday October 25th 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
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!
West Home & School Information
If you would like to volunteer at any events that Home and School may have in the Spring, please email pvmswesths@gmail.com
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: Brianna Young scored 2 goals: one off a corner kick and the other taking the ball upfield to score. Sarah Hartey quickly retrieved the ball being rejected by the goalie to score a goal. Aria Vitelli, Emma Roy, Ayla Moyer, and Savannah Jorett all scored goals. Great job girls!
Upcoming Schedule
Monday October 24th - Away vs. Boyertown Area Middle School West (3:45)
Thursday October 27th - Home vs. Pottsgrove Middle School (3:45)
Friday October 28th - Away vs. Phoenixville Area Middle School (3:45)
Football
7th grade unsung athletes of the week: The entire defense, Carmen Rivito and Aiden Messatzzia
Upcoming Schedule
Tuesday October 25th - Away vs. Owen J. Roberts Middle School (3:45)
Tuesday November 1st - Home vs. Arcola Intermediate School (3:45)
Boys Soccer
Upcoming Schedule
Monday October 24th - Home vs. Boyertown Area Middle School West (3:45)
Friday October 28th - Home vs. Phoenixville Area Middle School (3:45)
Monday October 31st - Away vs. Arcola Intermediate School (3:45)
Field Hockey
Unsung athletes of the week: The entire team. The forwards were well supported by mids and defense to play a very attacking and skillful game, resulting in their 2nd shutout win in a row.
Upcoming Schedule
Monday October 24th - Home vs. Upper Perkiomen Middle School (3:45)
Wednesday October 26th - Away vs. Boyertown Area Middle School West (3:45)
Monday October 31st - Away vs. Phoenixville Area Middle School (3:45)
Cross Country
Unsung athletes of the week: The XC team continues to work hard despite not coming out on top in the meet with Spring-Ford and PV East on Wednesday. In the boys race, Evan Martin finished 3rd overall, Luke Snyder finished 9th, and Matt Shuta finished 16th. There were 47 runners in the race.
In the girls race our top three finishers were Shamiso Mpofu finishing 6th, Ellie Viveros 7th, and Ilana Finkelstein 11th. Personal bests for our home course were Grace Beitler, Tiadora Berkey, Elle Viveros, and Evan Martin. On Friday our boy's open division (7th and 8th grade combined) relay team of Evan Martin, Luke Snyder and Matt Shuta medaled with a third place finish at the Arcola Invitational.
Our girl's team of Ilana Finkelstein, Ellie Viveros, and Shamiso Mpofu finished 4th in the girls open division relay race.
Our Unsung athlete of the week was Grace Beitler who medaled finishing 3rd in the 3000M girls race with a time of 14:53.
Upcoming Schedule
No upcoming events
Volleyball
Unsung athletes of the week: Our Varsity unsung athletes of the week were Maddy D'Orazio for her clutch serving and Bella Mason for an amazing defensive comeback from her concussion.
Our JV unsung athletes of the week were Helene Saboe-Moore for serving 11 aces in one match and Hayden Harkins for her solid defense.
Upcoming Schedule
Monday October 24th - Away vs. Perkiomen Valley Middle School East (3:45)
Wednesday October 26th - Away vs. Norristown Area (3:45)
Friday October 28th - Home vs. Spring-Ford Middle School (3:45)
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Dress Code Students are reminded to wear clothing of their choice that is comfortable but does not expose the midriff, undergarments, or private parts. Violations of this dress code may result in a warning from the teacher or an administrator, and/or the request that a change of clothing be supplied by the parent/guardian. For more information about the dress code please see page 12 of our PV 2022-2023 Middle School Student Handbook. | Cell Phones Students are reminded to keep cell phones off and away during school hours unless instructed by teachers to bring them to class for learning purposes. If you want to contact your child during the school day please contact the West main office at 484-977-7210 and we will be sure your child gets the message asap. If a student is seen using their cell phone without permission it may be confiscated. Confiscated phones will be returned to students at the end of the school day, but may result in disciplinary action. | Procedure for Administration of Medications in SchoolNo 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. |
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.
Social Media and Mental Wellness
Social media is known as an “Interactive Technology”, and despite the ever-changing platform names and popularity, it is the main form of communication for young people between ages 10 and 19. Interactive technology is constantly evolving to be more attractive, user friendly and
harder to “live without.” This webinar will explore how various forms of social media and video games from Tik Tok to Snap Chat to YouTube, affect both psychological and social development, as well as how it impacts the overall wellness of adolescent age youth. Discussions will include exploring the benefits (pros) of using these platforms, such as feeling less isolated or discovering new ways to be creative, as well as the negatives, such as cyber-bullying, sexting, glorification/advertising of substance use, as well as misinformation. Correlations will be explored between excessive technology use; the brain and how chronic use of interactive technology may be priming the developing adolescent brain for future substance use disorders.
Register for this free event below to learn more.
PVSD Food Service Updates
Parents/Guardians put money in their student(s) accounts electronically in SchoolCafe or by sending cash or checks in with their students. For more information about SchoolCafe please go to https://www.pvsd.org/departments/food-service/school-cafe-information/. If you are sending funds in with your students, please note the students’ names and account number on the envelope and ask them to give the envelope to their cashier in the cafeteria.
Upon entering the serving area, students make their selections and enter their 6 digit Student ID number on the pin pad or scanner. Our staff will be happy to help them become more comfortable with the system.
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.
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 24th - Friday October 28th - Red Ribbon Week @ West
Monday October 24th - Picture Retakes
Tuesday October 25th - Homework Club @ 2:30 in Library
Thursday October 27th - Homework Club @ 2:30 in Library; What's Up @ West October Parent Information Night @ 6:30pm on Zoom
Monday October 31st - Friday November 11th - Scholastic Book Fair @ West
For more details on the 22/23 school year go to the 22/23 Instructional Calendar
Perkiomen Valley Middle School West