Principal's October Newsletter
Paul V. Fly Elementary School
A Message from Mr. Smith
Dear Paul V. Fly Parents/Guardians,
I hope you and your family are doing well and are enjoying the beautiful fall weather. It is hard to believe that we are already into our fifth week of school. I have been able to see first-hand the amazing activities, instruction and connections that your child is participating in during my classroom visits. I am looking forward to visiting each classroom many times throughout the school year and learning about how we can better support our students. Please reach out to any member of the staff if there is anything that we can do to support you or your child.
In closing, I want to thank you for your support and partnership with Paul V. Fly Elementary School. We are blessed to have such an amazing group of parents. I wish you and your family a healthy and safe Fall season.
Sincerely,
Jason W. Smith
Principal
Paul V. Fly Elementary School
Important Dates & Information
Breakfast & Lunch Menus -
***If parents wish to put money on their students account for extra servings and a la carte (snack) purposes only, they may do so. Pre-payment will be accepted through the Breakfast or Lunch lines or at https://www.schoolcafe.com/NorristownASD. To learn more about this program click here.
Important Dates - To access the entire District Calendar, click on the following link. District Calendar & PVF School Calendar
- September 30th - Favorite Color Day
- October 5th - Yom Kippur ~ No School
- October 6th - Dental & Vision Screenings for 2nd grade
- October 6th - 4th Grade Farm Park Trip
- October 6th - 1st Parent Faculty Club (PFC) meeting at 6:30 PM ~PVF Library
- October 7th - Phillies Spirit Day
- October 9th - 15th - Fire Prevention Week
- October 14th - Favorite Team Jersey Day
- October 21st - Early Dismissal (Dismissal begins at 12:20)
- October 28th - PVF Book Character Parade 9:45 AM
- October 28th - Pumpkin STEAM Day
- October 29th - PVF Trunk or Treat
- November 3rd - November 10th - PVF Book Fair
- November 22nd - Fall Conferences (evening)
- November 23th - Fall Conferences (morning)
Counselor's Corner
Second Step - Our kickoff to begin teaching our Social Emotional Learning curriculum takes place on Monday, October 3rd. Second Step develops a framework of social and emotional skills through the development of goal setting, decision making, emotion management, and effective communication skills. The lessons are developmentally appropriate and taught sequentially. Please be on the lookout for a Family Letter from your child's classroom teacher. If you have further questions please contact your child's teacher or Ms. Anand, our School Counselor.
What do I do if my child is absent? You should call school to report your child absent. You must send in a completed absence card or written note within 3 days of the absence. You can complete it electronically: Electronic Absence Card. Otherwise, the child will be marked unexcused absent. After 3 days of unexcused absences or truancy, a SAIP plan will be required with the Guidance Counselor. This process is a State Law. Click here to access NASD's Attendance Policy.
From the PVF Parent Faculty Club
Parent Faculty Club Meeting - The first PFC meeting will be on Thursday, October 6th at 6:30 PM in the Paul V. Fly School Library.
Boo Grams - Does your child want to send a special message to someone during the fall season? Be on the lookout for information about how they can send a boo gram to a friend.
Trunk or Treat - Our annual Trunk or Treat will take place on Saturday, October 29th from 2 - 4 PM in the rear parking lot of Paul V. Fly Elementary School.
WHAT ARE WE OBSERVING AND CELEBRATING THIS MONTH?
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.
Yom Kippur (Hebrew: יוֹם כִּפּוּר or יום הכיפורים), Also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days (or sometimes "the Days of Awe").
Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
Want to learn more? Check out these websites:
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month as a Family
National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Education Association ~ Hispanic Heritage Month
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does school start and end?
Students should arrive by 9:05 AM. We dismiss at 3:20 PM. If you are picking up your child at school in the afternoon, please send a note in the morning so that they are at the car-rider pickup door to meet you. The pickup area is behind the building off of Taft road.
Where do the children enter the school? All school buses arrive at the front door and the students enter the building directly from there. If you are dropping off your child, you need to do so in the Car Rider Parking lot in the rear of the building. Please do not bring your child to school before 8:50 AM.
How will I know what days there is no school? The Norristown Area School District Web Site has that information. Please click here to access the 22-23 calendar 2022-2023 School District Calendar. You will periodically receive documents with important dates for the month in your child’s Wednesday folder as well. Please make sure to check the Wednesday folder each week for all important information, events of the school, and in the community. Communication is primarily sent via email. Make sure you provide an updated email address to the school.
What is the dismissal time for an early dismissal day? The dismissal time is 12:20 PM. Please be sure to make arrangements for someone to be at the bus stop for the early dismissal days.
What about breakfast and lunch? We participate in a universal meal program, which means all children eat breakfast and lunch free of charge. Students can also purchase various snacks each day for an additional cost. Money can be place on your child’s account by going on to our district website under Food Services. You will need a credit card to add money on behalf of your child.
What do I do if my child is sick? You should call school to report your child absent. You must send in a completed absence card or written note within 3 days of the illness. You can complete it electronically: Electronic Absence Card. Otherwise, the child will be marked unexcused absent. After 3 days of unexcused absences or truancy, a SAIP plan will be required with the Guidance Counselor. This process is a State Law.
What if I want to change my child’s transportation? Any temporary car-rider transportation change must be in writing. A note must be sent in with your child to explain the change in transportation. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED TO CHANGE YOUR CHILD’S TRANSPORTATION. This is to protect your child’s safety. Bus changes are not permitted. Permanent changes must be done through the office and transportation.
What do I need to complete if I would like to request transportation from my child's daycare/childcare center? Parents must complete the following request forms.
What if I had a change of address? All changes of address must be reported immediately. The safety of all Paul Fly children is paramount, and that means getting them to and from school safely, responding swiftly during an emergency, as well as ensuring the compliance of all school boundaries. Please notify the main office immediately of any changes at (610) 630-0380.
What if I need to pick up my child early? You must put the request in writing and send it in with your child. You can also email your child's teacher and the school secretary. When you arrive for pick up, please see our secretary to sign out your child (You will need your ID). Your child will be called to the office once we confirm your id. Please do not ask to have your child waiting in the office for you. Students who are sitting in the office are missing instructional time. We will do our best to have your child in the office as quickly as possible.
What if my child needs medication during the school day? Please contact the Nurse’s office. All medical forms should go directly to the Nurse’s Office. No medicine can be administered without written doctor’s orders. You may enclose them in an envelope marked SCHOOL NURSE. ** It would be very helpful if you could send in a change of clothes for your kindergarten child. In case of a spill, dirty or wet at recess, or if your child may not get to the bathroom in time.
*** The most important document is the EMERGENCY CARD. Please be sure to complete this form right away.***
Please know that we are happy to have your child with us. Your child’s safety, academic, social and emotional well-being are our primary goals. Please help by providing any information that will help us understand your child’s needs. Thank you in advance for your support and partnership.