Perk E. Mail
Perkiomen Valley School District's Monthly E-Newsletter
February 2016
Greetings!
TOP STORIES
Thank You for Supporting Our Day of Service!
Hoping to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., hundreds of Perkiomen Valley School District students served others as part of PV’s fourth annual Day of Service event held on Jan. 18.
Instead of taking a day off for the federal holiday of Martin Luther King Day, students and staff members made it a “day on” by volunteering. Some students served at Perkiomen Valley High School, while others traveled to locations across the community.
Approximately 300 elementary school students rotated through nine different service stations and participated in the following activities:
- Recycling jeans and cutting them into patterns for Sole Hope, an organization that creates shoes from the denim patterns for children in Uganda. Through this activity, Perkiomen Valley School District will be donating enough material for 160 pairs of shoes.
- Recycling plastic bags to create “plarn,” which will be used to crochet blankets for Angels in Motion, a non-profit organization that provides assistance for homeless addicts in Philadelphia.
- Creating encouragement jars for the Center for Loss and Bereavement, a Skippack organization that serves individuals coping with death.
- Creating bags of birthday supplies for children who may be at a group home or juvenile center without access to typical birthday party frills.
- Writing postcards and sending them to Send the Kids the World, an organization that distributes notes of cheer to children who are homebound due to illness or disability.
- Creating braided dog toys for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
- Creating fleece blankets for Project Linus, an organization that donates blankets to children in need.
- Coloring pictures for Colorasmile.org, a non-profit organization that sends cheerful works of art to the military and nursing homes.
- Creating care packages for military members serving here and abroad.
Perkiomen Valley High School students assisted their younger peers with these activities. In addition, dozens more high school students spread out across the area to run a clothing drive at Trappe Fire Company for Cradles to Crayons, help out at the Perkiomen Valley Library in Schwenksville, collect food at the Daily Bread Food Pantry, clean up Norristown parks with the Greater Norristown Police Athletic League, cleaned up at Trappe and Collegeville fire companies, and made “Welcome Back to School” cards and prepared clothing bags at the Cradles to Crayons warehouse in Conshohocken.
This is the fourth year Perkiomen Valley School District has organized a Day of Service. The district is thankful for the donations and support of the following businesses and organizations:
- Skippack Elementary Home and School Association
- Kurtz Brothers
- Pinnacle Foods
- Wegmans
- Walmart (Harleysville)
- Student Transportation of America
“We are grateful for these donors, who contributed funds or materials needed for our Day of Service. It is gratifying to see the Day of Service growing and the interest that our community has in serving others,” said Mrs. Jessica Lester, Manager of School and Community Engagement. “The volunteer slots we make available always fill up quickly. We are fortunate to be able to provide an opportunity to families who want to honor Dr. King’s legacy in a meaningful way, and are thankful to those who came out to join us on this national day of service.”
Online Version of Annual Report Features Video Links
While the printed version of our 2014-15 annual report contains a lot of valuable information and data about our district, there is only so much space available to share all of our great news from the past year. That's why we also publish an online version, which contains links to videos, websites and other information that might help you to better understand some of the data that is presented. Click here to take a look!
PVHS/North Montco Students Recognized for Winning PA Farm Show Awards
The Perkiomen Valley School District Board of Directors recognized Perkiomen Valley High School students Jessica Avery, Andrew Beattie, and Elisha Long on Feb. 8 for winning awards at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in the Agricultural Education Horticulture competition. All three students attend North Montco Technical Career Center. They captured a number of top awards for floral arrangements. Here is a list of their accomplishments:
Jessica Avery: 2nd place for Silk Wreath
Andrew Beattie: Best of Show for Most Creative Floral Entry Overall, 1st place for Banquet Arrangement (100th Farm Show Theme), 2nd place for Fresh Wreath (Williamsburg theme), 2nd place for Vase Arrangement, and 5th place for Hanging Basket
Elisha Long: 3rd place for Dish Garden (in a shoe), 3rd place for Miniature Succulent Garden, and 4th place for Dish Garden (foliage only)
View the Video Below to Learn about the Augmented Reality Sandbox Being Used at PVHS
PV Students Selected for Inter-County Band Festival
A number of Perkiomen Valley School District students were selected to take part in the 60th Anniversary Concert that was part of the Inter-County Band (ICB) Festival held on Jan. 30 at Owen J. Roberts High School.
The ICB is a program run by band directors from 11 local schools and features top band students in grades 7-9. Students are selected for the concert band and must audition for the jazz band.
PV's participants included:
Christina Warren - PVHS - Gr. 9
Hannah Bao - PVE - Gr. 8
Jenna Cortez - PVE - Gr. 8
Allie Eidman - PVE - Gr. 8
Taylor Carpenter - PVHS - Gr. 9
Abigail Lofton - PVHS - Gr. 9
Alexander Loladze - PVW - Gr. 8
Nick Young - PVE - Gr. 8
Brenden Reim - PVW - Gr. 8
Austin Alcancia - PVHS - Gr. 9
Brent Clelland - PVW - Gr. 7
Prem Ganesh - PVHS - Gr. 9
Miles Catenza - PVE - Gr. 8
Matthew Tremba - PVE - Gr. 8
Will Ye - PVHS - Gr. 9
Noah Etze - PVW - Gr. 7
Dylan Smith - PVW - Gr. 7
Luke Speers - PVE - Gr. 8
Evan Older - PVHS - Gr. 9
Garrett Ryan - PVW - Gr. 8
EVERGREEN ELEMENTARY NEWS
Evergreen Students Make Day Off a Day On
A number of Evergreen Elementary School students worked to help make life a little bit easier for those in need as part of their service on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 18. Students wrote letters to sick children and to members of the military, put birthday bags together for children in group homes, cut patterns from jeans to make shoes for children in Africa, as well as many other activities.
Pictured are Dominic Lamina, Brennan Strano, and Richard Strano. The boys are making "plarn," yarn that is made by recycling plastic bags. A local organization, Angels in Motion, will crochet the "plarn" into mats which are delivered to the homeless in Philadelphia.
The students enjoyed the many activities and hope to participate again next year!
Librarian for the Day
Evergreen Elementary School’s Home and School Association held an auction to raise money for the school. The teachers donated the prizes, which included opportunities for students to have lunch, bowl or create art with various teachers. Fourth-grader Evan Liddle won the bid to become librarian for the day. Evan learned a little bit about the library and its workings, and was able to use the infamous "scanner."
Evergreen Shows Off School Spirit
In honor of National School Counseling Week, Evergreen Elementary School held several spirit days as a fun way to incorporate positive messages into each day. Special days included: You’re a “Jean”ius!, Respect Your Body, Put Your Best Foot Forward, Be A Hero, and Be A Team Player. Students and staff wore jeans, exercise clothes, crazy socks, superhero shirts, and PV or Evergreen shirts.
SCHWENKSVILLE ELEMENTARY NEWS
Students Build Catapults for Marshmallows
Fifth-graders at Schwenksville Elementary School worked on a fun STEM activity. Using wooden craft sticks, rubber bands, and the creative ingenuity of trial and error, the students created catapults. The object was to see which catapult could toss a marshmallow the farthest. Two teams of students from each classroom competed against one another until a winner was determined. Brynn Crouthamel, Zackary George, and Brianna Shatto from Dr. Debra Collins’ class were the winners of the competition and were able to catapult their marshmallow through the air well beyond all of their fifth-grade competitors.
Winter Concert Entertains at Schwenksville
Schwenksville Elementary School recently held its winter concert, which highlighted students' musical talents. Mrs. Dawn Krown (Band Director), Mr. Stan Yoder (Orchestra Director), and Mrs. Amanda Ferrara (Chorus Director) were proud to present this year’s winter concert to families.
Fifth-graders Share Their Math Knowledge with Young Peers
Mrs. Kate Conaron’s fifth-grade students at Schwenksville Elementary School enjoyed the opportunity to work with Miss Melody Fennell’s second-graders during math class recently. The fifth-graders worked in groups with the younger students, playing a board game to review the second-graders’ addition math facts. Along with the math support, the fifth-graders were able to provide a good example with their work ethic and leadership skills.
SKIPPACK ELEMENTARY NEWS
Older Buddies Coach Students on Writing Assignments
Fifth-grade students at Skippack Elementary School demonstrate their leadership roles in the building when they share their time and talent with their first-grade buddies. Pictured is David Tirado (from Dr. Jill Schreiber's fifth-grade class), helping Carter Fitzgerald (from Mrs. Karen Groff's first-grade class). The students were revising and editing their "silly time" story.
Blizzard Ensures Snowshoeing Tradition Continues
That first snowfall couldn’t come fast enough for the students at Skippack Elementary School. Each year, physical education teacher Suzanne Ciuba takes students snowshoeing if there is a sufficient amount of snow. This year, they hit the jackpot following the blizzard that occurred the weekend of Jan. 23. In the picture, Mrs. Beverly Jones' fifth-grade class is invigorated after a fun class in the snow!
Volunteers Shown Appreciation
Skippack Elementary School hosted over 30 volunteers for its second annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Jan. 31. This event recognizes all of the volunteers for their support in the classroom with class parties, field trips, and school events, and for sending in requested items.
Volunteers were treated to a delicious breakfast supplied by the Skippack teachers and staff. Skippack's Home and School Association provided Wawa gift cards, lanyard necklaces and Skippack "swag" as raffle prizes, and the fourth-grade chorus made its first public appearance to provide entertainment for the volunteers.
SOUTH ELEMENTARY NEWS
South Concert Entertains
South Elementary School’s Winter Concert included performances by the Fifth-Grade Chorus, Fifth-Grade Band, and Advanced Orchestra. The Fifth-Grade Chorus portion of the concert was based on a "Through the Night" theme, opening with a Cherokee lullaby, followed by the Irish folk song, "Rising of the Moon." The chorus took the audience "Swinging on a Star" and then paid tribute to the dwarf planet, Pluto, with the song "Ode to Pluto." The chorus closed the concert with the Beatles’ song, “Here Comes the Sun."
South Concert Entertains
South Concert Entertains
PVMS EAST NEWS
Fun Times for Students at Activity Night
Perkiomen Valley Middle School East's Home and School Association held an Activity Night for students and their families on Jan. 29. Students played board games in the library, basketball in the gym, and enjoyed inflatable games! Pictured here is sixth-grader Lee Ann Whelan climbing through an inflatable tunnel.
Students Compete in Math Contest
The American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 8 is an international mathematics competition. The questions challenge each student with math problems that are new and different, and students must use their mathematics skills to think "outside the box." Students from all grade levels participated in the competition. Each student received an award for participating in the competition, and the first-, second- and third-place winners received an AMC 8 Award Pin. First-place district and school winner was Justin DeRosa (sixth grade); second-place winners were Ell Brant (seventh grade), Isabel Clauhs (seventh grade) and Jason Kerbel (sixth grade); and the third-place winner was Matthew Tremba (eighth grade).
Spelling Bee Champs
Select students from Perkiomen Valley Middle School's three grades participated in the All School Spelling Bee. Pictured here are the first- and second-place winners, respectively: Sam Marks (eighth grade) and Chad Benz (seventh grade). Congratulations to all of the students who participated!
PVMS WEST NEWS
West Students Selected for Inter-County Band Festival
Six of Perkiomen Valley Middle School West’s finest musicians were selected to participate in the 60th Annual Inter-County Band (ICB) Festival.
The ICB is a 130-member concert band comprised of the best musicians from 11 area school districts in grades seven through nine. The concert was held on Jan. 30 at Owen J. Roberts High School.
The selected participants included the following eighth-graders: Alec Loladze, first alto saxophone; Brenden Reim, baritone saxophone, and Garrett Ryan, tuba. The seventh-grade participants were Noah Etze, trombone; Dylan Smith, trombone; and Brent Clelland, trumpet. Three freshmen hailing from West also participated: Christina Warren, flute; Taylor Carpenter, clarinet; and Abby Lofton, clarinet.
Congratulations to all. You make us PV proud!
Finding the Need for STEM Speed at West
Eighth-grade students in Mr. Matt Weir’s technology education and engineering classes at Perkiomen Valley Middle School West got to experience the thrill of drag racing as they completed a course on car design and fabrication through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.
Each student designed his or her own car, incorporating the lessons learned about how aerodynamics, wheel position, and paint finish affect a car’s speed and performance. After weeks of designing, fabricating, sanding, painting, and analyzing, the students’ wood cars -- of every color and style imaginable -- were ready to race.
The CO2 dragster activity challenges students and prepares them for future tech ed and physics activities. The goal of the course is to engage all students and help them develop interpersonal skills while experiencing learning that is interactive, collaborative, and reflective.
Students conceive their own design, placing an emphasis on elements that they believe to be the most important. Then they fabricate their design, making it a physical reality. Their experience culminates as they witness their own creation blast down the "racetrack" (school hallway) with surprising speed. This thrilling, action-packed moment rewards all of their efforts. For all eighth-grade students, the activity is fun, and its gains are exponential!
Students Study Genetic Diseases
Students in Mr. Damico Ponzio’s seventh-grade life science classes at Perkiomen Valley Middle School West learned about human genetic diseases as part of a unit on genetics. The students chose a disease to investigate, then researched the cause, symptoms, treatment and any interesting information about their choices using books and technology in the school library. The young scientists presented their findings to their class with posters and Google Slide presentations about maladies that run the gambit from Achondroplasia to Wolman Disease. Pictured are David Smith (left) presenting with the help of Jack Scaliti.
PVHS NEWS
Cuban Culture Reflected in Travel Posters
As the United States reopens the Embassy in Havana, Cuba, the students of Mr. Tom Komp’s Intro to Graphic Design class at Perkiomen Valley High School researched the culture, attractions and unique aspects of Cuba. Then the students followed the design process of sketching their design ideas for a poster. They used what they have learned about tools in Adobe Illustrator to design posters that entice the viewer to travel between the United States and Cuba. Seen here is the work of 10th-grader Angelina Gizzio.
Students Help Tie kNOT in Teen Dating Violence
The Aequalis and Interact clubs sre doing several activities throughout the month of February to promote awareness and prevention of dating violence through a campaign called “Tie a kNOT in Teen Dating Violence.”
Students from both clubs staffed a table outside the cafeteria the week of Jan. 31 during all lunches to give away orange shoelaces and to request signatures on a Teen Dating Violence Prevention pledge banner, which will be displayed later this month. Interns and leaders from the Women’s Center of Montco helped the effort.
PV Grads Return to Share Advice on Transition to College
Perkiomen Valley High School National Honor Society alumni from the Class of 2012 participated as panelists in a seminar regarding their college experiences on Jan. 5. This was a great opportunity for high school students to hear first-hand what to expect as they transition to college. This event was organized by National Honor Society co-advisors Mrs. Barbara Dunne and Mrs. Gloria Carfagno.
Counselors, teachers, and parents can try to prepare students for the transition to higher education, but hearing about it from recent graduates can be much more meaningful.
The panel shared a variety of experiences including roommate situations, studying abroad, time management, balancing sports and academics in college, internships, getting involved in college clubs, how Perkiomen Valley prepared them for college, and communication with professors at the college level.
Since the panelists were all college seniors, they were able to reflect on both their college and high school experiences and emphasize that each student's college journey will be unique and will be dependent upon how they shape it.
In the photo, the four officers of National Honor Society are standing: Quinn Verbeke, Christine Warren, Heather Jackson, and Katie Brooks. The panel is sitting.
PV Girls Lacrosse Youth Clinic Offered March 6
For more information and a registration form for students in grades 1-6, please click here.
For more information and a registration form for students in grades 7-8, please click here.
PVHS Biology Club Fundraiser at Michelle Jewelry Studio
PV Post Prom Committee Seeks Volunteers
- February 18 (room #135)
- March 3 (room #135)
- March 17 (room #135)
- March 31 (room #134)
- April 7 (room #134)
- April 14 (room #135)
- April 28 (room #135)
- May 5 (room #135)
Anyone is welcome to attend to learn more about volunteering to support the annual Post Prom event, which will take place this year on May 14. The event offers a safe environment for students to continue celebrating after the prom is over. Learn more: http://highschool.pvsd.org/pages/Perkiomen_Valley_High_School/PV_Post_Prom
Support South by Sailing in to Capt'n Chucky's Feb. 15-20
Please support South Elementary Week at Capt'n Chucky's Crab Cake Co.! Stop in during store hours from Monday, Feb. 15, to Saturday, Feb. 20. (Monday through Friday 9-7 and Saturday 9-5). Mention the fundraiser, and 15% of your purchase will go to South Elementary. Capt'n Chucky's is located at 430 W. Main St. in Trappe. Order their famous "make and bake" crab cakes, which are made fresh daily and can be frozen for later use. They also have a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. There are many options for those families observing Lent, and gift certificate sales will also be included. Spread the word to family and friends! Click here for more information.
Artists, Musicians and Food Truck Vendors Sought for PV Art and Food Truck Festival
Save the Date for Golf Boosters Comedy Night
The PV Golf Boosters Club is planning a Comedy Night fundraiser in February. Please save the date:
Saturday, Feb. 27
Lower Frederick Fire Company
8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20
Laughs, basket raffles, food and fun will be part of the festivities. The PV Golf Boosters support both the girls and boys golf teams with shirts, hats, a banquet and scholarships. Please plan to come out to support the Golf Boosters. Contact Mike at (610) 999-0411 for tickets or more information, or click here for more info.
PVSD 21st Century Teaching & Learning Committee
Thursday, Feb 11, 2016, 07:00 PM
Perkiomen Valley High School, Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD In-Service Day (No School for Students)
Friday, Feb. 12th
WHERE
All Schools
Presidents Day - PVSD Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)
Monday, Feb. 15th
WHERE
All Schools
PVSD Policy Committee
Tuesday, Feb 16, 2016, 07:00 PM
3 Iron Bridge Dr, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD Athletic Committee
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016, 06:30 PM
Perkiomen Valley High School, Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD Foundation Board Meeting
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016, 06:30 PM
3 Iron Bridge Dr, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD Home & School Coordinating Council Meeting
Thursday, Feb 18, 2016, 09:15 AM
3 Iron Bridge Dr, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD Foundation Presents Catalyst SAT Bootcamp
Saturday, Feb 27, 2016, 09:00 AM
Perkiomen Valley Middle School West, Lower Frederick Township, PA, United States
PVSD Foundation Presents Catalyst SAT Bootcamp
Sunday, Feb 28, 2016, 09:00 AM
Perkiomen Valley Middle School West, Lower Frederick Township, PA, United States
Perkiomen Valley Middle School East Presents "Aladdin"
Friday, Mar 4, 2016, 07:30 PM
Perkiomen Valley Middle School-East, Kagey Road, Collegeville, PA, United States
Perkiomen Valley Middle School East Presents "Aladdin"
Saturday, Mar 5, 2016, 06:30 PM
Perkiomen Valley Middle School, Kagey Road, Collegeville, PA, United States
Perkiomen Valley Middle School East Presents "Aladdin"
Sunday, Mar 6, 2016, 02:00 PM
Perkiomen Valley Middle School, Kagey Road, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD Safety & Operations Committee Meeting
Monday, Mar 7, 2016, 06:00 PM
Perkiomen Valley High School, Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA, United States
PVSD School Board Work Session/Finance Committee Meeting-of-the-Whole
Monday, Mar 7, 2016, 07:30 PM
Perkiomen Valley High School, Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA, United States
About Us
Email: jlester@pvsd.org
Website: www.pvsd.org
Location: 3 Iron Bridge Drive, Collegeville, PA, United States
Phone: 610-489-8506
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pvschool
Twitter: @PV_Schools