The 2021-22 school year is off to a great start. We welcomed many smiling faces this week! The level of excitement was evident and we look forward to learning and growing together this year. Thank you to all that sent us first day pictures. Above are just a few! Please take a moment to view the slide shows on our website (www.pvsd.org#smile).

While we are thrilled to be back in school focused on teaching and learning, the conversations about health and safety continue. Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced that masks/face coverings will be required in schools in Pennsylvania beginning Tuesday, September 7, 2021. This order will remain in effect until the Acting Secretary of Health determines the public health risk is sufficiently reduced so that masks/face coverings are no longer necessary as public health mitigation measures in schools.

The order outlines the situations when a mask/face covering must be worn and also identifies the limited exceptions to the mandate. Mask/Face covering exemption requests must be based on a medical or mental health provider attesting to the fact that wearing a mask/face covering either causes a medical condition or exacerbates an existing one, including respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition, or a disability. The District has updated its Student Mask/Face Covering Exemption Request Form. In the event you believe your child needs an exemption and qualifies based on a PA licensed medical or mental health provider’s diagnosis, please complete the form and submit to your child’s school nurse electronically or in print format.

• Mask/Face covering exemption forms should be submitted electronically or in print to the school nurse. The email address of your child’s school nurse is available on the website: Staff Directory.

• Students with an IEP or 504 requesting a mask/face covering exemption should reach out to their child’s case manager. These requests will be reviewed by the IEP or 504 team, respectively.

As a note, the DOH order does not apply to school sports or outdoor activities. However, the District’s approved Health and Safety Plan continues to require masks/face coverings for student athletes when practicing and competing indoors as well as all spectators attending events indoors. Masks/face coverings are recommended when outdoors on the fields or in the stadium when the gathering size is large, i.e., football games, otherwise they are optional.

The District continues to monitor the incidence and positivity rates and the most appropriate recommendations for health and safety in response. The District’s COVID dashboard is active now that the school year is underway.

Your partnership in supporting student learning as well as upholding these mitigation measures is much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Dr. Barbara A. Russell

Superintendent

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all school districts to engage in Comprehensive Planning every six years. In 2017, a committee of stakeholders collaborated to define our District’s mission, vision, and goals. This year we will be engaging in a mid point review of our Comprehensive Plan. This will include a review of our current plan, progress on goals, needs assessment, and identification of accomplishments and challenges. We will be discussing this process during our first Education Committee meeting on September 29th @ 7:00 pm in the High School Library. A zoom link will also be available on our district website for anyone interested in joining virtually. We are encouraging various stakeholders to join us in these initial discussions to ensure various perspectives are considered. We are interested in stakeholders to represent the following groups… students, teachers, parents, administrators, School Board members, business partners, and community members. Please reach out to Mrs. Laurie Smith, Assistant to the Superintendent, if you have any questions about this process. We hope you will consider joining us!

• Chromebook malfunctions/damages: Email the helpdesk@pvsd.org
• Forgotten student passwords: Go to https://accounts.pvsd.org
• FAQs about Chromebooks can be found on our website

21-22 v2 9/1/21