Dear PVMS West Families,

I hope this communication finds you doing well.  We are almost to the midpoint of our school year with the second marking period/first semester ending on January 25, 2019.  If you have any questions regarding your child’s progress, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s teacher (s). Please see the informational items below, and have a great weekend.

New News:

Activity Night – Please see your email for date/time/location details.  PVMS West’s Home and School has planned a FUN evening of varied activities (dance, board games, large games, karaoke, basketball, Nukem, Bingo, a movie, Minute-to-Win It Games, etc.) for our students.  Admission is $5.00, but students should bring additional money if they plan to purchase drinks/snacks. Parents, please talk to your child about a pick-up location, a specific light, pillar, or bench; this will make pick-up easier, especially in cold weather.  As usual, we encourage both carpooling and timely pick-ups. Thank you!

Congratulations to the following MS West students who were selected to participate in the 63rd Inter-County Band Festival:

William H., 9 Trumpet

Jordan Q., 8 Clarinet

Sarah G., 8 Flute

Toby H., 7 French Horn

Lauren L., 8 Clarinet

Dylan R., 8 Oboe

Kevin R., 8 Alto Saxophone

Rebecca D., 7 Percussion

Ryan C., 8 Clarinet

Natalie K., 7 Tuba

Ruthie E., 8 Clarinet

The Inter-County Band is a 130-member concert band composed of the top musicians in grades 7, 8, and 9 from eleven area schools.  Participating schools/districts include: Methacton, Boyertown, Perkiomen Valley, Phoenixville, Pottsgrove, Pottstown, Owen J. Roberts, Spring-Ford and Upper Perkiomen.  Area band directors held the first festival in December on 1957 to give exceptional band student an opportunity to challenge themselves musically and experience the joy of playing with musicians of the highest quality in Berks, Montgomery, and Chester counties. The 63rd Festival Concert is on January 26, 2019. Please see your email for location and time.

Additional congratulations are in order…!  In November, many mathematically-minded students participated in the American Mathematics Contest, the AMC 8, here at MS West and across the district.   We are very proud of all the students who participated in this challenging contest, and we'd like to extend our congratulations to our top scorers.  Taking the Bronze or third place awards for our school are Madison L., Ryan M., and Logan R. The Silver or second place was claimed by Daniel V. Finally, the Gold – across-district - winner was Luca R.!  We are PV Proud of our exceptional mathematicians!

MAP Growth Assessment - From January 10th to January 29th, students will take the second MAP® Growth assessment from NWEA® on a computer. We give students MAP Growth assessments to determine their areas of academic strengths and areas of needed growth. Additionally, this assessment helps us measure academic growth throughout the school year (and from year to year) in the areas of Reading and Math.

MAP Growth assessments are unique in that they adapt to your child’s level of learning. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This type of adaptive assessment provides results that more accurately indicate what your child already knows and what your child is ready to learn.

Since MAP Growth assessments provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it makes it easier for teachers to identify skills a student is ready to learn and then plan instruction accordingly.

Coats – We are noticing that many students are coming to school without coats.  Please encourage your child to wear a coat or at least a heavy sweatshirt as the temperatures continue to plummet. Click here for more ways to be prepared for winter.

Day of Service - We are excited to invite you to participate once again in this year’s Day of Service activities on Jan. 21, 2019 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day).  We hope you and your child(ren) can join us to make your “day off a day on” through service to others.

Middle school students will be invited to attend one session as a group and then students will participate in service projects benefiting a variety of different organizations and will also participate in discussions about civil rights, social justice, and activism. They will be guided in these activities by high school and parent volunteers as well as district staff. Please see your email to sign-up and for more details.

Please note that slots are limited – there will be 80 spaces for middle school students. To register, simply enter your child’s name and your contact information. If you have more than one child, please submit a separate registration for each child. This is important so that the event does not become overbooked.

The purpose of this day is for students to attend and serve, and slots are designated for those students. If you can make child care arrangements for older or younger siblings who do not fit the age range, that is appreciated. However, if you have to bring younger or older siblings, please understand no child care will be provided.

We thank the following organizations/businesses, who are supporting the 2019 Day of Service event by donating materials or funding:  Kurtz Brothers and Wegmans. We also thank you in advance for your service, and we look forward to seeing you on the 21st!

Reminders:

End of Second Marking Period -  Please encourage your child to check with his/her teachers to ensure that he/she does not have any outstanding assignments.  (HAC will open published grades on Feb. 1, 2019 at noon.)

Creative Health/Montgomery County Drug and Alcohol Prevention Programs (Week of Jan. 14th) – Each year a Creative Health counselor, Donna Krieger, visits our seventh- and eighth-grade Health classrooms.  Mrs. Krieger will be working with our Health teachers to present two programs:

(Grade 7) Friends of Life, Signs of Self Injury/Suicide – Teaching students how to recognize signs of depression and suicide in others.  This two-day, secondary school-based intervention is taught through video and guided classroom discussions about suicide and depression. The intervention attempts to prevent suicide attempts, increase knowledge about suicide and depression, develop desirable attitudes toward suicide and depression, and increase help-seeking behaviors.

(Grade 8) True Stories, Matt Damon DVD – Engaging teens on an issue important to their health and well-being, underage drinking.  Young people tell their powerful stories about drinking and driving, drug addiction, and avoiding alcohol use. It underscores the value of connections and communication with family and friends.

NAEP – Middle School West has been selected to represent schools across Pennsylvania and the nation by participating in the 2019 administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students in the United States know and can do in various subjects (Reading and Mathematics). It is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education.  As part of the NAEP 2019 program, fifty, randomly selected, eighth-grade students will participate in a mathematics or reading assessments. National and state level results will be released as The Nation’s Report Card. Letters were sent electronically as well as in hard-copy form with the selected students prior to winter break.  The date of the NAEP assessment is Jan. 31, 2019.

PSSA Assessment Windows – Please be aware of these PSSA testing dates as you make plans for Spring Break.

• PSSA ELA -- 4/23, 4/24, and 4/26 (skip testing on Thursday due to Take Your Child to Work Day)

• PSSA MATH -- 4/29 and 4/30

• PSSA SCIENCE (8th Grade Only) -- May 2 and May 3

• MAKE-UPS - May 6-10

• Algebra I, Keystone Exam – 5/13 and 5/14 (New Information)

An Educational Trip Request form must be submitted to the Principal five (5) days prior to the student’s departure.  Approval for such trips is limited to ten (10) school days per year. Any days above the ten days of absence will not be approved for an educational trip.  Educational trips will not be approved during the PSSA or Algebra I Keystone. Non-school educational trips are not recommended for students in academic difficulty or with attendance problems and will not be approved.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact his/her teacher to make arrangements to make up work missed during an educational trip.  

PVMS West yearbooks are on sale now! From now through February 24th, you can pre-order your copy of the Junior Voyager for the low price of just $28.00!  There are three ways to order; online at jostenyearbooks.com, call toll-free 1-877-767-5217 or by mail using the Jostens form and return envelope.

from West’s Counseling Center -

Parent Information Nights (Pertinent links for each can be found on our website.)

February 27, 2019 at 6:30 pm — Perkiomen Valley (PVHS Library) “Marijuana, the Developing Brain & Behavior” (for middle school and high school parents and staff)

April 3, 2019 at 6:30 – Perkiomen Valley High School “Media, Messaging, and Youth,” a discussion about the ways that our kids are being impacted by social media, the “misinformation highway,” access to substances online, and more.

Eighth grade will begin the High School Transition process beginning on January 14, 2019.  From 8:00 to 8:45 am, Joe Paddock, one of the North MontCo Technical Career Center counselors, will present information and options for application and attendance at NMTCC.  If a student is interested in the possibility of attending, he/she will be presented with an application. Completion of the application does not guarantee that a student will be accepted into the program of his/her choice.  Completion of the application is only an indication that student and parent are open to the possibility of NMTCC as a HS option. West students who return their applications will be taking a trip to NMTCC on January 28, 2019 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.  The NMTCC Open House is scheduled for February 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. which is a wonderful opportunity to enhance parents’ knowledge of the programs available to our students. Click here to see flyer.

from PVSD’s Foundation:  Registration for the PVSD Foundation's 10th Annual Dodgeball Tournament opens this Friday, Jan. 11. The Dodgeball Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 2, from 12 to 4 p.m. at Perkiomen Valley High School. All registration will take place online - please use this link to register starting on Jan. 11:

https://perkiomen.revtrak.net/ (Select the PVSD Foundation Dodgeball Tournament link on the lower left) Before registering your team, here are some reminders:

• When registering your team, you will need to create an account to access the system, if you have not already used the system to register for dodgeball, Community Ed classes, or other PVSD programs.

• There will be a flat fee of $150 per team, which can be paid via credit card. There will be a 2.49% service charge applied.

• All team information must be entered upon registration – there will be no option to add team members or change information at a later date. This means that the team captain should have all team members’ names and t-shirt sizes ready to go when they visit the link.

• Teams can have a minimum of 6 players and a maximum of 10 players.

• This year, team play is reserved for students in grades K-8. Over the past several years, there has not enough interest from high school students to support a separate division.

• Every participant under the age of 18 must have a waiver/permission to participate form completed. This waiver is also available online and must be filled out by the parent/guardian. If you know your child will be participating, please click here to fill the waiver out. The waiver must be completed by all team members within 7 days of your team’s online registration. Failure to comply means your team may lose its spot.

• At least 70% of the team’s members must be PV residents.

• Spectators must observe the action from the bleachers. No standing on the sidelines will be permitted – this is to protect the safety of participants and audience members.

• The Foundation reserves the right to review team names and to move teams between divisions to ensure equity and safety.

Registration will close on Feb. 1 (or earlier if the event fills up). If you don’t want to compete, but want to watch the fun, doors will open at 11 a.m. on March 2 and the games begin at 12 p.m. The cost to observe is $3 per person. We will also be holding a silent auction this year during the tournament for chances to win PV-centered opportunities and experiences. Be sure to bring some extra cash for this and for the snack bar!  If you have questions about the event, please email pvsdfoundation@gmail.com for more information. Thank you in advance for your support!

Nurse’s Notes:  

Please be reminded that there is still time to send in your child’s sixth-grade physical examination or seventh-grade dental exam.  The school physician and the school dentist will be coming in the spring, and if these forms aren’t received by then, your child will be scheduled for an exam.  If your child has had these examinations recently, please be sure to send a copy in to the Nurse's office so your child's health record can be updated. (This includes any immunizations or changes in medications your child may have had recently.)  Please don't hesitate to reach out to the school nurse if you have any questions or concerns. Mrs. Lind can be reached at 484-977-7210, ext. 4. or emailed at clind@pvsd.org.   We have had an influx of stomachaches and nausea; below you will find some helpful tips that will help avoid the stomach virus.

• STOMACH BUG TIPS:
• Wash hands often.  Hand sanitizer is okay, but there is nothing like good old soap and water!
• Stay home if you are sick!
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
• Thoroughly wash laundry.
• Wash fruits and vegetables and cook seafood thoroughly

• Kurtz Brothers 
• Wegmans 

 

Dear PVMS West Families,

I don’t know about all of you, but I cannot believe how quickly the fall months have flown by.  Now, the holiday season is upon us, and soon our students/your children will be home for a much anticipated winter break.  As your son or daughter catches up on sleep and reconnects with family and friends, I hope all will have the chance to spend plenty of quality time together as nothing is more important than family.

As West’s faculty and staff close out 2018, please know that we are grateful for our West students and families, and we remain committed to our students’ social, emotional, and academic growth this (and every) school year.  Therefore, we are looking forward to our students' return as well as a happy, healthy, safe, and successful 2019. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Please see the informational items included below:

Vector Two – Vector Two (Special Area classes) closes today; Vector Three (Special Area classes) opens Friday, December 21,2018.

Stuff-a-Bus Update - Stuff-A-Bus 2018 was a huge success thanks to our students and staff!  The night was full of fun stage events, lots of food, raffles, and music. This event, which benefits Toys for Tots, has been occurring at PV Middle School West for the past fifteen years!  This year we were able to donate over 300 toys and will be present a check for $1,000 to our local Toys for Tots coordinator. We can't thank our PV West families enough for supporting this wonderful event which benefits our local community.  Happy Holidays!

Winter Sports Pick-Up – The winter sports season is a very busy one a PVMS West.  For cars pulling along the curb by the sidewalks, please go down as far as you can (towards the main entrance of the school building).  Once the curb area is full, we ask you to park in a parking spot when picking up athletes from sports games/practices. Do not park along the curbs of the parking lot as this creates a narrow driving lane and limits visibility of pedestrians.  Our primary concern is the safety of our students. If everyone can park in a spot and be wary of pedestrian traffic, we can make athletic pick-up run more smoothly. Thank you for working with us on this issue.

Backpacks – We are noticing that students are carrying a number of inappropriate/banned items in their backpacks. These include, but are not limited to: coffee/ hot chocolate, food items, other than lunches; cell phones, toys, and gum/candy. We have also noticed backpacks being left unattended in various locations throughout the building, especially in the hallways.  In order for the pilot to continue successfully, we would appreciate your help; please take a moment to discuss appropriate contents as well as the necessity for one to be responsible for one’s belongings.

Tech Ed Fee Reimbursement - If you paid a Tech Ed fee this fall, your monies will be refunded into your child’s food service account upon our return to school in Janurary.

Spelling Bee – MS West’s Spelling Bee will be held on Jan. 4, 2019 at 1:05.  Parents of participants are welcome to join us! Just sign in in our office.

Reading Olympics Library Assistants - Our next meeting will take place on January 7, 2019. Happy Holidays, and keep on reading!

NAEP – Middle School West has been selected to represent schools across Pennsylvania and the nation by participating in the 2019 administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students in the United States know and can do in various subjects (Reading and Mathematics). It is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education.  As part of the NAEP 2019 program, fifty, randomly selected, eighth-grade students will participate in a mathematics or reading assessments. National and state level results will be released as The Nation’s Report Card.

If your child has been selected by NCES to test, a letter will be sent electronically as well as with your child today.  The date of the NAEP assessment is Jan. 31, 2019.

Reminders:

PVMS West yearbooks are on sale now! From now through February 24th, you can pre-order your copy of the Junior Voyager for the low price of just $28.00!  There are three ways to order; online at jostenyearbooks.com, call toll-free 1-877-767-5217 or by mail using the Jostens form and return envelope. For more ordering information, please see the attached flyer.

Activity Fees – All seventh- and eighth-grade activities, except service clubs, are subject to an activity fee.  These fees, including any/all materials fees, should be directed to Mrs. Dickey in our main office.

PSSA Assessment Windows –

Please be aware of these PSSA testing dates as you make plans for Spring Break.

Attendance/Absences – If you know your child will be absent from school, please be sure to contact Mrs. Brenda Continelli, our counseling secretary, at bcontinelli@pvsd.org or by calling our office at 484-977-7210.  Important, please remember to send in excuse notes, detailing the date of the absence, reason for the absence, and a parent signature,within three days of the absence(s).

from the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU):  The IU is offering two panel discussions:  1/8/19, Understanding Extended School Year (ES&); and 2/5/19, The Early Intervention Journey.  If you are interested in either of these topics, click here to see flyers with more information.  (Coming soon - April, 9, 2019 – Autism Awareness)

from West’s Counseling Center - Parent Information Nights (Pertinent links for each can be found on our website.)

Vaping Information -   from Montgomery County’s Office of Drug and Alcohol, a Vaping Toolkit with resources for families, schools, and healthcare providers-www.montcopa.org/vapingtoolkit.

Triple P – Family Services is offering a Positive Parenting Program, a positive parenting approach to promote children’s development, practical discipline and communication strategies, and effective strategies for handling a variety of childhood behavior problems.

February 27, 2019 at 6:30 pm — Perkiomen Valley (PVHS Library)

“Marijuana, the Developing Brain & Behavior” (for middle school and high school parents and staff)

April 3, 2019 at 6:30 pm — Perkiomen Valley (PVHS)

“Media, Messaging & Youth:  Living with technology and reconnecting with youth" with Mike Blanche, MSS, LCSW (for all parents and staff)

Eighth grade will begin the High School Transition process beginning on January 14, 2019.  From 8:00 to 8:45 am, Joe Paddock, one of the North MontCo Technical Career Center counselors, will present information and options for application and attendance at NMTCC.  If a student is interested in the possibility of attending, they will be presented with an application. Completion of the application does not guarantee that a student will be accepted into the program of his/her choice.  Completion of the application is only an indication that student and parent are open to the possibility of NMTCC as a HS option. West students who return their applications will be taking a trip to NMTCC. The NMTCC Open House is scheduled for February 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. which is a wonderful opportunity to enhance parents’ knowledge of the programs available to our students.

Nurse’s Notes:  

Happy Holidays!  Just a friendly reminder to perhaps utilize this time to schedule your child’s sixth-grade physical examination or seventh-grade dental exam.  If your child has had these examinations recently, please be sure to send a copy in to the Nurse's office so your child's health record can be updated.  This includes any immunizations your child may have had recently. Please don't hesitate to reach out to the school nurse if you have any questions or concerns.   Mrs. Lind can be reached at 484-977-7210 ext 4. or emailed at clind@pvsd.org.

from Home and School –

The Home and School would like to wish all of our students, families, teachers, paraprofessionals, and staff a very safe and happy holiday season!

We have some fun things coming up when we return to West.  First, we have our Home and School meeting on January 7th at 7:00 P.M. in the library.  We look forward to seeing everyone there. Second, we have Activity Night. Activity Night is a fun time for all of our students to come out, play games, sing karaoke, dance, and do other fun activities.  More information will be sent home about Activity Night in January.

Finally, our second Box Tops Contest will start after the break and run until January 31st. The homeroom class that collects the most Box Tops during the month of January will receive a Philly soft pretzel party. Click here for more information  or check our Facebook page.  Please send in those Box Tops! Every one counts!

Happy Holidays!  Thank you for your continued support!!

General reminders are available on Mrs. Milligan's Tips and Reminders Webpage, located under the Resources for Families tab on the Middle School West home page.   A reminder to parents and guardians: If you ever need clarification or assistance with anything mentioned in my reports or if you have general questions, please email (dmilligan@pvsd.org) or call (484-977-7210, ext. 3505).  I will be happy to assist you.

West’s administration, faculty, and staff hope you and yours enjoy a wonderful winter break!

Regards,

Donna Milligan, Principal, PVMS West

Click here to follow us on Twitter!

Important Dates:

• 12/24/18-1/1/19 Winter Break (Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!)

• 1/2/19                School Resumes

• 1/2, 7, 14, 22/19  Inter-County Band Rehearsals

• 1/4/19                Spelling Bee

• 1/8/19                Home and School Meeting, West Library, 7:00 p.m.

• 1/15/19              Half-Day Inservice

• 1/21/19              Holiday, Martin Luther King Day

• 1/25/19              End of the Second Marking Period

• 1/26/19              Inter-County Band Rehearsals

• French Trip to Quebec - please see your email for details

• Home and School Activity Night - see your email for details

 

Dear PVMS West Families,

Congratulations to our band, chorus, and orchestra students for their wonderful performances at our winter concert!  In just a few short months, our students have made great gains in their musicianship thanks to the tutelage, guidance, and encouragement of our amazing music educators, Mrs. Krown, Mr. Sands, and Mr. Yoder.  I can’t wait until our students get a chance to showcase their talents in the spring!

Please see the informational items included below:

Supporting Our Students and School Community – West’s administration and counselors have been working closely with Schwenksville Elementary’s front office team not only to recognize but also to prepare for the anniversary of the Lukens’ tragedy.  District-wide resources have been notified, West’s faculty and staff have met with our counselors, West’s Loss Group will be available, and friends of the family will be providing Remembrance Ribbons. There are a number of grief/loss resources available to families/school communities, i.e. https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/addressing-grief/when-grief/loss-hits-close-to-home-tips-for-caregivers-x38573.  In addition, our counselors, social workers, and school psychologists are excellent resources.  Please feel free to reach out should you need us.

Musical auditions - Monday, December 10th from 2:30-5:00 p.m., with callbacks on Tuesday, December 11th from 2:30-3:45 p.m. Please make sure the required, signed paperwork has been returned to Mr. Sands as this serves as the student's permission to stay after school. Please make sure a ride has been secured for your student after auditions promptly at 5:00 p.m. Any questions, please contact Ms. Yerkes at kyerkes@pvsd.org.

Help Wanted:  A Girls’ Basketball Coach!  If interested, please contact Larry Glanski, 610-489-1230, ext. 2031.

Stuff-A-Bus – Stuff-a-Bus, a Toys for Tots toy drive and activity night, will be held on Friday, December 14th. Please see your email for more details.  (CORRECTION - The regional distribution center, serving all of PVSD’s municipalities, is the old Red Hill Fire Company building in Red Hill, PA. Toys are distributed to families on the morning of December 22nd.)

Cost:  $5.00 or one new unwrapped toy  (Students should bring extra money for food/drinks, raffle tickets - if they wish.)

Stuff-a Bus Activities:  DJ, Chick-Fil-A, Brusters, Hot Chocolate, stage events, and of course our famous Pie the Teacher in the Face contest.

All proceeds will benefit children in our local area, so please come out and support this West tradition!

Be sure to get ready for Stuff-a-Bus Spirit Week, Dec. 10-14!

Monday will be PJ Day,

Tuesday will be Color War day - 6th grade - red, 7th grade- blue, and 8th grade – white;

Wednesday will be Beach/Hawaiian Day,

Thursday will be USA Day, and

Friday will be holiday spirit/winter wear day

A prize will be awarded to the most spirited student in each grade level!

Reminders:

Reading Olympics – ROLA meetings will resume on December 10th.

PV Cares Holiday Drive – Ending Dec. 10th - All items are being collected to support the Daily Bread Food Pantry and the PV Power Packs program, both of which are serving PV families during the holiday season. Donations are designated by grade level:  Grades 6 and 7, holiday meal fixings (cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, instant mashed potatoes, boxed/ bagged stuffing mix, gravy); Grades 8 and 9, gifts for girl teens (movie tickets/ultimate packs, make-up/bath kits, nail polish kits, hoodies, lounge pants).  Donations can be dropped off at any school until Dec. 10th. We thank you in advance for your generosity this holiday season. If you are a family who is need of assistance this holiday season, bring this flyer to the Daily Bread Food Pantry or say you are with the “PV Cares” program. Gifts may be picked up Dec. 1-23 from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Daily Bread is located at 3938 Ridge Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426.

Yearbook art contest! The yearbook editor is looking for student artwork to grace the divider pages of this year's Junior Voyager!  All students are welcome to submit as many entries as they wish! Contest ends December 14th! Please see Mrs. Muscatello in room 156 during morning homeroom for a template and details. Your masterpiece can be a part of West history!

The theme of this year's PVMS West yearbook is "It Takes a Village to Educate a Child." The yearbook editor is looking for West student's family portraits that may be incorporated into the yearbook cover design. Submissions can be sent electronically to dmuscatello@pvsd.org or print photos can be brought in to the attention of Donna Muscatello. Photos will be scanned and returned. Thanks so much for your help!  

Attendance/Absences – If you know your child will be absent from school, please be sure to contact Mrs. Brenda Continelli, our counseling secretary, at bcontinelli@pvsd.org or by calling our office at 484-977-7210.  Important, please remember to send in excuse notes, detailing the date of the absence, reason for the absence, and a parent signature, within three days of the absence(s).

Fall/Winter Attire – Some students are outside on the bus deck for as long as fifteen minutes in the morning before the school day begins.  As the temperatures drop, please be sure your child wears appropriate attire to be outside. (The cafeteria is always open for breakfast, and students may wait inside; on inclement weather days, all students come inside.) Click here to read the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s guidelines to be prepared for winter weather.

from the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU):  The IU is offering two panel discussions:  1/8/19, Understanding Extended School Year (ES&); and 2/5/19, The Early Intervention Journey.  If you are interested in either of these topics, click here to see flyers with more information.  (Coming soon - April, 9, 2019 – Autism Awareness)

from West’s Counseling Center - Parent Information Nights (Pertinent links for each can be found on our website.)

Vaping Information -   from Montgomery County’s Office of Drug and Alcohol, a Vaping Toolkit with resources for families, schools, and healthcare providers-www.montcopa.org/vapingtoolkit.

Triple P – Family Services is offering a Positive Parenting Program, a positive parenting approach to promote children’s development, practical discipline and communication strategies, and effective strategies for handling a variety of childhood behavior problems.

February 27, 2019 at 6:30 pm — Perkiomen Valley (PVHS Library)

“Marijuana, the Developing Brain & Behavior” (for middle school and high school parents and staff)

April 3, 2019 at 6:30 pm — Perkiomen Valley (PVHS)

“Media, Messaging & Youth:  Living with technology and reconnecting with youth" with Mike Blanche, MSS, LCSW (for all parents and staff)

Eighth grade will begin the High School Transition process beginning on January 14, 2019.  From 8:00 to 8:45 am, Joe Paddock, one of the North MontCo Technical Career Center counselors, will present information and options for application and attendance at NMTCC.  If a student is interested in the possibility of attending, they will be presented with an application. Completion of the application does not guarantee that a student will be accepted into the program of his/her choice.  Completion of the application is only an indication that student and parent are open to the possibility of NMTCC as a HS option. West students who return their applications will be taking a trip to NMTCC on January 28, 2019 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.  The NMTCC Open House is scheduled for February 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. which is a wonderful opportunity to enhance parents’ knowledge of the programs available to our students.

Nurse’s Notes:  

Reminding everyone that sixth-grade students require a physical examination and updated immunizations if necessary, and seventh-grade students require a dental examination. If your child has had these examinations recently, please be sure to send a copy in to the Nurse's office so your child's health record can be updated.   Please don't hesitate to reach out to the school nurse if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child. Mrs. Lind can be reached at 484-977-7210, ext. 4. or emailed at clind@pvsd.org.

Healthy tip:  Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy

You can help yourself and others stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

• Before eating food
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After using the toilet
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After touching garbage.

Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

from Home and School –

The Home and School will have a Snack Table at Stuff-a-Bus and we need some volunteers to help with making and purchasing treats for our students.  Please visit our Facebook page for the sign-up genius link or click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054DA5A92AA57-stuffabus.  Thanks!

For more information, like our Facebook page at PV Middle School West Home & School.

General reminders are available on Mrs. Milligan's Tips and Reminders Webpage, located under the Resources for Families tab on the Middle School West home page.   A reminder to parents and guardians: If you ever need clarification or assistance with anything mentioned in my reports or if you have general questions, please email (dmilligan@pvsd.org) or call (484-977-7210, ext. 3505).  I will be happy to assist you.

Regards,

Donna Milligan, Principal, PVMS West

Click here to follow us on Twitter!

Important Dates:

• 12/10/18            PV Cares Holiday Drive Ends
• 12/10-11/18      Musical Auditions, more to follow
• 12/14/18            Stuff-a-Bus, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• 12/24/18-1/1/19        Winter Break
• 1/2/19 School Resumes

Dear PVMS West Families,

Thank you to our parents who visited our classrooms on Wednesday; it’s always nice to spend part of our day with you!

As this week comes to a close and we head into the Thanksgiving Holiday break, I have a number of items to share with you…

Thanksgiving Break – Our Thanksgiving break begins at the end of the school day today.  School will resume school on Monday, November 26, 2018. (Conferences, Monday and Tuesday; No School for Students, Monday-Friday.)

PV Cares Holiday Drive - Nov. 19 - Dec. 10 - All items are being collected to support the Daily Bread Food Pantry and the PV Power Packs program, both of which are serving PV families during the holiday season. Donations are designated by grade level:  Grades 6 and 7, holiday meal fixings (cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, instant mashed potatoes, boxed/ bagged stuffing mix, gravy); Grades 8 and 9, gifts for girl teens (movie tickets/ultimate packs, make-up/bath kits, nail polish kits, hoodies, lounge pants).  Donations can be dropped off at any school until Dec. 10th. We thank you in advance for your generosity this holiday season. If you are a family who is need of assistance this holiday season, bring this flyer to the Daily Bread Food Pantry or say you are with the “PV Cares” program. Gifts may be picked up Dec. 1-23 from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Daily Bread is located at 3938 Ridge Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426. Click here to see flyer with more details.

West will continue its long-standing tradition, Stuff-a-Bus, a Toys for Tots event, on Dec. 14, 2018, 5:00-7:30 p.m., PVMS West's Cafeteria.

Reminder:  Parent/Teacher Conferences -  It’s not too late to sign up!  Parent/teacher conferences will be offered on Monday, November 19th, and Tuesday, November 20th.  (Links will remain live through Tuesday morning.)  Middle school conferences offer parents/guardians the opportunity to meet with their child's instructional team.  Please know that conferences are not mandated, but our staff will be available on these two days to engage in conversations about a child's progress.  Likewise, if a team feels the need to meet with parents, a conference may also be initiated by the team of teachers. We will be using SignUp.com to schedule conferences this year; we ask that parents/guardians only elect one conference block.  (If anyone has trouble with a link/signing up, just let us know and we will troubleshoot and rerelease.) Please see the links below:

Element – http://signup.com/go/qVWwyJE

Wilderness - http://signup.com/go/dZWeVEM

Crusader- http://signup.com/login/entry/2269998548395300117

Titan- http://signup.com/go/zMXHGhz

Adventure - http://signup.com/go/nLxdUSH

Journey- http://signup.com/go/svxJiSR

Mrs. DeSanto - http://signup.com/go/GPyBBwo

West’s Title I (Mathematics and ELA support) paraprofessionals, Mr. Pasquarello and Mrs. Benz, will be attending many student conferences; when they are not scheduled, parents/guardians will be able to find them in rooms 221 (Mr. Pasquarello) or 212 (Mrs. Benz).

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) – This year PVSD implemented a new diagnostic assessment in grades 3-8, the MAP Growth test.  During the fall, all students in grades 3-8 participated in Reading and Mathematics assessments.  These assessments will be administered on two additional occasions over the course of the school year, with the next testing window scheduled for Jan. 14-Feb. 8th.  Please click here to see a letter that discusses Student Progress Reporting.

Technology Education Fees – Tech. ed. project fees have been discontinued.  If your family has already made a tech. ed. payment this school year, you will receive a separate communication detailing how a reimbursement will be made early next week.

Backpack Pilot – Starting Dec. 3rd – MSE and MSW are launching a backpack pilot, which will allow students to decide whether or not they would like to carry their backpacks to classes, over the winter months.   At the end of the pilot, the two schools will evaluate student preparedness, behavior, and overall traveling storage necessity before deciding whether or not to extend the practice into the spring months.  Please note that the expectation of having cellphones turned off/stored in lockers will continue.

End of First Trimester – December 3rd marks the end of our first trimester.

Fall/Winter Attire – Some students are outside on the bus deck for as long as fifteen minutes in the morning before the school day begins.  As the temperatures drop, please be sure your child wears appropriate attire to be outside. (The cafeteria is always open for breakfast, and students may wait inside; on inclement weather days, all students come inside.)

Reminders:

Ski/Snowboarding Club Informational Meeting – Students met with club advisors today in the MSW auditorium.  Informational packets and permissions slips were distributed. Please ask your child to share these materials with you if he/she is interested in this club.  If you need to reach an advisor, please email Mrs. Sabol (dsabol@pvsd.org) or Ms. Doran (ddoran@pvsd.org).

Yearbook art contest! The yearbook editor is looking for student artwork to grace the divider pages of this year's Junior Voyager!  All students are welcome to submit as many entries as they wish! Contest ends December 14th! Please see Mrs. Muscatello in room 156 during morning homeroom for a template and details. Your masterpiece can be a part of West history!

PVMS West yearbooks are on sale now! From now through November 16th, you can pre-order your copy of the Junior Voyager for the low price of just $25.00! Save $5.00 over the end-of-year price! For ordering information, please see the attached flyer.

The theme of this year's PVMS West yearbook is "It Takes a Village to Educate a Child." The yearbook editor is looking for West student's family portraits that may be incorporated into the yearbook cover design. Submissions can be sent electronically to dmuscatello@pvsd.org or print photos can be brought in to the attention of Donna Muscatello. Photos will be scanned and returned. Thanks so much for your help!  

Please save the date for our upcoming Family Literacy Night, which will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the cafeteria and library of Perkiomen Valley Middle School East. All K-5 parents and currently enrolled K-5 students are invited to participate in this event, which will feature a super hero theme and include activities such as “celebrity” book readings, literacy games, reading to a therapy dog, and a raffle to win a literacy-themed basket.  If you attend, please bring a gently used book along so that children can participate in a book swap. The idea is that every child will leave the event with another book of their choice. PV faculty and staff will facilitate the activities and discussion. Please RSVP by Nov. 26 so that we can properly staff this event: https://goo.gl/forms/Bkiilo2EFssgosTC3

Activity Fee Reminder – Most seventh- and eighth-grade activities are subject to an activity fee.  (Service clubs are exempt from this fee.) These fees, including any/all materials fees, should be directed to Mrs. Dickey in our main office.

from West’s Music Team - The Winter Concert is approaching fast; it is Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - 6th grade, 6:15 p.m.; 7th and 8th grade, 7:45 p.m.  The West bands, chorus, and orchestras will present a night of wonderful music.  This also means that our ensembles are in their final preparations. If you are the parent of a student musician, please ask him/her to play/sing their music for you.

from the Special Ed. Dept.:

Parent Engagement Workshop - Our Special Education Department is inviting parents to attend a free parent engagement workshop that will serve as an introduction to the Individualized Educational Program.   The session is scheduled for December 5, 2018, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Click here for flyer for more information.

from the Athletic Dept.:  

We are in need of boys’ and girls’ basketball coaches at MS West.  Please contact Mr. Larry Glanski (610-489-1230, ext. 2031) if you are interested or know anyone who might be.

Athletic tryouts/practices begin Nov. 26th.

from West’s Counseling Center:

Parent Information Nights (Pertinent links for each can be found on our website.)

Vaping Information -   from Montgomery County’s Office of Drug and Alcohol, a Vaping Toolkit with resources for families, schools, and healthcare providers-www.montcopa.org/vapingtoolkit.

Triple P – Family Services is offering a Positive Parenting Program, a positive parenting approach to promote children’s development, practical discipline and communication strategies, and effective strategies for handling a variety of childhood behavior problems.

February 27, 2019 at 6:30 pm — Perkiomen Valley (PVHS Library)

“Marijuana, the Developing Brain & Behavior” (for middle school and high school parents and staff)

April 3, 2019 at 6:30 pm — Perkiomen Valley (PVHS)

“Media, Messaging & Youth:  Living with technology and reconnecting with youth" with Mike Blanche, MSS, LCSW (for all parents and staff)

Eighth grade will begin the High School Transition process beginning on January 14, 2019.  From 8:00 to 8:45 am, Joe Paddock, one of the North MontCo Technical Career Center counselors, will present information and options for application and attendance at NMTCC.  If a student is interested in the possibility of attending, they will be presented with an application. Completion of the application does not guarantee that a student will be accepted into the program of his/her choice.  Completion of the application is only an indication that student and parent are open to the possibility of NMTCC as a HS option. West students who return their applications will be taking a trip to NMTCC on January 28, 2019 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.  The NMTCC Open House is scheduled for February 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. which is a wonderful opportunity to enhance parents’ knowledge of the programs available to our students.

from Mrs. Lind:

Reminding everyone that sixth-grade students require a physical examination and updated immunizations if necessary, and seventh-grade students require a dental examination. If your child has had these examinations recently, please be sure to send a copy in to the Nurse's office so your child's health record can be updated.   Please don't hesitate to reach out to the school nurse if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child. Mrs. Lind can be reached at 484-977-7210, ext. 4 or emailed at clind@pvsd.org.

Healthy Tip:  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives your child the fuel necessary to get through the day. And while it is important for everyone to eat a balanced breakfast, it is essential for your child to have a healthy breakfast to start his/her day right.  Students need to fuel their growing bodies and developing brains, and without breakfast, kids will not be at their best. Complex carbs, protein, and fruit will keep your child energized and alert up until lunch time at school. Try whole grain bread with some peanut butter and a sliced banana, or mix up a smoothie full of kale, spinach, yogurt and your kid’s favorite fruits.  Studies have shown that kids who go to school hungry risk lifelong consequences and development challenges: they may struggle with less developed literacy and number skills as well as poor health due to a lack of nutrition.

Montgomery County Office of Public Health:  No Cost Walk-in Flu Shots!

from Home and School:

The Home and School would like to wish all of the West students, families, teachers, aides, staff, and administrators a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!  

Visit our Facebook page at PV Middle School West Home & School if you have any questions about Spirit Wear or other Home & School-related issues.

And, don't forget to pencil in our next meeting on November 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the library.  We will be voting on our revised bylaws that you can find on the PV West website.

Gobble, Gobble!

For more information, like our Facebook page at PV Middle School West Home & School.  

General reminders are available on Mrs. Milligan's Tips and Reminders Webpage, located under the Resources for Families tab on the Middle School West home page.   A reminder to parents and guardians: If you ever need clarification or assistance with anything mentioned in my reports or if you have general questions, please email (dmilligan@pvsd.org) or call (484-977-7210, ext. 3505).  I will be happy to assist you.

Regards,

Donna Milligan, Principal, PVMS West

Click here to follow us on Twitter!

P.S.  Special thanks to Mrs. Colgan for her baking prowess!  Thank you for spoiling us!

Important Dates:

• 11/18/18            Holiday Spirit Wear Sale Ends

• 11/19 and 11/20   Conferences, No School for Students

• 11/21, 11/22, 11/23 - Holiday, No School

• 11/26/18            Home and School Meeting, 7:00 p.m., MSW Library

• 11/29/18            Family Literacy Night, 6:30-8:00 p.m., MSE Library

• 12/04/18            Winter Concert - 6th grade, 6:15 p.m.; 7th and 8th grade, 7:45 p.m.

• 12/05/18            Parent Engagement Workshop, 6:30-8:00​

• 12/14/18               Stuff-a-Bus, 5:00-7:30 p.m., PVMS West Cafeteria