PGMS November Newsletter

As we turn the calendar to November, it is hard to believe how quickly the first quarter has flown by! October was a busy and exciting month at Pottsgrove Middle School. We enjoyed a great turnout and lots of Halloween fun at our PTA Halloween Dance, completed our Fall Firefly Diagnostic Testing, and had the opportunity to host a Senate Committee hearing in our school library. These events provided wonderful opportunities for our students and staff to learn, connect, and showcase the great things happening throughout PGMS.

As we look ahead to November, we have plenty to look forward to! We will kick off the new quarter with grade-level meetings, providing an opportunity to reset, refocus, and establish goals for the weeks ahead. We will also celebrate the end of our first trimester with Falcon Fest #1, recognize the generosity of our school community through the Falcon Community Helpers Food Drive, and welcome families into our building for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Each of these events provides another opportunity to strengthen our school community and celebrate the partnerships that support our students.

November is also a time to pause and reflect on gratitude and the many things that make our school community special. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I am reminded that it is often the little things that make the biggest difference: a helping hand, a kind word, a supportive colleague, a student who shows perseverance, or a family that partners with us along the way. I am incredibly grateful for the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the continued support of our families. Each day, these individuals contribute to making Pottsgrove Middle School a place where students feel supported and valued.

Thank you for being an important part of our Falcon family. I hope everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, spend time with loved ones, and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. Let's make November another great month at PGMS!

Regards,

Mr. Palladino

Principal

Pottsgrove Middle School

610.326.8243 ext. 2050

spalladino2@pgsd.org

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:

November 3: No School- Staff Inservice Day

November 10: School Board Meeting @ 7 pm- Dist. Office Board Room

November 12: PTA Meeting via Zoom- Link Below

November 13: Montco Honors Orchestra Festival @ 7pm in PGMS Auditorium

November 17-19: PGMS Musical Auditions 3-5 pm

November 20:

• 8th Grade Career Day
• PBIS Falcon Fest #1 Incentive

November 23-29: No School

November 23 and 24: Parent Teacher Conferences 12-8 pm

November 26: Happy Thanksgiving

November 30/ December 1: 8th Grade Western Center Tour Field Trip

PGMS Families,

With ongoing emphasis on our community, growing spirit of comradery, and focus on celebrating the people, places, and positive actions; I wanted to offer a reflection of the month of October and emphasize our plans moving into the month of November.

During the month of October we have focused on positive behaviors in the cafeteria and on transportation to and from school. In the cafeteria, we have focused on goals and offered incentives/rewards for maintaining an appropriate level of volume; using our indoor voices, cleaning up after ourselves, and demonstrating respect for each other. Each day, each grade level may earn a point in each of these areas. For this competition, 8th grade won in the month of September and received a free ice cream cup as their reward. For the month of October, 7th grade has won. They too will be offered a free treat during the next week.

With regards to our emphasis on transportation, we remain committed to working with First Student to recognize the demonstration of positive and uplifting behaviors in accordance with our adopted Falcon 4! More to come in the near future with regards to this initiative.

Gearing up for the parent/teacher conference at the end of the month, our Family and Community Engagement team has been listening to the needs of the community, and are working to have a "tech support table" available so that parents and guardians in attendance may stop by and get support with Powerschool, Schoology, and other areas of need. There will be a table available in the sixth grade hallay, for this purpose, and available on Monday (11/23) from 2-4 PM, and again on Tuesday (11/24) from 5-7 PM. With this theme of helping support families with school based technology, please feel free to access our parent schoology handbook.

We appreciate your ongoing partnership and common focus on the development of our students!

Mr. Frevert

Assistant Principal

Pottsgrove Middle School

610-326-8243 x 2053

TFrevert@pgsd.org

Hello PGMS families!

The PGMS team is deeply passionate about empowering your child to reach new heights—both academically and personally. Our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) units are officially in full swing and the energy in our classrooms is contagious! Every Monday during WIN (What I Need) time, students dive into Second Step lessons which are designed to equip them with lifelong skills for success.

This month, we are excited to highlight Goal Setting and Action Planning. Through these inspiring, hands-on sessions, our students are discovering how to:

• Dream Big and Set Targeted Goals: Craft bold, specific, and measurable action plans tailored to their personal dreams and academic success.

• Conquer Challenges: Spot potential roadblocks ahead of time, get creative with solution-focused strategies, and build rock-solid problem-solving skills.

• Ignite Grit and Resilience: Unlock the secret to staying motivated, bouncing back stronger from setbacks, and turning every challenge into a powerful learning moment.

We can’t wait to see what our Falcons achieve! We invite you to join the excitement at home—ask your student about their Monday SEL lessons and ask them to share the amazing goals they are working toward this month.

Your Dean of Students,

Ms. Diana Finesmith

Dean of Students

Pottsgrove Middle School

(610) 326-8243 ext. 2051

diana.finesmith@pgsd.org

Greetings from the School Counselors!

The month of November is all about Gratitude! Gratitude is the feeling of appreciation for kindness, gifts, help, or other forms of generosity. As we approach the holiday season it is important to reflect and spread gratitude. Here are 5 ways you and your family can practice gratitude:

1. Journal: Write down a few things you’re grateful for each day or week. This can help you cultivate a positive outlook on life.

2. Make a gratitude jar: Write down something you’re grateful for on a slip of paper and put it in a jar. This can help you remember the good things in your life.

3. Write a letter: Write a letter to someone you value and express your appreciation.

4. Practice gratitude meditation: Focus on things in your life that make you feel grateful.

5. Find a gratitude buddy: Start a healthy habit with a friend or family member by telling them three things you’re grateful for and asking them to do the same.

Career Counseling

November 20th will be 8th grade Career Day! We are very excited to have our parent volunteers come in and talk about different career opportunities to our 8th grade students.

Western Center News:

On October 27th, our 7th and 8th grade students heard a presentation here at the Middle School about the programs available beginning in 9th grade.

8th grade students will also tour the Western Center on Nov. 30th and Dec. 1st.

(Half of the grade on each day.)

The Western Center’s open house is on Dec. 3rd from 5-8pm.

More information can be found on their website at www.westerncenter.org

Please reach out to Mrs. Kleinfelter or Miss Dennis if you want more information or assistance.

Mrs. Cristina Kleinfelter

School Counselor

(Last Names A-L)

610-326-8243 X 2054

ckleinfelter@pgsd.org

Miss DiAinni Dennis

School Counselor

(Last names M-Z)

610-326-8243 X 2052

ddennis@pgsd.org

This year the PTA will be selling Candy Cane Grams on their Givebacks page and during select announced lunches. Please be on the lookout for communication detailing the start of sales.

This year our PTA will be hosting our annual community event. The event is still very much in the planning phases, however, they are currently looking for vendors. Please see the handout below if you or someone you know may be interested in setting up a table. We are looking to make this the best attended event to date, but in order to do this, we need your help and support. We hope to see everyone there to make this event a success!

The Pottsgrove Village is a collaboration between families of children with special needs and the school district's Special Education Department with a goal of increasing understanding, inclusion and advocacy through education and networking. We look forward to sharing monthly updates across our schools and communities which can be accessed below.

The Pottsgrove Booster Club is comprised of a dedicated group of parents and community volunteers supporting the student-athletes of Pottsgrove Athletics. The Booster Club meetings are at 6:00 PM on the first Tuesday of every month in the PGHS library.

Please use the link below to learn more about the organization, how to become a member, or ways you can help to support!

Thank you!

Katie Coppa

President

Pottsgrove Booster Club

Follow Us on Social Media 👇

Facebook: Pottsgrove Booster Club

Instagram: Pottsgrove Boosters

Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to meet with their chid's teachers in order to discuss their current progress. Grade levels and teams are in the process of organizing sign up opportunities which will be made available to families in the coming weeks. Please be on the look out!

The First View Transportation App is now available for Pottsgrove families! Track your student's bus progress in real time and stay informed about their transportation. Families who use district transportation are encouraged to download the free app today!

For additional information, setup instructions, and resources, please visit the First View Transportation App webpage.

WIN period teachers are currently involved in a competition to collect perishable food items to be donated to families in need in our community. Each week collections are tallied in our library and winners are declared according to the total weight of the donations.

We are also looking for brand new coats to be donated to help families in our community.

To celebrate the end of the first trimester, PGMS will be holding Falcon Fest #1. Throughout the day different activities and events will be organized by our PTA and PBIS Committee. Students will also have the opportunity to play games, participate to win prizes and enjoy snacks from our PTA.

• Students may begin entering the building at 7:45 am. Students should not be waiting in the lobby for the start of school as there is no adult supervision at this time. Doors will remain locked until 7:45.

• Parent/guardian drop-off & walkers

• Parent/guardian drop off is at the main entrance at the first floor office.

• Please make sure that you are following a single lane traffic pattern (one-way) as this will help to ease up any congestion. As cars move up, please continue to move up in the line.

• Walkers may enter through the front of the building as well or the back of the building if buses are arriving.

• Bus Students

• Students who ride buses will be dropped off at the back locker room entrance.

Breakfast

• As students arrive, they have the option to get a FREE breakfast in the cafeteria. Breakfast must be eaten in the cafeteria. If a bus is late, we will allow students to finish their breakfast in the cafeteria. There will be no more food in the classrooms.

• Students eating breakfast will receive a pass. They must report to their homeroom/attendance period within 3 minutes of their pass in order to avoid being marked tardy.

Lunch

• All students have the opportunity for a FREE healthy and balanced lunch each day. If students want to purchase additional items or snacks, they may be purchased at an ala carte price.

• Students may pack lunch and bring their own snacks. Door dashing or food delivery is not permitted. Meals will be confiscated and stored in the office if this occurs. We must be vigilant of student allergies and building security.

Tardiness

• Students are considered late when they arrive after 8:10 am. Students must be in their attendance period at 8:10 am. Students who are late to class 3 or more times will receive a formal write-up and a consequence will be provided.

Dismissal

• Car pick-up and walkers are dismissed at 2:50 pm. The location is the same as arrival.

• Bus riders should wait until their bus is called to leave their classrooms. Students must listen to the announcements to ensure they get to their assigned bus.

• Students who miss their bus will need to be picked up by a parent/guardian or emergency contact listed on their first day packet.

• If a student is being picked up early, the adult doing so must be considered a parent/guardian or should be listed as the one of student's emergency contacts. The adult also must present a valid ID in order to pick up the student.

Bus riders- You must ride the bus you are assigned to. There are no exceptions.

Headphones/Cell Phones

• Cell phones and wireless headphones are expected to be off and in their lockers during the school day. At any time if a student is in possession of a cell phone we will follow the procedure outlined in the student handbook.

• Headphones that are being used for educational purposes must have a cord that connects to their Chromebooks.

Backpacks/Purses/Handbags/Fanny Packs/Satchels

• Backpacks are permitted at arrival and dismissal but are not permitted to be used during the school day.

• Backpacks/Purses/Handbags/Fanny packs/Satchels are not permitted throughout the school day.

• Feminine products may be kept in the student’s locker. If a student needs a feminine product they may ask to go to their lockers and to the restroom. Additional supplies are available in the nurse's office.

• During the cooler months, students are encouraged to wear coats to school, however, they must be stored in their lockers during the day. It is recommended that students keep a sweatshirt in their lockers in case they are cold inside the building.

Nurse’s Office

• Students who are ill at school may only be sent home under the nurse’s discretion. If you do not receive a phone call from the nurse, the student will not be sent home.