Weekly Message

March recognitions and observations continue! Youth Art Month is also celebrated in March. The focus encourages support for quality school art programs and promotes art material safety. This year's theme is “Art Connects Us.” Learn more at the National Art Education Association.

As a note, daylight savings, the practice of advancing clocks during warmer months so that darkness falls at a later clock time, begins this weekend (the second Sunday in March) and ends on the first Sunday in November. Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead an hour! "Spring Forward, Fall Back."

Sincerely,

Dr. Barbara A. Russell

Superintendent

The District was awaiting the Third Circuit Court's ruling on the appeal of the preliminary injunction, which requires our schools to uphold universal masking during the regular school day as we progress towards a trial later this spring or summer. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals filed an order yesterday indicating it will NOT take summary action. Instead, the Court ordered a LIMITED REMAND and sent the decision back to the District (Federal) Court.

The appeal is STAYED until the District Court decides the motion to dissolve the

preliminary injunction. Updated briefs are due by this Friday and Judge Beetlestone is expected to respond within 30 days. We continue to be required to uphold the preliminary injunction and maintain universal masking during the school day. Updated information will be provided as it becomes available.

Consider joining us on Tuesday, March 15th @ 7pm. We will be discussing the professional learning components of our Special Education Plan which is due to the Department of Education this year. In addition, we will be sharing information about our Extended School Year (ESY) program.

"Rock Your Socks" for World Down Syndrome Day on Monday, March 21
"Light It Up Blue" for World Autism Day on Friday, April 1

Discussions were held in the Education Committee and at the Board level about the elementary synchronous online learning platform of our Viking Academy continuing next year. A significant number of the students who began the school year in this particular online mode, have shifted back to onsite learning. At this point, the Committee is recommending this version of online learning be discontinued at the elementary level next year. The District does plan to continue to offer the Warren County (part synchronous and part asynchronous) and MVP (fully asynchronous) at the elementary and middle levels. The high school online learning options are fully asynchronous only.

Opportunities for comment are available at the upcoming Business meeting on March 14. Feel free to reach out to our Asst. Superintendent, Mrs. Laurie Smith, lsmith@pvsd.org with any questions.

PV is thrilled to welcome back audiences onsite! Middle School East's performance of Seussical! was a huge success! Kudos to the cast & crew! Our upcoming musicals include:

~Middle School West presents High School Musical Jr. Friday, March 18 @ 7:00pm, Saturday, March 19 @ 6:00pm, and Sunday, March 20th @ 2:00pm in the Middle School West Auditorium. Information & Tickets - Tickets on Sale NOW!

~PV High School presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Thursday, March 31 @ 7:30pm, Friday, April 1 @ 7:30pm, and Saturday, April 2 @ 7:30pm in the Spahr Auditorium at Middle School East. Information & Tickets - Tickets on Sale NOW!

Consult the District calendar for details regarding these upcoming activities.

• Monday, March 14: Board Business Meeting @ 7:00pm
• Monday, March 14: End of Trimester 2 (elementary)
• Tuesday, March 15: Special Education Roundtable @ 7:00pm
• Wednesday, March 16: Wellness Committee @ 7:00pm

Email: brussell@pvsd.org
Website: https://www.pvsd.org/about/superintendent/
Location: 3 Iron Bridge Drive, Collegeville, PA, USA
Phone: (610)489-8506
Twitter: @BarbaraARussell

Here are a few friendly reminders from the Technology Department about where to go if you are having issues with any of the following:

• 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

As a note, in addition to always encouraging our students to share questionable or concerning information with a trusted adult, they can submit an anonymous tip through the Safe2Say Program. Tips are typically related to a variety of challenges our students experience or witness, such as bullying, harassment, disrespectful language, safety concerns, etc. When a tip is received, the State (who runs Safe2Say) immediately follows up with the respective building administrator and the information is investigated.

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