A message from the Superintendent

Weekly Communication

December 6, 2023

Greetings PV Families!

December is indeed a festive month, and I extend my warmest wishes to you and your families during this season. The holiday spirit is thriving within our schools, and I am delighted to share some upcoming events and initiatives that will undoubtedly add joy and warmth to our community.

Our secondary music students and staff are busy preparing for their highly anticipated annual winter concerts. These performances showcase the incredible music talents of our students and bring our community together in celebration. Be sure to check out the teaser video below for a sneak peek of our choral group, performing at the HS Winter Concert next week! Additional concert dates and times are also posted below.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of this holiday season is the spirit of giving that permeates our community. Your generosity and compassion truly make a significant difference in the lives of our neighbors. I am incredibly proud to be part of a community that embodies the spirit of giving. I want to acknowledge a few of the initiatives currently underway. The PV Power Packs Holiday Shop is supporting those in need, while Skippack Elementary is conducting a Pajama Drive to ensure comfort and warmth for children. The PV Art Department Food Drive assists those facing food insecurity as do the meals prepared by PV graduate, Zenon Janicki, and provided to our families at Thanksgiving. Middle School East is hosting a Warm-and-Fuzzy Drive, collecting items for local shelters. Middle School West's annual Stuff-a-Bus Campaign is promoting this year’s theme of "Giving is Good,” and there's a PV partnership with Bergey Auto Dealership for a Winter Coat Drive, keeping children warm in the colder months.

As we continue to celebrate this holiday season, let us be mindful of the importance of kindness, empathy, and unity. Together, we can make a positive impact and create lasting memories for our community.

Finally, I extend heartfelt wishes to those in our community who celebrate Hanukkah. May this Festival of Lights bring joy, peace, and warmth to your homes.

Sincerely,

Barbara Russell
Superintendent

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In This Issue...

Safe & Supportive Schools - Statement from Dr. Russell
Superintendent Roundtable
School Board Meeting - Summary
Winter Concert Dates
PV Showcase - Monthly Happenings
Community Education - Winter Session
Online Community Bulletin Board
Important District Dates

Safe & Supportive Schools - Statement from Dr. Russell

As many of you are aware, there was a physical altercation at our high school this past Friday. In response to that altercation there have been questions about our safety protocols and student discipline. I shared a statement during Monday's School Board Work Session (12/4/23) in an effort to address some of the questions posed. Please know that while I recognize there is a lot of concern on the part of our community, I was careful not to share information that would jeopardize the investigation or violate confidentiality. The goal is for all to be better informed about the District's approaches in these areas.

Please click the link below to hear the statement in it entirety.

Superintendent Roundtable: Safe & Supportive Schools

The next Superintendent Roundtable is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, 6:30-8:30pm in the PV High School Auditorium. The focus will be Safe & Supportive Schools: What are our response protocols? There will be time for discussion.

Board Work Session - Summary from 12/4

The Board reorganization meeting took place prior to the Work Session. The reelected and newly elected board members took an Oath of Office. Mr. Robert Liggett, Mr. Todd McKinney, Mrs. Treena Sadler, Dr. Wayde Weston, and Ms. White were all seated. Ms. White was elected Board President and Mr. McKinney was elected Vice President (both a one year term).

During the Education Committee of the Whole (ECTW), changes to the HS program planning guide were proposed. In addition, enrollment and staffing projections were shared for the 2024-25 school year. This section of the agenda also included a proposal for 3 international trip opportunities for high school students.

The 2024-25 Instructional Calendar was presented; approval of the calendar is scheduled to take place next week.

As part of the Finance Committee of the Whole (FCTW), Mr. Weaver shared projected expenditures for the 2024-25 school year. He then combined these projections with those of last month for revenues and estimated the shortfall necessary to balance the budget. Mr. Weaver also presented the annual 5-year budget projection to illustrate the District's (estimated) financial position over the next 5 years.

Items from the professional and support personnel sections were placed on consent.

The following policies were presented for first reading: 146, 201, 235, 235.1, 815, and 819. There was a request to place Policy 720 on next week's Business meeting agenda. The Board will be asked to take action to deactivate this policy and send it to the Policy Committee for discussion at its next meeting in January. Several policies are scheduled for a second reading and adoption: 143, 144, 823, 825, 827, and 912.

For detailed agenda information visit BoardDocs Work Session 12/4/23.

To view the meeting recording, which was broadcast live, visit PVSD YouTube Channel .

bottom row (l to r): Jason Saylor, Treena Sadler, Tammy Campli, Laura White (President);
top row (l to r): Wayde Weston, Don Fountain, Robert Liggett, Rowan Keenan, Todd McKinney (Vice President)

NOTE: Start time for School Board Business Meeting on 12/11

The School Board Business Meeting will begin at 6:00pm this Monday, December 11, 2023. The change in start time applies to this meeting date only.

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'Tis the Season - Winter Concerts

7th and 8th Grade Winter Concert (MSE)
December 6 @ 7:30 pm
Band and Orchestra Winter Concert (MSW)
December 11 @ 7:30 pm
Winter Concert (HS) at MSE
December 14 @ 7:30 pm

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PV Showcase

View our monthly collection of Activities & Happenings from across the district!

Thank you to our Building News Coordinators for their contributions: Mrs. Franciosa (EG), Mrs. Ledford (SCH), Mrs. Jacobson (SK), Ms. Derstine (SO), Mrs. Kratz (MSE), Mrs. Muscatello (MSW), and Mr. Komp (HS).

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Online Community Bulletin Board

Wondering about family and community events in the area? Curious to learn about local sports clubs and other opportunities? Visit our online Community Bulletin Board!

Learn about:

Financial Literacy Class - FREE
YMCA's Model United Nations for Teens
and more!

To submit an event for posting, please send a PDF version of your flyer to webmaster@pvsd.org for review.

Please note that Community Bulletin Board items may contain links to websites of organizations outside Perkiomen Valley School District. Items are posted to this bulletin board as a free service to the community, and should not be interpreted as being sponsored or endorsed by the district.

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Upcoming District Dates

Consult the District calendar for details regarding these upcoming activities:

Monday, December 11: School Board Business Meeting @ 6:00pm (note: time change!)
Tuesday, December 12: Special Education Comprehensive Planning Meeting @ 6:00pm
Tuesday, December 19: Assessment Committee Meeting @ 11:00am
Monday, December 25 - Monday, January 1: Winter Break

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