Principal's Report

Dear PV East Parents and Guardians,

We know that students learn best when they feel safe and supported. Most recently, we have evaluated our school data and have noticed a concern with some of the language that students are using towards one another as well as some of the interactions that are occurring. It is imperative that we equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and resources to recognize, prevent, and respond to bullying behavior. Classroom teachers, being at the forefront of student interactions, play a pivotal role in facilitating these conversations and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. To that end, our teachers will be leading discussions with our students on the topic of 'Bullies & Bystanders'. Please watch the video message below as well as review the presentation so that you can support these conversations at home. These are the scheduled dates for these conversations to occur in school:

• 7th Grade - 2/23/24
• 8th Grade - 2/29/24
• 6th Grade - 3/1/24

Our 8th grade students started their program planning process (picking courses for high school). On Friday they were encouraged to select two electives and two alternates in StudentVue. Students have until 3/7 to make changes. Please review their elective choices with them to ensure they are making the best decision for their future.

Our 8th Grade Parents are reminded that applications to North Montco Technical Center are due on Tuesday 2/20. Please return the applications to the Counseling Center. Contact your child's counselor if you have questions.

And finally, tickets are on sale for the East Spring Musical production on 'Moana, Jr.'. There are performances on March 1, 2, and 3. This will be a fun experience for the whole family. Seats fill up fast so purchase your tickets early. We are anticipating another amazing show!

Sincerely,

Seamus Clune, Ph.D.

#EastROCKs

Come out and see 'Moana Jr." performed by PVMS East Spring Musical Cast & Crew. It will be an amazing experience for the whole family.

• Friday, March 1, 7:00PM
• Saturday, March 2, 6:00PM
• Sunday, March 3, 1:00PM

Please order online.

https://www.vancoevents.com/us/events/landing/39610?qr=true&qr=true

Mark your calendars for BINGO NIGHT! Friday, March, 8th, 7pm - 9pm

It will be a night filled with lots of awesome prizes!! Beats Headphones, mini fridge, a TV, and more!

8th Grade Celebration!

As we turn the corner into the second half of the year it's time to think about the 8th Grade Celebration! If you are interested in being a part of the planning committee for the 8th Grade Celebration, please complete the google form below. We are looking to hold the first committee meeting in February to get the ball rolling.

https://forms.gle/urFLfWRMpegdhMNo6

Another way students are rewarded for their ROCK behavior is through weekly drawings. Students win time in our Backstage Lounge which was so generously furnished by the PV Foundation. The lounge has cool furniture where students can eat lunch, an air hockey table, and an XBox One. We need parents to help us out during lunches to monitor students in the lounge. There are only 6 students in the lounge at a time, so it is a small group. Would you be able to donate some time during our lunches? If so, please sign up using this form:

https://forms.gle/t6TdQN2tcE4CREJR7

Please complete the Parent Mountain Biking Survey (Gr. 5-11). PVSD is considering a Mountain Biking Team for this summer. Your feedback is very helpful and greatly appreciated.

Mountain Biking Link Parent Survey

Homewrk Club meets every Monday and Wednesday from 2:45 - 3:45. Please contact Ms. Maldonado jmaldonado@pvsd.org or Mrs. Slater nslater@pvsd.org if you have any questions.

Craft Club will be meeting every other Thursday from 2:45 - 3:55PM. Please contact Mrs. Dolan adolan@pvsd.org if you have any questions.

Parents, we need your help! Your students have been working hard to show ROCK behavior and it is time for them to be rewarded. Students have been earning ROCK tickets throughout the first marking period and it is time for them to start cashing them in for prizes, but we need your help. Please consider purchasing an item or two from our PVMS East ROCK Shop Amazon Wishlist. Purchases will be sent to East and delivered to the ROCK shop where your students can purchase them with their hard-earned tickets. Here is the link to the list:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/23T8340T72HK3?ref_=wl_share

We can also use Amazon gift cards, gift cards to local restaurants and stores, as well as any Philadelphia sports fan gear you would like to donate. We love our community and appreciate your support of our students and school.

Our Math Counts Club is meeting every Tuesday from 2:45 - 3:45. This club is for students interested in having fun with math from playing math games to competing in math competitions. Please reach out to Ms. Rebecca McGowan rmcgowan@pvsd.org for more details.

Math Lab is every Monday & Wednesday. Students needing math help can report to Mrs. Espersen's Room (Rm. 243). Students who come for assistance must remain for the entire session from 2:45-3:45PM. Please contact Mrs. Espersen nespersen@pvsd.org or Mr. Darren Thompson dthompson@pvsd.org if you have any questions.

The CAUSE (Connecting and Uniting Students to Empower) is a student leadership group that works collaboratively to educate the larger school community on topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion; as well as to support the individual club members. Students joining the CAUSE will meet every other week to collaborate, plan, create, and help make positive change in our school community. The first meeting will take place during 10th period on Thursday, November 30th, in the Counseling Center. If you are interested in joining the CAUSE, please email Mrs. Good at kgood@pvsd.org

Our Green Team and Loss Group are co-sponsoring a certified butterfly garden and wildlife habitat that was designed by Master Gardeners at Penn State Extension. It will be located at the front of the school by the main office and include 3 benches and a picnic table. This garden is yet be named by the students but will be a place to memorialize and honor people and events through a personalized brick pathway that will run through the middle of the garden. You can help us fundraise by purchasing a brick for the pathway.

https://4everbricks.com/donors/PVMSE/

Please email Dr. Clune directly if you want to sponsor the picnic table ($1,400) or a bench ($800) or be listed as a sponsor ($1000) on the sign.

Join us for our 2024 Dodgeball Tournament on Saturday, March 2nd (rain date: Sunday, March 3rd) at the High School (509 Gravel Pike). The event starts at 12:00 pm, but times will vary based on divisioning.

Registration is open from now until Monday, February 5th. The cost per team is $175 due at the time of registration. There is an option to upgrade the WHOLE team's tee to a dri-fit tee for an additional $25. Please note, the whole team must do either cotton tees or dri-fit tees, we cannot accommodate mix-and-match team tees. See the link below to register.

What you need for registration:

Team Name

Information for 6-10 players on a team (70% must be PV residents):

• Name
• Parent/Guardian Email Address
• School
• Grade
• Shirt Size

Registration is now open and will remain open until Monday, February 5, 2024. Register here.

Our 8th Graders took their class photo the other day. If you are interested in a copy, there is a form below for ordering.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SPRING SPORTS

Spring sports registration must occur by FEBRUARY 20.

First day of Middle School Sports is MARCH 11.

If the spring sports season will be the first sport of participation at PV this school year: Registration for spring sports must occur by February 20. This can be done at http://www.planeths.com. In addition to registering, student-athletes must have a PIAA physical examination done by a doctor and the proper paperwork completed by the doctor. In order to count for the 2024 school year, the physical must occur June 1, 2023 or later. The form is found on www.planeths.com when you register.

If the spring sports season is your second or third sport season this school year: Complete section 7 Spring Recertification at http://www.planeths.com by February 20. If there has been a change to your health history or an injury since completing your last physical, an additional section 8 form is required as well. This does require a clearance from a doctor.

We reviewed our Safe 2 Say program last week. Our students viewed the video below during their Advisory period.

Our students 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 building administrators.

Be a Part of the Conversation equips families and communities in Pennsylvania with skills and resources to understand substance use, addiction, and related health issues. We provide community programs, foster supportive connections, highlight lived experiences, and challenge stigma.

We are a collaboration of community leaders, clinicians, students, school district representatives, and families who believe that having meaningful, inclusive conversations about substance use and addiction will support individuals and their families in their efforts to develop healthy coping skills and access support whenever there is a need. Learn more about us. See the link below for a number of programs that Be a Part of the Conversation offers.

Did you know that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisit Lifeline?

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/

The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

Want to find out what’s going on in the PV Community? Visit here for flyers about upcoming events in and around our area!

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.

March 1,2, & 3 - MSE Musical - Moana

March 8 - Bingo Night at 7PM

Email: sclune@pvsd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/pvsd.org/perkiomen-valley-middle-school-east/
Location: 5 Tammanund Circle, Collegeville, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 409-8580
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PVMSE/
Twitter: @PVMSEast