A message from the Superintendent

March 30, 2023

Dear PV Families,

It is with great sadness that I find myself once again commenting on a senseless act of school violence. The horrific school shooting that took place earlier this week in Nashville, Tennessee claimed the lives of three students (all aged nine years old) and three staff members. There was also a school shooting in Denver, Colorado, where two faculty members were wounded. Our hearts break for the families and communities that have experienced loss and trauma due to school violence.

PVSD is dedicated to implementing measures in our schools that yield safe and secure school environments. These measures include both facility and mental health ones. It is the combination of these considerations, best practices and resources, that decreases the likelihood of an incident. In recent months, the conversations have evolved to include incorporating school police officers onto our security teams beginning next year. The discussions will continue at the School Board level during the month of April so please tune in or attend if interested in learning more.

In the event you would like to talk to your children about the recent incidents, you may find these resources helpful:

• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

• American Psychological Association: Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting

• Common Sense Media: How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings

• National Association of School Psychologists Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

We also invite you to partner with us; to encourage your child to report anything suspicious or concerning, so we can investigate and take appropriate action. As a reminder, PVSD is part of Safe2Say Something PA, a youth violence prevention program operated by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General that allows anyone to submit an anonymous tip and report safety concerns. These tips serve to target resources and prevent potential incidents. Confidential tips may be submitted online at www.safe2saypa.org. This service is available to students as well as family and community members. Do not hesitate to reach out to me or our Safety Supervisor, Mr. Dean Miller, dmiller@pvsd.org, if you have questions about school safety.

Our thoughts are with the families, district personnel, and Nashville community as they struggle to make sense of the events. We struggle with them.

Sincerely,

Dr. Barbara A. Russell
Superintendent

• Elementary Special Areas
• Library Books
• Spring Meal Boxes
• Save the Date! Parent/Guardian Info Session - Teen Social Media (4/17)
• Be A Part of the Conversation Online Presentation (4/20)
• Community Bulletin Board
• Kindergarten Registration
• Important District Dates

Over the past several years, we have been closely considering the special area experiences of our elementary students. We have explored many options, including our current model of both Spanish and Library as part time specials, and inclusion of a Health and Wellness special. The discussions have been ongoing, including during the most recent meeting of the Education Committee on March 20th. In consideration of the current needs of our students moving forward and priorities across the district, the administration will be recommending the removal of Spanish as a special area at the elementary level and the return of Library to a full time special. This recommendation will be presented to our School Board for consideration at the April 3rd Board meeting. We value all special areas and the opportunities they provide for our students to explore their interests in multiple areas. We plan to include opportunities for our students to learn about and explore other cultures through experiences into various curricular areas.

In follow up to last week's message regarding library books, the following link, Policy 109 - AR- 7, will take you to a Google form for submitting specific titles you prefer your child not sign out of the library. The information will be submitted to your school librarian and recorded in our library catalog. Parents/Guardians may access the library catalog via their child's school website. Discussions about this policy are ongoing and will continue during the month of April.

A community member, and former PV student, is organizing FREE Spring Break meal boxes for PV families in need (each box is intended to serve a family of 6). Use this form to sign up. Pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, between 11am-1:00pm at the PV High School. Registration closes TOMORROW (March 31).

Be A Part of the Conversation is offering a virtual session on Thursday, April 20 at 6:30pm. The presentation, “Cannabis (it’s complicated, especially for kids!),” will address the effects of increased THC levels, social norms, availability, and the impact on a young, developing brain.

Register to attend: https://convo/zone/ympp/

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

Learn about:

• Mountain Biking
• Outdoor Adventure Labs
• Summer Camps for Basketball, Tennis, and Pickleball
• Community Spring Festival
• 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.

• Monday, April 3: Board Work Session @7pm
• Wednesday, April 5: Inservice Day (No School for Students)
• Thursday, April 6 - Monday, April 10: Holiday Break (Schools Closed)
• Tuesday, April 11: Board Business Meeting @7pm

22-23 v16 3/30/2023