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PVHS Newsletter
2023 Back-to-School Edition
Keeping students and their families informed
Important Dates & Upcoming Events
1ST MARKING PERIOD DATES
- First Day ~ Tuesday, August 29
- Halfway Point ~ Monday, October 2
- MP1 Finals (Grades 9-12, Blocks 1 & 3) ~ Wed, November 1
- MP1 Finals (Grades 9-12, Blocks 2 & 4) ~ Thur, November 2
- Last Day ~ Friday, November 3
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
- Friday, September 1
- Monday, September 4
FIELD TRIPS
- PSU Blue Band Jam ~ Saturday, September 9
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Homecoming Parade on Thursday, September 21 @ Grange Fair Grounds
Homecoming Football Game on Friday, September 22 - Let's go RAMS!!! Beat Bellefonte!!!
SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
- Committee Meetings ~ Wednesday, September 6 --> 5:30 pm @ PVEI or Remote
- Work Session ~ Wednesday, September 6 --> 6:30 pm @ PVEI or Remote
- Regular Board Meeting ~ Tuesday, September 19 --> 6:00 pm @ PVEI or Remote
New Faculty & Staff
Ms. Abby Walters (Life Skills Teacher)
Mr. Bob Hummel (Senior High Math Teacher)
Mr. Brandon Whitman (Earth Science Teacher)
Ms. Brianna Sten (School Counselor)
Ms. Hannah Smith (2nd Art Teacher)
Dr. Jeanie Burns (School Counselor)
Ms. Marcia McCole (Chorus/Music Teacher)
Mr. Ryan Bennett (Biology Teacher)
Ms. Sarah Snyder (Senior High Math Teacher)
Ms. Tricia Meyers (Paraprofessional)
Parking, Arrival, & Dismissal
- Our new front bus loop is expected to be ready for the first day of school. Our new front parking lot is projected to be ready for use in late October/early November.
- All students who properly applied for a parking pass have been approved. Students who have not been approved, may not drive to school. Please reach out to Mr. Wynkoop with questions.
- Students may start arriving on campus at 7:30 am. 7th & 8th graders must report directly to the cafeteria upon arrival. Senior high students may socialize in the hallways. The auditorium lobby, tech ed hallway, gyms, and classrooms are off limits for all students from 7:30 - 7:55 am.
- The AM CPI bus will depart at approximately 8:00 am.
- The late bell rings at 8:07 am. Students who are not in the building by this time cannot participate in athletic competitions or other extracurricular events for the day. Students who are not in their first period/block class by this time are considered late to class.
- All students are dismissed at 3:15 pm.
- More information about parent drop-off and pick-up will be shared in a separate email.
Chromebooks
Students should bring their chargers and cases with them.
Schedule for the First Day
We plan to operate on a modified schedule on the first day of school so we can have an opening pep rally and school-wide meeting in the auditorium to set the tone for the school year!
All students will report to their first period/block class by 8:07 am for attendance. Grade levels will then be called down to the new large gym for an opening pep rally which will include the band, cheerleaders, teacher introductions with information about clubs, and a relay race with an ice cream or pizza party going to the winning grade level. Mrs. Farrant will be in charge, so you know it will be fun!
After the pep rally, we will transition to the auditorium for a school-wide meeting to review expectations for the 23-24 school year.
At approximately 10:00 am, we will transition back to first period/block and operate according to the following schedules:
Senior High (9-12)
- Block 1 (10:07 - 11:12 am)
- Block 2 (11:15 - 12:20 pm)
- A Lunch (12:23 - 12:54 pm)
- Block 3A for students who eat A lunch (12:57 - 2:02 pm)
- Block 3C for students who eat C lunch (12:23 - 1:28 pm)
- C Lunch (1:31 - 2:02 pm)
- Block 4 (2:05 - 3:15 pm)
- NO RAM TIME
Plan for CPI Students:
AM CPI students will leave PVHS at their normal time at 8:00 am and stay at CPI until 11:35 am - a bit longer than usual. AM CPI students will return to PVHS at approximately 12:00 pm and report to the cafeteria. Students will then transition to A Lunch or their Block 3 class. We apologize that AM CPI students cannot be present for the opening pep rally, but we did not want to hold them back on the first day due to the important information that will be shared by their CPI instructors to kick off the year. We will have a make-up meeting to review expectations.
PM CPI students will be dismissed from Block 2 at 11:55 am for lunch. The bus to CPI will depart at approximately 12:20 pm. PM CPI students will return to PVHS by 3:13 pm.
Junior High (7 & 8)
- Period 1 (10:07 - 10:38 am)
- Period 2 (10:41 - 11:12 am)
- Period 3 (11:15 - 11:46 am)
- Period 4 (11:49 - 12:20 pm)
- Period 5 (12:23 - 12:54 pm)
- B Lunch (12:57 - 1:28 pm)
- Period 6 (1:31 - 2:02 pm)
- Period 7 (2:05 - 2:36 pm)
- Period 8 (2:39 - 3:15 pm)
- NO RAM TIME
Policy Change
The 2023-24 PVHS Student-Parent Handbook is linked below for your reference. Students and family members are strongly encouraged to review the handbook to familiarize themselves with our rules, policies, and regulations to ensure a safe and meaningful learning environment for all.
There is one specific change that we want to bring to everyone's attention prior to the first day of school. This year all students (grades 7-12) are required to keep their cell phones off or silenced and in their lockers from 8:07 - 3:15 pm. The only exception is that senior high students (grades 9-12) may take them to lunch. Of course, we will also make exceptions for legitimate medical purposes or other needs.
This change is something we have considered for several years now. We realize that if given the choice, most of our students would want to keep their cell phones on their person. We also understand that parents/guardians may have questions or concerns.
Simply stated, there is no educational reason for students to have cell phones in the classroom. All of our students are provided with a Chromebook. Moreover, cell phones are a major distraction to the learning process. The temptation to text, check social media, or browse the Internet is too much. Studies have shown that simply having a cell phone within reaching distance has a major impact on one's ability to truly focus and think deeply. This is a concern we have witnessed first-hand at PVHS. A quick Google search about the topic will also reveal that this is a move schools across the country are making due to concerns related to cyberbullying and other inappropriate use.
The argument has been made by some that students need their cell phones in the event of an emergency. However, if an emergency were to occur, it is of the utmost importance that our students are following the lead of the adult in charge and/or taking in accurate, real-time information from other staff, faculty, administration, or school police officers to ensure everyone stays safe. Having hundreds of students texting or accessing social media should not be the focus during an emergency. Aside from being a distraction when seconds count, an abundance of false information can cause major issues. All of our staff, faculty, administration, and school police officers are trained to keep our students safe. We have the ability to quickly contact outside emergency services as needed. Moreover, all of our classrooms have phones capable of calling 911. We also have reunification procedures in place if we ever need to evacuate the school.
While we understand this might not be a popular decision among our student body, we strongly feel it is the right thing to do in order to provide the absolute best learning environment possible. We appreciate everyone's understanding and cooperation with this change.
PENNS VALLEY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL
Location: 4545 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875
Front Office Phone: 814-422-2003
Fax: 814-422-8280
Website: https://pvhs.pennsvalley.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pvasd/
Principal: Mr. Zachary Wynkoop
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Jessica Fellin