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A message from the Superintendent
Weekly Communication
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March 14, 2024
Dear PV Families,
I hope you are enjoying the longer, brighter days following the recent shift to daylight saving time. As we embrace this seasonal change, I want to take a moment to update you on our Assistant Superintendent search. Some in our community are aware that recently, in response to the departure of Dr. Laurie Smith this past fall, the District conducted a search for a new Assistant Superintendent. Thank you to those who participated in the process.
An Assistant Superintendent is a commissioned officer in the State of Pennsylvania and carries a specialized certification (Letter of Eligibility) to qualify for the position. Per PA School Code, the Superintendent must nominate an individual to the Board of School Directors before they can be appointed to this role. Once an individual receives Board approval, they are commissioned by a judge for a specified term ranging from three to five years. At the conclusion of the recent process, I expressed to our Board that I was not prepared to nominate any of the candidates.
A new search will be initiated to seek an Assistant to the Superintendent, which is an Act 93 position, and not exactly the same as an Assistant Superintendent, which, as stated above, is a commissioned officer. Under either title, the focus of the role remains on curriculum, instruction, and professional learning. However, an Assistant Superintendent has many of the authorities of a Superintendent, while an Assistant to the Superintendent does not. Those two words, “to the,” in the job title make a big difference. Different districts employ one or the other and sometimes, both.
Employing an individual in the role of Assistant to the Superintendent will facilitate close collaboration with myself and the administrative team and foster the development of institutional knowledge of the school district. While some have wondered if the successful candidate may end up as the next Superintendent, please know that the District is not selecting an Assistant to the Superintendent with this specific purpose in mind. We hope to have an individual in the role before the end of the school year.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Russell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
In This Issue...
- Board Business Meeting - Summary from 3/11
- Climate Survey
- Southeast Youth Development Center
- PV Showcase
- Community Education- Registration OPEN
- Hall of Fame - Now Accepting Nominations
- Kindergarten Registration - Fall '24
- Community Bulletin Board
- Important District Dates
Board Business Meeting - Summary from 3/11
- During this month's Education Committee of the Whole (ECTW) meeting, Dr. Dietrich shared information about 2024 summer programming as well as updates on planning for Full Day Kindergarten. Dr. Keya Champagne-Lee presented a summary of the results of the recently administered climate survey. A subcommittee is being developed to further unpack the information and develop action steps as needed.
- A revision to next year's instructional calendar was approved. The celebration of Diwali was shifted from October 31, 2024 to November 1, 2024.
- During the Finance Committee of the Whole (FCTW) presentation, Mr. Weaver discussed opportunities for Foundation Grant project, as well as e-rate purchases and finance updates.
- The Board approved the draft version of the Perkiomen Valley School District Special Education Plan (2024-2027) for submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
- The Board approved the consent agenda.
Climate Task Force - Invitation
In January, all stakeholders were invited to participate in a Climate Survey. With the collected data now available, we are prepared to advance by establishing a Climate Task Force. The task force will be dedicated to thoroughly analyzing the data and devising actionable steps forward. If you're interested in joining the Climate Task Force, please contact Dr. Champagne-Lee at kchampagne-lee@pvsd.org by the close of business on Friday, March 22, 2024.
We look forward to working together to continue fostering a nurturing, safe, and inclusive environment for all members of our community.
Southeast Youth Development Center
In July of this coming summer, the Southeast (SE) Youth Development Center is scheduled to open for operation on the grounds of SCI Phoenix. This youth development center will house incarcerated young men ages 14-21 years in a stand alone building separate from adults. Because the center is located within the boundaries of our school district, Perkiomen Valley is the LEA (local education agency) and responsible for providing the educational services to the young men placed there (up to 48 total).
The young men assigned to SE will be court ordered residents who are not permitted to leave the center, which is being implemented under the leadership of the PA Department of Human Services (PA DHS) and the Bureau of Juvenile Justice System (BJJS). The District is responsible for the education of these youth and not the residential services.
Administration is carefully considering the programming to be provided and plans to share updates at the School Board meeting in April.
PV Showcase
View our monthly collection of Activities & Happenings from across the district!
Thank you to our Building News Coordinators for their contributions: Mrs. Tarquino (EG), Mrs. Ledford (SCH), Mrs. Jacobson (SK), Ms. Derstine (SO), Mrs. Kratz (MSE), Mrs. Muscatello (MSW), and Mr. Komp (HS).
View Brochure HERE
Hall of Fame - Now Accepting Nominations
The Perkiomen Valley School District Hall of Fame was established in 2018 to recognize distinguished alumni, or others, whose outstanding athletic, professional, or civic endeavors have brought honor to Perkiomen Valley School District and serve to inspire future graduates to perform and serve in the same spirit.
Nominations for the Hall of Fame are now open! Nominations will be accepted through May 1, 2024. We are excited to return this tradition here in Perkiomen Valley. We ask that you please follow the criteria on the website to make your nominations. Please click here to nominate.
Kindergarten Registration - Fall '24
PV will transition to a FULL DAY Kindergarten program for the 24-25 School Year!
Will your child turn 5 years old before September 1, 2024? If so, he/she is eligible to attend kindergarten in the fall of 2024! Registration can be completed online using our online registration (OLR) portal in ParentVUE. Online registration for 24-25 Kindergarten is NOW OPEN. For more information, visit: Kindergarten Registration 24-25.
Online Community Bulletin Board
Wondering about family and community events in the area? Curious to learn about local sports clubs and other opportunities? Planning for Summer 2024? Visit our online Community Bulletin Board!
Learn about:
- Community Events (Flashlight Egg Hunt, Electronics Recycling Day, Star Party, etc.)
- Summer Camps (YMCA, Camp Invention, Magic Memories, etc.)
- Sports Opportunities (Golf Lessons, i9 Teams, Rugby, etc)
- 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.
Upcoming District Dates
- Thursday, March 14 -Special Education Family Advisory Council @ 6:00pm
- Tuesday, March 19 - Policy Committee @ 6:00pm
- Wednesday, March 20 - Superintendent's Community Engagement Forum @ 8:30am
- Thursday, March 21 - Safety & Operations Committee @ 6:00pm
23-24 v10 3/14/2024
www.pvsd.org/about/superintendent
Perkiomen Valley School District
3 Iron Bridge Drive, Collegeville, PA
(610) 489-8506
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