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A message from the Superintendent
Weekly Communication
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April 3, 2024
Greetings PV Families,
I hope this message finds you well and that you enjoyed our recent spring break. I am writing to you today about Monday, April 8, when Pennsylvania will be in the direct line of a total/partial solar eclipse. The last time this occurred in our area was in 1806, making this event truly historic. (PDE)
This experience presents a unique educational and scientific opportunity for our community! A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking the sun’s light. To learn more, visit NASA: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. In the Collegeville area, our view will be of a partial solar eclipse (90% coverage range), which occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, but the moon only partially covers the sun. Event details specific to the Borough of Collegeville are below.
While this is an exciting event, there are safety precautions to consider:
Eyewear - Experts strongly suggest protective eyewear be worn as even a short glimpse of the sun in normal conditions can cause permanent eye damage. The following are recommendations presented by The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Resources -2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Pennsylvania:
Using eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard when viewing the partial eclipse phases
- *As a note, it is difficult to see anything when wearing the eclipse glasses, everything appears black. It is recommended the glasses only be worn during observations of the eclipse and not during normal activities.
Skin Care - During any partial or total eclipse the sun will be very bright and intensified. It is recommended that individuals spending time outside take precautions to prevent skin damage. (ie sunscreen, hat, and protective clothing with SPF ratings).
Equipment - Watching a solar eclipse on your smartphone camera or other device that is not configured to view solar events can be harmful. It could also damage the equipment. It is recommended that specific solar filters to protect against eye injury be used when viewing through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope.
In the event that your child is interested in viewing the partial eclipse, the District has acquired ISO 12312-2 glasses that meet the specifications for safe viewing. Over the next few days, our teachers will be distributing these glasses to each of our students, should they choose to observe the eclipse during the school day, dismissal, and/or while traveling home. *You can also feel free to send your own ISO 12312-2 international standard viewing glasses in with your child if preferred.
Finally, if you feel more comfortable keeping your child at home for the day or picking them up from school early on April 8th, their absence will be excused, as supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
*Please refer to your school's procedures if opting to pick your child up early.
Do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, principal, or me with any questions. Thank you for your attention to this information.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Russell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
In This Issue...
- Board Work Session 4/2 - Summary
- PV Showcase
- Kindergarten Registration - Fall '24
- Community Bulletin Board
- Important District Dates
Board Work Session - Summary from 4/2
- School Safety & Vaping
- Administration has been diligently monitoring student vaping.
- Mr. Miller, Chief of Police, addressed legal aspects as well as current protocols.
- Mr. Ganesh, CIO, provided information gathered following a vaping monitoring pilot. Plans for moving forward, including procedural considerations, are being discussed.
- SYDC - We continue to learn more. Below are a few updates:
- Scheduled to be open in a building on the grounds of SCI Phoenix in July 2024.
- 12-15 students to begin, expanding to a maximum of 48 young men (ages 14-21).
- State funding is allocated to PVSD for operation . There are no anticipated costs to the PVSD taxpayers.
- PVSD, as the LEA responsible for the educational programming, is considering contracting educational services with Montgomery County Intermediate Unit.
- Staffing
- Thus far, we have hired 6 of the 7 approved school police officers. The process is ongoing.
- The Assistant to the Superintendent position has been posted. We are planning interviews throughout April and hope to bring the recommended candidate forward to the Board in May.
For detailed agenda information visit BoardDocs. To view the meeting recording, which was broadcast live, visit PVSD YouTube Channel.
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).
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:
- Summer Camps
- Family Events
- Sports Opportunities
- 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
- Monday, April 8 - Board Business Meeting @ 7:00pm
- Tuesday, April 9 - Wellness Committee @ 3:45pm
- Wednesday, April 10 - Inservice Day (No School for Students)
- Tuesday, April 16 - Policy Committee @ 6:00pm
23-24 v11 4/3/2024
www.pvsd.org/about/superintendent
Perkiomen Valley School District
3 Iron Bridge Drive, Collegeville, PA
(610) 489-8506
What Will You Learn Today?