Principal Senethavilay's Update

August 13, 2021

Quick Update

PVE Families,

*This letter may have some repeated information, as we have continued to enroll many new families at PVE.

Welcome to Pleasant View! If you are new to the school, we are thrilled to have you join an incredible team! For those of you returning, we are so glad to have you back. And if you are new to Idaho, WELCOME! Having lived here my entire life, I may be slightly biased, but this is a fantastic place to raise a family and enjoy a strong sense of community.

For those of you who do not know me, I am Amy Senethavilay (Sen-ta-vil-ay). I have been immensely blessed to serve West Ada students and families for the past 25 years. Thank you for celebrating this silver milestone with me this year. I am also a mother to 2 boys (19 and 17), a wife, traveler, an avid reader and book editor, lover of music and concerts, and someone who enjoys meeting new people and experiencing new cultures and cuisines. The bucket list is filled with places still to visit and adventures yet to have.

Since you are entrusting your children and their education to this excellent staff and me, I want you to know that I value a culture of open communication. My email is readily available, and I love hearing from parents with ideas, suggestions, and concerns. I am all about problem-solving together. This staff holds a common belief: collaboration with our families is critical, and decision-making focuses on what is best for students. Thank you for partnering with us!

We have been working hard this summer to add members to this team and prepare for the growth we are experiencing. Every grade level will see a change of some kind, as we have hired for several positions.

Beginning next week, we will start introducing you to our staff members. If you have not liked our Facebook page, please do so now. We love to share celebrations and event posts with you. https://www.facebook.com/PleasantViewElem

We are also on Instagram at Pleasant View Elementary (@pleasantviewelem) • Instagram photos and videos.

School begins on August 26. While awaiting the start date and our Meet and Greet event, please make sure you have updated your PowerSchool information--as this will be how you can see your child's teacher.

*We are also hiring new teachers with the growth and will adjust student placement as necessary. Again, class lists are still in flux as we register and add students to our enrollment. We will work to have those lists solidified a day or two before school starts. Again, lists are tentative.

I also included the links to several important sites:

Curriculum I get many calls and questions about curriculum, especially from our new families moving into the state.
This link will help to give you an excellent overview of the standards covered throughout the year.
Elementary Handbook
Health Services You will locate information about immunizations, clinics, and flow charts.
School Nutrition (All students will receive free breakfast and lunch for the 2021-2022 school year.
School Supply List Please note that your child may need to replenish items from this list throughout the year. I encourage you to think ahead and plan for those replacements while items are on sale.
School Transportation Bussing information should be available about a week before school.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to PVE this fall. Until then, enjoy your time together, and we will see you soon!

Please be sure to help out any of your new neighbors who have moved in and need to register: School Registration / School Enrollment and Registration (westada.org). You may also forward this information to them.

Sincerely,

Amy Senethavilay

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K-5th MEET AND GREET AUGUST 24

We are so excited to welcome you to the new school year. Our Meet and Greet will look a little different this year to allow us to still distance and give teachers time to meet with families and check out devices. Please plan to attend the Meet and Greet during your set time by the child's last name.

4:00-4:45 A-I
4:45-5:30 J-R
5:30-6:15 S-Z

(Have students with multiple last names? We understand and ask you to choose one time for your family.)

Helpful information:

Arrive at the beginning of your time slot
Enter the building at the main entrance and exit out the closest hallway doors.
Have student supplies already labeled before coming to Meet and Greet
Also, please be prepared to share with the teacher how your child will be getting home each day.
Ending promptly at 6:15 to allow staff to get home to families for dinner

We cannot accommodate earlier requests to meet with staff. They will be in training prior to this time.

*We understand that you may have much information to share with a teacher, but please be sure to schedule a separate meeting or send a detailed email regarding your student's needs. Thank you for understanding.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the office or your child's teacher.

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PRESCHOOL MEET AND GREET AUGUST 25

Preschool Families!

We are excited to offer a specific Meet and Greet just for you and your children. Our preschool teachers and paras will be on site to meet with you and take you through program overview, discuss transportation and drop off/pick up procedures, and to spend a little time with you and your students getting familiar with our rooms.

Wednesday, August 25th

Preschool PM Open House at 1:30 pm

Preschool AM Open House at 3:00 pm

We are looking forward to seeing you!

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IMPORTANT 1:1 DEVICE INFORMATION:

Do I have to check out a device for my student?

Students will have a device checked out for use at the school.
If you have the appropriate technology at home, your child does not have to take the device home with them should there be a need to attend remotely. We do caution you regarding technical support and troubleshooting; neither the staff nor the IT Help Desk will help with personal devices. This will only be available on the district issued laptops.

How will the optional device protection plan work this year?

West Ada School District will offer optional device protection to families to cover the accidental breakage or damage that might occur to your child’s iPad or laptop. This voluntary protection plan will be available for $25.00 per device and will cover repairs or replacement due to accidental damage from drops, spills, vandalism, loss, theft, and incidental damage to another student’s device. Device protection does not cover intentional damage to a device or damaged or lost accessories such as district-provided cases, chargers, pens, or hotspots. Please see the Parent Student Device Handbook or Optional Device Protection Plan in the Student Handbooks for detailed information on the District’s Optional Device Protection Plan.

The optional device protection plan enrollment period will be from August 16, 2021, through October 31, 2021. Families will be able to sign up for and pay for optional device protection through the Payment Portal located in PowerSchool starting August 16.
Families are responsible for the repair or replacement of device damaged, lost, or stolen outside acceptable use guidelines published in student handbooks. Device protection is voluntary, non-refundable, yearly cost for each device. Families maybe able to add devices to their homeowner’s or renters’ insurance plan and should consider these alternatives prior to purchasing optional device protection.

How can families request West Ada Technology Support

Families may fill out the Home Technology Help Request Form and a Technology Service Desk Team member will respond during normal working hours. Parents and students can also contact the Technology Service Desk by Phone at 208-350-5300, Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm.

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NEED A HOTSPOT?

If your family does not have access to the internet and you need the district to provide a hotspot, please let me know by CLICKING HERE.

These are not to be used for boosters or additional connections; these are intended to support families who do not have access.

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Health & Safety Plan

Pleasant View Elementary's Health and Safety Plan is being updated collaboratively with health professionals, district administration, and the PVE building staff. This plan is expected to be released and posted on the website on August 25, 2021. We expect this plan not only to answer many of the questions you may have about safety but to reflect the practices of last year--precisely that of masks as stated above. However, these plans may change as additional information becomes available or should the situation change.

Currently, West Ada is still holding to the MASKS OPTIONAL statement. We will be monitoring the situation and making adjustments as leadership and health professionals collaborate throughout the year.

We will still be limiting additional people in the building and scheduling any volunteers or activities with careful consideration.

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Immunization Information

Any child in Idaho may attend preschool through 12th grade, provided that, upon admission, the parent or guardian provides proof of immunization status.

Proof of immunization status may include a medical record outlining the necessary and completed immunization requirements or an Exemption Form or a Conditional Admission Form (if applicable) verifying that the child has received or is in the process of receiving (Conditional Admission) immunizations as specified by the state board of Health & Welfare.

Any student enrolling, transferring, or returning after withdrawing must show verifiable documentation of immunization status at entry or re-entry. Proof of immunization status is also required at 7th grade and 12th grade when additional boosters are required.

Additional resources:

Primary care physician
West Ada Internet Home/Departments/Health Services/Immunizations
Link: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Health/IdahoImmunizationProgram/SchoolandChildcare/SchoolRequirements/tabid/3785/Default.aspx

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PLEASANT VIEW PTA

Our Pleasant View PTA has also been hard at work. Please consider following the Pleasant View Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pleasantviewelementarypta.

Our PTA is hard at work planning for this year. They will be holding a membership drive soon to gather members and raise funds to support several school project. Please consider becoming a member of this exciting group of individuals who are focused on supporting the needs of our students. Watch for the information to come soon!

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Employment Opportunities!!

Are you looking for a way to connect with your child's school? Want to work with a very fun-loving, supportive, and child-focused staff? We are currently hiring for several positions:

Special Education Para Professionals (Both full and part time)
Crossing Guard
Noon Duty

Please go to West Ada School District - Frontline Recruitment (applitrack.com) to apply. You are also welcome to email me about the positions or to let me know you have applied.