West Word
An Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word From Mr. Creeden
This week we recognized bully prevention week by learning and being reminded of how we can be WEST Strong (Caring, Respectful, Responsible) as well as unite for a kinder, more accepting, and inclusive school and community. We celebrated Unity Day on Wednesday October 18th by wearing our orange. Please see below for some pics from Unity Day at West.
Now we turn to next week where we will celebrate Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Here at West students will participate in a Spirit Week as well as a couple drug prevention lessons during their advisory period. See below for more information about Red Ribbon Week as well as much more going on at West.
Half-Day for Students on Wednesday October 25th
Quick Snapshot📸
- What's Up @ West
- Picture Retakes
- Red Ribbon Week @ West Next Week
- Therapy Dogs Are Coming Back to the West Library
- Middle School West's Book Fair is Coming!
- After School Clubs & Activities @ West
- National Recognition
- American Education Week
- The West MakerSpace Club Is Looking For Donations
- Homework Club
- After School Athletic/Activity Transportation
- 10th Period Advisory/Student Group Rotations
- West Home & School Info
- West School Store
- West Yearbook Art Contest
- Order Your 23/24 Yearbook Early and Save!
- 23/24 PV Middle School Handbook
- Raptor System
- PV West Athletic Update
- Vikings U-Night
- PV Power Packs
- Tween Talk Group
- Be Part of the Conversation - Upcoming Programs
- Safe2Say
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- PV West on Social Media
- Community Bulletin Board
- West Weeks At A Glance
- HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
What's Up @ West
Ozobots
Sixth grade students in Mr. Zacharias' Technology and Innovations classes explored the world of Ozobots! An Ozobot is a little robot that blends the physical and digital worlds. The system teaches very basic programming as the students code the robots to follow patterns on the surfaces that they roll over. Ozobot can identify lines, colors, motion and codes on both digital surfaces, such as a chromebook, and physical surfaces, such as paper.
Guitar Heroes
Seventh grade students in Mr. Sand's music classes were given the opportunity to channel their inner Hendrix by learning the basics of playing the guitar. The lesson included how to hold the instrument, how to strum and pick as well as some basic chords. Who knows? One of our novices could end up being the next Ed Sheeran!
PEEC
On October 17th and 18th, seventh grade science teachers Danielle Emers and Damico Ponzio took forty-six seventh grade science students to the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) for an overnight learning adventure! Students scooped macro invertebrates to learn about pond ecology,navigated an orienteering course through the woods with a compass, and went canoeing. In the evening, students tested their senses on a night hike and capped the day with s’mores and songs around the campfire! Their PEEC experience culminated with a strenuous and educational hike to the Tumbling Waters falls before embarking on their journey back to West. The trip was a wonderful, off-campus opportunity for the students to apply and explore what they’d learned during the seventh grade life science curriculum.
After School Back To School Bash
Picture Retakes
Red Ribbon Week @ West Next Week
What Is Red Ribbon Week? It is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. Show your personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through the symbol of the Red Ribbon.
For more information about history of Red Ribbon week please see the video below.
During Red Ribbon Week there will be a spirit week as well. Students are encouraged to dress for the spirit days as homeroom teachers will count the number of students participating and prizes will be given to the homeroom in each grade level with the most spirit. The spirit days next week are below.
Therapy Dogs Are Coming Back to the West Library
Did you know that dogs can help alleviate stress and anxiety in humans? They can also help increase our focus. And we are in luck because the therapy dogs are coming back for lunch visits on Tuesday, 10/24! If you would like the opportunity to pet and talk to the dogs, sign up in your Library Google Classroom before 8 am on Monday. You must also have parent permission on file. The parent permission form is also in your Library Google Classroom. Parents only need to complete that form once per year. See Mrs. Zielinski, Mrs. Piccione, or your library Google Classroom for more information.
Middle School West's Book Fair is Coming!
The book fair is coming to Middle School West from 10/30-11/3! Please check out our book fair homepage here or scan the QR code below. There, you can view some of our book fair offerings, set up your child's e-wallet, order books online, and lots more! All students will visit the book fair during their ELA class on the dates below, and they may also shop throughout the week as their schedule allows. We look forward to your child having the opportunity to browse for and purchase some great books at our book fair!
- Monday, 10/30: 6th grade
- Tuesday, 10/31: 7th grade
- Friday, 11/3: 8th grade
After School Clubs & Activities @ West
Math Lab
Literary Magazine Club
Literary Magazine Club is a club devoted to publishing the work of creative writers and artists within the school. Student staff will create both an online platform as well as a printed issue for the year that will show off student-selected student-produced poetry, short stories, novellas, and artwork in a professional-style school magazine. We will also offer writing and poetry contests to get all students and faculty involved as well as hold a publication party/launch. Meetings will be most Thursdays afterschool from 2:30-4:00 PM. Late buses are available for transportation. If there is no meeting, it will be announced to members prior to that date.
The CAUSE Club
The CAUSE (Connecting And Uniting Students to Empower) is a student leadership group that works collaboratively to educate the larger school community on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as to support the individual club members. Students joining The CAUSE Club will meet every other week to collaborate, plan, create, and help make positive change in our school community. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday October 31st from 2:30 - 3:45pm in Mrs. Moreno's room. If you are interested in joining The CAUSE Club please email Mrs. Moreno at tmoreno@pvsd.org.
National Recognition
Congratulations 🎉🥳to both Perkiomen Valley Middle School East and Perkiomen Valley Middle School West on being selected by the Arbor Day Foundation 🌳🌲🌎as the 'Program Spotlight' 🔦in their Summary Infographic. The Tree Campus K-12 program is a nationwide program so it is indeed an honor to have been selected. The Arbor Day Foundation made note of our partnership with Ursinus College and the Delaware Tribe of Indians. Outstanding Team Effort!!
The West MakerSpace Club Is Looking For Donations
Homework Club
Students attending Homework Club that need to take the 4:00 activity bus must sign up for the activity bus before 10:00am on the day of Homework Club. See below for more information about signing up for the activity bus.
After School Athletic/Activity Transportation
- 4:00pm Departure (outside main office) - Monday through Thursday.
- 5:00pm Departure (outside gym entrance) - Monday through Thursday. The 5:00 activity bus will begin running on Fridays starting after Thanksgiving break.
For each day students intend to take either the 4:00pm or 5:00pm activity bus, they are asked to inform the school district and bus company for routing purposes using the electronic form provided. The form links are below and also available to students via the PV LaunchPad - Classlink. Students must submit their information each morning by 10:00 am if they intend to ride the afternoon activity bus that day.
10th Period Advisory/Student Group Rotations
Our desire for this period of time is for all students to get what they need. As we continue to do this throughout the school year student group rotation topics may be adjusted to better meet the needs of our students and provide the necessary skills and support that promote success in and out of the classroom.
If you have any questions regarding this time please email Mr. Creeden at rcreeden@pvsd.org.
West Home & School Info
The next West Home & School Meeting is on Monday November 13th at 7pm in the West Library.
Contact Jodi Lieb (jodilieb@verizon.net) with any questions.
West School Store
The West School Store is open and ready for all of your school needs. It is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 - 7:40am in the Cafeteria. Students can purchase school supplies such as pencils (regular and mechanical), erasers, highlighters, and whiteboard markers. The store also has earbuds and PV West water bottles. Students can make their purchases in the cafeteria as they arrive in the morning and before they go to homeroom.
West Yearbook Art Contest
Order Your 23/24 Yearbook Early and Save!
23/24 PV Middle School Handbook
- Attendance (pg. 8)
- Educational Trips (pg. 9)
- Dress Code (pg. 13)
- Parent Questions/Concerns (pg. 20)
- Personal Equipment (pg. 20)
- Procedure for Administration of Medications in School (pg. 32)
Raptor System
PV West Athletic Update
SAFETY IN THE STADIUM
The beginning of the school year is a very exciting time. Not only are students meeting new teachers, engaging in new coursework, and making new friends, there are lots of activities to participate in and events to attend onsite. As our fall athletic contests get underway, the district would like to review several safety measures it has in place pertaining to events held in Thomas J. Keenan Stadium.
When an athletic or Marching Band event is held in the stadium, the district requires all elementary and middle level students to be accompanied by an adult. No attendees are permitted to bring backpacks into the stadium. In the event someone happens to have a backpack with them, they will be asked to place the bag along the fence until the respective owner exits the stadium. There is no food or drink permitted to be brought in from the outside.
Attendees will continue to observe school security guards onsite during events and, as the year progresses, will likely begin to observe Perkiomen Valley School District school police officers in attendance as well. The school police will also be in and around our facilities, districtwide.
The efforts of the school district are to keep our students, staff, and community safe. In the event you have questions about any of the safety measures described here, do not hesitate to reach out to our Chief of Police, Mr. Dean Miller, dmiller@pvsd.org. Thank you for your commitment with us to do everything we are able to maintain safety in the Valley.
8th Grade Football Head Coach: Dr. Matt Weir
Next Game: Tuesday October 24th (Away) vs. Upper Merion Middle School @ 3:45pm
7th Grade Football Head Coach: Christian Specht
Next Game: Tuesday October 24th (Away) vs. Owen J. Roberts Middle School @ 3:45pm
Middle School West Cross Country Head Coach: Matt Weygand
Results from last week: The cross country team traveled to Upper Perk Tuesday and had a successful day. In the girls race, West beat both Upper Perk and PV East. West beat Upper Perk by a score of 22- to 37 and East by a Score of 15 to 50. Top ten finishes were Grace Beitler 2nd, Charlie Reed 3rd, Abi Seo 4th and Shamiso Mpofu 5th. Savannah Heffelfinger- Corona and Ja'Maria Brower also contributed to the team scoring. In the boys race Upper Perk beat West by a a score of 26 to 30 and beat East by a score of 27 to 28. Lucas Keysock finished 3rd overall followed by Caden Aguirre 5th place and Luke Snyder finishing 6th. Matt Shuta and Connor Bates contributed to team scoring.
The girls cross country team continued their undefeated ways Thursday defeating PV East again this week 16 to 47 and defeating Spring-Ford 27 to 30. Charlie Reed secured her first race win coming in first. She was followed by Grace Beitler 3rd place, Abi Seo 4th place, Shamiso Mpofu 7th place and Carmella Andeaccio 13th place. The boys defeated PV East again this week 25 to 30 but fell to a strong SF team 17 to 40. Top 10 performances were Lucas Keysock 5th place, Caden Aguirre 9th place and Luke Snyder 10th place.
The cross country team had a good day at the Arcola Invitational on Friday. The boys relay team of Lucas Keysock, Caden Aguirre, and Luke Snyder finished third in their division with a time of 18:14 for the 3 mile relay. To finish off the day Abi Seo finished first overall in the girls 3000 meter race with a winning time of 13:25. Congratulations on your first first place win of the season. Conner Bates 6th place, Matt Shuta 7th place and Cian Montminy 34th place all represented well in the field of 89 racers.
Unsung athletes of the week: Olakunmi Oladiran sacrificed some placement spots to do the honorable thing of helping a PV East runner after she fell and twisted her ankle. That showed some West strong caring. Andrew Colvin, Declan Kurfman and Cian Montminy keep working hard and improvement is being seen every week.
Next Race: No Upcoming Races
Middle School West Field Hockey Head Coach: Naveen Mehta
Next Game: Monday October 23rd (Home) vs. Arcola Intermediate School @ 3:45pm
Next Game: Tuesday October 24th (Home) vs. Phoenixville Area Middle School @ 3:45pm
Middle School West Boys Soccer Head Coach: Chuck Heaps Sr.
Next Game: Monday October 23rd (Home) vs. Phoenixville Area Middle School @ 3:45pm
Next Game: Tuesday October 24th (Away) vs. Perkiomen Valley Middle School East @ 3:45pm
Middle School West Girls Soccer Head Coach: Alesia Davis
Next Game: Monday October 23rd (Away) vs. Phoenixville Area Middle School @ 3:45pm
Next Game: Tuesday October 24th (Home) vs. Arcola Intermediate School @ 3:45pm
Middle School West Volleyball Head Coach: Stephanie Glover
Next Game: Monday October 23rd (Away) vs. Phoenixville Area Middle School @ 3:45pm
Next Game: Tuesday October 24th (Home) vs. Pottsgrove Middle School @ 3:45pm
Vikings U-Night
PV Families: Are you looking for something fun to do on a Friday night? Are you looking to be part of a night where we are UNITED as a PV community? If you are, then mark your calendars for Friday, October 27, 2023, and plan to attend the Vikings U-Night football game
This is the game where we as Vikings UNITE to honor the diversity within our community and to foster an inclusive environment for ALL learners. Be part of the fun and watch as students stand together to send a message of acceptance and belonging for the many types of learners we have in our district.
PV Power Packs
ower Packs are weekend bags of food for students experiencing food insecurity. The bags include 2 breakfast items, 2 lunch items, 2 snacks, and 2 fruits. All food is non-perishable. There is no financial information required to participate in this program.
PV Power Packs is a volunteer run organization and all information is kept confidential. Names are shared with school counselors who arrange for students to pick up their bags prior to every weekend.
Please fill out a separate form for each child that you would like to receive a Power Pack, including children not yet in school.
We will begin handing out Power Packs on September 8th. If your child received Power Packs last year, they will automatically receive them this year.
If you have any questions, email Sarah at PowerPacks@pvsd.org.
Tween Talk Group
Tweens, ages 11 to 13, are invited to chat in a fun, informal atmosphere with Erin McMonagle, a guidance counselor at Perkiomen Valley East Middle School - as part of our Julia’s Joy Youth Empowerment Program. We have created a safe group, where they can come relax, unload and learn they are not alone all while meeting new friends. We believe learning Stress Management tips will help youth deal with the pressures they are feeling at this age and into the future!
This group is free thanks to donations, if you would like to make a donation, it is always appreciated, but not necessary!
Learn more about our workshops and our mission at http://www.JuliasJoy.org
Be Part of the Conversation - Upcoming Programs
Be a Part of the Conversation equips families and communities in Pennsylvania with skills and resources to understand substance use, addiction, and related health issues. We provide community programs, foster supportive connections, highlight lived experiences, and challenge stigma.
We are a collaboration of community leaders, clinicians, students, school district representatives, and families who believe that having meaningful, inclusive conversations about substance use and addiction will support individuals and their families in their efforts to develop healthy coping skills and access support whenever there is a need. Learn more about us. See the link below for a number of programs that Be a Part of the Conversation offers.
Safe2Say
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Did you know that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisit Lifeline?
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/
The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
PV West on Social Media
We would love to have you join our social media accounts to stay updated on the latest West news and happenings. Please see below on where to find each of our accounts.
Community Bulletin Board
Want to find out what’s going on in the PV Community? Visit here for flyers about upcoming events in and around our area!
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.
West Weeks At A Glance
Monday October 23rd - Friday October 27th - Red Ribbon Week @ West
Monday October 23rd - Wear Red (Use Your Head, Wear Red)
Tuesday October 24th - Homework Club @ 2:30pm in LGI; Crazy Hair/Sock Day (Head To Toe I'm Drug Free)
Wednesday October 25th - Half-Day for Students (Dismissal at 11:30am); Any Team Apparel/Jerseys (Team Up Against Drugs)
Thursday October 26th - Homework Club @ 2:30pm in LGI; Wear Your Favorite Color or Tye-Dyed Colored Clothing (Say "Peace Out" To Drugs)
Friday October 27th - Picture Re-Take Day📸; Wear Pink to Support Breast Cancer Awareness (Real Heroes Wear Pink)