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West Word
An Update from Perkiomen Valley Middle School West
A Word From Mr. Creeden
This past week was an exciting week at West as we welcomed two guest speakers to West. Both speakers spoke to our 6th grade students. The first guest speaker was Dr. Stephen Phillips, a Research Assistant to the Curator-in-Charge of the Egyptian Section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Dr. Steve specializes in the analysis of ancient Egyptian and modern human skeletal remains, mummies, and mummification techniques, as well as the tombs and artifacts of the Great Pyramid Complex on Egypt’s Giza plateau. Dr. Phillips brought incredible insight about Egyptian archaeology and anthropology to the students by describing his experiences on numerous digs. One of the many highlights of the presentation included a fascinating description of the artifacts and findings from King Tutankhamun's tomb. A huge thanks to our Home and School Association for sponsoring this extraordinary visit.
The second guest speaker was Christopher J. Ferguson, is a retired U.S. Navy captain and a former NASA astronaut. He is a veteran of three space shuttle missions as pilot of STS-115 (Atlantis), commander of STS126 (Endeavour) and commander of the final shuttle mission, STS-135 (Atlantis). Prior to his service as an astronaut, he was an F-14 Tomcat pilot and test pilot who served aboard the USS Forrestal and USS Nimitz. The students were enthralled by Mr. Ferguson's presentation as they are in the middle of a unit on Earth and space science. Afterwards, he held a small group question and answer session for select students.
Next week at West is our Safety Awareness Week. We will be practicing our safety drills next week as we continue to promote a safe school environment here at Middle School West. See more details about these upcoming activities and much more in the newsletter below.
NASA Astronaut, Christopher Ferguson, Visits West
Egyptologist, Dr. Stephen Phillips, Visits West
Quick Snapshot📸
- What's Up @ West
- Safety Week @ West Next Week
- West Talent Show Auditions Are Coming!
- Math Intervention @ West - Update
- Oliver Jr. Coming To West
- PVSD Mountain Biking
- After School Clubs & Activities @ West
- After School Athletic/Activity Transportation
- West School Store
- Attendance Announcement📢
- Order Your 23/24 Yearbook Early and Save!
- 23/24 PV Middle School Handbook
- PV West Athletic Update
- West Home & School Information
- PVSD Foundation's 2024 Dodgeball Tournament
- The 7th Annual Perkiomen Valley Art and Food Truck Festival
- Tween Talk Group
- School Cafe
- Community Education Registration
- Virtual Parent Support 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
Two Point Perspective
Students in Miss DiCicco's seventh grade art classes added watercolor and landscape elements to their artwork as they completed a unit on two point perspective drawing. Atmospheric perspective creates the illusion of three-dimension by using space such as foreground, middle-ground and background. Two-point perspective specifically adds the use of a vanishing point for a more precise architectural rendering. The vanishing point is where all images lead towards, getting smaller and smaller until they essentially disappear. These concepts can be seen in landscapes and detailed blueprints.
Correspondant Francais
Writing letters to a penpal from another country can be a way to practice and improve language skills. Students also enjoy the opportunity to make new friends and learn about different cultures and lifestyles. Students in Mrs. Marulanda's eighth grade French classes are participating in a pen pal program with students from Collège les Ménétriers in Ribeauvillé, France. They received their correspondences this week and many included photos! Trop cool!
AMC 8 Math Contest
On Tuesday, January 23rd, twenty five mathematically-minded students representing the West Math Club participated in the American Mathematics Contest. The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple choice contest. The material covered on the test is based on the middle level math curriculum, including topics such as: probability, estimation, percent, spatial visualization, everyday application, and reading/interpreting charts. No Algebra is involved. This year's participants included sixth graders Williard Arndt, Joey Grohosky, Sam Markle, Ryan Martin, Zach Orr, Vincent Player,
Magnus Rosario, Jack Roesly, Devin Thakkar, and Anumay Verma; seventh graders Lexi Alderfer, Thomas Arn, Colin Arnold, Reed Harris, Srividya Karra, Harika Nandipati, Lucy Parlatore, Shannon Ruzzi, Jackson Skonier, Brennan Sibel and Emma Witt and eighth graders Ben Lawler, Maura Martinko, Shamiso Mpofu, and Drew Tait.The winners will be announced next month! Stay tuned! We are PV Proud of all of our exceptional mathematicians!
Safety Week @ West Next Week
During the week next week there will be safety information shared with students as well as on the West social media platforms highlighting the different ways students, staff, and the larger community can continue to create a safe school environment for all. Also, during the week we will plan on reviewing the different emergency situations at West and practicing how we prepare for those situations. The four drills we will practice during the week are the Hold, Secure, Lockdown, and Shelter drills. We will practice the Hold, Secure, and Shelter drills during the advisory period on Monday (1/29) and the Lockdown drill on Wednesday (1/31). For more information about emergency preparedness at West as well as our standard response protocol please visit https://iloveuguys.org/The-Standard-Response-Protocol.html.
West Talent Show Auditions Are Coming!
West Talent show auditions are right around the corner! Be part of one of the most memorable events of the year! We are looking for a wide variety of talent to perform in our April show! And winners take home CASH prizes! Join the Google Classroom using the code 2257b5r and complete the permission slip to audition on either January 30th or 31st! It's time to shine! We hope to see you at auditions!
Math Intervention @ West - Update
Our students are hard at work in round 3 of math intervention for this school year! Students with identified needs are currently participating in small group sessions, twice a cycle during period 10, focused on one of four key math domains: Numbers and Operations, Algebra and Algebraic Thinking, Measurement and Data, or Geometry.
During each intervention session, our students receive targeted small group instruction from a math teacher for 20 minutes. Following this, they engage in independent learning via the iReady platform for an additional 20 minutes, monitored by an additional staff member. The individualized learning path is created from their iReady diagnostic assessment. Students are provided opportunities to work on specific skills and problems in their targeted domain at their current math level.
This multifaceted approach provides our students with a diverse range of instructional approaches to enhance their learning experience. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a dynamic and enriching learning environment for our students.
Oliver Jr. Coming To West
Perkiomen Valley Middle School West proudly presents Oliver Jr. Get ready for an enchanting theatrical experience that will leave you spellbound. As we gear up for the upcoming show, the excitement is building! Join in on the anticipation and be a part of this extraordinary event.
See the performance dates below. See below for ordering information to secure your tickets and reserve your spot for a night filled with unforgettable performances.
Friday March 8th - 7:00pm
Saturday March 9th - 6:00pm
Sunday March 10th - 2:00pm
Tickets on Sale Now!
See below for ordering information.
PVSD Mountain Biking
After School Clubs & Activities @ West
Math Lab
Homework Club
Homework Club will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:30pm in our Large Group Instruction room. Homework Club will provide a quiet, comfortable, and supportive setting for students to complete school work and become better organized. Students will receive assistance and support when needed. School resources will also be provided for all students in attendance. There is no sign-up required. If students are attending they can report directly to the Library after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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.
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 Tuesday to collaborate, plan, create, and help make positive change in our school community. If you are interested in joining The CAUSE Club please email Mrs. Moreno at tmoreno@pvsd.org.
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.
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.
Attendance Announcement📢
It's that time of year again when all the absences start to pile up. Between illness and obligations there is always so much happening this time of year. Please know that we understand how life throws curveballs and sometimes absence communication is not feeling like a top priority. Please know that we are here to help! A quick email to mswattendance@pvsd.org with your student's name and a brief reason for their absence is typically all we need to get that absence excused. Please refer to the PV District Attendance Policy here - PV District Attendance for details. Always feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns as well. Don't forget to fill out trip forms for appropriate absences. Find that form on the PVSD.org website.
Kacie Kaufmann, kkaufmann@pvsd.org
Middle School West Attendance/Counseling Secretary
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)
PV West Athletic Update
Middle School West 8th Grade Girls' Basketball; Head Coach: Alesia Davis
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday January 31st - Away vs. Upper Perkiomen Middle School @ 3:30pm
Friday January 2nd - Away vs. PV Middle School East @ 3:30pm (PVHS Gymnasium)
Middle School West 7th Grade Girls' Basketball; Head Coach: Alesia Davis
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday January 31st - Away vs.Upper Perkiomen Middle School @ 4:30pm
Middle School West 8th Grade Boys' Basketball Head Coach: Reynone Frederick
Upcoming Events:
Monday January 29th - Home vs. Spring-Ford Middle School @ 3:30pm
Wednesday January 31st - Home vs. Upper Perkiomen Middle School @ 3:30pm
Friday February 2nd - Away vs. PV Middle School East @ 4:30pm (PVHS Gymnasium)
Middle School West 7th Grade Boys' Basketball Head Coach: Nagash Cockburn
Upcoming Events:
Monday January 29th - Home vs. Spring-Ford Middle School @ 4:30pm
Wednesday January 31st - Home vs. Upper Perkiomen Middle School @ 4:30pm
Friday February 2nd - Away vs. PV Middle School East @ 5:30pm (PVHS Gymnasium)
Middle School Boys' Wrestling Head Coach: Kyle Barnes
Upcoming Events:
Monday January 29th - Away vs. Pottsgrove Middle School @ 3:45pm
Wednesday January 31st - Home vs. Arcola Intermediate School @ 3:30pm
Friday February 2nd - Home vs. Boyertown Area Middle School West @ 3:30pm
Middle School Girls' Wrestling Head Coach: Mike Moyano
Mike Moyano is the Head Coach for the inaugural season of Girls Wrestling at PV. Coach Moyano has coached boys and girls wrestling for almost 25 years, most recently at Pope John Paul II last year where he grew the program from just 6 athletes to 18. Originally from California, Coach Moyano moved to the area with his wife, Denise, and their two children, Michael and Samantha in 2020. They love their new home and the opportunities to be part of the community. Coach Moyano owns a sports card shop, "What's Hot Cards & Collectibles" in Limerick, and has a passion for all sports, especially the San Francisco Giants. When asked about what brought him to PV, Coach Moyano said, "I came to PV because I'm excited about the opportunity to start a new program and tradition at the school. Wrestling is a sport that teaches lessons that the athletes will carry with them the rest of their lives, and I'm passionate about building a legacy that our student-athletes can be proud of when they graduate."
PVSD Foundation's 2024 Dodgeball Tournament
Join us for our 2024 Dodgeball Tournament on Saturday, March 2nd (rain date: Sunday, March 3rd) at the High School (509 Gravel Pike). The event starts at 12:00 pm, but times will vary based on divisioning.
Registration is open from now until Monday, February 5th. The cost per team is $175 due at the time of registration. There is an option to upgrade the WHOLE team's tee to a dri-fit tee for an additional $25. Please note, the whole team must do either cotton tees or dri-fit tees, we cannot accommodate mix-and-match team tees. See the link below to register.
What you need for registration:
Team Name
Information for 6-10 players on a team (70% must be PV residents):
- Name
- Parent/Guardian Email Address
- School
- Grade
- Shirt Size
The 7th Annual Perkiomen Valley Art and Food Truck Festival
Good Afternoon West Families,
The Perkiomen Valley School District Art Department is proud to host its 7th annual Art & Food Truck Festival on Saturday, June 1st from 11 - 3 pm at PV High School. The festival was established to create awareness for our students and community members of the numerous careers in the art fields. Our mission is to encourage students to pursue their aspirations in the arts while also supporting local artists.
In addition to the Art and Food Trucks, we pride ourselves in promoting our local businesses, large and small. I am reaching out to see if anyone in the West Community has a local business or connection to a company that might be interested in donating items for our raffle. The donation could include a company themed basket, gift card, coupons or even an offered service. All proceeds of the event raffle will benefit our PV art students in grades K-12 through PVAB, the Perkiomen Valley Art Booster Club! Check out our booster club at www.pvab.org!
If you are interested in supporting our event, please contact Christina Bolc, AFTF Raffle Basket Coordinator at Raffles@pvartfest.com to coordinate your donation. All donations are due by Friday, May 17th, 2024.
Thank you in advance for supporting the Perkiomen Valley Art Department!
Sincerely,
Miss Marla DiCicco
Middle School West Art Teacher
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
School Cafe
School Cafe is a secure, online system that can be used by parents to make payments to their child’s cafeteria meal accounts, to review student buying history, and to set low-balance alerts. If you already have an account, you may log in to School Cafe using the button below. For more information on how to set up an account, please review the documents below.
Virtual Parent Support Group
Embark Behavioral Health continues to expand our services to meet the growing need to teen and young adult mental health needs throughout our country. With incidents of depression in adolescents up by 216% since 2006 and suicide as the 2nd leading cause of death for our preteen youth, it is our responsibility to act now and act quickly. In partnership with all of you, we can reverse this youth mental health crisis and change the trajectory of the next generation.
Continuing on our mission to be the leader in driving teen and young adult depression, anxiety, and suicide rates from all-time highs to all-time lows, Embark Behavioral Health is proud to offer our FREE Monthly Virtual Multi-family Support Group. This structured group, led by a licensed clinician is open to the public (ages 18+) and assists with the challenges that many loved ones and caregivers face while caring for someone with a behavioral health concern.
Please see the flyer below for more info about Embark Behavioral Health and the free monthly virtual multi-family support group.
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 January 29th - PVSD Special Topic Board Meeting - Data Presentation @ 7pm in PVHS Library
Tuesday January 30th - West Talent Show Auditions from 3-5pm
Wednesday January 31st - West Talent Show Auditions from 3-5pm
Thursday February 1st - PVSD Special Education Family Advisory Council @ 6pm at PV Middle School East