2014 June - Pleasant Valley School District

Mr. Pomposello
Assistant Principal
Mr. Krebs
Principal
Ms. Rudawski
Dean of Students
Be sure to look for the PPE Akwsktter and other pertinent school infortnatien
on the Pleasant Valley School DiStrict web site at nwwpvbearsora
To access the School Board Meeting Agenda, go to www,pobears.orq,
click on "Cttr District, clkk on 'Board of Education," and click on 'Tentative Board Meeting Agenda"
Pleasant Valley School District can be reached at 570-4024000
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Pleasant Valley Elementary School is to inspire all students toward physical,
intellectual, emotional, and social growth as lifelong learners,
Last bay of School Friday June 13 th!
© Report Cards wilt be sent home on June 13" for Kindergarten through 3rd Grades.
No Report Cards will be issued before this date.
© High School Graduation is Friday, June 13 th .
June 11 m , June 12m. and 13 1l - Early dismissals - Lunches will be served.
High School at 12:20 PM
Middle School at 12:30 PM
PV! at 1:20 PM
PVE and Polk (PM Kindergarten through id Grade) at 1:30 PM
AM Kindergarten will dismiss at 11:05 AM.
PM Kindergarten begins at 11:10 AM
NW,/ Parent CWO -off Procedure
Our new parent drop-off procedure began
www. pvbears . org
and select PVE
Check out wiri
Tuesday, April 22 m . Dropping off students is now
taking place in the front of PVE.
Enter the west entrance off Polk Township
Rand and line up in front of the school at the main
entrance.
Students may exit cars starting at 9:07 AM.
Parents must remain in their vehicles. Cars will no
longer be allowed in the back of the school. Thank
you for your continued cooperation and support.
Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony
Friday, May 23, PVE held a Volunteer
Appreciation Ceremony in our school cafeteria.
The volunteers were treated to a light
breakfast and some poetry and songs from the
following classrooms here at PVE:
> Ms. Falcone-Smith's AM Kindergarten class
> Ms. Walters's and Ms. Runco's r t Grade
classes
•
Ms. Bumbulsky's 2" d Grade class
Ms. Springer's 3 rd Grade class
•
We were fortunate to have so many parents
and community members help to enrich our
classrooms this year. Many of the extracurricular
activities would not be possible without them. In
addition to their service, we also had over 70
students who volunteered their time to tutor other
students in Reading and Math. We are PV proud and
grateful for their dedication to PVE!
Yearbooks
Students who ordered Yearbooks will
receive letters with their Yearbook asking
parents/guardians to keep the Yearbook at home
until the official Autograph bay for students.
Your child may bring the Yearbook back to
PVE on the last day of classes, Friday, June, to have
it sighed by his/her classmates and teachers. An
Autograph Booklet will also be provided to all
students who wish to collect autographs on June
13th .
There will be extra Yearbooks which can be
purchased. A flyer with this information will be sent
home in the near future. Students may bring in a
check or money order made out to PVE Student
Activities in the amount of $10 to purchase a
Yearbook.
Special Olympics
PTO News
Funnel cake volunteers are needed. For more
information contact:
Michelle Westerman (Polk)
(484)336-0716 [email protected]
Karen Long (PVE)
(570)856-1330 [email protected]
The West End Fair will run from August 24 th
through August 30th this year.
We are pleased to announce the PTO
officers for the 2014-2015 school year:
•
•
•
•
•
President - Michelle Westerman
Co-Vice Presidents - Amanda Giunta and
Angela Hill
Treasurer - Suzanne Rizvic
Corresponding Secretary - Colleen Stipeck
Co-Recording Secretaries Kelly VanDerheyde.n and Michelle Wichman
We would like to thank the outgoing as well
as the incoming PTO staff for their tireless efforts
and dedication to the students and staff.
On Wednesday, May 28, several of our
students participated in the Special Olympics that
were held at the PVHS.
Some classmates of the participants
supported their Olympians at the event.
The events included the 50-meter dash,
100-meter dash, softball throw, standing long jump,
wheelchair race, the assisted walk race, shot put,
turbo javelin, and pentathlon.
The Pleasant Valley School District and local
community are proud to have hosted the I.U.20
Track and Field Special Olympics since 1992.
Approximately 400 students competed this
year in the Special Olympics. Students ranged in
age from 6 - 21 and were 'matched up" in athletic
events according to age, gender, and ability. Over
600 high school student volunteers were involved in
making this annual event such a success.
Scholastic Book Fair
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped
with our Book Fair from May 5 th through May 9.
This was a huge success for students and teachers.
We appreciate all your help!
Dress Code Reminders
Now that spring is here and the weather is
getting warmer, the following are a few
standardized dress code reminders:
•
Cargo shorts are not permitted
•
Shorts, dresses, skirts, and skorts must be
knee length
•
Primary tops must have a collar
Footwear must be predominantly black,
•
white, brown, or tan and may have two
accent colors
•
Sandals must have a back strap
•
Socks must be an approved color
•
Tops and bottoms must contrast
•
Hair accessories must be dress code
compliant colors
From the Nurse
Required Health Examinations
According to the
Pennsylvania School Health Act,
children are required to provide
documentation that they have had a
physical examination upon original
entry into school (this includes
transfer students) and dental examination upon
original entry into school and grade 3 (this includes
transfer students). Students may have the
examinations done by a private physician/dentist.
It is the parents' responsibility to provide the
school nurse with documentation from the private
physician/dentist that the student has received the
mandated examination. Students have the
opportunity throughout the school year to have the
examination(s) completed by the school
physician/dentist if signed parental permission has
been received by the school nurse prior to the
examination date. Students who fail to complete
and/or submit acceptable evidence of the required
physical and/or dental examination by no later than
April 3e of the academic year the examination is
required, will be excluded from participation in all
extracurricular activities beginning May ls t of that
year until acceptable proof of the required
examination is received in accordance with SCHOOL
BOARD POLICY 209, HEALTH EXAMINATIONS.
Clothing Returns
As a convenience to parents and children,
the school nurses provide a change of clothing to
students when accidents occur. The nurse is asking
that if students borrowed clothing from the nurses'
office, to please return them to the school.
Remember, clothing should be washed before it is
sent back to the school. Thank you for your
cooperation.
Summer Office Hours
We would like to inform you
that PVE will be open Monday
through Thursday during the summer
months starting Monday, June 16 * .
Offices will be closed each Friday.
If you need to contact the office, please do
so during the hours of 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday
through Thursday.
Regular office hours will resume on Monday,
August 25th .
School bistrict Website
Please visit our Pleasant Valley
School bistrict website at
www.pvbears.orq. The web-site contains
pertinent information such as dress code
information, School Board meeting dates,
times, and locations, as well as the
School Board meeting agendas and approved
minutes. School Board policies can also be accessed
from the website.
To access the School Board Meeting
Agenda, go to www.pvbears.orq, click on "Our
District," click on "Board of Education," and click on
"Tentative Board Meeting Agenda."
Food Service information
The end of the school year
is approaching fast.
Food services would like to
remind parents and students that
the last day to charge breakfast
4.-4_0 and/or lunch in grades K - 6 was
Friday, May 23rd , 2014. If your child does not have
money to pay when they go through the serving line
they will receive a cheese sandwich and milk.
If your child has money on their account and
is moving up a grade or moving to another school in
the district, their balance will be transferred to
their account to use for the 2014-2015 school year.
All students will keep the same pin number
they have from kindergarten until they graduate as
long as they stay in the district. Letters reminding
students of their pin number will be sent home,
along with other information that you receive from
the school district, before the beginning of the
next school year.
Everyone have a safe, happy and nutritious
summer!
PBS Update
Our PV Bear Den is now up and running
during the K-3 lunch times and during Kindergarten
recess thanks to the support of our parent
volunteers. The Bear Den is the place the kids
bring their earned Bear Paw tickets to trade in for
various rewards and prizes. The students earn
these tickets by getting caught making good choices
throughout their school day. This helps keep us all
focused on what is "Paws"-i-tive here at PVE
P-repared to learn
A-lways be respectful
W-inning choices
5-afety first
The Pleasant Valley School District has
established an emergency "HOILINE" available to
parents, students, and the general public.
1-570-402-1000, ext . 4444
This number is to be used to report
THREATS or TIPS with regard to the safety or
well-being of the Pleasant Valley School District or
any members of the school community (e.g.
students, faculty, or staff).
ALL CALLS WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
NOTE: Calls may be recorded. Any person making
false claims or reports will be prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law!!
Project Community Relief
3'1 Annual Rummage Sale
Saturday, June 28th, 2014
Donation Drop-off Days at Chestnuthill Elementary
Modular Building on Route 115
Saturday, 5/24 --- 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, 5/28 --- 4:30 - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 6/25 --- 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Thursday, 6/26 --- 5:30 8:00 PM
Friday, 6/27 --- 5:30 - 8:00 PM
*If you are unable to drop off donations at the
times listed, please call 570-856-5717 to make an
appointment. Thank you for donating.
Seat Belt Information
Act 81, which went into effect Dec. 27,
2011, ushered in changes to young driver licensing
and passenger requirements. Drivers and occupants
in a vehicle who are under the age of 18 must wear
a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt, and
children under the age of eight must be securely
fastened in a child restraint system. Failure to
comply with the new law's seat belt provisions is a
primary offense, meaning that a driver can be
pulled over and cited solely for that violation. For
information on penalties and restrictions under the
law, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us and click on "New
Teen Driver Law 2011."
Counselors' Corner
15 Ideas for Summer Fun
Summer vacation is closely approaching
and we are faced with the question of what
to do with all that time. Or more like, what do
we do to entertain those kids that are so bored
and they don't know what to do. Here are some
helpful ideas to fill in those long summer days.
More information can be found at
http://www.funattic.com/game summer.htm.
1. Start some type of collection - Bugs are
everywhere and once properly dried can be
collected, marbles of every color and shape,
coins or whatever interest them.
Record and catalog information - What type
of birds, wild flowers, or animals they have
spotted. What better way to learn than
from hands on experience.
3.
4.
Visit the Zoo - But don't just walk through it
and you're done. Sit and draw the animals,
figure out what theyre doing. Research
where the animals came from and what do
they eat.
Visit the Museum •
Art museums - Have the child pick
one of their favorite pieces of art
and research the artist. Where did
they come from and what other
works of art are they known for?
•
History museum - Research their
favorite part of history and share
what information they have learned.
Build a model of that part of
history.
Science Museum - Find something
that interest them in this area and
have them research it. Build a
machine or model of their interest.
Summer reading clubs and a great place for
resources and research. And they usually
have air conditioning on those very hot
summer days. [Eastern Monroe County Public
(http://www.monroepl.org/) and
Library
Western Pocono Community Library
(http://www.wpcl.lib.pa.us/)]
10. Do community service works - Pick up litter
in a park, work in a shelter serving food, or
contact someone to find out where they
would need help that the whole family could
get involved in.
11. Teach them how to cook and bake. Great
learning experience is measuring and
following the instruction on a recipe. The
greatest reward is eating what you made!
12. Journals - Have them write down there
thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Keep
them in the habit of writing.
13. Write letters to friends and family.
Especially if they don't have email and send
those wonderful works of art that are
usually over flowing in your own home.
14. Play a game - There are many great board
games, and for physical games go to the
Great
Game
List
http://www.funattic.com/game_list.htm.
5.
Go to the park - Pack a picnic lunch, invite
some friends and have fun. Check the local
paper and news for free festivals.
6.
Go fishing - Dust off that old fishing pole
and take them fishing. Learn the different
types of fish that they could catch. What
types of bait to use? Don't forget that
fishing license. [Cabela's (www.Cabelas.com )
has a great fish tank and museum of PA
wi Idl if e (free)].
15. Clean the house or organize a room. My kids
love it when we make a list of what has to be
cleaned. Each child loves writing down their
name next to the item that they have
cleaned. The list really motivates them and
you're not telling them what to do.
7.
Go biking - Pack a small backpack with
water, snacks, and drinks.
Information compiled and created by R. Scheel,
Fun-Attic, Inc.
8.
Go hiking - Hit those trails and start
walking. Find some trails that you've never
been on before.
9.
Go to your Public Library - They have many
great things going on all summer long.
Cub Closet
Anyone who has been issued clothing
vouchers and who has yet to receive clothing, please
contact the main office at 570-402-1000, ext.
6001, to check on clothing availability. Thanks!
Summer Reading
Another school year has come and
gone. It is important that the children
practice reading and writing over the
summer. A summer reading list is
available on Pleasant Valley's website. You can
access that list by following the procedures listed
below.
•
Log on to: www.pvbears.orq
•
At the top of the page, slide your cursor
over "curriculum," do not click. A drop down
box will appear. Click on "Office of
Curriculum and Instruction."
•
Under "Welcome to the District Curriculum
Page," there are three items in blue print.
•
Click on 'Summer Reading List." It is the
second item in the list.
•
This will take you to a file: "Pleasant Valley
Summer Reading List." The book titles are
organized by grade levels.
•
Help your child to choose books based on
the grade level he or she just finished as
well as the grade level he or she will be
entering. If the book is easy for your child,
have him or her practice reading fluently. If
it is a little tricky, be sure to help them.
Remind them to use the decoding strategies
they have learned at school to figure the
word out.
•
Remember to have them practice some
writing. Have them keep a journal about the
books they read. They could draw a picture
and write about their favorite part. They
could write a letter to the author. They
could write a friend a letter all about the
book or books they have read over the
summer.
It is important to note that the Western Pocono
Community Library also offers a summer reading
program. Check with the front desk at the library
or log onto their website. The library's website is:
www.wpcl.lib.pa.us . Be sure to get a library card
while you are there. They have a wonderful
selection of books!
then spend the start of the next school year trying
to regain what they have lost. Please keep them
practicing so that they have a strong start to the
next school year. Happy reading and writing!
Lori Hagerman, Literacy Coach (K-6)
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts—Free Hioh-Quality
Preschool for eligible children
Does your child qualify? The commonwealth
of Pennsylvania provides free high-quality preschool
to children who qualify. The Pennsylvania Pre-K
Counts program, now in its seventh year, is designed
to prepare children socially and academically for
kindergarten. PA Pre-K Counts is funded by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Registration has begun for the PA Pre-K
Counts program at Chestnuthill Elementary,
delivered by The Growing Place in collaboration with
Pleasant Valley School District. Class is held five
days a week for 21 hours per day, September
through June.
To qualify for the program, children must be three
years old on or before September 1, 2014 and may
not be age eligible to attend kindergarten for the
2014-15 school year. Additionally, children must be
from families earning less than 300% of the federal
poverty level, with priority given to those below
250% (such as a family of four earning less than
$59,625). Other factors such as age, IEP or
special needs, special family circumstances, and nonEnglish language speakers, receive priority
enrollment.
Space is limited. For more information, to
schedule a tour, or to apply, please call 570-4020127.
Just a Note from the Music Department
3rd Grade Students
•
All 3rd Grade students have been
January! We have learned how to read
music and perform B,
A,
G on our
recorders.
•
Students should be practicing their
recorders at home. Encourage your child
Any skill we learn in life requires regular
practice. If we do not practice the skill regularly,
we become less proficient at the skill. When
children do not read or write over the summer, they
often lose some of what they have learned. They
4,01-
jamming on recorders since
to play at home by asking them to play
for you.
•
Wash recorders with soap and warm
water or place them in the dishwasher.
• Recorders SHOULI) NOT be played on
the bus or shared with anyone.
1'
Next year, students going into 4 h grade get
to choose a band instrument! Students get to
choose an instrument from the Brass, Woodwind
and Percussion families next year in 4th grade band.
They will be receiving a band form shortly to choose
their it7strument for next school year! They may
also sign up in the beginning of the 2014-2015
school year!
Smencilsl
•
Smencil sales are over for the year! Thank
you to all of the students, parents, and
families for purchasing Smencils and
supporting the Music Program at PVE!
Pupil Attendance/Important Attendance
Procedures
3.
In accordance with compulsory
school attendance requirements as
outlined in the School Law of
Pennsylvania, the Pleasant Valley School
bistrict will follow the policies listed below.
School attendance is closely related to a
student's academic progress. It is the parent's
responsibility to see that a pupil attends school.
The parent should not hesitate to call the school
office and request assistance if there is a
problem.
1. Excused Absences - There are times when
students must be absent. Excused absences
are illness, death in the family, quarantine,
and health care appointments.
2. Excuses - For excused absences, it is the
parent's responsibility to send a written
excuse to the school on the day the student
returns. If a note is not received within
three (3) school days, the absence will be
considered unexcused.
An
unexcused
absence will result in the absence considered
unlawful (children 16 years old and younger).
After three (3) unlawful excuses, a citation
warning may be issued and attendance will be
required at a school district truancy
meeting.
A doctor's note will be required for six (6) or
more consecutive days absent.
Unexcused Absence
basis,
the
On
a
regular
building
administrator and the attendance secretary review
the excuses to determine if the absences are
excused or unexcused. Students who have excessive
absences will receive a letter and/or phone call
from attendance secretary, a guidance counselor, or
administration. Please keep us informed of
situations that may be interfering with your child's
attendance so we can determine whether the
absence is excused or unexcused. All unexcused
absences will be recorded as unlawful.
Examples of absences which may be
declared unexcused and unlawful include, but are
not limited to:
•
Oversleeping
missing the bus
•
•
car trouble
•
traffic problems
•
babysitting
•
refusing to come to school
•
personal reasons
•
staying up late
• getting home late
•
relatives visiting
• family emergencies
Please note it is important that we
receive a written excuse upon your child's return
to school.
*Please be sure to carefully read through
the PVSD Handbook with your child to review other
elementary school procedures along with additional
transportation and attendance rules and regulations.
The handbook can also be accessed online @
www.pvbears.org.
Change of address or phone number
All address changes must be
made through Central Registration,
which is located in the PV
Administration Building on Route #115.
It is extremely important to
school immediately if your phone number changes so
the Connect-Ed Automated Phone System can work
efficiently. This phone system notifies
parents/guardians of important messages, such as
school cancellations, meetings, conferences, etc.
Changes may be sent in writing to your child's
teacher.
June 2014 Calendar of Events
June is Child Vision Awareness Month,
&rent Outdoors Month (5/23 - 7/4/14), and Student Safety Month
PBS Fun bay (rain date - June 10)
PM and Intensive Kindergarten end-of-year assembly
Rain date for PBS Fun bay
1 and ed Grade end-of-year assemblies
Early dismissal @ 1:30 PM - LUNCHES SERVED
AM Kindergarten will be from 9:07 - 11:05 AM.
PM Kindergarten will be here a full day - from 11:10 AM - 1:30 PM.
AM Kindergarten and
3 rd
Grade end-of-year assemblies
Early dismissal @ 1:30 PM - LUNCHES SERVEb
AM Kindergarten will be from 9:07 - 11:05 AM.
PM Kindergarten will be here a full day - from 11:10 AM - 1:30 PM.
Board of Education meeting at Central Admin. - 8:00 PM
Early dismissal @ 1:30 PM - LUNCHES SERVED
AM Kindergarten will be from 9:07 - 11:05 AM.
P44 Kindergarten will be here a full day - from 11:10 AM - 1:30 PM.
Last day of school for Kindergarten,
2nd ‘ and 3rd Grades
Report Cards distributed
Commencement
Flag bay
Fathers bay
15t day of Summer
Board of Education meeting at Central Admin. - 8:00 PM
Independence bay
Board of Education meeting at Central Admin. - 8:00 PM
Tuesd
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Early dismissal
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Early dismissal
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Early dismissal
at 1:30 PM