Pleasant Valley Elementary School
February 2017 Newsletter
Mr. Roger Pomposello Ms. Erica Greer Ms. Valerie Rudawski
Assistant Principal Principal Dean of Students
Be sure to look for the PVE Newsletter and other pertinent school information
on the Pleasant Valley School District web site at www.pvbears.org.
To access the School Board Meeting Agenda, go to www.pvbears.org,
click on “Our District,” click on “Board of Education,” and click on “Tentative Board Meeting Agenda.”
Pleasant Valley School District can be reached at 570-402-1000
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.
Toys for Tots
The Toys for Tots drive held at PVE & PVI collected over 1,200 toys! These toys were distributed to children throughout all of Monroe County. Thank you to all who donated toys and those who helped in all aspects of this special day!
There were several Marines who assisted with the parade on Friday, December 16th. Please keep them and all the service men and women in your thoughts.
On behalf of PVE’s Diversity Task Force and the children of Monroe County, we would like to thank everyone for their participation.
It’s here….PV’s Four Diamonds Mini-Thon
On February 17th, 2017 PVE Students will dance to fight cancer
Pleasant Valley Elementary School will be holding a multi-hour dance marathon on February 17th 2017 to raise money to support the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The money raised for this event will help cover medical expenses for families that have children battling pediatric cancer, as well as support a comprehensive team of researchers that are looking for a cure.
This is the third time students at Pleasant Valley Elementary School will participate in a Mini-THON. Games and activities will be taking place along with the actual Dance-A-Thon. Students will learn a special PVE THON dance during the event and at the end of the day, every student in the school will step into the hallways to do PVE THON moves building wide.
The goal of the PVE Mini-THON is to empower students to make a difference in the lives of others through volunteerism, philanthropy, and community outreach. Teachers, administrators, PTO members, and students are working to plan an amazing experience for the February 17th Mini-THON!
If you are interested in making a donation to the Four Diamonds Fund on behalf of your child/ grandchild use the following options:
· Use the Donation Envelope attached to the Mini-Thon Flyer that came home in January, and send in a check made out to the Four Diamonds Fund.
· Access the Donor Drive website through the pvbears.org home page. At the top of the page in the Select a School drop down tab choose Pleasant Valley Elementary and then click on the Mini-THON link. -
· Scan the QR code below with your smart phone or tablet to access the Donor Drive website directly.
Ready, Set Read Now!
Ready, Set Read Now! is for any students who will be entering Kindergarten in the 2017-2018 school year. Please call Magen Snyder at 570-402-1000, ext. 4010, to pre-register your child(ren). Once registered, you will receive invitations to the RSRN sessions. Ready, Set Read Now! is held from 5:30-7:30 PM at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. The remaining dates are:
Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Memory Book Sale
The Memory Book Committee will soon be selling PVE Memory Books. Information will be sent home with your student sometime in February concerning the price and schedule for distribution. Please remember NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Counselors’ Corner
Helping Your Child Make New Friends
Friendships are very important when it comes to emotional health and having even just one good friend can make a huge difference. While some children make friends with ease, others may need encouragement. Here are some ways you can help your child make lasting friendships without putting too much pressure on them:
Talk About It- Talk about or brainstorm a list of “friend qualities” with your child. These may include using concepts such as: being friendly, being honest, laughing and having fun, willingness to share, being kind and learning how to place others’ needs ahead of their own.
Connecting Through Conversations- Since being able to share thoughts and ideas is so important to any friendship, you can help your child understand how to build and maintain a conversation. Help them look for connections between what was just said and what they could say next. It could be even helpful to role play different scenarios with your child.
Organize Play Dates or Activities- If a child continues to struggle or feel less than confident in their friend-making skills, be proactive in organizing play dates for kids.
Be Realistic- At the same time, be sure to not have unrealistic expectations of your shy or socially reserved child. Some children are more outgoing than others. It’s just their personality.
Be Patient-Teaching friendship skills will never be as easy as it sounds and we are all at different levels of learning. In the end, children will continue to grow socially as they progress through school. With the support of parental love and coaching, children will better enjoy the journey toward meaningful relationships. Read more: http://www.pbs.org/parents/education going-to-school/social/make-new-friends/
News from the Nurse
Immunization Reminder
Students who lack Pennsylvania State required immunizations are granted an eight month provisional enrollment period by the Pleasant Valley School District in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Health School Immunization Regulation. Students in need of immunizations will not be allowed to attend school if the school nurse does not receive proof they have completed the required immunizations by the last day of the eight-month period.
Early Dismissal Procedures Due to Inclement Weather
In the event of an early dismissal, AM Kindergarten students will be held at the school and dismissed with the students in grades 1-3. There will be NO PM Kindergarten. Students in grades 1-3 will be sent home on the bus they normally take home from school. Morning Kindergarten students will be sent home on the same bus they come to school on.
Depending on the time of the dismissal, lunch may be served to students. AM Kindergarten students will be provided with some form of extra snack or lunch on these days. Every attempt will be made by the school to contact parents of AM Kindergarten students in the event of an early dismissal. PM Kindergarten parents and ALL parents are encouraged to listen to the radio, or watch the major television stations on inclement days.
Where to Find School Session Information
If the weather seems questionable, please tune your radio or television to one of the stations listed below to find out about early dismissals or cancellations:
Television / RadioWBRE-TV Channel 28
WYOU-TV Channel 22
WNEP-TV Channel 16
WFMZ-TV Channel 69
/ WLEV-FM 100.7
WZZO-FM 95.1
WYNX-AM 1160
WEST-AM 1400
WHCY-FM 106.3
WVPO-AM 840
WSGD-FM 94.3
WCDL-AM 1440 / WAEB-FM B104.1, AM 790
WARM AM 590
WCTO-FM 96.1
WXKW-1470
WKAP-1320 AM
WSBG-FM 93.5
WPMR-FM 107.9
Oldies-FM 99.9
Information on Cancellations and Delays:
First and foremost, please do not call the school if you suspect school may be delayed or closed. Information is printed in this newsletter with directions to get all the snow updates. If you do not have access to any of these radio or television stations, you can call (570) 402-1000, and a recorded message will have the latest updates as they affect our school district.
Weather Related Cancellations
n Early Dismissal – All after school events and activities will be cancelled.
n No School - All school events and activities will be cancelled.
K-3 Schedule for One-hour Delay
n Classes will begin one hour later with no real disruption to the day.
n Specials will begin at 10:42 AM (beginning of period 3). Lunch and the Kindergarten day will otherwise go as normal.
n Breakfast IS served when school is delayed for one hour.
K-3 Schedule for Two-hour Delay
n Classes will begin two hours later.
n Breakfast is NOT served when school is delayed for two hours.
n Specials begin at 11:19 AM (beginning of period 4).
n Kindergarten will follow the modified schedule as described below.
Modified Kindergarten Schedule
We provide a modified Kindergarten schedule that will yield shorter sessions, but allow for no loss of the AM classes. In the event the school district implements a two-hour delay, we will operate under the following time schedule. Please note this schedule and post it in a prominent place in your home.
Kindergarten Two-hour Delay
AM pickup time two hours beyond normal time PM pickup time one hour beyond normal time
AM buses arrive ~ 11:07 AM PM buses arrive ~ 1:35 PM
AM classes begin ~ 11:19 AM PM classes begin ~ 1:47 PM
AM dismissal ~ 1:30 PM PM dismissal ~ 3:47 PM
(one hour later than normal)
Pleasant Valley School District Celebrates “A Night of Unity”
On Tuesday, February 28th, 2017 (snow date – Wednesday, March 1st ) from 6:00 – 8:00 PM., the Pleasant Valley School District Diversity Task Force will present its sixteenth annual “A Night of Unity” in the Arthur A. Smith Gymnasium of Pleasant Valley High School. A Night of Unity is a FREE event that celebrates the diversity of our community. It includes art, music, food, performances, and displays that promote an understanding of the many cultures that make up the Pleasant Valley School District. During the past fifteen years this night has been an enjoyable and enlightening experience for all involved. Many months of preparation and hard work by numerous school and community groups go into this annual event.
The theme of this year’s event is “Diversity is Growing in Our Community”. Some exhibits will be entertaining, some are interactive, and all will be enjoyable and informative. Overall, we are anticipating over 50 displays and performances throughout the evening.
We hope you plan to attend and we invite you to bring a canned food item that will be donated to the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.
PVE’s Lost and Found
If your child has lost any of his or her belongings, they are quite possibly in the lost and found bin in the cafeteria or in the school office. Please have them check with the office for help. Be sure to put your child’s name on their personal items so if something is misplaced, it can quickly be retured.
Pupil Attendance
Important Attendance Procedures
In accordance with compulsory school attendance requirements, as outlined in the School Law of Pennsylvania, the Pleasant Valley School District 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. Examples of 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 unlawful. An unexcused absence will result in the absence being considered unlawful (children 16 years old and younger). After three (3) unlawful excuses, a citation warning will be issued, and attendance may be required at a school district truancy meeting.
3. A doctor’s note may be required for six (6) or more consecutive days absent.
Unexcused Absence
On a regular basis, the principal and the attendance secretary review the excuses to determine if absences are excused or unexcused. Students who have excessive absences will receive a letter. 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, parent/sibling appointment, getting home late, and relatives visiting.
Please note it is important that we receive a written excuse upon your child’s return to school.
Be sure to carefully read through the 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 at www.pvbears.org.
We will continue to send out automated reminders to the parents of students who are absent each day to please send in a written excuse upon returning to school. This will be done using our Connect-Ed calling system. the in a written excuse upon returning to school. This will be done using our Connect-Ed calling system.
Note to Parents:
When looking at the day/date calendar, please remember that snow days affect the day/date cycle. For example, if Monday is Day 1 and it becomes a snow day, then Tuesday will be Day 1. This cycle ensures that students do not miss specials because of weather related cancellations. The newsletter is printed nearly one week prior to its distribution; therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the day/date calendar when it is sent home with your child. Please make any needed corrections to your calendar as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
For students who wear snow boots in school, the boots must be in compliance with approved colors. (Reference Dress Code Policy for footwear information)