Dear PVES Families,
I hope that you are all enjoying the weekend, and that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy! We are all hearing of rising virus numbers in our county and state, and this is concerning to all of us. Our school district will be communicating clearly and openly with you if our school schedule and instructional plan will be affected by health and safety regulations. Our staff and students have done an amazing job adhering to all safety guidelines in our school, and I am so very proud of all that we have, and will continue to, accomplish. Thank you for your support. We will continue to get through this challenging time together.
IF our schools must close for an extended time, please know that we are all set to begin 100% remote learning. As you know, this instructional schedule will look very different than it did in the spring, and it will begin immediately. All of our elementary students will follow their daily school schedule remotely (9:15-2:30), including content area google meets, specials, support services, lunch/recess times, and I-block. All staff members will be following their regular teaching schedule throughout each school day. Remote schedules have been posted on our website at www.pvcsd.org, under the Elementary Tab, on the top right in red. Please review these schedules with your children so that they know the plan for remote instruction if needed. If a school closure should occur, families will have the opportunity to contact the school for laptop pick-up for their children, and days and times will be quickly established for this laptop distribution. Additional school and personal materials will be able to be retrieved at these designated times as well. My personal hope is that we will not have to put these plans into place, but we know that the real possibility exists, and safety must be our top priority. Please begin to arrange childcare plans for your young ones if schools should be closed. We do not want to be unprepared.
Our virtual parent/teacher conferences will continue this week on Thursday afternoon for special area classes (Physical Education, Music, Art, Technology), and on Thursday evening for special area classes, classroom teachers, and professional support staff. Please be sure to reach out to any teachers with whom you have not scheduled a conference. All staff members can be reached at first initial, last name @pvcsd.org. Students will be dismissed at 12:00 PM on this Thursday, November 19th due to the evening conference schedule.
Please remember that the PTA is holding a Virtual Book Fair this week! Please check the PTA website for more information! And, School Picture re-takes will be held on this Tuesday, November 17th, outside of our school, according to our set schedule. (Remote learners may come to the school between 3:00 and 5:00 PM on that day for outdoor retakes). Thank you to the PTA for organizing all of these events!
Thank you to so many of you who have already contributed to the Thanksgiving Food Drive! Our Character Education and Diversity Committee is working hard to safely donate these foods to families in need. We are so fortunate to be able to help others at this time, especially this year.
Your amazing children are now beginning the second quarter of the school year. This is a wonderful point in the year to discuss any items discussed at your parent/teacher conference, and to set new learning and work goals for the upcoming quarter. As children grow in their sense of responsibility and motivation, they become more empowered with and engaged in their learning. I am so incredibly proud of our PVES students with how they have adjusted back to school life (both in the classroom and at home), and how eager they are to grow. We will continue on this learning journey together this year, with many great days ahead!
Just a reminder that schools will be closed on Wednesday, November 25th, through Friday, November 27th, for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are all hoping for a peaceful and healthy holiday season.
Stay well, keep your gatherings small, and please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Dr. Podesta
Principal