Dear PVMS Families,
April is upon us and we are hoping that you were able to enjoy your Spring Break. Warmer weather is in our future and sports and other activities have slowly started to open back up. With that being said, we must stay focused on our goals and continue to work hard as some students develop “Spring Fever” and, recognizably, have busy lives outside of the school day.
Starting on Tuesday, 4/6/21, our students have the option of being in school five days a week in person or to be fully remote through the end of the school year. We will continue to ask our students to wear face masks at all times unless eating or drinking and in cases where six feet of distance cannot be maintained, to wear face shields. Physical barriers exist in our Dining Hall so students can eat and converse with one another with transparent barriers between seats. We are waiting on further guidance from New York State with regard to being within six feet with only face masks.
Although most middle school children do not want parent involvement with academics, this is a critical time. Please partner with us in monitoring your child’s homework and academic progress. Here are a few ways you can support your child:
- Check your child’s understanding of reading assignments. We often find that they have a better understanding when you check for understanding.
- Encourage your children to read nightly. Reading 20 minutes a day enhances their comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and background knowledge.
- Help your child plan ahead for long-term projects. Projects are an opportunity for children to express talents and apply themselves in an authentic way. Projects should be taken seriously and turned in on time!
- Check your child’s assignment pad and Power School nightly to make sure all work has been completed. Nightly homework assignments review and reinforce material covered daily.
- Review class notes with your child. A quick review of daily notes will aid in the understanding of materials covered and will help prepare your child for the final exams.
- Talk to your child about their school day. Building relationships through communication is such an important aspect of fostering life-long learners.
Key Dates
Our PTA Online Book Fair will take place from Monday, 4/12/21 – Sunday, 4/25/21. Please click on the following link starting on Monday to order books!
Our New York State ELA Assessment will take place on Thursday, 4/22/21. Students will participate in taking Book 1. All students participating are to bring independent reading books and sharpened #2 pencils during this day as well.
The third quarter will end on Friday, 4/16/21 and our fourth quarter will begin Monday, 4/19/21. Please log-on to PowerSchool on Friday, 4/23/21 and review your child’s grades with them. This is a great opportunity for you to communicate expectations and reflect on the year up to this point.
National Junior Honor Society Inductees will be announced on Friday, 4/16/21. We will have a recognition ceremony for the students only during the school day.
As we continue to welcome more and more students back to in person instruction, it is vital that we continue to wash our hands, wear our masks and socially distance ourselves. Please help to reinforce these precautions and healthy habits so we can continue to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 virus. Together we must keep our children focused on the importance of school, their social and emotional well being and to ensure a successful last few months of the year.
Sincerely,
Travis W. McCarty
Principal