{"id":14367,"date":"2024-04-02T14:00:21","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T18:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/?p=14367"},"modified":"2024-04-02T13:29:56","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T17:29:56","slug":"april-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/ms\/middle-school-letter\/april-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"April 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-14371\" src=\"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/april.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"290\" height=\"155\" \/>Dear PVMS Families,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is hard to believe April is already here and we are entering the last third of our school year!\u00a0 We hope to see more consistent warmer weather and the continued showers that will help to bring our vegetation to full bloom.\u00a0 It seems we have seen more rain over this winter and early spring than snow.\u00a0 With the change in weather we see our students able to get outside more often than not.\u00a0 Please make sure that your children dress appropriately for outdoor recess as we will try to get outside as often as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spring Break is a time to rest and recharge with your families while we plan to finish our third quarter and the countdown toward the end of the school year.\u00a0 Modified sports start up on Monday, April 8th and we have a number of students involved with baseball, golf, boys and girls lacrosse, softball, and track.\u00a0 With that being said, we must stay focused on our goals and continue to work hard as some students develop \u201cSpring Fever\u201d and, recognizably, have busy lives outside of the school day.\u00a0 Executive functioning and planning the day outside of school is even more important when life becomes hectic.\u00a0 Please ensure to plan accordingly and finish the year strong academically.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking of academic excellence and determination, please join me in recognizing and congratulating those that earned induction into our National Junior Honor Society.\u00a0 To be considered for induction, middle school students needed to have a 92.5 average in all subject areas for grade seven and for the first two quarters of grade eight. In addition, there could be no report card grade under an 85 in grade eight. Student applications were then judged by a faculty committee.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congratulations to our 34 NJHS students who were officially inducted on Tuesday, March 26th at 6:00PM on our PVMS Stage.\u00a0 Thank you to those who were able to join us for this ceremony.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table class=\" aligncenter\" style=\"width: 551px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 291px;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Samantha Acosta<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sequoia Anderson-Siegel<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mahmood Ba-Yunus<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Graham Brown<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lia Buerkle<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grace Capogrosso<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lyla Cinquegrana<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christopher Constantino<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alexia Dias<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vanessa Dolansky<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thomas Ferraguzzi<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asher Francis<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aiden Gibbs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Makayla Glenn<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alexandra Gorniak<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lexi Grater<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Courtney Hill<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 260px;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kateryna Humeniuk<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cassidy Johnson<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renisa Kabashi<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elisabeth Knuth<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mackenzie Koballa<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christopher Koumas<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Belina Lajqi<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Santino Lemma<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Braeden McCarty<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Erza Osmanaj<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evan Peterson<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lex Pinatello<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jakob Platt<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nicholas Randazzo<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eshana Singh<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vienna Toteda<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lia Williams<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I wanted to take this opportunity to check in with regard to our New York State assessments that will directly impact your children in April and May.\u00a0 We have been working extremely hard this year in addressing NYS standards while writing and integrating our International Baccalaureate work into our daily instruction.\u00a0 Our intention this year has been to grow and improve academic rigor.\u00a0 We use multiple measures to assess the progress of our students that include New York State assessments (once a year), iReady benchmarks (3 times a year), and ongoing classroom formative and summative classroom assessments.\u00a0 The data is used for placement with academic intervention support services (AIS) and help to inform teacher instruction.\u00a0 These assessments are developed by New York State teachers and address the standards that all students in the state are working toward all school year.\u00a0 It is a wonderful opportunity to show off what they have learned and help teachers identify standards that they should continue to focus on moving forward.\u00a0 The test is also untimed.\u00a0 I encourage you to have conversations with your children about taking advantage of this opportunity!\u00a0 We rely on this information as the results inform our practices as well as give us insight into the needs of our students.\u00a0 Please know that our high school has many exams (Regents, IB, AP, etc.) that our students will need to complete, and the assessments offered this year will also help our students prepare for the stamina required of those high stakes exams in future years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although most middle school children do not want parent involvement with academics and social decisions, this is a critical time. Please partner with us in monitoring your child\u2019s homework, academic progress, and social media choices.\u00a0 Here are a few ways you can support your child:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check your child\u2019s understanding of reading assignments.\u00a0 We often find that they have a better understanding when you check for understanding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage your children to read nightly.\u00a0 Reading 20 minutes a day enhances their comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and background knowledge.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help your child plan ahead for long-term projects.\u00a0 Projects are an opportunity for children to express talents and apply themselves in an authentic way.\u00a0 Projects should be taken seriously and turned in on time!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check your child\u2019s assignment pad and Power School nightly to make sure all work has been completed.\u00a0 Nightly homework assignments review and reinforce material covered daily.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review class notes with your child.\u00a0 A quick review of daily notes will aid in the understanding of materials covered and will help prepare your child for the final exams.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk to your child about their school day.\u00a0 Building relationships through communication is such an important aspect of fostering life-long learners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitor your child\u2019s social media presence.\u00a0 We continue to investigate situations where poor choices are made in group chats, Snapchat, and Tik Tok where students are sharing images and using inappropriate language with one another.\u00a0 Once this is brought to our attention, we must investigate.\u00a0 Please help us in monitoring your child and their use of these platforms.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Key Dates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Spring Break<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Friday, 3\/29\/24 &#8211; Sunday 4\/7\/24 and students will come back to school on Monday, 4\/8\/24.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our <\/span><b>New York State English Language Arts assessments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will take place on Thursday, 4\/11\/24 and Friday, 4\/12\/24.\u00a0 All students are to bring independent reading books and sharpened #2 pencils on these days.\u00a0 Students have worked so hard this year and it is an opportunity to show their skills and apply what they have learned.\u00a0 Please note that these are untimed, do not impact teacher APPR, and are a great opportunity to practice standardized assessments that students will need to take in high school.\u00a0 Good luck to all!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The evening of Tuesday, 4\/15\/24 will be our<\/span><b> mandatory Washington D.C. parent\/guardian info meeting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> starting at 6:00PM in our Dining Hall.\u00a0 All parents and guardians of the 80 students we have going on our trip May 15th &#8211; May 17th must attend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our <\/span><b>PTA Book Fair<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will take place from Monday, 4\/15\/24 &#8211; Thursday, 4\/18\/24 during lunch and recess periods.\u00a0 Our PTA is looking for volunteers <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to make this year&#8217;s book fair a success!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The third quarter ends on Friday, 4\/19\/24 and our fourth quarter will begin Monday, 4\/22\/24.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Please log-on to PowerSchool on Friday, 4\/26\/24 and review your child\u2019s grades with them.\u00a0 This is a great opportunity for you to communicate expectations and reflect on the year up to this point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Student Council Spring Fling<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 5:00 &#8211; 7:00PM.\u00a0 There will be more information to come in the next few weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As always, we appreciate your continued support as we continue to 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.\u00a0 Please contact us at any time with questions or concerns that you may have.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travis W. McCarty<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Principal<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear PVMS Families, It is hard to believe April is already here and we are entering the last third of our school year!\u00a0 We hope to see more consistent warmer weather and the continued showers that will help to bring our vegetation to full bloom.\u00a0 It seems we have seen more rain over this winter&hellip; <a class=\"continue\" href=\"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/ms\/middle-school-letter\/april-2024\/\">Continue Reading<span> April 2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-middle-school-letter","clearfix"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14367","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14367"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14372,"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14367\/revisions\/14372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pvcsd.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}