
Paul V. Fly Elementary School
2023 Mid-Summer Newsletter
Message from the Principal
Hello Paul V. Fly Families,
I trust that you and your family are having an amazing summer and are enjoying your time together as a family. Things are moving along here at Paul V. Fly. Our custodial crew has been busy cleaning and the NASD operations crew has been hard at work preparing our NEW intercom system and delivering our new Library and Makerspace furniture.
It has been a true joy seeing so many students this summer around the community and during their visits to the playground. I am looking forward to seeing all of you when we start the new school year.
At this time, I want to share information about upcoming events, dates and reminders for your planning needs. Please click on the links below to access this information. You are welcome to contact me via e-mail or phone with any questions or concerns that arise as we prepare for the upcoming school year. The building will be closed the weeks of August 1st & 8th.
Lastly, I would like to extend best wishes to you and your family, and hope you enjoy the remainder of the summer.
Sincerely,
Jason W. Smith
Principal
Paul V. Fly Elementary School
Information~Upcoming Events~Reminders
Summer Reading Challenge - We can't wait to hear about all of the wonderful books your child read this summer. Check out the following reading program where your child can earn a free book! Barnes & Noble Reading Challenge
Summer Reading Tips- We encourage each student to spend 15 minutes a day reading to help them stay on track for the new school year and to prevent the "summer slide". If you need ideas or helpful tips please click on the link below:
Before & After School Childcare - Are you looking for before or after school childcare? Check out what is offered right here at Paul V. Fly Elementary School. It Takes A Village Childcare
Breakfast & Lunch Information- The Norristown Area School District will continue to provide a free breakfast and lunch to all students during the 2023-2024 school year. If parents wish to put money on their student’s account for extra servings and a la carte (snack) purposes only, they may do so. Pre-payment will be accepted through the district's point of sale service: SchoolCafe.
Summer Mailing - Our summer mailing (email), which includes homeroom teacher assignments and other important school policy information, is tentatively scheduled for the week of August 21st. Please contact the school office if your email address has changed.
Homeroom assignments will be included in the August mailing (email).
Student placement is a very complex process and is taken very seriously by our Paul V. Fly team. We take many variables into account:
Careful consideration for the educational needs and learning style of each child.
Factors that relate to programs such as special education, speech, gifted & talented, English language learners, and other related services.
Parental input that focuses on instructional factors, social and emotional needs and family relationships.
Peer social dynamics, health needs, and gender ratios are important considerations.
Overall class makeup to create a productive, caring, academically balanced, and successful learning environment.
We appreciate that you accept school placement decisions as final. Thank you
1st Day of School - The first day of school is Monday, August 28, 2023 for grades K-4. Our school day begins at 9:05 AM and ends at 3:20 PM. Staff supervision of students begins at 8:47 AM at our bus loop & car rider entrances into school. Doors close and lock at 9:00 AM to the bus loop drop-off and 9:05 AM (NEW) to the car rider door drop-off. After 9:05 AM, all students must report to the office window with an adult before entering the building.
Kindergarten Orientation - will take place on Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 10:00 am. - 11:30 am. The details of this event will be shared via email the week of August 7th.
Important Dates- Please see below for important school events/dates. We will continue to update our school calendar throughout the summer. Please tune into the PVF website & calendar as well as our Facebook & Twitter page. District Calendar
School Office -The school office will be closed July 17th - July 28th. Mrs. Ryan will be returning on July 31st. You can email her at mryan@nasd.k12.pa.us or email me at jasmith@nasd.k12.pa.us if you have any questions. You can also call the administration building at 610-630-5000 if you have any questions pertaining to the upcoming school year.
2023 - 2024 Important Dates
August 24th - Kindergarten Orientation 10:00 - 11:30 AM
August 24th - Informal Meet & Greet 12:35 - 2:00 - More Information to Follow
August 28th - First day of school k-4
September 1st - 4th - No School Labor Day Weekend
September 19th - Fall School Picture Day
September 20th - Back to School Night
November 21st - Fall Conferences (evening)
November 22nd - Fall Conferences (morning)
PSSA testing window (students in grades 3 & 4)
English Language Arts is April 22 – April 26, 2024
Mathematics & Science is April 29 – May 3, 2024.
Test administration is scheduled to begin at 9:30 on testing days
Please avoid these dates when planning to miss school where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there before and after school childcare available at Paul V. Fly? It Takes A Village Childcare offers before and after school childcare here at Paul V. Fly. Childcare is available from 7:00 - 9:00 AM & 3:20 - 6:00 PM Monday to Friday. To learn more check out. It Takes A Village Childcare
How do I register my child? You can email the registrar at registrar@nasd.k12.pa.us or call (610)630-5016. Click here to learn more: NASD Registration Information.
What if I had a change of address? Please contact the registrars office. You can email the registrar at registrar@nasd.k12.pa.us or call (610)630-5016.
When is the first day of school? Monday, August 28, 2023
What time does school start and end?
The school day begins at 9:05 AM. Student arriving after 9:05 will be marked late. We dismiss at 3:20 PM. If you are picking up your child at school in the afternoon, please send a note in the morning so that they are at the car-rider pickup door to meet you. The pickup area is behind the building off of Taft road.
Where do the children enter the school? All school buses arrive at the front door and the students enter the building directly from there. If you are dropping off your child, you need to do so in the Car Rider Parking lot in the rear of the building. Do not drop-off or bring your child to school before 8:47 AM.
How do I find out what bus my child rides? You will receive a bus notice from the First Student transportation department a week prior to school starting. If you do not, please call transportation at 610-630-5022 or 610-630-5051 or the main number at 610-630-5000. Make sure that you download the transportation app. You can set up an account by clicking here: FirstView Tracking App . You will need to enter the School Code (FGAM) PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE TIMES CHANGE FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL AS NEW CHILDREN ARE ADDED TO THE BUS ROUTE. Please stay at the bus stop at the end of the day for at least twenty minutes past the arrival time. It is a good idea to have a cell phone with you at the bus stop, in case the bus is delayed. FOR ALL KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS, SOMEONE MUST BE AT THE BUS STOP AT THE END OF THE DAY TO RECIEVE YOUR CHILD. IF NOT, THE BUS WILL RETURN YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL.
What should I do if my child's bus is running late or if my child does not get off at his bus stop? Make sure to check the FirstView app to confirm the bus is running late and has not passed the bus stop already. Next, check your email or voicemail messages for any missed emails/calls from the district. Then, call the transportation department. Finally, call the school. We have a late stay person until 4:25 PM.
How will I know what days there is no school? The Norristown Area School District Web Site has that information. Please click here to access the 23-24 calendar 2023-2024 School District Calendar. You will periodically receive documents with important dates for the month in your child’s Wednesday folder as well. Please make sure to check the Wednesday folder each week for all important information, events of the school, and in the community. Communication is primarily sent via email. Make sure you provide an updated email address to the school.
What is the dismissal time for an early dismissal day? The dismissal time is 12:20 PM. Please be sure to make arrangements for someone to be at the bus stop for the early dismissal days.
When will I find out about the curriculum? There will be an Open House on September 20th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM for parents. Please join us for this evening to meet the staff, your child’s teacher, and find out everything your child will be learning this year.
What about breakfast and lunch? We participate in a universal meal program, which means all children eat breakfast and lunch free of charge. Students can also purchase various snacks each day for an additional cost. Money can be place on your child’s account by going on to our district website under Food Services. You will need a credit card to add money on behalf of your child (see above).
What do I do if my child is sick? You should call school to report your child absent. You must send in a completed absence card or written note within 3 days of the illness. You can complete it electronically: Electronic Absence Card. Otherwise, the child will be marked unexcused absent. After 3 days of unexcused absences or truancy, a SAIP plan will be required with the Guidance Counselor. This process is a State Law.
What if I want to change my child’s transportation? Any temporary car-rider transportation change must be in writing. A note must be sent in with your child to explain the change in transportation. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED TO CHANGE YOUR CHILD’S TRANSPORTATION. This is to protect your child’s safety. Bus changes are not permitted. Permanent changes must be done through the office and transportation.
What do I need to complete if I would like to request transportation from my child's daycare/childcare center? Parents must complete the following request forms.
What if I had a change of address? All changes of address must be reported immediately. The safety of all Paul Fly children is paramount, and that means getting them to and from school safely, responding swiftly during an emergency, as well as ensuring the compliance of all school boundaries. Please notify the main office immediately of any changes at (610) 630-0380.
What if I need to pick up my child early? You must put the request in writing and send it in with your child. You can also email your child's teacher and the school secretary. When you arrive for pick up, you will need to sign your child out and present your ID. Your child will be called to the office after you have signed your child out and it has been reviewed by the secretary. Please do not ask to have your child waiting in the office for you. Students who are sitting in the office are missing instructional time. We will do our best to have your child in the office as quickly as possible.
What if my child needs medication during the school day? Please contact the Nurse’s office. All medical forms should go directly to the Nurse’s Office. No medicine can be administered without written doctor’s orders. You may enclose them in an envelope marked SCHOOL NURSE. ** It would be very helpful if you could send in a change of clothes for your kindergarten child. In case of a spill, dirty or wet at recess, or if your child may not get to the bathroom in time.
***On the first day of school, important information will be sent home with your child. The most important document is the EMERGENCY CARD. Please be sure to complete this form right away and send it back to school the following day.
Please know that we are happy to have your child with us. Your child’s safety, academic, social and emotional well-being are our primary goals. Please help by providing any information that will help us understand your child’s needs. Thank you in advance for your support and partnership.
Paul V. Fly Elementary School
Email: jasmith@nasd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/Page/19
Location: 2920 Potshop Road, Norristown, PA, USA
Phone: 6106300380
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paul-Fly-Elementary-School-462209300614377/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @PVFElementary