Principal's October Newsletter

Dear Paul V. Fly Parents/Guardians,

I hope you and your family are doing well and are enjoying the beautiful fall weather. It is hard to believe that we are already into our fifth week of school. I have been able to see first-hand the amazing activities, instruction and connections that your child is participating in during my classroom visits. I am looking forward to visiting each classroom many times throughout the school year and learning about how we can better support our students. Please reach out to any member of the staff if there is anything that we can do to support you or your child.

In closing, I want to thank you for your support and partnership with Paul V. Fly Elementary School. We are blessed to have such an amazing group of parents. I wish you and your family a healthy and safe Fall season.

Sincerely,

Jason W. Smith
Principal

Paul V. Fly Elementary School

Breakfast & Lunch Menus - Coming Soon on the links below

October Breakfast Menu

October lunch Menu

Important Dates - To access the entire District Calendar, click on the following link. District Calendar

• September 29th - Favorite Color Day
• October 2nd - 4th Grade Riverbend Trip
• October 3rd - 2nd Grade Trip to the Schuylkill Center (2 classes)
• October 3rd - Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ 6:30 PM (Room 255)
• October 4th - 2nd Grade Trip to the Schuylkill Center (2 classes)
• October 6th - Greener Partner Food Truck Visit ~ Kindergarten
• October 8th - 14th - Fire Prevention Week ~ Surprise Visit by ENFD
• October 13th - Salus Vision Screenings ~ 2nd Grade
• October 13th - Spirit Day: Favorite Team Jersey Day
• October 17th - 2nd Grade Dental Screenings
• October 19th - 4th Grade CPR Demonstrations
• October 20th - Early Dismissal ~ Dismissal begins at 12:20 PM
• October 25th - 4th Grade CPL Demonstrations
• October 27th - Book Character Parade (9:45)
• October 27th - Pumpkin STEAM Day
• October 28th - PFC Event: Trunk or Treat at 2:00 PM

• November 22nd - Fall Conferences (evening)

• November 23rd - 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.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are excited to share with you that this year parents will be given the opportunity to volunteer in our lunches and see your child during the day! More information about signing up will be coming at a later date. However, if this is something that interests you, please make sure to get your clearances and submit them to the main office so you will be ready to go when we begin! Information about obtaining your clearances can be found here: https://pa50000420.schoolwires.net/page/265

Second Step - Our kickoff to begin teaching our Social Emotional Learning curriculum takes place on Monday, October 2nd. Second Step develops a framework of social and emotional skills through the development of goal setting, decision making, emotion management, and effective communication skills. The lessons are developmentally appropriate and taught sequentially. Please be on the lookout for a Family Letter from your child's classroom teacher. If you have further questions please contact your child's teacher or Ms. Anand, our School Counselor.

What do I do if my child is absent? 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 absence. 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. Click here to access NASD's Attendance Policy.

Emails - If you are new to Paul V. Fly Elementary School or are not receiving Parent Faculty Club emails you can sign up here: Parent Faculty Club Email Signup

Events Calendar - Want to stay in the loop with what events will be taking place this school year? Click on the link to access the PFC Events Calendar.

Parent Faculty Club Meeting - The first PFC meeting will be on Tuesday, October 3rd at 6:30 PM upstairs in room 255.

Boo Grams - Does your child want to send a special message to someone during the fall season? Be on the lookout for information about how they can send a boo gram to a friend.

Trunk or Treat - Our annual Trunk or Treat will take place on Saturday, October 28th from 2 - 4 PM in the rear parking lot of Paul V. Fly Elementary School.

Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

Want to learn more? Check out these websites:

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month as a Family

National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Education Association ~ Hispanic Heritage Month

NASD Latino & Hispanic Heritage Month NL (English)

NASD Boletin Informativo: Mes de herencia hispana (Espanol)

How do I access Infinite Campus to find my child's homeroom and bus information? Homeroom and bus assignments are on Infinite Campus. Both can be accessed using Infinite Campus. Click on the link to learn more.

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.

How do I sign up for information from the Parent Faculty Club? You can sign up by clicking on the following link: Parent Faculty Club

What if I had a change of address? Please contact the registrars office. You can email her at registrar@nasd.k12.pa.us or call (610)630-5016.

What time does school start and end?

Students should arrive by 9:05 AM. 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. Please do not bring your child to school before 8:47 AM.

How do I find out what bus my child rides? You will also be able to access this information in Infinite Campus. You can also 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 accessing firstviewapp.com School Code (FGAM) 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 to expect with buses for 2023-2024 school year? There is still a nationwide shortage in bus drivers for the school year. Buses could have delays from 30 - 60 minutes.

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.

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.

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.

English

Spanish

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 (You will need your ID). Your child will be called to the office after you have signed your child out and custody has been confirmed by building staff. 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.

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.

Email: jasmith@nasd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=19
Location: 2920 Potshop Road, Norristown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-630-0380
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paul-Fly-Elementary-School-462209300614377/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @PVFElementary