December Newsletter - Pleasant Valley School District

Pleasant Valley Intermediate School
DECEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
"Excellence in Education - A Community Commitment"
Mrs. Herr
Assistant Principal
Mr. VanNortwick
Principal
Mrs. George
Dean of Students
Be sure to look for the PVI Newsletter and other school information
on the Pleasant Valley School District web site at www.pvbears.org.
“PV BEARS HOTLINE”
The Pleasant Valley School District has established an emergency “HOTLINE” available to parents,
students and the general public.
1.570.402.1000 ext. 4444
This number is to be used to report THREATS or TIPS with regard to the safety or well-being of the
district or any members of the school community (e.g., students, faculty, or staff).
ALL CALLS WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
NOTE: Calls may be recorded. Any person making false claims or reports will be prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law!
PVSD BOARD MEETINGS:
Board meeting agendas, school district policies and other district information can be accessed via our
website: www.pvbears.org. In addition, copies of board meeting agendas are available prior to the
board meeting at central administration or via the website.
WINTER RECESS
Early Dismissal - Wednesday, December 23, 2015 @ 1:20 PM
School Closed - Thursday, December 24, 2015 – Friday, January 1, 2016
PVI Vision Statement
The mission of the Pleasant Valley Intermediate School is to inspire all students toward physical, intellectual,
emotional, and social growth as lifelong learners
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LOOK WHAT‟S GOING ON AT PVI…
.
PAC MEETING DATES
2015-2016
PVI Front Conference Room @ 3:00 PM
January 28, 2016
March 17, 2016
April 28, 2016
“Slow Down and Save a Life”
On September 28th, 2015, the Polk Township Board
of Supervisors voted on a 25 mph speed-limit and
signs for Polk Township Road (from HTY Road. to
Burger Hollow Road) and HTY Road (from Polk
Township Road to SR Rte 209). Additionally, a
reminder that the speed limit on Dotters Corner Road
is 35mph. Help keep our community and kids safe!
PVI Front Conference Room @ 6:00 PM
December 17, 2015
February 25, 2016
May 26, 2016
PVI PAC
Principal’s Advisory Committee. The PVI PAC meeting
is scheduled for Thursday, December 17th from 6:00 – 7:00
PM in the PVI front conference room.
This will be an opportunity for parents to give input,
offer feedback, and a time to discuss your ideas to allow for
continuous growth of our students at PVI.
Any parent of a PVI student interested in becoming a
PAC member for the 2015 - 2016 school year, please call the
PVI office at 570-402-1000 ext. 3003. Unfortunately, childcare
will not be provided, but students may attend if necessary.
Your interest and involvement would be greatly
appreciated. We look forward to your attendance and
participation. Please mark your calendar for December 17th.
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Take A Trip Around the World At Your Library
Over the fall and winter holiday seasons, our library will be featuring displays of multicultural books. Students can read and
enjoy bilingual books in German, Polish, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, and many more. Each story contains the same
text in both English and another language.
Students and staff can also look for books on display this winter on how various holidays are celebrated in other countries. Look
for “Christmas Around the World”, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Diwali, Las Posadas, and more. These books contain information about the
customs and culture of many lands, as well as beautiful photographs. Enjoy your trip!
NURSE‟S NEWS
From:
Diane Martinetti, RN, School Nurse
Janice Honey, LPN, Health Room Technician
Kelly Collins, LPN, Health Room Technician
Vision Exams
Vision screenings have started. If your child has prescribed eyeglasses, please encourage them to wear their glasses to school.
Physical Exams
Dr. Ambani will conduct physical examinations on Thursday, December 10th in the nursing office. The School Health Law
requires all 6th grade students and all new students to have a physical examination on file. Notices will be sent home with report cards. If
your child has had a physical exam in the last 12 months, please hand it in to the school nurse. Students who are not up to date with their
physical exams will be excluded from extra curricular activities.
Clothing
If your child borrows clothing from the nursing office please remember to wash and return the item of clothing as soon as
possible.
Flu season is upon us
Please stress the importance of handwashing to your children before & after eating to decrease the spread of germs. Also, if
your child is sick, please do not send them to school.
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Ski Club
The dates for 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Ski Club will be:
Tuesday, January 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, February 2nd and 9th.
EARLY DISMISSAL
PROCEDURE AT PVI
PVI’s procedure for early dismissal students: Homeroom teachers, upon receipt of an early dismissal note, will complete a PVI
pass indicating the early dismissal time, date, homeroom teacher signature, etc. A completed pass will be given to the student with
direction to that student that he/she is responsible for giving the pass to the teacher he/she is with at the time of the early dismissal. The
original note will be forwarded to the office. PVI is asking for parents/guardians to inform PVI as soon as possible regarding an early
dismissal. The most effective way is to send in a note with your child in the beginning of the school day. As always, we still offer the
following ways to inform the office: E-mail to [email protected] ; Fax – 610-681-8666; or drop off a note to the main office.
We strongly suggest, when choosing to e-mail the office, that you include your child’s team of teachers in the email. Please be sure to
include the child’s name, homeroom teacher, time of dismissal, contact phone number, and reason for the early dismissal. If someone
other than the parent or guardian is picking up the child, please indicate that on the note. Also, whoever is picking up the child
must be 18 years of age or older and must have photo identification available.
PARENT DROP-OFF
We highly recommend that students ride the bus to and from school, especially for the first few weeks. However, we realize that
situations may occur that make riding the bus impossible. In order to make parent drop off and pick up proceed in a smooth manner, we
would like to remind you of the following information: Students are to report to school no earlier than 8:47 AM when the parent pickup/drop-off doors will be opened, and no later than 9:07 AM, when the doors will be locked. Parents who find it necessary to drop
students off before school must use Driveway B, the 1st driveway from Burger Hollow Road located on Polk Township Road. In the
morning, parents should proceed along Driveway B. Upon entering the circular driveway, cars will line up along the sidewalk area and
park. At 8:47 the children will exit the vehicle and walk along the sidewalk and into the school. Children cannot be dropped off early and
parents are asked to park in a line. Students are to proceed directly to homeroom. Parents dropping off students at 9:07 or later must
report to the main office.
PARENT PICK-UP
All notes must be turned in to the office by 2:00 PM in order to have your child placed on the parent pick up clipboard.
We ask that the notes be provided to your child’s homeroom teacher. In order to accommodate everyone we have 3 options:
Fax a note to 610-681-8666;
E-mail a note to [email protected]
Drop off a note to the office.
Please be sure to have the name of the person picking up the child if other than the parent/guardian. Also, anyone picking up a
student must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid photo id.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS of 4th AND 5th GRADE STUDENTS
Parents/Guardians will continue to park in the North end (by water tower) of the Main Parking Lot. Parents/Guardians will line up at
Entrance door W2, with parents/guardians of 4th grade on the left and parents/guardians of 5th grade on the right. At dismissal time
parents/guardians must show the issued Identification Card before student will be released.
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PARENTS/GUARDIANS of 6th GRADE/MULTIPLE STUDENTS
Parents/Guardians of 6th grade students/multiple grades will continue to park in the rear circle (parent drop off) and form a line at door E1.
At dismissal time, parents/guardians must show the issued Identification Card before student will be released.
For those parents/guardians who have obtained identification cards but will not utilize it on a daily basis, please remember to provide
notice on the day(s) when your child will be going home via parent pick-up.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS WITHOUT IDENTIFCATION CARDS
Parents/Guardians who do not obtain an Identification Card will be required to send in a note with the student on the day in question
indicating that the student will be Parent Pick-up. Upon arrival, parents/guardians must park in the North end of the Main Parking Lot and
wait outside at the Main Entrance Foyer W6.
Upon showing valid photo identification, the student will be released.
In the event that someone other than those listed on the application form would need to pick-up your student(s), written notification (hand
written note, fax, or email) must be submitted to the main office by 2:00 PM on that day. Parents/Guardians parking in the Main Parking
Lot are reminded to drive down the access road (not through the parking lot) to park in the North End (by water tower) of the Lot.
Parents parking in the rear circle (parent drop off) are also reminded to park in the outer lane of the circle only.
SPECIAL ACTIVITY PARENT PICK-UP
Students participating in after school activities are required to submit a permission note identifying the coach/advisor, the activity,
time and date and parent/guardian signature. This note is to be given to the homeroom teacher. One note for the season will be
sufficient. All students that are being picked up for a special activity will need to report to the Auxiliary Gym when the announcement is
made. Students who do not have a note on file will not be permitted to participate in the activity and will be directed to their designated
bus. Coaches and advisors are directed to provide the office with a list of children who are on their team or in their group (this will not
substitute as a parent note). It is the student’s responsibility to report to the special activity pick-up area, they will not be called
from their classroom or bus.
„STEPPING UP‟ PROGRAM
Stepping Up sessions will be cancelled when there is early dismissal due to inclement weather and/or when all after school
activities are cancelled.
Also the week of December 21st there will be no Stepping Up.
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CALLING ALL PARENTS!!!
We are in need of volunteers to help out in our school. If you are able to help on a regular basis, you will need the following
clearances:
 FBI Criminal Record Check – Act 34 Childline Clearance (Child Abuse) – Act 151
 Fingerprints – Go to https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_pde.htm
Please contact the school office at (570) 402-1000 ext. 3001 if you have any questions regarding this process.
IN-SCHOOL HOLIDAY CONCERTS
The PVI Music Department has scheduled the following In-School Holiday Concerts.
Monday, December 21st – 5th Grade Band/Chorus Concert
Tuesday, December 22nd – 6th Grade Band/Chorus Concert
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PVI
PTO UPCOMING EVENTS
12/8 – 12/11 – Holiday Shop (during school hours)
1/19 – 1/22 – PTO Book Fair
1/28 – PVI PTO Meeting @ 3:00 PM
2/20 & 2/21 – PTO Basket Auction @ PVI
2/27 & 2/28 - PTO Basket Auction (Snow Date) @ PVI
3/17 – PVI PTO Meeting @ 4:00 PM
4/5 – 4/8 – PTO Book Fair during school hours
4/5 – PTO Book Fair (4:00 – 7:00 PM)
4/28 – PVI PTO Meeting @ 3:00 PM
5/17 – PVI PTO Meeting (Elections)
5/26 – PVI PTO Meeting @ 6:00 PM
President – Denise Smale
Vice President – Christine Erhardt
Treasurer – Megin Hoff
Secretary – Kristy Snider
Corresponding Secretary – Jessica Balbuena
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Dear PVI Families,
Welcome to December! Along with all of the busy holiday celebrations comes the winter weather. There are times that,
as a result of inclement weather or other situations beyond our control, that it is necessary to close school either before
the school day has begun or during the school day. If there is a need to enact a closing, announcements will be made
immediately through the appropriate media and connect-ed phone system.
The PBS Zone is open daily for students to redeem their blue “Gimme 5” tickets for fabulous prizes. Check this out…once
again; PVI purchased two 24” bikes, 1 boy’s bike and 1 girl’s bike for the PBS end of year prize. Also, as an added incentive
this year, we were able to add 3 Ipad minis, one for each grade level. The bikes and Ipad minis are on display in the PVI
main hallway. All students who redeem their tickets are automatically entered into this drawing.
PVI celebrated Veterans’ Day on November 11th with patriotic songs playing during homeroom. During morning
announcements, we observed a moment of silence for our service men and women. Our 5th grade students, Triniti
Dalrymple, Kassidy Shupp, Ashley Meyers, Emily Gately, Sophia Tauer and Brian O’Neill sang the Star Spangled Banner.
Also, we were honored to have four veteran guest speakers attend Veterans’ Day assemblies for our students and staff.
As we prepare for the most wonderful time of the year and a much needed winter recess, there are still many events to
look forward to. To start off, the PVI PTO will sponsor a Holiday Shop during school hours for students to get a head start
on their holiday shopping. The holiday shop will be open December 8th through December 11th. Our band and chorus
students will perform in-school winter concerts for each grade. 2nd marking period progress reports are scheduled to be
sent home with students on December 9th. Our monthly PAC (Principal’s Advisory Council) meeting will be held on
December 17that 6:00 PM. Please refer to the PVI website and this newsletter for specific information, including dates and
times.
On behalf of the administration, faculty and staff at PVI, we would like to extend warm wishes to you and your families
this holiday season. Have a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year.
Yours in Education,
Todd VanNortwick
Principal
Cassandra Herr
Assistant Principal
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DEAN OF STUDENTS
Dear PVI Community,
As the winter months are upon us, our wardrobes are changing. Once again, we see jackets, hats, gloves,
scarves, and boots. This is a good time to review the Pleasant Valley Student Dress Code. Below is the
Pleasant Valley School District Winter Guide to Standardized Dress. The complete student dress code policy
can be found on the Pleasant Valley website: www.pvbears.org. Hardcopies are also available upon request at
PVI.
Request for Student Dress Assistance Applications are also found on our district website. Applications may be
completed and sent to our District Office.
I would like to personally wish everyone a wonderful restful Winter Recess and a Happy New Year!
Yours in Education,
Mrs. Kelli George
Dean of Students
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PHOTO ID REQUIRED FOR VISITATIONS AND CONFERENCES
It is the policy of the Pleasant Valley School District that parents/guardians are welcome to visit. To visit classes and teachers, 24
hours notice to the school is needed and such visits must be pre-arranged and approved by the school. Parents/guardians are not permitted
to go directly to the classroom. This procedure enables us to monitor who comes into the building, thus ensuring your child’s safety. All
visitors shall display a school district-issued temporary identification badge, hereinafter known as a Visitor Badge, while they are in a
Pleasant Valley School District building during regular school hours whether or not there are students within that building at the time of the
visit. This pertains to, but is not limited to; all individuals who are not school employees including delivery personnel, sales persons and
construction or repair workers. No Visitor Badge will be required at sporting events, open houses, or other events as determined by the
building and/or school district administration. All visitors, upon entering any school district building or facility, are to report immediately to the
main office or other designated reception area. Visitors who do not comply with this directive will be escorted from the property. Employees
who observe someone entering school district facilities without wearing proper identification are required to confront that person or
immediately report this circumstance to the administration or a member of the security staff. Visitors, after reporting to the main office or
other designed reception area, will register (providing at a minimum: name, date, time of arrival and departure, who is being visited, and
nature of business) and as is applicable, will be given a Visitor Badge. Visitors are required to submit a driver’s license or other government
issued photo I.D. (e.g., passport, etc.) to the designed receptionist to assure proper identification and check-out by the visitor. The I.D. shall
be retained at the designed reception area. Visitors who fail to submit proper I.D. will not be permitted entry into the school facility. Upon
return of the Visitor Badge, the visitor(s) will have their I.D. returned. The Visitor Badge is to be worn at or above the waist and in clear view
at all times. The Visitor Badge is valid only for the date of issuance. No visitor may confer with a student in school without the approval of the
school principal. Should an emergency require that a student be called to the school office to meet a visitor, the principal shall determine the
parameters by which such a meeting shall take place in accordance with applicable school policies and procedures as well as state and
federal laws and regulations. Visitors are not permitted to wander through the building, but must report, or be escorted to, the area identified
as acceptable for visitation and then back to the main office or other designated reception area.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS/DELAYS/EARLY DISMISSALS
There are times that, as a result of inclement weather or a failure in the power and/or heating systems of the schools, or for other
emergency/safety concerns, it is necessary to close the schools of the school district either before the school day has begun or during the
school day. If there is a need to enact a closing, announcements will be made immediately through the appropriate media and a Connect-Ed
automated phone message will be generated. Students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) can also tune in to local radio or TV stations for this
information. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of students should also pay particular attention to possible delays in bus pick-ups, late arrivals home, or
early dismissals and are responsible to listen to public announcements regarding weather emergencies. Please refrain from contacting the
school office or central administration to obtain information regarding school closures or early dismissals.
Also, parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible to develop a plan for dealing with instances where children will be dismissed early from
school and to inform their children about what to do or where to go in the case of an early dismissal. This should be done early in the school
year so that all children are properly prepared for early dismissal at any time.
In the case of inclement weather occurring at times when school is in session; please turn on your radio or television to one of the
stations listed below to find out about early dismissals or cancellations:
WBRE-TV (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) Channel 28
WYOU-TV (Scranton) Channel 22
WNEP-TV (Moosic) Channel 16
WFMZ-TV (Allentown) Channel 69
WFMZ-FM 100.7 (Allentown)
WZZO 95.1 (Allentown)
WYNX-AM 1160 (Lehighton)
WEST AM 1400 (Lehigh Valley)
WHCY FM 106.3 (Blairstown)
WVPO AM 840 (Stroudsburg)
WSGD FM 94.3 (Moosic)
WCDL AM 1440 (Moosic)
WAEB-FM B104.1/AM 790 (Whitehall)
WARM-AM 590 (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton)
WLEV FM 96.1 (Lehigh Valley)
WXKW 1470 (Lehigh Valley)
WKAP 1320 AM (Lehigh Valley)
WSBG FM 93.5 (Stroudsburg)
WPMR FM 107.9 (Mt. Pocono)
Oldies 99.9 (Easton)
Also, the district website: www.pvbears.org or the district phone number 570-402-1000 to hear a recorded message.
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PHONE NUMBER & ADDRESS CHANGES
Please remember it is extremely important to report any telephone number changes in writing to the main office and to your child’s
teacher. All updates are necessary so the Connect-Ed automated phone system can work efficiently. This phone system notifies
parents/guardians of important messages such as school cancellations, meetings, conferences, events, etc. It is also important that any
contact numbers for your home, cell phones, employment or of people you originally designated on your emergency forms be updated. All
address changes MUST be made through Central Registration, located in the J.C. Mills wing of the high school. For more information, please
call 570-402-1000, ext. 4010.
Two–Hour Delay
No breakfast served on two-hour delay.
Lunch times will remain the same.
Specials will remain the same (between 11:04 – 3:25)
Students should be dismissed from their last period class.
One-Hour Delay
In the event of a one-hour delay, begin with period 2 (10:04-10:23 AM). Resume regular schedule
with Period 3.
Breakfast will be available for students.
Regular schedule for lunch
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Included in this newsletter is the PVI Employee of the Month form. This year, we will be
focusing on student involvement with Employee of the Month. Students will have the
opportunity each month to nominate a staff member who they feel is deserving of the award.
The attached form will help guide students through the nomination process. Please share this
information with your child. The building leadership team, building administration, and
Principals’ Student Advisory Council will have the task in determining monthly winners.
Student nominations are due to the office the second Friday of each month. If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact your child’s homeroom teacher.
The November winners are: Mrs. Cieslak 4th Grade Teacher, Mrs. Bowerman 6th Grade Teacher,
Ms. Portz 4th Grade Reading Specialist Teacher
PVI EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Staff member Being Nominated: _______________________________
Grade Level: ________
Nominating Student Name: ___________________________
Nominating Student Grade Level: _________
In 100 words or less, please describe why the person you are nominating deserves to be recognized. Please use
your best grammar, punctuation, and handwriting.
Reason for Nomination:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_________________________________
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Monday, December 7
Cereal or
Warm Blueberry Waffle
Fresh Fruit or Fruit Juice
Nonfat Milk
French Bread Pizza
Turkey Deli on Whole
Wheat Roll
Crispy Chicken Popper
Salad
Baked Beans
Chilled Fruit Mix
Monday, December 14
Cereal or
Warm Strawberry
Pancakes
Fresh Fruit or Fruit Juice
Nonfat Milk
Stuffed Crust Pizza
Chicken Nuggets with
Whole Wheat Dinner Roll
Chef Salad with Turkey
Chilled Fruit Mix
Smile Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli
Tuesday,
December 8
Cereal or
Warm Ham and
Egg Sandwich
Fresh Fruit or Fruit
Juice
Nonfat Milk
Wednesday, December 9
BREAKFAST
Cereal or
Mini-Cinnis
Fresh Fruit or Fruit Juice
Thursday, December
10
Friday,
December 11
Cereal or
Yogurt with Mini
Blueberry Loaf
Fresh Fruit or Fruit
Juice
Nonfat Milk
Cereal or
Whole Grain Pop
Tart
Fresh Fruit or
Fruit Juice
Nonfat Milk
Non Fat Milk
LUNCH
ENTRÉE - Entrées Served Every Day are Listed at the Bottom (Please Select One)
Personal Pan Pizza
Whole Wheat Kasa Pizza
Cheese Pizza
Steak Sandwich on
Whole Wheat Pasta
Whole Wheat Roll
with Meatballs &
Chicken Fries and Whole Wheat Dinner Roll
with PV Steak
Whole Wheat
Sauce
Breadstick
Crispy Chicken
Crispy Chicken
Crispy Chicken Popper Salad
Popper Salad
Popper Salad
SIDES - Sides Served Every Day are Listed at the Bottom (Please Select Two)
Seasoned Carrots
Seasoned Green Beans
Seasoned Broccoli
Smile Potatoes
Chilled Peaches
Chilled Apple Sauce
Apple Slices with
Cinnamon
Tuesday,
December 15
Cereal or
Mini French Toast
Fresh Fruit or Fruit
Juice
Nonfat Milk
Wednesday, December 16
BREAKFAST
Cereal or
Yogurt with Mini Blueberry Loaf Bread
Fresh Fruit or Fruit Juice
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Ham and Cheese
on Pretzel Bun
Crispy Chicken
Popper Salad
Chilled Pears
Seasoned Corn
Thursday, December
17
Friday,
December 18
Cereal or
Cereal or
Warm Pizza
Bagel
Fresh Fruit or
Fruit Juice
Nonfat Milk
Whole Grain Pop-Tart
Fresh Fruit or Fruit
Juice
Nonfat Milk
Non Fat Milk
LUNCH
ENTRÉE - Entrées Served Every Day are Listed at the Bottom (Please Select One)
Turkey w/Gravy & wg
Mickey's Pizza
Cheese Pizza
Roll
Sloppy Joe on
Mashed Potato Bowl ** with Whole Wheat Dinner
Hamburger on Whole
Roll
Whole Wheat Roll
Wheat Roll
Chef Salad with
Chef Salad with
Chef Salad with Turkey
Turkey
Turkey
SIDES - Sides Served Every Day are Listed at the Bottom (Please Select Two)
Mashed
Seasoned Carrots
Steamed Corn
Potatoes/Stuffing
Apple Slices with
Mashed Potatoes
Chilled Applesauce
Cinnamon
Chilled Peaches
Assorted Pizza
Big Daddy's
Pizza
Soft Shell Taco
with Brown Rice
Chef Salad with
Turkey
Baked Beans
Chilled Pears
Available Entree Options Every Day:
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
Yogurt or Yogurt Parfait with Soft Pretzel or
Bagel
** Mashed Potato
Bowl Consists of
Popcorn Chicken,
Mashed Potatoes, Corn
and Gravy
Available Side Options Every Day:
Assorted Fresh Fruits
100% Fruit Juice
Romaine Garden Salad
Veggies and Dip
Choice of 1/2 Pint of Nonfat Milk
Checks are accepted and
should be written in dark
blue or black ink and
made out to PVSD
Cafeteria.
If you have any questions or concerns call Beverly Hendricks, Food Services Director at 570-402-1000 ext. 8452.
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