Chimes for a Responsive Classroom Time, safety, and best practices have educators rethinking ways of getting students organized and on track. Whether transitioning to new learning activities, reviewing directions, or pausing to reflect on work, trying to bring students back to attention can be challenging and a time-waster. Getting students’ attention effectively doesn’t need to…
Math Game Bundle How can teachers build math facts in a fun and supportive environment? Katie Conaron, Gifted Support Teacher at Schwenksville Elementary School, plans to use “family night” style games to help students build their math skills engagingly and positively. Learning math facts through these games allows her students to not feel isolated or…
Death, Loss, & Grief Professional Development Despite the many positives throughout Perkiomen Valley, the truth of life is that there is also grief and suffering over the loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, it is an inevitable experience that, at some point, we all lose someone close to us. Through the Death, Loss, and Grief…
Sensory Walls at Skippack Elementary Imagine a school environment where every student has access to a place of calm and focus, where sensory needs are met so effectively that learning and development are naturally enhanced. Skippack Elementary School is making this vision a reality by introducing Sensory Walls — a transformative tool designed to support…
PV Professional Learning In an era when we are all so busy that we use services to deliver groceries and eals to our houses, how can teachers stay at the forefront of the current trends in education? Fortunately for the staff in Perkiomen Valley, the team of Instructional Coaches has found a way to develop…
Chladni Plate Have you ever wondered what sound looks like? It may seem paradoxical at first—after all, sound is something we hear, not see. Thanks to a fascinating scientific instrument called Chladni plates, we can now visualize sound in a way that transcends our auditory senses, opening doors to a new realm of understanding. This…
Mini-Hydroponic Growing Systems: Native Plant Species The Foundation granted Mr. Tomlinson and Mrs. Voicheck at Evergreen Elementary a Mini-Hydroponic Growing System so that they could grow native plant species in their classrooms. Mr. Tomlinson and Mrs. Voicheck wanted to implement a hydroponics-based educational initiative aimed at cultivating native plants, with a particular focus on species…
Unpack It Unpack It is a project to support Skippack Elementary School students facing challenging life events. Every school year, students and families work to overcome tremendous personal obstacles such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a pet, divorce or separation in the family, serious illnesses, moving, and so much more.…
Bird Walk Embarking on a journey of discovery, Perkiomen Valley School District Foundation helped Life Science Teacher Danielle Emers expand the transformation of Middle School West’s Courtyard by funding her grant, Bird Walk. Mrs. Emer’s seventh-grade students investigated the intricacies of flight and vision and created an environment where birds could flourish. Previously, in the courtyard,…
Tinker Tank The district has been working to reimagine the library spaces across the district. Melissa Overholser, Librarian at Schwenksville Elementary, envisioned this through a Tinker Tank, commonly known as a maker space. Her goal is for the library space to be seen as a safe place for students to explore and be creative without…