Dear Methacton Families,

News of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas is beyond comprehension. This tragic event has broken our hearts and challenges all of us.

We are extremely sensitive to the stress, anxiety, and fear that this incident may cause for many in our school community. Our counselors are prepared to support any students and staff who may need it.

The safety of our students, staff and visitors is of the utmost importance in our district. We want all of our students to feel safe and secure in our schools.

Over the years, we have employed various tools to improve and strengthen safety and security across the district including working with the county’s emergency management, engaging with safety consultants, training and regular meetings of our emergency response teams and district staff and maintaining a strong relationship with local and state law enforcement, among many other measures. We have also dedicated resources to improving and increasing access to student mental and emotional health.

If would like some support in talking with your children about this incident, the following are some resources you might consider:

• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
• Helping Your Child Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting

 

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear District Families,

According to the CDC’s Covid-19 Community Level Transmission tracking system data tool, Montgomery County is now at the High Community Transmission Level. As such, the change in this level comes with recommendations from the CDC to mask indoors and on public transportation.

At this time, the district will remain mask optional.

We are providing this information to inform you and to allow you an opportunity to discuss with your child how to best proceed with respects to masking or other mitigation measures as you see fit.

The district will continue to monitor and communicate with families on this matter as appropriate.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

Please be advised that we continue to monitor COVID cases of students and staff. As such, it is important for me to share that we have had a slight uptick (nothing near what we experienced in January 2022) in cases beginning this week. We had around 10 cases last week and jumped to 24 on Monday district-wide and now at 34 as of April 29, 2022. The largest uptick is at Eagleville Elementary School by about 10 students and many are from same neighborhood and happen to ride the same bus. I have instructed that the bus associated with this uptick in cases be cleaned/disinfected each evening for the next 5 school days. This uptick in cases is also occurring in many of our surrounding districts.

In an abundance of caution, I have instructed our custodial staff to do the following starting today for the next 7 school days in all buildings:

• Frequent cleaning/disinfecting of door handles, desks, water fountains, light switches, and other high touch areas
• Disinfecting/wiping down cafeteria tables between lunches

Further, the county department of health is recommending that staff and students do the following for the next 7 days:

• Frequent hand washing; cover your cough; voluntary mask wearing to protect others
• Stay home when not feeling well 
• Report any cases of COVID-19 to school nurse
• Open windows for ventilation when reasonable

Please note that the district is not requiring the wearing of masks. This communication is being sent only as a precautionary measure.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

Today marks the last day of school prior to our Spring Break (April 13-18). Students will return to school on Tuesday April 19, 2022.

I want to take this opportunity to communicate two important things:

1. THANK YOU!!!
   • Thank you for being a partner with us in the education of your child(ren). Our staff does amazing work, but we always do it better when parents are directly involved in their child’s education or are involved as a volunteer in the education of other children.
2. ENJOY!!!
   • Please take this opportunity during Spring Break to create moments with your family that will be cherished for a lifetime. This might come in the form of a family trip or by sharing the sofa with your child and a good book.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Dear Methacton Families,

This communication shall serve as a reminder that we must all remain cognizant of the protocols used in our schools with respects to COVID.

Please know that our nursing staff remains vigilant at evaluating students and staff who present with COVID symptoms. Recognizing that flu, allergy, and other viruses may contribute to the frequency of people presenting with similar symptoms, our nursing staff, upon their evaluation, can require COVID testing prior to returning to school/work.

If a nurse sends a student or an employee home requiring a COVID test, then the communication of the test result must occur prior to the student’s/employee’s return. Home tests or tests administered by a provider are all acceptable and simply require the nurse to know if there is a positive or negative result. If positive, the nurse will assess the unique situation and determine, and communicate, the date of return for the student/employee.

The building office will notify parents/guardians when a student tests positive via an email communication home to the primary parent contact on the child’s record.

We encourage students, parents, and staff to continue with self-health checks daily and when feeling ill to stay home.

Reminder, you can always contact your child’s school nurse for guidance.
 
Sincerely,
Dr. David Zerbe
Superintendent of Methacton School District

Dear Methacton Families,

March 12, 2020 marked the beginning of what has been one of the most challenging periods of time in the history of our country and the world. The Coronavirus pandemic has influenced all facets of our lives, including the operation of public schools. The Methacton Board of School Directors, all volunteers from within our community, stepped forward to keep the safety of your children and our staff at the forefront of their decision making.

The consistent regard for the health, safety, and wellness of students, families, and staff during these past 23 months reflects the commitment of the Board to Methacton Schools. The Board of School Directors, together with the Superintendent, made safety-focused decisions without direct guidance from the federal, state or county governmental levels. The Board’s decisions and mitigation measures to keep children safe, including the masking of staff and students, prevented the virus spread within our schools while continuing to provide students with an exceptional education.

It goes without saying, but none of our School Directors signed up for making virus mitigation decisions. However, this is what they have done -- and by keeping the health and safety of students and staff at the forefront, did an extraordinary job during these most challenging times.

On February 25, 2022, the CDC issued new guidance on masking in schools. This guidance recommends masking indoors for schools that are in counties with “High” level of transmission. Transmission levels of “Low” and “Medium” do not have the masking recommendations. As of this notice, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania is in the “Medium” transmission level.

The Board of School Directors and Superintendent have determined that the new CDC guidance provides a positive reset on the metrics used to determine levels and the associated masking recommendation. As a school entity that has followed the CDC guidance from the beginning of this pandemic, it is both enlightening and revealing that this pandemic is near its end.

A tremendous thank you to all of our Methacton students, staff, and families for everything you have done to mitigate the risks of COVID in our community.

The position of the Board has always been that when safe to remove masking requirements, it would move swiftly to accomplish this action. Therefore, today, 2/26/2022, beginning at 3:00PM EST, all Methacton Schools will proceed to a mask-optional environment.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Methacton Schools

Note: Federal Transportation Mask Requirement is now eliminated as of 2/25/2022. CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.

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Dear Methacton Families and Staff,

Welcome to 2022.

As we near the end of this winter break and recognizing that COVID incidence and positivity rates have recently risen, please remember to be vigilant in your efforts to keep yourself, your children, and others as safe as possible.

To that end, I want to share these updates with you:

1. Based on recommendations from CHOP and the Montgomery County Department of Health, all Methacton Schools will return to school on January 3, 2022 for in-person instruction.
2. All persons (students/staff) are required to wear a mask.
3. Students/Parents/Staff must continue to conduct daily self-health checks and practice “Stay Home if feeling ill”
4. The district continues to monitor local levels of virus transmission and will resume updates on the district data dashboard beginning January 1, 2022.
5. The County Department of Health Exclusion protocol (otherwise known as the quarantine protocol) was updated on 12/28/21 to reflect recent CDC changes. We ask that parents/students be patient when dealing with our nursing staff as these changes are being implemented.
6. Please keep your building nurse updated on COVID related issues regarding your student.
7. All other health and safety protocols will remain in force.

Sincerely,
Dr. David Zerbe
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Skyview Families,

It is important that I share this communication regarding our continued effort to keep students and staff safe.

Late this evening, we received a Safe 2 Say notice and a communication from a parent with concerns regarding information their Skyview child saw on social media.

The information was collected, assessed and shared with local law enforcement.

In an abundance of caution, law enforcement made a home visit, completed their investigation and determined that the situation does not constitute a credible threat.

Recognizing that the frequency with which I am sending these messages can be challenging for parents and students alike, I am making Skyview Administration and School Counselors available tomorrow in the event that any student needs to speak to an adult.

Please know that it takes all of us to continue to be vigilant, so say something when you see or hear something that causes concern. Additionally, it is helpful for you to share with your child that they can report concerns to a teacher or via Safe 2 Say system:

Reach Safe2Say Online:  https://www.safe2saypa.org

Download the App:  https://www.safe2saypa.org/download/

Call the Helpline:  1-844-SAF2SAY

 

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

The Methacton Board of School Directors will be holding a special meeting on Thursday, December 16, 2021 to consider changes to the Health and Safety Plan.

The Methacton School District Pandemic Team has recommended that the Board consider changing to a mask optional environment for students, staff, and visitors in grades 7-12 at the end of January 2022 and in grades K-6 at the end of February 2022.

The rational for the recommendation involves a number of matters, including:

• The county Department of Health’s plan to release a sliding scale masking recommendation that asks school districts to treat vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff differently;
• The planned end to the state masking mandate that was originally set to expire on January 17, 2022;
• Adults and students of all ages have had the opportunity to take advantage of vaccinations;
• Transmission rates generally decline as we go into the spring.

The special meeting of the Board will begin at 7PM in the Arcola Intermediate School Auditorium and will be broadcasted via YouTube.

Dr. David Zerbe
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Arcola and Skyview Families,

It is important that I share another communication regarding our continued effort to keep students and staff safe.

Late this evening, we received several Safe 2 Say notices and emails from parents with concerns regarding the information their children are now reading on social media. This information is different than what we investigated earlier today, which was communicated to you, and was found to be unsubstantiated.

The new information involves different students and, as such, required us to complete an entirely new administrative investigation into this matter along with involving local law enforcement.

It is important that you are aware that this new matter involved a home visit by police. In summary, the information reported this evening was investigated and is determined not to be a credible threat.

Please know that each day we have various security measures in place to help us maintain a safe campus. We are always in direct contact with law enforcement in matters such as these and appreciate your patience and cooperation in these matters.

As stated in an earlier message today, we do recognize that recent events in the news have placed all of us on heightened concern. I can tell you that the Arcola and Skyview Principals and School Counselors did hold meetings today with students in order to provide information and reassurances and particularly thank students for reporting concerns.

Please know that it takes all of us to continue to be vigilant, so say something when you see or hear something that causes concern. Additionally, it is helpful for you to share with your child that they can report concerns to a teacher or via Safe 2 Say system:

Reach Safe2Say Online:  https://www.safe2saypa.org

Download the App:  https://www.safe2saypa.org/download/

Call the Helpline:  1-844-SAF2SAY

 

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

As partners in the continued effort to keep students and staff safe, I want to make sure that all of our parents/guardians are aware of rumors circulating that are perpetuating concern. We are sharing this with all our families in the instance that the rumors continue to circulate outside of the Arcola/Skyview families.

There have been more than 50 reports to the administration from students and parents that they heard a student from Arcola Intermediate School could be a potential threat.

These reports have been investigated and a determination made that there is no credible threat. All claims were unsubstantiated. Local authorities have reviewed the matter and determined the same.

In summary, all students and staff are safe.

We do recognize that recent events in the news have placed all of us on heightened concern. As such, the Arcola and Skyview Principals and School Counselors will be meeting with students in the school today to provide information and reassurances regarding this particular matter and to thank students for reporting concerning information when they hear it.

Please know that it takes all of us to continue to be vigilant, so say something when you see or hear something that causes concern. Additionally, it is helpful for you to share with your child that they can report concerns to a teacher or via Safe 2 Say system:

Reach Safe2Say Online:  https://www.safe2saypa.org

Download the App:  https://www.safe2saypa.org/download/

Call the Helpline:  1-844-SAF2SAY

 

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

As partners in the continued effort to keep students and staff safe, I want to make sure that our parents/guardians have accurate information.

The administration at Skyview and Arcola received information recently from parents and students regarding a potential threat.

The outcome of the investigations suggests that the information is based on rumors from an unsubstantiated threat that originated in Georgia in October 2021 (see message to families on October 27, 2021).

All Methacton students and staff are safe.

If you see something, say something. We encourage students to report any concerning matters to our teachers or support staff. Students can also report tips to the Safe 2 Say Something system.

Reach Safe2Say Online:  https://www.safe2saypa.org

Download the App:  https://www.safe2saypa.org/download/

Call the Helpline:  1-844-SAF2SAY

 

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

This notice is for parents with children who are currently in the asynchronous online instruction delivery model, known as Methacton Virtual Academy, and for parents of children that are interested in attending the asynchronous online instruction delivery model beginning mid-January.

If your child is currently attending in person and will continue to attend in person for the second half of the school year, please disregard this message.

Message:

The district will be issuing notices to families of students currently in the asynchronous online instruction delivery model, known as Methacton Virtual Academy, to determine their child’s/children’s continuation in this program for next semester.

Furthermore, the district will provide notice to families with children participating in in-person instruction that the option of the asynchronous online instruction delivery model will be available beginning with the semester change on January 21, 2022.

As outlined in the Methacton School District Health and Safety Plan, approved 8/10/2021, parents have the option for their child to return from online to in-person, and to go online from in-person, at the change in mid-year.

Notices are scheduled for distribution around mid-December 2021. The only actions required are for parents of children that want to continue or begin online instruction for the second half of the year.

That deadline will be January 10, 2022.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

This message is to serve as a reminder that all Methacton Schools will dismiss early on November 19, 2021 in order to provide access to the vaccine booster clinic for staff.

The early dismissal schedule is as follows:

1. Grades 9-12 will be dismissed at 11:00AM
   1. Full-time NMTCC students will attend a regular NMTCC schedule that day.
2. Grades 5-8 will be dismissed at 12:00PM
3. Grades 1-4 will be dismissed at 1:00PM
   2021. AM & PM Kindergarten students will not be attending in person on Nov 19, 2021.

Thank you,

Methacton School District

Dear Methacton Families, 

I am sharing the following information to limit any potential confusion concerning a court ruling on masking. 

Earlier today, the Commonwealth Court issued a ruling voiding Acting Secretary Beam’s school mask order. The state is filing an appeal, which has triggered a stay of the Court’s ruling and keeps the order in effect. Please see news of the matter here.

The PA Acting Secretary’s school mask order was put into place after the Methacton School District approved its health and safety plan, which followed guidance of the Montgomery County Department of Public Health quarantine protocols, thus requiring masking in Methacton schools. Therefore, this ruling has no direct relationship to the district’s health and safety plan.  

All students, staff, and visitors will continue to follow the masking policies established by the Board of School Directors that have been in place since the beginning of the school year. 

I will continue to monitor the court matter and appraise the district’s Pandemic Team and Board of any such need to modify the district’s current masking policy.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools 

Dear Methacton Families,

In partnership with Skippack Pharmacy, the Methacton School District has organized a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for 5-year-old through 11-year-old district students in the Main Gym at Methacton High School on Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 4pm to 8pm.

This opportunity is voluntary.

To register your child for an appointment, please click the link below:

METHACTON KIDS VACCINE CLINIC (11-18-2021) - (PFIZER COVID-19 Vaccine) (jotform.com)

Methacton School District

Dear Methacton Families,

All Methacton Schools will dismiss early on November 19, 2021.

See schedule below:

1. Grades 9-12 will be dismissed at 11:00AM
1. Full-time NMTCC students will attend a regular NMTCC schedule that day.
2. Grades 5-8 will be dismissed at 12:00PM
3. Grades 1-4 will be dismissed at 1:00PM
1. AM & PM Kindergarten students will not be attending in person on Nov 19, 2021.

In partnership with the Skippack Pharmacy, the district has organized a staff vaccine booster clinic in the afternoon on Friday, November 19, 2021. This clinic will allow for a coordinated opportunity to provide access for all our staff – to help protect them and protect your children. As such, principals and teachers will be in contact with families regarding the asynchronous work being issued for that afternoon (and for AM Kindergarten). Assignments will be provided in paper form or via Google Classroom. Specific information on these assignments will be provided well in advance of November 19, 2021.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter and thank you for being a Methacton School District partner.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

This morning, the district was notified of a social media post that may have been shared among some Arcola students. The reported social media post raised concerns about a potential threat against an unnamed school.

Our Threat Assessment Team received the information and reported it to local law enforcement who confirmed that the social media post was referring to an unidentified school in the state of Georgia and not a school in the Methacton School District.

Law enforcement determined that there is no credible threat against any of our schools. All students and staff are safe and the school day has proceeded as normal.

We were able to resolve this matter because a parent reported something that caused them concern. This incident is a reminder of how we can all play an important role in ensuring the safety of one another and our schools.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

The district provided a virtual Zoom meeting on September 27, 2021 as a final step in the district’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee’s process. This committee, made up of approximately 50 student, staff, community, Board, and administration stakeholders, provided the district with a summary of recommendations for consideration in the Strategic Plan.

As with all recommendations, my administration and I review them. Similar to the focus groups that will meet later this month, these groups will make recommendations that will require our review and determination as to their viability and suitability within the Strategic Plan.

While the district recognizes that there has been some concern over the use of the Warrior costume and the use of some Native American imagery, the district has no interest in changing the district mascot name. We are and will remain the Methacton Warriors.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Students and Families,

Annually, we provide a reminder to students and families that they can use the Safe2Say Something app and helpline to report anything that makes them or a friend feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Students can report tips about child abuse, bullying, racial bias, discrimination, threats, self-harm, depression, and other troubling behaviors or actions. All tips are anonymous. Safe2Say is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

Reach Safe2Say Online:  https://www.safe2saypa.org

Download the App:  https://www.safe2saypa.org/download/

Call the Helpline:  1-844-SAF2SAY

Click Here to Download a Flyer

The state’s Safe2Say Something team has developed live virtual training sessions (30 minutes) for students in grades 6-12.  These trainings consist of an overview of the Safe2Say Reporting System and instructions on how to report a tip.  We will be scheduling this training for our students in grades 6-12 at the end of October or early November.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades 6 through 12,

We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together to educate the students in our district. Students in grades 6 through 12 will be provided a research-based survey on school climate, teacher-student relationships, belonging, mindset, and safety on October 1 (Skyview, Arcola and High School).

The online survey will be completed at school during a scheduled period determined by the building principal. The survey generally takes about 10 minutes to complete. If your child doesn’t feel like they have enough information to answer a specific question, they will be able to skip the item altogether. The responses to these surveys will be confidential.

Parents/Guardians can review the survey questions by visiting the link below. Instructions to opt your child out of the survey (closes at 12 NOON on September 28, 2021) is also included in the link below.

STUDENT 6-12 SURVEY QUESTIONS

& OPT OUT FORM

https://www.methacton.org/Page/892

We have partnered with Panorama Education to support us in administering this survey.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact your child’s principal.

Thank you,

Methacton School District

 

Dear Methacton Families,

We want to make you aware that there are trending videos of students from other school districts across the nation that shows them damaging, destroying, and stealing school property. These acts of vandalism and theft are being filmed by students and posted on TikTok with the hashtags #deviouslick and #lick.

We can confirm that the bathrooms at Methacton High School have recently been exposed to some of these acts. 

We recognize that the majority of our students would NEVER engage in this type of behavior. We want to encourage ALL of our students to make good decisions. Please know that damaging, destroying, and stealing school property is a violation of the code of student conduct and the matter will also be turned over to the appropriate authorities. Our students can reach out to any teacher, building administrator, or school resource officer to report any inappropriate activity.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and your continued partnership as we all work to ensure an exceptional Methacton School District experience for all.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has approved Methacton School District’s request to provide “Flexible Instructional Days” (FID) to our learners. This means that once a situation occurs that requires the district to close, for instance, severe weather, the district will announce to students, parents/guardians, and staff that a Flexible Instructional Day will be used in place of students attending in person and in place of calling off a day and having to add it to the end of the school year. A Flexible Instructional Day will count as a full day of school and it will not have to be made up during the school year.

Flexible Instructional Days use a variety of strategies to provide instruction on regularly-scheduled school days when a different approach is necessary, typically due to inclement weather conditions. If a Flexible Instructional Day is called by the Superintendent, a communication will go to all contacts in SchoolMessenger and will be posted on our website and district social media. We will give families as much notice as possible. We believe that using a Flexible Instructional Day will enable us to continue the learning for our students while they are at home.

Sincerely,

Dr. David A. Zerbe
Superintendent
Methacton School District

Dear Methacton Families,

Last evening, August 10, 2021, the Board of School Directors approved modifications to The Health and Safety Plan. See plan here: 2021-2022 Health and Safety Plan.

The main modification is a change from optional masking for adults and students to a universal requirement for masking of all persons K-12.

Since April of 2021, we -- the superintendents in Montgomery County -- have been hearing from the county and CHOP that it is more than likely that we will be able to plan for a start of school without requiring masks. This was my general understanding and it was the same understanding shared among members of the District’s Pandemic Team, some of whom also are in regular contact with the county health department. The proposal for optional masking was, nearly a month ago, thought to be the most appropriate and most favorable path for a school start.

The optional masking plan was presented in the work session of the Board on July 22 with no indication of issue. On July 27, at 3pm, just 4 hours prior to the Board of School Directors’ scheduled vote on the health and safety plan (optional masking), the CDC revised their masking recommendations in that all persons in schools – regardless of vaccination status – wear masks indoors. Then on July 29, 2021, the Montgomery County Department of Public Health revised their masking recommendations as follows:

“In alignment with CDC, MCOPH recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers,
staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status or school district level of community transmission.”

As you can imagine, the CDC-revised recommendations, so close to the start of the school year, make things challenging. However, a closer look at their rationale for these changes involves the proliferation and behavior of the COVID Delta variant that makes vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals susceptible, and where the healthcare experts have concluded that masking and distancing in schools is still the most appropriate mitigation strategy.

Aside from the health and safety benefits for or against masking, the pressing matter is the impact of contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine protocols, established by the county on the continuity of our educational program. Our nurses are required to follow the county’s contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine protocols. In doing so, students that do not meet both of these criteria – 3 feet or greater and masked – will not be in school for 7-10 days if infected or considered a close contact.

As such, the Board approved the universal masking to begin August 16, 2021, where such approval allows for us to best meet the goal in providing a consistent in-person instructional program for all students.

Sincerely,
Dr. David Zerbe
Superintendent of Schools

August 10, 2021

Dear Methacton Families,

As the first day of the 2021-2022 school year approaches on August 30, here are a few notes and reminders to help your family prepare for another successful school year:

PowerSchool Parent Portal

• Class/Teacher Assignments will be available in PowerSchool on the following dates:
  • Methacton High School – August 16, 2021
  • Arcola/Skyview/All Elementary – August 23, 2021
• Contact Information Verification: Please review your student’s emergency contact information in PowerSchool (Navigation Menu > Contact Information) to verify the information is correct or make any necessary updates.
• The following forms can be found under Navigation Menu > Forms > General Forms.
  • Student Health Form: This form must be reviewed and verified every school year.
  • Acknowledgements (available on August 25, 2021)
    • Handbook Sign Off: Please review your student’s school handbook in PowerSchool or on the building websites. You will be prompted to acknowledge that you have reviewed and discussed the document with your student.
    • Code of Conduct Sign Off
    • Acceptable Use Policy
    • Board Policies
• Optional Publicity Refusal Form (available August 25, 2021): If you do not want your student videotaped or photographed in the 2021-2022 school year, complete the Publicity Refusal Form in PowerSchool by September 15, 2021.
• Visit https://www.methacton.org/powerschool for details on how to access your parent portal account. If you have not already established your portal access, please call the main office at your student’s school to obtain the necessary credentials (Access ID and Password for each student) to create your account.

Transportation

• 2021-2022 student school bus assignments will be available within PowerSchool on August 23, 2021.
• For any questions/concerns related to transportation, please visit the transportation website: methacton.org/transportation.

School Supply Lists

• Elementary - Lists of any necessary school supplies will be sent home with teacher letters.
• Skyview
• Arcola

2021-2022 School Year Calendar at a Glance

The instructional calendar is approved by the Board of School Directors in the spring for the following school year. It is distributed to all families each year via email, and outlines days schools are in session, potential make-up days, etc. Find other events and activities for the coming school year on the district website calendar.

Back to School Night Schedule

Methacton High School

• September 14 (Grades 9 and 10): 7 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• September 20 (Grades 11 and 12): 7 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Arcola Intermediate School

• August 25 (Grade 7): 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  
• August 25 (Grades 8): 8:15 p.m. –  9:15 p.m.

Skyview Upper Elementary School

• September 8 (Grade 5): 6:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
• September 29 (Grade 6): 6:30 p.m. -8:15p.m.

Arrowhead Elementary School

• September 23: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Eagleville Elementary School

• September 22: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Woodland Elementary School

• September 21: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Worcester Elementary School

• September 13: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Get more back to school news and information at www.methacton.org/backtoschool. We will update this page as needed, as we approach the first day of school.

Dear Methacton Community,

Back-to-school season is here and we look forward to welcoming students, families, and staff in the next few weeks. We also know that this time of year can be challenging in other ways for some families. Please consider contributing today -- or anytime during the school year – to the Methacton Backpack program. The Methacton Backpack program serves district families-in-need with supplemental food and non-food items. Our volunteers sort, pick and pack hundreds of items that are distributed on a monthly basis.

Families who qualify for free/reduced meals are eligible to apply for the Backpack Program. Please contact your child’s building secretary if you would like register your child(ren).

There are several ways to contribute to the Backpack Program:

• Collection Bins
• Donations can be dropped off (Monday thru Friday) at the Methacton High School East Wing or Arcola Intermediate School. Collection bins are located near the entrance.
• Amazon
• You can place an order through Amazon and ship it directly to the High School. Please remember to select, "No Weekend Delivery". The address is:

Methacton High School
c/o Backpack Program
1005 Kriebel Mill Rd.
Eagleville, PA 19403

• Financial Donation
• Provide a one-time donation or recurring donation to the Backpack Program. Click here to be directed to the RevTrak web payments system.
• Volunteer
• Volunteers can help sort donated items and pack bags for distribution. Visit the district's volunteer page to learn how to become a volunteer.

What items can I donate?

• Individual Serving Food Items
  
  • Single serving boxes of milk (shelf-stable/not refrigerated)
  • Mini Cereal Boxes
  • Canned Soup (cans with "pop tops")
  • Oatmeal packets or cups
  • Applesauce and Fruit Cups
  • Chef Boyardee, Hormel, Dinty More Meals, etc.
  • Easy Mac Cups
  • Cracker packs
  • Sweet Snacks: Fruit gummies, pudding, granola bars, etc.
  • Salty Snacks: Pretzel packs, Goldfish, Popcorn, etc.
  • 100% Juice boxes
• Non-Food Items
  
  • Bar Soap
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrushes (adult and child, soft)
  • Shampoo (all hair types)
  • Conditioner (all hair types)
  • Feminine Hygiene Supplies
  • Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
  • Dish Soap (liquid)
  • Laundry Detergent

Thank you for all you do to support our school community. Please enjoy these final weeks of summer.

Methacton School District

Dear Methacton Families,

The Methacton Board of School Directors are planning to consider recommendations on revisions to the 2021-2022 Health and Safety Plan at a meeting scheduled for August 10, 2021 at the Arcola Intermediate School Auditorium beginning at 6:30 PM.

On July 27, 2021 at 3PM, the CDC updated their masking recommendations to include masking for vaccinated individuals in response to the Delta variant spread. The Methacton School Board voted that same evening (just a few hours later) on a Health and Safety Plan (that the district Pandemic Team approved) that provided for a mask-optional environment based on information just one month prior. On July 29, 2021, the Montgomery County Department of Health updated their masking recommendations to match the CDC, which includes this statement:

“In alignment with CDC, MCOPH recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status or school district level of community transmission.” https://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/32152/MCOPH-2021-2021-School-Year-COVID-School-Guidance

The revisions by the CDC and MCOPH now specifically recommending masking for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals is at the heart of our concern. While the promise of being vaccinated was reported to limit the need for some mitigation strategies, the Delta variant is causing some vaccine breakthrough infections, meaning infections in fully vaccinated people, and is believed to spread more than twice as easily from one person to another; and, has become the predominant variant going from <1% in May to over 80% of cases in July.

The result is that recommended revisions to the health and safety plan now include universal masking K-12 indoors only and a change to seating/distancing in cafeterias. The plan continues to provide a layered mitigation approach to allow for an appropriate in-person experience, now with mandatory masking. The county has stated that universal masking combined with 3-feet distancing will significantly reduce the need for staff and students to quarantine (missing school/work).

On Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 8AM, the revised plan will be posted on the “2021-2022 School Year” section of district’s website under the “Plans” tab.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Methacton Families,

We are nearly one month away from the start of school. I want to share some important information regarding our return to keep you apprised of our plans for the new school year.

Please review the approved Health and Safety Plan for the 2021-2022 school year by clicking the link here. We have also posted the 2021-2022 Continuity of Instruction Plan on the district’s website.

The Methacton School District will open for in-person instruction, 5-days per week, for all students in kindergarten through grade 12 beginning August 30, 2021 with a layered COVID-19 mitigation strategy plan. The mitigation strategies will be implemented in accordance with the low, moderate, substantial community transmission levels within our community.

The incidence rate in the county as of July 15 is 12.5 out of 100,000 and the positivity rate is 1.5%.

The incidence rate in the district as of July 15 is 5.44 out of 100,000 and the district positivity rate is 1.78%.

The Health and Safety Plan uses the same PDE chart used last year and indicates that any masking mandates or school closures would need to come from the Department of Health. In the instance that a closure is required, students would attend school online 5-days per week via Google Classroom and Zoom with synchronous instruction led by a Methacton teacher. Since we will be actively monitoring transmission data and working weekly with the County Department of Health, we will make every effort to communicate in advance to inform of such a change to allow families, students, and teachers to best prepare. The Health and Safety plan outlines mitigation strategies including:

• Indoor masking recommendation (Substantial Level).
• Daily self-screening.
• 3-foot distancing whenever feasible.
• Use of plastic dividers/separators.
• Test-to-stay protocol (in development with CHOP).
• Classrooms/students organized in cohort or pods.
• Ventilation improvements/adjustments.
• Focus on handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.
• Stay home if feeling ill practice.
• Regular cleaning/spraying of high touch areas.

The plan provides a mask-optional environment that will allow for parent/child determination on masking. It is recommended that parents begin speaking with their child about the choice of wearing a mask knowing that our staff and administration will not be supervising masking in a mask-optional environment (except where required under law or as part of an IEP). In addition, parents need to know that federal law requires all persons to wear a mask on a school bus and any other school provided transportation.

Our administration will continue to communicate any updates or new information related to the return to school. We look forward to welcoming new and returning students next month.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe
Superintendent of Schools