Wednesday, February 23, 2011

School Board Authorizes Preparation of PlanCon F & Bids For QVMS Renovation

The Quaker Valley School Board authorized the district administration to work with Eckles Architecture & Engineering to prepare and submit PlanCon F (Construction Documents) to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). As part of this process the Board passed a “Resolution of Certification” in lieu of agency approval permits and service availability letters as part of the requirement of PlanCon F.

PlanCon Part F as stated by the PDE “…is a conference to review the bid specifications and drawings for the project and documentation that other state and local agency requirements have been met or will be met before entering into construction contracts…”

In addition, the School Board authorized the district administration and Eckles Architecture and Engineering to prepare and publish bids for the additions and renovations to the middle school project. PDE approval of PlanCon F authorizes the district to receive bids and enter into construction contracts.

PlanCon is an acronym for Planning and Construction Workbook, a set of forms and procedures required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Districts must adhere to the PlanCon process when applying for reimbursement in the State of Pennsylvania. As stated on the PDE website, “The PlanCon forms are designed to document a local school district's planning process, provide justification for a project to the public, ascertain compliance with state laws and regulations and establish the level of state participation in the cost of the project.”

The district has fulfilled previous sections of the PlanCon process and requests board approval each step of the way. The School Board approves each submission for PlanCon; the School Board oversees that each PlanCon requirement is being met.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

District Announces Proposed Relocation of Middle School Co-curricular Programs & Activities

Community-wide collaboration has resulted in a comprehensive plan of proposed relocations for middle school co-curricular programs and activities for the 2011-2012 school year, while Quaker Valley Middle School undergoes a major renovation. In addition, the plan includes those community-based programs that traditionally have been housed at the middle school.

The district shared the plans with the school board on February 8, and QVMS Principal Sean Aiken shared the plan with parents who attended his scheduled parent coffee on February 16.

Mr. Aiken along with Michael Mastroianni, Director of Athletics and Activities held many meetings with coaches and sponsors of middle school sports and activities to determine the needs of each group prior to Mr. Mastroianni’s meeting with various community groups to locate alternative venues.

“We are fortunate to have strong community partners that we can call on at a time like this. Everyone was very generous with their facilities to accommodate our program schedules. Mr. Aiken and I did not want to abandon any programs and we wanted to try to keep them centralized to the schools and Sewickley Village,” Mr. Mastroianni said. With the help of the community, we came up with a plan that accomplishes those goals.”

The next step in the process has already begun. The district transportation department is working on the bus schedules and routes that will transport the middle school students to all afterschool programs.

To view and download a copy of the Proposed Locations for Quaker Valley Middle School Co-Curricular Programs & Activities during the 2011-2012 (Construction Year).

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Middle School Afterschool Activities Discussed

In anticipation of the middle school students attending both Osborne Elementary School (grade 6) and the Anthony Wayne school (grades 7 & 8) in 2011-2012, the district administrators and middle school staff have been busy locating alternative venues for the middle school’s afterschool activities, sports and programs.

At his first of two gatherings specifically planned to provide middle school parents with renovation updates and to hear parent concerns, principal Sean Aiken shared some of the location options and projected transportation solutions. “We will make every effort not to abandon our activities and programs next year,” Mr. Aiken said.

Again, on February 16th from 8:00-9:30 AM, Mr. Aiken will answer parent questions and discuss any concerns. Please contact Mrs. Cheryl Savage at 412.749.5079 to RSVP. The meetings will take place in the community room at the middle school.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Video Perspective: QVMS Project

Throughout the last several months, we had the opportunity to meet and talk with dozens of families about our exciting plans to renovate Quaker Valley Middle School. Although we enjoy sharing our vision, the most valuable aspect of our meetings was being able to listen to the questions and concerns of our parents.

We worked hard to address issues as they were presented and we continue to update the QVMS Renovation Blog to keep you informed on our progress.  We decided to take it one step further and create a short video that features many of our middle school teachers and administrators. It is our hope that they provide you with additional information regarding some of the common concerns that we have heard throughout this process. 

When faced with a new situation, children often follow the lead of adults.  Our Quaker Valley staff views the renovation project as a positive initiative – one that will greatly improve the educational environment for middle school children for years to come. 

We hope that you share that enthusiasm.  What is most important is that we all consider what we can do individually and collectively to support our students and teachers in the coming school year as they meet the challenges of change.

Together we will ensure another successful, fun-filled year at QVMS in 2011-12.

Click here to view the video