August 27, 2021

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Welcome back! As the summer vacation weeks begin to dwindle, the school year will begin for all students on Wednesday, September 1. The school day will begin promptly at 8:42 a.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. Students arriving after 8:42 must check in at the office and will be marked tardy. When students arrive at the school, a list of homerooms will be posted. Students will find their names indicating homeroom assignments. Their homeroom teacher will distribute other pertinent school information on the first day of school during homeroom period. The signed information should be returned to school by Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Thank you for your assistance.

We need your continued support with attendance, electronic devices and student attire.

• If your student is going to be absent, please call the school at 732-3111 before 9:00 a.m. to report their absence. Only School Board approved reasons will be accepted for an excused absence. The information regarding attendance can be found in the Student Handbook or on the website www.sau31.org. The school will call home for absent students for whom we have not been notified. A student is considered truant if he/she is not in attendance at school for a total of ten (10) unexcused days of the school year. When this occurs the student’s name must be submitted to the state and a parent meeting will be required.

• Cell phones and electronic devices are to be turned off and out of sight during the academic day from 8:42 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. If a teacher requests a phone a students shall hand the phone to the teacher immediately. Failure to comply will result in the device being brought to the main office and a detention assigned. The device may be picked up at the end of the day. Further incidents will require parent and administrative involvement.

• Please contact the main office if you need to speak with your student and we will ensure the student receives the message.

• Familiarize yourself with the dress code as outlined in the Student Handbook.

To assist with lowering costs, our Student Handbook may be reviewed on our website, www.sau31.org click on Penobscot Valley High School and scroll down for Student Handbook. Hard copies will be available for those without access or those desiring hardcopies. These may be picked up in the PVHS main office. All ninth grade students will receive a copy of the handbook.

We will be taking some additional precautions in the upcoming year to keep our students, our staff, and our community safe:

• In person learning for all (no remote options)

• Mask wearing by staff and students indoors

• ·Mask wearing by parents and visitors indoors

• Masks worn on all school transportation

• No masks required outside

• Social distancing when possible

• Hand hygiene will be taught and reinforced

• Regular cleaning of surfaces (with a focus on high traffic surfaces)

• Self health checks

We have included a copy of the current Fall 2021 Opening Plan Overview. Please contact the school with any additional questions about the measures we are taking to keep our school community safe.

I look forward to working with students, parents, and staff of Penobscot Valley High School.

Cordially yours,

Shane Yardley