Meaningful Learning Activities - March 2020
With the help of our faculty and administrators, we have compiled a robust list of meaningful learning activities that families may use during this break to keep students learning and active.

March 2020 School Closure Meals
UPSD Food Services will be offering grab-and-go meals for any students in need of food during this break, beginning Monday, March 23. Those in need of food may also contact The Open Link.

HS School Counseling Office Newsletter March 2020
This newsletter includes helpful information related to the school closure.

Student Assistance Counselors
Student Assistance counselors are available to connect students and families to community supports and resources, for individual & group counseling and much more.

INFORMATION ON COVID-19:

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus Fact Sheet

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus Infographic

PA Department of Health - Coronavirus General Information

CDC - Coronavirus Information

CDC - Coronavirus Fact Sheet

CDC - Stop the Spread of Germs

Marsh - Coronavirus Resilience Fact Sheet

Healthgrades - Coronavirus Symptoms and Complications

Healthgrades - 10 Things to Know About Coronavirus

Healthgrades - Questions and Answers About Coronavirus

ExpressScripts - Should I Order My Meds Early?

ExpressScripts - Coronavirus Response

ExpressScripts - Pandemic Information

PA DEPT OF HEALTH SPANISH LANGUAGE RESOURCES (EN ESPANOL):

CORONAVIRUS

INFORMACIÓN SOBRE EL COVID-19 PARA NEGOCIOS ESENCIALES

GUÍA SOBRE EL EQUIPO DE PROTECCIÓN PERSONAL (EPP) PARA EL COVID-19

LIDIAR CON LAS PREOCUPACIONES POR EL COVID-19

¿CÓMO HABLAR CON LOS NIÑOS ACERCA DEL COVID-19?

GUÍA PARA CLÍNICAS DE WIC PARA EL COVID-19

PARENT/EDUCATION RESOURCES:

NASP - Talking to Children About COVID-19

CDC - Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019

PBS - 10 tips for talking about COVID-19 with your kids

Five Ways to Become Closer with Social Distancing

Supporting your Child

PA Department of Health - Coronavirus Information for Schools

PA Department of Health - Coronavirus K-12 Fact Sheet

Jefferson Health - COVID-19 Family Resources

Daily Schedule for Parents During School Closure

Hand Washing Poster

Social Distancing Poster

Helpful Tips Poster

BrainPop - Coronavirus Video for Kids

NPR - Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus

Little Puddins: The Autism Educator - Coronavirus Social Story

Two Way Street – Communication Therapy Solutions and Resources - Talking to kids about Coronavirus

COMMUNITY & MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:

The Open Link - Variety of Local Resources
The Open Link is available to help with a variety of community needs:

• Their food pantry and our meals on wheels are operating well with dedicated crews of both staff and volunteers from their two locations. 
• They are also doing benefits acquisition, rental/utility/other assistance, domestic violence counseling, other emergency assistance primarily over the phone. 
• Although open for business, both sites are closed to the public. Please email them at info@theopenlink.org or call us at 215-679-4112 M-F, 8-4 with any needs or questions. 
• Volunteers: Fortunately their volunteer corps is still healthy. People that would like to be part of our backup for food pantry or meals on wheels can send their information to Tammy Styer at volunteers@theopenlink.org.
• Donations: The Open Link is accepting financial donations. They are accepting food and personal care donations including disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer at the 452 Penn Street, Pennsburg location. There are bins outside  to put donations, and they will then quarantine the donations for 72 hours to ensure non-transfer of virus. Financial donations can be made through the DONATE link on their website.

MontCo Anti-Hunger Network - Food Pantry List

Montgomery Country Department of Health - COVID-19 Contact Information

Montgomery County Department of Health - COVID-19 Testing Information

Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Task Force - Suicide Crisis and Prevention Resource Guide 

PMHCA and Youth MOVE PA - Virtual Drop-Ins to Reduce Social Isolation

NAMI - Online Mental Health Support Groups

SAMHSA - Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health

SAMHSA - Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

SAMHSA - Tips for Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During Social Distancing and Quarantine

BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION (substance use, misuse & addiction) - Online Resources
Every Tuesday at 7pm Be a Part of the Conversation will host an Online Program addressing substance use, misuse and addiction and its impact on individuals and their families by building a culture of awareness and support. Registration required.

PA Works - Simplified Unemployment Compensation Information

4/3/20:

Dear UPSD Community - 

This week, we embarked on a new journey as a district, and began At-Home Learning for all Upper Perk students. I recognize that this is not an ideal teaching or learning environment, but the silver lining is that we are all learning new things together! Thank you to all of our parents, grandparents, siblings and caregivers that have been instantly thrust into a new role and for navigating many new technologies and programs so quickly. I hope everyone had the opportunity to reconnect with the teachers, staff, and other members of the UPSD community this week, and adjust to our “new normal” for the time being. 

As we progress with At-Home Learning, our teachers, staff and administrators will continue to fine tune our process to provide the best possible education for our students and strive to find the right balance of school work and activities given the situation. Please continue to communicate with the teachers and principals about any issues or concerns, and feel free to share with them any successes -- we need to celebrate the positive and “sprinkle kindness like confetti” to one another during this unprecedented time!! 

Additionally, as we head into the weekend, I wanted to provide a number of updates on other topics.

ALL Grab and Go Meal Distribution at 4th & 5th Grade Center Starting 4/6
Beginning Monday, April 6, 2020, UPSD will be consolidating the Grab and Go Meals Program to only one pick-up location: Upper Perkiomen 4th & 5th Grade Center. This change will enable the district to more efficiently utilize resources and streamline staff needs in coordination with the Governor’s shelter-in-place orders. Pick-ups will continue to take place around the back of the 4th & 5th Grade Center.

For the duration of the program, meal pickups will occur on Mondays and Wednesdays at the 4th & 5th Grade Center, from 11:30am-1pm, unless otherwise communicated. There will be no pickups during scheduled school breaks, including Monday, April 13.

Families are reminded to pre-register for meals as soon as possible, as pre-registrations guarantee that meals will be available, and pre-registrations also help our food services staff to better plan for the distribution events. Pre-registrations MUST be submitted prior to 9 p.m. the night before distribution in order to be guaranteed (before 9 p.m. on Sunday for Monday distribution events and before 9 p.m. on Tuesday for Wednesday distribution events).

The form on the website has been updated for meal distribution events through the month of April, and we are accepting pre-registrations for distribution events on April 6, 8, 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29 at this time. 

To date, we have distributed over 500 meal packs to our students. Thanks to everyone who has helped make this program a success, including our wonderful food services staff.

School Calendar & Spring Break
As a reminder, we are committed to honoring our school calendar and the previously scheduled Spring Break. As such, April 9, 10 and 13 are Spring Break vacation days, and there will not be “daily school.” Students are off from At-Home Learning, as if they were off from regular school. Additionally, Wednesday, April 8 is an “early dismissal” day. Teachers will only have one set of office hours in the morning on 4/8, and the afternoon will be dedicated to virtual faculty meetings, department meetings and continued planning for At-Home Learning. 

We hope that all UPSD students, families and staff enjoy Spring Break to the best of their abilities, given the current circumstances. Take this opportunity to have a staycation, try a new recipe, be inventive with at-home activities, or just relax and enjoy family time. We know that everyone (students, families, teachers, counselors, support staff and administration) all deserve this well-earned Spring Break!  

Virtual School Board Meetings
As a result of the current closure of school district buildings and stay-at-home orders set forth by Governor Wolf, the Upper Perkiomen School Board has changed the following meetings from in-person meetings, previously scheduled to take place at the Education Center, to virtual meetings:

• Regular School Board Meeting - Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
• Facilities Committee Meeting - Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
• Finance Committee Meeting - Monday, April 20, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

All other committee meetings for April have been cancelled, and details on May meetings of the Board will be announced at a later date. Information on how to access and participate in virtual meetings will be made available on the district homepage and this webpage during the week of April 6.

Schoology Challenges (for grades 6-12)
We know that many students/families have been experiencing difficulty with Schoology (used in grades 6-12). Given the unprecedented, increased demand for at-home learning, the Schoology team recently posted updates on the Schoology blog regarding the proactive steps their team is taking to ensure every student continues to have access to the resources they require.

New Information About 2020 AP Exams
To support students in continuing their AP journey, the AP is offering optional free, online AP classes and take-at-home AP Exams. For more information about this year's exam administration, including details about exam dates, times and tasks, visit the AP website.

Virtual Spirit Days
Thank you to everyone who has participated in our Virtual Spirit Days this week, and our efforts at #KeepingSpiritsUP! For a gallery of submitted photos, check out the story on our website. Spirit Days continue next week:

Monday April 6 - National Student-Athlete Day - Favorite Sports or College
Wear your favorite sports team or college gear.

Tuesday April 7 – Unity Day 3.0 - Wear Orange!
We are all in this TOGETHER; let’s show our UNITY and wear orange.

Wednesday April 8 - We Miss Our Teachers! (and our teachers miss their students)
Dress like your favorite teacher, principal, coach or mentor.

Spirit Wear Sales
There have been a number of questions raised about the two spirit wear sales that were in progress at the time of the school closure. The elementary PTFS spirit wear order has already been placed. The delivery and pickup of the items is on hold until further notice, pending the lifting/adjustment of school closures and stay-at-home orders. PTFS will be in touch to schedule pickup times at some point in the future. Similarly, a plan for the middle school PTFS spirit wear order is in progress, and will be shared soon.

Resources for UPSD Families
Please remember that we continue to update the list of resources available on our Coronavirus Information & Resources page every week. Families are encouraged to check back for new information regularly. Some highlights of resources added this week include:

• UPSD Student Assistance Counselors
• Be a Part of the Conversation (substance use, misuse & addiction) Online Resources
• Every Tuesday at 7pm Be a Part of the Conversation will host an Online Program addressing substance use, misuse and addiction and its impact on individuals and their families by building a culture of awareness and support. Registration required.
• Five Ways to Become Closer with Social Distancing
• Update on the Status of The Open Link
• A Number of Spanish Language Coronavirus Resources

Contact Information & Questions
Any student technology concerns or issues may be directed to the Student IT Help Desk at studentithelp@upsd.org. General questions or inquiries may continue to be directed to questions@upsd.org. 

Thank you again for all of the hard work that took place, both this week and in the weeks leading up to our At-Home Learning kickoff, as well as the work to come as we remain committed to At-Home Learning for the foreseeable future. It is because of the dedication of our teachers, administrators, staff and families that our students may continue to learn and grow, even as they stay home amidst this global pandemic. Seeing that dedication makes me incredibly #Proud2BeUPSD, both today and every day. We’ll “see” you all again on Monday, for half a week of At-Home Learning ahead of Spring Break. Until then, have a great weekend.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche 
Superintendent of Schools

3/30/20:

Dear UPSD Community - 

I hope you all had a good weekend and that your student was excited to reconnect with their teacher(s) today during our first day of At-Home Learning. Thank you for your support and flexibility.  I am so proud of our teachers, counselors, support staff, paraprofessionals and administrators for all their work and planning to prepare for today’s “First Day.” I know we had a few hiccups today, and we will continue to make small adjustments to improve the learning experience for our students while streamlining the supports for our families at home. For example this morning, Schoology, our Learning Management System at the MS and HS, went down for a period of time, and it created many initial concerns. On a positive note, today we were able to connect with a number of families who were in need of a device for their student to complete their schoolwork, and those students are now better-equipped to complete this week's assignments. I am confident we will find our way together, and our students will continue to have the best educational experience possible, given these extenuating circumstances.

This afternoon, Gov. Wolf made a number of announcements related to COVID-19. These announcements included adding four more PA counties to his shelter-in-place order, and extending that order for the 26 affected counties through April 30. Perhaps most noteworthy for our purposes, Gov. Wolf has extended the mandatory school closures indefinitely, with no date set for a return to regular in-person school days. This news means that we will be out of school until at least early May, at best.

While this is not the news we had hoped to hear, it is not surprising, given current events. The good news is that we now have our At-Home Learning program in place, and we will continue to work to further refine that program as we move towards our scheduled Spring Break and beyond. Please know that we remain committed to teaching our students to the best of our ability during this challenging time, and we will stay the course with the At-Home Learning model for the foreseeable future, pending another update from Gov. Wolf or major progress in the country’s battle to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Thank you for your continued patience and support. Please remember that any questions may be directed to questions@upsd.org. Have a safe and healthy week of At-Home Learning!

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/27/20 - At-Home Learning:

Dear UPSD Community,

Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Education in compliance with Governor Wolf announced that all schools in the Commonwealth will remain closed through April 6th as a result of the COVID-19 response efforts. In our region, the spread of the virus is more pervasive than it is in other parts of the state, so our team, along with many other districts in Montgomery County, are planning for Tuesday, April 14th as the earliest possible opening.

In this message, I want to share our plans for the upcoming two weeks in regard to At-Home Learning. 

At-Home Learning Calendar

Students will begin At-Home Learning on Monday, March 30th and continue on a weekday schedule through Wednesday, April 8th – schedules that detail dates later in April will be announced, if necessary, as we get further direction from the Governor. 

As our team discussed how to structure the instructional calendar for the next stage of closures, we wanted to provide you a visual schedule of the next several days. As you will see, we will continue to honor the previously scheduled Spring Break, and if there is no extension of the school closure order from Governor Wolf, we will welcome all students back to our buildings on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020. 

Monday, March 30	Tuesday, March 31	Wednesday, April 1	Thursday, April 2	Friday, April 3
At-Home Learning	At-Home Learning	At-Home Learning	At-Home Learning	At-Home Learning
Monday, April 6	Tuesday, April 7	Wednesday, April 8	Thursday, April 9	Friday, April 10
At-Home Learning	At-Home Learning	At-Home Learning	Spring Break	Spring Break
Monday, April 13	Tuesday, April 14	Wednesday, April 15	Thursday, April 16	Friday, April 17
Spring Break	Regular School Day	Regular School Day	Regular School Day	Regular School Day

At-Home Learning Guidance

Details regarding content and timing, attendance, student responsibilities, assessment, as well as key contact information are located in the At-Home Learning Handbook.  We will need parents' collaboration to assure students attendance and keeping up with their assignments and work.

All learning assignments will be posted to the district website and will be available on Monday mornings. To navigate to the At-Home Learning page, from the district homepage, select Academics on the top bar. Once there, scroll down and select At-Home Learning. Then select the appropriate level: elementary, middle or high school. The learning assignments will be available there at the start of each week. Additionally, a direct link to the At-Home Learning materials will be available on the district homepage, as well as the landing pages for each of our schools. Assignments can be submitted daily; however, are not officially due until Sunday at 11pm. 

Another email will be sent later today with updates on additional topics. Please watch your email and the district website for that information.

Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/27/20 - General Updates:

Dear UPSD Community - 

On Monday, we embark on a new journey as a district, as we begin At-Home Learning for all Upper Perk students. I hope you’ve had a chance to read the email that came out earlier today with additional details on At-Home Learning, and if you haven’t, please take some time to carefully review it this weekend. While At-Home Learning is not the method of instruction we’d prefer in an ideal world, I’m excited for us to have the opportunity to provide a continuity of education for our students, given the current situation in our country.

Additionally, as we head into the weekend, I wanted to provide a number of updates on other topics.

The Calendar Ahead 
As you know, Gov. Wolf extended the closure of all schools across the Commonwealth through at least Monday, April 6, 2020. Based upon our school calendar, and to honor our previously scheduled Spring Break, the earliest our students would return to face-to-face school would be Tuesday, April 14 (pending extended school closures). We are honoring April 9, 10 and 13 as Spring Break days where there will not be “daily school” – students are off from At-Home Learning, as if they were off from regular school! UPSD is committed to At-Home Learning from March 30 through April 13 at the minimum (minus the previously mentioned Spring Break), and if the school closures are extended, we will continue with At-Home Learning.

I’ve received a number of questions about the status of UPHS graduation, prom, Arts Week and other end-of-year traditions and activities. I recognize how meaningful and important these experiences are for our students, especially our seniors. No final decisions have been made regarding most of the traditional year-end activities at this point. This situation is ever-changing, and right now, we need everyone to follow the regulations set forth by the governor to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Hopefully we will get back to daily on-site school as quickly and safely as possible, and if it is realistic to do so, we will do everything we can to preserve end-of-year traditions and activities.

Several individuals have also inquired about the status of the spring sports season. Right now, we are taking our lead from PIAA. The spring sports season is currently postponed. No date has been determined to restart any sports activities at this time. Follow the latest updates on the PIAA website.

Virtual Spirit Days - March 30 through April 8
I know that we’re asking a lot of families as At-Home Learning begins next week, but I also know that our community members are craving positive ways to connect with one another. As such, we’ll be doing voluntary district-wide virtual spirit days beginning Monday, March 30 and ending on Wednesday, April 8. Take pictures of students’ participation in spirit days and send them to ngum@upsd.org and/or use #KeepingSpiritsUP on social media. Check out an outline of the spirit days below.

Monday, March 30 – National Virtual Vacation Day
We can’t go on ACTUAL vacations right now, so it’s the perfect opportunity to take a VIRTUAL trip! Dress like a tourist or wear gear from your favorite vacation spot!

Tuesday, March 31 – Crazy Socks & World Down Syndrome Day (belated)
World Down Syndrome Day was on March 21st, in the midst of the school closure, so let’s recognize it on the 31st - wear crazy socks today!

Wednesday, April 1 - Mismatched Outfit Day & Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
Let’s wear crazy/mismatched clothes for April Fools’ Day and send our paras some love (from a distance).

Thursday, April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day - Wear Blue
Blue is the color for autism awareness, so wear blue or your autism awareness shirts today!

Friday, April 3 - Show Your School Spirit - Wear U.P. Gear
Wear your Upper Perk spirit wear as we head into the weekend.

Monday April 6 - National Student-Athlete Day - Favorite Sports or College
Wear your favorite sports team or college gear.

Tuesday April 7 – Unity Day 3.0 - Wear Orange!
We are all in this TOGETHER; let’s show our UNITY and wear orange.

Wednesday April 8 - We Miss Our Teachers! (and our teachers miss their students)
Dress like your favorite teacher, principal, coach or mentor.

Grab & Go Meals Distribution - March 30, April 1, 6 & 8
Many thanks to our volunteers and staff for assembling and distributing this week's meal packs. The meal distribution events on Monday and Wednesday were great successes, and we loved seeing the smiling faces of students and their families, from a safe distance!

We have planned additional food distribution events for Monday, March 30; Wednesday, April 1; Monday, April 6; and Wednesday, April 8. If you would like to pick up meals for your child(ren) at any of these events, please pre-register on our website as soon as possible, as pre-registrations help our food services staff to better plan for these events. Should the school closure be extended further, we will share information about future food distribution plans at that time.

Ways to Help UPSD During the School Closure - Your Support is Appreciated!
Over the course of this school closure, we’ve received a number of inquiries from community members and businesses asking how they may lend support to our students, especially in regard to our Grab and Go Meal Program. First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has reached out in that regard. Your generosity and genuine concern for Upper Perk students’ well being is heartwarming! 

At this time, the district, like many other community organizations, is not able to accept donations of food or other products. This is to ensure the safety of our staff and our students/families. Volunteer opportunities are also very limited in an effort to help contain the spread of COVID-19. 

If you would like to help UPSD in a tangible way during this time, providing financial support is the best method to help ensure that we are able to continue to provide meals to our students in need of food.

If you would like to support the Grab and Go Meal Program, which is available to all students K-12, please make your check payable to the UPSD Cafeteria Account and mail it to the Upper Perkiomen Education Center 2229 East Buck Road Suite 2 Pennsburg, PA 18073. Thank you for your support!

Additionally, we’d like to remind you that community organizations and resources, such as The Open Link, are being heavily relied upon during this unprecedented situation. For those who wish to help the students and families of the Upper Perkiomen Valley, providing support to community organizations is crucial during times like these to help ensure that supplies are available to those who need it most.

Reminder About Social Distancing
Please remember that Montgomery County and most surrounding counties are under a stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Wolf. That means that students and their families should remain at home whenever possible, unless leaving to complete essential job functions or to procure goods or services to support their families.

As always, thank you for your support of the Upper Perkiomen School District, our students & families, teachers & staff and the administration as we find our way during these uncertain times. I have witnessed a level of collaboration and support over the past weeks that has blown me away, and makes me especially #Proud2BeUPSD. Don’t forget that you may continue to direct questions or comments to questions@upsd.org. Have a safe and healthy weekend.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/26/20:

Please check out a video message from Dr. Roche on our YouTube channel, then read the email message and attachment below for an introduction to UPSD’s At-Home Learning, which will begin on Monday, March 30.

Dear UPSD Community,

We hope this email finds you healthy and safe. On Monday, March 30, the district will transition to At-Home Learning. The marks a shift from “optional learning activities” to new instruction and learning for the purposes of establishing continuity of instruction. These days are intended to be regular school days using a virtual platform. Our goal is to partner with you to make this transition as seamless and supportive as possible. Our teachers and administrators have been working hard all week to plan instructional lessons that will engage your children in the virtual ​learning environment, which is a brand new way to teach and learn for all. As we partner in this endeavor, we ask for grace and patience as we work to master it, and we will certainly extend that same grace and patience to our children and families as you too adjust to this new experience.
 
A comprehensive document will be sent tomorrow outlining the full program, but that can be overwhelming to read and digest, so today’s email is only to share some first steps. Taking a step-by-step approach will surely help all families be prepared for Monday. Please open the PDF attachment below, and work through the steps listed.  Please note some information is for all K-12 families, and some applies only to K-5 families. Please also note there is a link to a survey that we would like you to complete ASAP.  It will help us connect and communicate with you, and support families with technology needs. Complete the survey HERE now, one per family. This link is also included on the attachment.
 
In closing, I know that I speak for our entire staff when I say that we MISS your children! Our teachers have done an awesome job of collaborating, learning, sharing and problem solving quickly, all with your children in mind. The goal of supporting them and you is foremost in our minds. As you help them prepare for next week, please also consider:

• Creating a “work space” in the home. Not a bedroom or playroom, but some place where they can focus on learning, and not be distracted by other temptations in the room. As best you can, help them find a quiet place where they will work daily, with their materials nearby.
• At-Home Learning will NOT model a full school day. It is important for students to have free time, fresh air, time away from technology and rest time. Friday’s information will contain some recommendations of time to be spent on assigned work, but not a structured schedule.
• We understand that this is a stressful time for many families and many parents are still working during this period. The district is working with teachers to develop plans that accommodate the needs of these parents and families. Teachers are ready and willing to be flexible, and are anxious to reconnect with your children.

If you attempt the first steps and are unsuccessful, there is an email you can use: studentithelp@upsd.org and/or log-in to a ZOOM support meeting hosted by our Curriculum & Instruction Department on Friday 3/27/20 from 2-4pm. Join that ZOOM Meeting HERE (Meeting ID: 474 287 241) and someone will be happy to help!

This is new territory for all of us, but I am confident that we will find our way together as we explore this new method of teaching and learning. Thank you to our faculty, administration and families as we embark on this new journey. Thank you for the work that has already taken place, and thank you for the efforts to come.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

UPSD At-Home Learning Guidance (Step 1).pdf 

3/23/20:

Dear UPSD Community - 

As many of you have likely already seen, this afternoon, Gov. Wolf extended the mandatory school closures through April 6 at a minimum. Since this announcement came just hours ago, we are still working through the specific impacts this latest announcement will have on the UPSD school calendar. 

In the meantime, we are putting into action the plan that I shared with you last week, with online/virtual/at home instruction beginning on Monday, March 30, in order to provide a continuity of education for all Upper Perk students.

Over the next three days, our teachers will participate in a number of online “meetings” and planning sessions, dedicated to further mapping out instruction for the online/virtual/at home learning model that we will implement next week.

There are still many details being ironed out, and I know that you are all eager to have answers to your questions. More information will be shared later this week and early next week on specific methods of instruction and expectations during online/virtual/at home instruction. We are asking all our students and families to be patient during the beginning of this new teaching and learning format as we know that we all need to be supportive of one another and be flexible as we are working toward the same common goal of educating our students.

As an aside, I want to thank everyone who participated in our first round of Grab and Go Meals today. We had some great volunteers assembling and distributing the meal packs, and it was wonderful to see the smiling faces of students and their families, albeit from a distance! A quick reminder, we’ll be distributing meals again on Wednesday from 11:30am-1pm at Hereford, Marlborough and the 4th & 5th Grade Center, and we will be continuing the Grab and Go Meal program during the week of March 30th as well (distribution on March 30 and April 1). If you are interested in participating in the program for your student(s), please pre-register on our website as soon as possible.

Additionally, please remember that there are a number of resources related to COVID-19, as well as Meaningful Learning Activities you can use to keep your kids learning, available on our website. These resources are constantly being updated, so check back often.

As always, thanks for your patience and understanding as we plan for and adjust to this ever-changing, unprecedented situation. I know that I mention it in every message, but I am continually grateful for the hard work, dedication and support of our faculty, staff, administrators, students, families and community. In times like these, it’s easy to see why we are all #Proud2BeUPSD.

Please stay tuned to email and the district website for more information later this week.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/20/20:

Dear UPSD Community - 

As we conclude our first full week of this mandated closure due to the spread of COVID-19, I wanted to provide a few brief updates and share resources that may be of value to our community. 

Before I get into that operational information, I first want to say THANK YOU. Thank you to our teachers who have been in regular communication with students and families, and who are preparing and planning for an uncertain future. Thank you to our administrative team for working tirelessly behind the scenes every day on a variety of initiatives and topics. Thank you to our families and community members for supporting us during this unprecedented closure. Seeing our strength, the way we lift one another up and the way we support one another--both within our district and the broader Upper Perk community--truly makes me #Proud2BeUPSD!

We are all in this situation together. Never before has our community, or our country faced a disease quite like this one. As a district, we are monitoring updates from a variety of sources, and the situation is constantly changing. At this time, we have way more questions than answers, but first and foremost, we are focused on supporting our students and families. We will continue to provide regular updates to our community as they become available, and as the situation continues to evolve.

A few high-level announcements and reminders:

• Please remember that the CDC and other organizations are encouraging social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19. This means that students and families should be remaining at home as much as possible and not gathering in large or small groups. This means that groups of friends should not be hanging out and play dates should not be occurring, as we all play a role in reducing physical social contact at this time.
• As a district, we will be providing grab and go meals for students in need next Monday and Wednesday. Stay tuned for more updates on this topic, should we not physically return to school on 3/30.
• Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced the cancellation of all PSSA testing and Keystone exams for the 2019-20 school year as a result of COVID-19. This includes the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA).
• Today, it was announced that AP exams will not take place in-person this year. Find out more about the online resources that are being made available and the adjustments that will be made to the AP testing process here.
• There are a number of resources on our Coronavirus Information & Resources page, including links to external information, such as local food pantry information, tips on planning a daily routine at home and tips on how to talk to kids about COVID-19.
• Any questions can be directed to questions@upsd.org. 

Thank you again for your flexibility and understanding as we move forward. It is my hope that early next week we will know more about what our future holds for March 30 and beyond. I hope you all have a safe and healthy weekend, and that you are making the most of the increased family time.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/18/20:

Dear UPSD Families and Community - 

After spending some time over the last few days communicating with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit and our School Board, administrative team and teachers, I wanted to take a moment to update you on the school calendar and plans for instruction moving forward.

Based on the information we have received from the PA Department of Education (PDE) that "no school district will be penalized if it fails to meet the 180 day or school hours requirements,” the decision has been made at this time to NOT make-up the 11 days of school that are a part of this mandatory school closure (March 13, 2020 - March 27, 2020).  As of today, we will maintain our current school calendar based upon this information released by PDE, with the assumption that school will be starting back up on Monday, March 30, 2020 with either in-person classes or an online/virtual/at home learning model if the school building closures get extended.   

In terms of the current school calendar, and barring any additional changes by PDE and/or Governor Wolf, Spring Break remains a part of the calendar as-is, and will take place April 9, 2020 to April 13, 2020. We have not yet used the Emergency Days at the end of June, so we may have some flexibility with the school calendar, if needed, based upon how everything moves forward. Unfortunately, we will not be able to make a final determination on the end of the school calendar and specific days until our schools are open and we have greater clarity from the state. 

In short, the main message is that we will not be adjusting the school calendar based on the impact of the 11 days of missed school due to the mandatory school closure (March 13 - March 27).  We are also NOT exploring the Friday before Memorial Day (5/22) as a potential school make-up day, as this was never a consideration on the original school calendar and we do not want to negatively impact our families with another adjustment to the calendar. 

At this time, assuming we are back in school on Monday, March 30, there will be no additional impact to the scheduled Spring Break or the scheduled make-up days at the end of the school year. If we look at the trends and actions from other states, it is a possibility that this mandated closure may be extended beyond March 27, 2020 into and including Spring Break and beyond.  

Beginning on Monday, March 30, the Upper Perkiomen School District will be ready to offer a continuity of educational services for ALL of our students regardless of whether students are  physically in our schools or if they remain at home due to an extension of the mandatory school closures.  All Upper Perkiomen students will be continuing their education and course of study as best possible beyond remediation and enrichment to include new content and learning, and meet the criteria as set forth by PDE to have these days count toward student instructional days for this school year.

Should we need to transition to an online/virtual/at home learning model, please know that new teaching and learning will be happening for our students, and work will be required and graded per usual.  Some students may need additional support from our teachers and we are working on ways to connect our teachers with their students and some students may need additional support from their parents and families to complete assignments and lessons.  We may need to adjust the marking period and report cards dates, but that will be communicated once we have clarity on the next steps.  However, to confirm, through Friday, March 27, there is no expectation of required work for students, though we continue to encourage you as families to utilize our Meaningful Learning Activities to keep your students engaged during the current break. Additionally, stay tuned to district social media accounts for more ideas to keep students learning and active.

Given the possibility of a prolonged closure of our schools, and to take proactive steps to support our students, we will continue to plan for the potential of educating our students in an online/virtual/at home learning model starting March 30, 2020, if needed.  We have dedicated time next week for our teachers to continue preparing work for students from March 30 through April 17, at a minimum. The goal over the next week or so is to be as prepared as possible should we need to implement online/virtual/at home learning beginning Monday, March 30. More information will be made available about specific methods of instruction if and when a decision is made to extend the mandatory school closure.  We ask for your patience as our teachers are committed to supporting all of our students during this uncertain time.

We understand that there are concerns about students’ access to technology, the method of instruction teachers will be utilizing beginning March 30 and our ability to comply with students’ IEPs during an online/virtual/at home learning model of instruction, among other things. Please know that we are working on answers to all of these questions, and will share additional information as it becomes available.   

A few other reminders and updates as we progress through the current break:

• At this time, NO staff, students, families or community members are permitted in the schools or on our grounds at any time
• As a district, we will be providing grab and go meals for students in need next Monday and Wednesday
• No decisions have been made on this year’s PSSAs and Keystones but these items are a major topic of discussion with PDE so hopefully a decision will be made soon. In addition, the current set of SATs (March and May) have been cancelled.
• If any families have concerns about their child’s medications in the schools, please contact Dr. Farina (afarina@upsd.org) 
• Families with questions about IEPs should contact Dr. Farina and Mrs. Giblin (cgiblin@upsd.org) 

I realize that we are in uncharted waters here, and I want to reiterate my sincere thanks for your flexibility, understanding and support during this uncertain time. Please know that as a district, we remain committed to providing our students with the best education possible, and our students and families with any additional support they may need. Many teachers are in regular communication with their students, and quite a lot of work is being done by faculty, staff and administrators behind the scenes during this “break.” Seeing their dedication to our students and district truly does make me Proud to Be UPSD! 

Please do not hesitate to send questions or concerns to questions@upsd.org. 

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/17/20:

Dear UPSD community,

As we continue to work through many of the details of this unexpected and mandated break, I wanted to take a moment to share with you an update on a new Grab and Go Meal program that will begin for our students next week.

To better support our students during this mandatory break, UPSD is proud to share that beginning on Monday March 23, 2020, we will be instituting a NEW Grab and Go Meal Program for our K-12 students who need meals during this break.  The program will be FREE to our K-12 students who are in need of meals.  The program will be funded by UPSD and we are hoping to partner with some other local agencies to help financially support our students during this time. 

The program will offer three distribution sites (Hereford Elementary, Marlborough Elementary and the 4th & 5th Grade Center) that are open to our K-12 students to drive-in (or walk-up for the 4th & 5th Grade Center) and receive Grab and Go Meals. 

The dates for the distribution of meals will be Monday, March 23, 2020 and Wednesday, March 25, 2020 from 11:30am – 1:00pm at all three locations.  Grab and Go Meals picked up on Monday March 23^rd will include food that covers lunch on Monday, breakfast and lunch on Tuesday and breakfast and lunch on Wednesday.  Grab and Go Meals picked up on Wednesday will include food that covers breakfast and lunch on Thursday and breakfast and lunch on Friday. 

If possible, families planning to participate in the Grab and Go Meal program for their students are asked to pre-register on our website, so we can be prepared at each site with the proper number of Grab and Go Meals. There may be a limited number of meals available at each site for families who do not pre-register. However, pre-registered students will have priority, and meal packs are not guaranteed at any location for those who did not pre-register. Also, parents are asked to have their children in the car and with them at the time of pick-up, as we can only provide food for the students that are physically present at distribution. 

If anyone is in need of food this week, please contact The Open Link as soon as possible, as they are ready and willing to help our students and families. Any UPSD family in need of assistance with meals during this school closure (or beyond) may contact The Open Link directly at its Penn Street location:

452 Penn Street Pennsburg, PA 18073
215-679-4112, info@theopenlink.org

I would also like to thank The Open Link for being a great community resource and partner, both during these unprecedented, trying times, and every day.

As was shared last week, and continuing moving forward, The Open Link will always be there to support all families and students in the Upper Perkiomen Community.  The Open Link confirmed yesterday that they stand prepared to assist any families in need through its regular food distribution processes.

With the sudden closing of schools last week, UPSD donated ALL perishable foods from all five school cafeterias to The Open Link on Friday, March 13.  Here is a list of the items that UPSD donated to The Open Link:

• 7 Heads of Lettuce, 4 ¾ cs Lettuce Mix (20#/cs), 1 bag Spring Mix Greens
• 3 Peppers, 36 Cucumbers, 6 Tomatoes, 6 Onions
• 28 bunches Bananas, 60 Oranges
• 12 ½ cs Apple Slices (100 packs/cs)
• 12 cs Baby carrots (100 packs/cs)
• 39  Pints of Grape tomatoes
• 15 Eggs- hard boiled/cooked, 64 Shell Eggs- raw
• Milk (all in half pint containers, 70/cs)
  • 23 ½ cs Choc milk
  • 6 ¼ cs Strawberry milk
  • 8 ¾ cs 1% milk

Thank you again for your support, understanding and flexibility as we navigate this unprecedented and unexpected school closure.  Specific questions on the Grab and Go Meal program should be directed to Paula Germinario, Food Services Director at pgerminario@upsd.org.  Other general questions can be directed to our new Questions@upsd.org email address. Take care. 

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/16/20:

Dear UPSD Community,

I hope you had a safe and healthy start to this mandatory school closure. As promised, with the help of our faculty and administrators, we have compiled a robust list of meaningful learning activities that families may use during this break to keep students learning and active. 

We have made this list available here, and it is also accessible at the top of the district homepage, upsd.org. Please check it out, and while your students are home, take the opportunity to engage with them on these educational topics.

In addition, here are some resources that may be of value to our families and staff as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve:

• Making the Most of COVID-19 School Closures
• Parenting During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What You Need To Know Now
• Comcast Increases Internet Access

Please stay tuned to the district website and our social media accounts as we progress through this school closure. We will continue to share updates on those channels, as well as through email, as appropriate.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/13/20:

Dear UPSD Community,

I want to thank you for your patience and support over the last few weeks and moving forward, as we navigate the unprecedented, ever-changing situation with the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the mandated closure of our schools.

As the decision to close all county schools came yesterday afternoon, many details are still being worked out, and we may not be able to answer all questions. However, we wanted to share the information that we have at this time.

LOGISTICS/SCHEDULES:

Based on the information we have now, all Upper Perkiomen schools will be closed starting today, March 13th and returning on Monday, March 30, 2020, at the earliest. I am in regular communication with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, Office of Public Health and the other Montgomery County superintendents, and should this mandatory closure be extended, I will alert you as soon as possible, so please know that scenario is a possibility. As a reminder, during the mandatory closure, no UPSD faculty, staff, students, family members or community members are permitted in any UPSD buildings or on our grounds (including playgrounds and fields). 

While no staff are permitted in the buildings at this time, all buildings will receive a deep cleaning by our custodial staff before students return to school.

As of now, we don’t know the impact that this two week break will have on our school calendar, including meeting the 180 school day requirement. This includes the status of PSSA and Keystone testing. We are waiting for guidance from the state, and will provide an update when we have it.  This morning, Pedro Rivera, PA Secretary of Education, shared that Pennsylvania is looking at all options regarding the standing requirements of the days and hours for each school year and will be petitioning the federal government for relief.   

In addition to the current two week and one day mandatory school closure, UPSD is planning on extending the time frame for certain activities and restrictions beyond March 30th. Out of an abundance of caution, and in an effort to be proactive, we are going to extend the following restrictions in our schools and on our campuses until the end of Spring Break - ending on Tuesday April 14th, at the earliest.

• We are canceling and/or postponing (and hopefully rescheduling) all school field trips, both in PA and out of the state, that are scheduled to take place before Tuesday, April 14.  This unfortunately includes the HS Band Trip to South Carolina that they are working to move later in the school year.
• We are eliminating any non-essential facility usage both after-school and during evenings and weekends, by outside groups and by any inside groups/teams that are NOT in season. The plan is to shift the UPSD custodial staff to an earlier shift to maintain the priority of the school classrooms and common areas to be as clean as possible for our daily mission of educating our students.
• When we resume normal daily school activities and the PIAA restarts the season, our student athletes will be right back out on the fields - even if this is before Spring Break.
• We are also cancelling and/or postponing (with the hope to reschedule) many special events that are scheduled to take place before Spring Break. That includes a few family nights, PTFS events, parent evening programs and the HS Blood Drive. Again, this is the current plan to get us through Spring Break. 

Many of these events require advanced planning, and waiting until the last minute to cancel or identify a reschedule date does not set our students and families up for a successful end of the school year.  We apologize for the inconvenience and will communicate with all the necessary community partners as soon as we can.    

ACADEMICS:

As a district, we are committed to providing meaningful learning activities for our students during this break. Beginning early next week, there will be a webpage for parents and students to access with ideas and information to keep students learning and growing while away from the school buildings.  We will send out a communication to everyone when this page is ready.  For this two week break, there will be NO mandatory/graded school work for students, but we hope that they continue to learn and catch up on any missed work. 

For grades K-5, electronic release of report cards will be delayed until after our anticipated return to school.

We have learned that SATs scheduled within the county over the course of the next two weeks have been cancelled. Students who were scheduled to take the SATs during that time period should check in with The College Board for information on rescheduling.

If parents have specific or time-sensitive questions regarding their child’s educational program or services, please direct them to questions@upsd.org.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES & MEALS:

While the district is unable to provide meals during this mandatory closure, we recognize that many of our students rely heavily on the school-provided meals that they receive each school day. As such, we’ve been in communication with The Open Link, which is prepared to assist any families in need through its regular food distribution processes. Any UPSD family in need of assistance with meals during this school closure (or beyond) should contact The Open Link directly at its Penn Street location:

452 Penn Street Pennsburg, PA 18073
215-679-4112, info@theopenlink.org

We will continue to provide updates to our community as we learn more from the state and county. Our next update email will be sent no later than Monday, March 23. In the meantime, if you have pressing questions or concerns, please direct them to questions@upsd.org.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented situation. Have a safe and healthy break.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/12/20:

On Thursday, March 12, 2020 the Upper Perkiomen School District was notified by the Montgomery County Office of Health that all schools in Montgomery County will close for a minimum of two weeks and one day. As of this message, all Upper Perkiomen schools will be closed starting tomorrow, Friday, March 13th and returning on Monday, March 30, 2020, at the earliest.

This closure will affect all programming at all schools, including before- and after-school activities, all athletic and extracurricular practices and competitions, weekend events, and community events. In addition, no transportation will be provided to any non-public schools in and outside of Montgomery County.

No Upper Perkiomen school (buildings and grounds) will be open for any activity during this time. 

Events scheduled for this evening (Thursday, March 12), including UPHS’ production of The Addams Family, the School Board Meeting and any other previously scheduled Thursday evening events, will continue as scheduled.

Additional information will be sent out shortly with details concerning meaningful learning experiences for students while on this break. Please continue to check your email and the district website to stay informed on any updates from the district as we will continue to communicate, as necessary.  Further details will be sent out shortly to our faculty and staff members with specifics that are important for our employees. Thank you in advance for your continued support and patience as we navigate this unprecedented situation.  

Thank you,
Allyn J. Roche, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

3/10/20:

Dear UPSD Community,

You’ve likely seen the news over the last 24 hours regarding positive cases of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Montgomery County, and additional cases in Pennsylvania. Some individuals in the county are being monitored by the Health Department. 

According to the most recent information, we currently do not have any reported cases in our immediate Upper Perkiomen School District community.  We are closely following the situation, conducting additional cleaning of facilities, and taking extra health safety precautions. 

Maintaining daily school activities is the top priority at this time, as long as the concern for our area remains relatively low. As of now, no decisions have been made to cancel or delay any events or athletic contests, but all possibilities are being considered as the situation evolves.

We also continue to receive guidance from the Montgomery County Health Department and will update our Coronavirus webpage with resources and information as it becomes available.

Please see the links below with additional important information from the federal and state governments:  
Centers for Disease Control: Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
PA Department of Health: Frequently asked questions about coronavirus 

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate the complexities surrounding this virus.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

3/6/20:

Dear UPSD Families,

By now, you’ve undoubtedly heard, that out of an abundance of caution, the Central Bucks School District closed five schools today after some students and staff were exposed to a confirmed case of Coronavirus at a private event. Here is an NBC 10 news article on that situation.

Even though concern in our local area remains relatively low, as the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases (and those in contact with confirmed cases) continues to increase, and moves closer to our area, I want to update you on the steps that our district is taking to keep our students and staff healthy. 

Facilities:
Mr. Kenwood, UPSD Director of Facilities and Operations, has directed district custodial staff to increase cleaning and disinfecting of “high touch” surfaces in classrooms and common areas daily (and more often for some surfaces) as part of ongoing custodial services in our schools. Daily school activities are the top priority at this time, so some of our resources may need to be shifted to ensure that classrooms and common areas are more frequently addressed. This may impact other areas, or possibly evening or weekend activities. No decisions have been made to cancel or delay anything at this time but all possibilities are being considered as the situation evolves.

Food Service:
Ms. Germinario, UPSD Food Services Director, had directed her staff to be extra vigilant in regards to cleaning food service and cafeteria areas. While food service and preparation areas already meet a high standard of cleanliness, food service staff is paying extra attention to other areas in the cafeterias.

Transportation:
Our bus company is regularly wiping down bus surfaces in between bus runs with antibacterial wipes, which kill 99.9% of bacteria in 15 seconds. Additionally, buses will be sprayed twice a week with a CDC recommended spray as another level of protection. School vans are also in the rotation for additional cleaning/wiping down to protect the students who ride in those vehicles as well.

You, as families, along with our faculty and staff, are some of our biggest allies in helping keep our schools safe and healthy. Together we can make a difference and keep Upper Perk as safe as possible. As a reminder, universal precautions and preventive measures include:

• Encouraging your students to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Asking your students to avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands  
• Asking your students to avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Encouraging your students to stay home when they are sick  
• Asking you students to sneeze into their elbows, instead of their hands

The Coronavirus Information page on the district website has been updated with more web resources and we will continue to provide updates as necessary. 

At this stage, there are too many “what if” scenarios being circulated, but I can assure you that I have been in direct contact with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health at a recent meeting and continue to receive information on a daily basis, if not multiple times a day. I have been in contact with all of our principals and we will continue to do everything we can to support our students, families and our faculty and staff!  

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s principal or building nurse. For specific medical questions or concerns, you may also contact the PA Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH. 
Thank you in advance for all your support during this time. Have a great, healthy weekend.

Dr. Allyn J. Roche
Superintendent of Schools

2/28/20:

Dear UPSD Community,

As you’ve undoubtedly seen in the news recently, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a respiratory illness that was first identified in December in Wuhan, China. At this time, there are NO reported cases of Coronavirus connected to the Upper Perkiomen School District or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
 
Even though concern in our area is low, we are monitoring this health issue closely and our school nurses, custodial department and administration are doing all they can to keep everyone safe. We will continue to work with local health departments, as well as take guidance from the CDC and other governmental agencies that provide direction as the Coronavirus situation evolves.  Mr. Kenwood, UPSD Director of Facilities and Operations, has directed his team to increase cleaning and disinfecting classrooms and common areas daily as part of ongoing custodial services in our schools.  We also need you to assist us with preventative measures to keep our schools safe.
 
Here are ways you can help keep our schools healthy. Preventative measures include:

• Encourage your students to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Ask your students to avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands  
• Ask your students to avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Keep your students home from school when they are sick  
• Ask your students to sneeze into their elbows, instead of their hands.

To learn more about Coronavirus, there are a number of web resources available: 

• Pennsylvania Department of Health - Coronavirus General Information
• Pennsylvania Department of Health - Coronavirus Information for Schools
• Pennsylvania Department of Health - Coronavirus K-12 Fact Sheet
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Coronavirus Information

We have also added a Coronavirus Information page to the district website, where you can find all of this information, and which we will update as necessary. 

If you have any additional questions related to the Coronavirus, please contact the principal of your student’s school or the school nurse. You may also contact the PA Department of Health with questions at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

Thank you for your efforts to keep our schools healthy. Have a good weekend.

Dr. Allyn Roche
Superintendent of Schools

Over the course of this school closure, we’ve received a number of inquiries from community members and businesses asking how they may lend support to our students, especially in regard to our Grab and Go Meal Program. First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has reached out in that regard. Your generosity and genuine concern for Upper Perk students’ well being is heartwarming! 

At this time, the district, like many other community organizations, is not able to accept donations of food or other products. This is to ensure the safety of our staff and our students/families. Volunteer opportunities are also very limited in an effort to help contain the spread of COVID-19. 

If you would like to help UPSD in a tangible way during this time, providing financial support is the best method to help ensure that we are able to continue to provide meals to our students in need of food.

If you would like to support the Grab and Go Meal Program, which is available to all students K-12, please make your check payable to the UPSD Cafeteria Account and mail it to the Upper Perkiomen Education Center 2229 East Buck Road Suite 2 Pennsburg, PA 18073. Thank you for your support!

Additionally, we’d like to remind you that community organizations and resources, such as The Open Link, are being heavily relied upon during this unprecedented situation. For those who wish to help the students and families of the Upper Perkiomen Valley, providing support to community organizations is crucial during times like these to help ensure that supplies are available to those who need it most.