Upper Moreland High School
UMHS Newsletter, March 2021
5-Day In-Person Learning begins Monday, March 29
Those students who have elected to remain Virtual will attend school virtually from March 29 to the end of the school year.
Attendance is based on Learning Location
Students Learning In-Person at UMHS - Attendance for those who are assigned to learning at UMHS will have to be present on campus to be marked present. Excuse notes will be needed within three days of an absence in order to change an unexcused absence into an excused absence. Students are expected to complete all assigned work.
Students Learning Virtually - Attendance for those who are assigned to learning virtually will be taken as each participates synchronously during UMHS classes. Students are expected to attend the entirety of each class period and have their cameras on.
Residency - Residency requirements are still in effect. Students are expected to be living daily in Upper Moreland to participate in learning at UMHS.
- All Virtual where students learn from home 5 days a week.
- 5-Days in Person at UMHS - where students learn at school Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
At this time, it is not possible for students to change their learning location to in-person at school.
- To switch your student from In-School to Virtual learning at home, please complete this FORM. Please note, if you make this change, your student must remain Virtual Learning for the rest of the 20-21 school year.
If you have a question about your student's learning location, you may call UMHS at 215-830-1500.
Eastern AM and PM Tech Students
- Use the picture below to decide if you should go to the school building each day.
- Bring your mask and an extra.
- Bring earbuds or earphones, they will help especially during intervention and extension periods.
- Bring your charged Chromebook.
- All breakfasts and lunches are free at school this year.
- If you would like to have a school lunch, check out the lunch menu, you will be asked before block 1 what lunch you want if you are getting lunch at school.
Remember to report any absences
In-Person students who do not report to school will be marked as having an Unexcused Absence. For all students absent from class an excusal note is required within 3 days. Absences will be recorded following the guidelines available in the UMHS Code of Conduct.
Monday, March 29, 2021 - Students will follow the ½ day schedule. All in-person students are expected to report to school in order to be marked present. All virtual students must report to every class synchronously for the entire duration of the class.
Tuesday, March 30, 2021 - - Students will follow the ½ day schedule. All in-person students are expected to report to school in order to be marked present. All virtual students must report to every class synchronously for the entire duration of the class.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021- All students will follow the Asynchronous Blended Learning Wednesday schedule. A link will be provided for attendance.
Thursday, April 1 - Monday, April 5 - Spring break. Students do not report to school in-person or virtually.
Tuesday, April 6 - UMHS has a full school day following the updated full-day schedule. All in-person students report to UMHS. All virtual students must report to every class synchronously for the entire duration of each class.
Wednesday, April 7 - Students will follow the ½ day schedule. All in-person students are expected to report to school in order to be marked present. All virtual students must report to every class synchronously for the entire duration of the class.
Thursday, April 8 & Friday, April 9 - UMHS has a full school day following the updated full-day schedule. All in-person students report to UMHS. All virtual students must report to every class synchronously for the entire duration of each class.
Entering and Exiting the Building
Arrival
- Students who come to school on the bus will continue to be dropped off in the 800 parking lot area. However, students may enter from any door off of the 800 parking lot.
- Students who are dropped off by car in the morning will continue to utilize the Main Entrance to the high school as well as the entrance to the Fine Arts wing. Students should not gather in small groups and remain socially distanced as they enter.
- Students who drive to school that park in A Lot will also use the Main Entrance to the high school as well as the entrance to the Fine Arts wing. Those students who park in D Lot may utilize any door off of the 800 parking lot to enter the building.
Students are reminded that they should have their mask on as they exit either the bus or their car. This is essential!
Dismissal
- Students who come to school on the bus will be dismissed at the end of the day over the loudspeaker one bus at a time. Students will wait in their 4th Block class until their bus is called to dismiss;
- Those that drive or walk to school will be dismissed first and will be done so by hallway or area throughout the building announced over the loudspeaker;
- Students who are being picked up by a parent or guardian will be dismissed after those that drive over the loudspeaker by hallway or area throughout the building.
These measures are in place so that students and staff are safe during this transition time. Students will need to be patient during dismissal and wait appropriately in their classroom until they are dismissed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that we are able to keep our schools safe and open for students.
Coming to School by Car
Coming to School by Bus
Cameras On
If you are having technical difficulties, please reach out to Family Tech.
When visiting the nurse, lavatory or other group area
Masks may be removed when students are both seated in the cafeteria and eating lunch.
In the Classroom
Cafeteria
- Students will sit six feet apart and face the same direction in the cafeteria;
- As students enter the cafeteria they must first find a seat at a desk. Students will then be called by row to obtain their lunch from the lunch line;
- Students are not permitted to walk around the cafeteria and must ask for permission to use the lavatory to limit the number of students in the restroom at one time;
- Students may remove their masks when they are seated and eating only. They must put their masks back on as soon as they are finished;
- An administrator will call each row to dispose of trash toward the end of the lunch period;
- Students will be dismissed by row back to their classrooms.
Masks
A good mask has a double layer of washable, breathable fabric that helps keep the wearer from spreading potentially infected droplets into the air. A bandanna tied around the face does not work as well as a mask because it is open at the bottom. A gaiter (a tube of thin, stretchy knit fabric that can be worn around the neck and pulled up to cover the nose and mouth) is usually too thin to provide adequate protection. Likewise, masks with exhalation valves can allow your droplets to escape into the air. None of these three types of face coverings works as well as a proper face mask.
The Upper Moreland Township School District will not permit bandanas, gaiters, or masks with exhalation valves to be worn by students, staff members or visitors at our schools.
Mask Etiquette
Lavatory
- Classrooms will be assigned the use of the closest lavatory to their location. Students will not be allowed to use any lavatory they wish;
- Only one student will be permitted out of the classroom at a time to use the lavatory;
- Students will be required to sign out of the classroom and indicate the time they are leaving the classroom. Students will then need to also sign back into the classroom and indicate the time of their return for contact tracing purposes if necessary.
- Students who do not follow these instructions are subject to the consequences found in the Student Code of Conduct under Level 1 responses.
It is recommended that high school students practice safe social distancing in all lavatories throughout the building. Students are encouraged to wash their hands appropriately, utilize hand sanitizer where available, and use the restroom only when necessary.
Visiting the School Nurse
Hallways
Students will keep their masks covering their mouths and noses when walking in the hallways. Maintaining a social distance is essential in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
Students will move from area to area directly while maintaining social distance. For all of our safety, we will not linger in the hallways. Students should report directly to their scheduled block class or the cafeteria if they are assigned lunch at that time.
Senior Privilege
Senior privilege means students who are eligible do not have to attend their Block 1 or Block 4 study hall in the UMHS school building. If you meet the eligibility requirements, please complete the Senior Privilege Request Form.
Eligibility:
1- Students are responsible for following altered schedules (i.e. half-day schedule, early dismissal schedule, bear block schedule, etc.) and should report to school at the correct time. Failure to do so can result in loss of senior privilege.
2- Grades must be maintained at or above a 70% in all courses. Senior privilege can be revoked if grades fall below a 70%, at which time the student will report to study hall in the library. Cumulative grades are considered too. If you are in danger of not graduating, you may not participate in Senior Privilege.
3- Students are responsible for upholding the Student Code of Conduct. Discipline infractions, unexcused latenesses, or unexcused absences can affect your eligibility for Senior Privilege.
4- Students need a parent/guardian to approve the form by typing their name as an electronic signature.
5-Students must have a block 1 or block 4 study hall to be eligible for Senior Privilege.
For up to the minute updates on Upper Moreland athletics, activities, and fine arts, please visit https://www.umtsd.org/domain/628 to view special announcements regarding the sports seasons, clubs, and the contact information for our coaches and instructors.