Superintendents Update September 22
September 2022
Greetings, Upper Moreland Families, Community Members,
and Staff!
We’ve had a successful start to the school year at Upper Moreland. Students and staff have worked together to review and practice expectations that are helping us to foster a respectful, purposeful, and productive learning environment in each of our schools and classrooms. I wish to extend a special thanks to parents for your support as we work to create a climate and culture which will help all students be successful.
Work continues on our Upper Moreland Comprehensive Plan. Our administrative team is currently using the feedback from our steering committee to develop strategies and action steps for our plan. We will present the proposed plan to the community and Board of School Directors at the Board meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. All stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed plan after it has been presented. You will receive more information about providing feedback in October.
Superintendent’s Advisory Councils
As superintendent, I believe that we are better for our students when we listen to the varied perspectives represented by members of our school community. I also believe that it is important to periodically meet with representatives from our school community to gather feedback that will inform the work we continue to do in Upper Moreland.
To inform our ongoing work, I am establishing several Superintendent’s Advisory Councils. This will include a high school student advisory council, a middle school student advisory council, a parent/guardian advisory council, and a staff advisory council. Each council will meet quarterly with me for approximately one hour to share their perspectives on important topics for the Upper Moreland School District. Each advisory council will include between 12 to 25 members with the goal to include varied perspectives and experiences from our school community. I anticipate beginning advisory council meetings in late October.
If you are interested in serving on one of the Superintendent’s Advisory Councils, please complete this brief interest form by Thursday, October 6, 2022.
Important Events for Families
Our students’ mental and physical health is very important to their success in school and outside of school. This fall we are partnering with a few organizations and experts to provide families, students, and staff with events that will provide knowledge and tools to support student mental and physical health.
First, on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 7:00 pm Dr. Beth J. Sanborn from the Lower Gwynedd Police Department will present “Hidden, High, and Hammered”. This is a virtual program. In this program, parents will learn “indicators of poor lifestyle choices and develop skills to help identify a child before a crisis occurs.” More information on this event can be found on our website through this link. Special thanks to the Upper Moreland Police Benevolent Association for sponsoring this event.
Also, later in October, representatives from NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness will present a program called “Ending the Silence”. In this presentation, parents, students, and staff will learn more information about suicide prevention. Topics will include “warning signs, treatments, suicide prevention, how to have conversations, local resources, and stigma.” Specific details will be shared on our website and via the weekly school newsletters.
Sincerely,
Dr. Susan Elliott
Superintendent of Schools
Dates to Remember
- Monday, September 26: NO SCHOOL - Rosh Hashanah: Students & Teachers Off
- Tuesday, September 27: Policy Committee Meeting - 6:30 pm
- Wednesday, October 5: NO SCHOOL - Yom Kippur: Students & Teachers Off
- Tuesday, October 11: Committee of the Whole Meeting - 6:30 pm
- Friday, October 14: PINK OUT - Wear Your Pink in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness
- Friday, October 14: EARLY DISMISSAL K-12
- Primary and Intermediate Schools dismissal at 11:45 am
- Middle and High School dismissal at 11:00 am
- Tuesday, October 18: Legislative Board Meeting - 6:30 pm
Back To School Nights 2022
At the beginning of each school year, we hold back to school nights at each of our schools to give parents an opportunity to meet teachers and follow their child(ren)’s daily schedule of classes. Thank you to the building staff who helped make these evenings informative for parents. Below is a recap of our back to school nights.
The Upper Moreland Primary School Back to School Night was held Thursday, September 1st. Approximately 90% of parents/guardians were in attendance for the evening. Parents and guardians had an opportunity to meet their child's homeroom teacher as well as meet all of the specialist teachers. They could also attend a resource fair cafetorium throughout the evening where parents/guardians had opportunities to meet representatives from school and community organizations including the boy scouts, UM public library, HSA, Equity Alliance for UM, and others.
The Upper Moreland Intermediate Back to School Night was held on Wednesday, August 31st. Approximately 95% of families attended the event. Similar to the primary school, parents had an opportunity to meet their child’s homeroom teacher. The teachers reviewed curriculum, student expectations, school rules, and attendance procedures. Parents also had an opportunity to meet with specialists, special education teachers, reading specialists, the gifted teacher, and instrumental music teachers.
The Upper Moreland Middle School Back to School Night was held on Thursday, September 15th. Approximately 500 parents and guardians attended the event. The parents visited students’ classes with the help of 20 student council leaders to help parents navigate the hallways. Parents also had opportunities to learn about world languages and unified arts. The Home & School Association provided giveaways and encouraged parents to join the HSA. Middle school counselors helped families complete after school club and activity permission slips.
The Upper Moreland High School Back to School Night was held on Wednesday, September 14th. Approximately 400 parents attended the event. Parents had an opportunity to meet their child’s teachers as they followed their child’s schedule for both purple and gold days. Parents even experienced the bells indicating the start and end of a class period. Approximately 45 student volunteers helped parents find their way around the building. The high school also had resource tables with representatives from the Upper Moreland Equity Alliance, the Home and School Association, Eastern Center Tech School, Jostens (yearbooks and class rings), and Mini Thon.
Prior to the start of the high school back to school night, the counseling team held two parent workshops. Approximately forty-five 9th grade families attended the “9th Grade Matters” workshop, and seventy 12th grade families attended the “College Application Process” workshop.
Upper Moreland Education Foundation Supports Student Learning
We are grateful for the assistance our UMEF provides to support teaching and learning in our schools. Recently, UMEF funded projects to enhance student learning in science and math at the middle school.
First, our middle school science classrooms will receive additional equipment to increase hands-on learning experiences for all students. UMEF has provided $8,500 to support the purchase of microscopes, burners, scales, and lab equipment. This additional equipment will supplement our current resources and help the young scientists in our middle school.
Second, UMEF has supported the purchase of Wipebook flipcharts for our middle school math classes. These reusable charts will help support math learning in the middle school as students learn to solve problems and apply their mathematical knowledge. UMEF provided over $700 to support this resource for our classrooms.
Thank you UMEF!
#UMProud
UMEF Elementary Event: Princess' and Pirates
The UMEF hosted a "Princess and Pirates" event on September 17th at the UM Primary School. Over 200 students were in attendance. Approximately 25 Staff and high school students volunteered to greet, paint faces, assist with arts and crafts, and pose for photos with the many princesses and pirates that attended.
Upper Moreland High School Earns Sportsmanship Award
On September 14, 2022, Upper Moreland High School received the 2021-2022 PIAA Sportsmanship Award. Coaches from other Suburban One League schools vote on which high school should receive this yearly honor. Throughout the school year, the coaches observe how student-athletes and other team members conduct themselves during sporting events.
This honor is a testament to the ethics and integrity of our student-athletes and to the dedication of our coaches to develop not only athletic talents but also life long skills of respect that our student-athletes will carry with them both on and off the field.
UMHS September Student of the Month:
Kash Jones
Congratulations to Kash Jones, the Rotary Club Student of the Month for September!
Kash is highly involved in activities within the school. These activities include leadership positions as the Historian of the Class of 2022, the co-president of the GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance), officer on student council, Stage Manager for the UMHS Drama Company, Manager of the Track and Field Team, and a leadership role in Key Club with the Mini-Thon. He is also a member of the debate club at the high school. This year he is also the student liaison for the Upper Moreland School Board, where he attends the monthly board meetings and gives updates to the board and community on student activities.
Within the community, Kash has volunteered his time as a Cultural Proficiency and Efficacy Student Ambassador for Montgomery County since 2020. As an ambassador Kash learned how to self-advocate and be a voice and ally of his peers. Also since 2020, he has served as the Director of Human Resources for the Environmental Justice Coalition, which is a youth-led coalition supported by mentors from various higher education institutes. In 2022 he stepped in to be a student representative for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force at Upper Moreland School District. In this task force he brought student voice to the table while working with administrators and community leaders.
Kash’s future plans include majoring in Forensic Science or Chemistry at a university. He truly embodies the Rotary Club motto of Service above Self!
Student Liaison for Upper Moreland Township Environmental Advisory Council
Ava Cleary, Junior
Upper Moreland High School junior, Ava Cleary will serve as the student liaison for the Upper Moreland Township Environmental Advisory Council. As a junior, Ava is taking Advanced Placement Environmental Science. Ava plans to pursue study in the field of science after she graduates from Upper Moreland.
The Upper Moreland Township Environmental Advisory Council is an advisory council responsible for educating and advising commissioners and residents on environmental issues within our township. They also educate and advise on the conservation of natural resources, possible uses of open land, and the creation of inventories of environmental areas and unique environmental features within Upper Moreland Township. For more information about the Environmental Advisory Council, please click here.
September 13th Special Meeting of the Board
Welcome Mrs. Sarah Byrnes
On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, the Upper Moreland School Directors held their special board meeting to appoint a new board member to replace the vacancy termed through December 2023. We are pleased to introduce our newest elected School Board Member, Mrs. Sarah Byrnes. Congratulations, Mrs. Byrnes and welcome to the School Board of Directors of the Upper Moreland School District!
September 20th Board Meeting
On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, the Upper Moreland School District Board of Directors held their legislative meeting. Below are highlights from the meeting.
The board approved a contract with Explorations to bring Ms. Marcy Hockfield to our middle school to serve as interim principal from mid-October to mid-January.
The board approved updated graduation requirements aligned to Act 158 providing alternative graduation pathways for students.
The board approved an updated Health and Safety Plan which focuses on following the guidance of the Montgomery County Health Department and the CDC.