It is my pleasure to present the March edition of the Lower Moreland Township School District Superintendent’s Newsletter. Now that we have turned the calendar to March, be reminded that daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 8. Please remember to turn your clocks forward one hour.

Significant media coverage has occurred lately in regard to the impact that viruses can have on health and wellness, with the most focus being on influenza (flu) and novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Lower Moreland Township School District, as well as many other surrounding districts, have been in communication with the Department of Health as a precautionary measure. The PA Department of Health has recommended that information be shared with our school communities. Since much of this information, most especially centered on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is ever-changing, LMTSD will continue to coordinate with the Department of Health in order to post any relevant updates as they become available. Additional links to important information about influenza, guidelines from the District about when your child should stay home for an illness, and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on our website.

The size of our technology has changed, but not nearly as much as its power to connect. Students can explore the world from their desks, and our teachers are always looking for appropriate opportunities to expand the classroom. Lower Moreland Township School District celebrates the many ways students use technology to enhance and broaden learning. At the same time, technology – like any other tool – is only useful when it is used appropriately. In order to assist families with navigating and understanding the digital world, Debra McCoy, an expert on the topic of school climate and safety will be at Murray Avenue School on Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. to share steps parents can take to keep children safe in a digital world. Parents are encouraged to bring their child and phones to the presentation.

Lastly, please be reminded that the academic calendars for the next three years were approved by the Board of School Directors. As you begin planning summer vacations, please refer to the calendars for accurate dates. Please be reminded that the first day of school for the 2020-2021 school year will be August 31.

Scott Davidheiser, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue provides a list of taxpayers’ names and addresses to be reviewed by school districts for each tax year. The purpose of this report is for school districts to make corrections to a list of names and addresses of taxpayers who reported to the Department on their Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax returns they are residents of the school district on Dec. 31 of a given tax year.

For the most recent tax year received by the School District (tax year 2018), business officials had to remove 1,491 taxpayers/addresses out of a total of over 6,800 taxpayers/addresses that were incorrectly denoted as Lower Moreland Township School District. These corrections are sent to the correct school districts as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue for reconciliation purposes and in conjunction, other school districts will send their miscoded information to Lower Moreland for verification purposes. As a reminder for all residents of Lower Moreland Township School District, the School District code that should be denoted on an individual Pennsylvania State Income Tax return should be 46460. As folks complete their returns for the tax year 2019, please ensure that the school district code is correct.

Every six years each curricular area undergoes a renewal process that allows for the examination of programming, materials, and curriculum. The first year of the process focuses on awareness and research. A survey is included as a part of this process. The survey provides an opportunity for students, teachers, alumni and parents/guardians to provide feedback that helps inform adjustments to programming that will allow the District to continue to meet the needs of all learners. Currently, the areas of English and Language Arts and Health and Physical Education are in year one of curriculum renewal. Parents and guardians of current students are invited to complete surveys by clicking the following links:

English Language Arts

Health and Physical Education

Thank you in advance for participating in the surveys.

The Technology Department supports information technology systems and instructional technology programs and practices in the district. This month, we are highlighting how our students have been engaged in 21st Century learning activities focused on the 4Cs: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. We are also sharing the latest news and notes from the information systems team.

Creativity & Critical Thinking

8th Graders in Graphic Design were working on the application of composition and advertising techniques! Using Google Classroom assignments, Graphic Design teacher, Brooke Mulroy, was able to check students' understanding of these techniques and give them a chance to rate themselves on meeting the day's learning target after building their advertisements in Google Drawing and Pixlr X.

Collaboration

In preparation for a new music piece, LMHS Music Teacher, Erin Stroup, asked students to use a Google Form to reflect on what they needed to do in preparation for individual and sectional practices before coming together as a full band. Once they had made a plan for themselves, students then self-selected into groups and worked with each other to dive into the new piece determining how to mark up their music and gain confidence to play the full piece.

Communication

On #WorldReadAloudDay, fifth graders got to connect with the author of Pickle, Kim Baker, via Google Hangouts. Students got to listen to a read aloud from one of Kim Baker’s favorite books about Rachel Carson. They also asked her questions about how her real-life influences her characters, her writing process, and more.

Information Systems News and Notes

There are a number of money-saving programs from tech companies available to Lower Moreland staff, students, and families. This month, we are featuring the Dell and Apple programs. If you are in the market for a new computer, tablet, or accessory, use these links:

• Dell K-12 Student, Parent, Faculty, and Staff Discounts (Member ID: US137676511)
• Apple Education Pricing

Federal law mandates that school districts provide Extended School Year (ESY) programming for students with IEPs. Lower Moreland Township School District provides this support through an ESY program operated right here in the District. This year, for those students who have been found to be in need of such services, the District’s ESY program will run from July 6th to August 6th, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM at Pine Road School and Lower Moreland High School. If you are the parent of a child with an IEP for whom the IEP team has determined ESY services are necessary, you will be receiving a letter or email from the Office of Student Services in late March asking you to verify that your child will or will not be attending. So that the program can be staffed appropriately, it is important that the District has a headcount so please make sure to reply to this forthcoming communication. If you have any questions regarding ESY services in the District, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Services at 215-938-7426.