Lower Moreland High School
Newsletter
May 12, 2021
Hello Lower Moreland Families,
Please enjoy the latest edition of the High School Newsletter.
Thank you,
Mr. William J. Miles, Principal
P.S.- Don't forget to follow us on Twitter! @LMTSD_LMHS and Instagram at lmtsd-highschool
What's Happening
End of Year Events
https://www.lmtsd.org/cms/lib/PA01000427/Centricity/ModuleInstance/1101/End%20of%20Year%20Events.pdf
COVID 19-Travel Restrictions-Lifted for Domestic Travel
As of March 1, 2021, the Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health for Mitigation Relating To Travel is no longer in effect. Travelers should still practice appropriate public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 such as masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene. The Department has FAQs specific to travel that can be found here.
If you are traveling internationally please follow the protocol set up by the Montgomery County Health department found here
The nurse will then tell you when your child may return to school in person. The Covid-19 School Exclusion Recommendations from the Montgomery County Department of Health can be found here. We follow these recommendations when excluding a student from school for illness or exposure to a Covid positive close contact.
Important Reminders of Daily Health and Safety
- Maintain safe distancing at all times. Students should not congregate at any time.
- Masks need to be worn at all times and cover from the bridge of the nose to under the chin. The only exceptions are while eating or while outside at the direction of a teacher.
- Student drivers should wear a mask when they exit their car in the morning and should only remove a mask while back in their car in the afternoon.
- Bus riders need to wear a mask at all times.
- Wear a glove during the cleaning process.
- Use hand sanitizer at the beginning and end of each class, and throughout the day follow hand-washing guidelines as needed.
- Follow the directional arrows throughout the building
Keystone Testing Update
Winter Keystone Exam Dates
Students in the trigger courses of Algebra 1, American Studies, and Biology will be taking the Keystone test this Spring. We have dates for the tests. the dates are as follows:
Literature: May 17, May 19
Biology: May 20, May 21
Algebra: May 24, May 25
One key point is that there is not a "virtual" Keystone exam, it does not exist. All testers must take their test in school. We will look to make accommodations for our virtual learners and may include summer options if they do not feel comfortable coming into school with the rest of the population.
Class of 2021-CAPS
Senior Dues-Class of 2021
LMHS Choir
The Spring Concert is also approaching on May 20th at 7:30. You can stream it live from the comfort of your own home! This week, we get ready to say goodbye to our seniors and student teachers. The seniors leave on May 14th for CAPS but are still participating in choir through senior takeovers on the choir instagram. Seniors are also preparing to perform at graduation.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Juniors Alyssa Sipman and David Volchonok for placing 1st in the 2021 PA Statistics Poster Competition coordinated by St. Francis University!! They will receive a cash award of $96 for their great effort!!
Their poster, "Do High School Students Drink A Latte Coffee?", was selected as the best out of 47 other submissions for the Grade 10-12 category. Alyssa and David created a statistics poster containing two or more related graphics that summarize a set of data, looking at the data from different points of view, and answering specific questions about the data. Congrats Alyssa and David!!
Lion's Roar
The Spring Issue of the Lion’s Roar is now up and running on the newspaper website, lmhslionsroar.com. Check out the winners of the Senior Superlatives, the list of colleges LM seniors will be attending in the fall, and other school news. Hope you’ll give it a look!
General News and Announcements
From the School Nurse
Medications that you have provided to the school for your student need to be picked up on the last day of school. Unfortunately we are not able to hold medications over the summer months, therefore medications not picked up will be discarded.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
215-938-0220 x 2153
Lisa Weidman, RN, BSN, CSN
Late Arrival/Early Release Privilege for 2020-2021
Updated Attendance Protocol
All of your attendance reporting needs for all learners will be handled by one electronic form that will replace the Blue Card online form and the Yellow Card online form (used at Pine Road). This will also replace the need for a phone call to the attendance line.
Use this form to report your child’s absence. Submitting this form will both report the absence and document it. No follow up Blue card is needed.
Submit this form to sign your child into school late.
Submit this form to sign your child out for an appointment (early dismissal). This form allows you to enter a return to school time if your child will be returning to school.
Please Note:
If you are taking an extended vacation, you will still need to complete the Request for Excusal from Regular School Attendance, familiar to most families as a vacation request form. The form is found on the Virtual Backpack under Forms.
Doctors’ notes still need to be submitted to the school attendance secretary or sent into school.
National Honor Society
Message from the School Psychologist
Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Greetings Lower Moreland students, parents, faculty, and staff. May is designated as Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. According to the US Census Bureau, individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander decent currently make up nearly 4 percent of the population and are the fastest growing race in the United States. The Asian American and Pacific Islander American population is diverse including members of more than 30 ethnic groups encompassing more than 300 language and dialects. This is the perfect time to honor the contributions, heritage, and traditions of Asians and Pacific Islanders in their legacy of America. Every aspect of American history and life including arts, literature, science, and so much more has been positively impacted. For example, Chinese-born physicist Chien-Shiung Wu, Ph.D. was a key player in the field of atomic science. Larry Itliong of the Philippines immigrated to the US at the age of 15 and went on to form the Filipino Farm Labor Union before joining to form United Farm Workers. Japanese American Yuri Kochiyama’s civil rights work impacted not only Asian American Communities, but influenced Black, Latinx, and Indigenous Peoples as well. She worked with Black civil rights activists including Malcolm X. Two Chinese American brothers, Derald W. Sue and Stanley Sue, were influential figures in ethnic minority psychology. Indian American computer architect Ajay Bhatt developed the Universal Serial Bus (USB) technology. Filipino American physician and pediatric immunologist Katherine Luzuriaga, M.D. has worked to understand persistent viral infections in children. Harvard graduate, Amanda Nguyen, the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, wrote the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act of 2016 and she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. The Japanese tradition of senbazuru (origami) is a cornerstone in American history. This is just a very small sample of the influence and contributions of Asian American/Pacific Islander heritage in the US and throughout the world. Please take time to further explore the historical roots and integration of Asian/Pacific Islander heritage into American culture.
National Mental Health Awareness Month
May is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience. Mental Health Month raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities. Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans' lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Mental health is essential for a person's overall health. Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental disorders and live full and productive lives. Recognition of friends, families, co-workers and community members struggling with mental health connected with actively seeking appropriate supports and interventions is integral to the livelihood and success of all people.
With respect to National Mental Health Awareness Month, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide. As a method of reducing stigma and using creative efforts to prevent suicide and help those impacted by suicide, the Interact Club hosted the first “Out of the Darkness Poetry Contest”. The contest was open to all LMTSD high school students who wanted to inspire, encourage, and foster hope, determination, resilience and grit in the Lower Moreland Township Community. The winner of this year's contest is Selina Lin. Congratulations, Selina. A $100 donation will be made to support Suicide Prevention. Thanks to everyone working to bring mental health "out of the darkness". A copy of Selina’s poem can be found here.
Recognizing the Conclusion of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
Fasting during Ramadan, known as Sawm, is one of the five pillars, the basic principles that are essential to the Islamic faith. After a month of prayer, devotion and self-control, Muslims celebrate the accomplishment of their sacred duties during Ramadan with the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast. During Eid al-Fitr, Muslims take part in special morning prayers, greet each other with formal embraces and offer each other greetings of “Eid Mubarak,” or “Have a blessed Eid.” They gather with family and friends, give games and gifts to children and prepare and eat special meals, including sweet dishes like baklava, date-filled pastries and cookies, and honey cake. This year, Eid al-Fitr ends on Thursday evening, May 13th. To all of our community members celebrating this event, “Eid Mubarak”.
School Counseling Department
For all:
If ever needed, here is the link to the Emergency / Crisis Resources that are listed on our counseling website.
The High School Counselors have begun to utilize REMIND an app-based communication platform that creates and sends one-way messages in real time to an entire class, a small group, or just a single person.
We are excited to launch this new technology to our students and a parent within the household. Information about how to register will be mailed shortly.
Gain access to REMIND: there are two ways to receive REMIND notifications:
Class of 2024 - on smartphone, go to browser and type: rmd.at/lmtsd2024
OR if you do not have a smartphone, text @lmtsd2024 to (765) 598-5198
Class of 2023: on smartphone, go to browser and type: rmd.at/lmtsd2023
OR if you do not have a smartphone, text @lmtsd2023 to (765) 598-5198
Class of 2022: on smartphone, go to browser and type: rmd.at/lmtsd2022
OR if you do not have a smartphone, text @lmtsd2022 to (765) 598-5198
Class of 2021: on smartphone, go to browser and type: rmd.at/lmtsd2021
OR if you do not have a smartphone, text @lmtsd2021 to (765) 598-5198
Resources for Parents and Guardians
Anti-Bullying FAQ
We wanted to provide some information to families following our LMTSD Parent/Guardian Bullying Prevention Information survey. Below are some answers to some Frequently Asked Questions and information related to district procedures.
Are you aware of the anonymous reporting system being used in Pennsylvania, Safe2Say Something?
Safe2Say Something is a statewide anonymous, 24-7, reporting process for a variety of safety concerns. Click HERE for more information on this initiative.
Are you aware of the Lower Moreland Township School District Harassment/Bullying Reporting Form?
This form is used to gather information about incidents related to bullying. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators can all use this form. This form can be found on each school’s website. Click HERE to view the form.
As a parent, I have a clear understanding of the school's policies, practices, and procedures related to issues of harassment and bullying.
All reported incidents related to bullying are investigated, regardless of how they are reported. The District Code of Conduct is the structure used to apply consequences. Cases are referred to the police if the nature of the incident requires it.
We continue to partner with students, staff, and families to provide a safe environment for all students.
Lower Moreland Township School District is committed to preventing all forms of bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment. For more information please see the district web site: https://www.lmtsd.org/Page/13723 In addition, please know that at the High School, bullying and harassment forms are available in the main office as well as the guidance office.
Vaping Tool Kit: Please use the link below to access the Montgomery County Dept. of Health's vaping tool kit. It has educational materials on vaping and e-cigarettes.
Food Services Department
Free breakfast and lunch for anyone 18 years old and younger was extended through the 20-21 school year! Students can eat breakfast and lunch in school for free or families can pick up on Tuesdays and Fridays at Murray Ave from 3:30-5:30. Please email Ms. Logan Myers at lmyers@lmtsd.org if interested in picking up.
The Giant Company is partnering with Lower Moreland to help support children in our school district facing food insecurity. Anyone shopping at Giant will be invited to "round up at the register" their grocery purchase to donate to local school food programs. After February 28th, The Giant Company will match the donation and a portion will go to Lower Moreland students that need help the most. Please spread the word to help make this program a great success!
LMHS PTA
Athletics
Congratulations to our Boys Tennis Team. They defeated Holy Ghost Prep on Monday 5/10 to win the PIAA District I AA Championship. ( photo attached )
Our spring sports are winding down with lacrosse, baseball, and softball all pushing for playoff spots in the District I tournament. Please visit www.piaad1.org to stay up to date with the rankings.
IMPORTANT FALL SPORTS INFORMATION
Fall Sports are slated to begin on Monday August 16th.
Football will begin with Heat Acclimatization week on August 9th.
FamilyID for Fall Sports will open on Monday July 5th 2021. All athletes must register for their sport the Friday prior to their sport starting or they risk not being approved for the first day of the season. ALL PHYSICALS for the 2021-2022 school year for athletics must be dated after June 1st 2021 or they will not be accepted. Due to the PIAA bylaws, all current physicals that were approved for this school year become void on May 31, 2021 or as soon as their spring season has concluded.
Coaches Information:
Football - Justin Beck - JBeck@lmtsd.org
Boys Soccer - Bob Barnhart - RBarnhart@lmtsd.org
Girls Soccer - Mike Gould - MGould@lmtsd.org
Field Hockey - TBA - MHeiland@lmtsd.org
Cross Country - Girls: Greg Green - GGreen@lmtsd.org
Boys: TBA - MHeiland@lmtsd.org
Girls Tennis - TBA - MHeiland@lmtsd.org
Cheerleading - Emily Lorimer - ELorimer@lmtsd.org
Golf - Mike Guido - MGuido@lmtsd.org
About Us
Email: acurry@lmtsd.org
Website: lmtsd.org
Location: 555 Red Lion Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA, USA
Phone: 215-938-0220
Twitter: @LMTSD_LMHS