|
Upper Merion Area School District Newsletter
The Taste of the Suburbs Food & Wine event was held Sunday, April 7, 2013 at the King of Prussia Mall and was not only a tasty culinary treat but a feast for the ears as well, featuring wonderful performances by Upper Merion Area School District Middle and High School performance groups.
Welcome to UMASD's Constantcontact newsletter. You have received this edition because your e-mail is registered with the school district.
Anyone can receive this newsletter simply by registering at http://www.umasd.org/newsletter.
If you do not wish to receive our newsletter, please scroll down and click on SafeUnsubscribe.
|
|
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT NEWS
Outfield Fence Installed
The Turf Maintenance staff installed a very unique outfield fence on the high school softball field. The fence can be removed at the end of the season, allowing the field to be utilized for other sports in the summer and fall. The fence also has a great safety feature as it is designed to 'fall back' if an athlete runs into it, minimizing the risk of injury.
Arts Fest Prep Underway
In preparation for the 3rd Annual Arts Fest, scheduled for opening April 23rd at the middle school, maintenance personnel Pat O'Brien and Chris Kelly fabricated art display panels for some of the projects Upper Merion students will showcase. In the gym, 18 of these panels will be set up to form the 'art gallery' allowing the public to view students' works. The foldable panels were made from inexpensive painted foam insulation board and duct tape!
|
|
ATHLETICS, HEALTH, FITNESS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Casey Griffith Signs with University of Maryland!
A four-year starter and letter winner, earning Suburban One League first team honors in both her junior and senior years, Casey Griffith signed with UMBC in March. Casey is a Times Herald Player of the Week and is the first player from Upper Merion to play at the Division One level for volleyball. As a senior captain, Casey helped the Vikings earn recognition as a top 10 PA state ranked volleyball team and added All State, All Area and All District 1 PIAA 1st team player status to her volleyball resumé.
Running for a Cause
Two 5K events are scheduled for April 21st that also allow for younger participants on an abbreviated course. The first, organized by Christian Sanders as his Senior Graduation Project, will be run mostly on the road on HS/MS property and will benefit the Cross Country program. The second is sponsored by the Friends of Valley Forge Park as part of their eighth annual Revolutionary Run, and includes a 1.776 km (get it?) Young Patriots course that will benefit...a healthy lifestyle!
|
|
OUR SCHOOLS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Reading Fightin' Phils Buddy with Bridgeport Elementary
Talk about motivation to read! As part of the Read Across America initiative, Bridgeport students were challenged to read 2000 minutes over a ten day period. Their reward? The Reading Phils have designated April 29th as Bridgeport Elementary School Night! The students each received a free ticket to the game and TWO lucky students will be selected that evening to throw out the first pitch (okay - that's two pitches). Way to go, Bridgeport Elementary!
Amelia Bedelia Author Visits Candlebrook Elementary
Amelia always does exactly what she is told to do - imagine being Author Herman Parish (carrying on the Bedelia tradition started by his Aunt Peggy) - coming up with all those literal images! Mr. Parish entertained students in lively assemblies and autographed pre-purchased books, taking time to speak to each child. The author visit coincides with Candlebrook's celebration of 'Families and Reading Month' and their 'Dad's Read - Kids Succeed' program.
Shout Out to our Middle School
Our 7th and 8th Grade Algebra students performed extraordinarily on the new Keystone Assessments. Out of 30 students who took the tests, two earned Proficient and 28 (yes - 28!!!) earned ADVANCED!
The middle school was awarded two mini-grants from the ExxonMobil Education Alliance program. The funds will be used to support the UMAMS STEM Initiative. STEM-based instruction integrates science, technology, engineering and math through hands-on lab activities. Lehigh Gas Corporation, Cordisio Exxon and Gulph Road Exxon stations located in King of Prussia, PA, made the two $500 grants possible.
High School Mini-THON a GIANT Success Story
Congrats to all the organizers and participants of the first-ever mini-THON to benefit pediatric cancer research and the Four Diamond Fund. The result of this effort? $11,423.17!! EXCELLENT NEWS!
|
|
STAFF RECOGNITION (AND A BIG WELCOME!)
Our Voice of Inspiration
The Freedom Credit Union, in partnership with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, announced that middle school teacher Marget Bluefeld has been named a finalist in the Voices of Inspiration Award for Teacher Excellence recognition program. Mrs. Bluefeld was selected as a finalist because, simply put, she is a "truly exceptional educator." Grand prize winners from among the finalists named will be selected at a dinner May 6th. Congratulations, Mrs. Bluefeld!
Teacher Applauded for Victim Services Work
UMASD Health and PE teacher Patricia Morris received a Leadership Award from the Victim Services Center at a ceremony held at Normandy Farms. Ms. Morris was commended for working closely with VSC's Education Department "to increase safety awareness and risk reduction methods" for our students in the prevention of sexual violence.
Food Services Supervisor Named
Welcome Mrs. Peggy Bartlett, the district's new Supervisor of Food Services, who will be joining us later this month. Mrs. Bartlett, who was appointed at the Board of School Directors meeting on April 1, 2013, comes to us from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
|
TIDBITS
April is Autism Awareness Month
Did you know that autism affects 1 in 88 children in America? Something as simple as going to the movies is difficult for families with an autistic child. The Autism Society is working with AMC Theaters to bring these families Sensory Friendly Films every month.
Keep America Beautiful!
Did you know that April is also 'Keep America Beautiful' month? This is an opportunity to reflect on the many ways we personally can leave less of a mark...on our highways and byways especially...by not littering. Good rule of thumb for the whole year is to find ways to "go green" at every opportunity.
Speaking of Recycling...
Spring cleaning? Upper Merion Vikings Football is holding a used clothing (and other household items) collection on April 20, 2013 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the high school parking lot.
|
UPCOMING MEETINGS and EVENTS
Combined Meeting Monday, April 15, 2013 at 7:00 PM in the HS LGI (This is an Operations/Facilities Committee and Curriculum/Technology/Student Services Committee Meeting combined due to the weather-related cancellation of the March 18 CTSS meeting.) Monte Carlo Night Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Church in Bridgeport, PA, 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door 3rd Annual Arts Fest Tuesday, April 23, 2013 (Opening Reception) Middle School 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
