There it is...pure joy and happiness! Eden Strassburg's face reflects the emotion of the moment, doesn't it?  Congratulations to the 268 students who shared that emotion on the evening of June 11th at Villanova.  The tassels have turned for the Class of 2013!  

MIDDLE SCHOOL MOMENTS      

At the MS Academic Awards Assembly and Ice Cream Social, could the students look any happier?

Off to the high school!  8th graders "Moved Up" at their traditional promotion ceremony on Thursday, June 13th.

More... 

You may remember that back in April's Constant Contact, we announced that the middle school's Marget Bluefeld had been named a finalist in Freedom Credit Union's Voices of Inspiration Award for Teaching Excellence program.   Since that announcement, we are thrilled to shout out that our Mrs. Bluefeld was selected at a dinner May 8th at the Philadelphia Marriott West as one of three Grand Prize winners, where she proudly (and a bit tearfully) accepted her prize and basked in the applause of the crowd!

AND...congrats to the middle school sports teams and their coaches for being presented with the Continental League Sportsmanship Award for the 2012-2013 school year.  Way to go!! 

HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Art students shared an evening with State Rep. Tim Briggs at a reception in his office in late May. Rep. Briggs is a huge supporter of the arts in his legislative district and sponsors a Student Art Series throughout the school year.

Athletes Sign (and Shine!)

Thirteen UM seniors signed letters of intent to play their respective sport at the college level. Pictured are Colleen Bowes (Penn College of Technology - Soccer); Dominique Gambone (Millersville University - Lacrosse); Casey Griffith (UMBC - Volleyball); Trevor Kupecky (Hofstra University - Lacrosse); Justin Lewis (Cairn University - Basketball); Ryan Marquez (Wesley College - Football); Amanda McAteer (College of William and Mary - Field Hockey); Connor McGrath (West Chester University - Football); Robert McLaughlin (Rochester Institute of Technology - Rowing); Kristina O'Sullivan (United States Air Force Academy - Soccer); Tyler Painter (Rochester Institute of Technology - Rowing); Sarah Schunder (York College - Softball); Adam Tancini (Lycoming College - Football).

Champion of Caring 

Among many seniors recognized this year, Jessie Bereda was honored for exemplary community service, winning several scholarships for those efforts.  

Ivy Day 

Ivy Day was an amazing event June 10th. How amazing? Members of the Class of 2013 received $70,000 in scholarship money, and that's not including money they may have been given by their college or university!   Did you know(quoted from the June 10th program): "It was traditional at the beginning of this event that ivy be planted on school grounds. This signified the beginning of academic roots in one's life. As ivy grows easily and takes hold forever, so does the education earned in the Upper Merion Area School District."

THIS AND THAT   

In little more than 190 days, the winter holidays will be upon us (!!) and, the high school Advanced Choir and Chamber Strings will be featured in a CD! That's right, folks! Our marvelous musically inclined students will be making your days merry and bright with talent not to be missed. Shhhhh...we hear the CD will be ready just in time for Upper Merion's Tricentennial!! What a way to commemorate 300 years!

Speaking of making music, the Township's 29th Annual Concerts Under the Stars series will begin Sunday, June 23 at 7:00 PM. Grab a few chairs, pack up a cooler (don't forget the bug spray!) and relax...ahhhh...summer!!!

In Case You Are WONDERING...

The district is pleased to announce the adoption of the McGraw-Hill Reading Wonders program.  Parents of students in grades K-6 are invited to workshops on Monday, June 17th from 5:30 to 6:30 PM and Wednesday, June 19th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at the middle school in Room C230 to find out more about it.  If you want to attend, please contact Ms. Susan Silver, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, at 610-205-8876 or ssilver@umasd.org.

Learn to Speak, Read and Write English This Summer

That's right! As a special offering to parents of students in our district who wish to learn English as a Second Language, summer classes are planned through the Literacy Council of Norristown and will be held at Bridgeport Elementary School beginning June 24. Please visit our website and click the link on the main page for more information.

HAPPY ENDINGS   

How beautiful it is to do nothing...then rest afterward.

-Spanish Proverb

Retirees will be honored at the July 1, 2013 meeting of the Board of School Directors. It is with our sincerest wishes for a happy and healthy retirement that we say farewell to:

Helen Beatty

Thomas Brady

Maggie Caverly

Joanne Cressor

Christine Greenhagen

Deborah Hornsleth

Vincent Iacavino

Catherine Jaskowiak

Raymond Knisely

Sharon Nardelli

Jacqueline Powers

Linda Reese

Patricia Ryan

Ursel Sandt

Joy Sizgorich

Jean Thorpe

Carolyn Walsh

Monica Weckesser

Eva - Marie Wynn