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Dragonbites 

Welsh
Valley Middle School
Home and School Association
Weekly Newsletter

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January 31, 2013 through February 7, 2013
WV Calendar Of Events
Dragon Pride Commendations
Expressions of Thanks and Parent Help Needed for Faculty Dinner
Spirit Week begins February 4
3rd Annual Middle School Dance
Parking and Traffic at School Dismissal
Parent Volunteer Opportunities for 2013-14
Points of View Poetry Cafe
Attention Parents of 8th Graders: Harriton Course Selection Night
Ongoing: Important High School Transition Dates
Singing Valentines
Welsh Valley 8th Grade Career Fair
Welsh Valley 2012-13 Yearbook
Before & After School Activities
Winter Athletics
BCWV Squash Spring Session Registration Open
Around the District:
HTC's The Mouse that Roared
ISC Annual Art Show
Committee for Special Education Meeting
CMITES - Time to Register
Ashbee Lacrosse Club
Community Links
Join Our Mailing List

WV Calendar
 

JANUARY 

 

Thursday, January 31 

  • Schuylkill Valley Area Orchestra Rehearsal at Colonial MS 12 pm
  • WV Scholastic Book Fair 8:00 am - 3:00 pm (Library)   

FEBRUARY 

 

Friday, February 1 

  • Schuylkill Valley Area Orchestra Concert at Colonial MS 8 pm

Monday, February 4

  • Spirit Week - Favorite Sports Player Day

Tuesday, February 5

  • Spirit Week - Philly Sports Day 
  • CSE Meeting 7:30 pm (WV Library)

Wednesday, February 6

  • Spirit Week - Green Day

Thursday, February 7

  • Spirit Week - Wear Your Favorite College or WV Apparel 
  • HSA Staff Appreciation Dinner (CAF) 4:45 pm
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences 6-8 pm 

Friday, February 8

  • Spirit Week - Wear White Day  
  • WV vs. BC Basketball Game 
  • BC/WV Combined Schools Winter Dance at BC 7 pm

Saturday, February 9

  • TSA Regional Conference 7 am - 5 pm (Snow Date 2/23) 

Thursday, February 14

  • Early Dismissal - Staff Development Day
  • Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Friday, February 15

  • School CLOSED - Administrative Offices Open  

Monday, February 18

  • School CLOSED - Administrative Offices Closed

Wednesday, February 20

  • Green Council of LMSD - LMHS Large Group Instr Rm 4-5 pm 

Friday, February 22

  • HSA Fun Friday 3:15 - 5:15 pm  

Saturday, February 23 

  • BC/WV - Schuylkill Valley Band Rehearsal at Valley Forge MS 9 am

Tuesday, February 26 

  • BC/WV - Schuylkill Valley Band Rehearsal at Valley Forge MS 12 pm

Thursday, February 28

  • BC/WV - Schuylkill Valley Band Rehearsal at Valley Forge MS 12 pm  

 

SAVE THE DATE

 

Saturday, March 2

  • WV - Play Tech Rehearsal 10 am

Tuesday, March 5

  • WV - 5th to 6th Grade Parent Transition Meeting 9 am

Thursday, March 7

  • WV - School Play 7 pm

Friday, March 8

  • WV - School Play 7 pm

Saturday, March 9

  • WV - School Play 2 pm 

 

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Dragon Pride Commendations
Random Acts of Kindness


Weekly Dragon Pride Student Commendations

We are pleased to recognize our Dragon Pride Commendation award winners. The following students were recognized by our staff for demonstrating Random Acts of Kindness or Contributing to the Welsh Valley Community. We encourage all students to do the right thing for the sake of it being the right thing to do.  We want to recognize students for good deeds, sometimes with a smile or thank you, other times with a commendation.  But our overall goal is for our staff with the commendation program is to acknowledge students for doing the right thing in the most genuine sense.  The Character and Citizenship Committee and WVMS faculty would like to thank these students for helping make Welsh Valley a better place.

Congratulations to the following students for receiving a "DRAGON PRIDE" commendation for the Week of January 21st.

 

8th grade 

Emma Arronson

Jordan Heller 

 

7th grade 
Emma Mernagh
Portia Maidment
Jonah Hausmann
Emma Danz
Carly Koutcher
 

 

6th grade
Zach Silberstein 

  

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Student Expressions of Thanks and Parent Help Needed for Faculty Dinner

Please help show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate them by contributing to the February 7th dinner.  We need students to write brief expressions of thanks, which might include special memories of a field trip or an exciting project or lesson, or a time when a teacher or staff member provided special encouragement.  We also invite parents to send notes of appreciation as well. These notes will be printed and mounted for display at the dinner.  Please email meghaist@me.com with your short note by Monday, February 4th (students should specify if they wish to remain anonymous or be identified).  Students who wish to hand-write their notes may drop them off in the HSA mailbox in the office. We also need parents to donate food or serve at the event, which begins at 4:30 on February 7th. Please email meghaist@me.com if you can help and we will email you with details. 

 

    

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WV Spirit Week February 4 - 8

Monday: Favorite Sports Player Day

Dress as your favorite sports person.

(Basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey etc.)

 

Tuesday:

Philly Sports Day 

Dress as your favorite Philadelphia sports team.

Wear your favorite Philadelphia Sports team apparel

(Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, 76ers, Union).

Support your favorite team from Philadelphia!

 

Wednesday: Green Day

Wear green to support our 7th grade basketball teams.

Green out BC

Dragons Unite

 

Thursday: Wear your College or Welsh Valley Apparel

 

Friday: Wear White Day

To support the eighth grade basketball team we will all be wearing to intimidate our B.C. opponents. WHITE OUT!!!!

 

   

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The 3rd Annual Middle School Dance
                

The combined dance with Welsh Valley and Bala Cynwyd Middle Schools will be held on February 8th from 7:00pm -9:00pm.  The dance will once again take place at Bala Cynwyd Middle School. The members of both schools' student council helped to coordinate this event.

  • The dance is open to all current 6th, 7th and 8th grade students at both schools.
  • Guests are not permitted to attend this event.
  • Tickets go on sale Monday February 4th through February 8th.
  • This year each grade level will have a special day to purchase the bracelets for the dance
  • 6th grade ticket sale - Feb. 4th
  • 7th grade ticket sale - Feb. 5th
  • 8th grade ticket sale - Feb. 6th 

       No tickets will be sold at the door!!

  • Tickets will be available for purchase in the Commons Lobby before school on the grade level assigned day stated above.  The ticket price for students who purchase them on the assigned day will be $ 4.00.
  • Tickets will be sold on February 7th and 8th; however, the price will be $5.00 on those days.
  • There will be a DJ providing the music, games and activities. Food will be available for purchase.
  • Parent chaperones are needed for the dance.  If you would like to volunteer please contact Addie Eichman at (eichmaa@lmsd.org) or John McNabb at (McNabbJ@lmsd.org )

                                           Dance Rules

  • All Student Government Representatives are expected to attend the dance.
  • All school rules and dress code will be in effect.
  • Students may not leave the dance early unless parents come into the building and pick up their child.
The dance ends at 9:00 pm.  Parents must be prompt and pick up their child in the front of the school.  Due to limited parking, carpooling is encouraged.


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Parking & Traffic at School Dismissal

In the interest of safety, parents are reminded that parent pick-up is located on Tower Lane or Hagy's Ford Road at 3:05.  No parking is permitted in any bus loop between 2:30-3:30.  Finally, please take extra precautions to avoid pedestrians and do not block parked cars in the WV parking lot when waiting to pick up your child.  Thank you for your cooperation. 
 

  

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Parent Volunteer Opportunities for 2013-2014

We are looking for parent volunteers to join our HSA Board.  We will have 3 board positions available for next year:  two Co-Vice Presidents and one secretary position.  If being a chair and organizing single events is what you prefer, such as the All School Dance, Fall BBQ, Thanksgiving Luncheon, Staff Appreciation Breakfast/Dinner, Book Fair or Movie Night (to name a few), we could definitely use your help.  We are looking for parents who have enjoyed volunteering in the past, parents new to the area or parents that would like to start getting involved.  Please contact Nanette Taraya-Vonk at ntarayavonk@comcast.net if you have any questions.
 

  

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Welsh Valley Points of View Poetry Café
 

Welsh Valley's eighth-grade Points of View program makes connections between subject areas and real world issues. It challenges students to consider multiple perspectives and empowers them to find purpose in their learning and to make well-informed decisions for bettering themselves and the world.

One of the many projects through the year is the annual Poetry Cafe, where students read their original work and parents "snap-not-clap" for the performers. Through the evening, the poetry expressed views on history, social justice, war, global warming, family life, colors of the rainbow, and personal challenges.

 
For more sights and sounds from the Poetry Café, click here

 

 

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Harriton Course Selection Night -
February 5 at 6:30 pm

 

Harriton Course Selection Night - Tuesday, Feb 5 at 6:30pm


WHO should attend: Families of all incoming 9th-12th graders
WHAT is this night about: It is an opportunity to learn more about the course offerings at HHS. 

  • 6:30pm-7:00pm---Dept Chairs will be available to answer questions about course opportunities in various departments. Some of the questions you may want answered are an explanation of the difference between the College Prep and Honors level as well as course expectations for the various classes.
  • 7:00pm-7:25pm---There will be a presentation highlighting a variety of aspects of Harriton High School ranging from the expected course completion breakdwon throughout the four years at Harriton,  to an explanation of supports available at the high school.
  • 7:30pm-8:15pm---Breakout sessions with counselors for each grade. During this time, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to ask questions specific to each grade. Counselors will also speak to their role at each grade level of a child's high school career.

    

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8th Grade Families: IMPORTANT
Lower Merion and Harriton High School Transition Dates and Information


Harriton High School 
Lower Merion High School 
8/9 Transition 
for 2013-2014 school year

January 25, 2013: 

High school mailing to include parent letter, individualized course selection sheet and Program Planning Guide.  

 

February 5, 2013:
Harriton High School - 7:00 - Auditorium
Course Selection evening for parents of students attending HHS in grades 9-12 during the 2012-2013 school year.

 

February 6, 2013:
Lower Merion High School - 7:00 - Auditorium
Course selection evening for parents of students attending LMHS in grades 9-12 during the 2012-2013 school year.

 

February 12, 2013:
Bala Cynwyd Middle School - 8:20 AM - Computer Labs
LMHS school counselors will meet with each 8th grade student to discuss course selection and to register the students for classes.

 

February 12, 2013:
Welsh Valley Middle School - 8:20 AM - Computer Labs
HHS school counselors will meet with each 8th grade student to discuss course selection and to register for classes.

 

February 13, 2013:
Bala Cynwyd Middle School - 8:20 AM - Computer Labs
HHS school counselors will meet with each 8th grade student to discuss course selection and to register the students for classes.

 

February 13, 2013:
Welsh Valley Middle School - 8:20 AM - Computer Labs
LMHS school counselors will meet with each 8th grade student to discuss course selection and to register the students for classes.

 

May 23, 2013:
Harriton and Lower Merion High Schools - 10:00 AM
"Move up Day"

 

June 1, 2013:
Students will receive copies of the summer assignments in both English and Math.

 

June 18, 2013:
A list of summer transition activities will be published.

 

 

Note:

While it is hard to believe, the course selection process for 8th graders transitioning to the high schools is beginning. Parents and students are encouraged to review this process which is outlined on page 15 of the student handbook (http://www.lmsd.org/documents/schools/wvms/handbook.pdf). Also, please consider reviewing the transition dates and/or the presentation which were included in the September 19th 8th grade parent meeting. The presentation and relevant transition dates are located on the website and can be viewed here (https://www.lmsd.org/harritonhs/student-services/transition/index.aspx )

 

 
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Singing Valentines
 

Hello Parents,
The 8th Grade Advanced Chorus is doing a fundraiser for their trip to Boston. They will be selling and performing singing Valentines Feb 4th-8th for 7th and 8th grade students only.  The Singing Valentines will be sold during lunch ($3 for one and $5 for 2).  Here is how it will work:

  1.  Students purchase a Singing Valentine during their lunch period.
  2.  On the Singing Valentines note, they will write their name on the inside of the note and their "Valentine's" name and homeroom on the outside of the note.
  3.  They will fold their note and give it to the teacher at the Singing Valentine's table.
  4.  The Advanced Chorus will perform for students and teachers in 7th and 8th grade homerooms.
  5.  After they perform, they will privately give the notes to the people who received singing valentines.

Should you have any questions, please let Mrs. Vaughan know. Vaughal@lmsd.org 

 

 

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Welsh Valley 8th Grade Career Fair

Attention Parents and Guardians:  

 

Our annual Career Fair for 8th grade students will take place on Wednesday, May 22nd from 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Ms. Pitts  pittss@lmsd.org, with your name, career, contact information and your students name.  

 

 

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Welsh Valley 2012-13 Yearbook
Order by February 15 to Receive Discount Price

Hurry! Time is running out to save money on the best bargain of the New Year. You can only order the Welsh Valley Yearbook at a discount price until February 15, 2013. After that, you will have to purchase the book in June for full price.

 

To place an order online:

 

1.) Go to www.legacyphoto.com

2.) Click "Pre Order Yearbook"

3.) Select the Correct school and enter password LMASD

            https://cart.legacyphoto.com/preorder/step2.html 

4.) Enter student information

5.) Enter Credit card information

 

    

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Before & After School Activities

Click on the link below for a calendar of the upcoming February dates and times clubs will be meeting at Welsh Valley.

   

February Activities Calendar   
 
February Activities Calendar - Use link for larger version
 

 

 February Intramural and Activities Calendar

Click here for more information about WV Student Activities.

Always check the Welsh Valley Hotline for up-to-date information regarding before and after school program cancellations or changes.
 
Hotline: 610-658-3901
 

 

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Winter Athletics - 7th & 8th Grade

   

Please check the website: www.wvathletics.org for the most current information.  The site provides parents and student athletes with information regarding Welsh Valley Athletics.  Take advantage of the ability to receive "email blasts" regarding your student's athletic teams and events.   


WINTER ATHLETICS
Upcoming Games:

 

BASKETBALL- 7th Grade Girls
Head Coach:  Chris Gari
02/04/2013    3:30    (A)    Upper Merion Area Middle School         02/05/2013    4:15    (H)    Valley Forge MS         
02/06/2013    1:00    (H)    Bala Cynwd

BASKETBALL - 7th Grade Boys
Head Coach:  Sean Scott
01/31/2013    3:30    (H)    Upper Merion Area Middle School
02/01/2013    3:30    (A)    Colonial Middle School
02/05/2013    3:30    (A)    Valley Forge Middle School     
02/06/2013    1:15    (H)    BC
02/07/2013    3:30    (H)    Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School

BASKETBALL- 8th Grade Girls 
Head Coach:  Victor Scali
02/01/2013    1:15    (A)    Bala-Cynwyd Middle School    BCMS      02/04/2013    3:30    (A)    Upper Merion Area Middle School          02/05/2013    3:30    (H)    Valley Forge MS
 
BASKETBALL - 8th Grade Boys
Head Coach: Peter Phillips                     
01/31/2013    3:30    (H)    Upper Merion Area Middle School
02/01/2013    1:15    (A)    Bala-Cynwyd Middle School                
02/05/2013    3:30    (A)    Valley Forge Middle School                        
02/07/2013    3:30    (H)    Stewart Middle School

78 WRESTLING - 7th & 8th Grade Boys
Head Coach:
02/01/2013    3:30    (H)    Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School
02/07/2013    3:15    (H)    Valley Forge & Radnor MS   @Valley Forge MS

If you have any photos taken at WV games and would like to share them on the website, you can submit them through www.wvathletics.org.  

 

 

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BCWV Squash Spring Session Registration Open

 

Created by Parents to Provide Squash Instruction to LMSD Elementary and Middle School Students

 

The BCWV Spring session consists of an 8-week program for players of all abilities in grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The Intramural Program is focused on improving skills of players of all abilities through drills and conditioning games.

Registration Deadline: February 10th

  

Click here for flyer. 


 

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Assistance Statement

Assistance is gladly offered to all Welsh Valley families to participate in school-wide events.  For information or help, please contact your school counselor.  Every student is welcome at all school events.


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No Bus Passes Permitted

Reminder:  We are not permitted to issue bus passes to students.  This is a transportation policy, which is written in our handbook.  Please know that this policy is in place for safety reasons and is in the best interest of all students.
We appreciate your understanding.


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AROUND THE DISTRICT

Harriton Theatre Company


HTC's
The Mouse that Roared:  
Jan. 31 - Feb. 2
 

 

Thursday, January 31, 2013 - Saturday, February 02, 2013
Location: Harriton High School

In this comedy based on a satirical Cold War novel, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick is a tiny country in Europe with population 6,000. When a winemaker in California rips off the Duchy's only source of income, a wine called Pinot Grand Fenwick, Duchess Gloriana the Twelfth decides to declare war on the U.S., expecting to be quickly defeated and to rebuild her Duchy through the generous largesse that the United States bestows on all its vanquished enemies. All are surprised when Fenwick's army manages to capture a nuclear physicist and her latest invention, the most powerful atomic bomb to date!

 

Thursday, January 31st at 7:00 PM
Friday, February 1st at 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 2nd at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

 

To order tickets, go online to htc.tix.com
Adults $10
Students $5

 

 

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ISC Art Show 2013




ISC
 Annual Art Show
January 26 -
February 3 
 

  

The Interschool Council of Lower Merion School District sponsors the annual ISC Art Show January 26 - February 3 at the Main Line Art Center in Haverford. 

On display are over 300 pieces of artwork by students from each of the district's elementary, middle and high schools. The artwork selected by the teachers to represent each of the ten LMSD public schools displays a high level of creativity and skill in drawing, painting, multimedia, ceramics and metal works. Please bring family and friends to see this unique event bringing the artistic talents of our students.

Art will be displayed January 26th through February 3rd, 2013. Art will be displayed January 26th through February 3rd, 2013. A reception for families, friends, students, and faculty will be held Saturday January 26th, 1-3 pm and Sunday February 3rd, 1-3 pm. Support the community and encourage the students by joining us for this opening reception.
 
More information at http://iscart.wix.com/isc-artshow 

Click here
for flyer.

 

 

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CSE Meeting - February 5, 7:30 pm 

 

The Committee for Special Education invites you to join in a conversation on

Social and Emotional Issues of Gifted Children with special guests Dr. Amy Alfred a licensed psychologist and Dr. Timothy Edge a licensed and certified school psychologist.

 

When: Tuesday, February 5, 7:30 pm

Where: Welsh Valley Middle School Library

Building E

325 Tower Lane

Narberth, PA 19072

 

For more information, click here for flyer.

 

 

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C-MITES - April 27 - Time to Register  

 

C-MITES, a program based at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, provides Weekend Workshops for academically talented students in kindergarten through 9th grade.  The next session is Saturday, April 27, 2013, at Lower Merion High School. C-MITES will be offering 12 classes at this location.  Classes include: American Math Idol, Bug-bots, Bubbleology, Chess for Beginners, Intermediate Chess, Extreme Weather, Eye on the Sky, Fossil Dig, Money Matters, Physics and Our World, The Mysterious Human Heart and The Physics of Toys.

The brochure listing the classes and descriptions is available at  http://www.cmu.edu/cmites/weekend_workshops.html .  You may register online or fax or print and mail the registration form. Register soon because classes fill quickly!  Registrations is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Financial aid is available.

 

 

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Ashbee Lacrosse Club Registration Open 

 

The Ashbee Lacrosse Club is for boys in K through 8th grade residing in Lower Merion Township. Registration is now open for the 2013 season on their website at  www.ashbeelax.org. Ashbee offers a Clinic/Instructional Program for beginning U-7 players, House League competition for U-9 to U-11 players, and a travel program for advanced U-11, U-13, and U-15 players. Scholarships are available to for those in need. Space is limited so sign up today.  

 

 

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Community Links - Activities & Events
Listserv Information

Please Note:
The weekly deadline for submissions to WV Dragonbites is by noon each Tuesday.
  Please email information to WVDragonbites@gmail.com

An Archive of past Dragonbites is available by using the link in this issue or go to the WV page of the LMSD website under Parents/HSA.

Publication is on Thursday of each week. This weekly e-newsletter is for school-related news and announcements. We regret that we are unable to include articles from organizations that are not directly related to Welsh Valley Middle School.

To unsubscribe to Dragonbites, click on the "SafeUnsubscribe" link below. To update your information and/or to sign up for other HSA listservs, click on the "Update Profile/Email Address" link below.

To forward this email to another WV parent who may not be receiving our weekly newsletter, please click on the "Forward email" link below.
If you are having any difficulty viewing Dragonbites please contact Laurie Koziol at WVDragonbites@gmail.com. Thank you!

If you have any questions about WV school activities please contact the individual listed or call the Welsh Valley office at 610.658.3920.
Welsh Valley
Middle School
Dr. Orathia T. Bradley
Principal

Ms. Beth Persofsky
Assistant Principal

Mr. Jon Fadely  
Interim Assistant Principal
  

Welsh Valley Middle School 

325 Tower Lane
Narberth, PA 19072 

  

Phone Number: 610-658-3920

  

Absentee, Lateness & Safe Arrival Hotline: 610-658-3946


Daily Activities Hotline: 610-658-3901

   

School Closing Number: 302


School Counselors
6th Grade
Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Beth Cooke
610.-658-3942
Room D117

  

7th Grade

Guidance Counselor

Mr. Boris Oden

610-658-3943

Room D116


8th Grade

Guidance Counselor
Mr. Josh Gansky
610-658-3941
Room D115
Welsh Valley Office
 
Mrs. Mary Ann Fusaro
Principals Secretary

Mrs. Cheryl Campbell
Attendance
 
Mrs. Sherri Pitts
Guidance

Mrs. Kim Petty
Athletics


Mrs. Lori Davies

Scheduling Secretary


School Hours  
8:20 am - 3:05 pm

Early Dismissal 
8:20 am - 11:55 am
for absentee procedures, permission slips and current WV calendar
Link for daily schedule, daily before and after school programs and announcements. 

Link for the athletic website with information about the sports at WV.  
   
Quick Links

Welsh Valley
Home & School Association
2012-2013 Board 
Co-Presidents
Kiki McKendrick 
kikimc@verizon.net

Nanette Taraya-Vonk

ntarayavonk@comcast.net 

 

Vice President

Lynn Hertzfeld

lhertzfeld@gmail.com 

 

Co-Treasurers

Bill Cook
bill@mainlineestates.com
Mary Copeland
copedem@comcast.net

 

Secretary

Mandy Meiler
meilers2@aol.com

Member-at-Large
Kassie Abrams
kassieabrams2@yahoo.com 
Community Information
COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Archived Dragonbites

Past Dragonbites can be viewed by clicking on the link above.