Dear Parents and Welsh Valley Community,

Every year, as an extension to our study of the Progressive Era, the
entire 8th Grade investigates the issue of child labor today in their Social
Studies classes. Typically, students become very passionate about the
topic as it resonates with them that children their age are living in very
different circumstances with little opportunity to change their lives.
Many take to heart the activism and inspiration from Craig Kielburger
and Free the Children as well as Steve Shames and LEAD Uganda, two
organizations working to educate former child laborers and end the
vicious cycle of poverty and child labor.

As a culminating activity for our study, we have a fundraiser each year
for which the students volunteer and organize. This campaign not
only raises funds, but awareness of child labor and its effects around
the world today. Strategies the students employ to accomplish these
goals are varied. To inform about the topic, students create and place
posters around campus, produce public service pieces for the morning
announcements, and small teaching groups present to our sixth graders
since they are new to the topic and and our fundraising efforts. To
encourage donations this year, student crafted raffle baskets will be
available at each lunch, and all donations are welcome!

As mentioned above, our fundraiser has several pieces; but, the biggest
push for funds will be from the 8th grade. This year, the entire 8th grade
will participate in a walk-a-thon at the end of the school day on Monday,
April 22nd on the Welsh Valley school track. All money raised by Welsh
Valley will go directly to the two organizations we have been supporting
for the last nine years, Free the Children and LEAD Uganda. We are
asking each 8th grade student to bring in a donation to support the walk-
a-thon and our weeks of work to raise money for these organizations.

Students will bring their donation to their social studies teacher
before Monday, April 22nd. They can either bring in an envelope
marked "child labor donation" with cash, or checks can be made out
to Welsh Valley Middle School with "child labor fundraiser" written
in the memo portion.

We are so proud of our students' passion and perseverance in this task.
They have been kind, generous, and energetic in their efforts to help
others.

Thank you for your support and consideration,

Nancy Ferguson, Bernadette Bartholomew, Brett Davis, and Rosheen
Campbell  

The New Lower Merion website is up and running.  If you have not had a chance, please check out the new Welsh Valley School Counselor Page. Please check out all of the information regarding the School Counseling Department and the Olweus Bullying Prevention program at WV.  Here is how you get there.

lmsd.org 

Click on Schools

Click on Welsh Valley Middle

• Girls: White top with light SOLID colored pants or skirt (no boots or flip flops)
• Guys: White collared long or short sleeved shirt (no tie) with khaki or cargo tan or gray pants or shorts  

7th Grade Advanced Concert Dress 

• WV chorus shirt with light SOLID colored pants (no boots or flip flops)

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013-6th GRADE Concert starts at 6:00PM
***students will need to be at WV by 5:45PM

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013-7th GRADE Concert starts at 7:30PM
 ***students will need to be at WV by 7:15PM

8th Grade Concert Dress: 

• Girls: WV chorus shirt with light SOLID colored pants (no boots or flip flops)
• Guys: White collared long or short sleeved shirt (no tie) with khaki or cargo tan or gray pants or shorts

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013-8th GRADE Concert starts at 7:00PM
***students will need to be at WV by 6:45PM

There will be no reception afterwards. Mrs. Vaughan usually receives a discount at a local frozen yogurt place for anyone who brings their program.