| WV Calendar |
MAY Friday, May 3 - Spring BBQ (during lunches) (rain date 5/10/13)
- Jazz Festival 7 pm
Tuesday, May 14 - ISC General Meeting 9:30 am (Admin Bldg, Board Rm, 1st floor)
- 7th & 8th Grade Band/Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, May 15 - 6th Grade Band/Orchestra Concert
Friday, May 17 - Movie Night 7:30 pm
- Music in the Parks (Instrumental & Choral)
Friday, May 24 - Early Dismissal 11:55 am (no lunch served) (Staff Development Day)
Monday, May 27 - School Closed (Administrative Offices Closed)
JUNE Tuesday, June 4 - POV Social Justice Research Fair 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, June 5 - WV Community Day (Rain Date 6/6)
Friday, June 7 - 8th Grade Class Party 7 pm
Tuesday, June 11 Wednesday, June 12 - Yearbook Distribution/Signing & Variety Show
Thursday, June 13 Monday, June 17 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at Harriton HS 12 pm
Tuesday, June 18 - Last Student Day; No Lunch Served; Early Dismissal
- Report Cards Issued
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Dragon Pride Commendations
Random Acts of Kindness
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Weekly Dragon Pride Student CommendationsWe 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 April 22nd.
8th Grade
Mandy DiJackin
Leilanni Crutchfield
Christina Sayoc
Albert Bleznak
Claudia Conrad
David DeBellis
6th Grade
Ariadne Marg-Bracken
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WV Spring Barbecue - Friday, May 3
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Parent volunteers are needed to help at the Welsh Valley Spring Barbecue on Friday, May 3 (rain date 5/10). This is a fun event: the staff grills up burgers and dogs, prepares all of the side dishes, and the kids get to eat outside picnic-style.
Most parents/guardians choose to work the shift that their child will attend and usually only stay for one shift. Only 10 volunteers are needed per grade.
Shifts run from 10:30 - 11:30 6th grade; 11:30 - 12:30 7th grade; 12:15 - 1:15 8th grade. All food preparation and cooking is done by the cafeteria staff, but everyone must wear a hat since we will be serving the food!
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Welsh Valley Jazz Festival - Friday, May 3 at 7 pm
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This Friday night is the 18th annual Welsh Valley Jazz Festival. This year there will be 7 bands participating: Radnor, Beverly Hills, Haverford, Bala Cynwyd Jr. and Sr., Lenape, and both of Welsh Valley's Bands. The evening begins at 7:00pm, and ends with a Huge Jam Session around 10:00.
Admission $5.00 adults $3.00 students
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Welsh Valley's HSA Board Nominees for 2013-2014
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The nominees for Welsh Valley's HSA Board are as follows: Co-President: Nanette Taraya-Vonk and Lynn Hertzfeld Co-Vice President: open Co-Treasurers: Bill Cook and Mary Copeland Secretary: Yaz Rosner A general vote will be taken on May 21st at 9:30am. Back to Top
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Welsh Valley Movie Night presents "Rise of the Guardians" - May 17
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Welsh Valley Movie Night presents "Rise of the Guardians" on Friday, May 17th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $5 each and is available online at the WV HSA Store. We will also be selling tickets during the lunch hours on May 16th and 17th. Pizza, candy, popcorn, drinks and baked goodies will also be available for purchase at the event. Bring a picnic blanket or your favorite lounge chair and join your friends and family for a fun night on May 17th at Welsh Valley's Quad. link to WV HSA StoreBack to Top
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POV Social Justice Research Fair - June 4
SAVE THE DATE!
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Students arrive for set up at 6pm (Each student is asked to kindly donate a dessert that serves 20 people and/or bottled water.)
Families arrive at 6:30pm
Event ends at 8pm
Parents, guardians, and extended families are invited and encouraged to attend our research fair in the WV cafeteria!
Walk around and be amazed and impressed, as students teach you all they have learned on many timely & interesting topics such as:
2nd Amendment Issues
Health Care
Education Reform
Police Corruption
Guantanamo Bay
Standardized Testing
North Korea
GLBT Issues in Schools
The School to Prison Pipeline
Cloning
Global Warming
The Travon Martin Case
The War on Drugs
The Mental Healthcare Crisis
Stereotyping & Discrimination
Women's Equality in the Workplace
Animal Testing
Death Penalty
Stop & Frisk
Immigration Issues
Genetically Modified Food
Forensic Investigation
Women & the Media
Drones
...and many more topics to get you thinking!
Hope to see you there!
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8th Grade Promotion Party June 7, 2013 7-9pm at Beat Street Station
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All WV eighth graders are invited for a night of fun to celebrate your completion of middle school. We will be celebrating on June 7th at Beat Street Station from 7-9pm. The admission is $25 if paid by June 1st, $30 at the door. You can pay by paypal at http://www.lmsd.org/welsh-valley/store.aspx. All students attending also need to fill out the permission form (link below). If you don't have a paypal account, please send a check into the office with the completed permission form. Any questions, please contact: kassieabrams2@yahoo.com. Click here for 8th Grade Promotion Party Invitation & Permission Form
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WV Latin Students Honored
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Welsh Valley Latin students recently competed in the Philadelphia Classical Society's (PCS) 74th annual Latin Week Competition giving students the opportunity to submit artistic and literary projects and participate in competitive examinations in both Greek and Latin. All entries were evaluated by an expert panel of judges. Welsh Valley students were honored in April at the PCS banquet, together with students from other Philadelphia area public, independent and parochial middle and high schools. WV students won a total of 58 awards, 7 summa cum laude, 23 magna cum laude, and 28 cum laude awards. The Philadelphia Classical Society< http://philaclassicalsociety.org/> was founded in 1924 to promote the teaching of Latin and Greek in the Philadelphia area.
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8th Grade Mentoring Program needs mentors!
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What is a mentor?
A mentor is a student who serves as a positive role model. A mentor should be a kind person, a good listener, and offer support and guidance. The goal in the mentor relationship is to help new students feel comfortable with the transition to WVMS through a positive peer relationship. 8th grade mentors will be matched up with a new 6th, 7th, or 8th grade student(s) new to WVMS.
To read more, click here.
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8th Grade Fundraiser
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Dear Parents and Welsh Valley Community,
We wanted to share with you the results of your children's hard work, dedication to task, and your generosity. As you know, for the past two weeks Welsh Valley as a school, and particularly the 8th grade, has been raising money to combat child labor around the world. Students have created and raffled off prize baskets at lunch, gone into classrooms to educate other grades about this issue, and concluded their fundraising efforts with a walk-a-thon this past Monday afternoon on the Welsh Valley Track.
Overall, $2,200.00 was raised. The proceeds will be divided between two organizations, Free the Children and LEAD Uganda, both of which work to end the vicious cycle of poverty and child labor by educating those victimize by the system. We are so proud of your children and the activism of the Welsh Valley community.
Thank you for your support and consideration,
Nancy Ferguson, Bernadette Bartholomew, Brett Davis, and Rosheen Campbell
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Advanced Chorus Auditions
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Chorus Concerts - Thank You!
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The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders did a fantastic job during rehearsals and singing in their performances this week. They not only sang for the audience, but also sang for their special causes. Thank you to all the principals: Dr. Bradley, Ms. Persofsky, and Mr. Fadely for their guidance and support. In addition, my team, Mr. Gregg Eskin and Mr. Steve Gammarino for providing additional music at the chorus concerts. A special thank you should be given to the elementary school music teachers for their hard work in preparing young students for life as middle school musicians. A huge thank you to Mr. McAllister and his staff for their constant support and assistance in preparing the stage and concert hall for all the performances. Thank you to all of the Welsh Valley faculty for their constant support of the Vocal Music Program. Finally, thank you for coming to our concerts, donating to a special cause, and your support of the Vocal Music Program. Sincerely, Mrs. Vaughan
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Counselor Corner
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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
Click on Student Services
Ask.fm Ask.fm is another conversation site (similar to Formspring) that allows users to post anonymously or with their name attached to their contribution. The answers can be either in text or video format. Students have been using this app/website to cyber-bully each other while staying anonymous.
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Before & After School Activities
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Click on the link below for a calendar of the upcoming May dates and times clubs will be meeting at Welsh Valley.
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 Back to Top
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Spring Athletics - 7th & 8th Grade
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With the weather getting warmer:
1. Athletes should eat a good breakfast and lunch and hydrate themselves throughout the day.
2. Bring a snack and water before, during, or after practice or a game/meet.
3. If athletes have meds or emergency meds (inhalers, epipens, etc.), they should bring their own or they can not participate especially during an away game/meet.
4. If they or they see a teammate struggling to breath, they are to let a coach know ASAP.
Spring Sports Schedule:
Baseball - Boys 8th Grade
05/02/13 Thu. 3:30 (H) Bala-Cynwyd MS
05/03/13 Fri. 3:30 (A) Bala-Cynwyd MS @ Harriton
05/07/13 Tue. 3:30 (H) Tredyffrin-Easttown MS
05/09/13 Thu. 3:30 (A) Upper Merion Area MS @ Caley Elementary
Baseball - Boys 7th Grade
05/02/13 Thu. 3:30 (H) Bala Cynwyd MS 05/07/13 Tue. 3:30 (A) Tredyffrin-Easttown MS 05/09/13 Thu. 3:30 (H) Upper Merion Area MS Lacrosse - Boys 8th Grade
05/02/13 Thu. 3:30 (H) Tredyfrrin-Easttown 05/03/13 Fri. 3:30 (A) Ridley @ Woodlyn Elementary School 05/07/13 Tue. 4:30 (A) E.T. Richardson @ Sabold Elementary School 05/09/13 Thu. 3:45 (H) Bala Cynwyd Harriton HS Lacrosse - Girls 8th Grade
05/02/13 Thu. 3:30 (A) Paxon Hollow 05/03/13 Fri. 3:30 (A) Garnet Valley @ Garnet Valley MS 05/06/13 Mon. 3:30 (A) Tredyffrin-Easttown Valley Forge MS 05/08/13 Wed. 3:30 (H) Upper Merion
05/09/13 Thu. 3:30 (H) Drexel Hill Lacrosse - Boys 7th Grade
05/02/13 Thu. 4:30 (H) Tredyfrrin-Easttown 05/03/13 Fri. 4:30 (A) Ridley @ Woodlyn Elementary School 05/07/13 Tue. 3:30 (A) E.T. Richardson @ Sabold Elementary School 05/09/13 Thu. 3:45 (H) Bala Cynwyd @ Harriton HS Lacrosse - Girls 7th Grade 05/02/13 Thu. 3:30 (A) Paxon Hollow
05/03/13 Fri. 3:30 (A) Garnet ValleyMS
05/06/13 Mon. 3:30 (A) Tredyffrin-Easttown MS @ VFMS
05/08/13 Wed. 3:30 (H) Upper Merion Area Middle School
05/09/13 Thu. 3:30 (H) Drexel Hill
Softball - Girls 8th Grade 05/03/13 Fri. 3:30 (A) Bala-Cynwyd MS @ Harriton 05/06/13 Mon. 3:30 (H) Tredyffrin-Easttown MS 05/08/13 Wed. 3:30 (A) Upper Merion Area MS @ Caley Elementary Softball - Girls 7th Grade 05/06/13 Mon. 3:30 (A) Tredyffrin-Easttown MS
05/08/13 Wed. 3:30 (H) Upper Merion Area MS Tennis - Boys 8th Grade
05/02/13 Thu. 3:30 (A) Bala-Cynwyd Middle School
05/09/13 Thu. 3:30 (A) Radnor Middle Schooll
Tennis - Boys 7th Grade
05/07/13 Tue. 3:30 (H) Radnor Middle School
Track - Boys 7th & 8th
05/07/13 Tue. 3:30 (H) Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School
Track - Girls 7th & 8th 05/07/13 Tue. 3:30 (H) Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School 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. 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. Back to Top
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5th to 6th Grade Transition Information
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8th Grade Families: IMPORTANT
Lower Merion and Harriton High School Transition Dates and Information
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Harriton High School
Lower Merion High School
8/9 Transition
for 2013-2014 school year
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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Parent Volunteer Opportunities for 2013-2014
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We are looking for parent volunteers to join our HSA Board. We have two Co-Vice Presidents positions available for next year. 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. If you are interested, please log onto SignUpGenius.Com, click the "Find a Sign Up" tab, use wvhsa1@gmail.com as the creator's email address, then click Parent Volunteers. If you have any questions, please contact Nanette Taraya-Vonk at ntarayavonk@comcast.net.
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Families Helping Families
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The WV HSA would like you to know that a group of volunteers is available to help parents and guardians get to WV or a WV event at another LMSD school. If you are in need of a ride for any WV event or meeting, please feel free to contact Amanda Cunningham ( mandeebill@gmail.com or 917-560-9849). If anyone would like to help and be on our volunteer list - please contact me.
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Assistance Statement
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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
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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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The Best Buddies Friendship Walk was a Big Success!
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The Sean King walk team participated in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Saturday, April 27th. It was a big success. About 15 Welsh Valley students participated along with Sean King's mom, brother and other family and friends to support the walk because friendship was important to Sean. It was a great way to remember Sean and reconnect with his friends and family. These Welsh Valley students who participated in the walk hope to start a chapter of Best Buddies when they get to Harriton next year, in honor and memory of their friend Sean, who impacted their lives in so many ways.
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The Coalition for Youth
"Make the Call,Take the Call" Letter
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"Make the Call, Take the Call"
There's always a safe way out
FOR TEENS AND PARENT
Sometimes people find themselves in what could be a dangerous situation and just don't know a safe way out. They feel they have to choose between taking the risk or getting in trouble with their parents or losing face with their friends if they ask for help. So if you're somewhere and you need a safe way out -- fast -- who can you call or text for a ride home?
"Make the Call, Take the Call" is about making an upfront agreement with someone you can count on as a lifeline - someone who agrees to get you home safely -- no immediate questions asked. (This doesn't mean no questions asked ever - just at that time.)
To read more:
Link to Letter
Link to Back of Letter
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The Lower Merion Players Present "Moon Over Buffalo"
May 2-4
in the
LM Auditorium
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The Lower Merion Players are proud to present the spring comedy "Moon Over Buffalo" with three performances May 2, 3 and 4 at 7:00 pm in the LMHS auditorium.
Moon Over Buffalo is a comedy set in the winter of 1953 in Buffalo, New York. This hilarious tale deals with a family of traveling actors - the Hays - whose daughter, Roz, runs away in pursuit of a "normal life." Roz's return to introduce her new fiancee, Howard, incites chaotic adventures involving past-their-prime divas, former lovers, and deaf, blundering old ladies.
The show promises hilarious action and entertainment for those over 12. Tickets are $6 for students/seniors and $12 for adults.
Read more or get tickets here.
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ISC Meeting - Tuesday, May 14
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The last ISC General meeting this year will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at 9:30 a.m., at the Administration Building, Board Room, 1st floor. Superintendent Christorpher McGinley will be our speaker. All parents and guardians are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
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Green Council of LMSD - Meeting - May 8
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The Green Council of LMSD is a grass-roots organization consisting of staff, students, and parents which works to promote sustainable practices within all parts of the school district. The Green Council is open to any and all who wish to engage in this important work with others of like mind. Meetings take place monthly at Lower Merion High School in the Large Group Instruction room from 4:00-5:00pm. The last meeting for this school year is May 8, 2013.
For more information, please contact Joseph Mudd, Director, Green Council of LMSD, at MuddJ@lmsd.org
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The Nelly Berman School of Music presents a free concert:
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"Celebrating Nelly" Gala Concert: A Tribute to a Life in Music
Saturday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. Centennial Hall at The Haverford School for Boys (450 W. Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041) Please join us at the "Celebrating Nelly" Gala Concert to honor the founder of the Nelly Berman School of Music, who is retiring after 30 years of extraordinary contribution to music education in Philadelphia.
The concert will feature local and national award-winning students, ages 8 to 15, performing on piano, violin, viola, cello, clarinet, flute, trumpet, voice and chamber music. If you are looking to open the world of classical music to your kids, as well as pay tribute to an important visionary in our community, this is a great event to attend! Reserve your free tickets at www.nbsmusic.com or call 610-896-5105.
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Save the Date - Bala Cynwyd Library Re-Opening
Sunday, May 19, 1-4 pm
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Come to the grand re-opening of the newly renovated and expanded Bala Cynwyd Library. There will be a ribbon cutting, dancing for young children, and music for teens and adults. Books and checkout records from Lower Merion's first library, opened in 1842, will be on display. Come dressed as your favorite literary character (kids and adults alike). The library will be open for all services.
Visit the library's facebook page for details and updates.
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Register for EFLM's Run for Our Schools
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The Education Foundation of Lower Merion's Fifth Annual Run for Our Schools is set for Sunday, June 9th at 9 AM at Harriton High School. The event includes a 5K run, a 1.5M Fun Walk, a Track Trot for children ages 7 and under and a Fitness Fair. For more information, including sponsorship and registration, visit www.educationfoundationoflm.org.
The Run for Our Schools is a popular, family-oriented event that brings students, staff, parents and friends together from across the community. Last year, more than 300 people participated. Proceeds directly benefit educational programs in our schools.
Run for Our Schools Brochure
Run for Our Schools Flyer
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Summer Writing and Reading Enrichment Programs Registration
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Lower Merion School District, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Writing and Literature Project, is offering Summer Writing and Reading Enrichment Programs for students of all ages. Students will gain confidence in their reading and writing abilities while focusing on brainstorming, prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, reading response activities and more. Classes are available the weeks of July 8-19 and July 22-August 2; space is limited. Read more.
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Community Links - Activities & Events
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For additional information and links for more information, go to:
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Listserv Information
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Dragonbites is published every Thursday during the school year. New submissions should be emailed by noon on Tuesday to WVDragobites@gmail.com in order to be included in Thursday's email edition. Dragonbites is intended to publish news and announcements related to Welsh Valley Middle School and the Lower Merion School District. 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.
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.
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Welsh Valley
Middle School
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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
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School Counselors
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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 CounselorMr. Josh Gansky
610-658-3941 Room D115
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| 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.
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Welsh Valley
Home & School Association
2012-2013 Board
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President
Kiki McKendrick
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LMSD
School Board Meeting Schedule
May 2013
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May 6, 2013
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Curriculum Committee
May 10, 2013
8:30 AM
Policy Committee Meeting
May 13, 2013
8:00 PM
May 16, 2013
8:00 AM
Facilities/Purchasing Committee Meeting
May 20, 2013
8:00 PM
May 22, 2013
8:30 AM
Communications Committee Meeting
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LMSD
School Board Members
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Diane DiBonaventuro
Virginia Pollard
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Community Information
| COMMUNITY INFORMATION
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Archived Dragonbites
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Past Dragonbites can be viewed by clicking on the link above.
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