| WV Calendar |
MAY 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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A Message from Mr. Hall
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All of us at Welsh Valley express our deep appreciation for the work that Mrs. Persofsky did in her eight years of service at Welsh Valley Middle School. Mrs. Persofsky has decided that she will return to teaching in the fall at one of the elementary schools. For the remaining weeks of the school year she has been asked to provide additional assistance at the district's two largest elementary schools, Gladwyne and Penn Valley. Mrs. Persofsky is looking forward to seeing everyone at graduation and at end of year events. Please join me in thanking Mrs. Persofsky for her years of dedicated service to the Welsh Valley community!
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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 May 6th.
8th Grade
- Walker Simpson
- Alex Triester
7th Grade
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Neeshay Dioxin
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Ricky Lenro
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Finn McSorley
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Sharzad Shojaian
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Jake Waldman
6th Grade
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Welsh Valley Book Drive Update: THANK YOU!
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A grateful and appreciative student community of the Tilden Middle School in Philadelphia received over 1600 books as a result of the efforts of the Welsh Valley Book Drive this winter. Two separate deliveries were arranged as City Year Philadelphia Corp members received the books and organized a library for students to borrow the books. Thank you to all of the Welsh Valley families who collected books and passed on the gift of reading to the students at Tilden. A special thank you to the Copeland, Hertzfeld and Vonk families for coordinating this effort. Back to Top
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Treats for Troops Drive, May 13 - May 24
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The students and staff at Bala Cynwyd and Welsh Valley middle schools are joining together to collect items needed by American Service men and women overseas from May 13th through May 24th, which will then be sent to them in care packages. Below you will find a list of items designated by grade for our troops. Please find your grade, choose some items, and send them to school. These items will be collected and packed into boxes for shipment overseas on May 30th. Everyone can participate and everyone who participates will feel good about contributing. 6th Grade: beef jerky, body lotion, gum, Campbell's Chunky Chili, shampoo, candy bars, cereal bars, Chef Boyardee Ravioli, Campbell's Chunky Soup, Slim Jims, small packs of tissues, tuna/chicken in a pouch, deodorant, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, earplugs, granola bars, baby wipes/towelettes, white socks, insect repellant 7th Grade: peanuts, deodorant, mouthwash, microwave popcorn, Tastykakes, salt & pepper, shampoo (men's and women's), Slim Jims, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Tootsie Pops, cotton t-shirts, hand sanitizer, foot powder, Pop Tarts, peanut butter crackers, fruit cocktail, Visine, Silly String, q-tips 8th Grade: dental floss, Slim Jims, foot powder, candy bars, Lipton Instant Soup, shaving cream, beef jerky, sunflower seeds, chapstick, Tastykakes, knit hats, bar soap, tuna/chicken in a pouch, raisins, Ramen noodles, protein bars, deodorant, lip balm, hard candy, playing cards Staff: Ibuprofen- Aleve, AA batteries & AAA batteries, Razors - for men & women, Beef Jerky, Tastykakes, Small packs (not boxes) of tissues, Hall's cough drops, Chapstick , Personal laundry detergent drop-ins, Pumpkin seeds/ Sunflower seeds Link to flyer 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.
We would like all 8th grade WV students to attend this celebration. Financial assistance is gladly offered to participate in this event, please contact your child's school counselor if you need it.
Click here for 8th Grade Promotion Party Invitation & Permission Form
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Boston Trip a Success
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Hi Everyone,
Our trip to Boston was a success! We were on time to all of our
destinations. The WV students who went on the trip really represented our
school very well. Everywhere we went, from the hotel, to a small diner in
NYC, people could not believe how mature and mannerly our students were.
Diamond Middle School students greeted us with banners and applause when
we arrived.T Their PTO (parent teacher organization) and parents of the
chorus SPOILED us. They provided pizza, a pot luck dinner, lots of water,
and LOTS of snacks for us.
The highlight of the trip was the combined concert with the Diamond Middle
School students and our Welsh Valley Middle School students. They had a 4
hour rehearsal on Friday and a 2 hour rehearsal on Saturday morning. The
concert started promptly at 7:00PM Saturday evening. The students began
the concert with an a cappella arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner in
the aisles of the Diamond Middle School auditorium. All the students sang
a varied repertoire including songs from the Baroque era to gospel songs!
The Lexington community displayed their appreciation by a standing
ovation; in addition, they donated over $1,000 to go back to their PTO for
programs such as the Philly-Boston Musical Exchange program.
I am sure I do not have to brag about how WONDERFUL MaryAnn Fusaro and
Kathryn Bromley are. They did so much behind the scenes to make sure our
trip was a success. Hilary (Jess Rudner's daughter) the nurse who
travelled with us, was professional and confidential. The students
respected her and felt safe that we had a nurse to accompany us on our
trip.
The staff members who chaperoned the trip were so helpful and the students
also respected them. I can not thank them enough for making my job less
stressful. Thank you Kenny, Bridgid, Gail, and Erin! It is a risk and a
big undertaking to travel with students, especially on an overnight trip.
Next year, the Diamond Middle School students will be coming to us. I am
sure we will show them just as much hospitality as they showed us. We
already are planning for next year. We are officially calling our joined
chorus: The Exchange Singers!
Click here to view a movie clip with Jessica Delgato conducting one of our gospel songs. Her husband accompanied the group on the piano. We all went to Penn State together.
Lachele Vaughan
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WV Green Team Challenge: Can you dry your hands with 1 paper towel?
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Did you know that Americans use roughly 13 billion pounds of paper towels each year? If everyone who washed their hands was able to use only one paper towel each time they dried, millions of pounds of paper towels would be saved annually.
"But wait! I can't dry my hands with only one paper towel! It's impossible," you might be saying to yourself.
The Welsh Valley Green Team put together a short video that shows it is not only possible, but extremely easy too! Next time you wash your hands, make sure you use this drying method to cut back on paper towel usage. Go green!
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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.
Note: Applications need to be filled out by May 17th.
To read more, click here.
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Welsh Valley Middle School Students to Star in Wolf PAC's Production of CATS
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Wolf Performing Arts Center (Wolf PAC) will conclude its 2012-2013 production season with a fabulous production of the legendary musical Cats. The cast of 76 students in grades K through 12 features 3 students from Welsh Valley Middle School: Allegra Greenawalt (grade 6), Sophia Hood (grade 6) and Abby Tevis (grade 6).
The young actors will sing and dance to classic Broadway songs like "Memory," "Macavity," and "Magical Mister Mistoffolees." Audiences will be awed as this production of Cats let's "the memory live again." The show runs June 14 at 7:30pm, June 15 at 2pm and 7:30pm, and June 16 at 2pm.
The production takes place at the Bluett Theatre on St. Joseph's University's campus, 5600 City Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19010.
Wolf Performing Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, founded in 2005 by Bobbi Wolf, Executive/Artistic Director. Wolf PAC's mission is to enrich the lives of young people through learning, experiencing, and creating theatre. To purchase tickets for the fall productions at Wolf PAC visit www.wolfperformingartscenter.org or call (610) 642 0233.
Link to flyer
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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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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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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
05/16/13 Thu. 3:30 (A) Stewart Middle School
05/20/13 Mon. 3:30 (A) Radnor Middle School
Baseball - Boys 7th Grade
05/20/13 Mon. 3:30 (H) Radnor Middle School
Lacrosse - Girls 8th Grade 05/17/13 Fri. 3:30 (H) Upper Merion 05/20/13 Mon. 3:30 (H) Radnor Lacrosse - Girls 7th Grade 05/17/13 Fri. 3:30 (H) Upper Merion Area Middle School
05/20/13 Mon. 3:30 (H) Radnor Middle School
Softball - Girls 8th Grade 05/16/13 Thu. 3:30 (A) Upper Merion Area MS @ Caley Elementary
05/20/13 Mon. 3:30 (A) Radnor Middle School Softball - Girls 7th Grade 05/20/13 Mon. 3:30 (H) Radnor Middle School
Tennis - Boys 8th Grade
05/16/13 Thu. 3:30 (A) Arcola Intermediate 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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Lower Merion Basketball Academy
June 3, 4 & 5 |
The Lower Merion Basketball Academy returns to the Bryant Gymnasium at Lower Merion HS on June 3, 4, and 5 from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Join Head Coach Gregg Downer, current Aces' players, NCAA alumni, professional players, and some of the area's best instructors for 90 minutes of action packed skill development and fun! Cost: $30 per session; $75 if you register for all three. Click here to register today!
http://www.aceshoops.com/news/585
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Lower Merion Ice Hockey Club
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School ice hockey season is now over. Would your child enjoy playing the fastest game around for Lower Merion Ice Hockey Club? Become a Lower Merion Bulldog! Check out our website at http://lowermerionihc.com/ and sign up for our email blasts. Our elementary and middle school teams (Kindergarten -8th Grade) practice once a week and have one game a week. Practices and games are in the evening!
Make new friends Play with your neighbors and classmates Contact us for more information at http://lowermerionihc.com/. Registration for next season starts in the summer. See you on the ice!
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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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Common Core Standards Community Presentation - May 29
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On Wednesday, May 29th the K-12 Curriculum Team will be presenting an overview of the Pennsylvania Common Core Standards. The presentation will be held at Lower Merion High School - LGI at 7 p.m.
These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.
http://www.pa-commoncorestandards.com/
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Lower Merion Senior Project
Field Hockey and Lacrosse Clinic
Sunday, June 2, 9am - 4pm
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Where: on the grass side at Lower Merion High School 315 E. Montgomery Ave., Ardmore, PA
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Register for EFLM's Run for Our Schools
Sunday, June 9 at 9 am
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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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