DRAGONBITES
Welsh Valley Middle School
Home and School Association
Weekly Newsletter
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
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Thursday, November 21 - 8th Grade Choral Concert 7pm
Friday, November 22 - Thanksgiving Luncheon (more details below)
Monday, November 25 - Winter Sports Begin, CIPPE forms due
Wednesday, November 27 - Early Dismissal 11:55 am, No Lunch Served
- Staff Development Day
Thursday, November 28 - All Schools Closed (Thanksgiving)
Friday, November 29 Tuesday, December 3
- CSE Meeting 7:30 pm, LM Academy Bldg (Just south of main entrance to BCMS)
Tuesday, December 10 - ISC General Meeting 9:30 am (more details below)
- 7/8 Grade Instrumental Concert
Wednesday, December 11 - 6th Grade Instrumental Concert 7 pm
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HSA Needs Your Help
The HSA is looking for a Welsh Valley representative for the Committee for Special Education (CSE) which is a parent-led volunteer organization serving families of children with IEPs, GIEPs, and/or 504 Service Agreements in Lower Merion School District If you are interested, please contact Nanette Taraya-Vonk at ntarayavonk@comcast.net . We also have various school events that need volunteers. Please go to www.SignUpGenius.Com to signup to help.
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American Education Week - November 18-22
You are invites to visit Welsh Valley during American Education Week, November 18th-22nd.
Click here to view American Ed week letter.
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8th Grade Parents/Guardians: Invitation to American Education Week at Harriton HS
You are invited to visit Harriton High School during American Education Week, November 18-22, 2013. Please view American Education letter here.
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WV Community Service News!
TURKEY DRIVE - ends Today, Thursday, November 21  While shopping for your family why not buy an extra turkey for the Ada Mutch Community Resource Center in Bryn Mawr. Both the NARBERTH and BRYN MAWR ACME Markets have agreed to store the donated frozen TURKEYS. Tell the cashier that your purchased turkey should be stored in their freezer for the WV Turkey Drive.
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All School Thanksgiving Luncheon - Friday, 11/22
Look whose talking turkey! Calling all interested Pilgrims or shall we say Parent Volunteers to help serve a special Thanksgiving Luncheon to our students! Volunteer to serve during your student's lunch period or have lunch with your student and volunteer for another one of the other grade level lunch periods. Have lunch with your student and your student will be included in a RAFFLE for some fun and yummy prizes! We are thankful for our school community! Gobble Gobble! Interested in volunteering, please contact Sandy Blender at sabrina357@yahoo.com or Mary Copeland at copedem@comcast.net. Click here for lunch times and menu.
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Drama Club cancelled this Friday, 11/22
Drama Club is rescheduled for Monday, 11/25 AND Tuesday, 11/26 until 4:15 for any student who wants information about the musical. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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buildOn Fundraiser - Pies for Thanksgiving
 BuildOn is an international organization that focuses on service and education and helps to build schools. Lower Merion and Harriton High Schools have an active BuildOn Club that works on service and fundraising projects weekly. This week they will be selling pies for Thanksgiving. Click here for pie order form.
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Welsh Valley TSA announces Silpada Jewelry Fundraiser - Tues. 12/3, 3 pm - 7 pm, WV Cafeteria
Silpada Jewelry Event
Come and see this beautiful sterling silver jewelry that would make a lovely holiday, birthday, or special occasion gift for friends, family, (or even yourself!) Elegant gifts available for as little as $19.00.
Parents, faculty friends, neighbors are invited. Children welcome with adult supervision.
All proceeds support Welsh Valley Technology Student Association.
With your help, we can take our Dragon pride all the way to nationals! See you there!
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World Affairs Club
World Affairs Club meets in room A-107 every Tuesday until 4:15. Students explore the mission, structure and function of the United Nations. Because students will be debating issues of global concern with other schools they will learn how to write, debate, and amend policy resolutions while understanding the role of diplomacy in international affairs. Throughout the year, students will develop skills in conflict resolution, problem solving and cross-cultural communication.
All students are welcome!
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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 November 11th: 8th Grade Alisa Shkolna commended by Mr. Murray Melanie Metz commended by Mr. Murray Emily Rens commended by Mr. Weinstein Hugh Williamson commended by Mr. Murray 7th Grade Sophia Sassoli commended by the 7B Team Sophie Brown commended by the 7B Team Angelina Astillero commended by the 7B Team Nikolis (Nico) Konidaris commended by Mrs. Markey Andre Bhandoola commended by Mrs. Markey 6th Grade Cat Corliss commended by Mrs. Hecht Lilly Siderowf commended by Mrs. Wisser Allison Zhang commended by Mrs. Wisser
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Welsh Valley Athletics - Go Dragons
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Winter Sports begin - 7th & 8th Grade
Attention 7th & 8th Grade students- are you interested in playing a winter sport?
Sports include Boys & Girls 7th and 8th grade basketball and Boys wrestling.
All students must have CIPPE forms turned in to Ms Petty in the main office prior to participating in tryouts or practices
Please review the Transportation Policy for home and away games and practices. Please contact Megan Kiczek, athletic director, if you have further questions.
Athletics Schedules
Welsh Valley Middle School uses DigitalSports.com to share all important information related to our athletic teams. http://wvdragons.digitalsports.com is where you can see all upcoming events, sign up to receive email alerts of any schedule changes, and access complete team schedules. For more information, visit the link above or see the documents linked below.
DigitalSports.com Guide
Athletic Director: Megan Kiczek KiczekM@lmsd.org
Link to WV Athletics
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 LM Players presents: "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" -
Thurs., 11/21 to Sat., 11/23, 7 pm Lower Merion Players is proud to present The Mystery of Edwin Drood, directed by junior Emily Morris. In this musical, based on Charles Dickens' uncompleted novel, we meet Edwin Drood, who mysteriously disappears and was most likely murdered. But who did it? Was it his drug-addicted, uncle John Jasper who is in love with Edwin's fiancé, Rosa? The mysterious opium seller Princess Puffer? Reverend Mr. Crisparkle who was in love with Rosa's mother? Perhaps it was Helena or Neville Landless, immigrants from Ceylon who get one the wrong side of Edwin? Someone else? You get to decide! Visit the LM Players website to reserve tickets. Come out to see the show and support Lower Merion's outstanding student-run theater program - active since 1965! |
buildOn Fundraiser through 11/24 with Whole Foods MarketLower Merion High School is having a huge fundraiser for buildOn at the Wynnewood Whole Foods Market. buildOn is a charitable foundation committed to breaking the cycle of poverty. This year, Lower Merion's buildOn chapter is raising funds to build a school in Nepal. From now until November 24th, Whole Foods Market will donate 5 cents to buildOn for every reusable bag used. When you checkout, ask the cashier for your nickels to go to buildOn. Please spread the word to your friends and family!
View the flyer here.
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4th Annual Fox's Fight 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Family Fun Day - 11/30
Please join the Fox Family on November 30, 2013 at Harriton High School for the 4th Annual Fox's Fight 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Family Fun Day as we honor the memory of Andrew Fox and raise much needed funds for the Andrew J. Fox Melanoma Research and Patient Care Fund at the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Andrew battled melanoma for 13 months and lost his fight in 2007 at the age of 43. Andrew was a graduate of Harriton High School, class of 1982. Read more.
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Financial Planning for College - Tues., 12/3, 7:00-8:30 pm, LMHS, LGI Room
Attention Parents! Are you thinking about the cost of college and what that may look like in the coming years? If you are wondering about affordability and planning for college, even though it may seem like a long time away, we have the program for you! Please join us for important information and conversation about the cost of higher education and how to plan for the future!
Link to flyer for more information.
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CSE Presents:
Special Needs Trusts, Power of Attorney, and Guardianship - Tues, 12/3, 7:30 pm
@ Academy Building
The Committee for Special Education of Lower Merion School District invites you a talk on Special Needs Trusts, Power of Attorney, and Guardianship led by Alissa B. Gorman, JD, of McAndrews Law Offices. The event takes place on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the LM Academy Building (adjacent to main entrance at Bala Cynwyd Middle School) located at 510 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. The Committee for Special Education (CSE) is a parent-led volunteer organization serving families of students with an IEP, GIEP, and/or 504 Service Agreement. For additional information about this event or the CSE, please contact Karin Fox at klrenard@aol.com.
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ISC HOT TOPIC: Getting Beyond Survival Mode - How to Parent in the Teen Years - Tues., 12/10, 9:30 am @ Academy Building
The teen/preteen years are a time of rapid change for kids, and it can be hard for parents to keep pace with the everchanging landscape of their child's life. Join the Interschool Council on Tuesday, 12/10 at 9:30 AM at The Academy Building (adjacent to BCMS), for an interactive discussion on how to best support your teen. LMSD psychologists Craig Cosden (BCMS) and Andrea Fina (Harriton) will cover a broad array of topics including:
- Adolescent development - understanding the "normal" of mood swings, evolving cognitive skills and desire for independence.
- Setting priorities and boundaries - deciding when to step in and when to back off and let them learn from their own experiences.
- Building self esteem - learn strategies that support good self-esteem and how to effectively encourage students to do their best.
All parents and guardians in the LMSD are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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LMSD named to College Board's 4th Annual AP District Honor Roll
 The College Board recently announced Lower Merion School District has been named to the 4th Annual AP District Honor Roll - a distinction awarded to districts that have opened the AP classroom doors to a significantly broader pool of students while improving the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher. Last year, 85% of students taking AP exams at Harriton and Lower Merion scored either a 3, 4, or 5. Read more.
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Bethel Academy holiday art sale featuring Dane Tilghman - Sun., 11/24
Bethel Academy of Ardmore will host a pre-holiday art sale featuring acclaimed artist Dane Tilghman on Sunday, November 24 from 10 AM -4:30 PM at The PALM, 117 Ardmore Avenue in Ardmore.
Tilghman, one of the premier painters of African American art, will be joined by local artists Jose Sebourne and Severn Moses. The artists will be exhibiting an array of original works and prints. Proceeds from the art sale benefit Bethel Academy, a non-sectarian learning center that provides free after-school education and enrichment programs to community students.
Tilghman's award-winning work is inspired by African Americans in and out of daily life, popular entertainment, and the world of sports. He has exhibited his works throughout the United States at museums, art festivals, galleries, universities and sports arenas. Collectors of Tilghman's artwork include notables such as Nelson Mandela and Bill Cosby and corporations like Nabisco and Astra-Zeneca. His baseball images are on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, NY. Click here to view flyer.
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Main Line Girls Basketball Association (MLGBA) 2014 Season - Registration Open!
Online registration is now available for the upcoming season. For more details, click here.
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PVJSA Registration Open for the 2014 Basketball Season
For boys in grades 2 - 8. Registration deadline is Dec. 1, 2013. For information on PVJSA, the regular season schedule, and commitment, please refer for www.pvjsa.net for all information and frequently asked questions. Click here for more information and registration form.
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The Ardmore Library needs your used books!
Not sure what to do with all those already-read books spilling from your shelves and closets? The Ardmore Library Used Bookshop welcomes your book donations of clean, undamaged, and current fiction and non-fiction; hardcover and softcover; adult, young adult and children's books. Please, no textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines or VHS tapes. All proceeds from the sale of used books benefit library acquisitions and programs for the community. Please bring donations to the front desk at the Ardmore Library, 108 Ardmore Avenue during regular business hours (M, T, Th 10am-8pm, Wed. 1pm-8pm, and Fri., Sat. 10am-5pm). Thank you!
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Special Education: Know Your Child's Rights
Concerned Black Parents' Special Education Buddies program is hosting a seminar series with Sonja Kerr of the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP). Attend "live" seminars with PILCOP or join Concerned Black Parents for webinars at the Ludington Library. Topics include: psychological testing, children with autism, transition services and children with emotional needs. For more information, see flyer here.
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RESOURCES: Contact information and links
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School Hours: 8:20 am - 3:05 pm
Early Dismissal: 8:20 am - 11:5 am Welsh Valley Administration
| MAIN OFFICE | | 610-658-3920 | | PRINCIPAL | Mr. Christopher Hall | | | ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS | Ms. Sarah Stout | | | | Mr. Scott Weinstein | | | COUNSELORS | | | | 6th Grade | Mr. Josh Gansky | | | 7th Grade | Mrs. Beth Cooke | | | 8th Grade | Mr. Boris Oden | | | SCHOOL NURSE | Kathy Bromley | | ABSENTEE, LATENESS &
ARRIVAL HOTLINE | | 610-658-3946 | | DAILY ACTIVITIES HOTLINE | | 610-658-3901 | | SCHOOL CLOSING NUMBER | | 302 | | WELSH VALLEY OFFICE | | | | Principal's Secretary | Mrs. Mary Ann Fusaro | | | Attendance | Mrs. Cheryl Campbell | | | Guidance | Mrs. Sherri Pitts | | | Athletics | Mrs. Kim Petty | | | Scheduling Secretary | Mrs. Lori Davies | | | TRANSPORTATION | | 610-645-1940 |
Reminder: WV is not permitted to issue bus passes to students. This is a transportation policy, which is written in the WV student handbook. Please know that this policy is in place for safety reasons and is in the best interest of all students. WVMS Home and School Association (HSA) 2013-14
Co-Presidents: Lynn Hertzfeld & Nanette Taraya-Vonk
Co-Vice Presidents: Ellen Finn & Rebecca Segall
Secretary: Yaz Rosner
Co-Treasurers: Bill Cook & Aliza Remer
President Emeritus/Member at Large: Kiki McKendrick
Helpful Links
WELSH VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL:
DISTRICT INFORMATION:
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Listserv Information
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 the Resource section of 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.
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