DRAGONBITES
Welsh Valley Middle School
Home and School Association
Weekly Newsletter
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
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Thursday, March 13
- School Play, WV Auditorium 7:00 pm
Friday, March 14
- School Play, WV Auditorium, 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 15
- School Play, WV Auditorium, 2:00 pm
Thursday, March 20
- International Happiness Day
Friday, March 21
- 7th & 8th Grade Dance, WV Gym, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Tuesday, March 25
- PSSA Testing (Reading & Math - All Grades)
Wednesday, March 26
- PSSA Testing (Reading & Math - All Grades)
Thursday, March 27
- PSSA Testing (Reading & Math - All Grades)
Friday, March 28
Monday, March 31
- PSSA Testing Make-up
- ISC/LMSD Special Program - Sleep and the Teenage Brain 7:00 - 9:00 pm (Lower Merion HS)
- Read More
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FORUM
Last week's FORUM lesson focused on "open-mindedness". Forum homerooms took a moment to reflect on how we mentally approach situations in our lives. Do we walk into situations having already decided on how they will go? Do we meet new people having already decided whether we will like them or not? We discussed some of the traps of going through life with a closed mind, as well as the benefits of approaching it with an open one.
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Summer School Resgistration
Summer School registration for advanced credit courses begins Monday, March 3, 2014 and runs through Friday, March 28, 2014. The brochure is available online and in the student services offices of the four secondary schools. Payment may be made online or by check. However, the registration must be submitted in person along with proof of payment or checks to any of the four secondary schools during regular school business hours. If you have any questions regarding summer school, please contact Lauren S. Marcuson, the Summer School Principal, at 610-658-3955.
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Summer School for Advanced Credit Courses
Registration is now underway for summer school! Registration runs through March 28 for advanced credit courses. Please contact your child's guidance counselor for more information.
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PSSA Testing
As PSSA's testing is approaching (March 25, 26, 27) we will be reviewing with students the importance of the Pennsylvania Department of Education requisition on electronic devices:
Quoted from the Pennsylvania Department of Education PSSA Handbook:
"If a student is discovered using and/or having a cell phone or other electronic device in his or her possession during the administration of the PSSA or Keystone Exams, you will be contacted by the school. Students that ignore this directive will be subject to the school's discipline policy and the Department of Education's requirement that the student's test will not be scored and the student will be required to retake the entire exam. In addition, the electronic device will be held by school staff and the devices stored photographs will be searched. School staff will also ask for permission to search other functions of the electronic device. If a photograph of the PSSA or Keystone Exam is discovered or if permission to research other function of the electronic device is refused, the device will be held by the school staff and, because the Pennsylvania Department of Education holds the copyright to all material contained in the PSSA and Keystone Exams, the Pennsylvania Department of Education will be contacted.
"If after testing is complete and test materials have been returned, it is discovered that a student used and/or had a cell phone or other electronic device in his or her possession during the administration of the test, the school's discipline policy will be followed and the student's scores will be invalidated."
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 Welsh Valley Middle School Presents:
Once on this Island Jr.
@Welsh Valley Middle School Auditorium
Thursday, March 13, 2014 7:00 PM Friday, March 14, 2014 7:00 PM Saturday, March 15, 2014 2:00PM Ticket Price: $5/person The WV students are getting excited to present to the WV community the production of Once on this Island, Jr. Out of respect of our students who have worked so hard, Mrs. Hunt and I just wanted to give you a few reminders: 1. Please keep all of the aisles clear. The actors and actresses will be using all parts of the stage and auditorium during the show. 2. Since Mr. Ginsberg will be providing the videography for the show, we ask that you keep your recordings, and photography to a minimum as it may distract the cast/crew or even audience members around them. 3. Please turn off your cell phones as it may interfere with the sound equipment. 4. Please support H.S.A. and buy candy grams, flowers, and snacks during intermission. 5. Laugh, cry, and clap because this show will make you do all three of them...sometimes even at the same time! Thank you! Lachele Vaughan and Megan Hunt |
Welsh Valley 7th & 8th Grade Dance - Fri., 3/21, 7-9 pm
The Welsh Valley 7th and 8th grade dance is Friday, March 21st, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Welsh Valley School gym. There will be a DJ, dancing, basketball and games. Pizza and water will be served.
Tickets are $5 and will go on sale starting next Monday, March 17th, before school in the Commons building outside the FACS room. This dance is for Welsh Valley students only, please no guests.
Parent volunteers are needed to help with setup, chaperoning, and cleanup. Please sign up to volunteer at Dance SignUpGenius Page or contact Lynn Favor-Hertzfeld at lhertzfeld@gmail.com.
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Welsh Valley Family Dinner - Fri., 3/28, 6:00-8:00pm @ WV Cafeteria
You are invited to a FAMILY DINNER OF INTERNATIONAL PER"PORTIONS" celebrating Acceptance and Diversity! Are you MAD FOR MEXICAN? Because it's all GREEK TO ME. Enjoy foods donated from various eateries all around the Main Line! Stay tuned for a list of the delicious choices. PERFORMERS NEEDED/REQUESTED........ Do you know someone that has a special talent (i.e.,singing, dancing), food or dessert that you enjoy that reflects your heritage. If so, we welcome any special performances at the Family Dinner! Contact Mary Copeland at copedem@comcast.net or Cathy Surbeck at csurbeck@gmail.com.
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Career Fair for 8th Grade Students:
Welsh Valley Counselors are holding our annual Career Fair for 8th Grade students on Wednesday, May 21st from 8:15 am to 9:45 am. We are looking for presenters for that day. If you are interested please call or email Ms. Pitts 610-658-3925 pitts@lmsd.org. Read more.
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HSA Needs Volunteers for 2014-15
We have various school events and positions for the 2014-15 school year that need volunteers. Please go to www.SignUpGenius.Com to signup to help.
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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 March 3rd:
8th Grade
Alyssa Cohen commended by Mrs. Hunt
Emma Danz commended by Mr. Vaughan and Mrs. Hunt
Gianluca Mazzarelli commended by Mr. Gammarino
Briana Dorin commended by Ms. Monzo
Kaito Inoue commended by Mrs. Hunt
6th Grade
Max Harris commended by Mr. Wyatt
Robert Speer-Zisook commended by Mr. Wyatt
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8th Grade Parent Transition Presentation
Please find the 8th Grade Parent Transition Presentation from January 9, 2014 here.
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Special Education Transition Presentation
To view a copy of the Special Education Transition presentation to parents and guardians of 8th grade students, click here.
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Welsh Valley Athletics - Go Dragons
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Important Athletic Dates for Spring Sports
March 10th - All sports tryouts and practices begin at 3:15. **All PIAA forms must be turned in to Kim Petty in Main Office before students are allowed to try out or practice! Visit the WV athletics webpage for more information on schedules and forms.
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LMSD Students shine in 9th annual Charlotte Miller Simon Poetry Contest!
Four District students were recognized in this year's competition, including Welsh Valley's Jordan Kreindler who took top honors in the Children's Division. Read more.
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41st Annual Bala Cynwyd Middle School Jazz Festival - Fri., 3/21, 7:00-10:00pm
Tickets for parents and community members will be on sale at the door
$8.00 for adults, $5.00 for students/seniors, $20 for family
Concessions will be on sale in the lobby until 9:00 PM.
Click here to view flyer.
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"Heathful Tips" from the LMSD Wellness Council
Happy National Nutrition Month!
March is a great month to encourage children to eat healthy foods! One of the ways LMSD elementary schools will be celebrating is by holding Go for the Greens March 24 - April 1 (specific dates are listed on the menu).
Students will also be treated to a fun nutrition lesson called Rainbow on my Plate highlighting the role that different colored fruits and vegetables play in the spectrum of good health. How can you encourage healthier meals? Count how many colors of fruits and vegetables you can eat in one day. How many can you eat in one week?
For ideas and recipes check out: http://www.eatingwell.com/
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Updates to 2013-14 Academic Calendar
The District has revised the 2013-14 academic calendar due to multiple, weather-related school cancellations this winter. For details, see Superintendent Christopher McGinley's 2/26 letter to families. Watch for further updates as the year progresses.
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Sleep and the Teenage Brain - Mon., 3/31, 7-9 pm @ LMHS
The Interschool Council and Lower Merion School District invite you to attend "Sleep and the Teenage Brain" on Monday, 3/31 from 7 - 9 pm at Lower Merion High School. - Why do teenagers have such trouble getting up in the morning? - How can we use our knowledge of teenagers' unique sleep patterns to help our teens be healthier? - How much sleep do teenagers need? How much do they actually get? - How is sleep related to physical/mental health as well as academic success? - Is starting high school later the way to go? What are other communities doing in this regard? Sleep expert Dr. Judith Owens will address these and other important questions during the program. Judith Owens, MD, MPH, is an internationally recognized authority on children and sleep. She is the Director of Sleep Medicine at Children's National Medical Center and Professor of Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Owens is co-author of "Take Charge of Your Child's Sleep: The All-in-One Resource for Solving Sleep Problems in Kids and Teens." Small group discussions led by LMSD administrators will follow the presentation. All parents/guardians are invited to attend. View the flyer for this event.
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Save the date: "State of the School District" - Mon., 5/13, 9:30 am
Tuesday, May 13th, 9:30 am - Dr. McGinley, LMSD Superintendent, will join us for his semi-annual presentation and conversation
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ISC Executive Committee Openings for 2014
There are four open positions on the ISC Executive Committee for the upcoming year. Nominations are being accepted through 2/28/14. For more information about the mission of the ISC, its role and activities, and the open positions, please go to ISC pages of the LMSD website found under "Community -- Parent Organizations" tab.
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Book Swap to Build a Library - Sun., 3/30, 2:00-4:00 pm
On Sunday, March 30, from 2:00-4:00pm, there will be a used book swap at Main Point Books, 1041 West Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr. For a $5 donation, you can bring in one or more gently used books and swap them for other donated books. Organized by Kayla Finn, a Welsh Valley Middle School student, all proceeds from the event will be donated to Room to Read, a globally recognized charity that promotes literacy and education equality for girls. Kayla is hoping to raise enough money to build a school library in a rural village in India. Unclaimed books will be donated to local libraries. For more information, email ellenfinn@gmail.com.
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C-MITES Weekend Workshops - Sat., 5/10
C-MITES is once again offering Weekend Workshops at Lower Merion High School this spring. Classes include Adventures in Physics, Bubbleology, American Math Idol, Game Design for Minecraft, Incredible Anatomy, Pathology 101, Playing with Probability, Tangram Math, WeDo Robotics, and Wonderful Writing Workshop,
These challenging, hands-on classes are designed for academically-talented students in grades K-9. Classes meet from 9am-noon or 1-4pm on Saturday, May 10th. Parent sessions will also be offered - One Size Does Not Fit All and Gender Issues in Educating Gifted Students. For more information or to register online, click here. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and financial aid is available.
C-MITES (Carnegie Mellon Institute for Talented Elementary Students), based at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, has offered challenging and fun classes for gifted students for more than 20 years.
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The Starfish Project for Children in Grades K-12
Have a look at a great, new non-profit that is run by a Lower Merion Community parent for students K-12 living in Lower Merion/Narberth! Check it out and enter your child to be recognized by the Starfish Project for Children. For more information please go to www.thestarfishprojectforchildren.org.
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 Do you feel financially prepared to send your children to college? Do you know where to research how much financial and merit aid a school provides? Do you know the details of the new SAT planned for 2016? Get the scoop on all you'll need to know on college admissions and financing, sign up for the Road2College newsletter - pure information, 100% free. Our goal is to keep parents informed so they can better guide their children through the maze of college admissions and financing.
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Lower Merion Summer Basketball Camp - Registration Now Open!
Registration is now open for the Lower Merion Summer Basketball Camp which will take place June 23-27 in the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium at Lower Merion High School. Join three-time Coach of the Year Gregg Downer, current Aces' players, NCAA alumni, professional players, and some of the area's best instructors for a week of action-packed skill development and fun! Register today at http://aceshoops.com/camp. Link to flyer.
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Rams Baseball Summer Camp
Sign up today to improve your fielding, throwing, situational hitting, pitching, base running and more! Signups are limited! 16 & under camp - June 23-27, 2014, 8am until noon 12 & under camp - July 21-25, 2014, 8 am until noon Cost: $175 per week For sign-ups and questions contact us at: Matt Rowley 610-858-3954 Scott Kurzinsky 484-889-6265 rams4040baseball@gmail.comCamps are located at Harriton High School 600 North Ithan Avenue, Rosemont, PA 19010 Checks payable to: "RAMS BASEBALL"
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Narberth Athletic Association Baseball On-line Registration Now Open - ages 5-19 yrs
The NAA Cal Ripken Baseball League has the following divisions: Tee Ball (5 & 6 yrs. old), Rookies (7 & 8 yrs. old), Minors (9 & 10 yrs. old), Majors (11 & 12 yrs. old). Click here to view flyer. The American Legion Baseball League has the following divisions: Prep Legion (13 yr. old), Sandlot (14 yr. old), Jr. Legion (15 yr. old) & Sr. Legion (16 to 19 yrs. old). Tryouts for each will be held in March/April. Please visit www.NarberthAA.com for more information and registration forms.
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Wolf Performing Arts Center Presents Camp Summer Stock for Grades 9-12
June 30-July 25, 2014 1 to 4 PM at Harriton High School
The new Wolf High program for rising 9th-12th graders offers 4 weeks of focused actor training led by one of Wolf PAC's expert teaching artists. Performers will spend their afternoons in workshops and rehearsals in Harriton High School's Black Box Theatre.
Click here to view flyer.
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Lower Merion Little League Baseball & Softball - Ages 5-16 - Spring Registration now Open
Lower Merion Little League Spring registration now open for Baseball & Softball. For Ages 5-16 years old. Visit www.lmll.org to register and for more information. Limited spots available. All players must be residents of LM Township, the Borough of Narberth or attend school in the Township. Season runs from early April to mid-June.
Link to flyer
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Ashbee Lacrosse - Boys 1st-8th grades - Register now for 2014
The Ashbee Lacrosse Club is for boys in 1st-8th grades residing in Lower Merion Township. For more information go to www.ashbeelax.org
Link to fllyer
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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 - 11:55 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.
To forward this email to another WV parent who may not be receiving our weekly newsletter, please click on the "Forward this email" link below.
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