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 20
- International Happiness Day
Friday, March 21
- 7th & 8th Grade Dance, WV Gym, 7-9 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
- PSSA Testing Make-up
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WV FAMILY DINNER highlighting International Foods! 6-8 pm, WV Cafeteria
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Summer School Registration ends
Monday, March 31
- PSSA Testing Make-up
- ISC/LMSD Special Program - Sleep and the Teenage Brain 7-9 pm (Lower Merion HS)
- Read More
Tuesday, April 1
- CSE General Meeting, 7:30 pm @BCMS Library
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Congratulations to the Science Olympiad Team!
On March 5th, fifteen 6th, 7th & 8th grade Welsh Valley students competed at Neuman University in the Southeastern Regional Science Olympiad competition. Students participated in 23 biology, chemistry, geology, physics, technology & building events and came home with lots of top place finishes. The following students came in top 5 in the region qualifying us to compete May 2nd at Juniata College for the State Championships. 1st place: Boomilever: Hanna Klatte & Keren Katz Metric Mastery: Emerson Ahn & Keren Katz 2nd place: Dynamic Planet: Michele Qin & Ashwini Shende Experimental Design: Talia Braverman, Keren Katz & Tai Groenveld Robo Cross: John Neery & Evan Brodo Solar System: Emerson Ahn & Ashwini Shende Wheeled Vehicle: Hanna Klatte & Keren Katz 3rd Place: Water Quality: Florencia Giurado & Ashwini Shende 4th Place: Heredity: Emerson Ahn & Michele Qin Meteorology: Michele Qin & Ashwini Shende 5th Place: Write it do it: Melanie Sporn & Ashwini Shende Other team members included Scott Blender, Nathan Pedowitz, Lonnie Davis & Nadia Romanazi. We will travel as a team May 1st & 2nd to Juniata College competing against the top 40 schools in the State of Pennsylvania. Way to go Science Olympiad Team!!!!!!!!!
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Thank You from WePAC
Thank you for donating so many wonderful school supplies for our kids and literacy programs at WePAC! These new supplies will be a big help in refreshing our library and classroom resources so that WePAC kids can enjoy writing more poems, drawing their favorite characters and making special projects related to new books they're reading with our volunteers. Thank you so much for your kind support in helping us make an important difference for kids across West Philadelphia. Please share our warmest thanks with all of the kids and parents at Welsh Valley School who made this possible! The WePAC staff
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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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PSSA Testing - Tues., 3/25-Thurs., 3/27
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 Family Dinner - Fri., 3/28, 6-8 pm @ 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.
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Share Your Heritage or Cultural Experience with Your Welsh Valley Family and Friends at the International Family Dinner - Fri, 3/28, 6-8 pm
If your family has a special story, talent, costumes or experience to share that exemplifies your heritage, we welcome you to share it with us during dinner. Any food items that are unique to your family are also welcomed. Contact Mary Copeland at copedem@comcast.net with your family sharing idea so we can plan to include YOU!
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Who Does Not Love Pizza?
Support the Welsh Valley TSA Club. We are fundraising to help our team go to a national competition in Washington, D.C. We already took first place in our regional competition. Please buy a Peace A Pizza(s)--The coupon is good for any pizza and it does not expire! View flyer here.
All order forms should be brought to Main Office-please put form and payment in an envelope marked TSA Pizza. The deadline to order is March 30, 2014. Thank You for your Support !!!!!!
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Free Eye Care & Eyeglasses - Sat., 4/12, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
The annual Give Kids Sight Day sponsored by Wills Eye Hospital will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Jefferson Medical College Hamilton Building, 10th & Locust Streets, Philadelphia, 19107. Walk-in only, no appointment needed, 2 free SEPTA tokens given to each child. This program is for children (18 years and under) who did have or did not pass an eye screening this year. A parent or guardian must accompany each child. Health insurance accepted but not necessary to receive a free eye exam and glasses. Click here for more details.
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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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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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Attention to Everyone who wants to buy a "Once on This Island" T-shirt!
There will be another order going in on Monday, March 24, 2014. If you would like a t-shirt, please to go Mrs. Vaughan's eBoard to print out an order form or pick up an order form from Mrs. Vaughan.
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"Once on this Island" Videos!
Please contact Mr. Ginsberg ( ginsbek@lmsd.org) by this week to purchase a Once on this Island video.
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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 10th:
8th Grade
Seamus Sullivan commended by Mr. Wyatt
7th Grade
Will House commended by Mrs. Corcoran
Sibohan Daley-Gibson commended by Mr. Gari
Nmeisha Meekins commended by the 7B Team
6th Grade
Maya Cantu commended by Mr. Gari
Yazmyn Stewart commended by Mr. Gari
Markus Bradley-Lowry commended by Mr. Delia
Eli Pisk commended by Mr. Gari
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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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Spring Sports
Baseball, Lacrosse, Softball, Tennnis, and Track and Field **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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Commemorate Cynwyd Elementary's Centennial and Pave the Future!
Buy a brick or paver to support the school as it turns 100 and to remember your family's time at Cynwyd. Deadline is March 21! The Centennial Walkway will begin at the base of the front entrance stairs and extend down the edge of the sidewalk to the corner of W. Levering Mill Road and Bryn Mawr Avenue. Bricks 4"x8" for $150 with up to 3 lines of text, max. of 20 characters per line Pavers 8"x8" for $500 with up to 6 lines of text, max. of 20 characters per line Place your order and make a secure payment online at: http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1666996-UdIoEPSeIV Contact Shirlee Howe at shirleehowe@comcast.net or Karen Averill at averill.karen@gmail.com with questions. View flyer here.
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41st Annual Bala Cynwyd Middle School Jazz Festival - Fri., 3/21, 7-10 pm
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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Harriton Theatre Company Presents Godspell, Thurs., 4/3-Sat.,4/5, Harriton (Aud)
Harriton Theatre Company Presents Godspell, Thurs., 4/3-Sat., 4/5, Harriton (Aud) Godspell, the beloved musical from Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning composer of Wicked, has returned! This irresistibly exuberant new production will make you a believer in the power of musical theater. Enjoy one of the most enduring shows of all time as it comes to Harriton High School in a brand new and up-to-date, intimate, one-of-a-kind production. Performances take place on: Thursday, 4/3, 8 pm; Friday, 4/4, 7 pm; Sat., 4/5, 2 pm and 7 pm. Buy tickets at htc.tix.com
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Parents Night Out - Sat., 4/5, 6:00-9:30 pm
LMHS staff and student volunteers will provide babysitting service for children ages 4-11, featuring a fun-filled night of board games, open gym, arts & crafts, nail painting, movies and more. Cost is $25 or one child, $40 for two. Read more and spread the word to families who might be interested. Parents must fill out an online registration form to register their child.
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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
Please join us for a special joint ISC and LMSD presentation by nationally renowned expert Dr. Judith Owens on Monday, March 31st, 7 -9 pm at Lower Merion High School. Dr. Owens was featured in a New York Times article last week on the topic -- "To Keep Teenagers Alert, Schools Let Them Sleep In" (March 14, 2014, front page). The ISC is excited to present a timely and relevant program for parents of both elementary and secondary age children as one of the topics to be discussed is flipping starting times for elementary and high schools. More information can be found in the attached flyer. If you have any questions about the program, please contact ISC Co Presidents Amy Norr ( norrmetz@verizon.net) or Deb Rocco ( drocco@roccolaw.com).
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, 2-4 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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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.
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