DRAGONBITES
Welsh Valley Middle School
Home and School Association
Weekly Newsletter
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
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Sunday, June 8
- 8th Grade Class Party 7pm
Monday, June 9
Wednesday, June 11
- Community Day (Rain Date June 12)
Friday, June 13
- Variety Show (more info. below)
Monday, June 16
- Yearbook Distribution/Signing & Variety Show
Tuesday, June 17
- 6th/7th Grade Field Trips
Wednesday, June 18
- 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony 12pm in Gym at Harriton High School
Thursday, June 19
- Early Dismissal @11:55 am - No Lunch Served
Friday, June 20
- Early Dismissal @11:30 am - No Lunch Served
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8th Grade Promotion Party - Sun., 6/8, 7-9pm
Have you already purchased your tickets to the 8th Grade Promotion Party on Sunday, June 8th at Beat Street in Manayunk? The party will be from 7-9pm and it will be the party of the century. Everyone will be there so don't miss out! Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. You may purchase your tickets online at the HSA Store or send in a check made payable to "Welsh Valley HSA." Click here for the 8th Grade Promotion Party Invitation and Permission Form. Please RSVP by June 2nd. (For 8th Graders only - No Guests)
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Middle and High School "Treats for Troops" Drive - Ends Tomorrow
Each day, thousands of our fellow citizens are stationed far away from their homes and loved ones. Day-after-day, many of them find themselves in extremely dangerous and difficult situations. Would you like to do something to help?
The students and staff at Bala Cynwyd, Welsh Valley, Harriton and Lower Merion are joining together to collect items needed by these men and women from May 19-30, which will then be sent to them in care packages. Please find your grade, choose some items, and send them to school. Read more.
*There is a trophy and bragging rights for the school that collects the most items. Harriton, as the reigning champion, currently holds the trophy. Who will win it this year? Middle School Donation List
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/towlettes, white socks, insect repellant
7th Grade: peanuts, deodorant, mouthwash, microwave popcorn, Tastykakes, salt & pepper, shampoo, 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, Power Bars, deodorant, lip balm, hard candy, playing cards
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Welsh Valley Variety Show - Fri., 6/13 (during the school day)
Sign ups for the variety show are in the FACS room. Performers must be available for all their grade level practices! Be prepared to stay until the 5:30 bus! * 6th grade practice dates: Afterschool June 4, 9, 11 * 7th & 8th grade practice dates: Afterschool June 5, 10, 12
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Welsh Valley World Affairs Club
The Welsh Valley World Affairs Club attended the Philadelphia World Affairs Conference on Wednesday, May 21 with a small group of 7 seven students. Although it is not a competition, we finished with three of our students winning recognition awards. Congratulations to Omer Barash and Andrew Kofsky who were awarded Honorable Mentions for their delegation, and we are especially proud of Nate Nagvahara for earning Outstanding Delegate. Congratulations to all World Affairs members who worked very hard to make this year a success.
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Music in the Parks
On Friday, May 16th the 8th grade Band, 7/8th grade combined Orchestra, the Competition Jazz Band, and the Chorus attended the Music in the parks festival in Kutztown/Dorney. The groups played and sang for adjudication at Kutztown High School.
The 8th Grade Band, 7/8 Orchestra, and the Competition Jazz Band all took 1st place, and all 3 were awarded the Judges choice awards as the best ensembles of the day. Christopher Snyder won the Jazz Soloist award. The 7th Grade Advanced Chorus received the overall Choir award. Kate Kucharczuk received the Overall Student Accompanist award. Click here to view all awards.
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HSA Needs Volunteers for 2014-15
Are you interested in getting involved at Welsh Valley? We have various school events throughout the year that we need help organizing. If you have an hour or two to spare, we would really appreciate your help. We are also looking for a parent volunteer to fill the position of Dragonbites Newsletter Editor. The editor works from home and makes his/her own hours. Go to www.SignUpGenius.Com to signup to help.
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SAVE THE DATE! POV Social Justice Research Fair - Thurs., 6/12, 6:30-8:00 pm
Parents, guardians, and extended families are invited and encouraged to attend our research fair in the WV cafeteria! Students arrive for set up at 6pm (Each student is asked to kindly donate a nut-free dessert that serves 20 people and/or bottled water.) Families arrive at 6:30pm. Walk around and be amazed and impressed, as students teach you all they have learned on many timely & interesting topics such as: Bioethics Women's Rights in the Middle East Internet Privacy Student Privacy Ethical Questions of Chapter 11 Title Nine 2nd Amendment Issues Education Reform Guantanamo Bay Standardized Testing GLBTQA Issues The School to Prison Pipeline Cloning Climate Change & Endangered Species The Travon Martin Case Medical Marijuana The NAACP Stereotyping & Discrimination Feminism Sexism Death Penalty Stop & Frisk Genetically Modified Food Women & the Media Ethnic and Religious Profiling Designer Babies ...and many other topics to get us thinking and questioning!
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Attention 8th Graders: Summer Reading Lists
Look online for summer reading for rising 9th through 12th graders.
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Do you have kids at Harriton? Will your child be an incoming freshman?
Are you looking to become more involved in the HSA?
We are always looking for parents to help out!
For the 2014-15 school year we are in need of:
Please email [email protected] if you are interested in any of the above positions or have questions about the HSA. Thank you.
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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 May 19th: 8th Grade Asher Johnson commended by Mrs. Morris Tal Dotan commended by Madame Flexner 7th Grade Marin Bluestein commended by Mr. Wyatt Truth Ingram commended by Mr. Kagen 6th Grade Chloe Lee commended by Ms. Porter Dan Braverman commended by Mrs. Wisser Ian Abrams commended by Mrs. Wisser Jake Silberstein commended by Mrs. Wisser Katie Lynch commended by Mrs. Wisser Katie Morey commended by Ms. Porter Maya Dotan commended by Ms. Porter Patrick McCann commended by Mrs. Wisser Eliza Keefe commended by Mrs. Wisser Mira Ghosh commended by Ms. Porter
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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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Thank you to all of our student-athletes, coaches, fans, teachers, the administration, parents/guardians, and Mrs. Petty for making our athletics programs a success this school year.
Our student-athletes demonstrated excellent sportsmanship throughout the year. Our 7th & 8th grade girl's basketball teams and Unlimited football team were honored for the best display of Sportsmanship in the Central League this year.
At the conclusion of the school year, the Central League honors one male and one female 8th grade student from each school as a Scholar Athlete. The criteria these students are selected is based upon their academics, participation in athletics, sportsmanship and community service. Congratulations to Marissa Leff & Joel Herbert for being selected to represent Welsh Valley and our community. They will be honored amongst the other Central League Scholar-Athletes on May 28th. Congratulations Marissa & Joel.
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Attention rising 9th Grade Harriton students:
Any student interested in playing football next year at Harriton High School please visit the Harriton Football website and complete the 2014 Player Sign-Up so you can be kept up to date on important meeting and practice times. No experience necessary.
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Special Education Plan Report submitted to Pennsylvania Department of Education
The public comment period for Lower Merion School District's Special Education Plan began on March 24th and ended on April 21st. The Board of School Directors approved the Plan for submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) at its April 28th Regular Business Meeting. The District has submitted the Plan to PDE and is awaiting PDE's approval. The approved Plan will be posted at a later date.
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Strategic Planning Surveys for LMSD Students and Parents/Guardians
As we prepare to begin the 2014 LMSD Strategic Planning process, we are seeking the participation of middle/high school students and parents/guardians in a brief online survey about our schools and school district. Data collected from these anonymous surveys will be utilized to inform the planning process. Please take a few minutes to share your feedback, ideas and suggestions. Your participation is greatly appreciated! MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTSPARENTS/GUARDIANS A general community survey will be posted and distributed later this spring. The current surveys are for students and parents only. (LMSD staff will be receiving a survey as well via email.) Thank you for your cooperation.
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Exercise Boosts Children's Health and Academic Performance
We have all heard that exercise helps to reduce body fat and heart disease and improves muscle strength and mood, but it may also help in children's academic performance. A 2013 study from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies reports that children who engaged in 60 minutes or more of vigorous to moderate physical activity "showed greater attention, have faster cognitive processing speed, and perform better of standardized academic tests than children who were less active." Physical activity could include gym class, recess, supplemental sports or even a brisk walk or bike ride.
Encourage your child to get more physically active at home too. An after dinner walk, weekend bike ride or pick-up game of basketball at a playground are healthy choices that get the whole family moving.
Another fun option is to join LMSD's Wellness Council for our annual Spring into Fitness event being held on May 7th from 6:30 - 7:30 PM at the Cynwyd Elementary School Outdoor Playing Field. Fitness Co-Chair, Robert Jones III of Riley FAST (Fitness and Sports Training) will be leading fun-filled fitness activities for the whole family. With questions, contact: [email protected] - Diane Moroe, Principal, [email protected]
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LMSD's student business incubator now accepting applications for Summer 2014
Have an idea for a business or social action project? The LMSD Innovation Center is now accepting applications from high school students for its 2014 Summer Incubator. The purpose of the incubator is to help students transform entrepreneurial ideas into functioning businesses and social ventures. Accepted applicants receive up to $500 in seed funding for their idea as well as project mentorship and office space in the LMSD Innovation Center for the summer months. For more information and to apply, click here. Open to Harriton and Lower Merion high school students only. The Summer Incubator is a core initiative of the LMSD Innovation Center and is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Education Foundation of Lower Merion. For more information about the Innovation Center, click here.
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LMSD Special Education Plan
The District is currently engaged in a comprehensive planning process that is required for all Pennsylvania schools. The first step is the development of a Special Education Plan that must be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) by May 1, 2014. The proposed Plan is now posted to the District's website for the 28-day public comment period. See a letter about the plan and a report.
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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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Lower Merion Basketball Clinics set for May and June
Registration is now open for Lower Merion Basketball Academy's 2014 May/June Clinic Series! Clinics are set for 5/28, 5/29, 6/4, 6/5 and 6/12 at 6 PM and 6/7 at 10 AM at Lower Merion High School. Join 3-time PA Coach of the Year 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 is $30. All participants receive Aces gear. Open to boys and girls ages 6-14. Click here to register. Link to flyer.
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Charity Yard Sale - Sat., 5/31, 8 am - 1 pm @ 336 Thornbrook Ave., Bryn Mawr
Kayla Finn, a Welsh Valley 7th grader, is holding a charity yard sale. on Saturday, May 31. There are two ways you can participate: - Donate Your Unwanted Household Items: Used books, clothes, electronics, china, pots/pans, linens, sports equipment, toys, etc. The only thing we can't accept is furniture. Donations can be dropped off any time in advance of the yard sale or on the morning of the yard sale by 9:30am. Feel free to put suggested prices on your donated items. In good weather, you can leave donations on our front porch with a note that they are for the yard sale; in bad weather, please arrange a drop-off time by emailing [email protected]. - Come Buy Something at the Yard Sale: All proceeds from the yard sale will go to Room to Read, a globally recognized charity that promotes literacy and girls' access to education. Unsold items will be donated to local charities. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
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Alex's "Original" Lemonade Stand - Sat., 6/7, 10 am-3 pm @ Penn Wynne ES
Each June, one of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's most important events is held to honor the tradition of former Penn Wynne student and founder of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004), and help fight childhood cancer. This year's event will be held Saturday, 6/7 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at Penn Wynne Elementary School, 250 Haverford Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096. Appropriately named, Alex's "Original" Lemonade Stand, Alex's friends, family and the entire community come together to continue to hold her annual summertime lemonade stand, which has evolved into a family fun event complete with food, games, crafts, face-painting, music, raffles, and, of course, lemonade. Young Hollywood star and ALSF supporter, Bailee Madison will attend the event again this year! Thanks to the support of the school and community, more than $640,000 has been raised at past Alex's "Original" Lemonade Stands - amazing! Learn more about this fun and meaningful event and how you can get involved. We hope to see you on June 7!
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 Lower Merion (EFLM) 6th Annual "Run for Our Schools" - Sat., 6/8
The sixth annual Education Foundation of Lower Merion "Run for Our Schools" will take place on Sunday, 6/8, at 9 am. This community-wide event starts and ends at the Harriton stadium and includes a 5K run, a 1.5-mile walk, a "Track Trot" for the youngest children, and a Fitness Fair. Prizes will be awarded for top individuals overall and by age group in the 5K, and a participation trophy will be awarded to the LMSD school with the greatest number of overall participants (including volunteers). The first 150 registrants receive a Run t-shirt. Proceeds benefit the Education Foundation's grants program in our public schools. Business and individual sponsorships are available. Read more and see how to register on the flyer and the brochure. |
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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Young Rams Instructional Football Camp
This non-contact camp is for all children ranging from grades 1 - 8 (entering 1st next school year, entering 8th next school year). Hosted by new Harriton High School Head Football Coach Justin Mellor and his staff, campers will experience success in a fun and friendly environment with the help of current and former Harriton players. Click here for more information and registration form.
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Summer Art Camp at Main Line Art Center
Summer Art Camp runs in 11 one-week sessions June 16-August 29 in half days for ages 4-5 (morning only) and full days and half days (morning or afternoon) for ages 6-13. For more information, see the brochure here. Additional information is available online on the Main Line Art Center Education page, including Summer Camp FAQs and scholarship information. Please scroll down to the Art Camp section for more details.
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Summer High School Theater Program at Harriton
Wolf Performing Arts Center is thrilled to collaborate with Lower Merion School District to present a four-week program this summer at Harriton High School. The NEW Wolf HIGH (grades 9-12) is an acting program for all students interested in exploring theatre, culminating in a one-act play. High-school aged performers develop their acting and performance skills while collaborating with others in a full production. For more information, please click here.
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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 [email protected]Camps are located at Harriton High School 600 North Ithan Avenue, Rosemont, PA 19010 Checks payable to: "RAMS BASEBALL"
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2014 Aces Soccer Camp for Boys & Girls Ages 7-15 - Register Now
Aces Soccer Camp at Lower Merion Turf Field - Mon., June 30 - Thurs., July 3, 2014. View flyer here. For more information email [email protected] or call 610-449-3640.
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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 [email protected] 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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