dr. marykay feeley construction & renovations … · ms. allison fitzkee life skills teacher...

The School Bell Newsletter

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Dr. Marykay FeeleySuperintendent of Schools

NEWSLETTER

Lower Moreland Township School DistrictSummer 2010

Insid

e this

Issue

Page 2Lion’s Pride Recipients

Page 3Highlights

Page 6In Our Schools

Page 7Upcoming Events

Page 8“Green” News

Construction & Renovations ContinueDespite the weather challenges earlier in the year, construction at Pine Road has continued to gain momentum. As scheduled, the building is set to be open by the start of the school year.

As the Pine Road classroom addition moves according to plan, there are several other construction projects taking place within the district. The science labs, both at Murray Avenue and the High School, have been gutted and are being upgraded. The former planetarium at the high school is being transformed into a state-of-the art media center.

A ribbon cutting event at Pine Road is planned for Thursday, September 23 beginning with optional

activities at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. ceremony.

Page 4Construction Photos

From the Superintendent...


Summer has not slowed things down in Lower Moreland! Although, our classrooms are not filled with students involved in engaging activities, our buildings are still buzzing with excitement.

As we prepare for the opening of the 2010-2011 school year, our Board of School Directors, ad-ministrators, and staff remain committed to educating our children with the knowledge and skills they need to become productive lifelong learners. The community and the school board continually support our efforts with the resources and facilities to encourage quality learning.

Construction has been progressing rather steadily at the Pine Road School, which will now be a K-5 building structure. Murray Avenue will become a true middle school housing grades 6, 7, 8 and the high school will remain a 9-12 building. In addition to the ongoing Pine Road construction, most of the summer has been spent renovating and upgrading the science labs in Murray Avenue and at the high school. In addition to the labs, a new media center is being built in the high school, in the space where the Planetarium once was.

There’s no doubt that this is a year of transition in Lower Moreland. Yet, some things are constant…we are very proud of the accomplishments and initiatives of our students and staff. Lower Moreland students consistently earn better results on standardized tests than the local, state and national aver-ages. Our highly-qualified teachers continue to bring new and creative ideas into the classroom. Par-ents support our initiatives with fundraising or whatever it takes to do what is best for their children. The Board of School Directors and Administration remains committed to being fiscally responsible while providing a quality education for our students.

I look forward to opening the doors to a new school year… Together, we will continue on our journey of excellence.

Other Projects

uRenovate high school science lab and create a new technology lab.

uRenovate six science labs at Murray Avenue School.

uInstall a partial new roof at the high school.

Lower Moreland Township School District

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The LION’S PRIDE AWARD Recipients

The Lion’s Pride Recognition was developed to acknowledge the many diverse talents of the Lower Moreland Township School District’s committed faculty, staff, administrators, students

and community members. To receive this prestigious award from the Superintendent of Schools, the recipient has met the following criteria: made an extraordinary contribution to the Lower

Moreland Township School District; goes above and beyond daily expectations; volunteers his/her time to make a difference; displays a passion and commitment to “Expanding Horizons &

Individualizing Excellence” for all students; and values and continually strives for self-improvement. The Lion’s Pride Award winners are recognized during the public meeting

of the Board of School Directors.

Ms. Allison FitzkeeLife Skills Teacher

Lower Moreland High School Mrs. Arlene FormanBuilding Substitute

Pine Road Elementary School

Mrs. Connie ThompsonSecretary to the Principal

Lower Moreland High School

Charles Hurst is the new Assistant Principal at Murray Avenue School. Mr. Hurst came from the North Penn School District where he served as the Assistant Principal at Pennbrook Mid-dle School. He is filling the vacancy which was left when Mrs. Julien Drennan moved to Pine Road School as the Assistant Principal.

Mr. Hurst is a graduate of Boston College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in Marketing and Human Resource Management. He continued his education at Drexel University where he earned a Master of Science in Instruction and his K-6 PA Instructional Certificate. He also holds a PA Administrative Certification (Principal K-12), as well as Supervisory Certification in Curriculum and Instruc-tion, both awarded at Arcadia University.

Mr. Hurst brings an extensive background in teaching and learning. He served as an elementary teacher in grades 3, 5 and 6 and completed a Teacher on Special Assignment place-ment at Pennbrook Middle School. In that role, he coordinated

PSSA schedules and implementation, managed student disci-pline for grades 7 and 8, participated in administrative meet-ings and organized a variety of school activities and special functions.

Prior to coming to LM, he was assigned to Pennbrook Middle School as the Assistant Principal for grades 7 - 9 where he assisted the principal in a variety of administrative tasks, per-forms ongoing data analysis, coordinated and presented pro-fessional development activities for staff, evaluated teachers and served on a number of committees.

Those who have worked with him consider him to be a con-summate professional with high ethical standards. They note that Charles is a team-player, is passionate about education, is child-centered, is hard-working and makes decisions in the best interests of his students. He builds relationships with both staff and students. He is viewed as a valuable asset to Pen-nbrook and is one who will be a great addition to the Lower Moreland Township School District administrative team.

Murray Avenue Welcomes New Assistant Principal

Mr. Charles HurstAssistant Principal

To nominate someone for the Lion’s Pride Award visit the district’s website www.lmtsd.org

Lower Moreland Township School District The School Bell Newsletter

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Class of 2010

Valedictorian Brian Pilchik and Salutatorian Tamar Friedman were among the 160 graduates of the Lower Moreland High School Class of 2010.

Of the graduates, 97% are continuing their education; 83% of that group will be attending 49 different four-year colleges and universities; 15% are attending community colleges and technical schools.

Highlights...

Farewell to our Retirees

At the end of the 2009-2010 school year, Lower Moreland said goodbye to three members of its family. Our retirees, from left: Mrs. Patricia Pasquine, 5th grade teacher; Mrs. Carol McNamee, librarian at Pine Road School; and Ms. Susan Cassidy, 2nd grade teacher.

Best wishes in retirement!

Student Volunteers Recognized

Forty Lower Moreland High School students were honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Students who volunteer 100 or more hours over a 12-month period are eligible for this award.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contribu-tions volunteers are making in our communi-ties and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

Understanding School District Budgets

Learn how the school district budget process works...visit the district’s homepage to link to the Budget Video.


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construction Fast Facts

u The Pine Road classroom wing has three stories, containing 28 classrooms, 2 special education classrooms, 2 computer rooms and 5 small group instructional spaces.

uThe inside work will continue until the end of August, when the new additions will be ready for the 2010 – 11 school year.

uPhase 3 began in the summer to construct a new parking lot at the front of the school. It will reshape the existing parking lot, creating a new turning lane on Pine Road. This work started when the students and teachers were dismissed for summer vacation. The new trees, shrubs and plantings were installed at the start of this phase.

uThe entire project will be completed with phase 4 in the fall of 2010. This phase will return two general purpose classrooms to their original use as a music room and an art room. It will also reconfigure the spaces occupied by the present kitchen, when the new kitchen space is operating.

Construction Update Pine Road

Back of Classroom Addition

View from a Classroom

Multi-Purpose Room

Murray Avenue

High School

Demolition of Science Classroom

Demolition of Planetarium Demolition of Science Lab

Replacing the Roof

Playground Area

Gym

New Lobby AreaNew Stairwell


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The School BellThe newsletter

of the Lower Moreland Township School District 2551 Murray Avenue

Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006215-938-0270wwww.lmtsd.org


[email protected]

Dr. Maryjane RichmondAssistant Superintendent

[email protected]

Dr. Murray CohenPresident, Board of School Directors

Dina McCafferyPublic Relations Specialist

[email protected]

Questions, Comments, Suggestions, News Contact [email protected]

215-938-0220 267-322-0950 (cell)

to view LM Videos look for this tab on the district website.

Lower Moreland Township School District received two awards for Distinguished Achievement in the category of Audio/Visual Programs and Presentations, and in the Publications category for its Annual Report. The awards were received from the National School Public Rela-tions Association. There were 803 entries received in NSPRA’s annual Publications and and Electronic Media contest this year.

Publications Receive Honors

Also, Be sure to sign up online to receive a copy of the district’s electronic newsletter

The Insider.

Each year, NEWSWEEK picks the best high schools in the coun-try based on how hard school staffs work to challenge students with advanced-placement college-level courses and tests. Just over 1,600 schools—only 6 percent of all the public schools in the U.S.—made the list.

Lower Moreland has once again ranked among the nation’s best high schools! For more information, visit www.newsweek.com

NEWSWEEK Names LM Among Best High Schools

Embracing Diversity

District forms Diversity Committee

One of the Superintendent’s 2009-2010 goals was to form a districtwide Diversity Advisory Committee to promote acceptance and understanding of various eth-nicities, abilities/disabilities, religions etc. By the end of last school year, the committee was formed and had its first organizational meeting.

In addition, the committee was formed to address issues that may arise as the demographics of the district continue to change. The members of the committee represent the various constituents and include parents, teachers, administrators, middle/high school students, community members and religious leaders. Each of the three schools is represented. Currently, there are 34 members on the committee, which is co-chaired by Rabbi Leib and Dr. Marykay Feeley.

Visit the Diversity Committee on the district’s website under the Community tab.


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In Our Schools

2nd-grade Authors Donate Booksto Homeless Women and Children

Students in Ms. Jennifer Devine’s 2nd grade class wrote and illustrated books and then donated them to other children in need.

More than 50 books were sent to The Drueding Center/Project Rainbow. Ms. Jenea Davis, the center’s Director of Development, visited with the Pine Road students to personally thank them for their creations. She spent the afternoon answering questions about the center and accepted books from each student.

The Drueding Center/Project Rainbow was founded in 1987 by the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer. Its purpose is to provide transitional housing and support services for homeless women with dependent children living in crisis situa-tions and sub-standard conditions.

For more information on the Drueding Center, visit www.holyredeemer.com

LMHS Student Wins Poetry AwardAlise Peckjian, a junior at LMHS, has been awarded a writing award for her poem entitled, “A Monochrome Dream.” This work was selected for publication in the 2010 “Gleaner,” Delaware Valley's annual literary and artistic publication. Alise also won 2nd citation for her poem, “Viva La Ville” in the 2010 Pegasus Poetry Contest. It has been published in their annual anthol-ogy. This summer she has continued to work on her craft through participation in Susquehanna’s Writer’s Workshop for high school students.

LMHS English Teacher has First Novel Published

Eve Mont, a Creative Writing and English Teacher at Lower Moreland High School, had her first novel, Free to a Good Home, published. It debuted in July and can be found in Barnes and Noble.

Eve will be at the Willow Grove Barnes and Noble on August 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to sign copies of her book.

For more information on her book, visit her website www.evemariemont.com

Sixth-grade students in Ms. Donahue and Mrs. Laursen's class traveled to the Federal Court House at 6th and Market streets in Philadelphia to put Mr. A. Wolf from The Three Little Pigs on trial for murder. Mr. A. Wolf appeared in front of the Honorable Judge Rueter.

Prior to the trip, the students prepared for the trial; learned to see a case from two points of views, and learned that in conflict resolution it is important to see both sides. The students were also introduced to the US judiciary system.During the trial, both sides argued their cases vigorously; in the end, Mr. A. Wolf was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in accordance with Pennsylvania law.

First-hand Experience


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LMHS Hall of Fame InductionFriday, Oct. 29, 2010

Hall of Fame Nominations always accepted In 1995, the Lower Moreland High School Hall of Fame was formed to honor those Lower Moreland High School graduates who have excelled in their chosen careers or in community service. Also eligible for inclusion are those who are not alumni but who have contributed significantly to the Lower Moreland Town-ship School District.

For information or to download a nomination form, visit www.lmtsd.org

In Our SchoolsAward-winning Teachers Making Headlines

Mrs. Diana Sullivan, sixth grade teacher at Murray Avenue School, was recently named “Volunteer of the Year” by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish foundation is committed to giving children that are very sick the opportunity to experience something that they have always dreamed of. The Katelin A. Maguire Award is given each year to a volunteer who goes above and beyond to help and sup-port the needs of others. Mrs. Sullivan has been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation through the Lower Moreland Township School District for more than 15 years.

When talking about himself, High School physical education teacher John Oberholtzer has a tough time. John Oberholtzer, or “Obie” as he is affectionately called by students, has been a staple at the high school for more than 35 years helping, mentoring, guiding, and preparing high school students to be the best that they can be. Mr. Oberholtzer is the winner of this year’s “Voices of Inspiration Award,” which is an award that was created by Freedom Credit Union to recognize and reward teach-ers through Montgomery County.

Mr. Patrick Engleman, a science teacher at Lower Moreland High School, in one of only 50 educators throughout the country to be se-lected as a STEM Fellow. The Siemens STEM Institute is a one-of-a-kind immersion program that promotes hands-on, real-world integration of science, technol-ogy, engineering, and math (STEM) in the classroom. Fellows, including Engleman, will be ex-posed to leading scientist, thought-leaders, per-sonalities and innovators whose work across STEM define our world today.

Mrs. Diana Sullivan Mr. John Oberholtzer Mr. Patrick Engleman

Save the Date

HomecomingSaturday, Oct. 30, 2010


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Lower Moreland Township School District2551 Murray AvenueHuntingdon Valley, PA 19006

NON PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Southampton, PA Permit No. 127

www.lmtsd.org

Mission StatementThe mission of the Lower Moreland Township School District is to foster individual excellence in a nurturing environment by integrating a dedicated staff, an innovative curriculum, and community resources, while promoting respect for self and others. All students will acquire the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary to become life-long learners and citizens who will think critically, act responsibly, communicate clearly and collaborate effectively in a global community.

District continues “Green” Efforts

Resident

LM Enrichment Program is still here and going strong!All Fall and Spring course offerings are now available online.

Go to www.lmtsd.org (under the Community tab)Questions? call 215-938-0270 or email [email protected]

2010-2011 calendar available online; introducing “Virtual Backpack”

In an ongoing effort to contribute to our community’s efforts to “go green,” the Lower Moreland Township School District announces important changes in our communications efforts.

The 2010-2011 school district calendar will now be available online only. The calendar will also have a new format, which will feature events exclusive to the school district and PTA. The Board of Commis-sioners for Lower Moreland Township has made a decision that in light of its increased communication devices, such as its website and bi-annual newslet-ter, that the Township will NOT continue participa-tion in the school calendar. The district will provide a link on our website to the township’s website so

that information is easily accessible to residents. For those families without computer/internet access, a limited amount of computer-printed copies will be made available at the district administration office.

As we continue to effectively communicate informa-tion from school to home, the district is also taking the initiative to post all non-profit flyers to the Lower Mo-reland Township School District’s Virtual Backpack. This new Virtual Backpack can be found on the district’s home page. This new way to share school and com-munity events with our students and families is aimed at eliminating waste while keeping parents informed of the many school/community activities available.

Thank you for your cooperation in our goal to communicate more effectively and to preserve our natural resources for future generations.

Look for this image on the School

District website at www.lmtsd.org

dr. marykay feeley construction & renovations … · ms. allison fitzkee life skills teacher...

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