February 2024 Superintendent Update
Happy Leap Year, Upper Moreland!
Perhaps like many of you, the unseasonably warm temperatures during the last few weeks of February bring welcome thoughts of spring. Earlier this week, I saw members of our high school track and field team running in shorts–a sure sign that spring sports are just around the corner.
But, it is still winter. The chance for more winter weather will continue throughout March and into the beginning of April. If we experience any more winter weather, our administration will continue to prioritize student and staff safety as we work to ensure our facilities are cleared, safe and ready for our learners. In the event of winter weather, we will do our best to communicate with you as soon as possible. However, sometimes, the timing of the storm presents challenges.
I am sure the school closings in January and February have some families wondering about the last day of school. Because we still have about a month of winter, I cannot yet confirm the last day of school. However, I want to make you aware of some recent changes in Pennsylvania law which will inform our decision about the last day of school.
On December 14, 2023, Governor Shapiro signed into law Act 56. This act amends the minimum requirements for instructional days and hours for Pennsylvania public schools giving districts more flexibility.
Prior to the passing of Act 56, school districts were required minimally to have 180 days of school and 900 hours for elementary and 990 hours for secondary. With the passing of Act 56, the minimum requirement has changed now requiring districts to have either 180 days or 900/990 hours. This change gives us flexibility as we consider the last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year. In April, the administration will examine both our total days and hours to determine the last day of school.
Thanks for your continued partnership and support for our kids!
Thanks to the parents, community members, staff and students who expressed interest in serving on a strategic planning subcommittee. Currently, our administrative team is reviewing responses to form the various subcommittees and ensure diverse representation on each subcommittee.
The first subcommittee to begin work will be the Upper Moreland Future Ready Graduate. This committee will begin work this spring with the goal of presenting a vision for an UM Future Ready Graduate to the Board in June. The remaining subcommittees will begin work over the summer or in the fall.
Our goal is to present a final Strategic Plan for 2025-2030 to the community and then the Board for approval in the spring of 2025.
Upper Moreland Elementary Center students are participating in the Governor’s School Breakfast Challenge from January through March. This challenge focuses on the importance of starting the day with a healthy breakfast. Throughout the challenge, students eating breakfast will have an opportunity to win various prizes.
More important than a prize are the benefits of a healthy breakfast to start the school day. Students who eat a healthy breakfast perform better in school because their brains and bodies are nourished.
Indoor Guard
On Saturday, February 24 the winter guard team competed in the Winter Guard International (WGI) Philadelphia Regional Competition at Council Rock South High School. For the first time in the group's history, the UMWG were regional finalists in their division. With a score of 75.49, they earned 6th place out of 20 competing groups from all over the northeast! Additionally, for the first time, they qualified for the World Championships in Dayton, Ohio in April.
The UM Indoor Guard will host their home show on Saturday, March 9 in the UMHS gym.
Jazz Band - photo in folder
For the 7th consecutive year, UMHS Jazz One was selected as one of 5 finalists in the SteelStacks Regional High School Jazz Showcase in March. During the preliminary round on February 25, Jazz One delivered a knockout performance and earned Superior ratings, Best Trumpet Section, Best Trumpet Soloist - Jarlath McPeak, Best Overall Soloist - Liam Ritter, Guitar. At the same competition, UMHS Jazz Two earned Excellent rating and Best Vocal Soloist - Amelia Soleau.
UM will host their Jazz Fest on Friday, March 1 at Upper Moreland High School.
As part of Upper Moreland’s 12th annual MiniTHON, UMHS committee has continued their efforts to support the Four Diamonds organization. Four Diamonds is an organization dedicated to conquering pediatric cancer by supporting children and their families through care, research and support.
In February, high school and middle school students joined together to hold a Mini MiniTHON. After teaching the UMMS students about the mission and efforts to support a worthy cause, both schools hosted lunchtime events, which included duct taping Ms. Wendy to the MS wall and Ms. Forsyth to the HS wall! Students paid $1 for a strip of duct tape. Combined, these two events raised almost $700. The UMHS MiniTHON chairs also held an after school event at UMMS that included games, activities, line dancing, minute-to-win-it challenges, snacks and more!
This year’s MiniTHON will culminate in March. March events include a staff versus students basketball game on Wednesday, March 6 beginning at 6:30pm at the high school. The entrance fee of $5 will benefit Four Diamonds. On Friday, March 15 this year’s 12th Annual MiniTHON will conclude with a final event in the UMHS Auxiliary Gym.
We are so proud of our students for contributing in so many ways to our community.
Cambrie Richmond, UMHS Senior
The February Rotary Student of the Month is Cambrie Richmond.
Throughout Cambrie's high school career, she has been dedicated to education, building friendships, and giving to the community, which gives her the most fulfillment.
Cambrie is an inquisitive and well-prepared student with a positive attitude. Her teacher, Mr. Andrew Broske notes, “She asks thoughtful questions about whatever topic we are going over and continues to do her own research outside of the class.”
At Upper Moreland High School Cambrie serves as Vice-President of the National Honor Society as well as the captain of the Golden Bears field hockey team. She served as the chair for Mini-Thon working to raise money and support for pediatric cancer. Cambrie also plays lacrosse for Upper Moreland and serves as an assistant coach for Upper Moreland’s indoor field hockey team.
Cambrie’s favorite volunteering activity is coaching field hockey with the Doylestown Athletic Association. She has the privilege of coaching nine inspiring girls every weekend while watching the next generation experience the same love for the sport she is so passionate about. Cambrie loves teaching them the fundamentals of the sport, sportsmanship, and working together as a team. The best part of her participation is watching the girls grow in their self-confidence.
Cambrie also helps in the snack stand for the UM Booster Club as well as with “pick your own” events at None Such Farm. Cambrie works part time for Aerie and works as an intern with Mr. Andrew Broske.
After graduation Cambrie plans to attend Monmouth University focusing on an Honors Biology program. Congratulations to Cambrie!
For the second consecutive year, Liam Ritter has been selected as the guitarist for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Jazz Ensemble. Only one guitar player is selected from across Pennsylvania. A UMHS Junior, Liam is heavily involved with the Concert Band, Jazz Bands and Marching Unit. In 2023, he was the recipient of a full scholarship to the Moravian University Jazz Camp after being named Best Overall Soloist at the Steelstacks HS Jazz Showcase.
Check out Liam and his fellow musicians at the UMHS Jazz Festival on Friday, March 1, 2024 beginning at 6:00 pm in the Upper Moreland High School auditorium.
Congratulations, Liam!
UMHS junior Addison Hurley has been selected to receive the Widener University High School Leadership Award. This award is designed to recognize high school students in the region who have demonstrated leadership, stood up for what is right, and made a significant difference in their communities. An awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Congratulations to Addison!
Seamus Dunn, a 5th grader at UMIS, received a $500 scholarship to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Pathways to STEM, to be held at Villanova University this summer. Seamus was selected for the “Now I Know a Scholar” award. To earn the scholarship, Seamus wrote an essay outlining his goal to pursue a career in STEM and demonstrated a willingness to learn from prior experiences. During the summer program, Seamus and other students will learn to program a robot, step into the role of a doctor, and investigate a crime.
Congratulations, Seamus!
