Hello Lower Moreland Families,

Happy Passover and Happy Easter to those who celebrate!

Please enjoy the latest edition of the high school newsletter.

Thank you,

Mr. William J. Miles, Principal

P.S.- Don't forget to follow us on Twitter! @LMTSD_LMHS and Instagram at lmtsd-highschool

Pictured above (Joanna Kim, Jessica Becker, Anna Akhobadze, and Tina Mollett), the LMHS Interact Club sponsored the Make a Wish Foundation local chapter in the “Rising Stars” initiative to support Dawson. A young five year old in the surrounding region, Dawson has been struggling with life threatening illness and has a wish to meet Mickey at Disney Land! The district raised $7,618.27 and Dawson’s wish will come true! Lower Moreland joined 13 other districts in the region to raise a total of $87, 668.21.

17 students from LMHS presented their scientific research at the Montgomery County Science Research Competition (MCSRC) held at Germantown Academy last week. 14 of those students received awards, with 12 of them moving on to the next level of competition at the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF) being held at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Oaks next week. Winners of the DVSF fair move on to the Regeneron International Science Fair in May. This year's ISEF fair is being held in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to category awards, four of our LM students received special awards as indicated below. I am super proud of them all!!

Students moving on to DVSF

Natalya Abraham - Grade 9 - Botany - 3rd Place in Montgomery County

Waverly Badour - Grade 9 - Microbiology - 3rd Place in Montgomery County

Leora Brodsky - Grade 9 - Behavioral Science - 1st Place in Montgomery County

Arwa Muneeruddin - Grade 9 - Physics - 1st Place in Montgomery County

+ Special Award - Eastern University Physics Award - $50

Gabriella Sellecchia - Grade 9 - 2nd Place in Montgomery County

Mehtaab Singh - Grade 9 - BioChemistry - 1st Place in Montgomery County

Josiah Thottukdavil - Grade 9 - Zoology - 3rd Place in Montgomery County

+ Special Award - Rita C. Mesthos Zoology Award - $50

Julia Cavallo - Grade 9 - Behavioral Science - 1st Place in Montgomery County

+ Special Award - Behavioral Science Award - $50

Rehan Rana - Grade 10 - Microbiology - 3rd Place in Montgomery County

Patrick Xie - Grade 10 - Computer Science - 3rd Place in Montgomery County

Anna Akhobadze - Grade 11 - Chemistry - 1st Place in Montgomery County

+ Special Awards - Women in Science Award - $100

Steve & Mary Beth Young Chemistry Award - $250

Adele Streletsky - Grade 11 - Environmental Science - 2nd Place in Montgomery County

Students not moving on, but presented at MCSRC

Sophia Ksenzenko - Grade 10 - Chemistry - Honorable Mention Award

Christine Mungiole - Grade 10 - Environmental Science - Honorable Mention Award

Cameron Fisher - Grade 9 - Mathematics

Ian Thomas - Grade 10 - Microbiology

Deanna Daniel - Grade 9 - Engineering

Dr. Jamie Lincow's AP Spanish classes traveled to Casa Mexico in Philadelphia to learn about the importance of corn in Mexican culture and how to make tortillas. This is the third consecutive year that LMHS students have had the opportunity for an immersive experience in Spanish with a James Beard Award winning chef, Cristina Martinez. It was an incredible experience for all!

Student Team from Lower Moreland School District

Student Team from Lower Moreland School District Named PennDOT Regional Innovations Challenge Winner

King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that a team of students from the Lower Moreland School District in Montgomery County has been chosen as the winner of the PennDOT Innovations Challenge for District 6, which includes the Philadelphia region. Now in its eighth year, the PennDOT Innovations Challenge is a statewide competition for high school students, encouraging them to develop innovative and strategic solutions to real-world transportation challenges.

The Innovations Challenge reflects the Shapiro Administration’s focus on a safe, efficient transportation system and allows students to explore a career in state government.

Nick Solomon mentors the Lower Moreland High School team, which includes students Anna Akhobadze, Grace Joseph, Arwa Muneeruddin, and Josh Levinson.

The PennDOT Innovations Challenge is a statewide competition for high school students around the Commonwealth to develop creative and strategic solutions to real-world transportation challenges. It reflects the Shapiro Administration’s goal of growing the Pennsylvania state workforce by introducing students to the real issues being addressed by the department and giving them an opportunity to explore a career in state government.

For this year’s challenge, students were asked to develop a cost-effective, innovative solution to help PennDOT increase motorist awareness for seat belt safety and change driver behavior to improve roadway safety.

On average, more than 350 unrestrained fatalities occur on Pennsylvania’s roadways annually. PennDOT is committed to continuously improving roadway safety and deploys a multifaceted strategy that involves promoting behavioral programs and implementing infrastructure improvements. Nevertheless, the number of unrestrained fatalities remains high, and changing driver behavior is crucial to solving this issue.

“More than 90% of the unbelted travelers who died in crashes on our roads last year could have been saved by seat belts,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “In a crash, a seatbelt can mean the difference between life and death. We need to reach our drivers and riders with that message.”

The winning regional team’s innovation will use several resources to reach the public on the importance of using seatbelts. They will establish an educational curriculum to start teaching positive driving behaviors at a younger age. In addition, they will launch a social media campaign and partner with gas stations, current software safety applications, and health organizations to help promote seatbelt safety.

"Safety is PennDOT's top priority, and the finalist teams from District 6 have presented innovative ideas to encourage the public to buckle up," said PennDOT District 6 Executive Din Abazi. "We invite students to continue sharing creative strategies to raise awareness about the importance of safe driving behaviors in our communities."

Regional Innovations Challenge winners will be invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT Secretary and a panel of judges in April, when a statewide winner will be determined.

For this year’s challenge, the Transportation Policy and Education Foundation, an educational arm of the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors organization, the American Council of Engineering Companies of PA, the Mid-Atlantic Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and the Intelligent Transportation Society of Pennsylvania are awarding the statewide winning team a combined total of $6,000.

For complete Innovations Challenge details, visit the PennDOT website.

Parents of underclassmen, the 2024-2025 yearbook has sold out online. A small number will be available for purchase in June. To inquire about getting a copy, email Ms. Burton-Haldeman at CBurton-haldeman@lmtsd.org.

Attention Parents/Guardians of students entering grade 11 for the 25-26 School Year:

Students entering 11th grade in Pennsylvania are required to have a physical exam before entering school in the fall of the 2025-26 School Year. Please have this physical exam form completed by your child’s primary care provider. This form can be dropped off over the summer, scanned to , or faxed to 215-947-0333. Colleen Lampone

**The physical exam must be dated on or after Jan 1, 2025

Attention Parents/Guardians of students entering grade 12 for the 25-26 School Year:

According to the PA School Vaccine Requirements for student in 12TH GRADE:

• 1 dose of MCV on the first day of 12th grade. If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the twelfth grade dose. Please submit an updated copy of your child’s immunization record to the the school nurse. As per state law, you child may be excluded from school if this immunization is not completed by the first school day of the 2025-26 school year. This immunization is required by state law unless you file for an exemption due to medical, religious or strong moral/ethical convictions against immunization.

Additional Reminders:

The following medical forms must be updated for every school year:

● Health History Update Form

● Asthma Action Plans/Self-Carry Inhaler Forms

● Food Allergy Action Plans/Self-Carry EpiPen forms

● Seizure Action Plans

● Medication Administration Permission Forms

Virtual Backpack link for medical forms

https://www.lmtsd.org/resources/parents/backpack/forms

• Enter the campus using the Red Lion Road or Buck Rd and turn into the coned lanes for the pick-up/drop-off loop. Vehicles will not be permitted to turn right into the drop off lane unless they are in the correct lane.

• Please pull your vehicle all the way up the car line. Do not stop directly in front of the high school doors as this holds up the car line.

• Please follow all signs and proceed across the front of the building to door 5 of LMMS to drop off your student(s). Please do not stop in front of the Main Entrances.

• Please do NOT drop-off or pick-up a student in the front parking lot area.

• Please do NOT drop-off or pick up a student in the large main parking lot where staff and student drivers park as that could create a potentially dangerous situation.

• Please do not drop-off or pick-up a student in the Valley Center Park parking lots. These areas are reserved for LMHS bus drop-off and LMHS staff parking only.

• Administrators and/or a police officer are present to help direct vehicles, so please follow their instructions.

• Leave plenty of time to safely navigate the school campus.

Follow us on Instagram for up to date LMHS PTA news, announcements and upcoming events. @lmhs_pta

The next LMMS/LMHS PTA meeting will take place on Monday, April 7th at 9:15am in the HS room #101. Feel free to attend in person or virtually via Google meet code: abp-zooj-rmt or by phone 334-472-8299 PIN: ‪981 402#

Who is ready for LMPTA's 7th Annual Handbag Bingo? Bingo will be held on Friday, May 2nd at Brookside Manor at Somerton Springs, doors open @6 o'clock in the evening. New this year...high energy Bingo! We will still have the same great bags and raffles, but we're adding a little bit of fun to the mix with the help of Smooth Event Group. This event is for guests ages 21+.

Do you have a business that would be interested in sponsoring our PTA Exec Bag Bingo? We are looking for sponsors as well as raffle donations. For admission tickets along with sponsorships, please visit https://lm-pta-designer-bag-bingo-2025.cheddarup.com

Join us at Citizens Bank Park on Friday, May 30th when the Phillies host the Milwaukee Brewers. Tickets are available in several sections, purchase now to sit with friends.

https://mlb.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=MLB_MPV&orgid=21#/sales_group_code;salesGroupId=7393

Attention LMPTA members! LMPTA is offering a chance to win 2 free tickets to the Phillies game on Thursday, April 17th @4:05pm at Citizens Bank Park. Contest closes Sunday, April 6th. Winner will be notified via email. Winner will receive tickets to their MLB app. Follow this link to enter. https://tinyurl.com/256dnxsz

Care to join LMPTA for the 2024-25 school year? Membership is still available at https://lm-pta-membership-2024-2025.cheddarup.com

If a student is not feeling well during the school day, they must visit the nurse’s office before being dismissed. This protocol helps us keep track of illnesses and ensures that the students receive proper care and the nurse can assess their condition before leaving school.

Please encourage your child to report to the nurse’s office, where the nurse will assess their condition and determine if it is appropriate to send them home. The nurse will contact a parent/guardian if dismissal is necessary. For additional information please see page 2 of the HS Code of Conduct under Health Services.

All of your attendance reporting needs will be handled by one electronic form that will replace the Blue Card online form and the Yellow Card online form (used at Pine Road). This will also replace the need for a phone call to the attendance line.

• Use this form to report your child’s absence. Submitting this form will both report the absence and document it. No follow up Blue card is needed.

• Submit this form to sign your child into school late.

• Submit this form to sign your child out for an appointment (early dismissal). This form allows you to enter a return to school time if your child will be returning to school.

Please Note:

If you are taking an extended vacation, you will still need to complete the Request for Excusal from Regular School Attendance, familiar to most families as a vacation request form. The form is found on the Virtual Backpack under Forms.

Doctors’ notes still need to be submitted to the school attendance secretary or sent into school.

We are doing the late arrival/early release program for this school year again. For more information on the requirements and expectations of this privilege, please see the link to the application. A student cannot begin the late arrival or early dismissal until the application is approved by Mr. Miles.

Students interested in attending Eastern next year - 2024/25 (for rising juniors; Allied Health for rising seniors)

The registration process is in FULL SWING. Please see the link below to the online registration form.

Once completed, your counseling department will verify the information and formally submit it to Eastern for review and consideration.

All placements are determined by Eastern and students/families will be notified of placement in May.
Students must complete the registration in full and specify a first-choice and second-choice program.

Two-Step Registration Process: Deadline: March 22, 2025

Step 1: Online registration form here

Step 2: Complete the CareerScope (instructions will be emailed to you once your registration form has been received and verified).

* Allied Health (1 year program for senior only)

The counselors will meet with current students (grades 9 —11) during one-on-one scheduling meetings from March 10 — 21 to review course recommendations and elective listings.

On Thursday, March 6th, we celebrated three of our senior athletes as they signed letters of intent for their respective colleges. Dani Brusha (Basketball, Holy Family University) eclipsed 1,000 points for her career during the team’s playoff run this year and helped the team win the league title last year. Vincent Frankina (Cross Country and Track and Field, West Chester University) has served as a captain for the Cross Country and Track and Field teams and helped contribute to the boys’ first XC District title since 2011 in the fall. Hannah Kideckel (Tennis, Swarthmore College) is a two-time PIAA Doubles Champion with her sister Rebecca Kideckel, and led the Girls Tennis team to a PIAA 2A Team Championship in the fall.

A big thank you goes out to the friends and family who came out to support these student-athletes in the Black Box Box Theater at the new high school. Congrats to you all, and Go Lions!!

We wanted to provide some information to families following our LMTSD Parent/Guardian Bullying Prevention Information survey. Below are some answers to some Frequently Asked Questions and information related to district procedures.

Are you aware of the anonymous reporting system being used in Pennsylvania, Safe2Say Something?

Safe2Say Something is a statewide anonymous, 24-7, reporting process for a variety of safety concerns. Click HERE for more information on this initiative.

Are you aware of the Lower Moreland Township School District Harassment/Bullying Reporting Form?

This form is used to gather information about incidents related to bullying. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators can all use this form. This form can be found on each school’s website. Click here to access these forms.

As a parent, I have a clear understanding of the school's policies, practices, and procedures related to issues of harassment and bullying.

All reported incidents related to bullying are investigated, regardless of how they are reported. The District Code of Conduct is the structure used to apply consequences. Cases are referred to the police if the nature of the incident requires it.

We continue to partner with students, staff, and families to provide a safe environment for all students.

Lower Moreland Township School District is committed to preventing all forms of bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment. For more information please see the district web site. In addition, please know that at the High School, bullying and harassment forms are available in the main office as well as the guidance office.

https://www.lmtsd.org/about-us/bullying-cyberbullying-prevention

Vaping Tool Kit: Please use the link below to access the Montgomery County Dept. of Health's vaping tool kit. It has educational materials on vaping and e-cigarettes.

http://www.montcopa.org/vapingtoolkit

Lower Moreland High School

Email: acurry@lmtsd.org
Website: lmtsd.org
Location: 555 Red Lion Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA, USA
Phone: 215-938-0220
Twitter: @LMTSD_LMHS