PRIDE News

Over two hundred students joined us for our Valley of Fear trip this year. Everyone went on the haunted hayride and then students could choose to visit Shipwreck Cove and Miles Manor Haunted House. Students enjoyed the DJ, snack stands and food trucks and hanging out with friends. This was our largest trip to date for Valley of Fear. Thank you to our chaperones, Ms. Ramirez, Mr. and Mrs. Handfinger, Mrs. Solomon, Ms. Pressler, Mr. Manning, Mrs. Patton, Mrs. Moss, and Ms. Reese. Thank you to our office staff for helping us organize our trip!

LMMS had a visit from motivational speaker Jordan Toma. Jordan shared his experiences with struggling in school with dyslexia, ADHD, and anxiety. He encouraged students to focus on who they are becoming through their struggles. He wrote the book, I’m Just a Kid with an IEP. After the school assembly, he visited with students. HIs story of resiliency in the face of academic challenges was a story students could relate to and be inspired by his success in many areas. Jordan has used social media to share his story and encourage others to overcome challenges. This activity was planned by our LMMS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council.

Advisory clubs started this month. Students are enjoying a wide variety of activities of their choice on Advisory day.

This year in the library we are offering a new course, Maker Lab, which provides students access to tech tools in a project-based learning framework. Students use the steps of the design thinking cycle to build empathy, define the problem, and ideate (quickly come up with many possible solutions). Students then build a prototype and test their design, repeating as needed.

This October we're working on Project Amplify, creating a 3D design for a physical smartphone amplifier. Students 3D designed and printed their amplifier, tested its function, and used a lightbox to photograph it. They then learned design software to create an advertisement to celebrate it. Below are some examples.

Grade 7 ELA classes read a text called, “Not Everything It Seems.” Students analyzed the positive and negative aspects of social media influencers and influencing. This informational text helped students see the reality behind what they’re actually seeing when they scroll through social media. It helped answer one of the essential questions being studied in the unit of about the blurry lines between perception and reality. Students created memes after they read the text to share their opinions on the world of social media influencing and influencers.

October is National Bullying Prevention month.

We will be reviewing important information with students about how to report issues related to bullying and harassment. We wanted to share this important information with our families so you could also reinforce these important messages.

Counselors:

Students can see a counselor about an issue they are having or if they are concerned about a friend. And, it doesn’t have to be something “big” to see a counselor!

Students can stop by their rooms or send an email to them asking to meet, and our counselors will follow up.

Our school counselor is Ms. Linda Helm who is in room 227A and email lhelm@lmtsd.org.

Our student support counselor is Mrs. Samantha Falconio who is room 109 and email sfalconio@lmtsd.org.

Reporting Bullying:

An important step in addressing bullying is encouraging students to report when they are having an issue. We encourage students to tell a trusted adult–a parent, a coach, or any staff member.

Students can email counselors or administrators or stop in the office to report in person.

LMMS CARES Reporting Form

Students who do not feel comfortable reporting in person or by email can report issues to us using our anonymous digital reporting system called LMMS CARES Reporting Form.

When students use this Google form, it goes directly to principals and counselors to be investigated. The form is located on our website under Announcements. LMMS CARES can be used for any concern that a student has that they feel needs our attention. This does not have to be related to bullying or harrassment.

Safe2Say Something Reporting System

All public schools in Pennsylvania use the Safe2Say Something reporting system, which is used for a number of important purposes. We encourage students to use this system in emergency situations when they need to report instances of students threatening to harm themselves, or making a threat to other people, or the school. It can also be used to report bullying as well. Our students use this system effectively to support their friends and to report concerns not during school hours. Parents can use this as well. If there are concerns about students in another school, this system delivers reports to all Pennsylvania Schools.

We always encourage direct reporting of concerns to administrators, but in the event that this is not possible, this system should be used. These reports go directly to Lower Moreland administrators and the Lower Moreland Police. Click HERE for more information about this program.

Middle school is a challenging age for peer issues. Students often need adults to support them as they navigate some of these issues. When issues arise, we want to know about them, and we will support students as we work to address issues.

Click here for Winter Sports Information from Mr. Rob Dominick.

Girls Basketball

Coach: Karen Reese (kreese@lmtsd.org)

Girls Basketball tryouts will take place on 10/28/24, 10/29/24, and 10/30/24 from 3:15-4:45 PM in the LMMS gym.

Boys Basketball

Coach: Fallon Landes (flandes@lmtsd.org)

Boys Basketball tryouts will take place the week of December 9th or 16th in the LMMS gym. Additional information will be forthcoming. The first official practice date for Boys Basketball is 1/2/25.

Wrestling

Coach: William Joyce (wjoyce@lmtsd.org)

Wrestling will begin on 12/2/24. Coach Joyce will be holding an informational meeting in November prior to the official start date.

Cheerleading

Coach: Lynn Godfrey (lgodfrey@lmtsd.org)

Cheerleading will begin on 1/2/25, and practices will be on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 3-4:15 during the season.

All athletes must be registered on Family ID and have a completed PIAA Pre-Participation Physical Form. The links are below:

https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/lower-moreland-township-school-district

https://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/PIAA_CIPPE_FORMS_SECTION(S)_1_-_10(1).pdf

This year we have a school-wide focus on executive functioning skills. Click here to learn about simple ways to help your child get started on homework. Task initiation is an important executive function.

-School picture retakes or make up photos are scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

-Looking for something? Our Lost and Found is iin the cafeteria on a table! Please check there for misplaced or forgotten items.

Jack-o-Lantern Pizza pick up is October 30!

Website: www.lmtsd.org