January 2024 Superintendent Update
Brrrr! We’ve had a taste of winter at the beginning of this month with a few delayed starts and snow days. The snow on Friday, January 19th was a beautiful snow, and I heard that many of our students took advantage of the snow day to enjoy sledding with family and friends at the high school as well as some other great hills in the area. My dog, Autumn, enjoyed rolling around in the snow making her version of a snow angel.
Winter weather may continue throughout February and March. As we did with Winter Storms Heather and Indigo, our District team will monitor weather forecasts and road conditions to make informed decisions regarding any future weather impacts on the school day schedule. We continue to put student and staff safety first--both on the roads in our community and in our ability to ensure parking lots and sidewalks are safe.
We have received a few questions about virtual learning days or Flexible Instruction Days (FID). With an approved application, Pennsylvania allows school districts to use up to 5 FIDs for weather-related emergencies. Any decision we make to utilize one of our 5 approved FIDs will be made with careful consideration of students’, families’ and staff members’ ability to prepare and access what is needed for such a day.
On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, the Board of School Directors approved the 2024-2025 District Calendar. The first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year for students in grades 1 through 12 is Tuesday, September 3rd. Kindergartners begin school on Wednesday, September 4th. Graduation for the Class of 2025 is scheduled for June 10, 2025, and the tentative last day of school is Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Beginning this spring, our district will embark on a year-long strategic planning process to set the direction for the Upper Moreland School District for the next five years (2025-2030). This process will include the finalization of our district’s revised equity statement, the creation of our vision for an Upper Moreland Future Ready Graduate and the development of long range goals in the areas of programming, personnel, finances, facilities, and partnerships.
It is important to include diverse perspectives from our community as we develop this plan. We will engage various partners in this process including students, staff, families, local businesses, community groups, and representatives of higher education.
If you are interested in contributing to the development of our strategic plan, I invite you to complete this brief interest survey by Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
Mr. Irwin earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting at the University of Pittsburgh and holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Carnegie Mellon University. His extensive experience includes serving as the Business Administrator at Neshaminy School District since 2019.
Earlier roles include business manager of various Pennsylvania School Districts including Greater Johnstown, Richland, Ligonier Valley, and Westmont Hilltop. Prior to his career in education, Mr. Irwin had a decade-long tenure as a finance officer in the Central Intelligence Agency.
Outside of work, Mr. Irwin and his wife Shelly have proudly raised four daughters, enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors. He looks forward to working with the administrative team and staff throughout the district to support the Upper Moreland students and community.
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.
Senior Ava Cleary has been selected to participate in the virtual 2024 Changemakers in STEM Youth Congress in February. As a participant in the congress, Ava will have the opportunity to learn from top STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) professionals and other students about current happenings in sustainability, aerospace engineering and AI.
Ava will have the opportunity to lend her voice about real world issues as she engages in conversations with business, community and education leaders in STEM. We are #UMProud of you Ava!
Abigale Bilotta, UMHS Senior
We are proud to announce that Abigale Bilotta was selected as Upper Moreland High School’s January 2024 Rotary Student of the Month.
Abby continues to inspire others through her work with both the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Peyton Heart Project. Abby created the ChrisSanthemum Project, an annual event that supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Peyton Heart Project. Since its inception, this project has successfully raised $48,000.
In addition to the ChrisSanthemum Project, Abby serves as the fundraising chairperson for the Peyton Heart Project, an organization dedicated to crafting hearts with the aim of raising awareness about suicide and bullying, as well as ending the stigma surrounding mental health issues. She also actively participates in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Eastern PA as a member of the leadership team and a speaker at events. Abby contributes to the Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Abby is enrolled in the Cosmetology program at the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology. Upon graduation, Abby plans to attend the Douglas Education Center and undertake the Tom Savini’s Special Makeup Effects Program. Subsequently, her aspirations revolve around joining the special makeup effects union and contributing to the movie makeup industry.
Congratulations to Abby! We are incredibly proud to celebrate Abby's achievements and her impact, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors!
Ms. Kelly Rhodunda, Upper Moreland Director of Transportation, earned status as a Pennsylvania Certified School Transportation Professional from the PA Association of School Business Officials (PASBO). To achieve this professional certification status by PASBO, Kelly completed coursework and demonstrated high personal, ethical and professional standards through a certification program.
Congratulations to Kelly Rhodunda! Upper Moreland is fortunate to have such a dedicated professional overseeing our transportation department.
