September's Gator Guide

What a great first two weeks of school for our gators! Our year started with learning our Gator Expectations in our classrooms and around our school. Students worked hard to Be Ready, Be Respectful and Be Responsible!

• 9/14 - PTC Ice Cream Social 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• 9/16 - Open House 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• 9/17 - PTC Choolaah Fundraiser 10:45 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• 9/21 - No School - Yom Kippur
• 9/29 - Picture Day; Health Screenings
• 9/30 - Scholastic Book Fair Begins; Health Screenings

We are excited to host our Open House on Wednesday, September 16, 2026! We ask that only parents and guardians attend this event and to keep children at home. This night will provide you with lots of information and will focus around what your children will be learning throughout the year whole group versus individual conversations about your child. Please know you an reach out to our teachers at anytime to schedule conversations or meetings regarding your child.

We will begin in our Gym with some important information from Miss Capp. We will then run two classrooms sessions. We encourage you to visit some of our community tables to learn more about some great opportunities for this year.

Open House Schedule

6:00 - 6:20 - Gym with Updates from Miss Capp and Introduction of Staff

6:30 - 6:50 p.m. - Classroom Session #1

7:00 - 7:20 p.m. - Classroom Session #2

* Please visit our community partner tables before, after, or between session.

Throughout the week, we will be capturing the many amazing things that happen in our Gulph Community. Some of these moments will be shared to our Gulph Social Medias (Facebook and Instagram - Coming Soon). In the meantime, we will be sharing these moments through the district social media.

If you do not wish to have your child's photo being taken and or shared, please email Miss Capp at jcappuccino@umasd.org .

September 11 Resource Toolkit:

Pennsylvania’s September 11 Resource Toolkit provides educators with clear,

age‐appropriate resources to teach the history, impact, and legacy of 9/11. Designed to

support thoughtful, accurate instruction, the toolkit includes lesson plans, primary

sources, and classroom activities that help students understand the significance of 9/11

and its lasting effects on our nation and world.

The toolkit provides access to educational materials on the events of 9/11, including

videos, lesson plans, and classroom resources adaptable for virtual or in-person

learning. It’s a ready‐to‐use guide that strengthens civic learning and supports

meaningful classroom conversations.

All materials in this toolkit are cited as vetted resources and are not necessarily a

comprehensive collection. Per Act 25, this model curriculum covers the events of 9/11,

the historical context of terrorism, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the

Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the

American recovery and response to the attacks, Global challenges and consequences

in a post-September 11 world.

September Newsletter:

September School Community Engagement Newsletter

September 15th- Hispanic Heritage Month Begins:

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States from September 15th to October 15th each year. It is a time to recognize and honor the contributions, culture, and history of Hispanic and Latino Americans. The celebration starts on September 15th because it marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile.

Below is a Hispanic Heritage Month presentation to share with your students. Learn about the language, food, music, dances, festivals, celebrations, and storytelling traditions. Also, check out the Upper Merion Area School District Hispanic Heritage Month Video featuring our very own staff!!

Hispanic Heritage Month Presentation

Upper Merion Area School District Hispanic Heritage Month Video (For staff and student viewing)

September 11th-13th Rosh Hashanah:

Beginning at sundown on September 11th, members of our Jewish community will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This holiday marks a period of reflection, rejoicing, hope, renewal, and celebrating community. A central tradition of the holiday is sounding the shofar (a ram’s horn) and enjoying sweet foods like apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet and fruitful year ahead. Shana Tova (good and sweet year)!

What is Rosh Hashanah? | Rosh Hashanah for Kids | Jewish New Year

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/rosh-hashanah-101/

September 20th-21st Yom Kippur:

Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It begins at sundown on September 20th and concludes at nightfall on September 21st. Yom Kippur marks the end of the High Holy Days that begin with Rosh Hashanah. It is a sacred day spent in reflection, asking for forgiveness, and setting positive intentions for the year ahead. Some members of our school community may be observing by fasting, praying, and attending service. Gmar Chatimah Tovah (a good final sealing)!

September 15th World Afro Day:

September 15th is World Afro Day. This day is dedicated to celebrating the natural hair, culture, and identity of people with Afro-textured hair, while promoting inclusion and hair positivity. Families can use this day as an opportunity to talk about embracing natural beauty, respecting diverse cultures, and standing against hair discrimination. Students may wear an afro to show they are proud of who they are. https://www.worldafroday.com/

The CROWN Act stands for "Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair." It is a legislative initiative designed to prohibit race-based hair discrimination, which includes the denial of employment and educational opportunities due to hair texture or protective hairstyles. Pennsylvania's CROWN Act took effect on January 24, 2026, after Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 439 into law on November 25, 2025.

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phrc/legal-resources/policy-and-law/hair-protections

LOVE YOUR CROWN STUDIO MONTAGE

Please review our Arrival and Dismissal Procedures.

We have 3 ways to Arrive and Dismiss to School!

• Car Line - Please bring with you your numbered card and remain in your car. One of our staff members will help your child get in/out of your vehicle. New families will receive your numbered card on the first day of school.
• Bus
• Walker

In the event you need to change your child's dismissal for the day, we ask that you:

• Send in a written note or email indicating the change in dismissal routine for the day.
• Inform us no later than 2 PM.

If your child arrives past 8:50 a.m., please enter the main entrance of the building and accompany your child(ren) into the main office and submit a note explaining the lateness. This process should be followed prior to the child(ren) reporting to their classroom.

Each day our schedule provides the opportunity for students to have snack in their classroom. We ask that you send your child to school with a snack each day. Our school does not provides students with snacks.

Please see the attached photo and document for more information on how to track your child's bus route!

If you have any questions regarding busses, please reach out to:

Diana Wescott, Location Manager

Diana.Westcott@Firststudentinc.com

610-337-1092

Angela Milbourne, Location Dispatcher

Angela.Milbourne@firststudentinc.com

610-337-1092

Halime (Mimi) Avdijaj, Location Dispatcher

halime.avdijaj@firststudentinc.com

610-337-1092

Upper Merion Area School District is a sponsor of the School Nutrition Program (SNP) that provides healthy meals following the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program meal patterns.

For the 2026-2027 School Year, FREE BREAKFAST FOR ALL WILL CONTINUE!

In addition, there will be no charge for students who are in the "Reduced Pay" category for lunch!

For lunch, your household must be either "Directly Certified" or have an approved meal application (approved either as Free OR Reduced) in order for your child to receive a free lunch. You will receive an email and/or letter in the mail from Food Service notifying you in either case. If you have not received a letter or email, then your student is at a "Full Pay" status. If you believe, even remotely, that you may qualify, please fill out an application at www.SchoolCafe.com.

See our menus here.

Looking for more information regarding our food services? Click here.

Right At School is an organization that currently provides highly-regarded, quality services both in local school districts as well as throughout the country. The fee-based services offer a curriculum that features hands-on learning, multi-sensory activities, child-driven projects, daily fitness, team building, and leadership development. The program will offer options for families to attend before-school, after-school or both. Right At School’s highly trained educators make sure the learning carries on before and after school in a fun and meaningful manner with fun-filled programs focused on building creativity, conditioning, character and confidence.

Right At School allows us to increase the number of participants who need this most important service while guaranteeing the elimination of waiting lists as well as providing outstanding service to the families of this community. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our students and we want to provide all families with the opportunity for a comprehensive in-school program. Information regarding Right at School and the registration process may be found by going to www.rightatschool.com

Looking to register your child for Right at School? Click here.

• Principal - Julieann Cappuccino - jcappuccino@umasd.org
• Administrative Assistant - Heather O'Donnell - hodonnell@umasd.org
• Attendance - Barb Johnson - bajohnson@umasd.org
• Guidance Counselor - Missi Besz - mbesz@umasd.org
• School Nurse - Dina Walsh - dwalsh@umasd.org
• Social Worker - Pat Berger - pberger@umasd.org