Springton Lake Middle School
Every Student. Every Day. No Matter What.
Pennsylvania School to Watch
Email: Rbuterbaugh@rtmsd.org
Website: https://www.rtmsd.org
Location: 1900 North Providence Road, Media, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 627-6500
September 4, 2026
Welcome back, Spartan Families!
What a great first week at The Lake! From welcoming our newest Spartans on Monday to seeing our hallways filled with families at Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, it was an exciting and positive start to the school year.
It was wonderful to see our students reconnecting, building new relationships, and settling into their routines. We were also grateful for the incredible turnout at Back-to-School Night as families met teachers, visited classrooms, and learned more about the year ahead. The positive energy throughout the week set a great tone for the year ahead!
Be sure to check out some photos below capturing our first few days together.
Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making our opening week such a success. Enjoy a well-deserved Labor Day weekend! As a reminder, there is no school Monday. We look forward to seeing everyone back at The Lake on Tuesday.
Sincerely,
Ryan Buterbaugh
Principal
🎉 Springton Lake Spirit Wear is OPEN! ❤️💛
Transportation
The Transportation Department has completed scheduling of bus routes for the 2026-27 school year. In addition to the letter that you should have received in the mail, please check the My Ride K-12 app for estimated pick-up and drop-off times. The routes will continue to be updated as new students enroll into our buildings, so please check the app before the first day of school to ensure that you have the most accurate times. For details on setting up the My Ride K-12 app, please go to the Transportation Department web page. If the route shown in the My Ride K-12 app is still incorrect or is missing, please contact the Transportation Department at 610-627-6475.
Student Handbook Updates
A few important revisions for the 2026–2027 school year include updates related to student bags, attendance and participation in after-school activities, make-up work, and extended absences due to medical conditions.
Student Bags - To help maintain a safe, organized, and efficient learning environment, students are assigned lockers for storing backpacks, jackets, musical instruments, sports equipment, and other large personal items during the school day. Small personal bags that can be stored safely beneath a student's assigned seat may be carried between classes, provided they do not create a safety concern or disrupt school operations. Large backpacks, duffel bags, tote bags, and other oversized bags must be stored in lockers or designated storage areas unless otherwise approved by school administration. Students should carry only the materials needed for their next class. Designated locker times are provided for each grade level to exchange books and other necessary materials throughout the school day.
Students have from 7:47 to 7:55 a.m. to visit their lockers before homeroom for their first locker stop of the day. Additional designated locker stops will be shared by teams and during homeroom.
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices
To keep classrooms focused and learning uninterrupted, all wireless devices, including cell phones, smart watches, earbuds, and similar devices, must be OFF and AWAY during the school day unless a teacher gives a specific academic reason to use them. Students will be reminded each morning to power down their devices.
Please let your child know that you will not be texting or calling during school hours. If a student needs to reach a parent, a staff member can provide permission. In an emergency, the main office is the best way to get in touch. More details are available in the Springton Lake Student Handbook.
Thank you for helping us create a safe, distraction-free learning environment!
2026-27 SLMS Interscholastic Sports Registration
As we begin planning for the 2026-27 school year, students interested in participating in Springton Lake Middle School athletics should complete their registration as soon as possible.
To be eligible to participate, students must:
Be enrolled in 7th or 8th grade
Complete the online registration through ArbiterSports. This includes submitting a completed PIAA physical examination form signed by a physician and dated May 1, 2026, or later. A copy of the required form is available here and on the athletics webpage.
The registration can be accessed through this ArbiterSports link or by visiting the Springton Lake Middle School Athletics webpage and selecting the Arbiter icon.
The registration window for the 2026-27 school year will remain open throughout the summer, allowing families flexibility in scheduling and completing physical examinations. Once completed, you will receive an email from Arbiter Sports informing you if the registration has been approved or if a correction needs to be made.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Bill Booth, Athletic Director – wbooth@rtmsd.org
Caitlin Judge, Athletic Director – cjudge@rtmsd.org
We look forward to another great year of SLMS athletics!
Nurse
6th grade students
Pennsylvania School Health Law requires physical examinations for children in 6th grade.
Physical exam forms are due to the school nurse at Springton Lake by the first week of school. The physical exam should be one that has been performed within a year prior to the start of 6th grade. Any physical examination dated after September 1, 2025 is acceptable.
7th grade students
Students are required to have a Tdap booster and a meningitis vaccination upon entrance to 7th grade. In addition, a dental examination is required for students entering 7th grade. Any dental examination dated after September 1, 2025 is acceptable. Please send in documentation of the immunizations and a dental examination if you have not done so already.
If your student requires medication to be administered at school during the 2026–2027 school year, a written, signed order from a licensed prescriber, along with a completed Student Medication Authorization form, is required. Medications at school including EpiPens and inhalers need to be renewed every school year. Please see the Administrations of Medication policy for instructions.
Please contact our school nurse, Kristin Hartner, with any questions.
Thanks!
Student Lunch Accounts
As we get closer to the start of the school year, we are asking for your help to resolve any outstanding balances on your child's lunch account. Funds may be added electronically online or by cash or check in the cafeteria. We appreciate your cooperation!
Parent Teacher Group
The Springton Lake Middle School Parent Teacher Group (PTG) is a volunteer organization open to all parents and guardians and teachers who work together to provide educational enrichment, a sense of community, and school support in the spirit of cooperation and fun.
The work of the PTG is made possible from donations made by our families. More information about donating to the PTG will be included in subsequent newsletters.
The PTG will meet at 6:30 PM in the Library on the following dates:
10/13, 11/17, 1/12, 3/9, 05/11. Everyone is invited to attend.
For more information about the PTG, please contact:
President ~ Carlie Ali-Hassan ~ president@slmsptg.org
Vice President ~ Staci McArdle ~ vp@slmsptg.org
Treasurer ~ Natalie Steager ~ treasurer@slmsptg.org
Secretary ~ Emily Catanese ~ secretary@slmsptg.org
Administration and School Counselors
School Counselors:
Ms. Lisa Clay - Grade 6 - Extension 6509
Ms. Caitlin Judge - Grade 7 - Extension 6717
Ms. Margie Gilroy - Grade 8 - Extension 6507
Administrators
Mr. Ryan Buterbaugh - Principal - Extension 6501
Dr. Devin Layton - Assistant Principal, Grades 7 & 8 Last Names A-L - Extension 6504
Ms. Chris Fleming - Assistant Principal, Grades 6 & 8 Last Names M-Z -Extension 6505
School Pictures
Thank you for having us at Springton Lake Middle School for the 2026 school year.
Paper flyers will be mailed to the school shortly for School Pictures scheduled on 09/24/2026.
Please note: The jpeg of the web banner has the access code embedded in it for your school to be able to put on the school’s website for parents to access the storefront ordering site.
Please share this banner with your families so that they have the opportunity to pre-order a picture package.
What to expect on picture day
- When an order is placed online, the parent/guardian will receive a camera pass via email. This can either be printed or texted to the student and brought to picture day. The photographer will photograph the printed camera pass along with the student.
- If a student is not able to print their camera pass, that is not a problem. We will match up the student to their order manually in the production process.
- A parent may order from the flyer up until 24 hours after picture day. After 24 hours, the online ordering access may close. This will allow our imaging team to "Pull" all orders submitted and match them with the students photographed.
- When pictures are returned to school, all students that purchased pictures will receive their prepaid package. Any student that was photographed but did not order a package, will receive a "Proof" (PX) of their picture that was taken on picture day.
All proof packages offer parents a second opportunity to order prints. All orders are subject to shipping and handling costs of up to $8.50 and will be shipped directly to home.
Access School Picture Day Flyer and Web Banner
Access our secure site by clicking here: www.pictureportal.org or copy and paste this into your Chrome browser. Google Chrome is the required browser to run this site.
If you do not have your login information, on the login screen you can click Forgot Password to have your password reset and emailed to you.
• Click on Photo Events on the left menu
• Find the event for your upcoming picture day (school pictures, class groups, etc.)
• Click the View (first icon) to download the Flyer or to resend the email for your web banner link
Feel free to contact your Sales Representative with any questions that you may have about picture day.
Thank you for your cooperation, we look forward to a smooth and successful picture day!
Attendance
Regular school attendance is essential for success in school and contributes to the development of good work habits, a sense of responsibility, and self-discipline.
Call our Absentee Voicemail Hotline (610-627-6500, ext. 2) each day the student is absent. Absence is the non-attendance of a student on those days in which school is in session.
- In addition to the telephone call, a written note, or completing this FORM indicating the reason for the absence must be submitted upon the student’s return to school.
All families will continue to receive an automated telephone call whenever a student is marked absent in homeroom. The call will be sent regardless if you have called the attendance hotline. This is an enhanced safety procedure that we are pleased to have available.
Upcoming Events
The SLMS online calendar has many of our school events already posted. Additionally, a monthly snapshot is provided for upcoming events
Full-year Calendar of Events - click on the PDF
Clearances
We are excited to welcome your involvement and participation in our school as a chaperone for our school trips or as a volunteer for various events and activities. If you anticipate wanting to chaperone or volunteer, please keep in mind that you are required to have valid clearances on file with the Rose Tree Media School District. More information on this process can be found in the Parent Portal.
Penncrest High School Information
Penncrest Sports 2026-2027
If you are interested in playing a sport next year at Penncrest HS, please visit the following web page: https://phs.rtmsd.org/athletics/overview
Family ID Registration for all Penncrest Fall sports will open in late-June and all registrations should be completed 1 week before the 1st practice date in order to start on time.
Winter registration opens in October and Spring in February.
Registrations close on the 1st practice date since rosters are turned in to the PIAA- no exceptions. When in doubt, register in advance.
1st tryout/practice dates for 2026-2027:
8/10/26 Football
8/17/26 All other Fall sports-see list on our webpage
11/20/26 Winter Sports-see list on our webpage
3/8/27 Spring Sports-see list on our webpage
***Most sports practice/compete on Saturdays, Christmas Break and Spring Break (Mon-Thurs). Please keep that in mind before planning vacations.