Murray Avenue School

Dear Murray Avenue Families and Community,

Welcome back! I hope your Spring Break was filled with relaxation, sunshine, and quality time with loved ones. Walking the halls these past three days, it is wonderful to see our 4th, 5th, and 6th graders returning with refreshed energy and plenty of stories to share.

As we turn the calendar to April, the "home stretch" of the school year is officially upon us. While the finish line is in sight, these next few months are arguably some of the most important for our students' growth.

Later this month, our students will begin the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). I know the word "testing" can sometimes cause a bit of butterflies, but at Murray Avenue, we view this as a chance for our students to show off everything they’ve mastered this year.

To help your child feel confident and ready, we focus on a "low-stress, high-effort" approach. You can support them at home by:

• Prioritizing Rest: A consistent bedtime makes a world of difference for focus.

• Fueling Up: A healthy breakfast provides the brainpower needed for long stretches of thinking.

• Encouragement: Remind them that these tests are just one way they show what they know—they are much more than a score!

Beyond testing, the final quarter is a whirlwind of deep learning, field trips, and end-of-year traditions. It is easy for students to catch "summer fever" a little early, but we are asking for your help in keeping them engaged.

We are pushing our students to remain Murray Avenue Strong: staying kind, staying curious, and staying committed to their classroom goals until the very last bell rings in June.

Important Dates to Note

• PSSA English Language Arts: 4/21, 4/22, 4/23

• PSSA Mathematics: 4/28, 4/29

• PSSA Science (5th Grade) 4/30, 5/1

• Upcoming Field Trips: Be on the look-out for permission slips!

Thank you for your continued partnership. It is the strength of this community that makes Murray Avenue such a special place for our children to learn and grow. Let’s make these final months the best ones yet!

Warmly,

Mr. Erin Stroup

Principal

Murray Avenue School

March

• 4/8 PTA Meeting

• 4/9 Classroom Group Pictures

• 4/21-4/23 PSSA ELA

• 4/28-4/29 PSSA Math

• 4/30, 5/1 PSSA Science (Grade 5)

At Murray Avenue School we emphasize respect, responsibility, and kindness—both in person and online. Please review these quick reminders with your child(ren):

• Think before you speak or act. Words and actions matter. Kind choices make a positive difference in our school community.

• Use devices appropriately. iPads and school-issued Chromebooks are for learning. Prank calls, spam messages, and texting classmates for non-school purposes violate the Student Code of Conduct.

• Outside behavior impacts school life. Actions outside of school hours, including online activity, texting, and inappropriate phone calls can affect relationships and learning during the day.

Please take a moment to review pages 30–32 of the Student Code of Conduct with your child. These pages outline expectations for responsible and respectful behavior. Click here to view.

Thank you for partnering with us to support a kind, safe, and respectful learning environment for all students.

Click on the image to view Logan Zanetich's featured artwork!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Just as a reminder, please take a moment to review the district’s policies and procedures regarding your child’s health.

If your child requires medication to be given during the school day, it is the policy of the LMTSD that:

-All medications to be administered must be brought to school by the parent/ guardian.

-All medications to be administered must be in the original container and prescription medication must be in the container with the prescription label attached, indicating dosage and dispensing information (https://www.boarddocs.com)

If your child has a fever of 100.4 or above, has vomited or has diarrhea he/she should not come to school. Your child may return to school when he/she has been fever free for 24 hours without medication, or has not vomited or had diarrhea for 24 hours.

Please refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding reporting student illness and documentation from a physician for absences.

If your child requires to stay in for recess for a medical reason, a doctor’s note must be provided. The note should include the reason and the specific dates he/she is required to not participate in recess.

If possible, please provide an extra set of clothing to keep in your child’s backpack/locker for emergencies.

Please remember to check your child’s head periodically for lice. Screening by parents on a regular basis allows for early detection.

If your child is in 6th Grade, and you have not provided a completed Physical Form, please do so as soon as possible.

Thank you for your help and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sharon Seefried RN, CSN sseefried@lmtsd.org

215-938-0230 ext. 4202

This is a reminder that Lower Moreland will utilize the Talking Points platform again this year. This will allow families to communicate with the district using whichever language they are the most comfortable with! You will receive communications via text message, however the experience is even better if you use the app, available for all platforms!

Lunch menus are posted on a new interactive website, Nutrislice. Our innovative and interactive site and mobile app make our school menus more convenient and informative than ever before! Download the Nutrislice App from the App Store or get it on Google Play and search Lower Moreland.

Friendly reminder that the universal free lunch has ended, however free breakfast will be continuing! Students that would like a free breakfast in the morning will walk straight to the cafeteria upon arrival. Students can eat breakfast in the cafeteria and granola bars, muffins, and cereal bars are also available if your student would like to save their breakfast for snack time.

Additionally, for the 2024-2025 school year, all students who are designated to receive “reduced” meals, will also be automatically qualified for free meals. There will be no reduced prices charged for the 2024-2025 school year.

The District is strongly encouraging families to fill out the Free and Reduced Applications if you believe your family will qualify. Information on income qualifications and paper applications can be found at : https://www.lmtsd.org/services/food-services-cafeteria-information

As field trips are scheduled, if you are unable to afford field trips, please reach out to your student's counselor, as assistance may be available.

Murray Avenue's Spring Book Fair is coming soon! From Monday, April 20 to 27, students will visit the Fair during their Library encore classes. Family & friends can attend the evening fair on 4/20 when we’re open until 7PM.

Consider setting your child up with a Book Fair eWallet for easy cash-free shopping.

And know that donating to the Share the Fair™ giving program helps provide students in need with opportunities to participate in the Fair who may otherwise not be able to.

Thanks in advance to all of you who'll generously volunteer your energy, time, and talents at the Fair - we couldn't do it without you!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Fair!

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/murrayavenuemiddlesch1

Website: https://murrayave.lmtsd.org/
Location: 2551 Murray Avenue, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
Phone: 215-938-0230

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