April 2024 Superintendent Update
Greetings, Upper Moreland Community!
It’s official! The last day of school for students is Friday, June 7th. Between now and the final day, students, staff and families will participate in many end of year activities to celebrate our accomplishments and have fun as a school community. I encourage you to make note of the activities below. Building principals will provide more detailed information about these and other events at each school.
Our new app and website launched at the end of March.
We continue to fine tune both tools to meet the needs of our schools and community.
We’d love your feedback. Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback using the link below.
Renovations at our new Administration Building located at
509 Davisville Road are complete. During May and June, staff in the current Administration Building located on the high school campus will relocate to the new building.
Beginning in May, all Board meetings will be held at the new Administration Building.
At the April 30, 2024 Board meeting, the Board adopted the final policy in the series focused on student rights and responsibilities. Each policy in the series outlines Board direction in a specific area and includes several sections.
Policy 235.1 focuses on student rights and includes the following sections: student expression, dress and grooming, student involvement in decision making, student complaints/concerns, transgender and gender diverse students, students experiencing homelessness, foster care or other educational instability, and pregnant, parenting or married students.
On Wednesday, May 15th from 6-9pm Upper Moreland Middle School will host a celebration of the arts. The community is invited to join an evening of creativity, community, and culture.
The UMMS commons area will transform into a vibrant showcase of artistic expression. From 6-7pm, attendees can immerse themselves in a feast for the senses with a magnificent display of student artwork alongside delectable hors d’oeuvres prepared by the talented Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) students. Attendees can also engage their creativity at our community crafts tables and a photobooth station.
Beginning at 7pm, the UMMS students will perform their Spring Orchestra and Choral concert in the auditorium. Prepare to be swept away by our talented musicians as they showcase their dedication and skill. They've worked hard and are excited to share their skills with the community!
Mark your calendars and join us on May 15th as we come together to Celebrate the Arts at Upper Moreland Middle School.
As part of their Feeding School Kids initiative, Upper Moreland received more than $9,200 from the Giant Company to combat childhood hunger through supporting our school food programs. Thank you to Giant and our community members who rounded up at the register. The funds donated to Upper Moreland will help provide lunches to those families who struggle to pay for school lunches for their children.. Thank you to all who donated and thank you GIANT for helping Upper Moreland eliminate child hunger! Together we are ensuring students have access to the nutrition they need to grow and fuel their education.
Every year, the Upper Moreland Education Foundation (UMEF) provides grants to our classroom teachers to support various projects or classroom needs. We are grateful to UMEF for their investment in education.
This year, UMEF donated more than $55,000 in grants to teachers. Funds supported supplemental classroom materials, technology, books, STEAM materials, author visits and more. Here is a list of this year’s grant awardees in alphabetical order by grant proposal.
African American Read-IN Event: Author Visit - Sarah Levy, UMMS
Beanie Bounce - Shannon Meakim, UMHS Post Prom
Bear Book Den - Kelly Gallagher, UMPS & UMIS
Book Breaks: Where Reading Comes Alive - Kelly Gallagher, UMPS, UMIS, UMMS
Classroom Materials Grants - Jessica Seeton, Hannah Garlanger, Michelle Ly, Natalie Wolfenden, Crystal Holder, Katherine Layton, UMPS
Coding - Michelle Clark, UMMS
Decodable Readers - Julie Stapleton, UMPS
Digital Art Tools: Enhancing Art Making Through iPads - Julie Shea, UMMS
ELD Classroom Wishlist - Lisa Buzgon, UMPS, UMIS
ELD Furniture - Jennifer Monastero, UMMS
Family and Consumer Sciences Enrichment - Angelina Fedell, UMMS
Flexible Seating / Math Manipulatives / Diversity Books - Taylor Goldsworthy, UMIS
Flexible Seating /Tier Seating / Classroom Library - Beth Brook, UMIS
iPads for Music Use - Kayla Reiner, UMPS
New Smartboards - Dawn Monaghan, Leigh Ann Hall, Tricia Creneti, UMPS
Purple & Gold Day - Kerri Cummings, UMHS
Severe Weather Project - Angela Cannon, UMIS
STEAM Bins - Rachael Busler, UMIS
Use of YMCA Zero-Entry Pool for Special Needs Students - Kristen Soleau, UMPS
Whole Phonics Books - Jennifer Juckniewitz, UMPS
Many thanks to UMEF and their generous donors for your support of our students and staff! Go Bears!
Jackson Costello, UMHS Senior
The April Rotary Student of the Month is Jackson Costello. Jackson has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and a commitment to service throughout his high school career. He embodies the Rotary Club's values of providing service to others, promoting integrity, and advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace.
In the classroom, Jackson's positive attitude, enthusiasm, and willingness to collaborate make him a standout student. He approaches every task with determination and an open mind, often subtly assuming leadership roles within group projects. His induction into the National Honor Society as a junior and his continued maintenance of a high GPA are a testament to his academic excellence.
Beyond academics, soccer is Jackson's passion. Playing for Upper Moreland High School's soccer team, he has not only excelled as a player but also demonstrated exemplary leadership as team captain. His achievements on the field, including being named First Team All-League in his senior year, have led to his recruitment to play soccer for Alvernia University next year. Additionally, Jackson contributes his talents to the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals club soccer team.
In his spare time, Jackson selflessly gives back to the community by volunteering with The Superhero Project, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families with babies in NICU centers. Through his efforts with The Superhero Project, Jackson helps assemble care packages for distribution in hospitals across the region, providing comfort and support to families during challenging times.
Jackson Costello's remarkable dedication to academics, athletics, and community service truly embodies the spirit of the Rotary Club's mission. Upper Moreland High School is immensely proud of Jackson's achievements and congratulates him on being named the Rotary Club's Student of the Month.
Congratulations Jackson! You make us UM Proud!
Claire Zabalou, a senior at Upper Moreland High School, is enthusiastically pursuing her interest in healthcare through the Allied Health program at the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN). Her dedication and hard work have paid off as she recently secured a coveted spot in the prestigious Perry Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania. The Perry Initiative inspires young women to be leaders in Orthopedic Surgery and Engineering by partnering with medical centers, universities, and high schools nationwide.
In March, Claire and a fellow student from EASTERN's Allied Health program delved into an exciting journey at the Perry Outreach Program. This exclusive, one-day event immerses participants in hands-on surgery modules and provides invaluable mentorship from trailblazing women surgeons and engineers. Claire was one of only 40 students chosen to participate.
Claire's path to a medical career was deeply influenced by a personal tragedy in fifth grade when a school friend succumbed to pediatric cancer. This event profoundly impacted Claire, steering her thoughts toward a future in healthcare. "Allied Health is equipping me with the foundational skills essential for any healthcare profession," Claire remarked gratefully. When Mrs. Allison Latzo, her instructor, introduced her to the Perry Initiative, Claire seized the opportunity, recognizing it as a chance to explore new horizons.
Claire is currently in the process of finalizing her college choices, with a focus on majoring in Biology. Through EASTERN’s dual credit partnership with Montgomery County Community College, she will graduate from Allied Health having earned six transferable college credits. Through Allied Health, she has also earned import certifications such as First Aid and Stop the Bleed. Her ambitious career goal is to become a Neurosurgeon. Reflecting on her experience at the Perry Initiative, Claire shared, "We discovered that you could pursue both an MD and a PhD. I don't want to compromise between surgery and research." Her plan involves three years of medical school followed by a fourth year dedicated to completing her doctorate, a path that integrates her passions seamlessly."
In an electrifying Girls Varsity Lacrosse match against Archbishop Wood, junior Annalise Messina etched her name in sports history by reaching her 200th goal milestone. The achievement is not just a testament to her skills and focus on the field but also a reflection of her dedication and hard work over the years.
Messina has been a force to be reckoned with in both girls' soccer and lacrosse, boasting an impressive track record as a three-year starter in both sports. Her stellar performance has earned her numerous accolades, including being named to the First Team All-League for girls' soccer in 2022 and girls' lacrosse in 2023.
Looking ahead, Messina's journey in sports is far from over. With her exceptional talent and work ethic, she has already secured a commitment to play lacrosse at Rutgers University, a testament to her love of her sport and desire to continue playing at a high level.
Congratulations Annalise!
Meet the “Keystone Kid”
In 2026, the United States will be celebrating its 250th Anniversary. The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future.
Part of the celebration included giving PA students the opportunity to participate in a contest to create a name for the PA mascot. One of Upper Moreland's 2nd graders, Finley Dunn, entered the Name Our Mascot competition last year and won with the name "Keystone Kid!" Finley and his family were invited to Harrisburg to take part in the launch video for the Keystone Kid on March 27, 2024. Congratulations to Finley!
At the annual Military Signing Day on Wednesday, April 24th, Upper Moreland High School honored two Seniors who will be joining the military after graduation. Their families joined the event to help celebrate their commitment to serve their country in the armed forces. We are extremely proud of each of these students and thank them for serving our country.
- Brooke Lobban - Naval Academy
- Kamryn Deveer-Jackson - Navy
