District Newsletter

Hello, Lower Moreland Community! We, the Student Representatives [Mia Dubin and

Edona Selamaj] for the 2024-2025 school year, are excited to share with you the latest updates

regarding the School Climate at Pine Road, Murray Avenue, Lower Moreland Middle School,

and Lower Moreland High School.

At Pine Road, families and students came together for the annual Multicultural Night, a

vibrant celebration of the diverse backgrounds that make up our school community. It was great

to see students proudly share their cultures through food, music, clothing, and performances. The

event was filled with joy, learning, and appreciation for one another.

Over at Murray Avenue, students enjoyed Indoor Field Day Activities, a fun and active

way to bond with classmates. From creative games to team-building challenges, it was a day

filled with school spirit, movement, laughs, and joy.

Meanwhile, at the Middle School, students showcased their talents during the spring

Music Concerts. It was inspiring to see the hard work and dedication of the students come to life

on stage. The performances were amazing!

Finally, at the High School, students and staff came together for the annual SOULstice

talent show. Seeing everyone from teachers to students singing, performing, and cheering each

other on made it a memorable event full of community pride and joy.

Additionally, we would like to take a moment to introduce the new Student

Representatives for the 2025–2026 school year:

● Yuki Wu (Class of 2027)

● Izabella Philip (Class of 2028)

We are confident they will continue to represent and lead the student body with pride and

dedication. Congratulations, Yuki and Izabella!

Lower Moreland High School had five National Merit Scholar Semifinalists: Ruhin Chakravarty, Tamara Kohmann, Rebecca Ling, Liya Ma, and Joshua Yoon.

A National Merit Scholar Semifinalist is a student who scores high enough on the PSAT/NMSQT to be recognized as a top performer in their state within the National Merit Scholarship Program. Semifinalists represent less than 1% of the nation's graduating seniors and are the first step in the competition for National Merit Scholarships.

The High School was notified in May that Tamara Kohmann and Rebecca A. Ling

were named as finalists. Natioanwide, a total of 2,500 scholars were chosen from 15,000 finalists to win the prestigious award. Each scholar will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Alyssa S Gottesman was also selected as a winner of the State Farm Companies Foundation Scholarship. Pursuant to an Agreement with National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), this Special Scholarship award is sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation.

Third Graders Master Multiplication with a Carnival Twist!
Our third graders recently celebrated their 4th annual Multiplication Carnival, transforming math fact practice into an exciting, carnival-style experience. This gamification makes applying their knowledge fun and engaging, helping them solidify essential multiplication facts without even realizing they're "studying." The event also saw incredible parent involvement and volunteerism, with parents and community members dedicating their time to run games and cheer on students. Their presence sent a powerful message to our students about the importance of their education and the support they have. Events like this highlight our commitment to innovative learning experiences that make education enjoyable and effective. A huge thank you to everyone who made this year's carnival a success!

The Spring issue of Lion's Roar, the student news site of LMHS, is available here. This issue features the Senior Superlatives, a recap of Mamma Mia!, and updates on the Future Business Leaders of America and Science Club competitions.

Thanks to Act 1, the Pennsylvania Taxpayer Relief Act, Lower Moreland Township School

District residents will be receiving a reduction in their 2025-26 school tax bill. Through a

provision of the law, school districts throughout the state will be receiving revenue generated

by legalized gambling as well as Sterling Tax revenue (the sum of (1) resident wages earned

within City of Philadelphia and (2) wages earned outside of Philadelphia but not taxed by the

school district because of application of the Philadelphia wage tax credit) and this revenue will

be used to lower residents’ property taxes.

The property tax reduction will come in the form of a reduction in property’s assessed taxable

value, not in the form of a rebate check. When residents receive the tax bills in July, they may

notice additional information on their bill noting an assessment reduction

(homestead/farmstead exclusion) which equates to a specific reduction in the overall tax

bill. Original assessed value totals and original tax liability information will also be noted on the

bill.

It is important to note that residents are only eligible for the property tax reduction if they have

filed the appropriate homestead/farmstead exclusion form and have been approved for the

exclusion by the county’s assessor’s office. The assessment reduction and net overall reduction

on the tax bill will be the same for all approved homeowners. In 2024/25, the amount of

revenue received helped to reduce eligible taxpayer’s tax burden by $572. The projection for

2025/26 is $631. This increase is the result of more Sterling Tax revenue received this year

versus the previous year as well as more statewide gambling proceeds.

If you did not file this form, you will not be eligible for this year’s property tax reduction. To

become eligible next year, please be sure to complete a homestead/farmstead exclusion

form. Homeowners who are not approved from the previous year are sent a notification by the

County by the end of December of the previous tax year to sign up for the next year. To obtain

a form, visit the assessment department on the Montgomery County website

(www.montcopa.org) and download the form.

Homestead/Farmstead applications are due by March 1 of every year. Residents who acquire

property in the school district after March 1 must wait until the following year to qualify for the

exclusion. The county assessor must notify the property owner of the approval or denial of the

exclusion no later than 30 days after the applications receipt. Residents who have an

approved application on file for their current residence do not need to re-apply annually.

American Legion Arthur V. Savage Post 100 gave scholarships to two LMHS Seniors, David Rietzin and Trent Stahl, for their community service. The students were recognized along with the LMHS football coaches, Dominic Gregorio and Jo-Van Rogers, at the Wyndmoor, PA Memorial Day Parade.

As part of their CAP field experience, one senior had the unique opportunity to work alongside the Tech Department at the middle school, gaining hands-on experience as a technician. Under the guidance of the school technician, the student helped diagnose device issues, perform basic Chromebook repairs, log equipment data, and assist both peers and staff with tech support. Expectations included maintaining professionalism, collaborating with the student tech team, and completing tasks such as verifying device ownership and cataloging equipment. This real-world experience helped the student build technical skills and confidence while laying the groundwork for future certification or career opportunities in the technology field.

Dennis H. Best, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Email: dbest@lmtsd.org
Website: www.lmtsd.org
Location: 2551 Murray Avenue, Huntingdon Valley, PA, USA
Phone: 215-928-0272