UMASD Community Weekly Newsletter

• October 19 | School Board Finance Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM (Virtual - click here)
• October 20 | Wing Bowl, 6:00 PM (HS Gym)
• October 22 | Powderpuff Football Game, 6:30 PM (Viking Stadium)
• October 23 | Homecoming Tailgate, 5:30 PM (High School Entrance)
• October 23 | Homecoming Football Game, 7:00 PM (Viking Stadium)

We are pleased to share two exciting leadership updates within Upper Merion Area School District! Please read the message below from Superintendent Dr. Tamara Thomas Smith, highlighting the appointments of Moira E. Murphy as Director of Teaching & Learning and Julie Overly as Supervisor of Humanities.

Please join us in welcoming Moira E. Murphy to the district as our new Director of Teaching & Learning. While Moira was recently named our Supervisor of Humanities, she fared so exceptionally well during that interview process that she was asked to return to interview for the Director role. She brings over ten years of experience driving schoolwide improvement and fostering high-performing learning communities. Her expertise spans curriculum development, instructional coaching, and managing comprehensive Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Previously, as the Coordinator of Teaching & Learning at Centennial School District, she led instructional impact and supported school improvement priorities. Holding a Master's degree from Holy Family University and having completed the School Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania, Moira possesses the advanced training necessary to organize, implement, and evaluate our K-12 academic programs. With her robust background, including serving as a Professional Learning Specialist for the School District of Philadelphia, we are thrilled to have her step into this vital role overseeing our educational initiatives and providing direct administrative coaching to our instructional supervisors.

Please join us in welcoming Julie Overly to her new district leadership role as the Supervisor of Humanities. Transitioning from her highly effective work as an Instructional Coach, Julie brings 25 years of student-centered experience to this position. As Supervisor, she will be responsible for organizing, coordinating, and evaluating the K-12 English/Language Arts and Social Studies, with a focus on the vertical articulation between elementary and secondary education. Julie's strengths in designing professional development workshops, leading data-driven instructional coaching cycles, and collaborating on the district-wide MTSS framework for literacy will be invaluable as she drives curricular innovation and systemic review. With diverse global teaching experience and her Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction Certification from Arcadia University, Julie is well-equipped to empower our educators and elevate student learning outcomes across the humanities.

Homecoming Week is here! Upper Merion Area High School is gearing up for a week filled with school spirit, special activities, and opportunities for students to show their Viking Pride! Families are encouraged to review the schedules below for details on upcoming events and Spirit Week themes.

• Homecoming Week Event Schedule

• Homecoming Spirit Week Themes

Homecoming Dance: Saturday, October 24

The Homecoming Dance will take place from 7:00–9:30 PM in the High School Gymnasium. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased during lunch in the HS Commons on October 19, 20, and 22, or online through RevTrak through October 24 at 3:00 PM. Select "Upper Merion Events" and use the student's ID as the password.

The dance is open to UMAHS students only, with no outside guests permitted. Students must review the UMAHS Dance Agreement before purchasing tickets.

We look forward to a great week of Viking Pride!

Upper Merion Area High School held its College & Career Readiness Day on Wednesday, October 14, providing students across all grade levels with opportunities to explore their futures and prepare for life after high school. Freshmen participated in career exploration activities, including presentations from guest speakers representing different career fields, while sophomores and juniors took the PSAT. Seniors had opportunities to visit colleges, explore career shadowing experiences, and receive assistance with college applications and essays.

This video focuses on the ninth-grade experience, where students heard from career speakers, learned about different professions, and gained valuable insight into potential career pathways. The day reinforced UMAHS's commitment to helping students make informed decisions about their futures, whether they pursue college, technical training, or a career.

It's been an exciting stretch for Upper Merion Athletics, with several teams and student-athletes earning recognition at the Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC) Championships!

• Girls Volleyball: The Vikings captured the PAC Frontier Division and advanced to the PAC Final Four Championships, which Upper Merion Area High School will host this week! The team will face Spring-Ford on Monday, October 19, at 5:00 PM, with the winner advancing to the championship match on Wednesday, October 21, at 7:00 PM, also at UMAHS. Congratulations as well to Emily Nguyen, who reached an impressive milestone of 1,000 career assists! Come out and cheer on our Vikings as they compete for the PAC Championship!

• Girls Tennis: The doubles team of Lily Flores-Hameric and Lola Fuenfstueck finished third at the PAC Championships, qualifying for the District Championship Tournament. Their finish was the highest by an Upper Merion doubles team since joining the PAC!

• Golf: Jack Foster earned a medal at the PAC Championships and competed in the District One Championship Tournament.

• Boys Cross Country: The Vikings finished third at the PAC Championships, marking the team's highest finish since joining the conference! Individual medalists included Billy Myers (6th), Julian Succart-Lora (17th), Bryan Cuahuey Carranza (18th), and Nikola Ameztoy (19th).

Congratulations to all our Viking student-athletes and coaches on these outstanding accomplishments!

We also shared our evening with community partners such as the Upper Merion Community Cupboard, the Upper Merion Township Library, and the Norristown Literacy Council. Families also received information about our Adult ESL classes, Cultural Heritage Club, and school Parent-Teacher Councils.

We grateful for the opportunity to bring our community together and look forward to celebrating this tradition for years to come!

We're excited to share that each of our elementary schools now have an official district-managed Facebook page!

Follow your school's page to stay connected with the latest news, events, celebrations, and everyday moments happening in our classrooms and school communities.

These pages are managed by the Upper Merion Area School District and serve as an official source of school-specific news and updates.

• Bridgeport Elementary School
• Caley Elementary School
• Candlebrook Elementary School
• Gulph Elementary School
• Roberts Elementary School

The UMAHS Underground Players are excited to invite you to experience Arthur Miller's electrifying masterpiece, The Crucible, which proves that fear spreads faster than truth, and silence is often the most dangerous weapon of all. Starring Liam Kelly, Daisy Huller, and Maddy Trofa, this is one show you won't want to miss! The Crucible is intended for viewers ages 12+ due to some mature themes. The show will run approximately 2 hours and include a 15-minute intermission.

Our show dates and times are as follows:

• Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 PM

• Friday, November 13 at 7:00 PM

• Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM (ASL-interpreted)

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students, and $10 for senior citizens.

Tickets will go on sale here at 8 a.m. Monday, October 12. All ticket sales for The Crucible are online only. Please email Producer Ricki Imhoff at eimhoff@umasd.org with any questions.

Substitute Opportunities + $100 Incentive!

Upper Merion Area School District is looking for substitutes, and there's never been a better time to join our team! Individuals who become approved to substitute and complete their first full-day assignment in Upper Merion between October 1–31, 2026, can earn a $100 Amazon gift card!

Enjoy the flexibility of substitute work while making a difference in our schools.

Click here to apply for substitute opportunities!

Additional Employment Opportunities

We're also hiring for food service, instructional assistant, and custodial positions throughout the district! Join our team and help support our students and school community.

Click here to explore additional job openings and apply!

The Middle School Upper House Student Council is hosting a Fall Fling Social for 7th and 8th grade students on Friday, November 6, from 7:00–8:30 PM in the Middle School gyms. We hope to see our students there for a fun evening with friends!

Join us on Tuesday, October 20, for a Donation Day at Just Salad in King of Prussia! Stop by anytime throughout the day, enjoy a delicious meal, and support the Upper Merion Area High School Football team. Just Salad will donate 30% of qualifying proceeds to the team.

This fundraiser is valid for in-store purchases only at 129 South Gulph Road, Suite 160. Be sure to present the flyer or mention Upper Merion Area High School Football at checkout.

• Registration is open for the Upper Merion Parks & Recreation Schools Out Coed Sports Camps for schools out days in November and December 2026.

• Schools Out Sports Camp is a fun and engaging way for your child to spend school holidays and days off. The program provides children with opportunities to stay active, explore different sports, build friendships, and enjoy creative enrichment activities in a welcoming and supportive environment. Participants will experience a variety of sports, recreational games, fitness activities, and enrichment opportunities throughout each camp day. Our experienced staff are committed to creating a positive environment where children can stay engaged, develop skills, and have fun while school is out.

• Upcoming November and December camp dates offer families convenient options for school holidays, in-service days, and other scheduled days including Election Day, Black Friday, and Winter Break.

• Click Here to register!
• November 3rd (Election Day) & Friday, November 27th (Thanksgiving Break)
• December 23rd, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th,& 31st (Winter Break)

• Click Here for more information!

Get ready for Thanksgiving while supporting the Upper Merion Middle School PTC's Thanksgiving Pie Sale! Families can choose from a delicious selection of pies, including apple crumb, pumpkin, pecan, cherry, and chocolate custard.

Orders must be placed by Friday, November 6, with pickup scheduled for Tuesday, November 24, at 4:00 PM at the Upper Merion Middle School front entrance (450 Keebler Road, King of Prussia).

Don't miss this opportunity to make your Thanksgiving preparations a little easier while supporting our middle school community!

[Click here to place your order!]

For questions, contact umm sptc@gmail.com.

Get into the holiday spirit at the Upper Merion Middle School PTC Winter Craft Fair on Saturday, December 12, from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM at Upper Merion Area Middle School!

This annual community event will feature a variety of local crafters and artisans offering handmade jewelry, holiday decorations, sweet treats, candles, artwork, and more! Visitors can also enjoy food trucks, raffles, and plenty of holiday shopping.

Admission and parking are free! Proceeds from vendor registration and select activities will benefit the Middle School PTC, supporting student programs, equipment, and school events.

Vendors Wanted! Local artists, crafters, and makers are invited to apply to participate. For more information, contact umm sptc@gmail.com.

Get moving this winter with AMP Run Club's Winter Grit Run Series! Open to children ages 8–14, this six-week program offers young runners an opportunity to stay active, build endurance, and develop their running skills.

Led by RRCA-certified Coach Alli Phanthavong, sessions will take place on Mondays from 6:00–7:00 PM at Heuser Park in King of Prussia, beginning November 9 and continuing through December 14.

Registration is $55 per participant through Upper Merion Parks and Recreation.

Upper Merion Parks and Recreation is offering a Jr. Vikings Travel Basketball opportunity for 8th grade boys! The program runs from October through March and provides young athletes with an opportunity to develop their basketball skills and compete as part of a team.

The cost to participate is $575. Families interested in learning more or registering should contact Emma Kupres at ekupres@umtownship.org or Michelle Michael at shellym@girlshoop.org.

BooPort 2026 is bringing a full lineup of Halloween and fall festivities to Bridgeport throughout October! Community members can enjoy events including the BooFest Fall Festival on October 11, and the Halloween Parade & Party on October 17, featuring a vendor fair, costume contests, food trucks, a live DJ, free carnival rides and games, a drone show, and more. Additional activities continue throughout the month for children, families, teens and adults.

Click here for the complete schedule of BooPort events and activities.

Upper Merion Parks & Recreation has a variety of programs coming up this fall for children of all ages! Upcoming offerings include a Descendants-themed performing arts class, youth running club, Skyhawks volleyball, Soccer Shots, and junior pickleball. Programs are available for children ranging from preschool through age 14, with dates and times varying by activity. Registration is required, and families can use the QR code on the flyer to learn more and sign up. Click the image to see more.

Upper Merion Parks & Recreation’s After-School Program provides students with academic support along with engaging enrichment activities in a fun and supportive environment.

Families can also plan ahead for upcoming School’s Out Camp dates on Tuesday, November 3 and Friday, November 27. School’s Out Camp offers programming for students on days when school is not in session.

• Click here for Schools Out and Early Dismissal Programs Registration

• Click here for Middle School Afterschool Program Registration

Best Buddies in Pennsylvania is seeking support from local businesses and community members for its 2026 Champion of the Year Gala, taking place November 19 at The Ivy at Ellis Preserve. Proceeds support Best Buddies programs that create opportunities for friendship, leadership development, employment and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

There are several ways for businesses and community members to get involved, including donating items, services, gift cards or experiences for the silent auction; becoming an event sponsor; or purchasing advertising in support of the event. Advertising opportunities include $500 half-page ads and $1,000 full-page ads. Contacts can submit items using this donation form (click here), or view our 501(c)(3) determination letter and solicitation letter for details.

To learn more about the Champion of the Year Gala and ways to support Best Buddies, visit Best Buddies Champion of the Year – Philadelphia.

Upper Merion High School’s Best Buddies program is hosting Bingo with a Buddy on Thursday, March 4, from 6-8 PM in the high school commons. Admission is $10 for 10 bingo games plus a special round. Snacks will be available for $1.

The program is seeking prize donations! If you have new or gently used toys, board games, or other items that would make great prizes, please consider donating. Donations can be dropped off at the high school, attention Gail Ward.

For questions or to coordinate a donation, contact Gail Ward at gward@umasd.org.

Click here to view the meeting summary

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Office of School & Community Information

Upper Merion Area School District

435 Crossfield Road | King of Prussia, PA 19406

Chris Dickerson, Director

cdickerson@umasd.org

www.umasd.org