UMMS News & Updates

Middle School Student Hours: 7:35 AM - 2:25 PM

Email Attendance & Dismissal Changes to msattendance@umtsd.org

Nurse Emails to msnurse@umtsd.org

September 2: District Closed (Labor Day)

September 3: First Student Day of School (Grades 1 - 12)

• 6th Grade Students: Arrive @ 7:35 AM
• 7th & 8th Grade Students: Arrive @ 9:35 AM

As our new year approaches, Mrs. Franczkowski has reached out a welcoming hello to the community to welcome those both new and returning. Emphasizing our "Bear Pride", she has given out information for contact points for parents and students.

To: UMMS Students and Parents/Guardians

Re: Welcome to Upper Moreland Middle School (2024-25 School Year)(

Date: August 22, 2024

It is an honor and my pleasure to welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year at Upper Moreland Middle School! I am incredibly proud to serve as the Principal of our wonderful school for the third year and I am excited to continue to work alongside our dedicated staff to support UMMS students. Each school year brings a refreshed opportunity for our students to set goals and celebrate their learning and growth. To support our students as they demonstrate their personal best, our building’s theme will continue to focus on “Bear Pride '' which highlights the following skills: Belonging, Empathy, Achievement and Resilience. We look forward to celebrating our students as they demonstrate their Bear Pride and efforts to be the best version of themselves throughout the school year!

We are excited to share everything that makes UMMS and our Bear Pride special with you. Our dedicated staff and teachers are equipped to help make your transition to our building as smooth as possible. Do not hesitate to contact your grade level administrator or student services provider as listed below.

• Grade Level Administrators
• Shannon Franczkowski, Principal, Grade 7 Administrator, sfranczkowski@umtsd.org
• Kevin Burke, Assistant Principal, Grade 6 Administrator, kburke@umtsd.org
• Lisa Becker, Interim Assistant Principal, Grade 8 Administrator, lbecker@umtsd.org
• School Counselors
• Brian Haupt, School Counselor, Last Names A-K (all grade levels), bhaupt@umtsd.org
• Jennifer Haney, School Counselor, Last Names L-Z (all grade levels), jhaney@umtsd.org
• Katie Beck, School Counselor, Emotional Support Program, kbeck@umtsd.org
• School Nurse
• Mary Nally, School Nurse, mnally@utmsd.org

Please stay connected throughout the school year and be sure to read our weekly UMMS Bear Print via the e-communicator on Mondays. If you have not signed up for the email, please do so here: https://www.umtsd.org/page/weekly-newsletters

Also, I want to invite you to visit the UMMS nursing web page for forms and time sensitive physicals here: https://www.umtsd.org/o/umms/page/nurses-corner

I look forward to partnering with you and your student/s throughout the school year. GO BEARS!

Kind Regards,

Shannon M. Franczkowski, Principal

sfranczkowski@umtsd.org

About Me: My name is Daneyelle Jordan. I am a proud wife to my husband, Keith, and a mother to my 15-year-old daughter, Brianna. We also have two beloved Golden Retrievers, Ollie and Rocky.

My Background: I earned my Doctorate in School Psychology from Temple University. I have 10 years of experience as a school psychologist at both the elementary and middle school levels. For the past nine years, I have served as an elementary principal, all within the Council Rock School District.

My Hobbies: I love spending time with my family and friends in my free time. I also enjoy traveling, running, and watching my daughter play lacrosse.

My Motto: I am excited to join the Upper Moreland Middle School team and look forward to collaborating with UMMS students, staff, and families. My top priority is to build strong relationships with the students, families, and the community to help ensure the academic, social, and emotional success of every student.

Hello, my name is Lisa Becker, the new interim principal! I am happy to be here and excited to meet you all! I will be overseeing the current 8th grade class this coming school year.

About me: I love to travel and spend time with my family. I like to do Pilates and walk my dog. I like to bike on trails, especially along the Delaware River. I have a Golden Retriever named Bailey. She is 10 years old. She loves to go for walks through the neighbor and on trails.

My motto: Life is short, enjoy every minute.

Fun facts: I want to live abroad for a few months and I have two children.

As students and their families prepare for the transition to grade 6, the administrative team is gathering a list of follow up questions from the 5th-grade visit which was held on May 28, 2024.

Students are encouraged to submit questions about Upper Moreland Middle School here.

If you are unable to attend the Grade 6 orientation held on August 29, the first day of school is designed to welcome 6th Grade students to their homeroom location which will be posted on the Home Access Center (HAC) on August 26. All information and practice opportunities held during the August 29 Orientation will be provided to 6th Grade homeroom classes on September 3.

• In addition to the Grade 6 orientation, all 6th Grade students will arrive to school on September 3 beginning at 7:35 AM.
• All students in Grades 7 & 8 will arrive to school on a two-hour delayed schedule on September 3 beginning at 9:35 AM.

This allows for all Grade 6 students an opportunity to arrive on their first day of middle school with fewer students and additional support from all of the middle school staff. Grade 6 students can expect staff to direct them to their homeroom classes upon arrival. In homeroom, Grade 6 students will visit the cafeteria for breakfast, conduct building-wide tours, and provide students an opportunity to walk their schedules prior to the Grades 7 & 8 students arrival. Lastly, all grade 6 students will participate in a grade-level welcome assembly.

Students and parents had the opportunity to come in and tour our building last Thursday, August 22nd. They had the chance to explore their future classes and get some of their questions/ concerns answered. Teachers had the chance to meet and welcome them to the building.

THANK YOU to the UMMS HSA for their generous gift to our Middle School athletic department—a golf cart! This new addition will help our team navigate the 23 acres of fields on the Middle School grounds, ensuring equipment is quickly transported so that games and practices are set up on time. It will also allow our nurse to reach any injured students quickly & efficiently.

Please review the important arrival procedures to ensure a safe and orderly drop-off.

Drop Off Procedures

• Car Riders: Drivers should enter the parking lot directly off of Orangemans Road and follow the one way traffic pattern. Cars will pull up to the end of the parking lot while following the orange cones. Students should exit the vehicle at the sidewalk and enter the building from the main entrance. On the map below, student drop off will occur at the image of the Golden Bear. Please follow the directions of the staff and signage. Thank you!
• For everyone's safety, drivers should not make "U" or "K" turns on Orangemans Road to drop off a student. Car riders should exit the vehicle in the designated drop off locations.
• Bike Riders: Students who ride a bike will report to the rear of the bus port to park their bikes. Students will then enter the building through the bus port.
• Bus Riders: Students who take a bus will enter the building from the bus port.
• Walkers: Students will enter the building through the main entrance.

Start Times & Late Arrival Procedures

UMMS doors open at 7:35 AM on typical school days and 9:35 AM on two-hour delayed schedules. All students are expected to be in their assigned homeroom by 7:50 AM and 9:50 AM on two-hour delayed schedules. Students who arrive at homeroom after 7:50 AM will report to the main office and be marked late.

Breakfast

Students who choose to eat breakfast will do so in the cafeteria between 7:35 AM and 7:50 AM. Students are expected to report to homeroom directly following breakfast.

As we prepare for the start of school on Tuesday, September 3, we know students and families are eagerly anticipating the release of schedules and teacher assignments for the 2024-25 school year.

Home Access Center (HAC) is now live for all families.

HAC is where you can find the following information:

• Teacher / Class Assignments and Student Schedules
• School Bus Transportation Information (Bus Stop Location & Time)

If you have issues accessing the HAC, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@umtsd.org

For the upcoming 2024-25 School Year, the District will again be offering optional Technology Insurance at $20 per student. This will cover accidental damage to device for the first incident.

Optional Technology Insurance must be purchased by October 1, 2024.

• All students entering 6th-grade must have a physical examination
• Submitted by December 15, 2024
• All students entering 6th-grade must have a dental exam.
• All students entering 7th-grade must have a MCV & TDAP vaccine
• Submitted by September 3, 2024.

Be sure to check our website for the full calendar of athletics & activities events.

If you want to get a jump start on your shopping see links below:

• 6th Grade
• 7th Grade
• 8th Grade

Support our high school Booster Club and show your UM spirit! Gear is available in a variety of styles, colors, and personalization options. Visit the online store through Artistic Screen Design and place your orders by September 13th!

Please note: All items are custom made to order and are not returnable or exchangeable for any reason. No changes/orders can be made after the store closing date. Please order carefully.

CHIP covers uninsured children and teens up to age 19 – and no family earns too much to qualify. With nearly 128,000 uninsured children in Pennsylvania, this is great news for families!

CHIP provides quality, comprehensive health insurance for routine doctor’s visits, prescriptions, dental, eye care, eyeglasses, mental health, and much more. CHIP covers uninsured kids who are not eligible for Medical Assistance. For many families, CHIP is free – for others, it is low cost.

Learn more at the links below:

• ENGLISH
• SPANISH

It’s that time of year again! The Upper Moreland High School Field Hockey Team is sponsoring the 10th Annual Pink Out to support all who have been impacted by Breast Cancer.

On Thursday, October 10th we ask that all members of our UM family wear pink, both to school and to the home football game.

Our UMHS Field Hockey Team will be selling short- and long-sleeved T-shirts to raise funds for charity.

If you are interested in purchasing a shirt, please print out the order form on the next page; then complete and return it with cash or a check (written to “UPPER MORELAND BOOSTER CLUB”) to Mrs. Grossi (Room 810), a designated box in the Principal’s Office, or the Field Hockey Girls @ lunches, by Friday, September 13th.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. Grossi: kgrossi@umtsd.org.

Feel free to purchase shirts for all of your family members.

Shirts will be delivered during the week of October 7th (earlier if possible).

Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Upper Moreland High School Turf #2

Cost: $20 for each, $50 if attending all 3 (cash or check made out to UM Booster Club)

2nd Clinic Date: Thursday, August 22

3rd Clinic Date: Thursday, September 12

What to Bring: Field Hockey Stick, Shin Guards, Mouthguard, and Water

Get ready for your fall season or try a new sport! Beginners Welcome!

If you plan to attend, please email Coach Remmey at theremmeys@gmail.com.

If you need to borrow a stick or buy a mouthguard, let Coach Remmey know.

Upper Moreland Middle School's theme for summer reading is “Books as Windows, Mirrors and Sliding Glass Doors." Students are encouraged to choose books with this “windows, mirrors, and doors” theme that are of interest to them. When students are engaged in reading books they choose, reading becomes an empowering part of their lives.

Summer math practice is available to all students. It is not mandatory but can help to maintain skills!

UMMS Bears, Empathy, Achieve, Resiliency

Scan QR codes on the Conference Resource below to assist and support our students and families.

BELONG:

• Clubs & Activities: A list of after school options for all students.
• Athletics: PIAA available to 7th & 8th grade students
• UMMS eCommunicator: Weekly emails containing important information

ACHIEVE:

• ELO: After school academic support on Wednesday with late bus transportation home, contact a counselor to sign up
• HAC: Access student's grades through Home Access Center

EMPATHY:

• Food & Holiday Help: We have resources to help families experiencing financial need or food insecurities. Email a counselor or Principal.

RESILIENCY:

• Aldersgate: Ongoing group and individual student support around various pre-teen related topics, speak to your counselor for more information or scheduling.

Students should not be calling or texting parents/guardians to pick them up when not feeling well during the school day. All students are required to see our school nurse, Ms. Nally who will determine if there is a need to send the student home. Then the nurse will contact parents/guardians to pick up the student.

Students are expected to have their ID cards out and ready to scan at the cashier for breakfast, lunch and snack purchases. If students are in need of a replacement student ID card they can get a new one by stopping by to see tech aides in room CAO3. New cards cost $5.00 and can be paid through the obligations online portal.

• BREAKFAST and LUNCH MENUS
• Breakfast is FREE for ALL Students during the 2024-2025 school year.
• Lunches are at cost. Visit our website for meals and snacks price list.
• Free / Reduced Meals information and application is available on our website.

We're excited to announce that we have transitioned to a new platform for processing applications and renewals.

If you have already been approved and are in our system, no action is required. The change only applies to new applicants and those renewing their applications.

For assistance with the online volunteer registration, please refer to the Volunteer Guide for an overview, or contact Human Resources Specialist, Matthew Mastrogiovanni, at mmastrogiovanni@umtsd.org for support.

• Attendance: Please email MSattendance@umtsd.org for student absences, late arrival, or if you need to sign your student out early for the day.
• School Nurse: Visit our website to learn about health and dental requirements & to access the medication permission form.
  

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