SCI Staff Development/ Outstanding!

The 2 hour training the school district developed this year is phenomenal. The trainers presenting the workshop are very dedicated and informative. What a great experience! This is one of the many reasons LMSD is so outstanding!

Never enough time.......

There is never enough time for the job we do. Usually the work week starts Sunday night, preparing for what may or may not be planned for the week. What I mean by "may not be planned" is the fact that as much as I try to plan my week, unforeseen items come up anytime in my day. What I have learned over the years is that I need to do my best, and make sure what ever decision is made, the students come first. Letting the students know they are my priority, is one of the most important messages I can give them. Then everything else seems to fall into place.

LMSD Staff Development is leading the way!

LMSD is leading the way in educating all employees in the area of Socio-Cultural Identity. During the 2011-12 school years, we will expand upon the on-going Cultural Proficiency staff development focusing on race to include: family diversity, disabilities, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. Workshop participants will complete the 2 hour workshop to gain additional insight about the necessary skills, behaviors, knowledge and attitudes that comprise best practices regarding issues of student identity. Participants will be given an opportunity to understand how these identity factors impact teaching and learning, to discover a common language to address and respond to identity factors, and to provide participants a set of tangible tools to inform best practices in order to meet the social and emotional needs of all students. This initial professional development is a continuation of our efforts to provide all staff with the tools, knowledge, and strategies to effectively address the diverse needs of our students and community.

Sleep/ Breakfast and PSSA's

PSSA testing starts this week....I hope everyone gets a good night sleep and breakfast in the morning!

Working In LMSD

Working in LMSD as an educator, has paved the way to other wonderful professional opportunities. This year has been very exciting! I was able to present at both state and national level conferences speaking about the work I do in LMSD. Also this year, I began teaching a graduate level course at a local institution, helping to prepare future teachers. You may be surprised to learn, many educators in LMSD teach at our local institutions. All of these experiences have given me new enthusiasm for my job!

Spring Fever is early this year!

What a beautiful day to enjoy outdoor recess and to practice a Fire Drill! The kids are really thrilled since they have been able to get outside frequently this season. The teachers enjoy the good weather as well. Everyone is looking forward to eating lunch on the benches outside.

Treats for Troops!!!!

LMEA teamed with Philadelphia Treats for Troops to gather and pack 30 boxes of necessities for US military personnel stationed in Afghanistan. The goods were collected at Harriton and Lower Merion High Schools over the course of a week and then transferred to the LMHS cafeteria on November 22, 2011. Once there, the goods—everything from foodstuffs and candy to personal toiletries and reading materials—were sorted and prepared for transport. The team assembled boxes and filled them with a mix of the different items. Numerous volunteer high school students wrote personalized messages for inclusion in each 40lb. care package. The team of workers consisted of a number LMEA members, LMEA family members, the students, and Philadelphia Treats for Troops staff. An active member of the military was also there to share information as well as help pack. It was an excellent night of service for all involved.

LMEA will be organizing and leading two more efforts this school year. The next one will be led by our six elementary schools and will coincide with Valentine's Day, and the third one will be conducted by our two middle schools around Memorial Day. LMEA intends to lead triannual collections on behalf of Philadelphia Treats for Troops next school year too.

This program was a HUGE success and we have heard back from one of our recipients. To hear how your donations and time help cheer him up please read his email below.

Dear Freddie and Grass roots Organization,

My name is Msg Kenneth Schaeffer serving overseas with the 728th CSSB. I would like to take this time to thank you and your organization for the special package you sent to me.I shared this package among all the soldiers that work for me on our special mission.It's organizations like yours that keep the morale of the soldiers high. I would also like to thank the young students and faculty from the Harriton High School and Lower Merion High School for the treats they sent and the kinds words in letters that I appreciate more than words could ever say. I read every letter and would like to thank every student for taking time out to do this for soldiers like me. I'm proud to serve my country and its people like you and your organization that keep me in good spirits.I would also like for you to say thank you to General Gronski for me.I know the General knows how each and every soldiers enjoys the special thought that is put in to these packages you send to us. May God Bless you and your organization for being so kind to all the soldiers serving this great nation.

Sincerely Greatful
Msg Kenneth Schaeffer