The Newsletter of the Upper Moreland School District Jo r nal Summer 2010 Upper Moreland School District Welcomes New Leadership for 2010-2011 By: Dr. Robert Milrod, Superintendent of Schools This summer, we have been hard at work filling key leadership in Upper Moreland, Ms. Perisho taught Spanish at both the vacancies in our District. Middle and High School levels for the School District of Philadelphia. While At a special July meeting, the Upper Moreland Board of employed by the School District of School Directors convened to appoint Mrs. Susan Smith as Philadelphia, Ms. Perisho also served as the new Principal of Upper Moreland Primary School. Mrs. a Small Learning Community Coordi- Smith, who resides with her family nator, the Assistant Principal and even- in Drexel Hill, PA, has been a profes- tually the Acting High School Principal sional educator for twenty-eight years. Joy Perisho, Acting of Kensington High School. She received her undergraduate degree Principal of Upper Moreland High School in Elementary Education from Ship- Joining Ms. Perisho on the adminis- pensburg University, and earned her trative team at Upper Moreland High School will be Ms. Masters degree in Educational Admin- Charlene Collins, who will transition over from our Educa- Primary School Principal istration from Gwynedd-Mercy Col- tion Services Department, where she has been our District Susan Smith lege. During her career she has taught Program Specialist focusing on Math and Science, to become second grade, as well as grades four through eight. For ten the Acting High School Assistant Principal for Curriculum years, Mrs. Smith worked as the Administrative Team Leader and Instruction. Also returning to and the Director of Admissions for Waldron Mercy Academy, the High School is Mr. David DeVi- a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award-winning school lo- do, who will transfer from the Upper cated in Merion, PA. In 2006, Mrs. Smith transitioned from Moreland Middle School to become her private school setting to work in the Philadelphia School the High School’s Assistant Principal District. From 2007 until her move to Upper Moreland, Mrs. for Student Services. Mr. Richard Smith served as Principal of Hamilton Disston Elementary Gould will remain the Athletic Direc- School, a 900 student K-8 public school in the Tacony section tor for Upper Moreland High School, Acting High School Assistant Principal of Philadelphia. while serving as the Upper Moreland Charlene Collins Middle School’s Assistant Principal for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Milrod noted that Student Services. “Mrs. Smith has all of the qualities that we are seeking for our next Primary School Principal. She has a wide range of In addition to the building-based administrative changes, Dr. experiences, has served as an exemplary classroom teacher, and Suzanne Bell has been promoted to the has a proven track record as a successful building principal. position of Director of Student Services People speak of her as a consensus- and team-builder who and Supervisor of Secondary Special relates well to students and adults alike. We look forward to Education. Dr. Bell, who previously welcoming her into our Upper Moreland family.” served as the District Supervisor of Special Education, recently completed At the end of August, it is expected that the Board of School her Doctorate in Educational Leader- Suzanne Bell, Director Directors will name Ms. Joy Perisho as the Acting Principal of of Student Services and ship at Widener University. In her new Upper Moreland High School. Ms. Perisho has been an im- Supervisor of Secondary position, Dr. Bell will work together portant member of our District since the 2000-2001 school Special Education with the new administrative team to year, and has served as Assistant Principal for Curriculum provide enhanced supports for the achievement and well- and Instruction at both the Upper Moreland Middle School being of all of our High School students. and the Upper Moreland High School. Prior to her career Student of the Month The Willow Grove Rotary Club names two students per month as “Student of the Month” for demonstrating the Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” Students are selected from the Upper Moreland High School and the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology. Samantha Pronzato, the May Student of the Month has been a familiar face at the High School. Samantha balanced an extremely challenging academic schedule with a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. She was a member of the National Honor Society with a GPA of 103.5 and was ranked 10th in the senior class. Samantha was service-oriented. She was a member of the Interact Club, Environmental & Film Club, section editor of the yearbook and was Co-President of the Key Club. Samantha skillfully played on a number of athletic teams during her high school career: field hockey, soccer and swimming. Samantha has served as Cap- tain of the swim team. At graduation, Samantha was recipient of the Academic Physical Education Award and the Kenton W. Keiser School Director Leadership Scholarship for leadership and service displayed in and out of school. In the community, Samantha has participated in the Relay4Life and American Red Cross Blood Drives. She is a lifeguard and teaches swim lessons at the Upper Moreland Swim Club. Samantha will attend Pennsylvania State University in the fall and is undecided on her major. Sean Burman, the June Student of the Month expemplifies the qualities of the Rotary Club’s motto “Service Above Self.” Sean has demonstrated his leadership skills as President of the Upper Moreland Marching Unit, Mellophone Section Leader with the Marching Band, Student Coordinator & Student Conductor of the Concert Choir and has been a coordinator of ensembles and musical groups at his church. Sean, a positive influence both in and out of the classroom, has been an active member of the Drama Company the past four years, most recently playing the Beast in “Beauty and the Beast.” In addition, Sean was a member of the Interact Club, National Honor Society, cross country and track teams, District 11 Choir and Montco Band. Sean recently received the Drama Company Scholarship, Music Patrons Scholarship and the Alumni Association Frank E. Wismer Selfless Service Scholarship for his consideration of others in his daily activities. In the community, Sean is an active member of his church, serving as a CCD Educator, a cantor and a performer with the church’s guitar group. Sean’s future plans include attending Temple University and major in Music Education. Best of the Class Intermediate School Hero Michael Dummeldinger The Intermediate School’s was selected as Upper end of the year assembly Moreland High School honored one student as a “Best of the Class” for hero. Student Brett Bross- the 2009-2010 school man was recognized for his year by 6ABC. Michael quick thinking and bravery had the highest GPA of when rescuing a friend. the senior class and was Brett, 10 years old, saved senior class Valedictorian. a 6-year old from drown- Michael was recipient of ing. After Brett noticed the the Faculty Best All-Round Student Award and the Emily Abel boy submerged in the pool, Brett pulled the boy from the Scholarship. Michael will attend the University of Delaware in pool and quickly got help. Brett’s distinguished ability to September and major in Chemical Engineering. think smart on his feet has left an imprint on the Upper Moreland community. Representing Upper Moreland umbling and falling isn’t encouraging to most toddlers Club and the Environmental Club. She received the Presi- Tlearning how to walk. But Upper Moreland’s Joanna dential Academic Award and the Academic Excellence Award Sampson wasn’t the normal toddler. At the age of four, her and has maintained Honor Roll throughout her High School career began in the world of gymnastics - tumbling and danc- Career. Good Luck Joanna, as you represent the University of ing her way in the world. Over a decade later, not much has Michigan’s Women’s Gymnastics Team. changed. Graduating senior Joanna Sampson will spend the next four years at the University of Michigan on a full gym- nother aspiring athlete is senior John Bolich. After plac- nastics scholarship. Aing 3rd in this year’s FILA National Championship in Free Style at 187lb and 5th in Greco Roman at 164lb, the This three time national champion and level 10 gymnast USA Wrestling invited John to compete for a spot on Team won her first State and Regional Championship on the bars USA in the men’s freestyle at the Pan American Cadet Cham- in 2005 at the age of 12. However, Joanna didn’t stop there. pionships in Manaus, Brazil. Not only did John make the She went on to place among the team, but he also won a national medal. In fact, John won best at both the regional and na- the highest medal. Earning a Gold Medal in the 85 kg/187.5 tional level. Considering the bars lbs US freestyle in Brazil, Bolich to be her best event, Joanna placed represented his nation with honor first in the event at the 2008 level and respect. However, this was not Junior Olympic Nationals. But John’s first experience competing the judges have been continu- on a National Team. Rather, John ously impressed with more than made a trip to nationals in the 7th just her bar performance. Joanna grade and has since won numerous placed 2nd in All-Around gymnast awards, including two All Ameri- Joanna Sampson is headed to in that 2008 Junior Olympic Na- University of Michigan can Titles; Team PA Outstanding tionals; won the all-around title at Wrestler Award; USA Wrestling regional in 2008; and was on the Junior Olympic National All American in both Free Style John Bolich verbally com- Team.