April 2013 - Wissahickon School District

WMS PTC April Newsletter 

Letter From The Principal 

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

The students of the Wissahickon Middle School had the opportunity to hear the presentation of 

Deb McCoy on Friday, April 5. She offered a unique insight into digital responsibilities for students 

to consider. Deb informed the students on the concept of digital reputation - how will a student 

be perceived from the content of his/her digital collection. Deb emphasized that colleges and 

employers have access to the internet and frequently review a candidate's digital reputation. The 

students were cautioned about putting things up on the internet. She informed the students that 

anything posted on the internet cannot be deleted completely. She shared parts of the terms of 

agreement accepted by users of Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites. With the 

stories and examples, I believe Deb McCoy provided the students with valuable information to 

consider before placing anything on the internet. 

Deb gave a wonderful presentation to parents on Wednesday evening, April 3. The parents in 

attendance found her presentation to be informative. Parents were able to have their concerns 

addressed and their questions answered. 

I thank the Wissahickon Middle School PTC for the financial support for these presentations. The 

discussions of cyberbullying and digital responsibility were a part of the Wissahickon Middle 

School program to address bullying behavior. The staff at the Wissahickon Middle School led 

discussions in small group settings before and after the Deb McCoy presentations to allow 

students to understand the emphasis of her message.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Kevin P. McAneny 

Principal 

Wissahickon Middle School 

Important 2012-2013 Calendar Update! 

The last day of school for students is Thursday, June 20th. Please click here to read the April 2013 

memo from Judith M. Clark, Wissahickon School District Superintendent. 

PARENT ORIENTATION PROGRAM 

WISSAHICKON MIDDLE SCHOOL 

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013 

7:00 PM 

The parents/guardians of current 5th grade students are invited to the Middle School on 

Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 P.M. for a Middle School Orientation Program. The transition from 

elementary school to the Middle School can be successful with an understanding of the Middle 

School experience. 

The purpose of this evening is to provide parents/guardians of 5th grade students with an 

overview of the Middle School program and an opportunity to ask questions. 

The Middle School is located at 500 Houston Road, across from the high school. Please use the 

front entrance to the Middle School on Houston Road. Parking is limited in front of the building, 

so the high school parking lot across the street is recommended. 

This evening is the initial stage of the transition process. This program will provide 

parents/guardians with information on understanding the schedule, the sixth grade program, 

and will provide a tour of the Middle School. We look forward to meeting you on April 25 at 7:00

P.M. 

This program is for parents/guardians of students who will be entering the Middle School for the 

2013/2014 school year. Students will have an opportunity to tour the school and receive an 

orientation in June with their classmates. Students do not need to attend this evening program. 

Students of the Month 

March 2013 - Congratulations! 

The following students were selected as the March 2013 Students of 

the Month: 

Team Gemini: Emma Benning & Daniel Schoenleber 

Team Leo: Mital Patel & Andrew Tran 

Team Orion: Owen Baim & Juliana Boggs 

Team Pegasus: Anthony Fernandez & Snigdha Kosuri 

Team Pisces: Brittany Conaway & Alex Ok 

Team Ivy League: Eryn Downey & Blake Geisler 

Team Knights: Maxwell Mullen & Kathleen Saddler 

Team Spartans: Sydney Ott & John Wilson 

Team Diplomats: Alec Borislow & Hanna Kim 

Team Generals: Krysta Memis & Jonathan Midttun 

Team Warriors: Alexandra Iakimenko & Patrick McCarry 

Congratulations to them!

WMS Likes...! 

WMS likes......sharing our musical talents with our Elementary School 

families & friends! Jill Moyer 

WMS likes...students participating in Spring Sports! 

WMS likes....our wonderful teachers and staff! WMS PTC 

Deutsch 

German at WMS! 

Submitted by: Frau Winslow 

Our WMS 8th Grade German classes will be participating in a 

national essay contest sponsored by the German Information 

Center in Washington, D.C. Classes will be discussing issues in groups, watching background 

videos for information, brainstorming ideas, and then putting their writing skills to work while 

developing the topics below. The overall goal is to foster global perspectives and think of career 

options that would utilize German language 

and cultural skills acquired. It's never too late to start! 

TOPIC A: Think Transatlantic 

Germany and the United States remain strong partners in the 21st century. The transatlantic 

cooperation can be seen in government, industry, tourism and many other areas. As with any 

partnership, the future rests in the hands of the youth. What does the German-American 

relationship mean to you? What will it mean in the future? Are there examples of youth-oriented 

transatlantic exchanges or partnerships? Will Germany and the United States remain strong 

partners? What would you do right now to help ensure German-American ties stay strong, now 

and in the future? 

TOPIC B: Ich bin ein Berliner 

This year is the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's famous speech in Berlin. "Ich bin 

ein Berliner" became a phrase heard around the world and the speech underlined American

support for West Berlin. The short speech was seen as a turning point in the Cold War. Does this 

speech still have meaning in today's world? Are we all still Berliners? What does world citizenship 

mean today? 

Both 7th and 8th Grade German students are watching the www. tagesschau.de news video clips 

while learning a variety of new vocabulary associated with current events as they happen. 

Students have commented on how much they have learned about geography, history, science, 

and pop culture through our class discussions about the global news topics in German. It is a 

valuable, fun cross-curricular tool and exposes our students to the European perspective of the 

world. Students are formulating ideas about how the USA fits into the global puzzle. 

Viel Spaß beim Lernen! 

Francais 

French at WMS! 

Submitted by: Madame Malazita 

Madame Malazita's classes have been busy these last couple of months. 

The 7th grade class made masks for Mardi Gras in mid-February. The 

students explained what their masks were teaching us. Prizes were 

awarded to the top 3 winners in the class: First prize went to Thomas 

Myers for his ski slope/winter sports theme. Second prize was awarded 

to Nick Letizio for his military/le 14 juillet mask. Elaena Machado won the third place prize for 

her mask depicting the author Gaeton Doremus' characters. Congratulations to the winners ! 

Both 7th and 8th grade classes enjoyed the traditional food eaten at Mardi Gras time, the crepe. 

Students filled their crepes with fruit pie filling or jam and topped them with chocolate or orange 

sauce and whipped cream. Eighth graders also enjoyed the King's cake, la galette. Colorful beads 

were worn by everyone. 

The 8th grade students have been learning La Marseillaise, the French National Anthem. They 

have beautiful singing voices and politely listen to Madame TRYING to sing. The song needs to be 

memorized and will be graded shortly after spring break. 

The students presented their projects on sports activities, either winter or summer sports. 

Olympic winners from France were also included. Some students chose to use power point to

present their vocabulary, while others made a pamphlet and a game. 

Both grades will be preparing for their final exams which take place in early June, while still 

learning new material during April and May. The oral portion of the exam will be given during 

the last week in May. It's never too early to start reviewing vocabulary from the beginning of the 

year to prepare for the final. Bonne chance (good luck) to everyone! 

Guidance Corner 

Career Day 2013 

On March 20, 2013, the Wissahickon Middle School students 

participated in Career Day. Students had the opportunity to 

listen to numerous presentations from individuals in today's work force. The speakers 

represented a variety of career fields, including news media, law, medicine, law enforcement, 

business, science, pharmaceuticals, communications, human resources, education, music, armed 

services, and computer technology. 

Career Day provided the students with a forum to learn about the educational backgrounds of 

the speakers, the importance of their high school careers, the specific skills required for their 

profession, the financial prospects of their profession, other career paths within their profession, 

and about their personal career and life lessons. Here is a sampling of the many wonderful 

speakers who presented on Career Day: 

Mr. Jeff Asch, KYW News Radio, provided students with the opportunity to test their talents as a 

news anchor. He provided them with a script and they were taped onto a computer system 

which they could hear on the KYW news radio website at a future date. 

Officer Gerald Hunt of the Lower Gwynedd Police Department informed students that the 

majority of police officers in his department have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree-he is 

currently working towards his Master's degree. He explained that many school subjects learned 

throughout school are incorporated into his career every day. For example, he described to the 

students how he uses arithmetic and geometry on a daily basis. 

Mr. Gino Coleman, PECO Foreman, had a very interactive demonstration for the students. He 

was able to discuss and demonstrate the potential dangers of electricity through a visual model. 

Major Mike Belcher, US Marine Corps, discussed his previous experience as a helicopter pilot for

the Marines. He currently is assisting Marines that return from Afghanistan and Iraq. He 

discussed the importance of academics, commitment, and teamwork. These are required to 

advance up the ranks. 

Mr. Rob Harris and Mr. Eddie Alldred, EMT/Firefighters from the Wissahickon Fire Company, not 

only spoke of their career experiences, but also brought their equipment along for the students 

to see. Students were able to gain an understanding of how the equipment is used and were also 

able to try on some of the gear. 

Mrs. Devon Lassiter, vocalist and bandleader, performed with her band for some of the eighth 

grade students. She incorporated singing and dancing, and had a number of student and staff 

volunteers performing with her. 

This is just a sample of the many fabulous speakers we were lucky to have at this year's Career 

Day! 

MathCounts News 

Excitement in Harrisburg! 

Congratulations to Steven Qiang on his strong showing at the 

Pennsylvania State MathCounts Competition. Steven placed 14th out of 

field of the 150 best mathletes in the state and was among the highest scoring 7th graders. 

Gold! 

In other MathCounts news, the club has received word from the National MathCounts offices 

that they have earned Gold Level Status for the 6th Consecutive Year. This honor is bestowed on 

only a select number of clubs and no other school can claim 6 consecutive awards. 

The following members of the club deserve special recognition for meeting all of the 

requirements throughout the yearlong application process: 

John Fath (6th Grade) 

Kalle Kuffner (6th Grade) 

Robert McFarland (6th Grade)

Ryan Zhao (6th Grade) 

Sam Yoon (6th Grade) 

Kenny Daily (7th Grade) 

Nathan Leung (7th Grade) 

Joseph Min (7th Grade) 

Steven Qiang (7th Grade) 

Jason Shu (7th Grade) 

Michael Chinn (8th Grade) 

Josh Chu (8th Grade) 

Brett Hu (8th Grade) 

Hanna Kim (8th Grade) 

Nicole Tan (8th Grade) 

Many thanks go out to Ms. Rehl, Ms. Duke, and Mrs. Langhorne. Some non-club members were 

also able to try the challenge due to their help coordinating the administration of the Ultimate 

Math Challenge. Non-club members earning perfect scores were 6th Graders: Lauren Anderson, 

Billy Bishop, Jason Chen, Ben Gerber, Aubrey Green, Anthony Lee, Tessa Mountain, and Priya 

Padhye and 7th Graders: Keeran Ramanathan, Simon Schiller and Matt Shen. 

Doors Open Again! 

The Spring MathCounts Club is meeting on Tuesday afternoons. Now that the competitive part of 

the season is over, we are able to mix in some games while continuing to strengthen our problem 

solving skills. The club is open to all students and new members are always welcome. Just stop by 

222 or email [email protected] for more information. 

Thank you, 

Mr. Troy Deckebach 

WMS Math Teacher & 

MathCounts Club Sponsor 

[email protected].


WMS Strings 

District String Concert, WHS Auditorium April 4 at 7pm 

Thursday, April 4th, was the annual District String Concert, featuring students from every school 

in an ever growing string orchestra which fills the Auditorium stage in a one hour concert. Works 

by Handel, Bach, Dvorak, Vivaldi, Schumann, Purcell and Suzuki will be presented by up to 300 

players! Madame Mulherin was the piano accompanist for the evening! 

WMS Strings at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Philadelphia Orchestra Concert plus 

Philadelphia Bourse Appearance April 20th. 

Saturday, April 20th , at 11:30 am, members of the WMS and WHS Strings will attend a concert 

focused on the string music of Antonio Vivaldi, who wrote The Four Seasons. The event will be 

cast in story form, describing the life of Vivaldi in 17th and 18th century Venice , complete with a 

mystery about a missing Stradivarius violin. The Strings are scheduled to meet some of the 

Philadelphia Orchestra members, then travel to the Philadelphia Bourse to play music including 

works by Vivaldi for the patrons of the food court. The Bourse is America's oldest stock exchange, 

located in the historic district by the Liberty Bell. 

Honors Strings to perform at Gwynedd Estates, 

Lower Gwynedd, April 25th. 

Thursday, April 25th, at 7 pm, Honors Strings students will perform in the Gwynedd Estates 

Auditorium. Selections include "Celtic Force," "Night Shift," "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5" ( 1st 

Movement), "Take Five" (as performed by jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and his combo) and "Viva La 

Vida." 

Summer Music! Strings Members can sign up for: 

a) Wissahickon Pops Orchestra, Monday, June 24 to Thursday, August 1st WHS from 7 pm to 9 

pm. 

b) Suzuki String Workshop, Monday, July 8th to Friday July 12th, WHS from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. 

Students can have a fun musical summer and improve skills! Find info on Moodle and WHS 

website.

The WMS Strings have a rewarding schedule of musical events ahead of them this spring, 

including the Spring Concert of May 2nd , 7:30 pm in the WHS Auditorium. 

Looking forward to these musical events. 

Mr. David Morgan 

WMS Strings and Orchestra Director 


[email protected] 

215-619-8110 ext. 2126 

Geography Bee Update! 

An AMAZING Third Place Finish for Jason Smith at the PA 

Geography Bee! 

On Friday, April 5th, the top 100 Geography Bee semifinalists in the state of Pennsylvania 

gathered at the Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center in Gettysburg for the Pennsylvania 

Geography Bee. Among them was our own Jason Smith, who qualified to compete at the state 

competition, incredibly, for the 3rd time. 

Jason is a 7th grader on the Ivy League pod. His record in Geo Bee competitions is extraordinary. 

He has won first place in the school geography bees at Blue Bell ES and WMS for 4 years in a 

row. In 3 out of 4 of those years he passed National Geographic's rigorous written test and went 

on to compete at the state level, along with 99 other students from across the state each year. In 

4th grade Jason was not among the 10 who earned a spot in the finals, but was one of only a 

handful of 4th graders competing against middle school-age bee veterans. In 6th grade he did 

reach the finals and placed 4th overall. Phenomenal! 

This year he exceeded expectations once again. At the end of the preliminary competition, he 

was one of 17 students with perfect scores going into the tie-breaker round. Only ten students 

are allowed to compete in the finals, so hundreds of family members, competitors and teachers 

sat on the edge of our seats in a warm, crowded ballroom to see who would make it. The

questions were so tough that even moderator Wes Stroh, from the Geography Dept. at Penn 

State said that he'd have been eliminated by that point. 

Jason not only made it to the finals, but stayed alive for 15 intense, nail-biter rounds as other 

competitors dropped out, one by one. In the end he finished 3rd, behind students from West 

Chester and Mechanicsburg. He was honored in the awards ceremony after the competition, and 

posed for press photos with the 1st and 2nd place finishers and the Bee coordinators from Penn 

State. The first place finisher will move on to the national bee, to be held in Washington DC May 

20-22. 

The Wissahickon community could not be more excited for Jason. His success is a huge personal 

achievement, but it also shines a light on the value of geographic literacy. His energy and 

enthusiasm are contagious, and his contributions at WMS positively impact the academic 

environment at our school. Way to go Jason!!! We are very proud! 

Abbie Test 


7th Grade Social Studies 

Spartan Team, Room 238 

215-619-8110 Ext. 2238 

Sixth Grade Curriculum is... 

Energized! 

During the third marking period the 6th grade has been energized with 

a grant from the PECO Energizing Education Program. PEEP, is a 

partnership with the Franklin Institute, PECO, and the National Energy 

Education Development Project (NEED). Wissahickon Middle School was awarded a grant 

through PECO to participate in the program. As a result of this generous grant, the sixth grade 

curriculum has integrated studies of energy in math, science and social studies. 

Ms. Rehl's math classes spent several days conducting investigations to compare the efficiency, 

illumination quality, and cost of various light bulbs. Each student received a home energy audit 

kit to take home including products for their families to assess their current home energy

efficiency and items to install to increase energy efficiency. Additionally, a national energy expert 

took students on a tour of our building. Mr. Moore, district Supervisor of Operations, joined us 

and showed us the boiler room. He also showed us how he can use a computer or phone to 

remotely make adjustments for maximum efficiency of heating and cooling in district buildings. 

Science classes investigated energy transformations, fossil fuels and alternative energy sources. 

The grant provided numerous lab materials that allowed students to conduct investigations on 

various forms and transformations of energy. Students debated the use of various fossil fuels and 

alternative energy sources, designed inventions for novel energy efficient products and 

researched the fracking controversy that affects our state. 

Social Study classes, after learning about the industrial revolution, turned their attention to the 

future. How are we going to sustain our energy needs and better protect the environment? 

Students calculated their Carbon Footprint and then learned about solar and wind as alternative 

energy sources. Wind turbines and solar panels, provided by the grant, allowed students to 

explore these technologies and experiment with increasing efficiency. 

Anne McDonough 

Secondary Instructional Coach 

Wissahickon School District 


http://wsdpd.wiki.wsdweb.org/ 

Conduct a 

HOME ENERGY AUDIT! 

As part of the PEEP grant, WMS was awarded funding to develop a 

community energy education outreach project. We have created HOME 

ENERGY AUDIT KITS that will be available for check out through the 

Wissahickon Valley Public Libraries. 

The Home Energy Audit Kits contain a Kill A Watt meter that will allow you to determine how 

much energy your appliances use and cost. You will be surprised to find that many appliances 

will be drawing power even when they are turned off; you will save money by simply pulling the

plug when the device is not in use! The kit also includes refrigerator/freezer thermometers, 

thermostat calculators and hot water gauges that will allow you to determine if your settings are 

optimal, if not, you are wasting money! Shower flow meters will allow you to determine if you 

have efficient shower heads which save money by reducing the amount of money you spend on 

heating water. Look for our Home Energy Audit Kits at your local library. Or, join us at the Lower 

Gwynedd Township Building on April 20, from 11:00-3:00 for a family event to explore the 

multiple ways your family can help conserve our natural resources. 

Anne McDonough 

Secondary Instructional Coach 

Wissahickon School District 


http://wsdpd.wiki.wsdweb.org/ 

Nurse's Corner 

Building a Healthy WSD: 

Screen-Lean Families 

Keep your family screen lean with these tips: 

 

 

 

 

Set limits on screen time. Set a rule that your child may spend no more than two hours a 

day of screen time. 

Limit access to TV. Do not put a TV or computer in your child's bedroom 

Make meal time, family time. Keep the TV out of the eating area. Families who eat 

together eat healthfully. Try to sit down as a family for at least two to three meals each 

week. 

Change the habit. Watching TV can become a habit for your child. Give ideas on other 

ways kids can spend their time - Take the dog for a walk. Go for a bike ride with your 

friends. Take a hike on a trail at a local park. Go outside and search for four-leaf clovers.

Try a new recipe and help to make dinner for the family. 

 

 

 

Offer other choices. Stock the TV room with non-screen entertainment, like books, kids' 

magazines, toys, puzzles, & board games. 

Set a good example. Be a good role model and also limit your screen time. If your kids 

see you following the rules, then they will be more likely to follow. 

Do not use TV to reward or punish a child. This makes TV seem even more important to 

children. 

Make a goal to limit screen time to less than 2 hours each day. Learn more about what you and 

your family can do to be more active from The Let's Move Campaign, at 

http://www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside 

Visit these other websites for more information: 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/reduce-screen-time/index.htm 

http://www2.med.psu.edu/cnap/families/how-can-we-be-active-as-a-family/reduce-screentime/ 

Eileen Lieber RN, M.Ed 

215-619-8110 ext 2148 

WISE SNAC® is a program of the Health Promotion Council made possible through funding by the 

North Penn Community Health Foundation and collaboration with the North Penn, Souderton 

Area and Wissahickon School Districts.

HARD FACTS ABOUT HELMETS! 

If you like recreational activities that involve wheels, concrete or asphalt, 

then protect your brain by wearing a helmet. Helmets with a CPSC 

approval are good for biking and in-line skating and are available in most 

sporting goods stores. "Multi-sport" helmets with a Snell B-95 approval 

are designed for skateboarding, roller-skating, and riding scooters as well 

as biking and in-line skating. Snell B-95 rated helmets provide more 

protection but you may have to check out more stores to find one. 

Your helmet should sit flat on your head - make sure it is level and is not tilted back or forward. 

The front of the helmet should sit low - about two finger widths above your eyebrows to protect 

your forehead. The straps on each side of your head should form a "Y" over your ears, with one 

part of the strap in front of your ear, and one behind - just below your earlobes. If the helmet 

leans forward, adjust the rear straps. If it tilts backward, tighten the front straps. Buckle the 

chinstrap securely at your throat so that the helmet feels snug on your head and does not move 

up and down or from side to side. 

Helmets...Fact or Fiction? 

Fiction: Helmets aren't cool. 

Fact: Who says helmets can't be cool? If you're shopping for a helmet, there are lots of options, 

so you can pick out your favorite color. Or decorate your helmet with stickers and reflectors to 

show your personal style. Helmets are designed to help prevent injuries to your head, 'cause a 

serious fall or crash can cause 

permanent brain damage or death. And that's definitely not cool. 

Fiction: Helmets just aren't comfortable. 

Fact: Today's helmets are lightweight, well ventilated, and have lots of padding. Try on your 

helmet to make sure it fits properly and comfortably on your head before you buy it 

Fiction: Really good riders don't need to wear helmets. 

Fact: Bike crashes or collisions can happen at any time. Even professional bike racers get in 

serious wrecks. In three out of four bike crashes, bikers usually get some sort of injury to their 

head.

www.cdc.gov 

Eileen Lieber RN, M.Ed 

215-619-8110 ext. 2148 

From the WMS Athletic Director Spring Sports Information 

Please check the electronic WMS Sports calendar for the latest 

sports game/meet schedules. This information will be updated in 

the event of weather related cancellations. Click here for the 

link. 

Click on the alerts icon to sign up for alert notifications. 

Mr. Hartman 

WMS Athletic Director 

215-619-8110 ext. 2254 

Cartridges for Kids & 

ShoeBox Recycling 

WSD's Green Committee has teamed with Cartridges for Kids & ShoeBox 

Recycling this spring to promote recycling and repurposing. 

Recycling - Cartridges for Kids: The goal of this program is to teach students about recycling, how 

to preserve our environment by keeping harmful items out of landfills and improving recycling 

education by thinking outside the standard recycle stream. Collection bins will be placed at all 

school main entrances where students, parents and staff can drop off their used and unwanted 

ink cartridges, DVDs, digital cameras, cell phones and more. (Click here for the info.) 

Repurposing - Shoebox Recycling:Collection bins will also be placed at all school main entrances 

to assist needy families worldwide. So if you haven't cleaned out that closet of your unwanted

shoes, now is the time to do it. (Click here for the info.) 

WMS Visiting Author Day is 

April 29, 2013! 

We are very excited to welcome our Visiting Author, Wendy Mass, to WMS on April 29th. 

Wendy is the award winning author of the Mango-Shaped Space, Jeremy Fink and The Meaning 

of Life, Leap Year, Every Soul a Star and The Candymakers, to name just a few. 

Thank you for joining us in this inspiring opportunity for your 

child in their reading and writing journey. 

Author Website/Blog 

http://wendymass.com/books/ 

Parents are welcome to attend the Wendy Mass presentations at the 

Wissahickon high school. Please sign in at the main office first. 

Thank you! 

Lynn Hoffman - Visiting Author PTC Chair

WMS Spring Book Fair 

Thank you to everyone who participated in making our Spring book 

fair a huge success! We hope that all of the students, parents, and 

teachers are enjoying their purchases. 

Thank you to everyone who purchased a wish list book for a teacher. These books will be enjoyed 

in the classrooms for years to come. 

We also want to thank everyone who donated their change to help Scholastic Books' charity "All 

For Books," which donates books to schools in need. 

We would especially like to thank the following parents, teachers, staff, and students who 

volunteered their time and talent at the Spring book fair: 

April Guarini 

Antoinette McFarland 

Denise Holland 

Sandy Soll 

Heather Kennedy 

Elaine Goucher 

Trudy Gregson 

Tong Zhou 

Yvette Strosser 

Kelly Dalsemer 

Christine Rineer 

David Frank 

Tracie Walsh 

Anita Ross 

Jamie Halligan 

Michele DeGroat 

Cindy Lejman 

Lauren Weinberg 

Donna Dickson 

Lynn Hoffmann 

Emily Cutler 

Gabriela Plesa 

Jenn Kibblehouse 

Deanna Ferrante 

Doug Long 

Karen Chu 

Melissa Culp 

Lisa Hunt

Deena Shilling 

Lori Dubin 

Liz Cummings 

Heather Maltin 

WMS Custodial Staff 

WMS Administrative Staff 

Thank you! 

April Guarini and Antoinette McFarland 

Co-Chairs 

Wissahickon High School Marching Unit 

WANTED!!! 

7th and 8th Grade BAND and COLOR GUARD Members 

and BEGINNERS interested in woodwinds, brass, percussion and colorguard 

to join the.... 

Wissahickon High School Marching Unit! 

All sections are open to new members. 

The Wissahickon Marching Unit is a fully lettered extracurricular activity. 

Rehearsals begin with Band Camp, (2 weeks: Aug 19th-23rd; Aug 26th-29th) and continue 

Tuesday and Thursday evenings through football season. 

Students get to attend

all WHS football games, including away games 

8 regional marching competitions in September, October & early November 

The Ambler holiday parade 

Benefits to the students: 

 

 

 

Continue their musical career 

Develop leadership, teamwork and responsibility skills 

Make new friendships that last through high school 

Current 7th Graders can join the marching unit in August and participate as 8th graders, 

Students who do this make friends at WHS and have an easier transition to high school. 

For more information, please contact either : 

Michael Hyde, Marching Unit Director, 215-896-8290, [email protected] 

Scott Wrasman, Band Parent Assn President, 215-767-2411, [email protected] 

Or visit our website: https://sites.google.com/site/whsmarchingunit/ 

Come join us for "Play and Pizza" clinics to see what the marching band is all about! 

6-7:30PM at the high school band room: 

Spring: May 22, May 29, June 4 

Summer: July 16 

THANK YOU from WEOF! 

The Wissahickon Educational Opportunities Foundation would like to 

thank everyone who helped make Monte Carlo Magic a successful 

fundraiser and fantastic evening! Whether you attended and took part in the fun casino-style 

games, purchased raffle tickets, or were one of the many local businesses who donated prizes or 

sponsored the event, your contribution is greatly appreciated by WEOF, the students and the 

staff of the district. WEOF raised more than $15,000 to fund educational grants in Wissahickon 

schools.

For more information about WEOF, please visit www.weof.org. 

Thank you, 

Susan Brereton 

WEOF co-president 

8th Grade Dance 

Save the Date! 

Date: June 14, 2013 

Time: 7 pm - 9:30 pm 

Theme: NYC Big City Lights! 

If you would like to volunteer for a committee, please contact April Guarini @ 610-662-6181 or 

[email protected]. 

Thank you! 


Barnes & Noble Night and "Dine & Donate" at Applebee's! 

Thursday, April 25th 

Join us for a fun night of food, shopping and great music on Thursday, April 25th, at the

Montgomery Square Shopping Center in North Wales. 

Barnes & Noble Night! 

Don't miss our amazing WMS Black Dog Jazz Band, performing at 7 pm at Barnes & Noble. Any 

purchases from the store and cafe will benefit WMS, so don't forget to mention WMS at the 

register! 

"Dine and Donate" at Applebee's! 

We are also partnering with the Applebee's, right next door, for a"Dine and Donate" event the 

same day! Make an evening out of it and grab dinner or dessert at Applebee's and they will 

make a donation to WMS. Bring a friend! 

EAT, SHOP, and GROOVE to support Wissahickon Middle School! 

Blue Bell Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast 

Sunday, April 14th 

8:00 am - 11:30 am 

Prophecy Creek Manor House 

All proceeds to benefit Second Alarmer's Rescue Squad! 

Please click here for the flyer! 

Intramural Sports, 

Camps, Clubs, Programs and Events 

Spring/Summer 2013

Wissahickon Community Aquatic Club 

2013 Spring Swim Clinics 

Please click here for the flyer which includes program information and 

registration instructions. 

Saturday, June 8, 2013 - 10:00 a.m. 

The purpose of the Hershey's Track & Field Program is to encourage physical 

fitness among youth and emphasize participation and sportsmanship. 

Who: Boys & Girls 

AGES: 9 - 14 (age as of December 31, 2013) 

LOCATION: Gwynedd Mercy High School Track 

The winners of each event have the opportunity to advance to the District meet 

which will be held in Easton, PA. 

Participants must pre-register through Lower Gwynedd 

Township Parks & Recreation Department 215-646-5302, 

registration forms can be found at: www.lowergwynedd.org 

Please click here for the flyer. 

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Department

Please click here to view the flyer for Spring and Summer 2013 Camps, Programs, and Special 

Events! 

Lower Gwynedd Township Parks & Recreation Department 

Please click here to view the flyer for Spring and Summer 2013 Camps, Programs, and Special 

Events! 

Penn State Abington Presents: 

KIDS & TEEN COLLEGE 

Summer 2013 Camps and academic enrichment programs 

for students entering grades 3 through 12 . 


For detailed camp descriptions, visit us online at 

www.abington.psu.edu/youthteen or call 215-881-7339 

WHS Baseball Camp 2013 

Eligible for: Boys ages 6-12 (must be 6 by 7/8/13) 

Dates: July 8 - 12, 2013 

Time: 9 am - 2 pm (Friday ending at Noon) 

Instructional sessions and games will be conducted on the Wissahickon High School and Junior 

Varsity baseball and softball fields.

Please click here for the flyer which includes additional information and instructions for 

registration. 

Contact: Coach Shannon Gunby 215-619-8110 x2122 - [email protected] 

Trojan Basketball Camp 2013 

For Boys and Girls Ages 7-15 

Week 1: July 15th - 19th (9am - 3pm M-F) 

Week 2: July 29th - Aug. 2nd, (9am - 3pm M-F) 

Please click here for the flyer which includes additional information and registration instructions. 

Dr. Stuart Malcolm Soccer Camps 

Summer 2013 Soccer Camps 

at Wentz Run Park for 

Boys and Girls ages 5-15. 


Lower Gwynedd Parks and Recreation Summer 2013 - British Soccer Camps 

British Soccer Camps - Ages 3-14 years old 

Please click here for the flyer!

2013 

Young Writers/Young Readers 

Summer enrichment for children and teens who love to read 

and write!! 

Sessions at West Chester University and 

selected sites in Berks, Bucks, Chester, 

Delaware, Lancaster, and Montgomery Counties, 

and in West Deptford, New Jersey. 

Please click here for the flyer! 

Camp Rainbow 

Camp Rainbow is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering 

underprivileged children of Montgomery County, ages seven through sixteen, a week-long 

overnight summer camping experience at a low cost to the family. 

Camp Rainbow offers the traditional camping programs including swimming, arts and crafts, 

music and theater, campfires and nature study. They also maintain a focus on social emotional 

learning, character development, developmental assets and 21st century skills. Campers will 

participate in team building, problem solving and other activities that promote positive youth 

and adolescent development toward becoming successful, productive adults. 

Applications are available in the Guidance Office or on the Camp Rainbow, Inc. website listed 

below.

The deadline to apply is April 30th, 2013. 

Please click on the Camp Rainbow website address for more information. 

Website: www.camprainbowinc.com 

Ways to help our school and community! 

Giant A+ Rewards Program 

Click HERE her to sign up! 

This is a quick, easy, and free way to earn money for WMS PTC! 

If you have a Giant BonusCard, just click on the above link, go to 

Customer Zone, enter your BonusCard #, and then select Wissahickon Middle School! If you don't 

have a BonusCard, you can get one for free at any Giant Food Store. 

You can also click here, enter your name and Giant card number at the prompt, and we will 

complete the sign up for you! 

Thank you for your support... 

Did you know...? 

Abitibi Paper recycling is available for 

all families at the WMS. 

The dumpster is located near the loading dock. It is for paper recycling 

only, but is available to the community. This helps to give back to the 

school! 

WMS Calendar and Upcoming Events

The 2013 - 2014 Wissahickon School District Calendar is here! 

Please click here to view or print. 

Friday, April 12th 

WHS/WMS Report Card Distribution via Portal 

Monday, April 15th 

WMS Spirit Week Begins! 


WMS Student/Staff Basketball Game, 7 pm WHS Dome Gym 

Saturday, April 20th 

WMS Strings at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Philadelphia Orchestra Concert plus 

Philadelphia Bourse Appearance 


WMS 2013-2014 Grade 6 Orientation, 7 pm WMS 

Barnes & Noble Night and "Dine & Donate" at Applebee's! 

Honors Strings to perform at Gwynedd Estates 

Monday, April 29th 

Visiting Author Day, Wendy Mass 

Contact information for Wissahickon Middle School:

Dr. Kevin P. McAneny, Principal 


Mrs. Kris DiGregorio, Assistant Principal (Grade 7) 


Mr. Toby Albanese, Assistant Principal (Grades 6 & 8) 



500 Houston Road 

Ambler, PA 19002 

phone: 215-619-8110 

WMS Web site: Click HERE 

2012-2013 

Officers of the WMS PTC Executive Board 

Co-President: Antoinette McFarland 


Co-President: Jill Lafferty 


Treasurer: David Frank [email protected] 

Corresponding Secretary: Mary Beth Pierson 


Recording Secretary: Teri McMasters 

[email protected]

For information on the WMS PTC click HERE 

To fill out a PTC Volunteer Form click HERE 

For a WMS PTC membership Form click HERE 

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Wissahickon Middle School | 500 Houston Road | Ambler | PA | 19002

April 2013 - Wissahickon School District

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