Greetings, Upper Moreland Community!

Throughout October, students, staff, and families joined in many events highlighting what makes us proud to be part of the Upper Moreland community.

On Youth Night at Upper Moreland High School, the future Golden Bear cheerleaders, football players and the Middle School Marching Band joined their high school peers and filled the stadium with school spirit bringing together student-athletes and fans of all ages. 

Elementary students and their teachers dressed in Halloween costumes for our annual Halloween parade as parents and family members lined the parade route to celebrate students. Also, we came together as a community to raise funds to fight breast cancer during our Pink Out events, and we learned about and celebrated the cultures and rich histories of our students who identify with Hispanic heritage; they bring a valued and rich diversity to our community.

October also marked National Principals Month. At Upper Moreland, we have incredible principals and assistant principals at each building who care about staff, students, and families. They go the extra mile to provide support and guidance and to ensure that everyone feels safe, valued and heard. I am grateful for all that they do every day for Upper Moreland.

THANK YOU, PRINCIPALS!

November signals the end of the first quarter at the high school and parent-teacher conferences at all buildings. Thank you to our staff for the many hours of preparation they will invest in preparing for conferences. And, thank you to families for taking the time to meet with your children’s teachers. Conferences are just one valuable part of our partnerships to help all students thrive and succeed at Upper Moreland.

Go Bears!

Sincerely,

Dr. Sue Elliott
Superintendent of Schools

This month’s video takes you inside some of our Arts and Humanities classrooms. This includes Music, Art, and Family and Consumer Science. Thanks to the staff and students who contributed to this month’s video. Enjoy!

In 1968, President Johnson began the observance of Hispanic American Heritage Week to celebrate the “histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.” President Reagan expanded this celebration to thirty days from September 15 through October 15 each year. 

Why does this recognition begin in the middle of September and end in October? September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days later in September.  The month-long observation concludes in the middle of October with celebrations to honor the rich and diverse history of the Hispanic community. These celebrations include Dia de la Raza (Day of the Race), Dia del la Diversidad Cultural (Cultural Diversity Day) and Indigenous People’s Day. 

This year, Upper Moreland students across the District took time to learn the culture, history, and contributions of people from Spanish-speaking countries. 

At the elementary level, the UMIS Spanish Club met for a fun-filled session celebrating language and culture! Students played a variety of Spanish-language games, including “Hot and Cold” (Caliente/Frío), a mariposa (butterfly) hand-clapping game, and “Lotería”, a traditional Mexican version of bingo. Through games and interaction, students practiced Spanish vocabulary, strengthened teamwork, and explored cultural traditions in a lively, engaging way!

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, middle school students in Spanish class worked independently and in pairs to deepen their understanding of Hispanic cultures and identities.  Students learned about the origins of Hispanic Heritage Month, explored the differences between the terms “Hispanic,” “Latino,” and “Spanish,” and practiced identifying the flags of Spanish-speaking countries around the world. Through research and discussion, students reflected on the many ways culture, language, and history are connected.

Finally, the UMHS Diversity Club hosted a Homecoming Kickback & Salsa Night both in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and to officially welcome students back to school. Students learned about the history of salsa before hitting the floor for a fun dance lesson. They enjoyed music and games in the Aux Gym and shared delicious dishes like pupusas and arroz con gandules.  

At Upper Moreland, we honor and celebrate the histories and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. And we are proud to have students and staff who identify as Hispanic Americans enriching our school community. 

The end of October marks the conclusion of the fall sports season, which officially began in the heat of August. Throughout the season, the athletes demonstrated teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership both on and off the field, court, and course. And, the coaches mentored and guided student-athletes to grow and persevere through hard-fought wins and tough losses.

Several teams and players accomplished noteworthy successes this season. The Girls Field Hockey team earned a spot in district playoffs–the first time in eight years. Senior forward Melissa Torpey and Captain and goal keeper Tierney Hogan earned SOL athlete of the week honors, and Hogan also recorded a career 358 saves. Golf had a pair of Suburban One First Team All-League standouts - Carter Hemminger and Chase Kuech. In Cross Country, a strong group of runners qualified for the PIAA District One Championships on Saturday, November 1, 2025. Upper Moreland’s runners include Keith Bruce, Dominic DiMona, Christian Feil, Daniel Gradel, Shane Kelly, Brady Saunders, Alex Stagg, Elizabeth Harter, and Emma Stecher. Also wrapping up the season, the UMHS Bears Football Team is set to begin its playoff run in the PIAA District One Playoffs First Round on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 7:00pm against Strath Haven High School.

Best of luck to all our athletes in their post season!

The Upper Moreland High School Field Hockey Team’s annual Pink Out Fundraiser to help fight breast cancer culminated in a sea of pink in the stands and on the sidelines at the football game against Hatboro Horsham on Friday, October 24th. Each year, as part of breast cancer awareness month, members of the field hockey team sell t-shirts and sweat shirts. They also collect donations. All proceeds go to “Unite for HER”, a national nonprofit organization that supports breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients. This year, the team raised over $4,000.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this annual fundraiser a success!

The Upper Moreland Middle School has been awarded the “Grow the Game” grant from USA Pickleball Serves, the official charitable arm of USA Pickleball, the sport's national governing body. USA Pickleball Serves operates under the motto, "A Game that Gives Back", dedicated to making a positive national impact through the sport by supporting community programs focused on educational youth programming, inclusive play, and court enhancements.

This grant will provide an opportunity to grow Middle School’s physical education program, bringing one of the nation's fastest-growing and most accessible sports to our students. As a “Grow the Game” grant awardee, the district received the "Drive Bundle" which includes: 72 wooden paddles, 200 pickleballs, three (3) portable nets, and valuable educational resources to help grow the program.

Pickleball is a truly accessible sport, and this program strongly supports the belief that no matter their age, gender, or skill level, our students will be able to pick up a paddle and enjoy this rapidly growing, healthy, and social activity. We look forward to seeing our students on the courts!

The Upper Moreland Marching Unit (UMMU) continued its undefeated season with their performance on October 18 at the Perkiomen Valley USBands competition. The Golden Bears delivered a dazzling show that earned them a score of 88.3 and secured a 1st place finish in their division. In addition to earning the top spot, UMMU was also recognized for Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect, Best Color Guard, and Best Percussion. UMMU continued fine tuning their show at Souderton Area High School on October 25 improving their overall score to 92.7, claiming 1st Place plus Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect, Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, and Highest Overall Open Class Score.  

UMMU’s achievements mark continued success in their 2025-26 season journey. The Golden Bears' hard work, musical precision, and visual flair have clearly paid off, making them a unit to watch! UMMU secured the #1 seed position for the upcoming state championships hosted in our own stadium. You have a chance to see this championship-caliber performance live on Saturday, November 1 when Upper Moreland hosts the USBands PA State Championships. Both UMMU and the Upper Moreland Middle School Marching Band will be among the 27 bands competing. Make sure you're there to show your support for the undefeated Golden Bears!  

We are pleased to announce that Olivia Pinguli has been selected as the Upper Moreland High School Rotary Student of the Month for October 2025. Nominated by Mrs. Nicole Martino, Olivia is being honored for her academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to community service.

Olivia is a top student, consistently challenging herself with a full honors core curriculum and six Advanced Placement (AP) courses. She is currently advancing her education by taking sophomore-level courses at Montgomery County Community College, including Organic Chemistry. In school, Olivia is generous with her time, volunteering to tutor chemistry students and providing SAT and NHS peer tutoring.

Her leadership roles include serving on the Student Council, acting as an active member of the National Honor Society, and chairing the Mini-THON Sponsorship Committee. Olivia also demonstrates a strong commitment to service, volunteering at the UM Public Library, the Willow Grove Food Pantry, and the Upper Moreland Thrift Corner. She is also a BigFuture School Ambassador. In addition to her many activities, Olivia works as a Server at Southampton Estates and is a valued babysitter in the community.

Please join us in congratulating Olivia Pinguli for her achievements and the positive impact she has made on our school and community. She is an excellent representative of Upper Moreland High School. 

We are #UMProud of Olivia!

Upper Moreland is proud to recognize students for outstanding academic achievements from two of the nation's most respected educational organizations: the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) and the College Board.

Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program

Five Upper Moreland students who entered the National Merit Recognition competition have earned national recognition. The students’ scores on the PSAT/NMSQT, which serves as the initial entry test for the program, placed them in the top 3-4% of the more than 1.3 million students nationwide who took the exam. Receiving a Letter of Commendation from NMSC is an acknowledgment of exceptional scholastic ability and promise.

Senior, Christian Feil was named a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist from the National Merit Scholarship Program.  Christian was recognized for his exceptional academic performance, scoring in the top 16,000 students nationwide.

Seniors Benjamin Reiser, Dennis Vogel, Josephine O’Connor, and Owen Richards earned the distinction of National Merit Commended Students for their high scores, placing them among the top 50,000 PSAT/NMSQT nationwide test-takers. All recipients of these honors are recognized for their remarkable academic promise and potential for success in college.

UMHS Students Honored by College Board
Over thirty Upper Moreland seniors and juniors earned academic awards through the College Board National Recognition Program (NRP). The NRP program honors high-performing students who demonstrate academic excellence. These programs include the School Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award, and National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. To qualify, students must have a cumulative GPA of B+ or higher and qualifying scores on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP exams, and either place in the top 10% of test takers in specific categories or by earning a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams. Join us to congratulate the following students:

Both First-Generation Recognition Award and School Recognition Award:  Aubrey Pomrink, Benjamin Mai, Christopher Muzroll, Dhrumil Choksi, Ieva Dovha, and Nicholas Orsini

First-Generation Recognition Award: Gregyan Borges and Rylee Kaup

School Recognition Award: Alexi Smikle, Andrew Ellis, Benjamin Reiser, Catherine McKevitt, Christian Feil, David Darnesto, Delaney Stout, Dennis Vogel, Dylan Dinh, Elijah Bourgault, Ella Gould, Holly Pfizenmayer, Ivan Zheng, James Anderley, Josephine O’Connor, Julian Corbin, Kayla Vieira Soares Cipreste, Matthew Conway, Nathan Baradziej, Olivia Pinguli, Pailyn Philip, Ryan Mottola, Samantha Martin, and Tyler Feise

The College Board - BigFuture Ambassadors Program
Alexi Smikle has been named a BigFuture Ambassador for 2025-26 by the College Board. This program recognizes her leadership potential and requires her to guide peers through the post-secondary process, specifically by highlighting scholarship and college connection opportunities. Alexi will simultaneously gain communication skills while offering valuable student feedback to the College Board to enhance its services.

Congratulations on these outstanding accomplishments!

Founded in 1921, the National Honor Society continues its century-long tradition of recognizing students for excellence in the four pillars: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. In October, the National Honor Society (NHS) for high school students, and the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) inducted students, and on November 6 the middle school will induct students into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). 

For each honor society, applications of eligible students are meticulously reviewed by a faculty committee, which then recommends successful candidates for induction. 

Congratulations to the following 2025 honor society inductees. 

High School
NHS Inductees:

Seniors:
Molly McCann
Gracelynn Luchsinger

Juniors:
Caroline Abbosh
Addison Aguilera,
Kaelyn Ashley
Nathan Baradziej
James Anderley
Renee Boorstein
Riley Boyer
Matthew Conway
Owen Cummings
David Darnesto Jr
Julian Corbin
Dylan Dinh
Mackenzie Grike
Brittany Goldstein
Keiley Hawk
Melissa Herbert
Keira Hess
Austin Hiele
Colin Hood
Shane Kelly
Jammy Leiva
Lilly Lescure
Gracelynn Luchsiner
Elena Lupo
Adelyn McBride
Jada Montalvo
Chase Moore
Chelsea Painter
Abbigail Roussel
Daniel Sedletsky
Alondra Soriano
Ethan Starr
Delaney Stout
Catherine Trautz
Charlie Wilmot

Middle School 
NJHS Inductees:

7th Graders:
Joseph Blank
Noah Bradley
Kezia Christian
Sofia Corbin
Jasmine David
Michael Duncan
Riley Gohl
Chelsea Harnois
Ella Hidalgo
Evelyn Hidalgo
Tyson Houck
Olivia Jung
Miles Kaufman
Brinley Kavanagh
Samantha Kelly
Raina Lineback
Tucker Locke
Kayleigh Lovecchio
Shani Madar
Madison Martin
Daniel McCarthy
Jack Meehan
Nathan Miller
Eliana Ojeda
Owen Peiffer
Jayden Sainval

8th Graders:
Nazar Beseda
Lily Green
Charlotte Lengel
Grace Nuss
Tripp Parfitt
Allison Violi
Jack Welsh

Elementary School 
NEHS Inductees:

Ava Alvarado
Emery Bandini
Akosua Baron
Domenic Caceres
Mia Chen-Lessman
Nikolai Cheryba
Nicholas Cumming
Natalie De Los Santos
Finley Dunn
Jacari Edwards
Jacobo Fletcher
Theresa Glomstad
Calvin Grasso
Brody Haley
Greyson Haley
Brielle Hamilton
Kenji Harvey
Aiden Hood
Holden Houck
Adam Lala
Hadley Marston
Maeve McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Aubrey Myers
Ava Nejman-Long
Ryan Paxson
Alex Peart
Joseph Schiavone
Lucas Smith
Gracelyn Sobotta
Happy Stainback
Arianna Steklenev
Timothy Stieber
Gabriel Strangfeld
Jordan Young

The Board of School Directors held their monthly legislative meeting on October 28, 2025. . Below are highlights of the actions taken at this meeting. To view the meeting agenda, please visit the School Board section of the District website.

This newsletter highlights upcoming events each month. For even more ways to stay informed, check out the calendar on our website and in our app, which are always up-to-date with important dates and events across the District.

Would you like to join our team and serve the students and families of Upper Moreland? There are various positions open. Consider submitting an application for one of our available positions.

Upper Moreland Township School District serves
approximately 3,500 students in southeastern Pennsylvania.