Upper Moreland Primary School May Soon get a New Look

Title 1 Reading Specialist Dina Cassidy presented to the April 10 Facilities and Operations school board committee the idea that first impressions are lasting ones.

“One of the many ideas we have, would be to improve the families’ experience for the school,” Cassidy told the committee.

As part of a Title 1 team in the school district, Cassidy said that the team holds several workshops throughout the year with members of the community, and constantly looks for ways tosupport Title 1 students. Title 1 is the federally-funded program that helps, “educationally deprived children,” according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. The site further explains that Title one students typically need more support with their academic pursuits.

By exploring various ways in providing that support, the Upper Moreland Title 1 team has also taken a look at the physical state of the school facilities themselves, in which Cassidy referred to as the learning environment.

“It’s what our guests see when they arrive and what our children see every day,” Cassidy said. “We’re trying to see things through the eyes of the parents and visitors - what would it need to be in order to be family friendly and [have] easier navigation?”

She said that the team is looking at the question from both the inside-out, as well as through the outside-in perspective.

For the latter perspective, Cassidy presented an opportunity to the committee, which would provide enhancements to the primary school façade.

According to a memo addressed to the school board from the primary school principal Susan Smith as well as Cassidy, the space for potential enhancements is located along the front walk of the school, by the front office area (see artist rendition in photo gallery above).

The memo states that the Warminster-based K&K Landscaping company will cultivate prepare and plant for free the approximately 9-foot-50-foot space. The intended enhancements also include a 12-inch-by-3-yards-space directly alongside the office front path, which K&K will turn over to the primary school to allow the planting of bulbs or seasonal flowers.

Also in this opportunity, The Flower Station will provide plants and tree donations. Combined with the intended work by K&K, the project has a total estimated cost of $20,000. According to Cassidy, $16,000 will be donated by the en-gratis work from K&K and the Flower Station, while $400 was donated by the Primary School HSA for additional planting costs.

Among the foliage intended for planting:

• 2 dragon Lady Hollies (4 feet tall)

• 1 Cutleaf Japanese Maple

• 2 Knock-Out roses

• 4 Cherry Laurels

• 2 Gold thread Cypress

•  Dwarf Ornamental Grasses

According to Cassidy, K&K will also take care of providing topsoil and mulch. She had suggested to the committee that signs should be posted once enhancements are completed in order to honor the en gratis work by local businesses.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to involve the community with the school,” Mark Wenik, Facilities chairperson, said.

There were two drawbacks that Cassidy said were not resolved at the time of her presentation, which included future weeding and the finding a water source.

District superintendent Dr. Robert Milrod suggested that helping hands may be found through the volunteers from the newly created which is located behind the Primary School.

District Facilities manager Harry Protzman said that a water source, likely directed from Cubby’s Garden, would be easy enough to install at the front of the building.

According to Cassidy, similar plans are currently being reviewed for the .