About

The Interschool Council (ISC) is the umbrella organization for the 11 Home and School Associations (HSAs) in Lower Merion School District (LMSD). The ISC strives to enhance education throughout the District by promoting communication amongst parents/guardians, teachers, school district administrators, the Board of School Directors and the general community. Through its many efforts to foster interschool exchange and understanding, the ISC plays an important role in maintaining LMSD's academic excellence.

To facilitate the ISC principal mission as a liaison among the HSAs, the community and LMSD, the ISC hosts the following:

• Monthly Meetings (General,    HSA Presidents and Executive Committee)
• District Art Show
• Mini Grant Program
• LMSD Administrator Luncheon
• Community Programs
• Parent Education Series

Click here to view a PDF of the ISC Activities At a Glance.

The ISC coordinates two monthly meetings for the LMSD community:

General Meetings: This meeting is open to all parents and guardians of students attending LMSD schools. They are typically held on the second Tuesday of the month at 9:30 AM in the District Administration Office Building or the Academy Building. These meetings aim to provide an opportunity for parents and guardians to engage in discussions with LMSD staff on topics that focus on current issues facing families in the District. Typical topics include updates on changes in the District, such as curriculum issues, guidance and facilities. LMSD Superintendent Mr. Robert Copeland will present a State of the District at the first general meeting and the last general meeting of the school year. Please visit the ISC website for current meeting information.

The ISC wants to hear from you. Contact us at ISCInfoNow@gmail.com.

Presidents Meetings: This meeting is open to all HSA Presidents and provides an opportunity for presidents to convene and discuss District-wide issues and work together to find solutions to meet the needs of their schools.

The ISC hosts an annual, week-long art exhibit at the Main Line Art Center featuring hundreds of pieces of student artwork selected by the art teachers from all 11 schools in the District. The ISC Art Show provides parents, guardians, and the community the opportunity to view the creativity and talent of students across all grades in a variety of artistic mediums.

The ISC Mini Grant Program is an annual program funded by the ten HSAs and the CSE. The program provides LMSD teachers an opportunity to submit applications for funding that would bring innovative and creative approaches to teaching to students in the District. A committee comprised of parents and LMSD administrators evaluates each proposal through a “blind review” process to select the applications for funding that best meet the aims of the ISC Mini Grant Program. Please see the LMSD website or your school principal for more information on this program.

The ISC hosts a luncheon each spring for all LMSD administrators in recognition of their service to the District. Funded by the HSAs and the CSE, the luncheon provides an informal opportunity for both the central and school-based administrative staff to meet and mingle with the ISC, HSA and CSE representatives and officers. Additionally, the event showcases the current year’s Mini Grant recipients. The high schools provide musical groups for entertainment, and Family and Consumer Science students often help prepare the meal and bake desserts for this lovely event.

During School Board election years, if there is a contested election, the ISC, in conjunction with the League of Women Voters, hosts debates amongst the candidates. These nonpartisan events are typically the only debates held during the election cycle and serve to make the electorate aware of the candidates and their positions. The debates are held at the high schools and are open to the entire community. On non-election years, a speaker of national stature is brought in to address a topic of interest to the Lower Merion K-12 educational community. These events are also open to the entire community.

ISC representatives serve as a primary liaison between their schools and the Interschool Council. ISC representatives have two main functions:

• Attend the monthly General Meetings to share news or concerns from their schools that may be of general interest, and to report back to their HSAs on ISC discussions, decisions and upcoming events;
• Assist with ISC-sponsored activities, such as the annual appreciation luncheon for school administrative staff and other events as needed.

Click here to view the calendar for the 2022-23 academic year!