Students have until Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, before they start school, but Lower Merion staff are already hard at work, getting ready to welcome them and create a sense of safety and belonging. 

After meeting in their individual buildings on Monday, August 28, 2023, staff gathered at Lower Merion High School Tuesday morning, August 29, 2023, for the annual Convocation.

After time for quick catch-ups and a little breakfast, staff were welcomed by new Superintendent Dr. Steven Yanni, School Board President Lucy Klain, ISC Co-President Lisa Prosnitz and two high school students, Keira Edge from LM and Alessandra Simmons from Harriton. The students shared the positive impact that teachers, bus drivers, counselors, nurses, office and cafeteria staff had on them. 

Dr. Yanni shared some personal information about himself (he has two dogs and likes Diet Pepsi) along with his vision for the school year, emphasizing that students must be the "why" at the center of all District work and decisions.

He noted that he considers everyone who works in the District as part of one team and shared that while he knows that not every decision will have unanimous agreement, he will work toward building understanding and consensus among members of the school community and beyond. 

Tuesday afternoon, all LMSD staff took part in mandatory safety training, which reviewed preventative measures the District takes to protect physical safety, mental health and wellbeing, as well as training from Lower Merion Township Police about situational awareness and response. 

The slide show below shows some moments from these school year kickoff events.