National group honors Lower Merion schools

Karen Reivich was one of 30 attendees Wednesday at Welsh Valley Middle School, where the Narberth resident filmed her son with her iPhone. She wore a proud smile.

The smile wasn't just for her son, Welsh Valley Student Government President and eighth grader Jacob Diamond-Reivich, but also for the Lower Merion School District, which was awarded the title of one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America's Promise Alliance.

"It makes you proud to be a parent," Reivich said. "They way [the district] promotes inclusion and respect between students, and the way they get them to interact with each other and faculty is just amazing. You just know there's integrity behind it."

The school district hinted at the award this morning with a tweet that read, "Check back soon w/ @LowerMerionSD and @ lmsd.org for a big announcement today! Get ready to spread the word…"

At 10:30 a.m., the district held a news conference to announce the award, distributed by the Alliance, a partnership of more than 400 corporations, nonprofits and faith-based organizations and founded in 1997 by General Colin Powell to help improve children's lives.

Students wearing blue T-shirts with a logo of the award title helped parents and district staffers navigate their way to the news conference.

During the gathering, the district's communications director, Doug Young, informed audience members of the rigorous application process the district went through to receive the honor. The district had to submit data on academic achievements, attendance and district health services, among other things.

The district also provided findings from the 2011 Student Life Survey, presented by The Coalition for Youth of Lower Merion and Narberth, in addition to student and alumni testimonials.

In the application, the district drew special attention to its anti-bullying efforts, and Welsh Valley's initative called FORUM, which consists of bullying education, guided discussions and problem-solving techniques as part of students' homeroom activities.

This aspect of the district life made 14-year-old Diamond-Reivich especially thrilled the district received the honor.

"There are many forms of bullying…and I'm very proud to be a student here," Diamond-Reivich said. "I encourage other school districts across the nation to follow Lower Merion in producing a safe, healthy environment for students."

State Senator Daylin Leach, who sits on Pennsylvania's education committee and also spoke on Wednesday, shared the sentiment. Leach emphasized that the honor was also reflective of the community's investment in the school district.

"The [district] is held up across the state as the gold standard of what a school district should be," Leach said. "It shows where that sort of investment can lead."