{"id":373,"date":"2025-10-15T00:34:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T00:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/373\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T00:34:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T00:34:08","slug":"why-parents-say-they-were-angered-by-lower-merion-school-districts-lockdown-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/373\/","title":{"rendered":"Why parents say they were angered by Lower Merion School District’s lockdown communication"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, Lower Merion<\/a>! \ud83d\udc4b<\/p>\n

Some parents say they were angered by the school district\u2019s lack of communication<\/a> amid last week\u2019s lockdown. Also this week, a new Greek-style cafe is bringing \u201cEuropean coffee culture\u201d to Ardmore<\/a>, a Lower Merion cyclist\u2019s injury underscores the struggle to legislate e-bikes and e-scooters<\/a>, and State Rep. Mary Jo Daley announced she won\u2019t seek reelection.<\/p>\n

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A number of parents expressed outrage on social media last week over what they say was a lack of communication from the Lower Merion School District amid a lockdown spurred by a police chase. <\/p>\n

The FBI responded to an alleged attempted robbery of an armored vehicle<\/a> near City Avenue a little before noon on Friday, forcing parts of the area to shelter in place and eight LMSD schools to go into lockdown. <\/p>\n

On Facebook, parents raised concerns that emails didn\u2019t include certain details, like which schools were in lockdown, and that students didn\u2019t know whether threats were coming from inside or outside school buildings, The Inquirer\u2019s Denali Sagner reports.<\/p>\n

Read more about parents\u2019 concerns and the district\u2019s response here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ardmore will soon welcome its newest cafe, but unlike other spots, The Brew Room is aiming to bring a little bit of Europe\u2019s slower-paced coffee culture to its customers. <\/p>\n

The Brew Room is designed to be a community watering hole where guests can linger. Run by husband-and-wife duo Eleni and Danny Chrisidis, they say it will be a modern tribute to the Greek coffeehouse, serving up freddo espresso, a silky, shaken Greek coffee drink, as well as favorites like bougatsa, a pastry made of phyllo and creamy custard, and spanakopita, a spinach and feta pastry. <\/p>\n

Read more about the cafe that\u2019s aiming to open this weekend at 6 W. Lancaster Ave<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udca1 Community News<\/p>\n

A Lower Merion resident was struck by an unregistered electric motorcycle over the summer, resulting in a fractured vertebra and partially dissected artery in his neck. Itamar Drechsler is one of an increasing number of Philadelphia-area residents that have been injured by e-bikes or e-scooters in recent months, leaving lawmakers and police departments scrambling to address the problem<\/a>. <\/p>\n

State Rep. Mary Jo Daley<\/a> announced last week that she will not seek reelection when her term ends in December 2026. Daley, a Democrat who serves the 148th Legislative District, which includes parts of Lower Merion, was first elected in 2012 and said she \u201cwill continue working to support and encourage new leaders who will carry on the fight for equality and opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Federal Railroad Administration has ordered SEPTA<\/a> to perform emergency inspections of its 225 Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars following five recent fires, including one in Paoli in July. Removing the 50-year-old cars from service has caused delays, overcrowding, and cancellations for commuters this week<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The township is hosting two fall cleanup events this weekend. On Saturday, drop off unwanted electronics at the Lower Merion Public Works Complex between 9 a.m. and noon during the \u201cAnything with a Plug\u201d event<\/a>. On Sunday, there\u2019s a free household hazardous waste collection at the Lower Merion Transfer Station. Advanced registration is required. Find a full list of accepted items here<\/a>, and register here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sign-ups are open<\/a> for eligible residents to participate in the township\u2019s curbside composting pilot program that launches next month. The program will serve 75 single-family homes located southeast of the Bala Cynwyd Library from West City Avenue to North Highland Avenue and from Old Lancaster Road to Bryn Mawr Avenue, as well as homes on Stoneway Lane, Edgehill Road, and Upland Road.<\/p>\n

Nonprofit HumanGood recently broke ground<\/a> on Ardmore House II<\/a>, an affordable housing community for residents 62 and older who earn 60% or less of the area median income. The project, in partnership with Genesis Housing Corporation, will have 48, one-bedroom apartments as well as parking. Ardmore House II is projected to be completed in late 2026. <\/p>\n

Main Line Health\u2019s Lankenau Medical Center in Penn Wynne is seeing an increase in trauma patients months after Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Delaware County closed. Bryn Mawr Hospital has also seen an increase in emergency department patients. (Philadelphia Business Journal<\/a>)<\/p>\n

A new wellness center offering yoga, physical therapy, and wellness education is hosting its grand opening today. Best Beginnings<\/a>, located at 4 E. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore, caters to new moms, babies, and their families with pre- and postnatal yoga, playgroups, and kids yoga. It\u2019s run by Rachel Canterino,\u00a0a doctor of physical therapy who has worked with patients for over 25 years. <\/p>\n

Main Line Urgent Vet<\/a> held a ribbon cutting on Friday<\/a> to officially unveil its space. Located at 20 Woodside Road in Ardmore, the center opened this summer and provides urgent veterinary medical care seven days a week, except on major holidays. <\/p>\n

That wasn\u2019t the only unveiling this past week. An updated Schauffele Plaza in Ardmore officially debuted<\/a> over the weekend. It features a migratory bird-inspired mural and new seating<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfeb Schools Briefing<\/p>\n

LMSD\u2019s Interschool Council is hosting a nonpartisan school board candidate forum<\/a> tonight from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Harriton High School\u2019s auditorium. It will also be broadcast on Harriton TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n

LMSD this week put out a community survey<\/a> as it begins to develop its 2026-2031 strategic plan<\/a>. Responses can be submitted until next Thursday and will be analyzed ahead of a community input session on Oct. 29. <\/p>\n

Several area schools rank among Niche\u2019s 2026 Best Private High Schools\u00a0in Pennsylvania<\/a> list, which was released last week. The Baldwin School ranks third in the state, followed by The Agnes Irwin School (No. 7), and The Shipley School (No. 8), all in Bryn Mawr. Also ranking in the top 20 are Friends\u2019 Central School in Wynnewood (No. 12) and Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (No. 20), also in Bryn Mawr. Rankings are based off student and parent reviews, as well as the quality of colleges that students consider, and student-teacher ratios. <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f On our Plate<\/p>\n

Philadelphia fast-casual chain Wokworks is opening its Bryn Mawr location at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Located at 5 Franklin Ave., it takes over the former 9Round Fitness, where it will serve made-to-order rice and noodle dishes with the help of a robot<\/a>. During its grand opening, it will have a \u201cflip for it\u201d promotion where any diner that correctly guesses a coin flip will get a free bowl. <\/p>\n

Chicken wing chain Wing it On is looking to expand into the Philadelphia market and is eyeing future locations in spots like Ardmore and Bryn Mawr. (Philadelphia Business Journal<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfb3 Things to Do<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc83 Dance to Beat Breast Cancer<\/a>: Breast cancer survivor and certified Zumba and La Blast instructor Carol Fee is hosting a dance fitness class to raise funds for Abramson Cancer Center, where she was treated. The event includes dance instruction followed by lunch and raffles. \u23f0 Saturday, Oct. 11, 9:15 a.m.-1 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $40 donation \ud83d\udccd Maybrook Mansion<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udde9 80s Escape Room<\/a>: Teams of three to eight people will have one hour to solve puzzles and return to present day. Teams will go out one at a time, so advanced registration is required. \u23f0 Saturday, Oct. 11, 11:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Free \ud83d\udccd Gladwyne Library<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf7b Narberth Oktoberfest<\/a>: This 21-and-over event benefiting Sabine Park and the annual Narberth Memorial Day Parade includes food from The Flying Deutschman food truck, craft beers from Stockertown Beverage, live music, and raffles. \u23f0 Saturday, Oct. 11, 5-11 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $75 \ud83d\udccd Narberth Park<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf42 Community Fall Festival<\/a>: Now in its fourth year, this family-friendly festival will have lots of kids activities, including a bounce house, face painting, and petting zoo, plus music, yard games, vendors, and food trucks. \u23f0 Sunday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Free admission, tickets or wristbands required for certain rides \ud83d\udccd Kaiserman JCC<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfe1 On the Market<\/p>\n

A Penn Valley home with a theater and fire pit<\/a><\/p>\n

The first floor of this stone and Tudor-style manor home in Penn Valley features a living room with a fireplace, a formal dining room, an office with built-ins, a family room with vaulted ceilings and a fireplace, and an eat-in kitchen with a center island and stainless steel appliances. There are five bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a gas fireplace, two walk-in closets, two separate vanities, and a soaking tub. The walk-out lower level has a gym, home theater, and gaming room, with space for an additional bedroom. Outside, the home has a deck that leads to a patio with a built-in grill. There\u2019s also a separate fire pit and a spacious yard. <\/p>\n

See more photos of the property here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Price: $2.595M | Size: 7,434 SF | Acreage: 0.74<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcc8 Lower Merion market report<\/p>\n

Median listing price: $765,000 (up $120,050 from August) \ud83d\udcc8<\/p>\n

Median sold price: $425,000 (down $147,000 from August) \ud83d\udcc9<\/p>\n

Median days on the market: 34 (down seven days from August) \ud83d\udcc9<\/p>\n

This Lower Merion market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for September from realtor.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:<\/p>\n

By submitting your written, visual, and\/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer\u2019s Terms of Use<\/a>, including the grant of rights in Section 10.<\/p>\n

This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer\u2019s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com\/donate<\/a>. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org\/supporters<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hi, Lower Merion! \ud83d\udc4b Some parents say they were angered by the school district\u2019s lack of communication amid…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":374,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[183,185,184,186,545],"class_list":["post-373","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-lower-merion","tag-lower-merion","tag-lower-merion-headlines","tag-lower-merion-news","tag-lower-merion-township","tag-lower-merion-school-district-lockdown-police-chase-the-brew-room"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/373","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=373"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/373\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=373"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=373"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}