Late August in Rydal-Meadowbrook is when summer starts giving way to fall routines. The school year is just weeks away, the township is wrapping up a season of road work, and the Board of Commissioners has a full calendar of meetings that shape how the neighborhood runs. Whether you have a child starting at Rydal Elementary, a commute affected by PennDOT projects, or just want to stay informed on what Abington Township is doing, here is your late-August guide to the practical stuff that matters.
RMCA's mission has always been about creating connections and keeping the neighborhood informed. There is no better time than back-to-school season to lean into both.
01 Rydal Elementary Welcomes New Families
Rydal Elementary School, located at 211 Susquehanna Road, is the neighborhood school serving the Rydal-Meadowbrook attendance area. For families with children entering grades 1 through 5, a New Student Meet & Greet is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. The school also hosts a Kindergarten Meet & Greet the same day from 3:00 to 4:00 PM, giving the youngest students and their parents a chance to see the classroom, meet the teacher, and walk the hallways before the first day.
Both events are free and open to enrolled families. They are a low-pressure way to ease into the school year, especially for kindergarteners who may be nervous about a new building. If you have a child starting at Rydal Elementary this fall, these meet-and-greets are worth putting on the calendar.
Looking ahead, the Abington School District opens the school year with teacher inservice days from August 31 through September 4. Schools and district offices are closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day. The first day of student attendance is Tuesday, September 8, for grades K through 6 and grade 9. Grades 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 start Wednesday, September 9. This staggered start is designed to give the youngest and newest students a calmer, less crowded first day. Rydal Elementary also holds its annual Back-to-School Picnic on Friday, September 18, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, and the first PTO Meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 22, at 7:00 PM.
02 PennDOT Wraps Up Eastern Montco Resurfacing
PennDOT has been working through a multi-county contract to resurface more than 240 miles of state highways across southeastern Pennsylvania, and several eastern Montgomery County roads have seen overnight lane closures and flagging operations through mid-August. The most notable project near Abington Township was the resurfacing of Church Road between Township Line Road and Route 73 (Washington Lane), which ran in two phases from August 3 through August 14, with nightly work from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. While Church Road sits just outside the Abington border in Cheltenham Township, the project signals that PennDOT's resurfacing program is active across the region, and Abington-owned roads on the state highway network may see similar work as the season continues.
For residents commuting into Philadelphia via the West Trenton Line or driving to the Jenkintown transportation hub, the resurfacing contracts mean smoother roads in the months ahead. PennDOT has not announced the next round of Abington-area closures, but the township's project page is updated regularly. We will flag any new work that directly affects Rydal-Meadowbrook streets in future posts.
A reminder: PECO utility work continues along The Fairway between Susquehanna Road and the road's turn. Flagging is in place, and drivers should expect minor delays in that area. The project is expected to finish later this fall.
03 A Busy Week of Township Meetings
Abington Township's board and commission schedule is packed over the next two weeks, with several meetings open to the public. Here is what is on the calendar:
- Tuesday, August 18 — Zoning Hearing Board Meeting (7:00 PM, Township Building)
- Wednesday, August 19 — Environmental Advisory Council Meeting (7:00 PM)
- Thursday, August 20 — Pension Plan Committee Meeting and Finance Committee Meeting (7:00 PM)
- Tuesday, August 25 — Planning Commission Meeting (7:00 PM)
- Thursday, August 27 — Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting (7:00 PM, Township Building, 1176 Old York Road)
The Board of Commissioners meeting on August 27 is the one that typically draws the most attention from residents. This is where township ordinances are voted on, budget items are discussed, and community concerns get heard. If you have been following the proposed e-bike ordinance — which went to a public hearing earlier this month — or want to weigh in on any neighborhood matter, this is the meeting to attend.
Agendas for all meetings are posted in advance on the township's CivicClerk portal, accessible from abingtonpa.gov. Meetings are held at the Abington Township Building, 1176 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001, and are open to the public. If you cannot attend in person, some meetings offer virtual participation links.
Your neighborhood, your school, your voice.
Late August in Rydal-Meadowbrook is the moment when summer routines shift into fall rhythms. The first day of school is three weeks away. The township is in full meeting season. And RMCA is here to help you stay connected to all of it — from school events to township board votes to the road work that affects your daily commute.
RMCA has represented Rydal-Meadowbrook residents since 1948. We create connections, facilitate communication, monitor township happenings, and work to improve the neighborhood. Membership supports everything from advocacy on development issues to community events and the upkeep of shared spaces. Join us and help shape the next chapter of this neighborhood.
Quick Reference — Late-August Key Dates
- Rydal Elementary New Student Meet & Greet — Aug 26, 10-11 AM, 211 Susquehanna Rd. Kindergarten session 3-4 PM same day.
- Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting — Aug 27, 7 PM, Abington Township Building, 1176 Old York Rd. Open to the public.
- First Day of School — Sep 8 (grades K-6, 9) and Sep 9 (grades 7-8, 10-12). Schools closed Sep 7 for Labor Day.
- PECO Utility Work on The Fairway — Flagging in place between Susquehanna Rd and the turn. Anticipated completion late October.
Stay informed. Stay connected. Join RMCA.
RMCA membership keeps you plugged into everything happening in Rydal-Meadowbrook — school updates, township meetings, neighborhood events, and community advocacy. Membership tiers include Senior ($75), Patron ($100), and Community Partner ($250). Every membership supports our mission of creating connections, facilitating communication, and improving the neighborhood.
