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The education and welfare of our students is at the center of every decision and every plan made here in the North Penn School District (NPSD). Sometimes these decisions are quick and easy, and sometimes much research, deliberation and input is needed.
NPSD currently faces major facility needs impacting the education of our students. These needs range from infrastructure improvements at North Penn High School (NPHS) and addressing needs of Knapp Elementary School, to removing modular classrooms throughout NPSD and considering air conditioning at our middle schools. In looking at these needs and the hundreds of millions of dollars and significant time that is needed to complete all of the projects, district administration determined it is educationally and fiscally responsible to examine the grade configuration of our school district. Quite simply, if we are going to renovate and/or build, we need to be sure we are pleased with the final outcome.
At the school board worksession meeting held on Tuesday, January 8, the idea of removing ninth grade from the three middle schools and building a ninth grade center on the grounds of NPHS was discussed. Related to this issue, the conversation continued about whether sixth grade would move to the middle schools and how this would impact future work at Knapp and the need, or lack thereof, for modulars throughout NPSD.
The conversation truly centered on what is best for students. Moving ninth graders to the NPHS campus would provide more opportunities for them to participate in specialized and advanced classes, co-curricular programs, athletics and extracurricular activities. It could also improve guidance services to these students and provide better access to the North Montco Technical Career Center. Moving sixth graders to the middle schools would also come with certain advantages including improved teaming of students, which research shows is effective in the instruction of students this age.
Of course, reconfiguring grades and building a ninth-grade center would come with multiple challenges. We understand that bussing, traffic, utility issues, school safety and much more would be huge factors in building on the NPHS campus. As we study all sides of a potential relocation of grades six and nine, we seek the input of staff, parents, students, and community members.
Click here to view the worksession and the discussion held.
Please watch the meeting and use this form to provide feedback. As you will see after watching the video, the idea is in the preliminary stages and we do not have a lot of details as of yet. NPSD's architectural firm has been tasked with developing some preliminary options that we will make public when available. Moving forward, discussions on this very important topic will be held during the school board's Support Services Committee meetings, held at 6:00 pm at the Educational Services Center, 401 East Hancock Street, Lansdale. The dates for the remainder of the school year can found here and are as follows:
Monday, January 28
Monday, February 25
Monday, March 25
Monday, April 29
Wednesday, May 29
It is an exciting time here in the North Penn School District as we continue to make changes that benefit students, like the recent approval to implement full-day kindergarten.
Reconfiguring the grade levels in our schools is another example of issues we need to look at to ensure our students are being provided the best possible education. Please know we also intend to gather input from the students we serve and for whom all our efforts are to support. I truly hope you will be part of the process, as well, as we chart NPSD's future.
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed.D.
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Congratulations to the North Penn Marching Knights for taking first place at the
US Bands PA State Championships at West Chester University and for winning Caption Awards for Best Music and Best Color Guard!
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Students must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2019 to enter Kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year. Our school policy does not allow exceptions to this date.
Centralized kindergarten registration for the 2019-2020 school year will begin the week of February 25, 2019. Appointments fill up fast, so please do not wait. Click the link below to learn more and schedule your appointment today!
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Snow is bound to hit NPSD this winter! When the weather outside is frightful, NPSD Superintendent Curt Dietrich is very busy consulting with various school district departments, other school districts and weather outlets to assess conditions and whether school needs to be delayed, dismissed or cancelled. It is not an easy job.
On snowy mornings, Dr. Dietrich (if he sleeps at all) is awake for a conference call before 5 am. It is NPSD's hope that school delays and closings will be decided and posted via district communication channels by 5:30 am. In some challenging situations, that may not happen but the decision is always made as soon as possible.
it is important to note that district communication channels are always updated first. For the most accurate, up-to-date information, we recommend the following in order:
- Tune into North Penn Television (NPTV) on Comcast Cable channel 28 and Verizon FiOS channel 29 for the fastest information concerning delays and closings.
- Download the NPSD mobile app to receive notifications on your mobile phone. The NPSD Mobile App is available for Apple and Android devices.
- Visit the main page of our website, as closing/delay information will always be posted in the "Important Announcements" section.
- "Like" NPSD on Facebook or follow NPSD on Twitter to see posts about closing/delay information.
- Local radio and television stations are also notified but NPSD cannot guarantee the timeliness of their posting of the information. The WNPV 1440 AM school closing number for NPSD is 303.
In situations when schools are dismissed early, all of the above-mentioned communication tools are used in addition to using the emergency messenger system. Because of this, it is very important to keep your contact information up to date with your school's office and on Home Access Center.
For more detailed information about inclement weather notification, turn to your 2018-2019 Activities Calendar.
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Did you know NPSD has a monthly live program that all students and staff watch at the same time? Community members can watch live too the last Tuesday of every month at 10:00 am on our
YouTube Channel.
This month's issue features district news, the results of our snow closing contest, the largest sing along in district history, 21 Things, #thewhy and much more!
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Monday, January 14; 12 pm to 1 pm
NPSD Educational Services Center
401 East Hancock Street, Lansdale
NPSD and NPSD Superintendent Dr. Curt Dietrich are excited to once again offer families and community members the opportunity to speak one-on-one about important issues involving NPSD schools. Community Conversations, a series of informal meetings, gives attendees the chance to talk freely with Dr. Dietrich and share their concerns and suggestions for the North Penn School District.
All North Penn community members, whether they have children in North Penn schools or not, are invited to attend these informative Community Conversations with Dr. Dietrich.
Space is limited and seats fill up fast!
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NPSD Board of School Directors Meetings
January 8 Worksession Meeting Agenda
To view agenda attachments and minutes from past meetings, please click here.
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The school store is now online!
Stock up on all your NPHS apparel by ordering online. To visit the NPHS School Store's website, please click
here.
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Stay up to date with the latest news, events and highlights from North Penn School District |
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In an effort to improve communications, the district has created "Say What" to provide people with a place to get answers to questions and to address rumors and inaccurate information that sometimes circulates throughout the community.
Click on the logo
to check out NPTV's
media library. New content
added daily!
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We want to hear from you! If you have a suggestion for a story idea or have comments, please email
[email protected].
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Dr. Dietrich's Superintendent's Student Council
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Last month, Dr. Dietrich visited Bridle Path Elementary School for the Superintendent's Student Council December meeting where he was joined by students in grades five and six. During this meeting, Dr. Dietrich was able to speak with students about curriculum, teacher support, student interaction, extracurricular activities and much more. The district thanks these stellar students for their feedback about what it's like to be a student at Bridle Path in the North Penn School District.
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NPHS Student Artists Selected for 2018 Drexel University High School Contest Exhibition
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Congratulations to NPHS students Marissa Werner and Shah Mubassirah Sharif whose photographs were selected for the 2018 Drexel University High School Contest Exhibition!
These young artists' work will be exhibited at Drexel's Photography Gallery in Philadelphia from February 9 through March 3, 2019.
The opening reception will be held on Saturday, February 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Photography Gallery. The Photography Gallery is located on the fourth floor of the Academic Building located at
101 North 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA. If you have any questions or should you need directions please feel free to contact Paul Runyon at 215-895-2932.
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"Vaping" Trend to be Addressed by Nationally-Certified Speaker at Upcoming NPSD Parent Forum
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With the growing popularity of "vaping" among teens and young adults, the NPSD is hosting Nationally Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist David Fialko to speak to families about this topic on Monday, January 14 at 7:00 pm in the NPHS Audion.
David Fialko is an Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist and a Nationally Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist at the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. Fialko provides tobacco cessation, education and prevention services throughout the state and abroad. His 16 years of experience working in the Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health field keeps him informed of current trends in Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug (ATOD) use.
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NPSD Earns Meritorious Budget Award
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For the fourth year in a row, the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International has awarded NPSD its Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in budget presentation during the 2018-2019 budget year.
The Meritorious Budget Awards (MBA) program promotes and recognizes excellence in school budget presentation and enhances school business officials' skills in developing, analyzing and presenting a school system budget. After a rigorous review by professional auditors, the award is conferred only on school districts that have met or exceeded the program's stringent criteria.
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Ten Propane-Fueled Buses and Propane
Fueling Station to be Installed
Using State Grants Awarded to NPSD
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NPSD will be rolling in energy efficiency and cost savings this spring as it implements its recently awarded grants totaling more than $600,000 to purchase 10 propane-fueled school buses and install a propane fueling station.
The use of propane fuel rather than diesel for school buses is cleaner for both student riders and the environment, quieter and more cost-efficient. Last fall, NPSD Chief Financial Officer Steve Skrocki worked with NPSD Coordinator of Transportation Nicholas Kraynak to apply for several grants in pursuit of propane-fueled buses. NPSD applied for grants to fund 10 propane buses - the maximum number allowed for application at one time - through the Department of Environmental Protection's Driving PA Forward - Onroad Rebate Program. The district was notified in early January that all 10 grants were approved, totaling in $459,400 to purchase propane-fueled buses. A portion of the funds available for the grants are from the $118 million settlement from Volkswagen. The purpose of the grant program is to replace, repower or retrofit fleet diesel-powered trucks, buses and other vehicles and equipment under the Pennsylvania State Clean Diesel Grant program.
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NPHS Neha Velaga Named Girls Tennis Player of the Year by The Intelligencer
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For all her physical prowess on the tennis court, Neha Velaga's greatest talent may be her ability to stay calm in the crucible of competition.
"I've always been able to keep my head and stay calm," the North Penn junior said.
Article courtesy of The Intelligencer.
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NPSD Celebrates Inclusive Schools Week
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Students at Gwynedd Square Elementary School and throughout the North Penn School District celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by completing "I Am" statements explaining how unique and special each and every one of us are.
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Bridle Path/Montgomery Elementary Select String Ensemble Travels to Chicago for Performance
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The Bridle Path/Montgomery Elementary Select String Ensemble, which is comprised of students ages nine through 12 in grades four through six at Bridle Path and Montgomery Elementary Schools, has been accepted to participate in The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Illinois, from December 19 through 22.
Annually held in Chicago since its inception in 1946, The Midwest Clinic is the world's largest and most prestigious instrumental music education conference in the world, according to Select String Ensemble and Orchestra Director Ralph T. Jackson.
Article courtesy of The Reporter.
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North Penn News Update from NPTV
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North Penn Television (NPTV) students produce updates on what was happening around the NPSD during the month of December.
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| O' Wrestling Tree, O' Wrestling Tree |
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