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As the school year has come to an end, it is a good time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past school year. In the recent edition of "North Penn Right Now" shown in the sidebar below, I highlighted some of our successes this year. These ranged from securing a grant for purchasing propane buses, to holding our first ever CARE Symposium on diversity, to our work on facility improvements including the discussion of a ninth grade center. The list could go on and on and would include our talented staff that helped us along the way.
One of the most impactful achievements of the 2018-2019 school year, though, without a doubt is the work of the Full-Day Kindergarten Implementation Committee. In nine short months this team of educators was able to work out all the details of having a full day kindergarten program up and and running in our 13 elementary schools. This was not an easy task as they had to rework curriculum, create schedules, hire staff, communicate with parents and much more.
In all, more than 800 students are registered for full-day kindergarten and we still have about 100 appointments in the books for more registrants. And I know more of our littlest learners will show up this summer.This is an exciting time, not only for them and their families, but us as a school district as we provide this much needed full-day program.
I want to thank everyone who served on the Full-Day Kindergarten Committee and those who supported it by making sure their plans became a reality, from ordering furniture and materials to helping us spread the word by putting signs in your yard. To read more about our full-day program click here.
Welcome, Class of 2032! Your adventure to becoming a Knight begins here!
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed.D.
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How to Make the Most of Summer
For many kids across the country, summer is the time for vacations and fun. But it can also be a time for kids to lose valuable math and reading skills, and even gain weight faster than during the school year! These videos give tips for making this summer a successes all around.
Parent Toolkit is a one-stop resource developed with parents in mind. It's produced by NBC News Learn and supported by Pearson and includes information about almost every aspect of your child's development, because they're all connected. Healthy, successful children can excel in many areas - in the classroom, on the court, and in their relationships with peers and adults. Our advice also covers important topics for navigating life after high school.
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Hats Off to the
North Penn Class of 2019!
Congratulations to the 1,085 seniors from North Penn High School who turned their tassels at the 64th Commencement Ceremony held on the field at NPHS Crawford Stadium.
We'd like to commend these hardworking students for all that they have achieved during their time in the North Penn School District.
We thank you for your contributions to our schools and our community and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. We look forward to welcoming you back as proud alumni in years to come.
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NPSD Board of School Directors Approve Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
At the March 2019 action meeting, the NPSD Board of School Directors unanimously approved a revised property tax rebate program that will see a discount of up to $195 for certain homeowners and renters.
To qualify for this discount, applicants must have a household income of no more than $35,000 annually, and:
- be 65 years of age or older; or
- be a widow and widower aged 50 years of age or older; or
- be permanently disabled and 18 years of age or older.
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Back by popular demand, North Penn Knight at the Phillies returns in September!
Join your coworkers as the Phillies take on the Marlins in the second to the last game of the regular season on Saturday, September 28, at 6:05 p.m.! North Penn has nearly 600 seats reserved in sections 307, 308 and 309. New this year, you order your tickets online in the seats of your choice in these sections and then tickets are sent directly to you by the Phillies. Also, a percentage of the sale prices goes back to the NPSD Educational Foundation! Tickets are only $20 (plus a Phillies service and delivery charge).
As in years past, the night is sure to be a great time. From tailgating to door prizes, we are planning a fun Knight at the Phillies for North Penn staff, families and friends.
When ordering tickets, use the password northpenn and select $20 ticket price and internet group tickets.
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North Penn Television is pleased to offer you the opportunity to order DVD copies of the NPHS Class of 2019 year-end activities.
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at NPSD
Education, Enrichment,
Reading Assignments
& Camp Information
There are lots of opportunities offered in the North Penn School District for kids during the summer days. Education and enrichment programs are available for students of all ages and ability levels, in addition to recreational opportunities of all kinds. But remember, these camps and classes fill quickly, so register early to avoid disappointment. Follow the directions pertaining to registering for these programs and camps.
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As a school system, the NPSD is committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to improve the overall safety and well-being of its students, educators and administrators.
To be successful, NPSD believes this must include community-wide programs and initiatives involving parents, teachers, school administrators, law enforcement, mental health professionals and elected officials.
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Summer is here... how will your students spend their time off?
To register in person, please visit the Community Education Department Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the NPSD Educational Services Center, located at 401 E. Hancock St. in Lansdale.
For more information, please call the Community Education office at 215-853-1028 or 215-853-1029.
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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, 21 Things and much more!
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NPSD Board of School Directors Meetings
To view agenda attachments and minutes from past meetings, please click here.
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To view a list of future meeting dates,
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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North Penn Community Build-A-Bag is Back
& We Need Your Help!
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More and more families in the North Penn School District need help each year in providing basic school supplies for their children. To help combat the problem, four community superpowers have once again formed an alliance to make sure every student has the supplies they need to have a successful 2019-2020 school year through the North Penn Community Build-A-Bag Backpack and School Supply Drive. With the help of the community, filled backpacks will be privately and anonymously given to students by school staff at the beginning of the school year and throughout as needed.
NPSD, the NPSD Educational Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County and the Community Youth Foundation have teamed up to partner with local businesses and organizations to bring this drive to life. Through these partnerships, supply collection sites will be designated throughout the summer across the community. At each collection site, you will find a bin marked with the North Penn Community Build-A-Bag logo to drop off backpacks and school supplies through August 5.
For a full list of collection sites, suggested school supplies, and more information about how to register as a collection site, visit www.npenn.org/buildabag.
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NPSD Says Goodbye to Class of 2019 Retirees
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As another school year comes to a close, NPSD said goodbye to 53 beloved employees as they enter the well-earned, next chapter of their lives, retirement.
In May, the district honored employees at the annual NPSD Retiree Reception held at North Penn High School (NPHS) in the senior cafe. Retirees, honored guests and members of the NPSD Board of Directors and NPSD Administration "walked the red carpet" to recognize, celebrate and give many thanks to the NPSD staff members retiring this year with a focus on the student-centered culture that is North Penn. Guests were delighted with sounds from NPSD student strings, jazz and chorus ensembles and enjoyed a delicious spread for dinner from the culinary students at North Montco Technical Career Center. Retirees were sent off with "NP Retiree" bumper stickers created by students from the NPHS Technical Education and Engineering Department.
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NPSD Bus Drivers Crush Competition at Local Bus Safety Competition
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The NPSD Transportation Department rolled out the competition at the 46th Annual Montgomery Bucks Pupil Transportation Association School Bus Safety Competition at William Tennent High School.
Fifty-nine drivers from 11 school districts and two contracted bus companies participated in the competition. Events included parallel parking, railroad crossing, backing up, straight line driving, diminishing clearance, right turns and a written exam.
The NPSD team of Gail Madge, Ed Madge, Jim Sparenga, Jynell Brunt, Joe Kicinski and Janice Perkins placed second overall. Due to their success, Gail, Ed and Jim are all headed to the state competition in June at State College.
Way to go NPSD Transportation Department and good luck at states!
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Autism Awareness Activity Day Held at Inglewood Elementary School
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Inglewood Elementary wrapped up their Autism Awareness Campaign by hosting their first Awareness Activity Day.
Here, students focused on abilities, not disabilities; highlighted what makes us each unique; showed the importance of working together as a team and used different types of communication and learning styles. To conclude the event, students and staff gathered on the playground and spelled out the word "Unique" for an aerial photo.
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NPHS Students Advance to National Future Business Leaders of America Competition
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The Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) recently held its annual State Leadership Conference in Hershey, PA and 40 North Penn High School (NPHS) FBLA team members attended to compete in various business-related events.
Thousands of students from across the state of Pennsylvania came together in Hershey, PA to compete and attend business and leadership focused workshops.
Once again, the NPHS FBLA Chapter led by NPHS Business teacher Mrs. Linda Westerlund did an outstanding job at the FBLA State Conference and Competitions bringing home 21 awards.
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Turn 14 Partners with Pennfield Middle School to Provide Equipment for Student-Run Television Studio
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Turn 14 Distribution, the industry leader in performance automotive parts distribution, has recently partnered with NPSD to assist with the opening of a brand-new student television studio at Pennfield Middle School.
Turn 14 Distribution's funding provided the school with the necessary cameras, accessory components, and production systems to build a dedicated television studio for the students of Pennfield Television (PFTV). Using the studio, PFTV students will be able to create a live morning announcements show, video montages for sports and school groups, conduct and record interviews, and work on other various video related projects.
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216 NPSD Students Complete Girls on the Run 5K
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More than 200 female students from eight schools in the NPSD have been meeting since February as part of the international movement, Girls on the Run, that culminated in a 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 18 at Montgomery County Community College.
NPSD is one of 26 school districts in Montgomery and Delaware counties who participated in this initiative. Representing the NPSD in this year's Girls on the Run program were teams from Gwynedd Square, Hatfield, Inglewood, Knapp, Montgomery, North Wales, Walton Farm and York Avenue elementary schools. Teams met for 10 weeks, twice a week for 90 minutes to learn emotional and relational skills intended to build self-awareness, confidence, goal setting and practical life skills. Each session devoted approximately 60 minutes to movement and lessons and the remaining 30 minutes to walking, jogging or running.
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NPSD Holds Cultural Proficiency End of Year Celebration
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NPSD recently hosted a Cultural Proficiency End of Year Celebration for staff members at NPHS in the Senior Cafe.
Led by district Cultural Proficiency Committee co-advisors Dr. D'Ana Waters, Principal of Hatfield Elementary School, and Dr. Jenna Rufo, NPSD Assistant Superintendent, the event was structured as an open-house style event for staff members to stop by and explore the work that occurred this year in the area of cultural proficiency throughout the district.
Earlier this school year, NPSD held a community forum for staff, families and community members based on Conversations Around Race and Ethnicity (CARE). "The opportunity to dialogue with our community at the CARE Symposium helped us to gain insight on where we are excelling and where we need to improve," said Waters and Rufo in a message to the community. "We are very excited to be partnering with our community on North Penn's efforts around cultural proficiency and racial and ethnic equity."
Following the symposium, the district has made a commitment to further developing a community that values and adapts to diversity. NPSD strives to acknowledge, respect, understand and celebrate the dynamics of racial and cultural differences. Through the development of a culturally proficient staff, the establishment of structures that promote equitable opportunities, and partnerships with families and students, NPSD is working to create an environment of respect where all members of the school community are empowered to learn, grow, and appreciate one another.
To learn more about NPSD's commitment to cultural proficiency and racial and ethnic equity,
click here
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First Fleet of Propane Fueled Buses Delivered to NPSD
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Special delivery! NPSD welcomed the first 3 of 10 propane-fueled buses to their fleet last month. Funded by a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection, NPSD will be exchanging 10 diesel-fueled buses for 10 propane buses this year and will also be installing a propane fueling station at the high school in October.
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51 Students, 18 Nanotechnology and Engineering Research Teams, One Evening!
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The senior students of the NPHS Engineering Academy recently presented their research at the annual Nanotechnology and Engineering Symposium.
The evening began in the Auditorium at 7PM where the 18 research teams presented their research endeavors which focused on identified challenges in the Environment, Energy and Healthcare sectors. The evening continued in the auxiliary gymnasium where the student teams offered demonstrations of their work and answered questions from audience members.
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Elementary Students Participate in 8th Annual IRONKnights Triathlon
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 Congratulations to more than 1,000 elementary students in the NPSD participated in the 8th Annual IRONKnights Elementary Triathlon, supported in part by the NPSD Educational Foundation last month.
Students in grades Kindergarten through six competed in a three-part competition ranging in distances according to grade level which included biking, running and swimming. Way to go IRONKnights!
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North Penn Holds District-wide Knight of the Arts
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"Knight of the Arts" is the amplified version of an event that students, families and the North Penn community know and love, the North Penn Gallery of Art, which featured artwork created by students in kindergarten through 12th grade from each of NPSD's 18 schools. This year, the NPHS Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Clothing, Textiles and Fashion Merchandising students joined in the fun by showcasing their original creations in the NPHS Audion as part of the show.
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