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Join us for a tour followed by a discussion about the referendum on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Tours will leave every 15 minutes starting at 5:30 PM, and the community forum begins at 7 PM in the auditorium. The forum will include presentations from NPSD administration about the referendum, and time for question and answer. Join us on December 5 at North Penn High School, 1340 Valley Forge Road, Lansdale. No registration required. | | |
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As discussions surrounding the upcoming renovations to North Penn High School continue, all information can be found at the new Re-Imagine NPHS website. To view timelines, videos, FAQs, and more please visit the link below. | |
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Dear North Penn Community,
The school year continues to fly by, and we find ourselves rapidly approaching Thanksgiving.
The week before Thanksgiving is dedicated to American Education Week, honoring everyone who makes education possible. Our teachers, bus drivers, nurses, facilities staff, paraprofessionals, and so many others are essential to the work we do in North Penn schools every day. We could not get to school without bus drivers. We could not learn safely without clean schools and our custodial staff or healthy students and our nursing staff. We could not learn effectively without one-on-one paraprofessionals, and of course we could not learn at all without our teachers. The list goes on and on, and each member of our staff is essential every day. We, the North Penn staff, would not be here without the educators in our lives that inspired and got us to where we are today.
The incredible staff in the North Penn School District continue to innovate and come up with new ways to educate our students. Some programs you may not know about include:
- The nation’s only spatial computing program for high school students, giving NPHS students the opportunity to design, develop, and publish augmented reality and virtual reality applications.
- The Practical Assessment and Exploration System (PAES) Lab, offering special education students a space to explore areas of career interest, community based employment, and work on functional skills, developing a portfolio of strengths.
- Hydroponic garden systems at every level where students are learning to grow plants and vegetables without soil and then incorporating the products into their school meals.
The resources available to our students are astonishing, and it is why we must continue to support and invest in quality education. Our students deserve to learn in a safe, welcoming environment where they are set up for success each and every day. As we continue to discuss re-imagining North Penn High School, it is essential the community stay involved to make an informed vote on January 16 to decide the future of NPHS and, in fact, the direction of the entire school district. I invite you to attend a community forum on December 5 to learn more, ask questions, and make a plan to vote on January 16. To learn more, please visit reimaginenphs.org.
Enjoy the holiday break next week, and take time for loved ones and yourself.
Sincerely,
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Todd M. Bauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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North Penn School District Communications Audit | |
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Dear North Penn School District parents, guardians, staff, and community members,
In an effort to improve communications, publications and community engagement, North Penn School District has partnered with the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) to conduct an audit of our district’s communication with all stakeholders.
We value your input! As an initial step in the audit process, the CCIU will lead focus groups to gauge stakeholders’ perceptions from an unbiased perspective. The feedback will be used to identify ways for our district to build upon its strengths while simultaneously targeting areas of opportunity.
As a NPSD staff member, you are invited to participate in a NPSD communication audit focus group via Zoom. Please use the link below to register for the focus group that corresponds with your role in NPSD. Registered participants will receive a follow-up email with a Zoom link for the session.
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Please note, to promote open and honest dialogue, no members of the NPSD leadership team will be participating in or observing the focus groups.
Our ultimate goal is to enhance trust and collaboration with stakeholders and in turn, further our mission as an effective, innovative and student-centered community of teaching and learning. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Christine Liberaski
Director, School and Community Engagement
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To continue engaging with families and community members, Dr. Bauer will be holding monthly "Community Conversations" to speak one-on-one about important issues in the NPSD. This month's meeting will be held virtually via Google Meet on November 21, 2-3 PM. Registration is required to ensure time for all to speak, so don't wait! This meeting time doesn't work for you? This year meetings will be held virtually, in-person at several schools across the district, and at a variety of times to make sure anyone in the community who wants to attend can do so. | |
An Eye on Equity
A monthly feature from Dr. Pamula Hart, NPSD Director of Curriculum and Equity
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Meeting the Needs of our English Language and Multilingual Learners | |
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The North Penn School District is deeply committed to supporting English Language and Multilingual Learners and ensuring their success in our educational system. We recognize the unique linguistic and cultural backgrounds that these students and their families bring to our schools, and we value the diversity they contribute to our learning community.
By providing the English language and multilingual learners with the necessary tools, resources, and support they can thrive academically, linguistically, and socially. We believe that by embracing and celebrating linguistic diversity, we create a rich learning environment that benefits all students and prepares them for success in an interconnected world.
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However, engaging in meaningful conversations and truly listening to different perspectives has become more challenging. Many children and adults find themselves surrounded by like-minded individuals and have limited opportunities and practice to learn alternative viewpoints. In some instances, the fear of judgement or backlash often discourages individuals from expressing their opinions openly. Despite these difficulties, it is important to recognize the importance of overcoming these barriers and actively seeking out dialogue to foster understanding and empathy. It is for these reasons that our staff and students practice engaging in dialogue. | |
A dialogue is an open-ended conversation of exploration and inquiry. It is a flowing of words and meanings to seek mutual understanding. A dialogue is open to new ideas and new ways of thinking. In this kind of conversation, as the poet Mark Nepo stated, "To listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear." There is a distinction between dialogue and discussion: | |
| Dialogue | Discussion | | Starts with listening | Starts with talking | | Is about speaking with... | Is about talking to... | | Focuses on insights | Focuses on differences | | Is collaborative | Is adversarial | | Generates ideas | Generates conflicts | | Encourages reflection | Encourages quick thinking | | Encourages emergence | Encourages lock in | | |
Recognizing the importance of providing meaningful opportunities for students to see themselves in mirrors and expand their own knowledge of others, the North Penn teachers and staff are committed to providing opportunities for our students to engage in dialogue. During professional learning sessions and faculty meetings, the staff practices the skills and techniques so that they can model effective strategies and ultimately provide opportunities for students to engage in dialogue. This is one of the most important gifts students can receive during a complicated moment in time. | | |
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You Could Save Up to $877 through NPSD Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program | Are you eligible? Do you know someone who is? Learn more and help us spread the word about this program! | | | |
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Dr. Bauer has launched a new podcast, "Educating with E's." This podcast aims to provide a platform for in-depth conversations with students, teachers, and individuals dedicated to fostering success and growth within the NPSD community. "Educating with E's" is a must-listen resource for educators, parents, students, and the community at large. Dr. Bauer's charge to the school community for the 2023-24 school year surrounds the 4 “E’s”- Elevate Learning, Ensure Belonging, Engage Community, and Exceed Expectations. Episode 1-5 are out now, available wherever you listen to podcasts and video streaming on NPTV's YouTube channel. | | |
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Have you checked your mail? Every year, each North Penn School District resident receives an annual report detailing the prior school year and highlights of the district. Don't miss out on the best piece of mail you get all year! The report is also available online at the district website. | | |
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Have you checked out the digital Community Bulletin Board lately? It's a great place to find events for you, your family, and more! Come and learn about the latest events in the North Penn. Interested in having your fliers included on the board? Groups that are registered non-profits can find instructions on the webpage to submit their fliers.
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We need your help. Every school district across the state is experiencing a shortage of substitute teachers, which can impact student learning. If you have a four-year degree and enjoy working with children and teens, you can help us by joining the North Penn School District as a substitute teacher!
In addition to paying the highest rate in the county (starting at $180 per day; $170/day for guest teachers), we also provide great flexibility regarding daily assignments. You can share your availability and work as it fits your schedule. We will also provide training!
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