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Dear North Penn Community,
Later this month we will celebrate our newly renovated Knapp Elementary School with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and tours of the building. I am extremely excited to show off this beautiful, state-of-the art learning community. It is the jewel of the school district and we should all take pride in the improvements made over the last two years. The approximately $26.9 million project included renovations to the original building, the construction of a 13,000-square-foot classroom addition and a new driveway to improve logistics during arrival and dismissal. It also included an enhanced, reconfigured front entrance and large group instruction area. It is a stunner and I hope you will join us on Tuesday, October 18 at 6 p.m. to see it in person.
Besides the physical changes to the building, our new Knapp is a welcoming, learning-centered, student-focused school in which students and staff are thriving. I want to thank everyone for their patience as we completed the project. This includes the students who continued to learn and grow with jackhammers and construction vehicles on property, and staff whose flexibility and professionalism made everything look easy (when it surely was not). I also want to thank families for their support and understanding as we worked through the challenges of a renovation, and a special recognition of the nearby neighbors who spent two years patiently waiting for the community to get back to normal.
Though we close the book on Knapp renovations, a much larger project is on the horizon. North Penn High School must be renovated. The more than 50-year-old original building is in desperate need of upgrades, reorganization and enhancements to make it a building that meets the needs of our students and the community for the next 50 years. Over the past year, I have toured various renovated and newly built high schools locally and as far as Virginia. I am excited about the opportunities we will be able to provide this community with a renovated NPHS. From a state-of-the art theater and supporting areas for the arts, to instructional spaces that match the learning styles of today’s learner, to athletic facilities that will serve our athletes and community members alike, what NPHS offers should match this community’s high expectations.
Over the next six months or so you will hear more from the school board, our architect, administration and me about the next steps in designing, approving and funding renovations to NPHS. There are many questions to resolve along the way, such as grade configuration, how and when to address facility needs at other schools, and the list goes on. There will be opportunities for you to be involved and to help us decide the future of this great school district.
I look forward to our continued conversations on this topic and much more.
Sincerely,
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Behind the Scenes: School and Community Engagement | |
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North Penn Communications Highlights
NPSD is committed to engaging its community and providing up-to-date information on our schools. As a reminder, here are some of the many ways North Penn communicates news with the community throughout the year.
Weather/Emergency Alerts: In the event of a weather or emergency event, North Penn will communicate any delay, closure, or dismissal as soon as possible. Please check the following places for this information:
- North Penn Television (NPTV) on local Comcast 28 and Verizon 29
- NPSD website
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Social media (Facebook, Twitter)
- WNPV 98.5FM/ 1440 AM Radio
- Local news channels KYW 1060, UPN 57, CBS3, 6ABC, NBC10, PHL17, FOX29, and WFMZ69
In the event of an unscheduled dismissal, NPSD will utilize the School Messenger system to notify parents and families. Please ensure that your information is up-to-date with your child’s school to receive these alerts. School Messenger is not typically used for two-hour delays or all-day closures.
Website: The NPSD website is the place to go for any and all information within the district. Families can get all district information on the npenn.org site, and find specific school information within the individual school pages. The district calendar has all the events for the school year that you need to stay up-to-date.
Social Media: Follow us for the latest news, photos, and happenings within the North Penn School District.
Photos: Throughout the year, NPSD staff document events all over the district! These photos are uploaded to North Penn’s SmugMug page for the community to enjoy. Many times during the year, including the first day of school, community events, and graduation, families will be given the opportunity to submit their own photos to the North Penn SmugMug page. Links will be sent out for these events.
Email Newsletters: The North Penn Office of Community Engagement produces newsletters to keep the community informed on news within the district. In addition to E-Matters, Board Bulletin is the NPSD Board of School Directors’ monthly newsletter summarizing the month’s meetings and more. To subscribe to the NPSD newsletters, click here.
North Penn Television: North Penn Television (NPTV) is a local station serving the residents of the NPSD community. Led by top-notch professionals and a team of skilled, career study students at North Penn High School, NPTV is your source for all things North Penn. Many events are broadcast live on NPTV, including sports, school board meetings, musical performances, and more. Previously recorded events can be viewed on the NPTV Youtube Channel. Check out NPTV, streaming in the following locations: Local Comcast channel 28, Local Verizon channel 29, NPTV YouTube Channel, Northpennnews.org and North Penn Television apps on FireTV, Apple TV, and ROKU.
North Penn Radio: NPSD is now broadcasting on WNPV 98.5 FM and 1440 AM. Residents can tune in for music, simulcast of NPSD events including school board meetings, sporting events and concerts. During the day, tune into music from the 70's through today. Students are gearing up for hosting programs in the morning on WNPV. Listen for North Penn Students broadcasting live in the mornings from 7 am to 8:30 am weekdays soon!
In-Person Meetings: Community members are invited to attend Community Conversations with Superintendent Todd Bauer. Information on the monthly meetings and registration can be found here. Monthly meetings of Caffeinated Conversations are also held at Backyard Beans on the last Wednesday of the month. To learn more and register for Caffeinated Conversations, click here.
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NPHS Track Now Available for Community Use | | |
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NPHS is opening up the Crawford Stadium track for community use! Members of the community will be able to use the track when students are not in attendance and the stadium is not being used by the district for sports, music, or other events. By opening up the track to the community, NPHS intends to provide a safe and easy way for community members to stay fit and utilize the facilities to their full extent. The community is asked to respect the facility and help maintain a clean and safe atmosphere. The hours will be posted at Crawford Stadium each month and are available online. For more information and to see the hours, please visit the link below. | |
Comprehensive Plan Available for Review | |
The community is invited to review the NPSD Comprehensive Plan for the years 2022 to 2025. The Pennsylvania Department of Education's comprehensive planning process was created to provide a consistent planning framework and collection tool for all Pennsylvania local education agencies (school districts, charter schools, area vocational schools/career and technical centers, Intermediate Units) and schools. The plan will be presented at the NPSD Board of School Directors work session meeting on Tuesday, October 11th, and the school board will vote on the approval of the comprehensive plan at its regular public board meeting on October 20, 2022. Please contact Assistant Superintendent Dr. D'Ana Waters at watersdw@npenn.org if you have any questions about the proposed plan. | |
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NPSD Continuing Universal Free Breakfast Program | | |
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North Penn's very own Melissa Froehlich, Coordinator of School Nutrition Services, was instrumental in creating Pennsylvania's universal free breakfast program for the 2022-2023 school year. While North Penn was able to continue universal free breakfast this year, Froehlich recognized the need across the state, and worked to ensure that no child had to come to school hungry. Pennsylvania is now funding universal free breakfast for the 1.7 million public school students across the state. All North Penn students are able to receive free breakfast right now, and students across PA will be eligible starting October 1. Additionally, the "reduced lunch" category has been eliminated at North Penn, and students who qualified for reduced price meals can now receive free lunch. To see if you qualify or apply, please visit our website. | |
Superintendent Dr. Bauer Holding Community Forums | |
Superintendent Dr. Todd Bauer will be holding two community forums in September to engage with members of the NPSD community and talk one-on-one about important issues. All North Penn community members, whether they have students in NPSD schools or not, are invited to participate in these forums. Community Conversations will be held at the Educational Services Center (401 E Hancock Street, Lansdale) on Thursday, October 27 at 6 PM. Dr. Pamula Hart, Director of Curriculum and Equity will be joining Dr. Bauer for this session. Caffeinated Conversations will be held at Backyard Beans on Wednesday, October 26 at 2 PM, coffee provided by Dr. Bauer. Both forums require registration to ensure time for all. To learn more and register, please click on the button for each event. | |
An Eye on Equity
A monthly feature from Dr. Pamula Hart, NPSD Director of Curriculum and Equity
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The term "equity" focuses on taking the opportunities presented to students and infusing them with support and resources to turn the education system into a level playing field. Check out some of the ways we can pursue excellence through equity and provide every student with the stellar education they deserve. | |
Knapp Elementary School Holding Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | | |
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You're invited! Knapp Elementary School will be holding an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on October 18 at 6 PM. Come join us for a tour of the newly-renovated Knapp Elementary and hear remarks from school and local officials, staff, and students. Renovations to Knapp began in 2020 and included infrastructure improvements, renovations to existing structures, the construction of a 13,000-square-fit classroom addition, and a new driveway to improve logistics during arrival and dismissal. Come and check out the new and improved Knapp Elementary School! | |
School Board Bringing Meetings to the Community | |
The North Penn School District is moving Action meetings of the North Penn Board of School Directors to local municipal buildings in an effort to encourage community attendance and participation. For the 2022-2023 school year, the Action meetings of the full board will travel between township buildings of the district boundaries. Check out the full schedule on the NPSD website. | |
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NPHS Recertified as a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics | | |
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North Penn High School has been recertified as a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics! Schools are chosen for their commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence, including unified sports programs, inclusive youth leadership, and whole-school engagement in awareness and educational activities. NPHS first received this distinction in 2018, and schools must be recertified every 4 years to remain a Unified Champion School. Thank you to the NPHS staff who have worked hard to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students! | | |
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You Could Save Up to $731 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! | | |
NPHS Selected to Perform Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical | | |
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NPHS has been selected to perform Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical as part of a nationwide competition among U.S. schools for the rights to perform the show at the high school level for the first time. As part of the competition, The United States of Frozen, Love is an Open Door, one high school from each U.S. state and territory was chosen for the exclusive rights. NPHS was selected to perform the first and only production in a Pennsylvania high school. Check out the announcement video below! | |
NPHS Featured on Football Friday | |
NPHS was featured on Fox29's Football Friday on September 23 alongside Central Bucks West High School. The schools competed in a friendly competition to see which school could bring the most spirit before the Homecoming game the same night. We think North Penn definitely took home the prize! | | |
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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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