The North Penn School District (NPSD) and the North Penn Educational Support Professionals Association (NPESPA) have agreed to a contract through June 2017. The NPSD Board of School Directors approved the contract with the support staff union at a special action meeting on Monday October 27.

"Although members of this bargaining unit have been working since July 1st without a contract, their commitment and dedication to NPSD and its students remained constant," said Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed. D. NPSD Superintendent. "I am very pleased that we have reached a contract with NPESPA that's fair to both its members and our community."

Employees who are represented by NPESPA include secretaries, instructional assistants, specialists and staff nurses. The agreement includes a 2.5 percent salary increase in the first two years of the contract and a 2.75 percent increase in the third year. The 2014-2015 salary increase is effective November 1, 2014.

NPESPA also agreed to changes to the school district's core healthcare plan which NPSD administration and non-unionized support staff already agreed to this past summer. The plan includes increased premium costs and deductibles. It will take effect March 1, 2015 for NPESPA members.

Prior to this year, deductibles were never part of NPSD's health care plan. Still the deductibles are significantly lower than what is found in the private sector. The health care plan accepted by three of NPSD's employee groups and being recommended to all staff includes a $200 maximum deductible per year for each employee and $200 per dependent ($600 maximum deductible per year for families larger than three total members).

"The school board appreciates very much the willingness of the North Penn Educational Support Professionals Association to partner with the district in managing health care costs," said Vincent Sherpinsky, president, NPSD Board of School Directors. "As fringe benefit costs such as health care and pensions continue to rise, the cooperative spirit as evidenced in this reasonable contract settlement will assist the district in maintaining a financially secure position into the future."

NPSD continues to negotiate with the North Penn Education Association (NPEA), the union representing teachers. That contract expired June 30, 2014.

The North Penn School District's observance of American Education Week presents parents, grandparents, family and friends with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education.

Kicking off the week of celebrations, the NPSD is hosting the "Bus to the Future" on Friday, November 14. Open to all community members, this ride tours NPSD schools and allows community members to see firsthand the important contributions that the North Penn School District is making to ensure the community's future by providing the very best educational opportunities to its students.

The day begins at Pennbrook Middle School at 8:30 a.m. where opening comments, a brief tour and a light breakfast will be served. The next stop will be Montgomery Elementary School from 10 to 10:45 a.m., followed by a ride through the NPSD Bus Garage from 11 to 11:05 a.m. The "Bus to the Future" will stop for a tour of North Penn High School from 11:10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Then, passengers will finish out the day at the North Montco Technical Career Center from 12:20 to 1:45 p.m. where a tour will take place and lunch will be served. Snacks and refreshments will be provided throughout the day. To register for Bus to the Future, please call 215-853-1032 by Friday, November 7.

Parents and guardians are invited to observe their child's class throughout the week of November 17 to November 21. Schools have sent home flyers with specific visit dates and times. Since these are regular educational school days for your children, each school will continue to preserve the integrity of our classroom instruction. We ask that you make babysitting arrangements for your pre-school aged children while you are visiting our classrooms so that minimal interruptions occur during the instructional day. Please remember your child's teacher will not be able to discuss individual students at this time.

When you visit your child's school, please sign in at the main office and obtain a Visitor's Badge. As always, you will need a government issued ID to enter the school. For questions regarding an individual school and their schedule for American Education Week, please contact the building principal.

Students and staff members of North Penn High School (NPHS) enjoyed all of the activities related to homecoming this October. Adding to the celebration this year, the North Penn Alumni Association hosted their second annual Homecoming picnic. Over 40 alumni came back to the high school to reconnect with classmates and cheer on the Knights as they played the Bensalem High School Owls.

Thanks to North Penn Television (NPTV) coverage, the rest of the North Penn community can now enjoy all the Homecoming festivities including the school's pep rally and homecoming assembly. To see a video of the  Homecoming week celebrations, please click on the video below.

Homecoming week at NPHS 2014

Adding to the Homecoming festivities, the North Penn Athletic Alumni Association (NPAAA) hosted their annual Hall of Fame event. This year the NPAAA honored Greg Moyer, North Penn High School Class of 1971 with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Moyer is an award-winning television and digital media executive with deep international experience and a track record of innovation in channel design, brand positioning, programming, marketing, and global distribution. A creative and inspirational leader, Moyer built and operated esteemed brands such as Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, VOOM HD, and Food Network International.

In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, the following people were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame:   

• Donald Ryan, Athletic Director, North Penn High School, 1958
• Stanley H. Geiger, Athlete, North Penn High School, 1974
• Jason Harken, Athlete, North Penn High School, 1989
• Dan Dunigan, Athlete, North Penn High School, 1990
• Scott Walker, Athlete, North Penn High School, 1991
• Josh Henson, Athlete, North Penn High School, 1992
• Russell W. McGeehan, Athlete, North Penn High School, 1993
• Lauren French, Athlete, North Penn High School, 2008
• 2003 Boys Swimming Team, PIAA State Champions
• 2004 Boys Water Polo, PIAA State Champions
• 2004 Boys Swimming, PIAA State Champions
• 2006 Girls Water Polo, PIAA State Champions

In addition, the North Penn Alumni Athletic Association, as part of its Sports Hall of Fame mission, gives special recognition to teams that did not achieve PIAA State Championship level, but won a league championship along with other NPHS league championship teams in any given year; or a team(s) that in the opinion of the NPAAA Board of Directors should be recognized for their unique contribution to North Penn High School sports history. This year they recognized the following teams:

• 1985 Girls Tennis Team
• 1988 Girls Tennis Team

2014 NPAAA Hall of Fame Ceremony

North Penn High School welcomed students from Germany as part of the International Friendship Committee exchange. Over 40 students from Salzgitter and Aalen stayed with North Penn families for two weeks. The German students attended classes and NPHS events including the Homecoming football game and dance.

"A great benefit of the program is that both the German and American students got a chance to develop long lasting trans-Atlantic friendships which we�re hoping continues when our students visit Germany-based partner schools this summer," said NPHS German teacher Mr. Andrew Baker. "It�s a chance for students on both sides to get a better view of what each of us is all about rather than through Hollywood movies or textbooks."