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Important Back to School Reminders
The start of the 2014-2015 is almost here! To ensure that your student's first day of school goes smoothly, please review the following Back to School checklist.
- Sign up for Home Access Center!
- Read the Back to School Newsletter
- Make sure the first week is a successful one with a full lunch each day. If you have not created an account with MyPaymentPlus it is not too late! Click here for the instructions!
- Do you have to make a last minute run to the store? Be sure to check your child's school/grade level supply list. Your second grade student may need a spiral notebook but not glue sticks. Full supply lists are available here.
- Make sure your first day on the bus is a good one! Please have your child arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled time and remain at the stop for 15 minutes after the scheduled time if the bus is late. Buses will not return to the bus stop to pick up students that are late.
- Please note, bus schedules are tentative and may change prior to the start of the school year. We strongly suggest you check the schedules again prior to the start of school. Click here to view the schedule online.
Help us celebrate our favorite day of the year - the First Day of School! E-mail us your Back to School pictures at [email protected]. You might see your student's picture on the district's Twitter page or Facebook page.
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Mark Your Calendars for the NPSD Educational Foundation Bacco Charity Luncheon
It's back and better than ever before! Be the first of your friends to purchase tickets to the NPSD Educational Foundation Charity Luncheon being held at Bacco Family Restaurant, located at 587 DeKalb Pike in North Wales, on Sunday, October 5th.
Lunch will feature an all-you-can-eat sampling of Bacco favorites such as assorted pizzas, caprese skewers, Caesar salad, penne vodka, chicken marsala, farfalle with saut�ed spinach, eggplant rollatini and more.
You can purchase tickets ($25 per person) online or complete the order form and return it along with your payment. Checks may be made payable to NPSD Educational Foundation.
This very special event benefits the NPSD Educational Foundation and the staff and students of NPSD.
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Keep up-to-date with NPSD Board Meetings
NPSD Board of School Directors Meeting
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To view agenda attachments and minutes from past meetings, please click here.
To access the list of meeting dates scheduled for 2014, please click here.
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NPHS School Store is Online! | |
Stock up on all your NPHS apparel with an online order. To visit the School Store's website, please click here. |
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Want to know the latest news, events and highlights from North Penn?
Click the links below
to follow us
on Twitter and visit various
NPSD websites that
showcase up-to-date information most
important to YOU!
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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 above
to check out NPTV's
media library. New content daily!
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The North Penn School District uses Phanfare, npsd.phanfare.com,
to upload and share its
photos and videos.
NPSD families, staff and community members are encouraged to submit their photos and videos here. Please check with your school to ensure that students on the publicity refusal list are not in the pictures.
For additional information, or questions about how to submit pictures through this site, please contact Chris Doerr at [email protected].
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To give feedback or suggest story ideas, please email [email protected].
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 Dear Community,
Last week I had the honor of welcoming back 900-plus teachers and congratulating them on their role in the North Penn School District's accomplishments. We had good news to report as NPSD was ranked in the top 5 percent of school districts in the state according to the School Performance Profile (SPP).
This awesome achievement is the result of many years of hard work from staff, parents and students. We also learned this week that Newsweek named North Penn High School as one of the top high schools in the state. I could not be more pleased or proud to be part of this excellent organization.
Now, as we welcome students to the 2014-2015 school year, I want to challenge us all to work as a team to continue the excellence we have established and reach even higher. I know that together, anything is possible.
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed.D.
Superintendent, NPSD
[email protected]
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North Penn High School Named a Top Public School by Newsweek - The Daily Beast
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The North Penn School District is thrilled to announce that North Penn High School was named one of the top 700 public high schools in the nation by Newsweek-The Daily Beast. This comes after being named a top high school by two other nationally recognized publications, The Washington Post and US News and World Report.
Newsweek -The Daily Beast has been ranking the top public high schools in the United States for more than a decade. To compile the 2014 list of the top high schools in America, Newsweek reached out to principals, superintendents and other administrators across the country. In order to be considered, NPSD had to complete a survey requesting specific data from the 2012-2013 academic year.
The following data was considered in this year's ranking: four-year cohort graduation rate (30 percent), college acceptance rate (30 percent), rigor/college preparedness (30 percent) and college entrance exams (10 percent).
"These continued recognitions reiterate the effectiveness of the staff at North Penn High School and all middle and elementary schools. It is through the work of all NPSD teachers that our students excel both in North Penn High School and in their post-secondary plans," said Burton T. Hynes, principal, North Penn High School. "This award further demonstrates the commitment of our families and community members in their continued support of our students' education and achievement."
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Save the Date for Upcoming Community Conversations with the NPSD Superintendent
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 The North Penn School District (NPSD) and NPSD Superintendent Dr. Curt Dietrich are excited to once again offer its 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.
In addition to addressing participant concerns, Dr. Dietrich will give summarized updates on school district news and ask for feedback and input on important district issues while allowing time for open questions from parents/guardians and community members. NPSD is working on multi-year solutions that focus on student success, staff development, financial security and a safe, healthy and orderly environment.
Save the date for the first Community Conversation scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, 2014 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Upper Gwynedd Township Building, located at One Parkside Place in North Wales. To view the dates, locations, and times of the remaining Community Conversations of the 2014-2015 school year, please click here. For more information and to register, please contact 215-853-1020 or [email protected].
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.
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Registration for Community Education Classes Now Open
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The North Penn Community Education Program (CEP) continues its online registration option, available at www.northpenncep.org. Registrants can enjoy signing up for courses in the convenience of their own home, saving time, stamps and gas! In addition to ease of signing up for courses online, users will also be able to complete the following through the CEP website:
- Access a shopping cart
- Register for multiple classes, for multiple people
- Setup a custom account for both yourself and your family
- Track your classes from term to term
- Receive instant email confirmation
- Learn more about the Community Education Program
- And more!
In addition to the online program, the entire North Penn community and surrounding areas can continue to expect the North Penn Community Education Fall 2014/Winter 2015 printed brochure in their mailboxes in early September.
The fall/winter community education program features courses in aquatics, arts and crafts, baking and cooking, computer, continued learning, dog training, financial seminars, leisure, photography, planetarium programs, sports and fitness, trips and much more, including an entire section just for kids! Saturday classes begin on September 27 and weekday classes begin on September 29, unless otherwise noted. Please note that Aquatics classes begin Saturday, September 6, unless otherwise noted.
The NPSD Community Education Program is excited to be able to offer more than 26 new classes, including AOA Healthy Body Toning, Triathlon Swim Lessons for Children (K-6),Guitar Refresher for Kids and Adults, Ukulele Basics for Kids and Adults, Collage Workshop for Ages 12 - Adult, Abstract Wooden Sculptures for Ages 10 and Up, Paper Mache` Masks (Grades 2-5),Parent and Child Candy Making (Ages 4-7), Evergreen Wreath Decorating for Child and Parent, Chinese Language for Kids, Truffles and Fudge, Toffee and Caramel Turtle Patties, Sushi for Starters, Japanese Cooking, Chair Yoga, Introduction to Fused Glass, Weaving Door Basket, Kumihimo Bracelet, Bead Work Spiral Rope Bracelet, Planetarium Programs, Google Apps. AARP Smart Driver, Refresher Course and Preparing for Long Term Care. The North Penn Community Education Program will again hold its Winter Blues sessions, a consolidated program with approximately 30 courses that will be held in January and February 2015.
Save the date for a special in-person registration scheduled for Monday, September 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Educational Services Center, located at 401 E. Hancock Street in Lansdale. A 5% discount will be given to everyone who enrolls during this in-person registration that may be used toward any of the Fall 2014 or Winter 2015 courses. Those who wish to register online during this night using a credit card can enter the Promo Code, ONLINE5, respectively. Please note: Registrations can be mailed in and/or completed online prior to the on-line registration night. These registrations will not be eligible for the 5% discount.
For additional information or questions about the available courses, online registration or the Community Education In-Person Registration night, please contact Paula Malley or Gail Beigel in the Community Education Office at 215-853-1028, 215-853-1029 or [email protected].
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Save the Date for a Ride on the Bus to the Future
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The North Penn School District invites families and community members of all ages and backgrounds to take a ride on the district's Bus to the Future on Friday, November 14, 2014. This annual event gives participants a unique way to discover and celebrate North Penn schools, as well as kick-off American Education Week.
Individuals will have the opportunity to tour NPSD schools and 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. Please see below for the schedule of the day's events.
- Pennbrook Middle School: 8:30 to 9:50 a.m.
- Montgomery Elementary School: 10 to 10:45 a.m.
- NPSD Bus Garage: 11 to 11:05 a.m.
- North Penn High School: 11:10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- North Montco Technical Career Center: 12:20 to 1:45p.m.
Participants should park at Pennbrook Middle School, located at 1201 North Wales Road in North Wales, where opening comments and a light breakfast will be served before the tour. Lunch will be provided at North Montco Technical Career. Other snacks and refreshments will be provided along the way.
This day provides insight into North Penn's curriculum and its 21st century teaching strategies, as well as the use of technology in the classroom, exposure to its state-of-the-art facilities, and introduction to its many exceptional educational and extra-curricular programs. In addition, you'll see firsthand the results of district efforts through interaction with the students. You don't want to miss this opportunity!
This event is sponsored by North Penn School District, the North Penn Education Association, the North Penn Educational Support Personnel Association and the North Penn Community Education Program. Please contact Madeline Bergman at 215-853-1032 or [email protected] by Friday, November 7th to reserve your seat on this fun and informative ride.
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New Students Learn Bus Basics at Annual K-Day
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For the 14th consecutive year, the North Penn School District Transportation Department held its annual K-Day event! Over 500 students and their parents participated in this wonderful program, which was designed to ease the anxiety that kindergarten and first grade students who have never ridden the bus before sometimes experience when they take that first ride on the big yellow bus!
Participants were invited to explore the bus and even had the opportunity to sit in the driver's seat while NPSD bus drivers explained school bus facts and safety information. Then parents, students and their siblings were invited to take a seat for a short ride around the neighborhood. The exciting day wrapped up with a safety video, safety education regarding the "danger zone" around the bus when loading and unloading and the distribution of information regarding bus tags, bus schedules, emergency phone numbers and day care locations. To view pictures from K-Day, please click the image below.
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NPSD Educational Foundation's Golf Classic Tees Off Another Successful Year
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 More than 100 individuals enjoyed a beautiful day of golfing in August to support the students of the North Penn School District (NPSD). They participated in the NPSD Educational Foundation's 13th Annual Golf Classic which raised approximately $20,000 to fund innovative classroom projects in NPSD schools.
"This year we were overwhelmed by the support of our local businesses and community members who participated in the golf classic. We welcomed new sponsors and golfers, as well as having many dedicated ones return," said Christine Liberaski, executive director of the NPSD Educational Foundation. "The more funds we raise through events like the golf outing, the more opportunities and experiences we can provide to our students."
The golf classic is just one of the fundraising events that the Foundation holds each year. Funds generated by these events and direct contributions from individuals and businesses fund innovative classroom projects in NPSD schools. This year, there are 23 grants, totaling $15,445 approved and another round of mid-year grants are expected to be supported as well. Please click here to read about all the innovative grants the Foundation will be funding.
To view the Foundation's latest Annual Report that showcases the successes of the program from the 2013-2014 school year, please click here. To view photos from the 13th Annual Golf Classic, please click here and be sure watch the event video.
 | | NP Educational Foundation Golf Outing 2014 |
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Everything is Awesome During Start of School Year
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The North Penn School District is looking forward to another awesome school year! While students enjoyed their last few days of summer, North Penn School District employees attended trainings and in-service programs in preparation for this school year.
Workshop topics included new teaching models and initiatives including Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) and Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI). The SIOP model includes teacher preparation and use of instructional indicators like comprehensible input and background knowledge. Teachers combine this for better classroom organization and instruction. LLI is a small-group, supplementary literacy intervention designed to help teachers provide daily, small-group instruction. These workshops cover topics funded through the Keystone to Opportunities (KtO) grant and Title 3.
In addition to these instructional workshops, staff members walked the red carpet as they attended Convocation at the North Penn High School on Monday, August 25. The North Penn staff came together to learn about the 2014-2017 strategic plan and to celebrate our accomplishments over the past few years. Dr. Dietrich also introduced the 69 new teachers who were recently inducted to the district. To view the awesome opening to Convocation, please click here.
Throughout the rest of the week, principals met with their staff to review student learning objectives (SLOs). Staff members also spent time in their classrooms and offices to prepare for the students' arrivals.
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Local Businesses and Community Members Receive the NP ADvantage through the 2014-2015 Activities Calendar
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Each year students and parents look to their mailboxes with excitement when the NPSD Back-to-School mailing arrives. This important mailing includes the Back-to-School newsletter, district communications and the NPSD Activities Calendar which has a wealth of information ranging from school events, to contact information.
With the approval of the NP ADvantage advertising policy the Office of School and Community Engagement again turned its focus to the activities calendar, and searched for ways for the calendar to benefit advertisers and community members. "By having each NP ADvantage member offer a coupon in their advertisement, it increases the value of our calendar to both the business and recipients," said Erin Crew, NPSD advertising and marketing specialist.
These offers from companies like North Penn Pediatric Dental Association, Dogtown, BucksMont Indoor Sports Center and more, are exclusively for the North Penn community. Coupons and special offers are available by scanning the QR code in the ad or by visiting www.npenn.org/coupons.
The 2014-2015 school calendar kicks off with Ayers Promotion. Ayers Promotion, located in Colmar, is a longtime supporter of NPSD activities and athletics but a new addition to the NP Advantage program. They are offering NPSD families a free gift and free setup through their coupon. Check out their websites and products by visiting www.ayerspromotions.com and www.theteamstore.net.
Upcoming NP ADvantage advertising opportunities include the North Penn High School Crawford Stadium, baseball field and NPSD Annual Report. For more information, visit the NP ADvantage page here or e-mail [email protected].
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