The September ECP Committee met on Monday, September 8. At that meeting the committee received updates on several topics.

Data regarding Advanced Placement (AP) exams was presented to the committee. During each of the past five years, the percentage of North Penn High School students who have taken College Board AP exams and received a score of 3 or higher has increased. In 2014, 87% of North Penn students who took the exam scored 3 or higher. These results surpass the state and national averages of 69% and 61% respectively. In addition, 35.1% of the Class of 2014 of North Penn High School scored 3 or higher on at least one AP exam during their high school career.

The Committee was also provided an overview of the Pennsylvania Core Standards that were implemented during the 2013-14 school year. Compared with the previous state academic standards, the new standards are more rigorous but reduced in number. By reducing the number of standards, students are able to gain a greater depth of understanding of the content being taught. The standards focus on complex text and academic language, nonfiction and content area literacy, and a conceptual understanding in mathematics as opposed to just following mathematical procedures. There is a greater emphasis on mastery and fluency of basic skills as a precursor to application and conceptual understanding. As a result of the implementation of the Pennsylvania Core, there will be more rigorous content in the PSSA tests beginning in 2014-15.

With regard to the NP ADvantage Program, the 2014-15 district calendar includes advertising for the second year in a row. As a result of the advertising in the calendar, the district received $7,500 in alternate revenues. The total advertising revenue since the NP Advantage Program began now exceeds $50,000.

The ECP Student Representative updated the committee on activities at the high school. Sophomore orientation was staffed by approximately 130 student volunteers. Events in October include Homecoming on Friday, October 10 preceded by Spirit Week. The Powder Puff Football games will be on Thursday, October 23.

The next ECP meeting will be Monday, October 13.

Ray Wilson, Safe School Coordinator, provided an update of the  activities planned for the upcoming year. Activities include practicing drills in all schools which include fire drills, intruder drills, tornado and weather drills and evacuation drills. In addition, Mr. Wilson will continue his table top discussions with small groups to discuss scenario training in the schools, substitute training, student internet training and teacher in-service training.

Tom Schneider, Manager of Support Services, and Mr. Wilson provided a project update on the recent summer projects:

The move of Hatfield Elementary School to Pennfield Middle School modular classrooms was successful. Safe School items included in the modular classroom project are:

• Card swipe entries at the main entrance and exits to the playground.
• Card swipe entry and exit at the doors connecting Hatfield and Pennfield. These doors will remain closed during the entire day and the means to exit or enter is only by the use of a card swipe.
• Interconnected public address system with Pennfield.

North Penn High School Fencing

• It was brought to the committee's attention that it was possible to open a couple gates from the outside of the fence. This was immediately remedied before the first day of school.

Pennbrook and Pennfield middle schools security camera installation

• Pennbrook's camera installation is planned to commence beginning September followed by Pennfield's camera installation.

Mr. Wilson also discussed the 2014/2015 school year's goals. The goals are to coordinate continual relationships with the six local police departments, develop a means for more community outreach by way of a newsletter or web presence and plan for future safe school projects.

The Committee requested that Mr. Schneider and Mr. Wilson survey all the schools in the district and report on the different types of exterior entry points.

The next Meeting of the Safe Schools Committee is scheduled for Monday November 10, 2014 at 6 p.m. at the ESC.

The North Penn School District Educational Foundation held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 10. During this meeting, the Foundation approved a new trustee, Matthew Broderick. Mr. Broderick works at Univest as a Wealth Advisory Specialist and is also a North Penn graduate.  

The trustees reviewed our August golf outing. They raised over $20,000, making this golf outing one of their most successful in years. It was a gorgeous day and all the golfers had a fantastic time. Thank you to all of the event participants and sponsors.  

Christine Liberaski announced at the meeting that the Foundation received two Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donations. The organization received a $7,500 check from Univest and $5,000 from Waste Management. Both of these checks are some of the Foundation's largest contributions received through the EITC program. Thank you to Univest and Waste Management for their support of the Foundation and ultimately, the NPSD students.

The next event is the Fall Charity Luncheon at Bacco Italian Restaurant on Sunday, October 5. The menu will feature all of Bacco's delicious specialties such as pizzas, salad, penne vodka, chicken marsala, farfalle with saut�ed spinach, eggplant rollatini and more. Tickets are $25 per person and currently on sale. You can purchase tickets online at www.npenn.org/foundation or contact Christine Liberaski.

The North Penn Alumni Association will be holding an alumni picnic for Homecoming on Friday, October 10. All alumni and their families are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children and will include dinner and games. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.northpennalumni.org.

In a few weeks, the Foundation will be putting out another request for grant applications. This will be for the second-half of the 2014-2015 school year.