The Bulletin Board Newsletter
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A monthly e-newsletter highlighting the discussions, decisions and business of the North Penn School District Board of School Directors.
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The North Penn School Board (NPSB) welcomes questions and feedback from the community. To that end, community members may email the entire board at _npschoolboard@npenn.org.
If you would like to contact a specific board member via email or phone, please visit our website to find contact information.
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Board Members
Tina Stoll, President
Christian D. Fusco, Vice President
Dr. Elisha K. Gee
Jonathan M. Kassa
Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell
Timothy MacBain
Juliane Ramić
Al Roesch
Cathy Wesley
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Jonathan Kassa
Term Expiration: 2021
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Dear Community,
It is an exciting time here in North Penn as next week we begin to welcome students back to our schools in a hybrid model. Our youngest learners, kindergarten through 2nd grade, are our first wave of students as we transition to a model in which those who chose hybrid will be in school two or three days a week. The rest of our students that have chosen hybrid will join us November 9.
It has taken an incredible amount of work, collaboration and coming together to get us to this point. Instructional staff returned this week to completely new technology and classroom setups so that they can simultaneously teach students in person and at home. They are adapting their instructional techniques in innovative ways to meet the needs of their learners wherever they are both academically and physically.
And we all know that not everything will be perfect on day one, or day 15 for that matter. But we continue to improve our delivery model, provide professional development and allow our staff to take appropriate innovative risks, and understandably, sometimes make mistakes. But through it all, we will move North Penn forward with the goal of returning all students to school every day of the week just as soon as safely possible for the community.
As chair of the Safe Schools and Facilities & Operations committees of the school board, it is my priority that we get back to school in the safest, most reasonable way possible. Our committee will continue to review safety and health plans throughout the month and modify as needed, while developing dashboards that communicate specific, timely information to our community. You can view NPSD's reopening guide here, or visit our website for more helpful information including the Phased School Reopening Health and Safety Plan.
We also want to make sure our students remain nourished and fueled to learn, while reducing family stress during a pandemic - we are extremely pleased that a federal waiver was extended to continue free meals even as our schools open. Additionally, we will continue to expand support for the social emotional wellbeing of our students and families, providing support for and addressing their concerns. As always, we want to encourage our students to speak to trusted adults regarding any issues they have and use the Safe2Say Something program if they would rather be anonymous.
I would like to express my gratitude for this great North Penn community that pulls together when it matters most. The last seven months have been some of the most difficult times of our lives, but we continue to improve because we will not relent for better days ahead for our children, families, neighbors and communities. We will continue to monitor, adjust and succeed. We continue to be North Penn Strong.
Thanks to each and every one of you, take care.
Sincerely,
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Jonathan Kassa
NPSD Board of School Directors
Term Expiration: 2021
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School Board Virtual Meeting Information
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In consideration of the health and safety of the school community, notice is hereby given that the NPSD Board of School Directors shall convene all meetings virtually using Zoom until October 26, 2020.
How to Watch Meetings
A recording of this meeting will be available at on the district website, the NPTV YouTube Channel, and will air on North Penn Television Comcast Cable Channel 28 and Verizon FIOS-TV Channel 29 for the next three business days at 12:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
How to View Meeting Agendas
Meeting agendas are published the week of the meeting and can be viewed online on BoardDocs. To view meeting agendas, visit BoardDocs and select the "Meetings" tab in the top right corner. From there, find and select the meeting, and then click "view agenda".
How to Participate in Meetings
Public comment will be available using Zoom. For privacy purposes, a link to make public comment will be available on our website 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.
When it is time for public comment, please use the “raise your hand” feature in the zoom webinar. We will take public comment in order that hands were raised. Please listen for your name when called upon for comment and unmute your microphone.
If you do not have access to zoom, please email your comments to _npschoolboard@npenn.org and it will be included in the board minutes.
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Meetings in Review
Worksession
October 1, 6:00 pm
Action
October 15, 7:00 pm
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Upcoming Meetings
Worksession
November 10, 7:00 pm, ESC
Action
November 19, 7:00 pm, ESC
ECI Committee
November 2, 6:00 pm, ESC
Facilities & Operations Committee
October 26, 7:00 pm, ESC
Finance Committee
November 10, 6:00 pm, ESC
Policy Committee
November 10, 5:00 pm, ESC
Safe Schools Committee
October 26, 6:00 pm, ESC
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You Could Save Up to $487 through NPSD Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
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Are you eligible? Do you know someone who is? Learn more and help us spread the word about this program!
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Education/Curriculum/Instruction (ECI) Committee
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The ECI Committee met virtually on October 6, 2020.
Reflections on Instructional Practices to Support Virtual Learning and Equity
The committee received feedback from teachers regarding the “Glows” and “Grows” aspects of the virtual learning environment that is currently underway in the district. Teachers from elementary, middle and high school provided feedback and experiences from their respective levels.
Cultural Proficiency Professional Development Plan
NPSD Director of Curriculum and Equity Dr. D’Ana Waters and NPSD Curriculum Supervisor Jackie Giammarco presented updates on progress that was made in the district’s cultural proficiency efforts over the past several months despite the pandemic situation.
Hybrid Concept Streaming Technology
Due to the transition to the hybrid instructional model, NPSD Coordinator of Communications Media Bob Gillmer, at the request of NPSD Superintendent Dr. Dietrich, investigated how to improve live steam instruction while teaching students in the classroom. The solution was determined to be a larger screen-television, better camera, and better microphone. A portion of the funding recently received from Montgomery County was used to purchase this equipment for 800 classrooms. Gillmer demonstrated how this equipment will be used.
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Chair:
Dr. Elisha K. Gee
Members:
Christian Fusco, Tim MacBain
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The next ECI Committee meeting will be held in person at the Educational Services Center (ESC) on November 2, 2020 at 6:00 pm.
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Facilities and Operations Committee
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The Facilities and Operations Committee met virtually on September 21, 2020.
The committee reviewed change order requests for Crawford Stadium and for Knapp Elementary.
NPSD Director of Facilities and Operation Tom Schneider provided information on a bulk road salt municipal purchasing group lead by Upper Dublin Township. The municipal purchasing group includes many Montgomery County municipalities and school districts. As the result of the purchasing power of this group, North Penn cost per ton of salt is $6.82 less than the pricing paid in the 2019-2020 school year.
The district’s construction manager, William Slawter of ICS and Schneider provided an in-depth update of the Knapp Elementary and Crawford Stadium projects. The projects are well underway and progressing well.
Schneider provided an update on the Facilities and Operations reopening activities, summer cleaning and work, plexiglass barrier installation, and the current supplies on hand. In addition, information regarding air purifiers was shared with the committee. Included with the discussion was a calculator prepared by Harvard University and University of Colorado that can be used to size an air purifier for the space it will be used in. This information was provided so that if a staff member wanted to bring in an air purifier, it could be properly sized.
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Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Vice Chair:
Cathy Wesley
Members:
Juliane Ramić,
Tina Stoll
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The next Facilities and Operations Committee meeting will be held in person at the Educational Services Center (ESC) on October 26, 2020 at 7:00 pm.
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The Finance Committee met virtually on October 5, 2020.
2016 Bond Refunding
Scott Shearer from PFM presented information about a bond refunding opportunity for the 2016 bonds. A savings of $200,000 is possible.
2019-2020 Audit Update and Capital Reserve Transfer
Kristen Johnson, NPSD Assistant Director of Business Administration, provided an update on the audit progress and the preliminary 2019-2020 budget results. The committee also heard a recommendation from the administration to transfer $2 million in unspent funds from the 2019-20 budget to the Capital Reserve Fund for future capital projects.
On-Site Health Care Clinic RFP Waiver
Steve Skrocki, NPSD Chief Financial Officer, requested a waiver from Board policy 3660 regarding the search for an on-site health care clinic provider. The district would piggyback on two request for proposals (RFP)s that were recently conducted by other agencies.
Rebate Program Information Meetings
The virtual information meetings will be held on Tuesday, October 20 at 11:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Financial Reports
Skrocki provided highlights of the monthly financial reports.
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Chair:
Christian Fusco
Vice Chair:
Al Roesch
Members:
Committee of the Whole
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The next Finance Committee meeting will be held in person on November 10, 2020 at 6:00 pm at the ESC.
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NPSD Educational Foundation
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The NPSD Educational Foundation Board of Trustees met virtually on October 6, 2020.
Foundation trustees unanimously approved supporting a request from the North Penn High School (NPHS) National Honor Society to fund a service project. Usually, the student group raises and uses its own funds but because of the school shut down their fundraising opportunities have been diminished.
An update was given on the golf outing being held Tuesday, October 13. All golfing spots have been filled and sponsorships are up this year. In other fundraising efforts, the staff giving campaign, U-Knight to Inspire launched October 1 and runs through November 1. Money raised through these programs fund innovative classroom projects. The Foundation plans to accept grant requests in November upon the reopening of schools for hybrid instruction.
At the meeting, the Foundation's new logo was revealed and trustees received the 2019-2020 annual report. The NPSD Educational Foundation encourages the community to review their accomplishments in the annual report which is posted to the Foundation website.
The next NPSD Educational Foundation Board of Trustees meeting will be held virtually on November 4, 2020 at 3:00 pm.
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Board of Trustees Member:
Juliane Ramić
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The Policy Committee met virtually on October 6, 2020.
Several policies that had been approved and adopted by the board during the last year were reviewed and amended at the recommendation of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA). These changes to the policies were in response to Title IX stipulations of extensive investigative requirements, specific timelines to be followed and the new applicability to grades K-12 settings. Students, staff and visitors are impacted by the Title IX-related policies. In addition, revisions to some policies were recommended by PSBA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee also reviewed a new policy that addresses masks and face coverings.
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Chair:
Christian Fusco
Members:
Al Roesch,
Tina Stoll
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The next Policy Committee meeting will be held in person on November 10, 2020 at 5:00 pm at the ESC.
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The Safe Schools Committee met virtually on September 21, 2020.
Dr. Todd Bauer, NPSD Assistant Superintendent, presented the most up-to-date guidance regarding spectators at North Penn sporting contests and the administration's recommendations for various fall sport venues. Chris Doerr, NPSD Coordinator of Emergency Management and Safe Schools, shared strategies that would be used in cases where guests are found to be non-compliant, as well as input gathered from local police on their role in these circumstances.
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Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Members:
Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell,
Cathy Wesley
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The next Safe Schools Committee meeting will be held in person at the ESC on October 26, 2020 at 6:00 pm.
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