Dear Community,

My fellow North Penn School District (NPSD) Board of Directors and I sincerely hope this month’s newsletter finds you healthy and in good spirits. Thank you for once again taking interest in our educational community, especially as we all continue to make adjustments and try to practice patience. As more vaccines become available, and spring arrives with its promise of renewal and warmer weather, there is good reason for optimism. We send our deepest thanks to our entire staff and every North Penn family for sharing in all the inconveniences, struggles and work to safely return our communities and schools to more familiar ways of life.

We’re almost there!

Among all the inspiring achievements we’ve witnessed in our community over the past year, one of the somewhat hidden examples of continued success despite adversity can be found at the North MontCo Technical and Career Center (NMTCC). Stationed adjacent to North Penn High School (NPHS) and serving hundreds of students from five school districts including North Penn, this vibrant hub of active, hands-on learning has offered top-notch educational and training opportunities to students and adults in a surprising variety of fields for decades. Under the leadership of Administrative Director Gina Pardovich, NMTCC has thrived this past year as a dynamic institution for exceptional students and community members to grow and prepare for high demand careers - even during a pandemic. With the recent launch of the North MontCo Education Foundation, there is no better time to explore this incredible learning community.

Through 21 student programs ranging from Biotechnology to Mechatronics to Protective Services (including EMS, firefighting, and police science training) and even Advertising Design, NMTCC offers high school students modern curricula backed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) SOAR (Students Occupationally and Academically Ready) training and learning program for high priority and high wage careers. Two popular programs among top high school students in particular, Allied Health and Biotechnology, are not financially supported through PDE, but by the five sending districts alone. Allied Health has allowed future medical students to learn from real-world medical practice at a local hospital by taking part in a rotation of department shadowing. Though the pandemic limited that on-site learning this year, future opportunities for students have already been expanded from one session offering to three. The highly competitive Biotechnology program is a dual enrollment Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) program offering students college-level laboratory training in recombinant DNA technology, forensics and much more. Students who graduate this one-year program gain experience and develop skills to be able to contribute to research programs after entering college, jump starting their careers.

Students at NMTCC also enjoy opportunities to build community and illustrate their talents through organizations like the National Technical Honor Society, Future for Agriculture (FFA), and SkillsUSA which allows students to meet career professionals and compete against other students in their field statewide and nationally. Just last month in fact, 36 NMTCC students finished in the top three in their respective district level competitions. Thirteen will go on to compete at the state level this coming month in fields ranging from Crime Scene Investigation to Commercial Baking and Automotive Refinishing. We wish them all the best of luck!

NMTCC contributes to our larger community by creating ways to connect students with local customers and offering extensive continuing education programs for adult learners who are starting new careers, exploring new hobbies or tackling home maintenance projects. The NMTCC Salon, Bakery, Restaurant and Floral Design services are open to local residents (though precautions are of course still being taken - see the above link for details) to enjoy.

Finally, NMTCC has continued to adapt and innovate to create better experiences for students and the community despite the pandemic. Both educational equipment updates and structural facility upgrades continue with grants secured from the state and other organizations; COVID antigen testing and verifying cue machines were made available to staff members as early as January; and an NMTCC Equity Counsel comprised of staff, leadership and students was established to evaluate practices and policies to ensure they are guided by tolerance and equity.

As we begin to think about turning the corner into a more hopeful spring, please take a moment to find out what NMTCC can offer your family or how you can support this wonderful learning community through the new North MontCo Education Foundation.

With many thanks,