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It has been a wonderful start to the school year as we welcomed more than 13,000 students to our schools, with just under 1,000 of them being our first-ever class of full-day kindergarten students! As I am making my way to all 13 elementary schools and seeing our youngest learners, I am filled with great pride in how we planned and implemented this full day program, and the progress and growth I am already seeing in our kindergarteners.
I am also aware that not all things go as planned, no matter how detailed the preparation. Earlier this month, the North Penn School District (NPSD) Board of School Directors rejected bids for the renovations of Crawford Stadium at North Penn High School (NPHS). The project is now delayed but we are hopeful we can begin work in June 2020 immediately following commencement.
The board weighed many factors in the decision, including the great need for improvements to the facility, increased costs over original estimates, project timeline and the resignation of our director of facilities, a position that is integral to the project. In the end the board and administration feel rebidding the project is the best way to go. With the bids coming in over original estimates, there is no guarantee but costs may decrease based on a new, longer construction timeline of June 2020 to June 2021. And we hope to appoint a new director of facilities within weeks who can hit the ground running on the preparation work needed at Crawford Stadium and at Knapp Elementary School where major renovations will also begin in the summer of 2020.
Renovation plans for Crawford Stadium have not changed. Major improvements are needed to make the stands handicapped accessible, the bathrooms capable of servicing thousands of visitors and the field usable as we change it from grass to turf. For many years now, the soil conditions of the field have been such that it is often not even used by our teams, forcing us to use neighboring facilities. A new turf field will allow more teams and community groups to use Crawford Stadium.
We want people excited and engaged in the upcoming stadium work, for it is a center point of this great North Penn community. More information will be shared soon on how you can get involved.
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed.D.
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4 Tips to Help Teens Manage Money
As high school students prepare to make their grand entrance into the "real world" one of the many valuable lessons they need to learn is how to manage their money. You may have said to them, "Money doesn't grow on trees," but learning how to handle their own finances goes beyond that time-honored saying. Money management is about planning, analyzing and assuming responsibility for one's finances. Whether your teen is going to attend college in the fall, start their career, travel the world, or simply hasn't made up their mind about life after high school, an understanding of money beyond the "Bank of Mom and Dad" is important.
Parent Toolkit is a one-stop resource developed with parents in mind. It's produced by NBC News Learn and supported by Pearson and includes information about almost every aspect of your child's development, because they're all connected. Healthy, successful children can excel in many areas - in the classroom, on the court, and in their relationships with peers and adults. Our advice also covers important topics for navigating life after high school.
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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 8, 2019.
This event gives participants a unique way to discover and celebrate North Penn schools. Individuals will have the opportunity to board a NPSD school bus and tour schools 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. Please see below for the schedule of the day's events.
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Join the NPHS ENACT Club for Electronics Recycling Day on Saturday, November 9 from 10 am to 1 pm at North Penn High School. Recycle your used electronics in an safe and environmentally friendly way. To learn more, click below.
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Fall and Winter Classes
Now Open for Registration!
This fall, do something for YOU! Join others with similair interests and create something amazing. The NPSD Community Education Program offers a variety of learning and recreational experiences for people of all ages. From sports and fitness to music, theater and cooking classes, there's something for everyone! View classes and register now at www.northpenncep.org.
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Did you know NPSD has a monthly live program that all students and staff watch at the same time? Community members can watch live too the last Tuesday of every month at 10:00 am on our YouTube Channel. This month's issue features district news, the first day of school, student achievements, 21(ish) things and a live interview with kindergarten students at Bridle Path.
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Tuesday, October 22 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm
Lansdale Public Library
301 Vine Street, Lansdale
Important Note:
Directly following the October session, NPSD Coordinator of School Nutrition Services (SNS) Melissa Froehlich will be available to discuss questions about SNS at North Penn from 2:30 to 3:00 pm.
The North Penn School District and NPSD Superintendent Dr. Curt Dietrich are excited to once again offer 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 NPSD.
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. This is an ideal opportunity for open discussion!
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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As a school system, the NPSD is committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to improve the overall safety and well-being of its students, educators and administrators.
To be successful, NPSD believes this must include community-wide programs and initiatives involving parents, teachers, school administrators, law enforcement, mental health professionals and elected officials.
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NPSD Board of School Directors Meetings
To view agenda attachments and minutes from past meetings, please click here.
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To view a list of future meeting dates,
click here.
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The school store is now online!
Stock up on all your NPHS apparel by ordering online. To visit the NPHS School Store's website, please click
here.
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Stay up to date with the latest news, events and highlights from North Penn School District |
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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
to check out NPTV's
media library. New content
added daily!
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We want to hear from you! If you have a suggestion for a story idea or have comments, please email
[email protected].
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NPHS Student Accepted to National Hispanic Recognition Program
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NPSD is proud to honor NPHS senior Polux Garcia for recently being recognized as part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program by the College Board.
The National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) recognizes approximately 5,000 Hispanic/Latino students each year from among the more than 400,000 juniors who take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). As with the National Merit Scholarship Program, NHRP uses the junior year PSAT/NMSQT as the qualifying test. It is a great honor to receive this award and student recipients are encouraged to add this accomplishment to their college applications. Some colleges look upon this award to identify students with academic potential, which may lead to admission or scholarship opportunities.
Polux Garcia was notified of his eligibility to apply for the NHRP last spring. The invitation came as a result of Garcia meeting requirements including a 3.5 GPA or higher and scoring in the top 2.5% among Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT test takers in the region.
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Innovative Flexible Learning Spaces at Gwyn-Nor Elementary School Recognized in Dedication Ceremony
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As NPSD continues to move in the direction of personalized learning pathways to support student learning, Gwyn-Nor Elementary School recently celebrated the dedication of its newly created flexible learning spaces. Dignitaries including NPSD administrators, school board members and Gwyn-Nor Home and School Association officers visited each new learning space and had a chance to experience its benefits first-hand alongside students and staff at Gwyn-Nor.
Spearheaded by principal Dr. Deborah McKay, the goal of Gwyn Nor's flexible learning spaces is to encourage collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving that many believe schools need to teach to help students thrive in today's world.
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NPSD Educational Foundation
Seeks Input from Community
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The NPSD Educational Foundation has engaged Match Nonprofit Consulting to guide its strategic planning process and we want your input as a key constituent during this important phase for our organization.
Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the following questionnaire by Friday, November 1.
Please be candid. The information you provide is anonymous. Your feedback is very important to us and will help inform our strategic plan.
*Important note regarding the survey: The best thing to do is complete the survey at one time. Once you have completed the survey, please proceed to the last "Thank You" page to save your responses. (If you need to return to the survey, you must be on the same computer with cookies enabled).
Thank you in advance for your participation, the foundation appreciates your time and input!
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Solider and NPHS Grad Visits Brothers at School for a Surprise Homecoming
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NPHS Class of 2015 graduate and U.S. Navy AD3 Matthew Shultz surprised his two brothers after a two year deployment on the USS Ronald Reagan stationed in Iwakuni, Japan. Matt's first stop was at Penndale Middle School where he snuck up behind his brother, 8th grader Adam Makaron, in his exploratory technology class. After that, Matt and his family headed over to Oak Park Elementary School. Sixth grader Ben Makaron thought he was posing for a class photo in the gym when Matt suddenly appeared behind the curtains on stage. At both schools, there wasn't a dry eye in the house!
Welcome home AD3 Matthew Shultz, and thank you for your service!
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Now Accepting Nominations for
North Penn Knights of Honor
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NPSD is now accepting applications for the next class of North Penn Knights of Honor.
In November of 2018 in the North Penn High School (NPHS) Auditorium, three outstanding individuals were inducted into NPSD's Knights of Honor Hall of Fame. NPSD is now in search of our next class of honorees. For information, guidelines and nomination application, please visit www.npenn.org/knightsofhonor. Nominations are due by October 25, 2019. The induction ceremony for selected honorees will be held Friday, March 6, 2020.
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Two Assistant Principals Appointed by NPSD Board of School Directors
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The
NPSD Board of School Directors appointed two new assistant principals at its action meeting on September 19, 2019 to fill recent vacancies promptly for the new school year. The appointments include a current NPSD employee and a newly hired professional who will bring their expertise to North Penn schools.
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29 NPHS Students Earn Commended Recognition in National Merit Scholarship Program
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NPSD is proud to recognize 29 NPHS students who were named as commended students in the 65th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)-which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year-and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.
Out of the 1.5 million students who took the qualifying test, approximately 50,000 are being recognized as "Commended Students" for their exceptional academic promise. Selected commended students placed among the top five percent of high school seniors in the country who took the PSAT/NMSQT® in 2018.
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NPSD Schools Celebrate National Walk to School Day
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Four NPSD elementary schools proudly "walked the walk" on Wednesday, October 2 in support of International Walk to School Day.
Students, staff and families at General Nash, Hatfield, North Wales and York Avenue elementary schools joined thousands of schools across 40 countries in walking and riding their bikes to school along a designated route. Local police departments and NPSD security also lent support by supervising the day of the event.
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NPSD Prepares to Launch New Website
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It's almost Autumn and the changing leaves remind us how good it feels to let things go! That said, this fall we'll be launching a new website that will look a little different than what users are used to seeing. Keep an eye out for this fresh new look in the coming weeks. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on!
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North Penn News Update from NPTV
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North Penn Television (NPTV) students produce updates on what was happening around the NPSD during the month of September.
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