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Although there's technically still a few days left of summer, the 2019-2020 school year at the North Penn School District (NPSD) is well underway! I hope you're settling back in to your school year routines. I also hope that you were able to savor the summer months and find some relaxation and a chance to unwind.
While our students and much of our staff enjoyed a well-deserved summer break, the work behind the scenes at North Penn certainly did not stop as we prepared for the return of the teachers and students in September. Some of this work is summarized here
in a letter to the community from NPSD Board of School Director Juliane Ramić. I encourage you to take a look at the exciting things we accomplished this summer.
Thanks to the hard work of our students, families and staff, the start of the 2019-2020 school year was everything I hoped for and more.
The North Penn Community Build-A-Bag Backpack and School Supply Drive provided nearly 400 backpacks filled with supplies to NPSD students in need, allowing them to begin the school year with the tools to succeed. You can read more about this program in an article below.
Each year, we hold an event called Convocation to welcome back staff
members in August. This year's Convocation was held in a talk show format full of fun surprises and included every member of the district. You can view the whole thing here
or watch one of the many awesome segments featured in the show below.
Just two days prior to Convocation, we held orientation programs for our middle school and high school students. Using innovative programs like WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) at the middle school level and
Link Crew at the high school
, students were welcomed to their new schools by fellow mentors and friends.
On the same day, we held the first ever full-day kindergarten orientation at each of North Penn's 13 elementary schools. To "ring in" the new school year, each school held an opening ceremony where principals, school board members and administrators kicked off the day by ringing an engraved bell to welcome NPSD's first class of full-day kindergarten students and celebrate the newly developed program. Following NPSD's full-day kindergarten program theme, "Your Adventure Starts Here," kindergarten students and families experienced a day of travel throughout their building using passports as their guide. Their adventure included four excursions to help explain a day in the life of a full-day kindergarten student at North Penn. Excursion topics included overviews of transportation information, a building tour, cafeteria time and a classroom experience.
On behalf of the North Penn School District, I'd like to thank each and every person who helped to make the start of the 2019-2020 school year a great one. From Build-A-Bag to Convocation to orientations and the implementation of NPSD's Full-Day Kindergarten program, I couldn't be more proud of the strong foundation on which we have begun this school year. I can't wait to see what's to come over the next nine months and beyond.
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed.D.
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Why Parents Should Prioritize Mental Health This School Year
How is summer already over? It seems that it's only just begun. The reality is the kids will be back to middle and high school before the last sip of summer is had. And with the new year, there are often new challenges. As many say, "Little kids, little problems. Big kids, big problems." But mental health issues that are diagnosed and treated early have the best prognosis and do not have to become "big problems." As our children grow into tweens and teens, there is a new landscape to understand. As parents, it is crucial to tend to your child's mental health just as you do their physical health.
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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Back by popular demand, North Penn Knight at the Phillies returns in September!
Join your coworkers as the Phillies take on the Marlins in the second to the last game of the regular season on Saturday, September 28, at 6:05 p.m.! North Penn has nearly 600 seats reserved in sections 307, 308 and 309. New this year, you order your tickets online in the seats of your choice in these sections and then tickets are sent directly to you by the Phillies. Also, a percentage of the sale prices goes back to the NPSD Educational Foundation! Tickets are only $20 (plus a Phillies service and delivery charge).
As in years past, the night is sure to be a great time. From tailgating to door prizes, we are planning a fun Knight at the Phillies for North Penn staff, families and friends.
When ordering tickets, use the password northpenn and select $20 ticket price and internet group tickets.
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The NPSD Educational Foundation invites the North Penn community to join them on the links for an Oktoberfest at this year's 18th Annual Golf Classic on Monday, October 7 at PineCrest Country Club.
'Tis the season to celebrate this famed German tradition while inspiring the young learners of NPSD by supporting the Foundation. The Oktoberfest Golf Classic will feature lunch from an authentic German food truck "The Flying Deutschman", beer tastings from Round Guys Brewing Company and other festive surprises!
The Foundation is looking for both golfers and sponsors for this special outing. For only $135 per golfer, enjoy a festive day out on the course at the best-run, best-priced golf outing in the region with outstanding food and great fun, all while supporting the quality education for which the NPSD is known as well as utilizing the opportunity to make valuable business contacts.
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Super Saturday, presented by the North Penn Association for Gifted Education (NPAGE), is an easy way to introduce and excite children's interests in learning about something new. Children in grade K-6 from all over the community can sign up for up to three, 45-minute classes. Class topics are diverse, so there is something for everyone!
Hurry! Registration closes 10/1
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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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Monday, September 23 from 12 to 1 pm
NPSD Educational Services Center
401 E. Hancock St. Lansdale, PA 19446
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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NPSD Ranked #4 in in Montgomery County
and #17 in the State by Niche
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NPSD has recently been ranked number 4 in Montgomery County and number 17 in the state in the 2020 Best School Districts in Pennsylvania by Niche in accordance with their ranking system.
The overall ranking for each school district includes a grade ranging from "A+" to "F-" in ten categories. These categories include Teachers, College Prep, Clubs & Activities and Sports, all in which NPSD scored an "A+"; and Academics, Diversity, Health & Safety, Administration, Food and Resources & Facilities all in which NPSD scored an "A".
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Two NPSD Middle School Students Named as Top 300 MASTER in 2019 Broadcom MASTERS
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NPSD is proud to announce that two of its middle school students have been named as Top 300 MASTERS in the 2019 Broadcom MASTERS®, a program of Society for Science & the Public.
Vrishti Yadav, 8th grade student at Pennbrook Middle School was selected for the invention of an innovative device. With the support of Pennbrook Gifted Resources teacher Dr. Carol Ward, Vrishti Yadav's award-winning project featured the design of a motor-assisted stabilizing arm brace for people who suffer from Parkinson's disease.
Backed by Penndale Science teacher Mr. Matt Wendell, 7th grade student Anirudh Akula was also named a Top 300 MASTER. His project explored the effects of drug substances on planarian behavior and regeneration. Anirudh's project won second prize at county science fair in the Biochemistry section. He then moved on to regional level where earned top-1 in the Biochemistry division and the Dow Chemical (outstanding research project in STEM) top-1 award. Anirudh's success at the regional level made him eligible to apply for Broadcom MASTERS® to compete at national level.
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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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North Penn Community Build-A-Bag Drive Provides Nearly 400 Backpacks for Students in Need
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The North Penn community joined together during the month of August for the culminating event of an incredible service project to provide nearly 400 backpacks and school supplies for students in need for the 2019-2020 school year.
Now in its second year, the North Penn Community Build-A-Bag Drive has brought together local businesses and organizations, NPSD families, students, school board members, retirees, staff, community members and more on behalf of those who need it most.
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12 NPHS Students Named Semifinalists in National Merit Scholarship Program
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NPSD is proud to recognize the 12 NPHS students who were named as semifinalists in the 65th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. 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 16,000 are named semifinalists in the country. Selected semifinalist students represent less than one percent of high school seniors in the country.
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Propane Fueling Station is Installed at NPHS
Using State Grants Awarded to NPSD
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North Penn's effort to go green with our new propane school buses is continuing along with the installation of our propane filling station. The propane fueling station was funded by grants earned earlier in the year totaling more than $600,000. The grants were used to purchase 10 propane-fueled school buses and install a propane fueling station.
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First Day of School Photo Submissions from Community
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We asked, you delivered! With a record number of photo submissions from families, these faces represent the 13,000 students that entered our 18 buildings on the first day of school for the 2019-2020 school year ready to dream big and achieve greatness! Welcome back, North Penn.
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NPSD Transportation Department
Holds 19th Annual K-Day Program
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More than 500 students participated in the NPSD Transportation Department's 19th Annual K-Day Program this past August. This wonderful program is designed to ease the anxiety that can be felt by kindergarten and first grade students, as well as their parents, who are first-timers on the big yellow school bus! Kindergarten and first grade students from surrounding non-public and private schools were also encouraged to attend.
Participants had the opportunity to explore the bus while NPSD bus drivers explained school bus facts and safety information. Parents, students and their siblings were then invited to take a seat for a short ride around the neighborhood. The exciting day wrapped up with a safety video and safety education regarding the "danger zone" around the bus when loading and unloading.
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"The Git Up" Challenge
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We threw out this challenge and our staff accepted! The big finale of the 2019-20 NPSD Convocation was the "The Git up" by Blanco Brown. We are sure there's someone you know in this dance challenge.
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New and Familiar Faces to Welcomed to New Administrative Roles at NPSD
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Congratulations to the following new and familiar faces of NPSD!
This past July, we announced the appointment of Ruth Desiderio as Director of Special Education and Dr. D'Ana Waters as Director of Curriculum and Equity following approval by the NPSD Board of School Directors at a meeting held on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
In August, we welcomed Dr. Tomorrow Jenkins as principal of Pennbrook Middle School and Wes Heinel as principal of Hatfield Elementary School. We also congratulated the appointment of James Galante as Supervisor of Pupil Services and the Northbridge School program, Kyle Hassler as principal of Penndale Middle School, and Jason Bashaw as principal of Gwynedd Square Elementary School, following approval by the NPSD Board of School Directors at a meeting held on Thursday, August 15, 2019.
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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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