Dear North Penn,
There are many rewarding aspects of being superintendent of this great school district, but one that I would like to single out this month is serving as a Trustee to the NPSD Educational Foundation. For those not familiar with this organization, the Foundation is a collaborative effort among individuals committed to enriching the education and lives of more than 13,000 students in each of the North Penn School District's (NPSD) 18 schools, every single day. Often referred to as "the Foundation," our mission is to motivate and inspire students and staff in the North Penn School District through innovative projects and opportunities that enhance educational experiences and resources.
During my years as superintendent and serving as a Foundation Trustee, the Foundation has seen incredible growth. In 2010, the Foundation raised under $40,000 while this year we have already brought in more than $150,000 for innovative projects throughout our schools. This isn’t because of me, or any one person. The Foundation's success is due to its volunteer Board of Trustees, business partners, donors and the greater North Penn community’s ongoing support.
And something of which I am especially proud is that thanks to $65,000 in funding from the Foundation, North Penn High School launched North America's first Spatial Computing Program at a high school level. The course provides NPHS students the unique opportunity to learn how to design, develop, and publish Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications.
From small classroom grants teaching students about history, science and more to large-scale initiatives like providing internet access to students in need, the Foundation has supported the needs of this school district since 1988. To learn more about the Foundation click here.
There are two ways in the coming weeks that you can support the Foundation. First, their popular North Penn Strong apparel sale began last week. To view the products available click here. All proceeds benefit NPSD students through the Foundation.
Then, beginning May 4th and running through the 11th, the Foundation’s annual Online Auction will be live. We are still looking for community businesses who will donate services and products to this popular fundraising event. We have already received more than 50 items, including Phillies tickets, restaurant gift cards and themed baskets. For a preview of items, click here.
I hope you will join me in supporting the Foundation.
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed. D.
Superintendent
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Knights of Honor 2022 Honorees Selected |
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Joel Brown is a NPHS graduate, class of 1997. He was a student in the beginning years of North Penn Television (NPTV), and helped shape it into what it has become today. Brown currently works as a news anchor for ABC 11 Eyewitness News in North Carolina. |
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Donald “Doc” Ryan, NPHS class of 1958, is the former athletic director at North Penn High School, who retired in 2015 after serving 46 years in the district. Under Ryan’s leadership, the North Penn athletic programs grew in both size and success. |
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Ted and Bonnie Knauss are the President and Secretary of the International Friendship Committee, giving students the opportunity to study abroad and bringing foreign students to North Penn. Ted also serves as a trustee on the North Penn School District Educational Foundation. |
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Francis Jeyaraj, M.D. is a pediatrician who has provided medical service to thousands of children in the North Penn community. He is also a founding member of the International Spring Festival, an annual event celebrating the diversity of the community.
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North Penn High School Theatre begins its 51st season by celebrating the 70th anniversary of “the greatest movie musical of all time”, Singin’ in the Rain. Performances will be held live in the NPHS auditorium April 27 at 1 pm for gold card holders only, April 28-30 at 7:30 pm, and May 1 at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The performances will also be streamed live on April 30 at 7:30 pm, and that performance will be streamed on May 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm and May 15 at 3 pm. Tickets to the streamed shows are $25 for an unlimited number of patrons. Please note that fees apply to all ticket sales. |
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An Eye on Equity
A monthly feature from Dr. Pamula Hart, NPSD Director of Curriculum and Equity
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An Excerpt From the Equity Statement and Beliefs- NPSD Board of School Directors
"Students in the North Penn School District enter school buildings with their school supplies, ready to learn. Students also bring with them unique gifts, individualized learning styles, skills, experiences, and cultural identities. A significant number of our students also carry the weight of poverty, racism, sexism, trauma, and other forms of prejudices and conditions that affect how they perform in school. Achieving equity ensures that students' identities will not predetermine their success in school."
To ensure that every student is successful, school-wide interventions and strategies are implemented in each elementary school to meet the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of ALL our students. Check out the May edition of Eye on Equity to learn more about the interventions in place at the middle schools and NPHS.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- A standards-aligned, comprehensive school improvement framework for enhancing academic, behavioral, and social-emotional outcomes for ALL students
- School teams use a problem-solving process to integrate evidence-based academic, behavioral, and social-emotional practices matched to student needs with fidelity of implementation
- Elementary teams meet once a week to discuss students' academic and behavioral needs.
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Responsive Classroom
A student-centered, social and emotional learning approach to teaching and discipline. It consists of a set of research and evidence-based practices designed to create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms and school communities for both students and teachers. The Four Key Domains promote autonomy, responsibility, and high engagement in learning. They are: Engaging Academics, Positive Community, Developmentally Responsive Teaching, and Effective Management.
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Universal Screening for Gifted Education
Beginning in the Fall of 2022, all 2nd graders will participate in universal screening for Gifted Education using the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3). The test:
- Is a culture-cfair, nonverbal measure of reasoning and problem solving abilities
- Does not rely on what a child has learned in school
- Does not require English language skills of mathematics
- Consists of problems that use a complex set of geometric shapes and designs
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Second Step
A program rooted in social and emotional learning that helps transform schools and classrooms into supportive, successful learning environments. It focuses on 4 themes: Skills for Learning, Empathy, Emotion Management, and Problem Solving.
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NPSD Educational Foundation Clothing Sale Open |
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The NPSD Educational Foundation clothing sale is now open! Orders will be accepted through April 29th. This sale features a new North Penn School District logo, as well as the North Penn Strong and North Penn alumni gear. Alumni clothing can be customized with class year on the back, perfect for the graduating senior. All orders will be filled by June 3, right in time for a graduation gift. |
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NPSD Students Compete at Odyssey of the Mind |
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NPSD Art Department Hosting Knight of the Arts |
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NPSD teams competed at the state tournament for Odyssey of the Mind on April 2, 2022 at Lock Haven University. Congratulations to the Montgomery Elementary team who placed first and will be advancing to the Worlds tournament! |
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The North Penn School District Art Department is thrilled to announce the return of the "Knight of the Arts" K-12 Art Show. The show will include a Fashion Show from the HS FCS department and musical performances from various bands within the district. It will be held May 25 and 26 from 6-8 PM in North Penn High School. |
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Elementary Students Study Embryology |
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Melissa Walsh's students at Walton Farm and Knapp Elementary schools developed an understanding of biology concepts through the Embryology in the Classroom program from 4-H. Funded by the NPSD Educational Foundation, this program provides students direct experience with living things, their life cycles, and their habitats, in particular the chick embryo development from a fertile egg up through the hatch. They studied the process of the developing embryo and observed the various stages of development.
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You Could Save Up to $585 through NPSD Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program |
Are you eligible? Do you know someone who is? Learn more and help us spread the word about this program! |
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We need your help. Every school district across the state is experiencing a shortage of substitute teachers, which can impact student learning. If you have a four-year degree and enjoy working with children and teens, you can help us by joining the North Penn School District as a substitute teacher!
In addition to paying the highest rate in the county (starting at $180 per day; $170/day for guest teachers; and bonus incentives), we also provide great flexibility regarding daily assignments. You can share your availability and work as it fits your schedule. We will also provide training!
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