Welcome March! I have to say I am looking forward to warmer weather and spending time outdoors. February was a very busy month.
Since the last E-Matters, the North Penn School District (NPSD) has met important goals in returning our schools to a pre-pandemic state. First, I am proud to say that students now have the option to attend in-person instruction five days a week. Personally, safely meeting this need has been my priority since schools shut down a year ago.
Getting here wasn't easy and it took hard work and flexibility from staff, students and families. Principals spent countless hours measuring and reshuffling classrooms and speaking with parents and staff to accommodate students everywhere possible.
NPSD staff are commended for their support of both the rapid testing and vaccination programs. Each week, more than 1,000 employees participate in our rapid testing program. Since beginning in January, four positive tests have been recorded. I have heard from many coworkers who feel that the assurance testing eases their worries about being exposed to and/or spreading the virus unknowingly.
Vaccination efforts are also underway as we work in cooperation with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health and the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. Our Human Resources Department is working tirelessly in assisting all staff who want a vaccine to schedule appointments to do so.
As the Spring season moves along, we hope that some end-of-year traditions and celebrations will become possible. Currently we are looking at what graduation will look like and how we can hold a safe but fun prom. I know too that elementary and middle schools are also looking at what traditional events they can hold for students and families.
Last week marked one year since our initial “two-week” quarantine and shut down of schools. We sure have come a long way, together. I look forward to the coming months as we finish out this challenging school year and plan for a more normal 2021-2022.
Please continue to stay safe and North Penn Strong.
Sincerely,
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Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed.D.
Superintendent, NPSD
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You Could Save Up to $487 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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Five Propane-Fueled School Busses to Join NPSD Fleet thanks to Competitive State Grant |
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The NPSD transportation department recently received a grant for $142,128 to be used to fund cost-and emission-reducing propane fueled school buses.
This competitive grant from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Driving PA Forward - Onroad Rebate Program is the third awarded to NPSD over the past two and a half years on behalf of this initiative. Since late 2018, NPSD has sought grant money to fund several rounds of propane-fueled buses, the first of which arrived in May of 2019. Grant money awarded to NPSD during this time was also used to install a propane fueling station at North Penn High School. A second round of grant money awarded in February 2020 went to purchase additional propane buses. The third grant recently received for just over $142K will be used to fund five more propane-fueled buses, bringing the total number of propane buses at North Penn up to 31.
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Pennbrook Theatre Presents: Honk! Jr. |
Pennbrook Theatre invites the community to join us virtually this weekend! Tickets are $20 for family viewing, $8 for individual adult, $5 for individual student. Tickets are good for a one time link of the performance to one IP address. Please consider supporting the hard work of the students with purchasing a family ticket.
With a score by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Mary Poppins), Honk! JR. is an adaptation of the Ugly Duckling story. It is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages with its sparkling wit, unique charm and memorable score. Witty and hilarious, but also deeply moving, Honk! JR. will treats audiences to equal amounts of laughter and tears.
Showtimes are as follows:
- Friday, March 19, 2021 7:00 pm
- Saturday, March 20, 2021 2:00 pm
- Saturday, March 20, 2021 7:00 pm
- Sunday, March 21, 2021 2:00 pm
- Sunday, March 21, 2021 7:00 pm
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Donate an Item or Experience, Make an Impact on the Future of our Students |
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Back by popular demand after a year hiatus, the NPSD Educational Foundation is preparing to kick off its 7th Annual Online Auction from April 28 to May 4... and they need your help!
The annual online auction is a huge reason that the Foundation is able to make a difference in the lives of so many students year after year. To once again make this year’s auction a success, the Foundation is looking for even more awesome items and experiences to get bidders excited. Whether it’s a fun summer tailgate raffle basket, a gift certificate to a local shop or business or whatever creative item that would catch someone’s eye, the Foundation would be thrilled to feature it in this year’s auction!
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Parents/guardians are encouraged to complete kindergarten registration applications for the 2021-2022 school year by Friday, April 2! |
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Will your child be five years old on or before September 1, 2021? |
If so, then it's time to register for kindergarten!
This fall, NPSD will welcome its new class of incoming kindergarten students, the future NPHS Class of 2034. As each incoming class looks different, there is much work to be done to prepare staffing and resources for this new group of students. For this reason, registering as early as possible is a big help to North Penn. Community partnership in helping to spread the word and register ASAP plays a key role in providing the best education and experience possible for our youngest learners!
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NPSD to Implement New Math Curriculum |
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The NPSD Curriculum and Instruction (ECI) Committee reviewed a proposal for a new math curriculum in grades kindergarten through sixth beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. The program, called Ready Math, will go to the full board on March 18th for approval.
The selection process for choosing Ready Math included a 50-plus committee of elementary teachers, special education and gifted teachers, instructional coaches, inclusion facilitators, English Language Development teachers, administrators and parents. The months-long process involved a discussion of the current math curriculum and instructional practices, developing a vision of what a North Penn student should know upon graduation and instructional best practices for all students.
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$23.5K State Grant Awarded to Enhance Safety |
NPSD is proud to share that it recently received a grant in the amount of $23,500 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Safe Schools. These funds will be used to purchase equipment to enhance the safety of outdoor events occurring at NPHS.
The goal of the grant project is to enhance safety at mass gathering events, school activities, and instructional activities held in the NPHS multipurpose stadium facilities. This includes the renovated Crawford Stadium and smaller turf field.
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50% of all ticket proceeds will benefit North Penn Theatre |
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Breathing through Covid to Make Big Screen Debut |
The cinematic premiere of the original NPHS Theatre and Thespians Troupe 5464 student-developed show, Breathing Through Covid, will take to the screen at the Water Town Cinema on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 7:00 pm with a live cast and crew talk-back session following the premiere.
Breathing Through Covid will continue to show each evening at 7:00 pm through Thursday, April 1.
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