Dear Community,

As I hope you know by now, the 2015-2016 school year marks the North Penn School District's 50th Anniversary. Throughout the year, a dedicated committee of alumni, community members, parents and staff has coordinated celebratory events in honor of the district's golden birthday.

As part of the 50th Anniversary, the district is very excited to announce the launch of the Knights of Honor program. Throughout the history of NPSD, countless members of the district and the North Penn community have gone above and beyond their civil duties and acted as devoted, impactful mentors to the North Penn area and trailblazers for our society as a whole.

The North Penn School District has benefited and will continue to benefit from the generosity, dedication and accomplishments of those that it serves. The NPSD Knights of Honor program is designed to recognize notable North Penn community members, former staff members and alumni who have brought honor and outstanding service to NPSD.

Our goal is to pay tribute to these important people and their contributions, and also to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. A formal induction ceremony will be held in late spring to honor the first ever Knights of Honor and to celebrate the North Penn School District's 50th Anniversary.

Today was your last chance to submit a nomination for the inaugural class of the North Penn School District Knights of Honor. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an application.

Looking forward, please save the date for the first Knights of Honor Induction Ceremony, scheduled for Friday evening on May 27 at North Penn High School. This evening gala will serve not only as a celebration of our inaugural class, but also as a 50th birthday party for NPSD. Look for more details on this event as it approaches.
 
Sincerely,
        
Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed.D.  
Superintendent, NPSD
dietricr@npenn.org  
Table of Contents
Dr. Dietrich's Superintendent's Student Council Meeting
Kindergarten Registration Information
Montgomery Mini-THON
Nash Police Escort
NPHS Wing Bowl II
Meritorious Budget Award
New Principal at Montgomery Elementary
Hatfield Elementary Named Title I Distinguished School
NP JROTC Victory
NP Wrestling Team Donation
Oak Park Honors Black History Month
Nash's Foundation February Finale
NPSD Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition
February North Penn News Update
Thank you to our
NP ADvantage Program Advertisers

NPSD Educational Foundation's
2nd Annual Foundation February!

 
The NPSD Educational Foundation would like to thank the 12 schools who participated in the 2nd Annual Foundation February, including A.M. Kulp, Gwynedd Square, Gwyn-Nor, Hatfield, Knapp, Nash, North Wales, Montgomery, Oak Park, Walton Farm, Penndale and Pennbrook.

Some of the exciting events held at our schools included Fun and Fuzzy Pajama Day, Excessive Accessory Day, Superhero Day, Wacky Tacky Day, school-wide coin wars and more! 
 
Not only does Foundation February help raise funds for innovative programs in NPSD schools, but it raises awareness of this wonderful organization. Since 1988, the NPSD Educational Foundation has provided nearly $1 million in funding for programs in NPSD schools. This school year alone, the Foundation is distributing nearly $40,000 throughout the school district at every level.

Thank you again to all of those who helped coordinate and participated in the North Penn Educational Foundation's 2nd Annual Foundation February.


Pennbrook Middle School Original Spring Musical

"One Great Thing"
March 17-19, 7:30 p.m. at Pennbrook Middle School
1201 North Wales Road
North Wales, PA


Pennbrook Middle School will present its spring musical, One Great Thing, an original show written by Pennbrook teachers, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 17 through 19.
 
Filled with elaborate costumes, rousing original music and a story full of romance and comedy, One Great Thing takes place a long time ago, in "the old country," as they like to call it. Darby, a bright and ambitious young lady, is in love with Finn, a simple peasant boy who, despite his humble status, seems to be her perfect match. When Darby's father arranges her marriage to an arrogant, ignorant nobleman, her future seems doomed. Can wit and determination lead her to a different fate? Can true love conquer? Will Darby and Finn find their One Great Thing? This lighthearted, romantic and action-packed show is sure to entertain adults and children of all ages.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Dianne McTamney at mctamndm@npenn.org.

 
LAST CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS,
DUE MARCH 1ST!


    
As part of the 50th anniversary, NPSD is excited to announce the launch of the Knights of Honor Program.

The Knights of Honor program recognizes notable North Penn community members, former staff members and alumni who have brought honor and outstanding service to NPSD. The goal of the program is to pay tribute to these important people and their contributions, and to also inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

"The North Penn School District has benefited and will continue to benefit from the generosity, dedication and accomplishments of those that it serves," said Christine Liberaski, NPSD director of school and community engagement. "The Knights of Honor Program is one way of honoring those individuals and their work in a lasting way."

Annually, selected Knights of Honor will be recognized at a reception held at North Penn High School. An individual plaque will be placed for all honorees on The Knights of Honor Wall located at the school.

Nominations for the inaugural class of Knights are due by March 1, 2016. For further information including criteria and application, click here.
 
SAVE THE DATE: Friday, April 22nd
Reserve your seat on NPSD's 50th Anniversary Bus to the Past!



The North Penn Community has changed a lot in the past 50 years and so have our schools! Join NPSD's Bus to the Past and travel to all of the schools that existed during the district's 50 years.

The bus ride will begin at 9:30 a.m. and last until approximately noon. The tour's route will include driving by and learning about all of the schools in NPSD's history and the stories behind these buildings. The bus will depart from Penndale Middle School, 400 Penn Street, Lansdale.

For more information and to register, call NPSD at 215-853-1020. 

National School Breakfast Week 
March 7th - 11th


To encourage more families to take advantage of the healthy choices available with school breakfast, North Penn schools will recognize National School Breakfast Week during March 7th through March 11th, 2016.
 
Busy weekday mornings make it a challenge for families to find time for a healthy breakfast. However, US Department of Agriculture data show that more students are starting their day with a nutritious breakfast in their school cafeterias.
 
The National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) campaign theme, "Wake Up to School Breakfast", reminds the entire school community that school breakfast provides a healthy, energizing start to the day for students. Students will be encouraged to "Wake Up" their minds and bodies during March 7-11 with special menus, decorations, cafeteria events and more.  Schools are participating by hosting "Breakfast with Parents," which invites parents of students in the NPSD to join their students for breakfast at their school. This will allow NPSD schools to showcase their delicious and nutritious breakfast as a great way to Wake Up to School Breakfast!

For more information about "Breakfast With Parents," please contact your child's school directly.


 
Spring 2016 Classes Open for Registration!
 
The North Penn School District Community Education Program (CEP) 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 in the Community Education Program. Course listings are available online and are distributed by mail. 

Ready to sign-up?
Register here online, or visit the Community Education Department at the Educational Services Center, located at 401 E. Hancock St. in Lansdale.

For more information, call the Community Education office at 215-853-1028 or 215-853-1029.
Wellness Corner...

March is National Nutrition Month!

National Nutrition Month focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. National Nutrition Month is a perfect time to highlight the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are research based guidelines that every American can use to lead a healthy life.

 
IMPORTANT NOTICE
TO GOLD CARD MEMBERS

Due to the rescheduled snow day for students, the Gold Card performance of the Spring Musical will be changed from Tuesday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m. to Wednesday, April 27 at 1:00 p.m.

Please note that DOORS OPEN AT NOON. Audience members should refrain from arriving before then, as it is a normal school day and there will be students in the building and buses making special runs before this time.

It is strongly encouraged that gold card holders attending this performance are dropped off and picked up, as parking which is close to the entrance will be extremely limited.

Parking spaces will be available in "S Lot," which is located immediately to the right when entering the high school from Valley Forge Rd.

North Penn Theatre 
February Update



North Penn High School Theatre and Thespians have been busy with many events and activities since the beginning of 2016. 
 
In January, the NPHS Thespian Troupe hosted over 60 NPSD theatre-loving students in grades seven, eight and nine at the annual Middle School Theatre Workshops on Friday, January 22nd. While the evening was cut short due to the pending Winter Storm Jonas, the middle school students and the nearly 45 NPHS Thespians had a great evening touring the high school, participating in workshops presented by the high school students on Musical Theatre, Character Building­­­, Acting, Dance, Improvisation, Hair/Makeup Design and Making Magic Backstage with Technical Theatre; and rounding off the evening with a pizza party. While the talk-back session, showcase performances, and dance had to be cut short due to the snow, both students and directors from the high school and middle schools agreed it was an informative, educational and fun-filled evening.

In February, the NPHS Thespians hosted The 17th Annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Knight of the Arts, a fundraising event that began in the NPHS auditorium as a graduation project in 1999. The NP Thespians shared the idea with troupes across the nation and high school thespians have now raised nearly $1.5 million dollars for BC/EFA. To date, NPHS Thespians have raised over $73,000 of the nearly $120,000.00 raised by other Pennsylvania troupes.
This great event on Friday, February 19 included performances by high school musicians and actors both at the Lobby Coffeehouse and on the main stage. Some of the acts included a dance number by the NP Dance Team, production numbers from their upcoming spring musicals presented by all three NPSD middle schools, a drill by the NPHS JROTC and a special dance by NPHS faculty and Thespians. The troupe topped $1500.00 in donations through the BC/EFA Gala. This will be added to the over $2500 raised at the Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference in December and will be sent directly to BC/EFA. Well done, NPHS Thespians!

   
Community Conversations 
with Dr. Dietrich



The North Penn School District is excited to once again offer its families and community members the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Superintendent Dr. Curtis Dietrich. Community Conversations, a series of informal meetings with the district's superintendent, gives attendees the opportunity to talk freely about the important issues involving NPSD schools.

The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Montgomery Township Building, located at 1001 Stump Road in Montgomeryville.

All North Penn community members, whether parents of children in NPSD schools or not, are invited to attend these interesting and informative discussions. Space is limited and seats fill up fast, so call 215-853-1032 or email andreykm@npenn.org to reserve your spot today.  

To learn more, click here .

   
February NPSD Board of School Directors Meetings
 
 
To view agenda attachments and minutes from past meetings, please click here.  

 


The school store is now online!
Stock up on all your NPHS apparel by ordering online. To visit the School Store's website, please click here.

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Quick Links  

Dr. Dietrich's Superintendent's Student Council
 
Dr. Dietrich and Dr. Deb McKay, Director of Secondary Education, visited Penndale Middle School for the February Superintendent's Student Council meeting, where they were joined by 7th, 8th and 9th grade students to get feedback about what it's like to be a student at Penndale in the North Penn School District.
Kindergarten Registration for 2016-2017 School Year 

Registration appointments are available from MARCH 7 to MARCH 18, and slots are filling up fast!
 
Be sure to bring the following to your appointment, or you may have to reschedule your appointment for a later date:  
  • Your child
  • Completed registration packet
  • Proof of child's age
  • Proof of residency
  • Child's immunization records

All of the above are explained in detail on NPSD's Kindergarten Registration page. If you have any questions, please contact the district registrar's office at 215-368-1086 or Registration@npenn.org.  

 

*Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, children must be five years of age by September 1, 2017 to register for kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year. 

Montgomery Elementary Crushes
3rd Annual Mini-THON Event
Led by Toby Sterling, Marisa Green, Brynn Gustie and Jessica Klein, Montgomery Elementary School decided for the third year in a row to get involved in hosting their own 12-hour-long Mini-THON at their school on Saturday, February 6th. With the help of countless Montgomery teachers and families, both past and present, 434 students danced their way to a cure.


Nash Student Receives Police Escort to School
Lucky first grade student, Cooper Middlekauff, from General Nash Elementary School rode with some hometown VIPs on Friday, February 5th as he was joined by Principal Jon Winkle and the Towamencin Police Department for a police escort to school in one of the department vehicles.
 
As part of a week-long Home & School fundraiser which took place in December of 2015, students from General Nash were invited to visit Chick-Fil-A in Hatfield as part of a "Dine-and-Donate" program. For every student and family who mentioned Nash at the checkout, a portion of their check was donated to the Nash Home & School Association. Each participating student's name was entered into a drawing to win a ride to school in a police car with Principal Winkle.
 
Cooper, the winner of the contest, was be picked up from his home to enjoy a police escort alongside Mr. Winkle around his neighborhood, through town and finally arriving at General Nash Elementary School at 9:05 a.m. on Friday, February 5th, where students and staff gathered to greet him as he arrived in style.
 
On behalf of the North Penn School District, we'd like to congratulate Cooper Middlekauff on his big win and thank the Towamencin Police Department for participating in this exciting event.

View more photos! 
NPHS Hosts Wing Bowl II Competition
During the month of February while most of the community was busy shoveling snow and salting sidewalks, many North Penn High School students and staff were preparing for NPHS's second annual Wing Bowl, which was held on Friday, February 5th at 6:00 p.m. in the NPHS Senior Café.
 
Nearly 100 students signed up to compete in this relay-style event, hosted by the NPHS Student Government Association (SGA). Each of this year's 16 teams consisted of five NPHS students and/or staff members. The competition required four team members to eat five wings each as fast as they could, and the final team member, or "anchor," to eat 10 wings. Based on each teams' completion time, teams advanced to the semi-final and final round.
NPSD Earns Meritorious Budget Award

The Association of School Business Officials International has awarded the North Penn School District its Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in budget presentation during the 2015-2016 budget year.
 
The Meritorious Budget Awards (MBA) program promotes and recognizes excellence in school budget presentation and enhances school business officials' skills in developing, analyzing and presenting a school system budget. After a rigorous review by professional auditors, the award is conferred only on school districts that have met or exceeded the program's stringent criteria.
 
Only six Pennsylvania entities, including five school districts and one intermediate unit, received the MBA in the 2014-2015 budget year, none of which are located in Montgomery County.
 
The North Penn School District would like to acknowledge Mr. Brian Pawling, Assistant Director of Business Administration, for his hard work with this project as well as the NPSD Business Office and additional NPSD staff members for their contributions to this outstanding program.
 
For more information about the MBA award, visit ASBO's website.
Click here to view NPSD's 2015-2016 Budget Booklet. 
NPSD Welcomes New Principal
at Montgomery Elementary
It is with great pride and anticipation that NPSD announces the appointment of Mr. Thomas J. (TJ) Seidenberger as the new principal of Montgomery Elementary School.
 
Mr. Seidenberger's start date will be determined in conjunction with his present employer. The North Penn School District is proud to welcome Mr. TJ Seidenberger and is looking forward to his start as Principal of Montgomery Elementary School. The district would also like to thank NPSD retiree Maureen Coffey for assuming the role of Montgomery's principal during the interim.

Read more... 
 
Hatfield Elementary Named 
Title I Distinguished School

The North Penn School District is proud to announce that Hatfield Elementary School was honored on February 8th at the 2016 Title I Improving Schools' Performance Conference in Pittsburgh for being named a Title I Distinguished School in the 2015-2016 school year.

 
North Penn JROTC Drill Team Breaks
Team Personal Record in Glasgow, DE

The North Penn High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Drill Team proudly represented the North Penn School District at the Glasgow Drill Competition in Delaware on Saturday, February 6th bringing home 11 trophies and one medal, a new personal record for the unit.

Read more...
NPHS Wrestling Team Makes Special Donation

The North Penn High School Wrestling Team proudly presented a generous donation to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Hospital on Friday, February 26th at 3:00 p.m. in the Wrestling Room at North Penn High School, in honor and in memory of Coach Robert Shettsline's wife, Christine Shettsline.

After Coach Shettsline lost his wife to brain cancer last April, he felt that it was his duty to raise awareness and funds for Duke University Hospital's brain tumor center. After expressing this idea to the North Penn Wrestling Parents Club, the support was overwhelming and the parents took over from there.

 
Oak Park Science Students Honor Black History Month

Students in Mrs. J'Mel Johnson's 6th grade science classes at Oak Park Elementary School presented unique, digital presentations in which they researched notable African-Americans in the field of science on Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26th in honor of Black History Month.
 
Nearly 70 sixth-graders completed projects either in pairs or individually over the course of two weeks. Students were given laptops to research and curate digital presentations about historical African-Americans in the field of science who had to endure struggle and prejudice during their lifetime and throughout their career. Mrs. Johnson encouraged students to present the information in an innovative, digital platform.

 
Nash Elementary Foundation February Finale!

To wrap up Foundation February, General Nash Elementary School held a grand finale assembly program on Monday, February 29th.

Nash held a month-long coin war in support of Foundation February in which students would dump their coins in bins which represented different teachers throughout the building. The top three teachers with the most money in their bins claimed their prize at Nash's assembly program!

With the help of students from Nash, Mr. Calvin Kuiken was duct taped to the wall in the gym, Mr. Jerry Moore was sprayed with over eight cans of silly string, and 10 lucky students were selected to launch cream pies at Mr. Dave Yeum's face!

Dave Kratz, president of the NPSD Educational Foundation, attended to accept General Nash's total donation to the Foundation raised through Foundation February, which was over $800!

The NPSD Educational Foundation thanks the staff, students and families at Nash for their support during Foundation February!

NPSD at Regional Odyssey of the Mind Competition
Fifteen student teams from the North Penn School District competed in the Southeast Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition on Saturday, February 27.
 
All of NPSD's teams gave exceptional performances, proudly representing the district and their schools. Five teams advanced to the State Competition which will be held on Saturday, April 2nd at Moon Area High School/Middle School in Moon Township, PA.

February North Penn News Update from NPTV
North Penn Television (NPTV) students produced updates on what was happening around the NPSD during the month of February. This month's video update includes NPHS Knight of the Art Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) Gala, Happy Valentine's Day from the Ambassadors of Love and A.M. Kulp Principal Mr. Neil Broxterman honoring his challenge to dress as a human hot dog and get covered in ketchup and mustard as part of Kulp's fundraiser for the Four Diamonds Fund.

NPHS Knight of the Arts BC/EFA Gala 
NPHS Knight of the Arts BC/EFA Gala

Happy Valentine's Day from the Ambassdors of Love 
Happy Valentine's Day from the Ambassadors of Love

Mr. Broxterman is a Human Hot Dog 
Mr. Broxterman is a Human Hot Dog



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