District News:

North Penn School District Recognized as one of the best communities for Music Education

The NAMM Foundation recently announced the results of its tenth annual “Best Communities for Music Education” survey, which acknowledges schools and districts across the United States for their commitment and support of music education in schools, including the North Penn School District. The complete list of “Best Communities” can be viewed online at www.nammfoundation.org.

The 2009 survey, which opened on Thursday, January 15, and ended Friday, March 13, was available to all districts nationwide. This year, teachers and school district administrators, representing communities across the country, participated in the Web-based survey. The districts were measured across curricular and programmatic criteria as well as public support of their music programs. The survey was developed and administered by The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service, an affiliate of the University of Kansas.

Participants in the survey answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and other relevant factors in their communities’ music education programs. The responses were verified with district officials, and advisory organizations reviewed the data.

Congratulations to the North Penn School District music department for this incredible achievement and for all of the contributions it gives to the students, staff and community members of North Penn.

About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. The NAMM Foundation’s mission is to ensure that all children have access to quality music education programs that encourage lifelong participation in music making.

Information Regarding the Swine Flu

The North Penn School District is working closely with the Montgomery County Health Department to provide guidance and support in light of the recent concern surrounding the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. It is important to understand the illness and to begin now to take proper precautions.

First and foremost, it is important not to panic. NPSD has a pandemic response plan as part of our comprehensive emergency plan. At this stage, however, most of what can be done is communicate about the importance of good hygiene that includes frequent hand washing and other commonly reinforced sanitary procedures.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those seen in a seasonal human flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. More severe illnesses, such as respiratory failure and even death, have been reported in connection with the infection.

While there is currently no vaccine to protect humans against swine flu, there is plenty that can be done to protect against it. Such measures that you should implement within your family are:

·        Staying home from work or school and limiting contact with others when you are sick

·        Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze

·        Frequently washing your hands with soap and water

·        Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of germs

·        Avoiding close contact with those who are ill

All staff has been advised of the situation and are instructed to be extra vigilant in hand washing, and the cleaning of work and classroom areas.

It is important to continue to obtain as much up-to-date information as possible as it relates to the spread of the swine flu. NPSD will monitor the situation closely and update you as needed. For further information on the situation, please click on http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm.

Thank you for your attention to this very serious matter. The safety and wellness of North Penn children is our number one priority.

Sincerely,

Robert Hassler, Ed. D.

Superintendent

North Penn School District

Attention 10-MONTH SALARIED EMPLOYEES:

lUMP sUM nOTIFICATION fORM

North Penn School District 10-Month salaried employees have the option to receive their last four paychecks over the summer or in one lump sum check. The lump sum payment covering paydates June 26th, July 15th, July 30th and August 15th will be issued on June 12^th, or the last scheduled workday of the Academic year, which ever is later.

If you are interested in receiving your last four pays in one Lump Sum, please complete the form below and return to the PAYROLL DEPARTMENT by Monday, May 11^th, 2009.  Requests received later than May 11^th will not be honored.  If you do not return this form, you will receive your paychecks on the regularly scheduled pay dates.

2009 NPSD Lump Sum Notification Form

All NPHS School Store Items Must Go

The North Penn High School store is offering 10% off all clothing items and sale prices on all other NPSD items. Grab some NPSD lanyards, Mesh Shirts, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Mesh Shorts, Blue Crew T’s, Sweatpants and Rowdy Towels. There are some limited colors and styles of items. To order these items, please download the order form below, or contact Linda Westerlund at westerle@npenn.org.  

North Penn High School Store Order Form

nEARLY 300 STUDENTS ATTENDED THE

2009 YOUNG AUTHORS’ CONFERENCE

Thank you to North Penn School District personnel for your support of the 2009 Young Authors’ Conference!  Gathering the morning of Saturday, April 4, student writers convened at Inglewood Elementary School for the 22^nd annual event.  More than 280 fourth and fifth grade students represented all 13 North Penn elementary schools.  Prior to the conference, each Young Author wrote a book which was typed, illustrated and colorfully bound.  Those books, on display at Inglewood Elementary School, later were displayed at the students’ respective elementary schools and are now at home with each writer, before being returned to his/her school’s library.

Award-winning author and storyteller Rafe Martin, in his 45-minute keynote address, told students, parents and school district personnel that he grew up with stories, but not with an abundance of children’s books.  However, he fondly remembered Grimm’s and Aesop’s tales, Arthurian stories and The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling from his childhood.  Sharing his principles of writing with the young authors, he asked them, “Can you get someone else to see what you see?  How real can you make it?  What wishes would you want to see happen?”  He urged them to read aloud their writing, to help find imperfections and to rewrite.  “Rewriting is the journey of writing itself,” he noted.  He stated that authors also must READ and explained that reading teaches how they see things in their own minds.  “Reading and writing are your own journey into your own imagination,” he said.  “You are explorers of the unknown with your imagination.” Martin then shared a tale of “The Boy and the Monster Bear” about a boy making a choice that took great courage. 

Following Martin’s talk, the young authors each attended two of 22 workshops before departing in the early afternoon.  Among the workshops were scene writing and drama, hand puppetry, drawing, comic strip creations, songwriting, calligraphy, “fabulous foldables,” writing for publicity, talking pictures, patterns of poetry and more.

 “The children worked very hard in order to attend this conference and had a wonderful day,” Conference coordinator Christine McLean, Reading Specialist at Inglewood, said.  “I don’t really think they fully understand how special the day is until they arrive.  Once here, you can see the excitement all over their faces.  Thank you to all the people who helped make this day so special!”

Maureen E. Coffey, Inglewood Elementary School Principal, added, “I commend and thank everyone involved with this exciting day of student learning and achievement, as we celebrate our NPSD Young Authors, 2009!”

 ~ Submitted by: Marion Fraley, Young Authors’ Conference Committee member and Gwyn-Nor parent