District News…

District News:

NPSD Increases Time Schedules To Improve Student Learning and Achievement

During the course of developing the new NPSD Strategic Plan, it was very clear that the issue of “time” is one of great importance to everyone. This concern was evident in the re= sults of the survey and was corroborated during discussions in Effective Schools Advisory Council meetings. NP= SD is pleased to present a clear plan to begin to address these concerns. This plan is multi-faceted and was developed with thoughtful input from numerous sources. The plan, which would take effect = for the 2009-2010 school year, calls for the following:

· an adjustme= nt to the instructional day’s start and end times for elementary and middle schools,

· an improvem= ent to the scheduling of teacher planning time,

· a change to= our report card intervals to move from quarterly report cards to trimesters at the elementary schools,

· a change in= the plan for conducting parent-teacher conferences at elementary and middle schools, and

· planned adjustments to the process used to prioritize our curriculum.

While gathering infor= mation regarding the instructional day’s start and end times, it was learned that the instructional day length of 6 hours 10 minutes at the elementary school level is the shortest of any of the neighboring school districts and demographic peer school districts. Please click here to view these school districts and the lengths of their instructional d= ay.

It is obvious that NP= SD staff members are working exceptionally hard to teach all students to mastery and= are doing it with a short school day. Both experience and research tell us that the length of time allotte= d to learn a concept is an important variable in the educational process. Clearly, NPSD needs to adjust the = length of the elementary instructional day. Accordingly, NPSD Administration has been working very closely with = the NPSD transportation department to determine the possibilities. NPSD Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Curt Dietrich, observed the afternoon dismissal period at each elementary school. After careful consideration, the following schedule is possible:

Student Instructional Day

Building	Current Schedule	Proposed Schedule	Change
High School	7:25-2:22	7:25-2:22	No change
Middle Schools=	8:10-3:00	8:05-2:55	5 minutes earlier
BP/WF	8:50-3:00	8:25:3:00	Start 25 minutes ea= rlier
All other Elem=	9:15-3:25	9:00-3:35	Start 15 minutes ea= rlier and end 10 minutes later

For additional inform= ation regarding these changes and details about transportation, special subject a= reas and trimesters, please click = here to view the entire letter Dr.<= /b> Dietrich emailed to staff on May = 13, 2009.

Oak Park Elementary Offers Byers’ CHOICE=

ONE-OF-A-KIND OAK PARK KINDLE FIGURES

Help Oak Park Elementary School celebrate its 50^th Anniversary with = a very special keepsake, the Oak Park Byers’ Choice Kindle. Available in lim= ited quantities, the Oak Park Shark Kindle was designed especially for the schoo= l to commemorate this momentous occasion. Order one today and have a memory to treasure forever. Orders will be shipped in approximately five weeks. Each Kindle is $18. For more informati= on, please contact Dana Koch at 215-393-5081. Please download the order form below.

Oak Park Elementary School Shark Kindle Order Form

All NPHS School= Store Items Must Go<= /span>

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 T̵= 7;s, Sweatpants and Rowdy Towels. There are some limited colors and styles of it= ems. To order these items, please download the order form below, or contact Linda Westerlund at <= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK2'>westerle@= npenn.org.

=

Nort= h Penn High School Store Order Form<= o:p>

<= o:p>

= nORTHBRIDGE HOLDS CELL PHONE FUNDRAISER

Northbridge School is seeking used cell phones to earn money for v= arious activities and rewards for its students. For more information, please click= here= . Contact Leigh Ann Staudenmeier at 215-853-1386 for details about this fundraiser.

Student Spotlight:

&nbs= p;

nORTH pENN 24 cOMPETITION sCORES BIG

With 13 Elementary Schools

On the afternoon of M= ay 7^th, over 130 elementary students, representing each of the 13 schools, met in t= he Walton Farm Elementary School cafeteria to compete in the annual 24 Math Competition. Each student participated in three rounds of the fast paced problem solving game, taking four numbers and mentally developing equations that equal the number ‘24.’ Parents, friends and siblings watched with great anticipa= tion as students worked through the problems to earn points.

In the end, three stu= dents emerged as top scorers. The b= ronze medal went to David Smith of <= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Hatfield Elementary = School, the silver was awarded to Jacob Di= amond of Walton Farm Elementary School and the gold w= ent home with Inglewood Elementary School s= tudent Steven Landes. Special thanks go to the teachers,= math support assistants and parent volunteers who run the 24 Clubs in each of the elementary buildings. The enthusiasm continues to grow!

Pennbrook Middle School Students receive aw= ards at Montgomery county and delaware valley Science Competitions

Congratulations to the following ninth grade students from Pennbrook Middle School who accumulated the highest number of points in the 2009 Montgomery County Scie= nce Research Competition, earning them the Edward C. Otwell Award for the fourth year!

First Place Winners:

Bobby Dougherty

Bob Ni

Franco Gigliotti

Jason Keller

Second Place Winners:

Dylan Eiger

Gary Li

Katie Blocklove

Wesley Newcomer

Shaan Prabhakar

Sunit Kulkarni

Eric Goldstein

Third Place Winners:

Sean Brady

Katherine Ann

Swetha Nuthulaganti

Brian Kissing

Coli Huber

Linda Giang

Caitlin Mininger

Sam Blurton

Amanda Schwartz

Kelly Flanigan

Fir= st Honorable Mention:

Rose Fogliano

Veronica Sinotte

Sabrina Reddy

Scott Olsen

Lauren Dale

Sarah Parrotte

Hon= orable Mention:

Valerie Smith

Anna Janoff

Christina Murdoch

Emily Brouch

Priya Kikani

Tom Mangan

The following student= s from Pennbrook Middle School also received accola= des at the 2009 Delaware Valley Science Fair:

Bobby Dougherty

Second Place= in Behavior & Social Sciences, 25^{th
Benjamin Banneker Science Fair}

American Psychologica= l Association, American Psychological Award

Bob Ni

Third Place<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'> in Chemistry, 25^th Benjamin Banneker Science Fair

AstraZeneca Award

NANO/BIO Interface Ce= nter Award

Dylan Eiger

Third Place<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'> in Computer, 25^th Benjamin Banneker Science Fair

NANO/BIO Interface Ce= nter Award

Franco Gigliotti

Second Place= in Earth & Space Sciences, 25^th Benjamin Banneker Science Fair

Wesley Newcomer

American Meteorologic= al Society, Certificate

Katie Blocklove

Second Place= in Environmental, 25^th Benjamin Bann= eker Science Fair

Jason Keller

First Place<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'> in Medicine & Health, 25^th Benja= min Banneker Science Fair

Philadelphia Drug Exchange First Place<= /st1:address> Award

Eric Goldstein

Third Place<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'> in Medicine & Health, 25^th Benja= min Banneker Science Fair

Philadelphia Drug Exchange Third Place<= /st1:address> Award

Gary Li

Second Place= in Physics, 25^th Benjamin=

For more information,= please contact Pennbrook Middle School Gifted Resource teacher Carol Ward at wardca@npenn.= org.

nphs sTUDENTS RECEIVE MONTGOMERY SCHOOL NURSES’ ASSOCIA= TION SCHOLARSHIPS

Congratulations to No= rth Penn High School students Jennifer Sens= ke and Ryann Biedlingmaier who we= re recently honored as recipients of the Montgomery County School Nurses’ Association scholarship. This is the 25^th year the Association h= as awarded scholarship grants. The Association awarded 24 students scholarships this year.

A $1,000 scholarship = grant has been awarded to Jennifer Senske, who has been accepted into Villanova University, Early Action for the f= all semester of 2009. Jennfier has maintained straight A’s for the past f= our year of school, while taking 15 Honors courses and four Advanced Placement = (AP) courses, including AP Government, AP Psychology and AP Statistics. She also took Honors Biology and Honors Physics in her senior years. Her cumulative = GPA is 6.05 Her school activities include field hockey, spring and winter track, Key Club, Youth Education Association, National Honor Society and National Honor Society Cabinet. Outsid= e of school, Jennifer is a cashier at Walgreen’s, a soccer referee and a baby-sitter and has put in more than 200 hours of service time at Lansdale Hospital-Abington. A teacher describes Jennifer as “genuine,” “assumes a leadership role,” and “an absolute joy.”=

A $1,000 scholarship = grant has also been awarded to Ryann Biedlingmaier, who has been accepted into th= e University of Pittsburgh for the fall semester of 2009. Ryann has a cumulative GPA of 5.85 while taking nine Honors courses a= nd six Advanced Placement (AP) courses including AP English, AP Government and= AP Chemistry. She also took Honors Biology during her senior year. While in school, she has participated in cross country, spring and winter track, Key Club, Student Government Association and National Honors Society. Outside activities have included volunteering at Manna on <= st1:address w:st=3D"on">Main Street, participating in Speci= al Olympics, volunteering at Lansdale Hospital-Abington and working as a serve= r at Brittany Point Estates. A teacher has said of Ryann that she is a “hard-working, dedicated young woman” who is “an excellent role model for other students” and possesses a “mature outlook = and demeanor.”

Congratulations to bo= th students on this incredible achievement!

Hatfield Elementary Students Hold

An aFTERNOON OF TECHNOLOGY

Earlier this month, s= tudents in Irene Pronczak’s third grade class at Hatfield Elementary School demonstrated their computer skills during a special technology demonstration for parents and friends. Mrs. Pronczak’s class is equipped with a Sma= rt Board, and students have had the opportunity to work with Smart Notebook software throughout this school year.

Students were also re= cently taught how to use PowerPoint to present research data. During March, studen= ts were asked to research notable women and to compile their data on PowerPoint slides. Students learned to create slides and use special features through PowerPoint to make their slide-shows interesting and unique. Additionally, = each student was asked to create a follow-up quiz on his/her topic using Smart N= otebook technology. Students created virtual multiple-choice, vocabulary and fill-in-the-blank quizzes, as well as crossword puzzles and other engaging question/answer games on their notable women for fellow students.

Everyone has worked v= ery hard, and students are very proud of what they have been able to accomplish. These third grade= rs have become quite savvy in using current technology, and they are intrigued= by all the technological possibilities the software programs they used have to offer.

nORTH wALES eLEMENTARY sELECT cHOIR rECEIVE= S sUPERIOR rATING AT MUSIC IN THE PARKS FESTIVAL=

On Saturday, May 9,= 2009, the North Wales Elementary School Select Choir participated in a Music In T= he Parks adjudication festival held in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, where they earn= ed a Superior rating (the highest rating possible) for their performance by scor= ing 92.5 of a possible 100 points. North Wales was the only elementary school choir participating in the adjudication, and they outscored five high school and middle school choirs. This was the Select Choir’s ninth year at the festival, and the ninth time that they rece= ived a Superior rating. After performing for = the judges, the Select Choir spent the day in Dorney Park.

The Select Choir is an auditioned group of 25 fourth, fifth and sixth grade students from North Wales Elementary School, directed by Tracy Calvaresi, a= nd accompanied by Kirsten Olson.<= o:p>

Graduation:<= /b>

Attention NPSD Staff Members!

Do you have a child graduating high school, coll= ege or from another program?

This is your chance to tell the en= tire district how proud you are of your child! Please email Katie Lloyd at lloydk@npenn.org to tell us about your child and their future plans.

Congratulations to all NP Staff Who Have Children Graduating This Year!

=

Katherine Lynn Mae Symes, daughter of Linda Symes from Pennfield Middle School, will be graduatin= g from Upper Bucks Christian School. She w= ill be attending college in the fall.

Mary Fran Shelton, da= ughter of Extended School Care Site Director Anna Shelton, graduated from James Madison University, Cum Laude, with a BS in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies and a minor in Exceptional Education (Special Education). She played four years of lacrosse and will return to JMU in the Fall to get her Master's Degree.

JB Shelton, son of Ex= tended School Care Site Director Anna She= lton, will graduate from North<= /st1:PlaceName> Penn High School. He plans on working for awhile = and then possibly taking classes at Montgomery Community College in January 2010.

Party City Offers NPSD Graduation Items

Attention North Penn students and parents! Party Land of Lansdale, located at 423 S. Broad Str= eet in the Pavilion at Lansdale Shopping Center with Saxby’s and Saladworks,= has great NPSD products for graduation and all year round. Check out some of th= ese items and call Tim Orenbuch at 215-361-4107 for more information.

Staff Spotlight:

&nbs= p;

Partners in Equity (PIE) is hosting its thi= rd networking event – the (almost) summer social

The Partners in Equity (PIE) Promoting a Diverse Workforce Subcommittee will ho= st its third networking event for diverse employees of North Penn on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Northbridge School. The Subcommittee consists of vario= us members of our staff who have a shared interest in implementing strategies = and approaches to help the district attract, recruit and retain a quality, dive= rse workforce. The social events = give all diverse, district employees an opportunity to meet one another and to engage in conversation. These social gatherings are just one example of our goal as a district to improve internal communication and employee engagement amongst this population. As a district, we want to recruit = the best employees while making sure that our candidate pool is also diverse and talented.

If you did not receive an invitation to the May 27^th event and would like to join us, please contact Ja= ckie Richardson via email at richarj1@= npenn.org or by phone at (215) 853-1005 b= y May 21, 2009.

PIE is co-chaired by Dr. Fran Cardamon= e, Manager of Human Resources and Bet= ty Santoro, Principal of Gwyn-Nor Elementary School.

tHANK YOU TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED NPSD

AT THE pHILLIES EDUCATOR APPRECIATION NIGHT=

=

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support NPSD this p= ast Friday night at the Phillies game! The weather was absolutely beautiful and= the Phillies brought home a win just for us! There was even some extra entertainment on the field during the middle of the game.

North Penn School Dis= trict once again had the largest attendance for the Educator Appreciation Night (= more than 950!), which allowed the wonderful Tori Rubbo to throw the first pitch after she was nominated by fellow co-workers.

In addition, the big = winners of the tailgate raffle are:

CharBroil Commercial Series Gas Grill – Lauren Patterson – Kulp

Garden Treasures Steel Lakeview Fire Pit – Kim Majewski – Pennfield

Lowes $50 Gift Card – Kim Bonanni<= /b> – Penndale

Best Buy $50 Gift Card – Lisa Mig= non – York Ave

<= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Rhoads= Garden $50 Gift Certificate – Heidi Pickens – Kulp

Giant $50 Gift Card – Maria Heller= – Pennfield

Target $50 Gift Card – Shannon McCr= acken – Pennfield

Lowes $25 Gift Card – Sharon Mille= r – Penndale

Lowes $25 Gift Card – Gina Meyer – Pennfield

Lowes $25 Gift Card – Katie Fink – NPHS

Lowes $25 Gift Card – Amy Levitan<= /b> – Pennfield

Grill Accessories – Amy Cardamone<= /b> – Pennbrook

Wawa $10 Gift Card – AnnMarie Car= penter – North Wales

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Maria Adell-= Bailey - Penndale

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Barb Gallowa= y – Pennfield

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Linda Abram<= /b> – ESC

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Jen Wisely – Penndale

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Jeanine Barn= ett – Penndale

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Shandra Middlekroff – Knapp

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Carolyn Murp= hy – NPHS

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Pete Phiambo= lis – NPHS

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Sue Campbell= – ESC

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Danielle Leg= nosky – Knapp

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Brenda Bott<= /b> – Knapp

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Ellen Dimots= is – Montgomery<= /st1:place>

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Steve Zong – Penndale

Wawa $10 Gift Card – Michelle Ran= d – Montgomery<= /st1:place>

NPSD Foundation Outback Steakhouse Luncheon October 24^th – Laura Belfatti – Gwynedd Square

NPSD Foundation Outback Steakhouse Luncheon October 24^th – Andrea Serrao – Hatfield

&= nbsp; (Winners of the Charbroil Grill)

Prizes are available = for pick up in the Office of School & Community Engagement from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Congratulations to all the NPSD winners, the Phillies and everyone in attendance on Friday!

aTTENTION eDUCATORS & sUMMER cAMP dIRECTORS lOOKING FOR aSSEMBLY oPPORTUNITIES

Steven Conway, Humane Educator for the Montgome= ry County SPCA, is available to attend schools and summer camps to give FREE presentations about various topics, depending on the grade level. Often, he brings a golden retriever or a rabbit with him to the presentation. If princip= als, staff members, administrators, camp directors, etc. would like more informa= tion or a brochure about these presentations, please contact (610)-825-0111, ext. 34. The following is a link that lists all of the programs Conway offers.

http:= //www.montgomerycountyspca.org/Window.asp?Page=3DEdProg

=

Retirement Celebration Informa= tion:

a.m. kULP Elementary School

=

A.M. Kulp Elementary School is holding a ret= irement party for Virginia Guenzel on = May 27, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Bay Pony Inn. The night includes a buffet dinner, desserts, coffee or tea and a cash bar. Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 20, 2009. For more details and to download the R= SVP form, please click here.

bRIDLE pATH Elementary School

Bridle Path Elementary School is holding a ret= irement party for Sue Pouliot and Ruth Wells on June 2, 2009 from 5= to 7:30 p.m. at PJ Whelihan’s. = Please RSVP by Thursday, May 21, 2009. For more details and to download the RS= VP form, please click here.

York Avenue Elementary School

=

York Avenue Elementary School is holding a ret= irement party for Greg Kobasa and Ron Oates on June 4, 2009 from 4 = to 6 p.m. at the Pizza Time Saloon. The night includes an appetizer buffet and non-alcoholic beverages. Please RS= VP by Friday, May 22, 2009. For more details and to download the RSVP form, please click here.

Montgomery Elementary Sch= ool

=

Montgomery Elementary School is holding a retirement party for Loretta Jones, Marsha = Oates, Joan (Sessinger) O’Connor = and Lynn Popp on June 8, 2009 from 5 = to 8 p.m. at Cravings Café. The night includes a dinner buffet and a cash bar. Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 2= 6, 2009. For more details and to download the RSVP form, please click here.

Attention NPSD Retirees!<= /b>

A group of North Penn School District retirees meet for breakfast regularly at Zoto's Diner.   This group would like to r= each out to the new 2009 retirees to let them know that they are welcome to join= us. See below for details



All NPSD retirees are welcome!

New Retirees - E= mail June Browne at= june= browne@aol.com wi= th your home email address, if you want to be included in the email reminders.= Rem= ember, your NP email address ends the day you retire.

NP Retirees' Breakfast Club at Zoto's Diner - Route 309

9:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month. See below for upcoming dates.

June 25

July 14 and 23

August 11 and 27

September 8 and24

No need to RSVP. Just= show up when you can. Please spread the word. Send June Browne any new retirees' e-mail addresses so they may be added to the list.

Upcoming NPSD Events:

NPHS Class of 2010 Holds Car Wash

and Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser

The North Penn High School Class of 2010 is holding a car wash and spring plant sale fundraiser to help defray the cost of the senior class trip being held next year. There will be a large selection of popular flowers for the home = and yard. The car wash and plant sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2009 in the C-pod parking lot of <= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">North Penn High School. This event is open to= the entire North Penn community and will be held rain or shine. Please use the coupon below if there is a student you wish to donate your proceeds to. For more information, please contact NPHS Class of 2010 faculty advisor Amy Young at younga@npenn.org.

Present this coupon at the plant sale and 35%<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>    of your purchase will = go into the class trip account of        =             &nb= sp;

____________________= ___________        =             &nb= sp;

        =              (student’s name)

=

North Penn Gallery Art Show<= o:p>

The North Penn Gallery Art Show opens to the public on Wednesday, May 20 from 6= :00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and reopens on Thursday, May 21 from 6:00 p.m. until 9= :00 p.m. Art work created by students from K-12 will be on display. The North Penn Gallery Art Show is an impressive show that features a multitude of media f= rom painting to photography to sculpture and more. Students will also be on han= d to demonstrate their artistic skills, such as drawing and throwing on the potter’s wheel. Additionally, the Gallery includes the Senior Show wh= ich features art work created by seniors who have taken two or more art classes throughout their high school years; it includes a reception for these senio= rs, their parents and guests on Wednesday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the art pod of North Penn High School.

The art/visual commun= ication teachers from the district will host a silent auction of hand-designed birdhouses. Teachers donated their time and creativity to design these item= s, which will be auctioned to benefit the Senior Art Scholarship Fund. In past years the teachers auctioned hand-designed watering cans, trays, decorative boxes and aprons that have funded generous scholarships to graduating stude= nts continuing in the arts. The auction will open Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. and will close Thursday at 9:00 p.m. As part of the fundraiser for the art scholarship, there will be face painting and Gallery at North Penn t-shirts will be sold for $10 each. The t-shirts feature an open-frame design in whi= ch you can decorate your own shirt. A table with fabric markers will be at the show for you to decorate your shirt if you wish.

Don’t miss this wonderful experience. It is located in the K-pod concourse, gym and art pod= of North Penn High School, 1340 Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA 19446. For further information = or questions please contact Joanne Ha= rris at 215-368-9800, ext. 456 or harrisjm= @npenn.org.

North Penn High School Key C= lub Holds Annual Memorial Day event at pENNDALE

The NPHS Key Club wil= l once again hold a Memorial Day Event at Penndale Middle School on Mo= nday, May 25 at 11:15 a.m. in honor of fallen NPSD graduates and students. The NPHS J= ROTC will be helping with the flags and other activities. A member of the band w= ill be doing taps, poems will be read and names of fallen North Penn graduates/students will be read aloud.

Fourth Grade Gifted Students Participate

in Environmental Education D= ay

Fourth grade gifted s= tudents across the district will participate in Environmental Education Day for the fourth consecutive year. Students and staff members will spend the day at Fisher’s Park on Thursday, May 28, 2009. The students will begin their day under the pavilion decorating burlap bags to hold the materials t= hey will receive throughout the day. Next, students will walk to three different stations in the park to learn about owls, bugs and birds of prey. There wil= l be hands-on activities and live animals for the students to see. The events of the day have been carefully pl= anned to be both enjoyable and scientific.

This environmental ex= perience has been offered to the students for the past four years thanks to the generosity of the North Penn Association for Gifted Education (NPAGE). NPAGE raises money to support NPSD students through the annual “Super Saturday” event. NPAGE and NPSD are excited by the idea of sharing lo= ve and concern for the environment with NPSD fourth graders.=

= ;

NPHS Engineering Academy<= b> Holds Exciting Nanotechnology presentation=

=

North Penn= High School seniors involved in the school̵= 7;s Engineering Academy<= /st1:PlaceType> invites the community to attend a presentation on nanotechnology on Wednesd= ay, June 3^rd at 7 p.m. in the audion of North Penn High School. Their presentation wi= ll discuss the fundamental principles of nanotechnology, including its history= and societal impacts. Examples of products utilizing nanotechnology today= and possible future applications will also be presented. The students will then outline and present the research they performed in class and at Drexel University. There will be a question and answer session, demonstrations of the polymer preparation and electrospinning processes and examples of the fibers that t= he eight research teams created throughout this school year.

For further informati= on and to R.S.V.P., please visit the following website: www.thefutureisnear.org. For additional questions or comments, please contact Mike Boyer at boyerma@npen= n.org.

Weekly Calendar: Events for th= e week of May 18 - 25, 2009

MONDAY, MAY 18

6 pm           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;          School Board Support Services Committee Meeting, ESC

7 pm            &nb= sp;            =           Oak Park/Pennbrook/Pennfield Small Ensembles Concerts

7 pm            &nb= sp;            =           Pennbrook Home & School Meeting

7:15 pm             =             &nb= sp;     NPHS Parent Forum, Senior Cafeteria

7:30 pm       = ;            &n= bsp;           NPHS Wrestling Parents

TUESDAY, MAY 19

Staff Inservice

No School for Students

7 pm            &nb= sp;            =           NMTCC Employer Appreciation Night

7 pm        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; NPHS Music Aides

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;    Gwynedd Square Custodian Appreciation Day

6 pm           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;          North Penn Gallery of Art, NPHS

7 pm           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;          North Penn Coordinating Council, Knapp

7 pm            &nb= sp;            =           Gwynedd Square/Inglewood Suzuki Concert at Inglewood

7 pm        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; Hatfield/Kulp/Nash/Oak Park/Walton Far= m/York Avenue Suzuki Concert

            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;    at Walton Farm

7 pm            &nb= sp;            =           Pennfield Small Ensembles Concert

7:30 pm         &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;         Montgomery Chorus Spring Concert

THURSDAY, MAY 21

8-9 am            =             &nb= sp;       Montgomery Father’s Day Breakfast

6 pm            &nb= sp;            =           North Penn Gallery of Art, NPHS

7 pm            &nb= sp;            =           Inglewood Home & School Meeting

7:30 pm             =             &nb= sp;     NPHS All Bands Concert, Auditorium

7:30 pm       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;          School Board Meeting, ESC

FRIDAY, MAY 22

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        Bridle Path/Gwyn-Nor/Gwynedd Square/Hatfield/Inglewood/Knapp/

            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;    Montgomery/Nash/North Wales/Walton Far= m/York Avenue Olympic Days

8:30 am             =             &nb= sp;     Knapp Volunteer Thank You Breakfast

6-9 pm       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           Pe= nnfield Luau

SATURDAY, MAY 23

MONDAY, MAY 25

Memorial Day=

Schools and District Offices Closed

11:15 am       = ;            &n= bsp;         NPHS Key Club Memorial Day Event at Penndale Middle School Honoring

      &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;          Fallen NPSD Graduates

Summer Opportunities:

North Penn School District OFfers

summer Camp opportunities<= /st1:PlaceName>

There are lots of opportunities offered in the North Penn School District for kids during the summer days.

Educational programs are available for students of all ages and ability levels, in addition to recreational opportunities of all kinds. But remember, these camps and classes fill quickly, so register early to avoid disappointment. Follow the directions pertaining to registering for these programs and camps. This information is provided on the NPSD website, for informational purposes only – www.n= penn.org as the last link under “Headlines and Features.”

This Week’s FeaturED c= AMP: tHE bEST OF p.e.

Staff:

Todd Brunner begins his first summer session with the most popular physical education sports/games in the North= Penn School district’s curriculum. Mr. Brunner has been a Physical Ed= ucator for the North Penn School Distric= t since 2000. As well as being = a P.E. teacher at Penndale Middle School, he also is the department chair = for the Health curriculum for all three middle schools at North Penn. Along with being a teacher, he also coaches ninth grade football, seventh/eighth grade wrestling, and seventh/eighth grade girls and boys track at Penndale.

Ca= mp Focus:

The purpose of the ca= mp is to provide expert instruction in an enjoyable environment for all students that like Physical Education class. Instruction of games and activitie= s will be demonstrated under the guidance of Mr. Brunner. There is one simple rule: HAVE FUN AND BE ACTIVE, ACTIVE, AC= TIVE! This Camp is designed to get kids = off the couch and improve their overall health through activity!

Program Activities:

Basketball, Football,= Team Handball, Mat Ball, Dodge Ball, Softball/Baseball, Indoor Soccer and a numb= er of other P.E. games.

The Best of P.E. Camp Details:

Boys and Girls: entering 7^th through 10^th grade

Dates: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from July 7^th to the 30^th<=
/sup>

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Penndale Middle School

Cost: $110 per camper

Each camper should br= ing suitable gym sneakers for inside and outside activities. Jug of water/snack is recommend bu= t not mandatory. Water fountains are available in gymnasium.
        =             &nb= sp;

Foundation News:

North Penn School District Educatio= nal Foundation

Holds 8th Annual Golf Classic Event

Come out and support = the NPSD Educational Foundation by participating in the 8^th Annual Golf C= lassic event! This event will be held on Monday, August 24, 2009 at PineCrest Coun= try Club in Lansdale. Registration will be h= eld at 11:45 a.m. and a delicious Outback Steakhouse lunch will be served from 11:= 45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Then, it’s a shotgun start at 1 p.m., followed by = an Awards Dinner at 6 p.m. For $120 per golfer, the day includes greens fees, = golf cart, luncheon, hospitality awards, dinner and a chance to win great prizes! Grab friends, family and co-workers and sign up for this fun-filled event t= hat supports the educators and students of the North Penn School District.=

For more information = and to register for the golf classic, please click here or contact Carol Fink at finkcl@npenn.org or 215-853-1021.

Respect Quote of the Week:

“Extend to each= person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understand= ing and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”&n= bsp;            = ;             <= /span>

~ Og Mandino

Co-workers’ Swap and Sho= p:

For Rent:

Spacious and well maintained 2 bedroom apar= tment for rent in the Collegeville Area.&nb= sp; The rent is $900 per month and includes all utilities. Features a laundry room off t= he kitchen, a paved parking spot and a dishwasher. Available July 1, 2009. Please contact the landlord f= or more information at 215-393-8096.

Apartment for rent in Lansdale - 1 bedroom,= first floor, convenient, residential location, close to public transportation, first floor, hardwood floors, formal dining room, porc= h, yard, washer-dryer hookup. $775 /month plus utilities. 215-699-4= 092.

Lansdale Borough apartment available in residential area. Second floor - 1 bedroom, air-conditioned with wall-to-wall carpet. Frost-free refrigerator/freez= er; self-clean oven. Washer/Dryer in apartment. Private entra= nce (no common stairs; no common hallways). Parking lot. No pets. $750, plus utilities. One month escrow. 215-855-459= 7 or wsd43@verizon.net.

S= ummer Rental Special Edition

Attention staff members! If you ha= ve a summer property you are interested in renting, please email Katie Lloyd at = lloydk@npenn.org by Wednesday, May 27,= 2009 to be included in a special summer rental edition in the next issue of Inside Information.

For Sale:

Pristine six-year-old colonial on private cul-de-sac with full white vinyl front porch in Gilbertsville. An E.P. Henry wall enhances the front landscaping and turn around driveway. Hall-tiled foyer leads to formal living room and dining room that takes you to the open family area featuring a large/cozy family room with br= ick wood burning fireplace with raised hearth which opens to the breakfast area. Kitchen has upgraded cabinetry, large island and stainless appliances. Includes master suite, 3 additional bedrooms and hall bath. For more information, contact 610-326-7300, ext. 1228.

Futon – all wood construction, very sturdy = and comfortable, rarely used – only three years old - $195, original price $600. 215-721-0149.

1994 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI, 130k miles, l= eather interior, power windows, power locks, 10-disc CD changer. Runs good, l= ow miles on the tires, inspection good until April 2010. Asking $2,000. 610-222-4242.

White Whirlpool washer & dryer-large capacity. Washer & Dryer are in good condition. Asking $325 for bo= th. 267-371-2444.

Hon 4 Drawer Filing cabinet with key-beige, asking $25. 267-371-2444.

Whitemarsh Memorial Park-2 plots with 2 vau= lts in the Garden of the Gospels. Worth over $8,600; Asking for $7,600, OBO! = Have to sell due to divorce settlement. 267-371-2444.

Services Available:=

Summer childcare help Monday through Friday= ; weekends available upon request. Seven years of babysitting experience and four years as a nanny. References available upon request. Please contact Em= ily Abram, James Madison University student, for further information at abrames@jmu.edu or 215-356-2941.<= o:p>

Summertime babysitting and/or house cleanin= g by a NPSD employee. Reasonable rates. 610-277-0641.=

Quality Pet sitting. Your pet receives experienced, loving care in the comfort of his/her home while you vaca= tion or work. Services include, but are not limited to exercise, litter pans cleaned, plants watered and mail brought in. Referen= ces available. Reasonable rates. 215-836-0951 or ccchrltn@myway.com.

Photographer for weddings and other special events. Contact joannefw@mac.com or 215-703-0724= .

Summertime babysitting and/or house cleanin= g by a NPSD employee. Reasonable rates and references available. 215-393-8647 or bolks806@hotmail.com.

Let us plan your backyard vegetable garden = for you! Services include planning, soil preparation and mulching. Eat hea= lthy and save money. For more information, please visit http://surburbanfarmingco= mpany.com, or call 215-362-0338.

Tired of cleaning leaves and debris out of = your roof gutters? Give me an hour of your time and I will tell you how "Gutter Helmet" can help you. NPSD employees receive 20% off. 609-605-8382, or send e-mail to c.hague@comcast.net

Shop AVON to discover advanced skin care, fragrance, cosmetics, gifts and much more. 215-631-9798 or pouliot2972@gmail.com. Direct AVON website: www.youravon.com/apouliot.

Quality Painting – Time to freshen up= the inside and outside of your home! Free estimates and 10% discount= to all North Penn employees. Numerous references available. Call Ni= ck at 267-218-4552.

Painting – If you are looking to pain= t this spring or summer, I can help. Free estimates. Contact Brian Knaub (NPHS) at knaubfam@verizon.net, or at 267-640-6036.

Are you looking for a fun loving babysitter= for the summer months? A graduate student who loves kids and has experience with all ages is available. Has own transportation and am available any day of the week. Please call or email Danielle Lavoie for references at 215-915-4864 or dklavoie@gmail.c= om.

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Photos:<= /p>

pENNBROOK fACULTY mEMBERS Take Part in the=

30^th Anniversary Broad Street Run

Six Pennbrook Middle Sc= hool faculty members ran the 20= 09 Broad Street Run on Sunday. See below to view the “Pennbrook Prancers.”

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North Penn High School AF JROTC

The North Penn High S= chool AF JROTC took first place trophies at the recent Bridgeton Competition. In add= ition, their Military Ball was held on April 24, 2009 where active duty, reserves, parents and retirees attended the function with the wonderful NPHS cadets. The picture below is of the 21 graduating senior cadets.=

N= PSD Extended sCHOOL cARE AT Gw= ynedd square

participate in earth day activities=

The students who atte= nd Gwynedd Square's Extended School Care Program celebrated Earth Day by planting flowers around the school. This year they planted bulbs by the Parent Pickup area. Everyone had a great time helping to make the school more beautiful!

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NORTH PENN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
HOLD COMMUNITY READING DAY

North Penn community = members read to second grade students at various North Penn elementary schools for = the annual Community Reading Day event.

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE VISITS KNAPP ELEMENTARY

Knapp Elementary School’s artist-in-residence and N= orth Penn School District graduate Melissa Medlin visited the school for an entire week. Various activities were planned for every grade level to support photography of stu= dent diversity. Along with learning to use digital cameras, students worke= d on photography techniques including spatial relationships, texture and scale in architecture, portrait and profile studies and emotion through art. It was a busy and exciting week and the students learned many things about dig= ital photography, including how it applies to classroom learning and artistic endeavors.

The end result for the students at Knapp Elementary is a mural of all 625 children in the shape of= a Knapp Jaguar plus numerous pictures around the building from these rich experiences. Thank you to art teacher Carol Guinn and the Knapp Home and School Association for funding this visit.=

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A.M. Kulp ELEMENTARY School

Kindergarten Students at AM Kulp Elementary perf= ormed in the “Letters on Parade” Assembly.

Benefits:

The North Penn = School District invites staff members to a Kades-Margolis Long Te= rm Care Seminar on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. at Penndale Middle Sch= ool. David Donovan and Curt Rexroth, your Kades-Margolis financial advisors, wil= l be doing a 60-minute Long Term Care presentation available to all employees and their spouses/significant others. David and Curt will be available immediat= ely following the presentation to answer any questions you may have on Long Term Care or other available programs.

This presentation wil= l cover the following questions:

What is Long Term Care?
What are the advantages?<= /li>
What are the costs?

Will I need Long Term Care?

And much more!

If you are interested= in attending this free seminar, please send an email to David Donovan at ddonovan@4kmc.com or call 610-630-3394 before May 21, 2009. For more information on this presentation, please clic= k here.

In the Community:

SNAP FITNESS OFFERS DISCOUNTS TO

NPSD EMPLOYEES and Students

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Snap Fitness, located on 1540 Cowpath Road in Snyder’s Square near Giant, is offering a $99 unlimited summer membership with a $49 enrollment fee from now through August 31, 2009 for teachers and students. Snap Fitness is fast, convenient and affordable. This fitness center is open 24/7, has no contracts and no risks with its monthly payments, offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, gives a FREE fitness assess= ment and has personal trainers available for faster results. For more informatio= n, please view the flyer by clicking = here. Call 267-263-1205.

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kIWANIS CLUB OFLANSDALE HOLDS 5^TH ANNUAL

YOUNG CHILDREN PRIORITY 1 GOLF CLASSIC

The Kiwanis Club of <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Lansdale is holding its 5^th Annual Young Children Priority 1 Golf Classic on Monday, May 18, 2009 at the Limekiln Go= lf Course. Greens fees and cart, plus luncheon is just $99 and all of the funds raised help to support 25 local charities. The price includes 18 holes of G= olf with individual and team awards, hot dog and beverage at the turn and a buf= fet luncheon following the golf. Sponsorship opportunities are available as wel= l. Please click here if intereste= d in participating or becoming a sponsor. Thank you in advance for helping the k= ids of the North Penn community!

kIWANIS CLUB OFLANSDALE Hosts 2009 PA District

Kiwanis night at the phillies

Come see the World Ch= ampion Phillies and the #1 Mascot, the Philly Phanatic, on Saturday, June 20 at 7:05 p.m. against the Baltimore Nationals. Reserve your block of tickets now! $30 for sections 206, 207 and 208 Pavilion and $30 for section 102 and 103 Outfield. The proceeds will benefit the PA District Aktion Clubs. For more information and to order tickets, please click here.

EPA Water Quality Video Contest SPread the Word about Environmental Stewardship

Beginning= April 22, 2009, Lutron Electronics will accept submissions from schools featuring students’ dreams for a sustainable classroom of the future. Hosted by Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., the world leader in the design and manufactur= e of energy-efficient lighting control products, the challenge asks students to dream of a more energy-efficient, sustainable classroom environment, how educators can use that environment to teach students about sustainable livi= ng, and how students can take that message to a broader community.

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The winni= ng idea will receive a $15,000 sustainable classroom upgrade to make their Bright G= reen Dream come true.

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The chall= enge opens on Earth Day, April 22, 2009 and submissions are accepted online until midnight September 25, 2009. After this date, judging will commence and 5 finalists will be announced on September 30, 2009. Lutron will announce the grand prize winner during the Green= build International Conference and Expo, November 11-= 13, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Submissions may be in= any format that can be uploaded to a website.&= nbsp; Examples include video, digital presentations, written submissions, = etc. To submit dreams for the challenge, view the judging rubric, and for a comp= lete set of contest rules, visit the 2009 Bright Green Dream School Sustainabili= ty Challenge website at ww= w.greenovationnation.com/dream.

npsd is invited to participate in Student Poster Contest for National School Bus sAFETY WEEK

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School districts acro= ss the state and throughout the country will be observing National School Bus Safe= ty Week from October 19 through October 23, 2009. With this in mind, North Penn School District has= been invited to participate in the National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contes= t.

This year's theme is:= "Cross in View, it's the Right Thing to Do!"

The poster contest gu= idelines are as follows:

1. Poster size must be 11” X 17” or 12” X 18”. Construction paper may be u= sed, but winning entries must be mounted on quality paper;

2. Lamination is not permitted and will disqualify the poster;

3. Poster designs may= not incorporate any copyrighted characters, photographs, and magazine or newspa= per illustrations;

4. Illustrations must= be positive in approach, demonstrating only proper school bus safety behavior.= It should be the exclusive work of the student entering the contest;

5. At least part of t= he yellow school bus must be included on the poster;

6. The slogan “= Cross in View, it's the Right Thing to Do!” must be included on the poster. The illustration should harmonize with the theme and demonstrate safety;

7. Only freehand drawn letters may be used. Lettering should be clearly legible, even if used as p= art of the poster design;

8. Wood, plastic, gla= ss or metal cannot be used. Collage materials cannot be used. Glued on pieces will disqualify the poster;

9. Posters must be po= stmarked by June 30, 2009.

From the entries, the Department will select a first, second, and third place winning poster for = each division. The winners will be notified in September. The childr= en who submitted the winning posters will be invited to an awards ceremony in = Harrisburg during = National School Bus Safety Week in October.

The Department will e= nter the four first place winning posters from the state competition into the nation= al competition. The National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest Commi= ttee will judge the national winning posters in November. These winners receive savings bonds and the overall winner’s poster will be used in= the 2009 National School Bus Safety Campaign.

Your support in this = activity is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact PennDOT’s Special Driver Programs Uni= t at (717) 787-6453. For a complete copy of the booklet, go to ht= tp://www.dmv.state.pa.us/fact_sheets/school_bus_safety.shtml .

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Thank you for your co= ntinued commitment to safety.

Health Ti= ps & Recipe:

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G= rilling Safety Tips

Gas and charcoal grills caused an average of 3,400 struct= ure fires and 4,900 outdoor fires in or on home properties in 2005, resulting i= n a combined direct property loss of $137 million. To make sure your next barbe= cue doesn't go up in flames, the Home Safety Council recommends the following safety tips:

= 1623; D= esignate the grilling area a "No Play Zone" keeping kids and pets well away until grill equipment is completely cool.

= 1623; B= efore using, position your grill at least 10 feet away from other objects, includ= ing the house and any shrubs or bushes.

 Always stay by the grill when cook= ing.

= 1623; O= nly use starter fluid made for barbecue grills when starting a fire in a charcoal grill.

= 1623; B= efore using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fu= el line to be sure it is working properly and not leaking. <= /p>
 Never use a match to check for lea= ks. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light = the grill again until the leak is fixed.

 Never bring a barbecue grill indoo= rs, or into any unventilated space. This is both a fire and carbon monoxide poison= ing hazard.

M= agic Peanut Butter Middles

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups all-purpos= e flour

1/2 cup unsweetened c= ocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking s= oda

1/2 cup white sugar <= o:p>

1/2 cup packed brown = sugar

1/2 cup butter, softe= ned

1/4 cup peanut butter=

1 teaspoon vanilla ex= tract

1 egg

3/4 cup confectioners= ' sugar

3/4 cup peanut butter=

DIRECTIONS

In small bowl blend flour, cocoa and baking= soda. Mix until well blended.

In large bowl beat sugar, butter or margari= ne and 1/4 cup peanut butter, until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg, be= at. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Set aside.

To make Filling: Combine confectioner's sug= ar and 3/4 cup peanut butter. Blend well.

Roll filling into 30 - 1 inch balls. For ea= ch cookie, with floured hands, shape about 1 Tablespoon of dough around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with glass dipped in sugar.

Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 7= -9 minutes. When cookies are done, they should be set and slightly cracke= d.