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Neshaminy School District
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Welcome back!
After a busy summer, our students and staff hit the ground running this year and are already making the 2016-2017 school year the most exciting and memorable yet! We are pleased to introduce a new format for our monthly Neshaminy Update newsletter this year beginning with this issue, which will make it even easier to find out what is happening around the district. This new version is more oriented toward our increasingly digital world -- optimized for reading in email clients, desktop or laptop computers, and mobile devices (tablets, smart phones, and even smart watches). We can now include direct links to videos, blogs, photo galleries, social media and content on the Neshaminy website. Our most popular feature, news from each of our schools, can be found by scrolling down. Additions to the newsletter and changes to the Neshaminy website are planned for the near future to make finding out what is happening at the district office, with the Board of School Directors and in our schools even easier. Your feedback and suggestions are welcome; just send us an email!
Check out our First Day of School photo galleries here and here
Watch our Welcome Back Staff Video below:
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Renovated technology rooms at Poquessing
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New security vestibule at Ferderbar
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Superintendent Joseph Jones III
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There have been a number of changes in some of our buildings over the summer, the new Tawanka Elementary School opened on time, and we are beginning the school year with our new Superintendent, Joseph Jones III. Dr. Gloria Hancock has returned full time to her role as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. There has also been some movement for a few members on the district’s administrative team: Troy Bodolus is the new principal at Walter Miller Elementary, Donald Palmer is the new acting principal at Tawanka Elementary, Dr. David Glennon is the new principal at Herbert Hoover Elementary, and Shawn Neely is a new assistant principal at Maple Point Middle School. We wish them well in their new positions!
Our Lead Teacher assignments for the 2016-17 are as follows:
Brian Suter, Lead Teacher of Science, K-12
David Heaney, Lead Teacher of Social Studies, K-12
Joshua Elliott, Lead Teacher of Technology and Engineering Education
Wendy Robson, Lead Teacher of Music, K-12
Janet Dougherty, Lead Teacher, BCIT, 6-12
Jan King, Lead Teacher, H&PE, K-12 There has been a lot of work going on over the summer to prepare for the 2016-17 school year. Poquessing Middle School and Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School were under renovation throughout most of the summer. The work on these buildings will provide staff and students with some much needed upgrades including new roofing, insulation, and various upgrades to the heating and air conditioning systems. Upgrades to our internal computer network are also continuing, bringing near-gigabyte wireless service to every district building to ensure our students and staff have all the bandwidth needed for the many new and existing devices now in service. Upgrades to the two district pools at Poquessing and Sandburg are nearing completion, and will soon both be fully operational for the first time since last year. Finally, new traditions and opportunities abound for the students entering the newly-built Tawanka Elementary School this year. Throughout the 2016-17 school year, many exciting initiatives will unfold in our classrooms. There is a K-4 initiative that is taking root bringing new programs in math and science to the elementary schools. The district’s Literacy Advocates will continue the work begun by the English Language Arts Task Force, and a group of them will begin working on implmenting suggestions from the recent middle school report. The 1:1 iPad Technology program continues its gradual rollout and now covers grades 5-7. Next year the program will include all middle school grades 5-8. We are excited by all of these new programs that will keep Neshaminy moving forward into an era of unprecedented growth in both opportunity and learning!
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A summer of music and technology Neshaminy High School was a busy place over the summer, as we hosted the 4th annual Summer STEM Academy for grades 3-8, the 52nd annual Summer Stock program with 2 main shows, sports and cheerleading camps, summer school, the elementary reading program and more.
Constitution Day celebrated Since 2004, schools in the United States have been required to spend time on Constitution Day, September 17, to teach their students about the centerpiece document. Neshaminy schools have responded in a variety of unique ways to meet, and exceed, this mandate. This year the day was celebrated on September 16 since the actual day fell on a Saturday. Students at Maple Point Middle School have been enjoying presentations from public officials, journalists and others whose work involves Constitutional issues. Third-grade students at Walter Miller ES signed their own Constitution, while first-grade students at Pearl S. Buck gathered around the flag to sing patriotic songs -- wearing red, white and blue hats they created. Students at Carl Sandburg Middle School will witness a special traveling presentation from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia later in the month.
9/11 art honors victims and first responders With just a few days of school completed, art teachers and students at several district schools created a number of artworks or display at a memorial service in Feasterville. The works were displayed at the service, held at Sunset Memorial Park, that included Lower Southampton officials, first responders, military veterans and others.
Famous Bucks artworks come to the classroom Art teacher Stacy Potter from Walter Miller Elementary School was busy over the summer helping design curriculum for a unique program sponsored by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit that brings valuable Bucks County art works donated by internationally-known artists to schools for students to study not just as artworks, but to also apply to multiple subject areas including math, science and English. The over 300 art works were donated by the artists themselves, and a rotating selection are sent to Bucks County schools, including Neshaminy schools this year. See a video of the project as teachers worked at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown.
Teachers attend literacy conference Neshaminy teachers attended the prestigious International Literacy Association Conference & Exhibits in Boston recently. This year’s theme was “Transforming Lives Through Literacy 2.0.” Kimberley Maurizi, from Albert Schweitzer ES, along with Linda Baker, Joan-na Biello, Gerri Casterline, and Pam Haggerty, from Ferderbar ES, had the unique opportunity to attend the four-day event, which brought together educators and literacy leaders from around the world to transform lives through literacy by discovering new teaching methods, tools and ideas. Teachers had the chance to collaborate, question, learn, share, celebrate and leave filled with ideas to support the important work that they do every day for students.
BCIT shares personal finance class success In July, Neshaminy High School Business, Computer and Information Technology (BCIT) teacher Charles Deal served as a panelist to share curriculum for personal finance education on a national stage. The title of the forum was “Financial Literacy: Is your state part of the problem – or the solution?” and it was held in Philadelphia during the week of the Democratic National Convention. The Council for Economic Education hosted the private, invitation-only event. Approximately 175 people attended, including United States senators and representatives from multiple states, leaders from the National Endowment for Financial Education, the Center for Global Financial Literacy Excellence, FINRA and CEO’s from major financial services companies. Read more about this conference and the personal finance class here.
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Pearl S. Buck Elementary School
Second-graders get buggy Second grade is welcomed their first installment of insects with the arrival of containers filled with mealworms. Students will learn the life-cycle of an insect and the difference between a complete metamorphosis and a simple metamorphosis. The students look forward to watching their mealworms evolve into darkling beetles - as long as Mr. Kern doesn't mistake them for a snack! When asked about his epicurean preferences, Mr. Kern replied, "Well, it wouldn't be the first time I ate bugs." (And, for the record, he didn't really eat the meal worms. That would be, like, ew! G R O S S!) |
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Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School
Panther Pride shines every day The staff and students at Ferderbar continually demonstrate Panther Pride by being safe, respectful and responsible. The school year opened with our panther greeting students on the busport, visiting classrooms and starring in a student made production to be shared with the community shortly. Students are recognized daily for good deeds and behavior as they are invited to the Panther’s Den to receive recognition and prizes including VIP seating at school assembly programs, lunch on the stage with friends and Grand Marshall of our annual Halloween parade. Staff make congratulatory phone calls home to inform parents of the great work that their children have done on showing their Panther Pride. Way to go Ferderbar students! |
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Dr. Glennon portrays a harried parent in a transportation safety video at Hoover.
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Herbert Hoover Elementary School
New principal welcomed Hoover families are welcoming new principal Dr. David Glennon this year. ‘Dr. G’ has over twenty years of elementary experience, which includes 12 years serving as principal most recently at Southern Elementary School, in New Castle, Delaware. Prior to his assignment in Delaware, Dr. Glennon was a school administrator in Naples Florida. Dr. Glennon replaces Mike Rodriguez, who departed the district for a principal position in Delaware.
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Walter Miller Elementary School
‘3 to Be’ program kicks off Walter Miller held their School Wide Positive Behavior Kickoff on September 12th. Students were introduced to the “3 to Be.” program, which teaches the value of being respectful, responsible and safe. The kickoff included a staff-made video covering hallway, cafeteria and recess expectations, as well as introducing our new grade level team t-shirts. All staff and students are encouraged to wear their Walter Miller “3 to Be” t-shirts every Friday as part of their team building days.
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Albert Schweitzer Elementary School
Positive behavior carnival Students at Schweitzer, all dressed in red shirts, participated in five activities throughout the school on Friday September 9 to kick off their School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (SWPBIS) program. Each district school has a similar program, which is designed to provide a framework for building a school community of respect while teaching positive values that carry well beyond the classroom. Watch a video of the carnival here and read more about it here.
Tawanka Elementary School
Tawanka opens with celebrations, orientations During the first of two back-to-school nights at Tawanka Elementary School n September 8, a group of dignitaries gathered in front of the new building and cut a blue and red ribbon with school scissors to officially pronounce it open. The ceremony was a recognition of an opening process that started in early August with a Tawanka community picnic, an open house in mid-August, orientations for kindergarten and first-grade students in late August, and finally the first days of school for students August 31 (for kindergarten) and all other students on September 1. Construction on the 40-classroom building started during the spring of 2015 with the demolition of the old Tawanka Elementary School nearby on the same site. The old school was built in 1964 and most recently had served as instructional space for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (which moved to the former Everitt Elementary School in Levittown). The new $33 million facility is a key part of the district's Road Map plan, designed to replace three aging elementary school buildings with this one new facility, and also modernize the remaining elementary and middle school buildings in the district with new energy-efficient heating, air conditioning, lighting, windows, insulation, security and other building upgrades. All students from the former Lower Southampton Elementary School and some from the former Oliver Heckman Elementary School and Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School are attending the new Tawanka Elementary School. The remaining students from Heckman are attending Pearl S. Buck Elementary School this year. The ribbon cutting was just the first celebration for opening the new building and the rebuilding of a strong Tawanka school community. |
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Maple Point Middle School
Presentations mark Constitution Day Students in each grade are celebrating Constitution Day with a series of presentations from outside speakers during the month of September. Two local journalists spoke to 8th-grade students about issues regarding the First Amendment - Bucks County Courier Times columnist J.D. Mullane and LevittownNow.com>/i> editor Tom Sofield spoke about their jobs and the meaning of freedom of speech. Fifth-grade students are scheduled to hear from Pennsylvania Rep. Frank Farry, sixth-grade students will hear from US Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, and seventh-grade students will be hearing from Pennsylvania Rep. Tommy Tomlinson later in the month.
Poquessing Middle School
Select Choir earns a repeat performance at conference The Select Choir was once again chosen (by blind audition) for a second year in a row to perform at the American Choral Directors Association-PA Fall Conference at Susquehanna University. This was an amazing event for the staff, students and parents last year and they are excited to have the opportunity again. The group sent a recording of last year's group in order to qualify for this year. They are once again performing with some of the best high school choirs in the state, and as an added bonus, they were asked to premiere a new choral piece written by the winner of last year's ACDA composer contest.
Carl Sandburg Middle School
‘Tragedy Creates Unity’ 9/11 presentation Students at Carl Sandburg Middle School, many purposely wearing red, white and blue shirts, packed the auditorium September 12 to view a special program marking the 15th anniversary of the terror attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. The students, all of whom were not even born when the attacks took place, heard from a number of speakers about the events of that day, viewed videos, and also heard positive messages about unity and volunteerism. The program started with presentation of Colors, a performance of 'Taps,' and a minute of silence for the victims of that tragic day. Social Studies Department Chair Steve Simons opened the program and introduced the speakers, including:
- Principal Dawn Kelly, who narrated a visual description of the morning of 9/11/2001 - US Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick - PA Rep. Frank Farry - Superintendent Joseph Jones III - Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gloria Hancock - Danielle Bush from the United Way of Bucks County - Assistant Principal Derek Albarran
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Choir wins Vocalosity performance The Select Choir at Neshaminy High School was chosen as the Runner-Up in the Aca-Performance of a Lifetime Competition. On Wednesday, September 28 2016, they will open at the Bucks County Playhouse for the a cappella group 'Vocalosity', which was created by artistic producer Deke Sharon ('Pitch Perfect' and 'The Sing-Off'). You can hear their contest entry in this video which was recorded only two days after the start of the school year.
Rotary sponsors study abroad in France Neshaminy High School junior and Interact Club member Catelyn Ballard was busy working at Sesame Place over the summer, spending time with her friends and preparing to spend 10 ½ months in France. Catelyn is one of eight students from southeastern Pennsylvania who, after completing an extensive 2 ½ month application process that included a lengthy application, multiple interviews and an exhaustive training program, was selected to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. The program has been sponsored by Rotary International since the 1920’s as a way for young people to broaden their horizons. Read more here.
PIAA honors NHS junior with leadership award Incoming Neshaminy High School junior Jacqueline Ziegler was one of only ten student-athletes selected from across Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to attend the National Student Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana held on July 18-29, 2016. Read more here.
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NHS students get an inside look at the DNC Two Neshaminy High School students and one teacher spent some time getting an insider view of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July as part of a DNC program for youth media. The program mirrors the experiences of credentialed news correspondents, and allows participants to interact with delegates, elected officials and other convention attendees. Playwickian editors Grace Marion and Dan Cho were joined by new advisor Genevieve Kannengieszer for this behind-the-scenes look at American political history.
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Neshaminy Update is published monthly during the school year and distributed to Neshaminy families via email. To submit comments, suggestions or news items for consideration, please email Chris Stanley, Community Relations Coordinator.
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Neshaminy School District
2250 Langhorne-Yardley Road Langhorne, PA 19446
Joseph Jones III Superintendent
(215) 809-6000
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Neshaminy School Board of Directors
Mr. Scott E. Congdon - President Ms. Irene M. Boyle - Vice President Mr. Bob Feather Mrs. Tina Hollenbach Mr. Mike Morris Mr. Stephen Pirritano Mr. Ron Rudy Mr. Robert Sanna Mr. Marty Sullivan
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