Presently, 11 BCIT students are receiving training from Kathy Christie, Director of Information Technology for the district. This includes an understanding of the IT network and how the Acceptable Use Policies are to be followed. These students have volunteered to learn additional technology skills associated with the hardware. They are also committed to strengthening leadership skills as they become 'digital role models' in the building. The expectation is for these student technicians to address common problematic situations that can be easily resolved. This includes simple connectivity issues, charging issues, keyboard questions, care and maintenance of the device, plus questions dealing with the software applications. The IT Help Desk students will maintain a student-run website with resources such a creating self-help videos and writing reviews on apps. The IT Help Desk will offer a 'real-world' work experience for the student volunteers with a heavy emphasis on providing customer service and becoming exceptional digital role models for their peers. Naviance expansion promotes college and career readiness
In Naviance, students can find a number of learning and career resources. They are expected to complete assignments that highlight potential careers based on student interests, explore college and technological training options, better understand their individual learning styles, and build a ‘career portfolio’ by the end of grade 11 that helps them with the transition to life after high school. Music program
receives 2nd NAMM award
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For the second year in a row, Neshaminy School District was recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the country by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. This honor is a tribute to the teachers, support staff, students, parents and guardians, volunteers and community members who work throughout the year to keep our schools and community filled with music. |
District Art Show turns 30
The 30th anniversary of the District Art Show was celebrated on May 23 with an opening ceremony featuring some special guests. PA Rep. Frank Farry and Sen. Tommy Tomlinson sponsored honorary proclamations marking the event and a number of retired District art teachers also joined the ceremony and enjoyed the artwork that filled Gym 1 at Neshaminy High School.
Pre-K Counts seeking students for free preschool program
A quality preschool program is essential to prepare students for kindergarten and beyond. The cost of these programs can be a barrier. Pre-K Counts offers an opportunity for those that might have household incomes too high to qualify for a program such as Head Start but are still struggling to afford preschool. As an example, a family of four can earn up to $75,300 and still qualify.
Neshaminy Pre-K Counts is a grant-funded program for children who are three or four years of age by September 1. Classes will meet five days a week during the 2018-2019 school year, 6 hours-a-day, at two locations (Lower Southampton Early Learning Center in Feasterville (the former Lower Southampton Elementary School), and Albert Schweitzer Elementary School in Levittown). Additional sites may be added pending grant approval. Families are urged to sign up as soon as possible so registration can begin as soon as funding is approved.
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United Way
honors PKC coordinator
Dr. Christine McKee, coordinator of the Pre-K Counts program for the district and a former long-time teacher and principal at Tawanka Elementary School, was honored for her community service work and dedication to education by the United Way of Bucks County at their annual breakfast in Warminster on May 4.
NSD girls explore STEM careers
Fifty eight girls from Neshaminy middle schools and the high school participated in the Girls STEM day at Delaware Valley University for the sixth year on May 24. Women in various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) related professions such as digital marketing, pharmacy, sports medicine, emergency medicine, veterinarians, and banking gave presentations throughout the day.
May We Build Futures Award winners
| Superintendent Jones
once again honored District staff who made significant
contributions to fulfilling the district's mission or advance
implementation of the Neshaminy Strategic Plan. Those honored in May include (click on their names to see nominating information): |
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- Carol Alexis, Nurse, Tawanka Elementary School
- Jodi Arnold, Kindergarten teacher, Walter Miller Elementary School
- Judy Brown, Principal, Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School
- Monique D'Entremont, Reading Specialist, Albert Schweitzer Elementary School
- Kimberly Maurizi, Title 1 Reading Specialist, Albert Schweitzer Elementary School
- Patricia O'Brien, Mission One Instructional Assistant, Maple Point Middle School
- Ashley Patrick, Music Teacher, Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School
- Jesse Tunis, System Support Specialist, Tawanka Elementary School
Congratulations to all award winners! More information about the We Build Futures Awards can be found on the district website below.
We
Build Futures award winners
News from our Schools |
Pearl S. Buck Elementary School
Field trips explore Native American life, nature
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On
Tuesday, May 8, the third grade visited the Lenape Village at
Churchville Nature Center. The living history exhibit gave students the
opportunity to experience first-hand what it was like to live in our
area as a Native American. Seven interactive stations aided in the
children exploring the daily life of the Lenape. Some of things they
were seen doing were making cordage, creating pinch-pots with clay,
starting a fire, and stalking a deer. This highly active class was
totally captivated by the Churchville Nature Center educators. |
Second grade projects focus on honeybees
Second grade studied
honeybees and the important role they play in our ecosystem in May.
They chose from a variety of product ideas including creating honeybee
houses, making informational posters, writing plays, and writing songs.
For the finale, the students had the privilege of learning about honey
bees from Walter Miller Elementary School physical education teacher
Robert Krayer. In addition to teaching, Mr. Krayer has been a beekeeper
for 20 years. He enjoyed the opportunity to share his knowledge and
experience with the students.
Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School
Flower garden powers helpful insects
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Pirates capture the stage
It was a pirate's life as Ferderbar Elementary presented Pirates: The Musical in May.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
Tourniquet donation, training helps increase safety
Hoover parent Gabe Fox
recently donated 100 tourniquets to the school. School nurse Sharon
White will be sharing her knowledge of how to properly use them with
selected Hoover staff members in June and September.
100 Book Challenge Parade celebrates reading
The annual 100 book challenge was held in May. The highlight of this annual event is the parade, at which students dress up as their favorite book characters and display posters they made for their favorite books.
Walter Miller Elementary School
Second grade welcomes Ferderbar ES pen pals
2nd grade students from
Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School visited their cross-district pen
pals at Walter Miller Elementary June 4. They have been conversing
through
emails, videos, and even old-fashioned hand-written letters for months
and were finally able to meet in person, enjoying a Reading Olympics
competition, lunch and recess together.
Miller 2nd grade welcome Ferderbar Pen PalsIt's a Seussical world both on stage and off
In early June students at
Walter Miller Elementary presented a colorful, energetic production of
"Seussical" to their classmates and families. The entire school was
decorated in Dr. Seuss-related artwork to celebrate their annual
musical production.
Seussical at Walter Miller ESWax Museum goes high-tech
Third grade students are
taking 'Wax Museum' concept high-tech. They used QR codes on posters to
trigger the Flip Grid app on iPads, linking to video presentations they
created for their chosen historical figures. The driving question for
this project was, “How do people’s accomplishments of the past still
help us today, and how do we tell their stories?”
Albert Schweitzer Elementary School
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Second grade learns about local government
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Science in the Garden State
In May, kindergarten
students from Schweitzer enjoyed a trip to the Garden State Discovery
Museum in Cherry Hill.
Tawanka Elementary School
Red Nose Day raises awareness, donations
The second grade
collected $180 to help end childhood poverty through the Red Nose Day
charity event. They celebrated their success with a Red Nose Day rally;
dressed in red “from nose to toes," and played a few fun games in their
pod. Superkid friend, Cass, even got in on the fun and took some
pictures with them since she was visiting that day.
'Superkid' Cass visits Tawanka
'Superkid' Cass once
again visited the elementary schools including Tawanka in May. Cass is
one of the popular characters in the Superkid series, the foundation of
the K-2 literacy program in Neshaminy. Each Superkid has unique
interests and abilities; Cass likes to cook.
Tawanka welcomes the Class of 2031
Fifty-five incoming
kindergarteners participated in 'Tawanka Gets Ready for Kindergarten'
on May 15. It was a successful day of making new friends, completing a
scavenger hunt around the school building, and meeting Tawanka staff.
All students left with a goodie bag full of activities to get ready to
start school.
Maple Point Middle School
Choir brings classes together
| For the past several months, a group of sixth-grade choral students at Maple Point MS have been spending time with a group of students in the autism support classes to learn several multi-cultural songs together. Recently they performed their selections for a group of classmates, teachers and administrators with help from music teacher Aimee O'Neill. |  |
Fifth grade authors share their writing portfolios
Maple
Point 5th grade Team 'G' held their annual Writing Portfolio
Autobiography Tea. The students have been working on their
writing portfolios for months, and this event was a chance to share
their work with their families who were invited to breakfast. The
portfolios included many different writing styles, and new this year
the
students also integrated Google Slides into their presentations
using their Chromebooks and shared those as well.
Students honored by VFW
Several Maple Point
Middle School 8th-grade students were honored by local American Legion
posts for their efforts to honor veterans. Honored at Memorial Day
services in May by the Jesse W. Soby Post #148 of the American Legion
were: Julia Fischer, Maria Sooby and Zephan Joseph.
Also honored this year by the Penndel American Legion Auxiliary Unit #436 were students Colleen Duffy and Connor Vecchiolli.
Also honored this year by the Penndel American Legion Auxiliary Unit #436 were students Colleen Duffy and Connor Vecchiolli.
Dodgeball tournament raises over $11k
The 6th annual Maple
Point Curing Cancer with Carl Dodgeball Tournament was a huge success
this year! The participants raised $11,000 for Dr. Carl June and The
Penn Medicine Center for Cellular Immunotherapies. They had 65 teams of
6 people each participate in grades 5-8.
Mary Poppins drops in for a week of performances
The fifth and sixth grade
presented an elaborate production of the beloved musical, Mary Poppins in early June for
classmates, visitors from district elementary schools and the public.
No Place for Hate Club earns a banner
Students and advisers for
the No Place for Hate (NPFH) Club at Maple Point MS celebrated after
they received another banner marking their completion of program
elements this school year. NPFH, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation
League, involves over 1,600 schools across the nation to help eliminate
bullying and bias to promote a positive school climate. The award
ceremony was held at the Philadelphia Convention Center and was
attended by advisers and club officers. The rest of the club followed
with an additional celebration after school in the cafeteria.
Poquessing Middle School
Audubon Society powers girls STEAM Club
Thanks to a grant-funded
initiative from the Bucks County Audubon Society, a group of fifth
grade girls at Poquessing Middle School have been spending some of
their afternoons exploring science, nature and physics during STEAM
Club meetings. This pilot concept activity is in its first year and may
expand to the other district middle schools and grades next year.
Fifth
grade STEAM Club at PoquessingWells Fargo employees present financial seminars
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Volunteers from Wells Fargo Bank have been presenting weekly seminars on personal finance to business classes at the middle schools as part of a program sponsored by Junior Achievement. On May 9, representatives from Wells Fargo visited Poquessing Middle School to present a $25,000 check from the bank to Junior Achievement to help continue this valuable program, which was piloted at Maple Point Middle School last year. |
Hope Walk benefits Easter Seals
Students at Poquessing
Middle School spent time outside May 4 on a fundraising Hope
Walk supporting the Gift of Life Foundation and Easter Seals. The Gift
of Life charity was chosen to honor Kaylin Pahulick, who passed away
last year. She is the daughter of teacher Nicole Pahulick.
Carl Sandburg Middle School
What's Up Sandburg? Boating program, review and more
Annual middle school boating trip to Core Creek Park May 9
Check out the latest
entries on the student-produced What's
Up Sandburg
website. Currently featured is a video about the middle school boating
program, the Homework Help Club and the Al Durante Award.
https://whatsupsandburg.comAuthor visits Sandburg
On June 1, 5th and 6th
graders at Sandburg MS enjoyed a visit from author Lauren Magaziner.
Lauren spoke about the writing process, and it was eye opening for the
students to hear all the hard work that goes into writing a book. She
wrote books titled: Wizardmatch,
Pilfer Academy, and The Only
Thing Worse than Witches.
Neshaminy High School
Problem Solving Team leads international competition
Neshaminy High School’s
Future Problem Solving Team, comprised of Seniors, Catelyn Ballard,
Jessa Raab, Rachel Hoenisch, and Justin Harnishfeger, coached by Joe
Pimble, bested 54 state and international champions to place fourth in
the entire world at the Future Problem Solvers World Championship
on June 9 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Community welcomes American Idol finalist Catie Turner
home
| Neshaminy
HS senior Catie Turner was warmly welcomed home after
competing in the hit ABC-TV show American Idol this spring. The
Neshaminy HS
Interact Club hosted her at Langhorne Rotary’s Pet Fair and Family
Day May 14, where she greeted fans, signed autographs and posed for
pictures. Catie was one of the seven top finalists in the show, and will be appearing summer concert tour with her fellow finalists throughout the country. During the fair, the Interact Club painted faces, manned the bouncy houses and helped kids create doggy bandannas. |
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Senior earns a scholarship during Financial Jeopardy
contest
Neshaminy HS senior Ryan
Mace won a $2,000 scholarship sponsored through TruMark Financial
Credit Union by placing third in the TruMark Financial Jeopardy Contest
on May 9th at the company headquarters in Fort Washington. Ryan
represented Neshaminy to compete against high schools in the Bucks and
Montgomery counties in a Jeopardy-style event testing the students’
financial knowledge.
Football team honors veterans for Memorial Day
In what has become an annual tradition, members of the Redskins football team decorated veterans graves with fresh American flags during the Memorial Day holiday at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery with help from Jesse Soby American legion Post 148.
College partnerships grow
This school year,
seventy-six Neshaminy High School students will be receiving college
transcripts from Gwynedd Mercy University. The student transcripts will
show three college credits for each Dual Enrollment course taken at
Neshaminy High School through the Business, Computers and Information
Technology (BCIT) Department. This amounts to 300 college credits,
which are transferable to other universities. Students taking
Accounting 2, Honors Accounting 3, Honors Microeconomics, Honors
Macroeconomics or Information Technology 2 are eligible to participate
in this partnership with Gwynedd Mercy University. The BCIT curriculum
was approved by the university as aligning with their complementary
course syllabi and textbooks.
This is one of the Dual Enrollment options offered for Neshaminy HS students. A group of seniors have also been taking classes at Bucks County Community College this year, and that program is growing next year.
This is one of the Dual Enrollment options offered for Neshaminy HS students. A group of seniors have also been taking classes at Bucks County Community College this year, and that program is growing next year.
New band uniforms debut at parade
The Neshaminy High School
Marching Band performed at the Langhorne Memorial Day Parade on May 28.
On display was their new uniforms, purchased earlier this year.
Military Commitment Ceremony honors new recruits
The annual Military Commitment Ceremony was held in the Hub at Neshaminy High School May 24. Ten seniors who have signed up to join the United States military after graduation were honored for their choice including Matthew Leonhauser, Kristen Kuehmstedt, Batuhan Gurgen, Felicity Wright, Michael Crescenzo, Tyler Giberson, Kailynn Scully, Cole Smith, Colton Wilson and Ryan Egan.
Military
Commitment CeremonyNHS team takes a stock market challenge
Schools across the state
were competing in a stock market simulation from StockTrak called “How
The Market Works." Teams of students manage a hypothetical investment
of $100,000 in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds and make buying and
trading decisions based on the stock market. The students whose
investments make the most money win.
For the spring 2018 game, beginning February 5 and ending April 13, Neshaminy High School students participated in the high school division and students worked under the guidance of Neshaminy High School BCIT teacher Anita Moore. The Neshaminy High School team ranked 5th in the state out of 41 participating high school teams.
For the spring 2018 game, beginning February 5 and ending April 13, Neshaminy High School students participated in the high school division and students worked under the guidance of Neshaminy High School BCIT teacher Anita Moore. The Neshaminy High School team ranked 5th in the state out of 41 participating high school teams.
Science project reaches across the grades
A group of AP Environmental Science students from Neshaminy HS visited the first grade at Tawanka ES in early June to deliver a prevention program about lead poisoning. As part of a research project, they found out that lead levels in some parts of our area are high. As a response, they developed the presentation to educate young children about some basic precautions they can take to minimize lead exposure, including eating certain healthy foods, washing hands after playing outside, and leaving dirty shoes and sneakers at the door after returning inside.
| Neshaminy Update is published monthly during the school year and distributed to the Neshaminy community via email and web. To submit comments, suggestions or news items for consideration, please email Chris Stanley, Community Relations Coordinator. |
|
Neshaminy School District
2250
Langhorne-Yardley Road
Langhorne,
PA 19047
Joseph
Jones III
Superintendent
(215)
809-6000
|
Neshaminy
School Board
of Directors
Marty
Sullivan - President
Bob
Feather - Vice President
John Allen Cyndie
Bowman
Irene M. Boyle Tina
Hollenbach
Adam
J. Kovitz
David Marrington Stephen
Pirritano
|
Mission Statement
The Neshaminy community builds
futures by empowering each child to become a productive citizen
and a lifelong learner.
