Neshaminy Update

Six Neshaminy School District alumni will receive an Alumni Achievement Award at a ceremony to be held at Neshaminy High School on Monday, November 20. This is the second year for this ceremony, which was created as a way to "...honor outstanding lifetime achievement in post-graduation personal and professional pursuits among the alumni of Neshaminy School District as an inspiration to the current students of Neshaminy and the entire Neshaminy community." Nominations were drawn from the community and from Neshaminy district staff. The final selection was made by members of the Alumni Committee of the Neshaminy Education Foundation, which sponsors the ceremony.

The recipients of the 2023 Neshaminy Alumni Achievement Awards are:

• Dr. Matthew Clauhs, NHS Class of 2000, Associate Professor of Music Education, Ithaca College
• PA Sen. Frank Farry, NHS Class of 1990. Pennsylvania State Senator and Langhorne-Middletown Fire Chief
• Maj. Robert Gulla, USAF, NHS Class of 2007. Maintenance Officer for the Air Force Thunderbirds Team
• Carin O’Donnell, NHS Class of 1987. Attorney with Stark & Stark and law lecturer.
• Brian Jacoby, NHS Class of 1993. HVAC teacher at Eastern Center for the Arts and Technology
• Martin Schwartz, PhD, NHS Class of 1972. Professor of Cardiology, Biomedical Engineering and Cell Biology at Yale University

"We are very excited and proud to honor this year's recipients," said Susan Weber, President of the Neshaminy Education Foundation. "In their adult lives, each of them has demonstrated the qualities of dedication, perseverance and service to their communities and country. These are values that we want to share with our children as they embark on their own life journeys."

The ceremony will be held in the Black Box Theater with a reception to follow. The recipients have also been invited to share their stories and expertise with current Neshaminy HS students through in-person class or video conference visits.

For the fifth year in a row, Neshaminy School District has been named an "Outstanding Visual Arts Community" by the the Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA).

"The PAEA is proud to recognize Neshaminy School District for its commitment to visual arts education with the endorsement of Outstanding Visual Arts Community 2023. Districts receiving this endorsement demonstrate the importance of their visual arts programs with:

• Rigorous and Inclusive Programs: Arts programs demonstrate rigor using standards-based curricula taught at every level by highly qualified and certified art educators.
• Highly Accessible Programs: Art programs are offered to all students at every level of education with a sustainable budget for the visual arts.
• Highly Visible Programs: Schools and districts identify their programmatic accomplishments, curriculum for all levels, art staff, mission statements, and arts events using their school websites and social media."

Congratulations to our entire Neshaminy art staff and thank you for sharing your passion for the visual arts and inspiring our students to explore their own creativity through art!

Learning about science through listening to lectures and reading about it, though valuable, isn’t always enough to truly engage students. Learning by doing science through hands-on activities and experiments lets students see what they’ve learned in action and develop a deeper understanding of the subject. Hands-on learning is just another way to refer to learning by doing.

As part of a continued initiative, middle school science teachers have developed new hands-on investigations that are aligned to the new PA STEELS Science Standards and support the current curriculum. These new standards are based on developing deeper understanding through a three-dimensional approach. An example of this approach is illustrated below. Students are investigating (a science and engineering practice) a science core idea (all living things are made of cells) using a microscope (cross-cutting concept of scale) to figure out whether given objects are alive.

Neshaminy School District is once again participating in the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This anonymous, confidential survey, which will be administered later this fall, asks students in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades questions about school climate, mental health, violence, bullying, and substance use. The valuable information received is used to help our staff better understand the issues facing students, promote mental health, and prevent substance use and other problem behaviors. This survey is conducted throughout Pennsylvania including in many other Bucks County school districts.

Parents or guardians of students in the affected grades should check their email for important information about the survey. Participation is voluntary and parents or guardians can opt their child out if they so desire.

(Left-right) NHS Athletic Director Lisa Pennington, NSD Acting Superintendent Jason Bowman, NKC Executive Director Kathleen Carmona and NKC Business Manager Diana Overton.

On October 24, Neshaminy gratefully accepted a $50,000 donation from Neshaminy Kids Club to cover the cost of a new electronic scoreboard on the multipurpose field. The new scoreboard was installed as part of the athletic fields renovation project and is similar in style to the scoreboard in the stadium with raised letters spelling Neshaminy on top and an LED video screen.

Kids Club, which is an independent non-profit organization, is Neshaminy's before and after-school care partner. They are rated as a Keystone Star 4 program, which is the highest level of care. They provide services in the Neshaminy elementary schools as well as running a summer day camp program. During the past decade they have funded a number of projects and upgrades including playground and gym equipment, outdoor seating and other projects.

Neshaminy, like other area school districts, is facing a severe shortage of qualified school bus drivers. The resulting delays are both frustrating and disruptive to school and family schedules in the morning and in the afternoon. This time of year can be especially challenging as the changeable weather often leads to increased seasonal sick days forcing our Transportation Department to shift drivers and buses around, make double runs or even cancel some bus routes.

The district is actively seeking and hiring new drivers to join our Transportation team. Neshaminy offers a competitive salary, benefits, and FREE PAID training to help new drivers obtain their Commercial Drivers License and school bus certifications. We have an awesome team of drivers and support staff in our Transportation Department who are ready to welcome some new colleagues to this vital and rewarding job.

To learn more about this opportunity please visit the Neshaminy employment website: Neshaminy School District - Bus Driver - Full-Time or call 215-809-6606.

Area military veterans are invited to attend the annual Maple Point Veterans Day Ceremony, which will be held this year on Thursday, November 9. Check-in for veterans begins at 9:30 am and the ceremony starts at 10:30. As in past years, the veterans are invited to enjoy light refreshments prior to the ceremony and talk with some of the eight-grade students about their military experience. After the ceremony in the auditorium the students and veterans are scheduled to gather outside for a group photo around a large American flag. The details of the group photo may change as construction at Maple Point and weather considerations may alter the possibility of the photo.

Veterans wishing to attend the ceremony must pre-egister here (or scan the QR code above with your smart phone).

The 2024 Neshaminy STEAM Expo will be held on Thursday, April 4 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Neshaminy High School. Since it was founded in 2015, this celebration of all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math has grown to become one of the most beloved and well-attended educational events in the district and a great night for students and their families.

We are looking for individuals, businesses and organizations who would like to share their STEAM expertise with the next generation to join the 2024 Expo as presenters. Please contact David Geanette at dgeanette@neshaminy.org for more information and to sign up.

BOARD APPROVES NEW SECURITY SUPERVISOR

Kevin Freeman was appointed as the Supervisor of Security at the October 10, 2023 Neshaminy School Board meeting. Mr. Freeman had been acting in the position since August replacing the previous supervisor, Kevin Burns, who left after four years of service to the district.

Mr. Freeman previously worked with Scholl Security Group as an armed guard from 2012-2013, then as a security guard at Neshaminy High School from 2013-2015, and most recently as the Coordinator of Student Affairs at Carl Sandburg Middle School from 2015 through 2023.

His experience both in the security field and working with students and administrators at the middle school for the past eight years will serve the district well as he moves into this new role.

SECURITY FIRM TO REVIEW SCHOOL SAFETY, OFFER RECOMMENDATIONS

At the October 10 meeting, the Board approved a contract with the Cardinal Point Security Group located in Jenkintown, PA to provide a school safety and security assessment report for each Neshaminy school building, the District Office, and the Transportation and Facilities Departments. The purpose of the assessment is to provide a "comprehensive review of each of the current facility's physical security measures," along with security and safety policies, procedures and emergency management planning. The reviews are to begin in November, and the report will be delivered by the end of February, 2024. It will include details of their findings along with recommendations for possible improvements.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The November Board Public Work Session is scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, 7 pm in the District Board Room at Maple Point. The meeting was moved from the usual Tuesday date due to Election Day on November 7. The meeting agenda and livestream video link can be found at www.neshaminy.org/meetings. The November Public Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21 at 7 pm.

UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS

• Tuesday, Nov. 14: Educational Development Committee, 6:30 pm
• Thursday, Nov. 16: Facilities and Planning Committee, 6:30 pm
• Wednesday, Nov. 29: Business Operations Committee, 6:30 pm

Board committee meetings are open to the public and are a good opportunity to discuss specific programs and projects with committee members in a less formal, more conversational setting than the full Board meetings. The full schedule of meetings for the 2023-2024 school year will be found at the following link: 2023-2024 Committee Meeting Schedule

All committee meetings are held in the District Board Room at Maple Point unless otherwise noted. The public is invited to attend and participate in Board and Committee meetings. All meeting times and locations are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances; please check the District website www.neshaminy.org for any updates.

The shape of the new Core Creek Elementary School is becoming more defined every day. Starting in early October, a large crane was used to install steel beams on the southeastern portion the building (closest to Maple Point) where the gymnasium, cafetorium, library, additional classrooms and administration offices are located. Concrete walls for those portions of the building were previously installed and will be supported by the new frame. The other half of the building (the first to be framed) is getting exterior walls installed.

The district received some questions regarding the 2024 Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. Normally the primary is held in May each year, but in 2024 it is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23. There was a proposal in the Pennsylvania legislature to change this date due to a conflict with the Passover holiday, but so far that effort has not succeeded. The April date remains and Neshaminy students will have no school that day. It is an Act 80 day for Neshaminy staff.

As a reminder, Election Day 2023 is coming up on Tuesday, November 7. There is no school for students and an Act 80 day for Neshaminy staff.

Thanks to Redner's Warehouse Market and their customers for a generous donation of $3,050.33 to the Neshaminy Education Foundation. The Levittown Redner's on Lincoln Highway celebrated the recent completion of a store renovation with a series of fundraising days for community non-profit groups, including the NEF.

EAGLES TICKET RAFFLE

The Neshaminy Education Foundation is raffling four lower-level tickets to the Eagles - 49ers game on Sunday, December 3. The package includes the game tickets, a basket of Eagles-themed items and parking. Chances are 1 for $5 or 10 for $20, and all proceeds benefit the non-profit Neshaminy Education Foundation. Raffle tickets can be purchased at Langhorne Harvest Day on October 28 or email cstanley@neshaminy.org for alternative purchasing locations. The drawing will be held on Tuesday, November 7 and the winner notified by phone.

ELECTION DAY LUNCH & DINNER FUNDRAISERS

On Tuesday, November 7 (Election Day), Neshaminy families are invited to take part in two fundraisers to benefit the NEF. The Red Robin restaurant location at 3605 Horizon Blvd. in Trevose will be donating 20% of all food sales to the NEF between 4 pm and 8 pm for customers who show the flyer shown at the left. This applies to online orders, as well (instructions are listed on the flyer).

Trev's Philly Steaks at 316 Bustleton Pike in Feasterville is donating 10% of ALL sales from 11 am - 8 pm on Election Day to the NEF. There is no need to show a flyer or coupon. The NEF thanks both of these local businesses for their support of education at Neshaminy!

Do you want to help us Build Futures for the next generation? We have many exciting career options available for immediate employment! Check out the possibilities by visiting the Neshaminy employment web page at www.neshaminy.org/employment. Among the current openings:

• Substitute teachers (all levels)
• Building aides
• Dining aides
• Playground aides
• Custodians
• Mechanics
• Instructional Assistants

Herbert Hoover ES

One of the most anticipated and important presentations shared with our younger students is the fire safety visits from our local firefighters. Fire Prevention Week was celebrated nationally from October 8-14, and the entire month was designated Fire Prevention Month to continue this important recognition.

Ferderbar ES and Tawanka ES

Albert Schweitzer ES

Fourth-graders in Danielle DeMeglio's class at Pearl S. Buck ES took to the sidewalk in front of their school to learn about evaporation for the water cycle. After dumping water on the concrete and tracing the resulting puddles, they then waited fifteen minutes to see if and how much of the water evaporated. Lesson learned: it takes both sunlight and air to promote evaporation.

Ferderbar ES celebrated Unity Day on October 18 in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month. Unity Day promotes kindness, acceptance, and inclusion in efforts to prevent bullying. Students and staff wore orange to celebrate Unity Day!

Walter Miller ES teachers Ms. Ramella, Mrs. Arnold, and Mrs. Randle organized a running club that meets after school twice a week. The students warm up together, run laps and enjoy the fall weather.

Fourth graders at Walter Miller ES try out samples of books to explore different genres.

The Pearl S. Buck ES PTO Trunk or Treat was held on Friday, October 20

The Walter Miller ES PTO held their very first Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 21

Joseph Ferderbar ES Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 20

Students and staff at Carl Sandburg Middle School raised $1,300 to support the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) charity through their Field of Flags program. In October, individuals and families were asked to make donations, each of which will be marked with a small American flag that will be provided by the DAV and placed by volunteers outside the school in early November. This moving tribute to our nation's military veterans will be supplemented by a display in the school's lobby of military artifacts, photos, medals and other items on loan from family members. In addition, students raised some extra donations for the cause with the sale of bracelets during lunches.

Seventh grade math students at Poquessing MS practiced their multiplication with a card game called "Multiplication War." It is similar to the card game "War" but with slightly modified rules:

• Remove the face cards (play with number cards only), shuffle the deck and split it in half.
• Each player will turn over the top two cards in their stack and lay them side by side. Then, each player will multiply their two cards together.
• The player with the largest product gets all four cards. Put them in a discard pile. Each player will have their own discard pile.
• Keep playing until the two piles of cards are gone.
• After all the cards have been played, each player will count the cards in their discard pile. The player with the most cards wins.

On October 5 Neshaminy HS held its first Student of the Month ceremony of the school year. The honorees this month included six National Merit Scholarship Commended students and one National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist. The ceremony was attended by their families and Pennsylvania Sen. Frank Farry, who presented each with a citation. The commended students are:

• Liam Fucanan
• Hao Yue Huang
• Mia Manton
• Aditya Patel
• Krish Patel
• Nicole Webb

Neshaminy HS Senior Sarah Kramer (pictured at right) was named a National Merit Semi-Finalist.

In addition, three other students were recognized for their accomplishments at the ceremony: Juliana Carragher (the Langhorne Rotary Student of the Month), Reese Zemitis and Andrew Plenn.

The Neshaminy High School chapter of the National Honor Society held its 2023-2024 Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 19. A video of the ceremony can be viewed below.

International Thespian Society Ceremony, October 5

Tri-M Music Honor Society Induction Ceremony, October 12

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and students in the Cyber Forensics & Digital Law at Neshaminy HS created Cybersecurity Awareness Campaigns for their peers. The students were instructed to develop four key points they think high schoolers would resonate with regarding their online safety. Each poster was hung up in the business hallway and students from other business classes were given the opportunity to vote for their favorite poster.

Fourth period students Marissa Snyder and Brian Gallagher’s campaign was to encourage students to maintain privacy and not "friend" strangers online. Their poster received 132 votes from their peers. Seventh period students, Rhys Argust, Miranda Burg, Nozima Abduraimova (not pictured), and Jennifer Barbara wanted to make students aware of concepts like phishing, multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and virus security. Sixth period students worked hard to display various messages about cybersecurity to influence their peers on the importance of their privacy and security online.

The Neshaminy HS Roadies celebrated the 20th anniversary of their annual Halloween show, Spooky & Kooky, at a public performance in Theodore Kloos Auditorium on October 25. This show, which can be seen in its entirety in the video above, has become a Neshaminy tradition. It consists of several original Halloween-themed comedy sketches and musical numbers created, choreographed and performed by the drama students. The target audience for the show, which is often described as "more kooky than spooky," is elementary-age students, who were invited to see the performance for free this year. Several Roadies from the first production came back to NHS to attend the 2023 performance.

Pink Out football game

A sea of pink shirts and other items were seen across the district during the annual Pink Out held on Friday, October 6. This fundraiser, held annually since 2012, is sponsored by the Student Council at Neshaminy HS and supports cancer victims and breast cancer awareness. The money raised through the sale of Pink Out t-shirts before and during the varsity football game is donated to local breast cancer support groups. Other NHS teams, including the NHS Girls Soccer and Volleyball teams also sponsored Pink Outs at their games in support of the effort along with fundraisers at other schools including Tawanka Elementary School, where second grade students filled a water jug with coins and bills for their donation.

Tawanka ES

Poquessing MS staff

Photo courtesy of Jesse Garber

Pink Out 2023 continued at Neshaminy HS with a very special appearance at the NHS Girls Soccer Pink Out game on Monday, October 16. Heather Mitts, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and former Women's National Team soccer player appeared before the game at The Ridge and met with players, coaches and fans.

Heather is from Cincinnati, Ohio and played for the University of Florida where she helped the Gators Win their first-ever NCAA Women's Soccer Championship in 1998. She was a member of the U.S. National Women's team in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Summer Olympics, winning gold in all three Olympics. She has represented the United States in over 100 international matches and played in the Womens Professional Soccer League for 14 years before retiring in 2013.

Heather Mitts joined both the Neshaminy and Council Rock teams as they both supported Pink Out at the game. Thanks to the Barkann Family Foundation for their help organizing this great pre-game event.

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.

The image behind this month's newsletter (visible on larger screens) is from a display of self-portraits created by the student artists at Walter Miller ES.

Neshaminy School Board of Directors

Tina Hollenbach - President

Paul Saraullo - Vice President

John Allen

Cyndie Bowman

Adam J. Kovitz

Alicia Lafferty

Carlos Rodriguez

Kellen Sporny

Marty Sullivan

Contact Information

View Upcoming Meetings

Meeting Videos

District Calendar

Neshaminy School District

Acting Superintendent

Jason Bowman

Assistant to the Superintendent / Director of Elementary Education

Michelle Burkholder

Assistant to the Superintendent / Director of Pupil Services

Dr. Kevin Kane

Business Administrator

Donald B. Irwin, Jr.

Director of Human Resources

Kelly Kozik

Assistant to the Superintendent / Director of Educational Operations

Paul Meehan

Neshaminy School District

2001 Old Lincoln Highway

Langhorne, PA 19047

www.neshaminy.org