This type of collaboration offers several advantages. In this year of uncertainty, shared lesson planning offers the District an ability quickly pivot should circumstances and class schedules suddenly change. The lessons and materials created by the Canvas Teams can be easily adapted for in-person classes, for synchronous learning online, or for asynchronous learning.
While that flexibility is certainly critical at this moment in time, Canvas Teams offer several other advantages that will last long after the pandemic is over.
One is that teachers will be able to spend more time focusing on the needs of their individual students. Canvas and other online tools offer teachers a wealth of valuable information on student progress, and by reducing the amount of effort needed to prepare daily lessons, teachers can instead tailor the shared material to match their students and enhance their own teaching style.
Another advantage is accountability and consistency both in calendar progress during the school year and in meeting District curricular goals that align with Pennsylvania state educational standards. Teachers have always had to meet these standards and goals, but with Canvas Teams they now have a clear map and timeline to do so. Teachers can help each other out within their schools and across the District since they will be on similar timelines and using common materials.
The Neshaminy Education Foundation (NEF) has donated $18,000 to the District to fund the purchase of 435 bluetooth microphone headsets. The rechargeable units clip on to the users ear, and will make it easier for teachers to communicate with their students who are in virtual learning classes on Zoom as they move around their classroom.
The NEF normally conducts a teacher grant program at this time of the year, funding a variety of projects across the District that allow teachers to obtain innovative educational equipment and programs. Last year the NEF donated $12,490 to fund eight classroom projects.
This year, the volunteer board of the NEF responded to the the changes in Neshaminy schools due to the the Covid-19 pandemic by modifying the grant program for a single purchase.
"We did our grants differently this year," said NEF President Susan Weber, "because these are different times. All the teachers are making changes in their instruction, so we took this opportunity to finance a purchase that would support all the teachers."
I want to personally thank the Neshaminy Education Foundation for the generous donation to the Neshaminy School District," said Michelle Burkholder, Assistant to the Superintendent for the District. "We truly appreciate your commitment to our teachers as they educate the students of Neshaminy during the pandemic."
The Foundation is planning additional fundraising drives during the school year to help meet other needs related to the pandemic.
The next scheduled Board meeting is Tuesday, October 27, at 7 pm in the auditorium at Maple Point Middle School. The meeting will also be livecast on the District website at www.neshaminy.org/meetings.
On October 22, Superintendent Dr. Rob McGee released the latest District administration recommendation on the next phase of the re-opening plan for Neshaminy schools. The original plan called for a return to "all-in" in-person learning for all grades on November 2. Due to a number of factors including a rise in the national Covid-19 infection rate and logistical concerns for social distancing in the schools, the District administration is now recommending a continuation of the hybrid schedule through the Thanksgiving break, with a limited return of 4-day per week all-in learning for students in grades K-4 starting Monday, November 30. Under this revised plan, the secondary schools would continue with hybrid learning until January, 2021, at which time a decision about returning full-time will be made. Plan D options for all-virtual learning will continue.
The recommendation calls for the Board to table any changes to the current hybrid red/blue schedule at the October 27 meeting, and consider the next phase at during the next Public Work Session, which will be held Tuesday, November 10, at 7 pm in the Maple Point Middle School Auditorium. The Board will also have the opportunity to halt or modify the plan at their November 24 Public Board Meeting.
Once again, Neshaminy has been honored for the visual arts program (one of only 26 districts across Pennsylvania to be recognized this year).
"The Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) is proud to recognize Neshaminy School District for their outstanding commitment to visual arts education with the endorsement Outstanding Visual Arts Community 2020. PAEA empowers its members to transform their practices, students, colleagues, and communities to build a strong art education culture and citizenry.
Districts receiving this endorsement demonstrate the importance of their visual arts programs with:
- Rigorous and Inclusive Programs: Arts programs demonstrate rigor using standards-based curriculum taught at every level by highly qualified and certified arts 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.
This is probably the busiest time of the year for the Parent-Teacher Organizations in Neshaminy schools. Between fundraisers, preparation for fall and holiday activities, and finding ways to involve families new to the school, PTO volunteers have plenty of challenges even in a normal year.
But even in this pandemic year, the show must go on. Their work supports a variety of activities such as field trips, club activities, new playground equipment, assemblies, classroom supplies, awards, holiday food drives and charity support.
Though volunteers are not currently able to operate inside of school buildings due to the pandemic, some fundraising activities are able to continue as normal, such as restaurant fundraisers, KidStuff coupon books, school spirit wear (including school logo masks!) sales. Other activities, such as Book Fairs, are moving online for the year. While bake sales might be on hold, families can purchase Thanksgiving pies (Poquessing MS 8th grade), cheesecake (Joseph Ferderbar ES), or Halloween-themed donuts and cookie dough (Maple Point MS).
The Neshaminy free meal distribution program has been extended through the end of the school year. Any family with children under the age of 18 can pick up meals each Friday between 11am - 1pm at Carl Sandburg MS, Herbert Hoover ES, Poquessing MS and Tawanka ES. Meals distributed will cover three virtual learning days (students on all-virtual learning Plan D-1 will be given five meals).
School lunches will continue to be served free of charge through at least June 30, 2021 thanks to the extension of a funding program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While students can still choose between bringing their own lunch and a school lunch, families will not need to worry about adding funds to the school lunch account through School Cafe or exchanging money in person.
Neshaminy School District is looking to fill a number of positions for the 2020-2021 school year including cafeteria and playground aides, food service workers, long-term substitutes and more. Visit our employment website for more information and online application links. Additional opportunities for substitute teachers, instructional assistants, paraprofessionals and more can be found at the ESS website here.
The first graders in Mrs. Rydzewski’s class at Tawanka ES took a virtual field trip through “Skype in the Classroom.” Blue Team students interacted with an animal expert host from ZooMontana in Billings, Montana from the classroom, while Red Team students joined from home. All of the students had the opportunity to ask questions and speak with the presenter. The students encountered a salamander, a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, and a snake.
Three 4th-grade classes at Walter Miller Elementary School enjoyed a Science Experiment on September 25 during their synchronous online learning. Mr. Rydzewski, Mrs. Unangst and Mrs. Kiser conducted a live science experiment over Zoom. All three of their classes joined the Zoom session to watch the experiment on wind and water erosion – Miller Elementary-style. The kids loved it, especially since they were able to be on the same Zoom link with their peers from some of the other fourth grade classes. Principal Troy Bodolus also live tweeted details about the experiment.
Veterans Day is approaching, and Maple Point Middle School is once again marking the occasion for the 20th year in a row with a socially-distanced celebration. Though they will not be able to invite local Veterans and other honored guests inside the school as usual for a ceremony, the staff at Maple Point has come with a plan to honor them with a drive-through ceremony outside the school along with pre-recorded video tributes shared with the community.
The contactless drive-through parade will be held on Tuesday, November 10, from 1-2 pm outside the school. All local veterans are invited to drive through this tribute. And yes, a large American flag will once again be painted on the sloping field outside the school.
VIDEO: Invitation to the 20th Annual Veterans Day Celebration at MP
Due to health & safety restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, fall sports at Neshaminy have been played with a reduced number of specators in attendence.
To allow Neshaminy families and sports fans to enjoy some of these games, the District has been broadcasting the games live on the District website. Archived versions of the games (including girls soccer, field hockey, volleyball and boys soccer) can be viewed at www.neshaminy.org/nhslive. Archive video of Redskins football games can be viewed on the WBCB website.
