Neshaminy Update

After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the Neshaminy STEAM Expo is ready for a big comeback on Tuesday, March 29 fron 6:30-8:30pm. This celebration of all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics is geared toward students in grades K-6 and will feature dozens of hands-on activities and exhibits from teachers, high school students and outside presenters.

"The goal is to raise the level of interest in STEAM content areas" said David Geanette, Neshaminy's Supervisor of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, K-12. "An event like this helps students to see how subjects that might seem disparate at first are actually connected."

As an example, among the new activities added for this year is a miniature golf course set up by Neshaminy Lead Physical Education Teacher Ferris Kelly. This popular activity allows students to contemplate such physics concepts as force, geometry, motion and direction. Similarly, a new bucket-stacking activity and and tower construction activities (using straws, tape, marshmallows and other materials to build the tallest tower possible that can support a specified weight) will challenge students to use these concepts in a real-world application.

"We want our kids to become effective problem-solvers, and to use their creativity and imagination in the process of designing better solutions for the challenges we are facing in our lives," Mr. Geanette said. "The Engineering-Design Process is an integral part of our curriculum, which applies to project-based learning across all subject areas and grades."

Music will be added to this year's festival with the addition of a Digital Audio Workstation where students can explore the relationship between computer technology and music.

Returning favorites include the strawberry DNA extraction lab, StarLab, robotics, Virtual Reality, Environmental Science demonstrations, screen printing, videography, 3-D modeling and printing, Food Science and cheese-making, coding and programming, and mathematics games. Students can flex their artistic creativity by painting with a pendulum or creating geometric and kinetic origami.

Outside groups attending the STEAM Expo this year include the Bucks County Intermediate Unit's FabLab, a mobile STEAM activity center that travels around the county. The PA Office of the Attorney General is bringing their cybercrime / forensics mobile unit, and a number of arts and environmental groups will be hosting demonstrations and activities including Snipes Farm, the Heritage Conservancy, Silver Lake, Peace Valley and Churchville Nature Centers, Bucks County Community College, the James Michener Art Museum and many more. Code Ninjas will hosting a video game programming activity; Tiny Adventures RC will be demonstrating 3-D part printing and air pressure power; and the always-entertaining Promobot USA will be wandering the lobby interacting with the crowd.

LINK: List of STEAM Expo 2022 Activites

As of 3/22/22, subject to change

Video from the 2018 Neshaniny steam Expo

Thanks to a program from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, local businesses have the opportunity to support specific educational programs at Neshaminy and receive tax credits through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Tax credits are available to eligible businesses contributing to a Scholarship Organization, an Educational Improvement Organization, and/or a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization. The non-profit 501(c)(3) Neshaminy Education Foundation is an approved Educational Improvement Organization for the 2022 tax season, and local businesses can apply to have donations made to the NEF in the same tax year applied for a tax credit. Pass-through entities, such as S-Corporations, Partnerships, LLCs, and C-Corporation are all eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted electronically using DCED’s Single Application for Assistance.

Under the EITC program, donations received must be applied to specific curricular programs and initiatives approved by the Department of Revenue. For the current tax season, donations made to the NEF can be applied in three areas:

• AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination (www.avid.org) is a global non-profit organization that has created a program to provide students with tools and strategies for academic and social success in school, higher education and beyond. Neshaminy has successfully implemented AVID in several grades and is seeking to expand this curriculum to additional schools and grades within the District.
• AMPLIFY SCIENCE: This is the science program at Neshaminy. The core of this new program revolves around the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which have been developed by a national collaboration of science and technology industry leaders and educators. The District adopted the Amplify Science Program in 2016 for the 6th grade, and has since expanded it to additional grades throughout the District. The program blends hands-on investigations and analysis using digital tools to encourage students to think, read, write, argue, and share information like real scientists and engineers.
• SENIOR EXPERIENCE AT BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Neshaminy HS seniors have the opportunity to take classes at BCCC for credit as part of their program of studies. Originally, the program was funded by a Ready to Learn grant which covered tuition, books, expenses and transportation to and from the college from NHS. The District is seeking funds to expand the program for additional students and future school years.

The deadline for applying for EITC tax credits is May 17. Interested businesses should consult a qualified tax professional. More information can be found at the links below.

LINK: Neshaminy Education Foundation EITC page

LINK: PA Department of Revenue EITC website

The Board met on Tuesday, March 8 for a Public Work Session. The next Board Public Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 22 at 7 pm in the District Board Room at Maple Point. The meeting agenda and livestream video link will be posted at www.neshaminy.org/meetings.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

• Business Operations Committee, Wednesday, March 30, 6:30 pm
• Facilities and Planning Committee, Thursday, March 31, 6:30 pm: Special meeting to consider construction bids for a new elementary school building on the Maple Point property
• Educational Development Committee, Tuesday, April 19, 6:30 pm

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.

StandUp Neshaminy is excited to announce the return of the Sunset Challenge 2k/5k race on Friday, May 13 starting at 6:40 pm at Maple Point! This race offers families, teams and individual runners two great courses: the 2K walk/run will stay on Maple Point property while the 5k will use the new walking trail on Langhorne Yardley Road as part of a circular course that winds through Middletown Community Park and back to Maple Point. The race will be chipped and professionally timed by RunBucks, LLC, each runner gets a t-shirt and medal, and prizes will be awarded in multiple categories and a school banner for the Neshaminy school with the most participants (based on percentage). The evening will feature a DJ (Mr. Gosser!), snacks and drinks for runners, and more. Register before March 31 to get the best price; to guarantee a race t-shirt you must register before April 22.

REGISTRATION: www.sunsetchallenge.org.

Registration for the 2022-2023 school year is now open. Families are encouraged to register their new students as early as possible to ensure that they are able to attend their neighborhood school. The registration process can be started online by visiting www.neshaminy.org/register. A member of the Central Registration staff will contact you to make an appointment to complete the process in-person

The Neshaminy Education Foundation is excited to bring the Harlem Wizards back to Neshaminy on Saturday, March 26. Our Neshaminy "Dream Team" will include the following volunteer players:

COACH: Skip Mason, ASSISTANT: Bill Barnes

• Anthony Taylor / Transportation Dept.; Ryan Sweeney / Maple Point; Amanda Matika / Ferderbar; Madison Ody / Maple Point; Joyce Kulchinsky / District Office; Regina Tyciak / District Office; Sarah Wells / Tawanka; Kevin Blocker / Maple Point; Meghan Fedele / Tawanka; Taylor Ramella / Miller; Meghan Cahill / Schweitzer; Brian Kern / Buck; James Legette / Maple Point; Christina Klause / Hoover; Emily Wells / Hoover; Megan McHugh / Schweitzer; Shannon Fisher / Tawanka; Missy Robison / Middletown PD

This game is a fundraiser for the Neshaminy Education foundation, supporting the classroom grants and student scholarships in our Neshaminy schools. Tickets are on sale now, $15 General Admission. Courtside Plus seats are sold out! Purchase tickets at www.neshaminy.org/wizards

Neshaminy Summer Stock is back this year with three great workshops for students in grades 2-12! A Neshaminy tradition for over 50 years, the Summer Stock workshops will be held at Neshaminy High School between June 27 and July 24.

This year they will be staging two great shows: Phantom of the Opera for students entering grades 7-12 and The Lion King for students entering grades 4-6. Students entering grades 2-3 can participate in the Summer Stock Showcase, which includes music, dance and learning the basics of musical theatre.

This program is open to all students from the area. More information and registration forms can be found at https://www.neshaminy.org/Domain/2822.

The school year is more than two-thirds over, but the need for certified and support staff for this year and beyond at Neshaminy is still strong. Visit the Neshaminy job website to find out about the many opportunities available around the district, and join us as We Build Futures!

LINK: Employment opportunities at Neshaminy

The District is participating in the Bucks County PRIDE Virtual Job Fair to be held on Friday, March 25, 2022 from 12-5 pm. Bucks County PRIDE is a consortium of school districts including Pennsbury, Centennial, Bristol, Council Rock and others with a common mission of attracting diverse educators to Bucks County Schools to meet the needs of students and ultimately match candidates with job openings. Applicants will be able to gather information, schedule screening interviews with school administrators via video chat and submit resumes for open positions.

LINK: Bucks County PRIDE Virtual Job Fair Registration

The Neshaminy District Calendar was approved by the School Board during their February Board Public Meeting. It has been posted on the District website and can be viewed at the link below.

LINK: 2022-2023 Neshaminy District Calendar

By: John Ciavola, Neshaminy Facilities Mechanical Supervisor

Greetings, My name is John Ciavola and I started here at Neshaminy just a few short weeks ago on February 24. I’ve been spending time getting acclimated to our District with a top priority of getting to know our Facilities Staff. Through one on one meetings with each of our Facilities Staff members, I have discovered a remarkable milestone that I wanted to share with you, our District Newsletter readers. Please enjoy the following update!

Our Neshaminy Facilities Department is operating with 268 combined years of experience and knowledge in the Trades! In my opinion this admirable milestone should be a point of pride for this group as we go out each day into the District to serve the Students and Staff at Neshaminy. With this amount of knowledge and experience, together we will make it our goal to provide the best customer service we can to the Neshaminy School District. Please extend a warm greeting and if you feel so inclined, even a thank you to a Facilities Department Staff member for their service as you see them out and about in our District working to provide safe and comfortable Learning and Teaching environments for our Students and Staff.

The Facilities Staff and their tenures are listed below:

Ken Flogel – 33.5 yrs; Mike Burkins – 33 yrs; Ron Doster - 33 yrs; Scott Lange – 33 yrs; Mike Coyne – 23 yrs; Brandon Moser - 23 years; Gary Tomlinson – 22 yrs; Ron Falatovich – 19 yrs; Mike Wilson - 18 yrs; John McGregor – 11 yrs; Brian Bonner – 5 yrs; Ryan Battista – 4 yrs; Anthony Polo – 3 yrs; Tony Nanni –2.5 yrs; Doug Morrell- 1 yr.; Bob Watson - 1 week; Kevin Crossen – 2 days; Danielle Vittitow – 3.5 yrs; Annemarie Murphy - .5 yr

Above is a picture of a baseball that sits on my desk, I've asked everyone on the Neshaminy Facilities Team to sign or initial it. For myself and the entire Facilities Team, this baseball will remain on my desk as a visual reminder of how we will strive to all work together as 1 united Team in serving the Neshaminy School District.

On the evening of Wednesday, March 16, students at Pearl S. Buck Elementary held their annual Science Fair, presentig their work for their classmates and their families. The following morning, some of them presented their projects in homerooms, demonstrating their understanding of their research, and sharing their enthusiasm. Six projects were chosen for inclusion in the upcoming STEAM Expo at Neshaminy High School.

Albert Schweitzer and Joseph Ferderbar ES are among the Neshaminy schools holding a March Madness Tournament of Books this month. Students are encouraged to read a variety of books and vote on their favorite each week, which will lead to a ultimate winner in two categories: Picture Books and Chapter Books for each of two age groups: grades K-2 and grades 3-4. We'll be watching for the winners!

Neshaminy elemetary schools celebrated Read Across America Week, marking the birthday of Dr. Seuss on March 2. Students participated in a variety of fun activities including dressing up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character.

The second grade at Tawanka was bombarded by a leprechaun! Classes read How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace to learn some of the things that can attract leprechauns. They used rainbows, gold coins, and marshmallows to lure the leprechauns to their traps. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to catch one but sure enjoyed the gifts he left behind! Better luck next year!

On the heels of a successful intramural soccer season held at Joseph Ferderbar ES last fall, over 50 students are participating in a spring intramural basketball league this spring. The league meets weekly and offers the players the chance to learn the fundamentals of the game in a fun, friendly environment.

As the District's Health & Safety Plan moves forward, the desks are gradually moving out of the cafeterias and the tables are returning for grades K-8 (like these at Herbert Hoover Elementary School). Students are once again able to enjoy eating together after pandemic restrictions kept them distanced and some eating lunch in their classrooms since school re-opened last fall.

The three Neshaminy middle schools chose to celebrate the works of famed children's book author Roald Dahl with three musical based on his works. In February, Maple Point MS presented Willie Wonka, Jr and Poquessing MS presented James and the Giant Peach. Carl Sandburg rounded out the trio with a production of Matilda.

On March 17, Maple Point MS Principal Andy Sokol had the pleasure of delivering some exciting news - 6th grade Maple Point Middle School Reading Teacher Kristi Gases will be the recipient of this year's Citadel Credit Union Heart of Learning Award, one of only three for Bucks County (one for each level; elementary, middle and high school). The award comes with a classroom grant and will be delivered in a ceremony to be held in May. Congratulations, Mrs. Gases!

Maple Point MS held their annual Coaches vs. Cancer basketball tournament on Friday evening. This event, featuring two games pitting Maple Point 7th and 8th grade boys teams against Carl Sandburg MS, is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It has become one of the top such events in the Philadelphia region, surpassing fundraising totals from all schools including high schools. Each year the tournament is dedicated to special guests who are fighting or have fought cancer themselves.

This year the Maple Point community raised a record $31,126 for cancer research. That makes the grand total over $108,000 raised since the tournament started in 2014.

Neshaminy High School jazz musicians visited Poquessing Middle School on March 10 to rehearse with some of their younger counterparts.

Students in Rebecca Douglass' social studies classes at Carl Sandburg and Poquessing MS are learning about daily life in Ancient Egypt. As part of this unit, the students are participating in three hands-on interactive projects to help them visualize concepts using 3-D modeling, tower-building and even cup stacking! How does this work? Read on:

• STEM Challenge: After learning about Khufu's Great Pyramid in Giza, students were put in groups and challenged to design the tallest pyramid using only spaghetti and marshmallows.
• CUP STACKING CHALLENGE: After learning about Ancient Egypt's social structure, students worked in groups to correctly stack cups representing each social class.
• 3D MODELING: Students also created a 3D pyramid model of the Egypt's social structure as a visual aid to help them study the different social levels.

This winter the specialized classes at Maple Point MS launched the MP Coffee Cart. This special business project was put on hold last year due to the pandemic but was re-started in January. Every Friday, the students take coffee orders from teachers and administrators and enjoy delivering the products throughout the school and in District Administration Offices. The students learn planning, business and math skills while practicing valuable social skills and having a good time meeting the entire staff!

March 21 was Rock your Socks Day, part of World Down Syndrome Day, a global awareness and inclusion campaign. The date (3/21) was chosen to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. Why were these students and staff at Carl Sandburg wearing brightly-colored, mismatched socks to celebrate the day? Because the karyotype of DS chromosomes actually looks like mismatched socks!

Left to right, front row: Shelby Wolstenholme, Michaela Kozisky. Left to right, back row: Coach Wolstenholme, Mackenzie McMullen, Dakota Banach, Riley Ratcliffe, Liza Rosenwald, Amber Barnes, Coach Ratcliffe.

The Neshaminy Varsity Girls Bowling team competed in the state tournament held in Lancaster, PA on Saturday, March 19 and left as state champions with a first-place finish. Under the leadership of Coach Tom Ratcliffe and Assistant Coach Debra Wolstenholme, the team capped a season of challenges and highlights in the best way possible.

Exactly one month earlier on February 19, the team won the Luau No-Tap Bowling Tournament held at Our Town Alley in East Norriton, PA. They were led by senior Shelby Wolstenholme, who bowled two, perfect 300 games. The team shot scores of 1243, 1174 & 991, dominating the competition. In the finals, they ladies took on Pennridge High School and easily won the best of three baker games, 143-101 and 179-144. The team also won the Ice Breaker Tournament and the Baker Tournament, and were Suburban One League Champions and Regional Semi-Finalists before taking the state title.

Neshaminy HS celebrates the PIAA state championship March 22

After months of choreographing, practicing, set-building, organization and set-up, Gym Night 2022 parted the colors on Friday, March 3 for two days of spectacular dances and competition. The theme this year was Dancing through the Decades, with each class and team taking on the cultural, musical and news events of recent decades, from the flappers and jazz of the 1920's to hip-hop of the 2000's. The senior class Red and Blue teams battled with the 1970's and 1980's, including such icons as Freddy Mercury, Abba, Michael Jackson, Eddy Grant, Madonna, Richard Simmons, Star Wars, Back to the Future, Live Aid, Rocky Balboa and more.

The 68th annual edition of this Neshaminy tradition feature a few minor changes - teams were allowed to use lights on their props, and extra programmable LED stage lights were added along with extra spotlights for some spectacular effects. Live video was displayed in the lobby and snack stand area so nobody would miss anything. The creativity and energy displayed was second to none. When the colors were rejoined on Saturday night, the Blue team prevailed with a score of 38-35.

Gym Night Seniors

LINK: Photo Gallery, Gym Night 2022

Twelve Nesshaminy HS art students are participating in the 27th annual High School Art Exhibition at Bucks County Community College. Congratulations to Erin Hernandez, Natalie Dulee, Kayla Torres, Niyati Patel, Gianna Reeves, Mia Seramini, Tara Bogansky, Mena Murray, Michael Stohr, Dan Hansbury, Ruby Shtino, and Sabina Rahmatova. There will be a reception and awards ceremony on Sunday, April 3 from 2 - 4 pm.

Forty-two Neshaminy High School musicians oarticipated in the BCMEA (Bucks County Music Educators) Music Festival hosted at Council Rock South HS March 17-19. The students were selected by audition and represent the top musicians from the county. The festival concluded with a concert on Saturday, March 19.

Neshaminy also has six students selected to perform in the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators) All-State Festival: Micah Miles, band; Eli Morrison, orchestra; Jessica Urwiler, Olivia Garland, Andrew Neiman and Bobby Trommer, chorus. The students will travel to the Kalahari Resort April 6-9 where they will perform with the best musicians from across the state.

The Neshaminy HS Jazz Band is performing at the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival at Temple University today. This is a non-competitive festival celebrating the legacy of Duke Ellington that gives our musicians the opportunity to work directly with Jazz Studies faculty of the Boyer College at Temple, as well as Jazz at Lincoln Center (NYC) consultants. The festival will include post-performance workshops for each band led by expert clinicians, as well as other clinics for students and directors.

In other NHS Jazz Band news, they earned ‘Outstanding’ rating at Pennsbury Jazz Fest, and Brendan Adames and Eli Morrison earned Outstanding Musician’ awards at the festival in March

Basketball

• The girls basketball team competed strong in Districts and qualified for states. They lost to a strong Arch Bishop Carroll team in the first round of states. Great Season ladies!
• The boys basketball team qualified for Districts and lost in the 1st round in a close game against Council Rock North. Congratulations on a strong season!
• The Varsity Cheerleaders became the SOL Cheerleading Champions this season! Great job by all !

Indoor Track

Congratulations to Neshaminy senior Sanaa Hebron on winning the 2022 Indoor 400 meter Pennsylvania State Championship in 55.53 seconds. Sanaa also finished 3rd in the 200 meter dash in 24.55 seconds. She followed up her Indoor Pennsylvania State 400 meter Championship by winning the Adidas Indoor National Championship 400 meter dash in a school record time of 54.37 seconds, nearly a full second faster than the old school record.

Ryan Tarapchak finished 10th in the Mile with a personal best time of 4:20.20

Boys Swimming

Congratulation’s to the following boys on qualifying to compete in States in swimming:

• 200 Medley Relay-25th -Max Butkiewicz, Connor McClurkin, Idan Isakov, Max Tishin (allowed single alternate-Arystan Bektembayev)
• 100 Backstroke Max Butkiewicz-18th

Wrestling

Big shout out to the following wrestlers who competed and placed in the PIAA District one wrestling tournament:

• Calvin Lederer placed 2nd, Andrew Pokalsky placed 3rd and Dan Hansbury placed 4th in their respective weight classes. They all qualified and moved on to the PIAA South Regional Tournament.
• Beknazar Baiyshbekov and Ernazar Baiyshbekov took 5th place while Nate Pokalsky placed 6th in their weight classes.

Great job to all!

• Andrew Pokalsky placed in the top 5 in his weight class at the Regional Tournament and qualified to compete in States at Hershey Arena at 160 lb.

Neshaminy Varsity Football will begin its season down the shore this year! On Friday, August 26 they will play Ocean City High School at 7 pm as part of a multi-game "Battle at the Beach" tournament in Ocean City. What a great way to end the summer and start a great football season! https://neshaminyfootball.com/event/battle-of-the-beach

Joan (Reutter) Disharoon passed away on March 6th, 2022. She was 69 years old. Joan was born in Bronx County, New York and was an original Levittowner as a child in 1956. Joan was preceded in death by her loving son Dennis and parents Charles and Flora Reutter.

Joan was a graduate of Neshaminy High School, Bucks County Community College and Philadelphia Biblical University. She found great joy in serving the Neshaminy School District in several positions over the years, but her primary calling was as a school bus driver (Bus #82) which was a role she cherished deeply. She previously served as a life guard for the YMCA in Fairless Hills and had a love of swimming. She also served as a chaplain for a short time at Lower Bucks Hospital. Joan was a long time resident of Foxwood Manor Apartments. Joan is survived by four siblings, five nieces and nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews. Services will be private and will be held at a later time.

Her family has generously requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Neshaminy Education Foundation in support of the children of Neshaminy at the website here: https://www.neshaminy.org/Page/43767

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 Board of Directors

John Allen - President

Tina Hollenbach - Vice President

Cyndie Bowman

Adam J. Kovitz

Alicia Lafferty

Steven Pirritano

Paul Saraullo

Kellen Sporny

Marty Sullivan

Contact Information

View Upcoming Meetings

Meeting Videos

District Calendar

Neshaminy School District

Superintendent

Rob McGee, Ph.D.

Assistant to the Superintendent / Director of Elementary Education

Michelle Burkholder

Assistant to the Superintendent / Director of Secondary Education

Jason Bowman

Assistant to the Superintendent / Director of Pupil Services

Anthony Devlin

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