E-Matters November 2024
Dear North Penn Community,
Your feedback about our schools is essential for creating a learning environment that meets the needs and values of the entire community. By sharing your perspectives, you can help school leaders understand what is working well and what areas may need improvement, from academic programs to extracurricular offerings and facilities.
If you are a parent or staff member in NPSD you should have recently received communications from the district surrounding our annual school climate survey administered by Hanover Research. It is also important that we hear from community members who do not currently have children enrolled. If that is you, I encourage you to take the survey here which closes on Sunday, November 10 at 11:59 pm.
The climate survey is a tool we have used for several years to help us gauge the satisfaction and perception of our district and plan accordingly. Students in grades 4 through 12 have already taken this year's survey and parents and staff have also been encouraged to participate. Honest feedback from everyone is essential. If you have already completed the survey, thank you for helping us to plan for the future of North Penn.
You may be wondering how these surveys help shape our decisions and ongoing plans. One way is that each summer administration uses the results to identify needs and to develop school and district wide goals to address those needs. Of course the survey is not the only tool we use, but it is an important part of the process.
As the holidays approach, specifically Thanksgiving, I wanted to take a moment to share my appreciation for our students, staff, families and community. Together, we achieve more than any of us could alone. Thank you for all of your support and hard work.
Sincerely,
Todd Bauer, Ed.D.
NPSD Superintendent
Upcoming Events
- November 14: Report cards available on Infinite Campus, secondary schools
- November 25-29: No school for students
- December 20: Report cards available on Infinite Campus, elementary schools
- December 23-January 1: No school for students
The full NPSD calendar, including school-specific events can be found here.
Eye on Equity
A Monthly Feature from Dr. Pamula Hart, NPSD Director of Curriculum and Equity
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. This month provides the opportunity to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
Veterans Day
The U.S. military has always been a reflection of the nation's diversity, with individuals from a wide range of racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds coming together to serve our country. From African American soldiers fighting for equality during the Civil War to Native American Code Talkers ensuring secure communications in World War II, diverse groups have made invaluable contributions at every stage of U.S. military history. Women have broken barriers, serving as nurses, pilots, and combat leaders, such as General Ann E. Dunwoody, the first woman to achieve a four-star general rank in the U.S. Army. Asian Americans, including the Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team, distinguished themselves as some of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. military history, despite facing prejudice. More recently, the increasing representation of LGBTQ+ individuals and veterans with disabilities reflects the military’s evolving commitment to inclusivity. These men and women, regardless of background, have demonstrated unwavering dedication to their country, and their diverse perspectives and strengths have been essential in shaping the military’s success.
In honor of Veterans Day, we want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of a few veterans whose names and stories may not be as widely known, but whose sacrifices and service reflect so many that have shaped the American history:
- General Lloyd Austin is the first African American to serve as the Secretary of Defense of the United States. A retired four-star general in the U.S. Army, Austin served for over 40 years and played a significant role in operations such as the Iraq War. His leadership as Secretary of Defense continues to shape U.S. military strategy and defense policy.
- Admiral Michelle Howard is a four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy and the first woman to lead a major Unified Combatant Command. With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years, she served in numerous leadership roles and was an advocate for diversity and inclusion within the military.
- Colonel Mary Lou Pinder is a retired U.S. Army officer of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, having served for over 30 years. She was the first Native American woman to become a colonel in the U.S. Army. Throughout her career, she advocated for Native American veterans' rights and has continued to support Native American communities through her work in veteran services.
- Staff Sergeant Tuan Nguyen is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Iraq War. Originally from Vietnam, Nguyen emigrated to the United States as a child and enlisted in the Army after high school. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in combat and has continued to be an advocate for veterans' mental health and post-service support.
These veterans exemplify important contributions within the U.S. military and demonstrate the continued strength of diversity in shaping military leadership and service.
Ensuring Belonging
NPSD Community Education Program Offers Adult English Learner Classes
Did you know: through the Community Education Program, adults can take an english learner class? This course is offered to any adult in the community looking to improve their English skills, and is helpful to connect with NPSD and community resources. The course covers things like how to access Infinite Campus to check student grades, and English skills for everyday activities. Amby Murphy, ELD teacher at Knapp Elementary, has taught this course for 4 years in an effort to help adults in the community get more connected. This fall, languages spoken by students in the class include Spanish, French, Arabic, Bengali, Korean, Malayalam, and Portuguese.
Elevating Learning
Jacques Cousteau Day
3rd graders at Inglewood Elementary have been learning about Jacques Cousteau and the underwater world he explored through the book "The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau". To conclude their unit, Christine Mueller, Supervisor of Special Education, stopped by to share her own knowledge as an avid scuba diver. She brought in her own scuba gear to demonstrate how it all works and answered questions about diving, underwater creatures, and more.
Engaging Community
Mental Health and Wellness Fair
NPSD held a Mental Health and Wellness Fair on November 6 at Penndale Middle School. In attendance was over 50 vendors, mental health professionals, fitness centers, community organizations, and more. Laura Williams was an elite resource at the fair, offering valuable insights into the recovery process and what helped her on her journey to wellness. Williams is most known for her "4 chair turn" on Season 24 of NBC's The Voice. Growing up she battled intense bullying and an eating disorder in her teen years.
Exceeding Expectations
Pennbrook Holds Career Day
8th graders at Pennbrook Middle School got to participate in a career day and learn all about the types of jobs available to them after graduation. Keynote Speaker Kevin Negandhi, an ESPN Sport Center anchor, kicked off the day, and then students rotated between speakers with careers including counseling, nursing, sales, journalism, government, and more. A special thank you to the NPHS alumni and NPSD staff who participated in career day!