Mountain Lion Minute

Don't forget to come out for Montgomery's Got Talent tonight, Thursday, April 10th at 6pm at Pennbrook to see Montgomery Students showcase their unique talents!

REMINDER: SCHOOL IS CLOSED FOR SPRING BREAK APRIL 14-18 Enjoy the break and we will see everyone back at Montgomery on April 21st. Happy Easter and Happy Passover to those who celebrate!

When we return from Spring Break, Grades 3-6 will take the PSSAs. Please see the PSSA section below for more information.

In the Springtime, the Montgomery staff begins to plan for next year. Teachers work as a team to discuss the appropriate class placement of each student. They take time to carefully analyze each child’s academic, social and emotional strengths and needs. There are numerous factors they need to consider during student placement, such as teaching and learning styles, performance levels, gender, and cultural diversity. Parent/guardian input is also important to the process; therefore, if you wish to share information about your child’s learning style, social strengths/needs, and/or peer relationships, please complete this optional FORM by Friday, April 11th. All class placements are reviewed by administration and the final decision is the responsibility of the principal. Please note that requests for a particular teacher are not accepted.

If your child is NOT planning to attend Montgomery Elementary School next school year, please complete the Student Withdrawal Information form and provide as much information as possible. Return the form to Mrs. Faia at faiaea@npenn.org. If your child attended Montgomery this year on a Transfer of Attendance, you must submit another Transfer of Attendance form to the Educational Services Center for the 2025-2026 school year.

Positions will open up on Home and School’s Executive Board of Officers for the 2025-2026 school year: Vice President of Inclusion, Co-1st Vice President, and Secretary. There are open Committee Chair positions as well. Scroll down to the “Home and School” section for more information.

Don't forget:

• The Infinite Campus parent app is the preferred method for reporting absences, late arrivals, and/or early departures. If you know your child will be out of school ahead of time, you can preschedule the absence using the app. After logging into the app, select “More” then “Absence Request.” Select the checkbox next to the student's name to be included in the Absence Request (multiple students can be selected for a request). Click the dropdown menu under “Excuse” to select the appropriate excuse. Here is a short tutorial on Infinite Campus Absence Request as well as a Parent Information Guide.
• Log into your Infinite Campus parent app to complete the yearly online verification (and update emergency contacts) as well as pay the Technology fee. More information is found below.
• For families using the car line: For your own safety, we ask drivers NOT to get out of the car while in the car line. If you need to help your child buckle/unbuckle from their seat, please use one of the parking spaces and walk with your child to the car line door.

**Please make sure to carefully review our Mountain Lion Minute and our Home and School's weekly newsletters so you don't miss important information about upcoming events.

Montgomery Elementary website

Facebook Montgomery's Home and School

Student Council is proud to host students in grades 3-6 for morning workouts and mindfulness on April 22nd, April 28th, and May 1st (May 1st is only for 5th-grade students) in the gym. Morning power-ups will be from 8:30-9:00. We ask that you drop off your child at the front office to be checked in by Ms. Oliver by 8:25. Our hope is to provide kids with a positive attitude before rocking the test!

Please SIGN-UP HERE. We have a limit of 40 students per day.

Students and parents may also view this PSSA Wellness Hub for more information and resources on how to make PSSA stress-free.

The annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) are scheduled to be administered in April/May. PSSA testing for our third through sixth graders will occur on the following dates:

• English and Language Arts (Grades 3-6): April 22, 23, 24

• Math (Grades 3-6): April 28, 29

• Science (Grades 5): May 1,2

• All make-ups: Completed by May 9th

We ask parents/guardians to be mindful not to schedule appointments on these days. Late students will have to take make-ups, and once testing begins students cannot be taken out of class for an early pick-up. We ask that you make sure your child is well rested on his or her testing days. Encourage your child to try his/her best. They will do well, especially if they keep a positive attitude!

Students earned enough RoaRS tickets during the month of March to earn a whole-school reward--a GLOW dance party!

Thank you to our Montgomery-Gwn Nor band for a wonderful Spring Concert!

Mr. Theodore joined our orchestra and accompanied them with his guitar!

Thank you to all the volunteers and presenters for teaching our community about the diverse cultures.

Some of our students participated in the Grow in STEM event at NPHS last week. Check out their projects below.

Please note: H&S stands for Home and School, our parent-teacher organization.

Apr. 10: Montgomery's Got Talent, 6pm @ Pennbrook

Apr. 13: Last day to purchase a yearbook (flyer below)

Apr. 14-18: NO SCHOOL

Apr. 22-24: PSSA ELA (gr. 3-6)

Apr. 23: Family Engagement workshop on Managing Anxiety, virtual link

Apr. 28-29: PSSA Math (gr. 3-6)

Apr. 30: Early Dismissal, 12:35pm

Apr. 30: Dine Around @ Sundae World, 12pm-9pm (flyer below)

Apr. 30-May1: PSSA Science (grade 5 only)

Yearbook sales are now open! Buy early to take advantage of a $9 discount on your yearbook purchase!

CLICK HERE to Purchase Your Yearbook

Have questions or want to send photos of your students to the yearbook? Please email yearbookhands@gmail.com

HERE is a flyer which contains the registration QR Code. Registration ends on Thursday, April 17th 2025.

The link to our registration page is HERE

Our NP Website link is also HERE

Our 6th graders are collecting non-perishable and canned goods as part of their 6th-grade service project to support Manna on Main Street. You can find a collection box in the lobby and a list of the most needed items here: https://mannaonmain.org/give-food/what-is-needed/.

We’re so grateful for your generosity! Thanks to your donations, our 6th graders were able to donate 352 pounds of food and essential supplies to Manna on Main Street in October and November!

For the month of December, we are trying to beat our last donation weigh-in. The 6th grade class with the most donations will get extra recess time!

Join the team from Devereux -Center for Effective Schools to talk about strategies for recognizing and managing student anxiety. The virtual workshop will include information about the research behind anxiety and other mental health trends. Additionally, it will offer participants the ability to learn skills for recognizing and helping children cope with anxiety.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a program that focuses on acknowledging students for consistent positive behavior.

• At Montgomery, we will teach our students our consistent school rules/expectations—RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and SAFETY—using the acronym RoaRS.

• Students are instructed the expected behaviors many times during the school year.

• Everyone uses the same language. (example: “Remember to show RoaRS behavior!”)

• Students are rewarded for positive behaviors. At Montgomery, students will be recognized through the Principal’s 200 Club and the Monthly Monty Award.

• Students who demonstrate problem behaviors and will receive consistent consequences that focus on re-teaching the expected behaviors. Sometimes, Mr. DeSimone, our School Climate Coordinator, talks to the students about RoaRS behaviors. Please review North Penn's Code of Conduct found in the NP Elementary Student/Parent Handbook.

  
  

Parents are an important part of RoaRS. We ask parents to support us, use the same language and expectations that the school teaches, and help us celebrate our students for showing RoaRS behavior!

Positions will open up on Home and School's Executive Board of Officers for the 2025-2026 school year. These positions are:

• Vice President of Inclusion

• Co-1st Vice President

• Secretary

Nominations are open to all who are interested and able to commit to a two-year term. The prerequisites and description of positions for the Executive Board Officers are listed in the bylaws Bylaws - Description of position. If there are multiple nominations for the same position, those who fulfill the prerequisites will be chosen first. Prerequisites include having been a chairperson of a Standing Committee within the last five years and have been an active member of the Association. If all nominees fulfill the prerequisites, a vote will take place at the general Home & School meeting on April 7th.

Please keep in mind that though these are volunteer positions, they require a very significant amount of time and dedication. If you have any questions about the positions or their responsibilities, please feel free to contact any of the current board members directly at any time.

If you are interested in submitting your name to be considered for one of these positions, please send an email to Katie Gallagher at Montgomeryhands@gmail.com with the following information below no later than March 31st, midnight.

1. Name of the position you are interested in:

2. Your Name:

3. Email:

4. Child's Teacher & Grade:

5. Committee(s) Chaired in the Past:

6. Phone number:

We have many open committee positions for next year. This is a great opportunity to get involved and be an active part of our Home & School!

Committee Descriptions are provided here -- Committee Chair Description Link which will help you better understand the requirements, commitment and timeframe required for each committee.

Please email Katie Gallagher at Montgomeryhands@gmail.comwith the committees you are interested in chairing by April 30th. We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s requests, though we are not able to guarantee everyone’s first choice. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding!

The majority of these positions are two year terms. Please note you can put more than one committee down. Please number the committees in order with #1 being the committee you would most like to chair. If you are interested in applying for an Executive Board position in the future, you MUST have chaired at least one committee in the last five years.

Open Committees for 2025 - 2026 School Year:

o Accessibility (2)

o Assemblies (1)

o Bingo (2)

o Bookworm (1)

o BoosterThon (1)

o DARE (1) *1 Year Term*

o Decorating (1)

o Dine Around (1)

o Family Fun Day (2)

o Field Trip Coordinator (1)

o Grandparents Day (2)

o Holiday Shop (2)

o Ice Cream Social (3)

o Kids Out & About (1)

o Kindergarten Meet & Greet (2)

o MGT (2)

o Movie Night (2)

o Nomination (2)

o Outdoor Maintenance (1)

o Raffle Baskets (3)

o Red Ribbon Week (1)

o RIF (1st Grade Parents) (3)

o PBIS Liaison (1)

o School Store (1)

o Science Night (2)

o Service Projects (2)

o Sixth Grade Leads (3)

o SpiritWear (1)

o Student Pictures (1)

o Staff Appreciation (1)

o Trunk or Treat (3)

o VIP Dance (2)

o Website Admin (1)

o Yearbook (2)

The committees below will remain open through the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year to give new parents the opportunity to get involved. If you would like to chair any of the events below, you may still sign up but will not hear back until the first week of October.

Committees Remaining Open Through 9/30/25

• Author-In-Residence (1)
• Bookfair (Fall & Spring) - 1 co-chair
• Multicultural Committee - 1 co-chair
• Olympic Day- 1 co-chair
• VIP Dance - 1 co-chair

Thank you for all your help and commitment chairing for an event next school year! New Committee Chairs will be notified prior to the end of this school year.

Each year, the state requires a physical or dental exam for specific grade levels. See below for the exams that your child may need completed in the following year. Exams must be dated after July 1st to meet this mandate. These reports can be downloaded by going to the North Penn School District Website - For Families - Frequently Used Forms - Health Services Forms - Private Physical Exam Form and or Private Dental Exam Form. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact the Health Suite at 215-853-1553.

• Kindergarten: Physical and Dental Exams
• Third Grade: Dental Exam
• Sixth Grade: Physical, TdaP and MCV4 (required for 7th grade)

The Multicultural Committee is looking for families (parent/kids) interested in sharing a little bit of their heritage whether it is a holiday celebrated, a recipe (cooking video), a book, activities, or decorating a bulletin. If you are interested or would like to share any ideas please sign up with your child. More info will be provided once you sign up! Please contact Mrs. Chevoor chevord@npenn.org or MS. Lancaster staceyecottlancaster@gmail.com.

"Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created and recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience.” -Rudine Sims Bishop

World Autism Month- Check out these resources and books to learn more about autism. Here are Four Fascinating Facts:

• Autism spectrum disorder now affects 1 in 68 children. Boys are nearly 4 times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ASD.

• The term stems from the Greek word ‘autos’ meaning “self”, autism literally means “alone”.

• Individuals with autism spectrum disorder have communication deficits. It is important to distinguish between spoken language and social communication deficits.

• Individuals with autism spectrum disorder may be very creative and find a passion and talent for music, theater, art, dance and singing quite easily.

Ram Navami- Sunday, April 6th

Ram Navami is a Hindu holiday that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, a revered figure in Hinduism.

Passover-Saturday, April 12th- Sunday, April 20th

Passover is a Jewish Spring Holiday, known as “The Feast of Unleavened Bread.” It is celebrated by Jewish people for 7 or 8 days. The significance of Passover is to celebrate freedom from slavery.

Easter- Sunday, April 20th

Easter, one of the most important Christian holidays, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The holiday includes a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent and ends with Holy Week.

Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox Easter- Sunday, April 20

The Orthodox Easter is celebrated by Orthodox Christians to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus within the Christian tradition. Coptic Orthodox Easter is celebrated by Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt.

Thank you to all our families for staying SAFE and showing RoaRS behavior during arrival dismissal! Please remember that the Bus Circle should only be used by our school buses. Parents who would like to drop off or pick up their students should use the Car Line or park in the parking lot and meet their child at the Car Line door. Click on the link to review our Arrival / Dismissal Procedures.

BREAKFAST- Breakfast is free for ALL North Penn students. Students will need to go to the Cafeteria as soon as they arrive to pick up breakfast.

SNACK- Students should bring a snack daily. Please note that we have an increasing number of students with potential life-threatening allergies. In an effort to promote a safe environment for all students, this list of approved snacks has been developed to provide families with a guide on selecting snacks that students may safely eat in the classroom. PLEASE HELP KEEP OUR CLASSROOMS PEANUT-FREE. (Please note: peanut products may be consumed in the cafeteria.)

LUNCH- Students may bring a packed lunch or buy lunch in the Cafeteria. The School Nutrition Services' lunch prices can be found here. Parents/guardians may add money to and monitor their child's lunch account via School Cafe. Families may also apply online for free/reduced meals. (Each year families must reapply for meal benefits.)

LUNCH SCHEDULE

• 10:50am-11:20am Grade 5
• 10:55am-11:25am Grade 1
• 11:35am-12:05pm Kindergarten
• 11:45am-12:15pm Grade 4
• 12:10pm-12:40pm Grade 6
• 12:30pm-1:00pm Grade 3
• 12:55pm-1:25pm Grade 2

CELEBRATIONS- Please remember we do not permit any edible birthday treats in school due to the increasing number of students with potential life-threatening allergies. A limited number of treats are allowed at approved classroom parties.

Our Core Team assists classroom teachers, students, and parents in providing appropriate interventions in the classroom. The team meets weekly to review and analyze all curriculum-based assessments in academic, behavioral, or attendance/tardiness concerns. Using all available data, the Core Team determines the students in need of remediation and/or enrichment. Core Team members include the Principal, School Counselor, Supervisor of Special Education, School Psychologist, Reading Specialists, and Inclusion Facilitator. The team assesses specific needs and develops an action plan with strategies that capitalize on the child’s strengths while developing his/her areas of specific need—all for the purpose of creating Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).

If you need assistance with technology or your child's Chromebook, please email npfamilytech@npenn.org.

At the beginning of each school year, parents/guardians need to verify and update their contact and emergency information through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Keeping contact information up to date is important in the event of a school emergency. In addition, there are additional items that need attention on Infinite Campus, including providing updated health information and reviewing and acknowledging district policies, such as the revised Code of Conduct found in the NP Elementary Student/Parent Handbook.

Follow these INSTRUCTIONS to complete the Online Verification within Infinite Campus’ Parent Portal.

Please remember that cell phones should be in silent mode or turned off and stored in bookbags throughout the day. Smartwatches should not be used to make calls, send messages, or take photos/videos during the school day. Also, note the school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal electronic devices. Teachers will be reminding our students of these expectations regarding personal devices. Repeated violations of North Penn's cell phone policy will be subject to the Code of Conduct found in the NP Elementary Student/Parent Handbook. We thank all of our families for their continued support and cooperation in limiting disruptions to the classroom.

The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit delivers high-quality pre-kindergarten programs to age-appropriate children at no cost to income eligible families in Montgomery County. North Penn has two site locations for PreK Counts: Montgomery Elementary and Bridle Path Elementary. For more information, to see if your family is eligible, or to complete an application, please visit the PreK Counts website.

Montgomery's Parent Communication Chart (includes a link to Teacher Emails)

Dr. Kim, Principal

Mr. DeSimone, School Climate Coordinator

Ms. Merrill, Counselor

Ms. Chiba, Counselor

Ms. Weinberg, Supervisor of Special Education

Ms. Green, Nurse

Ms. Oliver, Principal's Secretary

Ms. Faia, Building Secretary

Montgomery's Home and School Association (H&S)

Email: kimms2@npenn.org
Website: https://montgomery.npenn.org/
Location: 1221 Stump Road, North Wales, PA, USA
Phone: 215-368-6614
Twitter: @MontgomeryNPSD