North Penn School District
Back-to-School News!
See Inside for Important Dates and Information on Transportation Guidelines,
Lunch Programs, Accident Insurance, School Board Policies and Much More!
August 2015
Log on to our website at www.npenn.org
and follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/npsd
WELCOME TO THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR!
Please review this newsletter carefully, as it contains a
wealth of information for both parents/guardians and
students.
Secondary Starting/Dismissal Times
• Tenth grade students entering North Penn High School will
have an orientation on Monday, August 31, 2015 from 7:21
am to 10:30 am.
Starting and dismissal times for students are as follows:
Pennbrook Middle School: 8:05 am to 2:55 pm
Penndale Middle School: 8:05 am to 2:55 pm
Pennfield Middle School: 8:05 am to 2:55 pm
Northbridge School: 7:45 am to 2:05 pm
North Penn High School: 7:21 am to 2:12 pm
• Students entering the seventh grade at Pennbrook, Penndale and Pennfield middle schools, as well as new
eighth and ninth grade students, will attend an orientation
from 8 am to 11:15 am on Monday, August 31, 2015.
Secondary Early Dismissal Times
• Pennbrook, Penndale and Pennfield middle schools will be
dismissed at 11:50 am on October 14, 2015; December 23,
2015; February 12, 2016 and June 10, 2016.
• Bus transportation will be provided for orientation for all
students in seventh and tenth grades, and new eighth and
ninth graders at Pennbrook, Penndale and Pennfield who
would normally ride the bus to school.
• NPHS and Northbridge students will be dismissed at 11:30
am on October 14, 2015. Students will be dismissed at 11
am on December 23, 2015; February 12, 2016; April 8,
2016 and June 10, 2016. • Kindergarten orientation will be held on the first day of
school, September 1, 2015. Parents will be contacted with
an appointment time for their child’s orientation in August.
Back-to-School Nights
Orientation & Start of School
Back-to-School Nights for North Penn School District schools
are scheduled for the dates below. All times can be found on
individual school websites and in the district calendar. Unless
indicated below, elementary Back-to-School Nights are for
grades K-6.
• All North Penn School District students in grades 1-12 will
have a full day of classes on Tuesday, September 1, 2015.
Elementary Starting/Dismissal Times
Elementary
• Gwyn-Nor - September 8, 2015
• Gwynedd Square, Hatfield, North Wales, Walton Farm,
York Ave. - September 9, 2015
• Kulp (Grades 1, 3 , 5), Knapp, Nash - September 15, 2015
• Bridle Path, Inglewood, Kulp (Grades K, 2, 4, 6), Montgomery, Oak Park - September 16, 2015
Starting and dismissal times for students are as follows:
Bridle Path and Walton Farm: 8:30 am to 3 pm
• AM Kindergarten: 8:30 am to 11:18 am
• PM Kindergarten: 12:12 pm to 3 pm
All other elementary schools: 9:10 am to 3:40 pm
• AM Kindergarten: 9:10 am to 11:58 am
• PM Kindergarten: 12:52 pm to 3:40 pm
Secondary
• Pennbrook, Penndale and Pennfield middle schools September 10, 2015 at 7 pm
• North Penn High School - September 17, 2015 at 7 pm
• Northbridge School - September 17, 2015 at 6 pm
Elementary Early Dismissal Times
Early dismissal days for elementary school students have
been scheduled for October 14, 2015; December 23, 2015;
February 12, 2016; April 8, 2016 and June 10, 2016.
NPSD Activities Calendar
Elementary school students will be dismissed according to
the following schedule:
• Bridle Path and Walton Farm will dismiss at 11:55 am.
The 2015-2016 NPSD Activities Calendar has been enclosed
with this mailing. We try to avoid duplicate mailings to families.
If you receive more than one mailing, please share the
calendar with an interested friend who did not receive a copy.
• Gwyn-Nor, Gwynedd Square, Hatfield, Inglewood,
Knapp, Kulp, Montgomery, Nash, North Wales, Oak
Park and York Avenue will dismiss at 12:35 pm
Date
Kindergarten
In-Session
Bridle Path/
Walton
Farm
All Other
Elementary
Schools
October
14
PM students
attend
8:30 am 11:55 am
9:10 am 12:35 pm
December
23
PM students
attend
8:30 am 11:55 am
9:10 am 12:35 pm
February
12
AM students
attend
8:30 am 11:55 am
9:10 am 12:35 pm
April 8
AM students
attend
8:30 am11:55 am
9:10 am 12:35 pm
June 10
AM students
attend
8:30 am 11:55 am
9:10 am 12:35 pm
NPSD Educational Foundation
The North Penn School District Educational Foundation, a
501c (3) corporation, is a collaborative effort among individuals
committed to providing financial support for North Penn School
District schools. The Foundation and NPSD are separate
entities but work as partners in support of the children being
educated in the district’s 18 schools. The Foundation’s board
consists of Trustees from a broad segment of the community
who volunteer their time and expertise to raise the funds and
awareness needed to support the Foundation’s mission.
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Supporting our children is supporting our future. This is
the principle around which the North Penn School District
Educational Foundation was built. Founded in 1988, the
Foundation sponsors enrichment programs within the district’s
18 schools. Through the years, the non-profit organization has
raised over $850,000 to support teacher-designed programs
that enhance North Penn’s curriculum.
Foundation grants have been made possible through generous
contributions from businesses, community organizations
and individuals like you. If you would like to be a part of this
amazing opportunity go to www.npenn.org/foundation.
NPHS Football Season Tickets
Reserved tickets are available through the NPHS athletic office.
Tickets do not include PIAA playoff games. Reserved seats are
available on an individual game and seasonal basis. General
admission prices are $5 for adults and students. For more
information, call 215-853-1318.
Instruction Regarding AIDS
North Penn School District officials are committed to providing
a thorough and appropriate instructional program on the
subject of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Infection, including the HIV virus.
This instruction is included in the health curriculum as a series
of systematic lessons. The instruction will occur at appropriate
grade levels as defined in the district planned course guides.
Parents are reminded that detailed curriculum outlines and
curriculum materials used in conjunction with this instruction
are available in school offices for their review during normal
school hours or at parent/teacher conferences. Students
may be excused from AIDS instruction when the instruction
conflicts with the religious beliefs or moral principles of the
student or parent. All requests for excusal must be in writing.
School Nutrition Services (SNS)
School meal service including breakfast and lunch will begin on
Tuesday, September 1, 2015. Meal Pricing
•There has been no increase in meal pricing for the 20152016 school year. The cost for breakfast is $1.75 for all
levels. The cost for school lunch is as follows; elementary
school $2.80, middle school $3.00 and high school and
Northbridge $3.25. •Reduced price meals are $.30 breakfast and $.40 lunch.
Free and Reduced Lunch Program
•School Meal Application for Free/Reduced Priced Meals
will be distributed to all families as part of this mailing.
•Families are required to complete a new meal application
at the beginning of each school year. Once the application
is processed, the family will receive a letter indicating
student’s meal eligibility determination. Previous school
year eligibility for free/reduced meal status will expire on
October 16, 2015. Students without a previous status and
all students who are new to the district are required to
purchase meals at full price until their application has been
processed. 3
•Contact SNS if you have a current student with an existing
free or reduced eligibility and have a new student entering
NPSD.
•Parents/guardians are encouraged to complete the
application as soon as possible and return it to the school
office or cafeteria with their child. Please include all school
age children (Pre-K through 12th grade) on one family
application.
•We are also encouraging parents to fill out their new meal
application online at www.compass.state.pa.us.
Meal applications are available in various languages. For more
information, please contact SNS at 215-853-1080.
School Meal Accounts
The NPSD’s SNS uses a computerized cash register system in
our school cafeterias. This system gives parents the advantage
of depositing money into their student’s account. The money
can be used for breakfast and/or lunch purchases as well
as other food items sold in the cafeteria. This eliminates the
hassle of remembering to send money every day and takes the
worry out of carrying cash. Upon school registration, students
will be issued a student identification number (Student ID). This
number links the student to his/her school lunch account. There
are several ways to deposit funds into your student’s account.
•Send cash, check or money order in an envelope clearly
marked with your student’s name, grade and student ID
number. Make checks and/or money orders payable to
School Nutrition Services (SNS).
•Create an online account with My Payments Plus at www.
mypaymentsplus.com and electronically deposit funds into
your student’s account. SNS strongly recommends this
option as it will assist parents in keeping their account up-todate. Registration/Access to your students account is free;
however there is a 4.75% surcharge for electronic payments.
Visit www.MyPaymentsPlus.com and follow the instructions
to create an account. You will need your student’s ID number
to register.
Families are highly encouraged to pre-pay into their account
weekly. Periodic account balance notifications will be sent
home to those students who have a low or negative balance
It is important to keep your child’s meal account up-to-date
to ensure smooth and efficient operation. Please keep in
mind parents/guardians are responsible for keeping student
accounts up-to-date. Please refer to School District Policy
#5143 to review our meal charging policy.
Menus
•School Nutrition Services is a sponsor of the National School
Lunch Program. Our menus provide students with 1/3 of
the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA’s) for calories,
iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Calcium. SNS offers a variety
of meal and a` la carte choices to accommodate diverse
student tastes.
•School Nutrition Services encourages all students to buy the
traditional lunch. The traditional lunch is the best value for
students and includes a main entrée, a grain, (2) fruits or
vegetables and a milk.
•Our menus are posted on our webpage by the 15th of
each month. Please access the School Nutrition Services
webpage through www.npenn.org, “Central Office” link.
District Policies Regarding Student
and Parent Rights
A` la Carte Menu and Pricing
•School Nutrition Services has implemented the
HealthyHunger Free Kids Act, Smart Snacks in Schools
regulation which was effective July 1, 2014. These nutrition
standards regulate a’ la carte nutrition standards while
encouraging school districts to implement healthy options
for competitive foods such as fundraisers, classroom parties
and school stores.
Curriculum Review by Parents/Students: Parents of
students under the age of 18 and students 18 years of age
or older in the North Penn School District are granted the
opportunity to review instructional materials and have access
to information about the curriculum.
Upon request by a parent or student, the district will make
available existing information about the curriculum, including
academic standards to be achieved and instructional materials.
•Elementary school students can purchase up to (2) snack
items per day.
For more information, parents and students should contact
their school principal.
•Our a` la carte price list is posted in all school cafeterias as
well as on our website. There have been minor increases in
a` la carte pricing for the 2015-2016 school year. English as a Second Language (ESL)
North Penn School District will provide an appropriate,
planned instructional program for identified students whose
dominant language is not English. The purpose of the
program is to increase the English language proficiency of
eligible students so that they can attain academic standards
and achieve academic success. Students who have Limited
English Proficiency (LEP) will be identified, assessed and
provided appropriate services.
Student Assessments
Academic progress is assessed throughout the instructional
program in a variety of ways. In addition to the ongoing
classroom-based assessments provided by the teacher,
state-wide and district-wide assessments are used to help
measure individual and group progress. The following tests are
administered annually:
The ESL program will be designed to provide instruction
that meets each student’s individual needs, based on the
assessment of English proficiency in listening, speaking,
reading and writing. The ESL program will be evaluated for
effectiveness and revised when necessary.
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
• Students in grades three through eight will take the PSSA
in English, Language Arts and Mathematics. In addition,
students in grades four and eight will take the PSSA in
Science.
In the beginning of each school year, NPSD will notify parents
of students qualifying for the ESL programs regarding the
instructional program and parental options. Parents will
regularly be informed of their child’s progress. Whenever
possible, communications with parents should be conducted
in the language understood by the parents. To learn more,
visit www.npenn.org and click on the “For Families” tab.
Keystone Exams
• As a requirement of Pennsylvania’s Chapter 4 regulations,
students are expected to be proficient in Keystone Exams.
Keystone Exams are an end-of-course assessment and
are given in the areas of Algebra 1, Biology and English
Literature. Starting with the Class of 2017, proficiency in
the Keystone Exams will be a graduation requirement.
Parents should contact their school principal for information.
Final Examinations
• Final examinations are given to secondary students at the
end of the school year. Specific information regarding the
scheduling of these final examinations will be shared with
students during the school year.
Title I - Parents Right to Know
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act is designed to improve
student achievement by increasing federal involvement in
public education both at the state and local level. Under the
provisions of the NCLB, parents in schools which have Title I
programs have the right to know the professional qualifications
of the classroom teachers and assistants who instruct their
child. If requested, the district will provide this information
to parents for students in any NPSD school, not only those
having Title I programs.
ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELLs)
• English Language Learners (ELLs) are required to take the
Assessing Communication and Comprehension in English
State to State (ACCESS) for ELLs. This assessment,
which spans language development in reading, writing
and speaking skills, is administered during the second
semester. The test measures language proficiency in
English as well as content-area language associated with
language arts, mathematics, social studies and science.
The following information can be provided to parents upon
request:
• The teaching certifications of the child’s teacher and
whether those certifications meet State Higher Qualified
Teacher (HQT) requirements.
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• Whether the PA Department of Education has decided
that the teacher can teach in the classroom without being
licensed or qualified under state regulations because of
special circumstances.
• Whether any instructional assistants or similar
paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if
they do, their qualifications.
on report cards; (5) hearing and vision screening and student
health evaluation; and (6) scores on group aptitude and
achievement tests.
This information will be collected upon registration with the
school district and updated as necessary to remain accurate.
The information is used to identify the student; for effective
communication with the student, parents, guardians or
surrogates; to establish ongoing proof of residence; and to
monitor and evaluate the educational progress of the student.
This information is made a part of the student’s permanent
record and will be retained as long as it continues to be relevant.
Specific information about a child’s teacher or paraprofessional
may be obtained by contacting the school principal.
Student Recruitment: The NCLB Act of 2001 and
the National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year
2002 require Pennsylvania high schools to provide military
recruiters with the names, addresses and listed telephone
numbers of high school seniors. The PA Department of
Education interpreted the new law to include military along
with post secondary institutions, unless the student or parent
requests such information not be released without prior written
parental consent. North Penn High School juniors are notified
of this law through school announcements as they begin
preparing for senior year. Juniors will also receive a memo in
homeroom in June to give them the option not to be included
on the list. This form must be completed and returned to their
Home Office in order for their name to be removed from the
list. For more information, parents and students can contact
their home office.
This information is available to school district personnel who
have a specific educational responsibility for the students.
Students over age 18, parents, guardians or surrogates have
the right to contest the necessity or desirability of the collection
of this data information or its use by contacting the director of
special education and student services at 215-853-1060.
Students Rights/Surveys
All instructional materials, including teacher manuals,
audiovisuals or other supplementary instructional material,
used in the instructional program will be available for
inspection by the parents of students. Instructional materials
do not include tests or academic assessments.
Student Records Guarantees
Security of Personal Information: NPSD officials
recognize the need to protect the confidentiality of personal
information in the educational records of students. The school
district records policy for students, approved by the board of
school directors, meets the requirements of the Pennsylvania
regulations related to pupil records and the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended.
Parents are hereby notified that they have the right to inspect
the material and opt the student out from participating in
any activity that results in the collection, disclosure or use of
personal information for purposes of marketing or selling that
information.
Parents will be notified annually about approximate dates
that any surveys requesting personal information may
be scheduled, procedures that request access to survey
instruments and procedures for opting students out of
participation in surveys.
Student records are kept in locked files in the school the student
attends. Certain records pertaining to special education
students are kept in the Educational Services Center. No
disclosure of personal information from student records will
be made to outside sources without the prior written consent
of the parent or of the eligible student (a student who has
reached 18 years of age).
Parents have the right to inspect, upon request, a survey
created by a third party prior to administration or distribution to
a student. These requests will need to be submitted in writing
to the building principal. Such surveys may be conducted on
a voluntary basis, provided that the student and parent have
been notified of their right to inspect all related materials.
Parents and/or eligible students have the right to inspect and
review the student’s records by appointment after a written
request is made. Parents and/or eligible students have the right
to file a complaint regarding possible violations of their rights
accorded them by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act of 1974 as amended, with the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Division, United States Department of Education,
Switzer Building, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
Parents should contact the school principal for information.
Release of Student Directory
Information
The school district maintains copies of its student records
policy in each school building and at the Educational Services
Center, 401 E. Hancock St., Lansdale, PA 19446. Questions
regarding this policy should be directed to the director of
special education and student services at 215-853-1060.
The North Penn Board of School Directors, as elected
representatives of the district community, provides consent for
the gathering of student information. This information includes:
(1) the name, date of birth, address and telephone number of
the student; (2) parent, guardian or surrogate name, address,
telephone number and place of work; (3) grades on teacherproposed tests relating to subject matter curriculum; (4) grades
According to the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act of 1974 (FERPA), directory information about students may
be released by the district without parental consent, provided
annual notification has been given and the school does not
have on file wri release directory information; however, schools
do use discretion when they receive requests for directory
information and will not release such information if it is the
principal’s judgment that releasing such information would not
be in the best interest of the student.
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Examples of general directory information include name,
address, participation in officially recognized activities and
sports, field of study, weight and height, enrollment status,
degrees and awards received, dates of attendance, most
recent previous school attended and grade level.
This information will be made available to qualified agencies
upon request. Qualified agencies include, but are not limited
to, colleges and universities, scholarship providers, trade/
technical schools and potential employers.
In addition, Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation
provides that all branches of the military have access to three
directory information categories - names, addresses and
telephone listings - unless parents have advised the school
that they do not want their child’s information disclosed without
prior written consent.
Parents have the right to have directory information withheld
upon written request. Please submit your request to the
Office of the Assistant Superintendent, 401 E. Hancock St.,
Lansdale, PA, 19446. Request forms are also available at the
Educational Services Center.
Transportation
Rules for Students Riding School Buses: Parents
are encouraged to talk with their children regarding bus safety
and behavior at bus stops and while riding a school bus. The
following items should be discussed. Students should:
• Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic when going to
the bus stop. Plan to be at the bus stop five minutes before
the scheduled pick-up time. Please allow five minutes after
the scheduled pick-up time in the event of a late bus.
• Respect the property of others—lawns, trees, fences, etc.
Stand off the roadway while waiting for the bus.
• Get on the bus only when it has come to a complete stop
and the red lights are flashing. Always look both ways and
listen for oncoming vehicles before stepping onto the road.
Always use assigned bus stops.
• Follow the instructions of the driver promptly and respectfully.
The driver is in charge of the bus and represents the school
principal. Accept seat assignments whenever the driver
assigns seats. Remain seated while the bus is in motion—
facing forward. Keep hands, feet and head inside the bus
at all times. Avoid unnecessary conversation with the driver
or any motions or actions which may distract him or her.
• Remember that unacceptable behavior includes the
following: obscene and vulgar language or gestures;
fighting, horseplay, rowdiness; throwing anything in, around
or at the bus; smoking or any use of tobacco; eating or
drinking; touching driver controls, steering wheel, door
control, etc.; and/or any action which, in the judgment of
the driver, threatens the safety of the bus or its passengers.
Animals of any size or kind may not be transported on
school buses. Large objects such as displays, exhibits and
packages may not be carried on buses. Skateboards are
prohibited on buses.
Students who violate bus rules are subject to disciplinary
action by the principal. A conduct report will be completed
whenever a student violates a rule. Copies will be sent to the
principal’s office, parents of the student and the transportation 6
office. Bus-riding privileges will be suspended for 3 to 5 days
for any student who receives three conduct reports.
A fourth conduct report will result in a 5- to 10-day bus
suspension. Students who receive more than four conduct
reports may lose their bus-riding privileges for the remainder
of the school year or be subject to further disciplinary action
by the principal. Students who commit serious or dangerous
violations may be subject to immediate removal of riding
privileges or such action deemed appropriate by the principal.
Obeying these reasonable rules and understanding these
policies will ensure a pleasant and safe ride for all students. Guidelines for Bus Stops: Residential areas which do
not have sidewalks are reviewed by school personnel for
safety considerations. Designated bus stops shall be located
in centralized areas with due consideration for student safety
and age. Whenever possible, not more than 25 students
should be assigned to a designated bus stop. If a residential
development precludes the entry of a bus, the number of
students assigned to a designated stop may exceed 25. Out of
safety considerations, every attempt shall be made to assign
at least a minimum of two students at each stop.
Guidelines for Length of Bus Rides: The length of
the bus ride is determined by the distance from residence
to school based on the required route that the bus must
travel, population density and prevailing traffic conditions. For
residences and schools located within the North Penn School
District, the length of time that the student spends on the bus
should not exceed one hour. For students traveling to schools
outside North Penn boundaries, the ride time will depend on
distance and traffic.
Transportation Arrangement Guidelines for
Babysitters/Day Care Centers: Transportation to day
care centers and babysitter locations will be provided only
along currently established routes. No special route changes
will be made for day care or babysitter arrangements.
Locations for stops will be made in accordance with
established guidelines. If transportation arrangements are
made to day care or babysitter locations, such arrangements
must be the same on all school days. For example, one set of
arrangements for Monday-Wednesday-Friday and a different
set of arrangements for Tuesday-Thursday will not be allowed.
This guideline is necessary to ensure the safe and secure
transport of all students.
Transportation Arrangements for Students Who
Cannot Stay in School: Whenever students are ill and
should not stay in school, or whenever unusual circumstances
require a student to be transported from school, appropriate
arrangements will be made for transportation. The principal,
nurse or counselor will call the parent and ask what immediate
arrangements are available. In the event a parent cannot be
reached, contact will be made with the appropriate people
named on the student’s emergency card. If no one can
transport the student, a public cab will be called to transport
the child to a location named by the parent. Parents will be
expected to pay any cab fares expended on behalf of their
children. Parents should not expect school district employees
to transport students in their personal vehicles.
the entire community hears the same message. The television
program is hosted by a member of the NPSD Board of School
Directors. To access a NPTV schedule, log onto the NPTV
website, www.northpennnews.org, or email nptv@npenn.org.
For information regarding school closings/delayed openings
due to inclement weather, please visit www.npenn.org, NPTV
(Comcast Cable channel 28 and Verizon FIOS channel 29) or
radio stations WNPV and KYW before your child leaves for
school. The snow closing number for NPSD on KYW is #303.
NPSD is improving its communication with alumni through
the NP Alumni Association. Visit www.northpennalumni.org
for information on upcoming events, reunion information and
alumni news.
Transportation Video/Audio Monitoring: The NPSD
Board of School Directors has adopted a Transportation
Video/Audio Monitoring Policy #5126 stating the use of video
and audio recording equipment to maintain discipline and
ensure the safety and security of students, staff, contractors,
and others being transported on district-owned, operated, or
contracted school buses or school vehicles. Reviews of video/
audio recordings are limited to the Principal, Transportation
Coordinator, Superintendent, and/or his/her designee.
However, video/audio recordings may be used in expulsion
hearings if the video/audio recording provides evidence in the
case. A request for viewing a video recording may be made
by a student’s parents/guardians if the student has been
recorded and disciplinary action has been recommended. All requests must be in writing and addressed to the building
principal.
You can follow NPSD on Twitter (twitter.com/npsd) and
Facebook (facebook.com/NorthPennSD). To subscribe, you
will need to sign-up for free Twitter and Facebook accounts.
NPSD uses social media to post headlines and links to district
news, events, stories, videos and pictures from its schools.
North Penn Television (NPTV)
North Penn Television (NPTV) can be seen
on Comcast channel 28 or Verizon FIOS
29. Look to NPTV for the most up-to-date
information regarding school closings and
delays. For the NPTV broadcast schedule, or watch the NPTV
informational scroll, log onto the North Penn Television website,
www.northpennnews.org, or request an e-schedule by emailing
nptv@npenn.org.
Extended School Care
School-age child care is available at a resonable fee to North
Penn families through the district-run Extended School Care
Program. On-site child care is avaiable at all 13 elementary
schools beginning at 7 am until the start of school and from
the end of school until 6 pm. Parents interested in registering
a child should contact the Extended School Care Office at
215-853-1039. For more information, please visit the North
Penn School District website at www.npenn.org under the link
“For Families” for the Extended School Care Program section.
North Penn Television is now on YouTube! Many NPTV
productions can now be viewed through NPTV’s YouTube
channel. Visit www.youtube.com/nptv to watch the latest videos
produced by the students and staff of North Penn Television.
School Messenger
Providing up-to-the-minute accurate information in emergency
situations is extremely important. NPSD uses a software
program called “School Messenger” to send messages to
specified telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of your
choice within a matter of minutes.
Communication in NPSD
NPSD is continuing its efforts to communicate with families and
community members by making a variety of communication
vehicles available.
Examples of when School Messenger is used include school
closings due to power outages, security threats, or early
dismissals in the case of bad weather.
One way district residents can receive important news and
information is through two monthly online publications, North
Penn E-Matters and the Board Bulletin. These newsletters
are an effective and economical way of keeping the NPSD
community informed of upcoming events, current issues
affecting the district and links to information already available
through the NPSD website. Please contact andreykm@
npenn.org to sign-up for these publications.
NPSD will continue to use NPTV, www.npenn.org and local
media outlets for public communication.
It is important that you make sure your contact information is
up-to-date and accurate by notifying your school office when
changes are made. This will enable the district to disseminate
information to all of its families and staff members in the most
time efficient manner possible.
NPSD also offers a question and answer section on its
website, titled “Say What?!” This format provides individuals
with a place to get answers to questions and to address
rumors and inaccurate information that sometimes circulate
throughout the community. For individual or private concerns,
it is recommended for parents/guardians and community
members to contact the school or district office directly by
phone to discuss the issue or schedule a meeting.
Policy Statement
Check out “North Penn Answers” on NPTV for answers to
questions raised in the community. This show helps clarify
misconceptions and is the school district’s effort at ensuring
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The North Penn School District does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual
orientation, ancestry, national origin, genetic information or
disability/handicap in its programs, activities and employment
and contracting practices. The following individual has
been designated to handle inquiries regarding the District’s
nondiscrimination and harassment policies: nondiscrimination
officer, (215) 368-0400, 401 E. Hancock St., Lansdale, PA
19446; title9@npenn.org.
Questions about NPSD? Find Your Answers Below:
Throughout the year, district administration meets with representatives from Coordinating Council to discuss parent concerns.
From this partnership, improved communication was cited as a goal NPSD should work toward. The list below is a summary of
where to find some of the information requested:
Attendance Policies: Elementary, Middle* and High School Handbooks; Discipline Code and Attendance Responsibilities
Administrator & Board of School Directors Contact Information: District Activities Calendar; NPSD Website (School Board
tab)
Curriculum Information: Elementary Curriculum Guide; Secondary Programs of Study; NPSD Website (For Families tab)
Dress Code: Elementary, Middle* and High School Handbooks
District Demographics: NPSD Website (Our District tab)
Extra-Curricular Activities: Elementary, Middle* and High School Handbooks; High School Student Activity Review Booklet
Frequently-Used Forms: NPSD District and School Websites
Grading Policies: Secondary Programs of Study; Elementary, Middle* and High School Handbooks
School Handbooks: Distributed in schools; NPSD Website (For Families, click on NPSD Handbooks)
Homework Procedures: Elementary, Middle* and High School Handbooks
Gifted Education: District Activities Calendar; NPSD Website
Health Exams and Immunizations: District Activities Calendar; NPSD Website (For Families tab, click on Health Suite)
Music Programs: Elementary Handbook; Secondary Programs of Study; High School Student Activity Review Booklet
Special Education: District Activities Calendar; NPSD Website (For Families tab)
Board Policies and Administrative Regulations: NPSD District Website (School Board tab)
NPSD Educational Foundation (including staff tribute program and educator grants): www.npenn.org/foundation
Strategic Plan: NPSD District Website (Our District tab)
Wellness Programs: NPSD District Website (For Families tab, click on NPSD Wellness Program)
Parent Organizations: District Activities Calendar
Cell Phones and Electronics Policy: Elementary, Middle* and High School Handbooks; Discipline Code and Attendance
Responsibilities
Photographs: NPSD District Website; Individual School Websites; NPSD Phanfare website http://npsd.phanfare.com
Student Registration: District Activities Calendar; Elementary Handbook; NPSD Website (For Families tab, click on Registration
Information)
School Hours/Bell Schedule: Elementary, Middle* and High School Handbooks; District Activities Calendar; NPSD School
Websites
School Boundaries: District Map (Available in the Educational Services Center located at 401 E. Hancock St. in Lansdale)
School Closing Information: District Activities Calendar; North Penn Television, NPSD District and School Websites; NPSD Twitter and Facebook
Summer Programs: NPSD Website (For Families tab, click on Summer Education)
Student/School Videos: NPTV Comcast 28 or Verizon FIOS 29; NPTV YouTube youtube.com/nptv;
NPTV website www.northpennnews.org.
Visitation Policy: Elementary, Middle* and High School Handbooks
*The Middle School Handbook can be found in the Student Agenda Book
distributed the first week of school to students.
8
Produced by the NPSD Office of School and
Community Engagement - August 2015
401 East Hancock Street
Lansdale, PA 19446
www.npenn.org | @NPSD