Neshaminy Update
Neshaminy School District / June, 2021
We Did it! Moving forward from a year of challenge and change
The image that might best define the start of the 2020-2021 school year is screens full of little faces staring into their computers from kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms all across the District. In the schools, "Zoom in Session" signs were to be found on classroom doors as teachers, mostly sitting by themselves, adapted to a world of remote learning.
But even at that point, plans were underway to safely return students to where they needed to be - in their classrooms. In early October, students returned on a hybrid red/blue plan four days a week. In November, elementary students returned to all-in instruction four days a week. On March 12, elementary students moved to 5-day all-in instruction, and on April 5 the District celebrated the return of all students to the full-time all-in schedule.
While it is not fun to recall unpleasant aspects of this school year -- social distancing, masks, limited movement and the cancellation of co-curricular activities -- it is also important to remember what was accomplished despite the challenges.
In a letter to the community, Dr. McGee cited some of the many initiatives completed during the pandemic, including:
- Increased communication between teachers, parents and students
- Gains in the use of classroom technology both in-class and for remote learning
- Standardization of the District's Learning Management System (Canvas) in all grades
- The installation of bi-polar ionization HVAC systems in all schools to limit airborne viruses
- District-wide standardization of the K-4 curriculum
- Implementation of a new K-5 math program
- New universal screening in reading and math for grades K-4
- Paperless administration of PSSA/Keystone tests
These measures are a continuation of an ongoing process of evaluation and improvement that started well before the pandemic and will continue to move the District forward long after the masks and social distancing are just a fading memory.
Free meal program extended through the summer
Good news! Starting on Friday, June 18, the free "grab and go" meal program will continue with an expanded summer schedule. Meals to cover every day can be picked up on Tuesdays between 11am - 1pm AND on Fridays between 11am - 1pm at Carl Sandburg MS, Herbert Hoover ES, Poquessing MS and Tawanka ES. Meals will continue to be provided free of charge for all children under the age of 18 (no family income limits or application required) throughout the summer.
Thank you, Neshaminy retirees!
Dr. McGee recently visited buildings throughout the District to honor the 2020-2021 Neshaminy School District retirees. As of June 18, 55 staff members have announced their retirement from the District with a combined total of 1531 years of experience at Neshaminy! Patricia Dun, a Counselor at Carl Sandburg Middle School has the most years of service (37) of this year's retirees, and 29 people on the list have attained 30 or more years of service. Congratulations to all, thank you for your years of service to the children and families of Neshaminy, and best wishes for a happy retirement!
You can see the list of our 2020-2021 retirees here.
Ready for kindergarten? Register now!
Important Reminder!! If you have a child who will be attending kindergarten (or is new to the district in any grade) in the fall, please begin the registration process online at www.neshaminy.org/register. Also please reach to any other families that you know of with eligible children to complete their registration!
Neshaminy School Board Update
The next scheduled Board Public Work Session is Thursday, July 22 at 7 pm in the District Board Room at Maple Point Middle School. The meeting is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the District website at www.neshaminy.org/meetings.
Among the items approved at the Board Public Meeting on Tuesday, June 22 are:
- The 2021-2022 District Final Operating Budget
- Appointment of a construction management services firm for the proposed new elementary school building on the Maple Point MS property
- 3-year continuation of the contract with Student Transportation of America for supplemental bus transportation needs
In addition, Board President Stephen Pirritano read a statement regarding a recent decision by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania in favor of the District.
There are no scheduled Board Committee meetings during the summer; they will resume in the new school year.
Livestreams and archive videos of the Board Public Work Sessions and Public meetings can be viewed at www.neshaminy.org/meetings.
Summer math and reading activities posted
The English Language Arts and Reading teachers at Neshaminy have prepared this summer's collection of recommended reading material by grade:
The Summer Math Learning Opportunities have also been posted. Included are tutorials to boost proficiency, eliminate learning gaps and keep students engaged at every level. Links and information can be found at the Summer Math Learning Opportunity Page.
In addition, a helpful newsletter for grades K-5 that highlights fun i-Ready reading and math activities has been created and can be found here.
Summer maintenance projects begin
Even before the last bus departed on the last day of school, preparation work for a laundry list of summer maintenance projects was already underway. The work is now shifting into high gear to ensure completion of most, if not all projects by the time that students return in the fall. Among the major projects:
- Roof repairs and replacement on the following buildings: District bus garage and maintenance garage; Facilities and Purchasing office; Neshaminy HS areas B3 and C6; Poquessing area D; Facilities warehouse behind Schweitzer ES; Carl Sandburg MS tech wing B&C.
- Elevator maintenance / upgrades at Poquessing MS and Maple Point MS
- Fuel oil tank replacement at Neshaminy HS
- Maple Point MS HVAC upgrades and control units
In addition, the Facilities staff and contractors will be busy starting to return classrooms and other common areas back to their pre-pandemic configurations across the District. This will involve moving furniture from storage or from use as cafeteria seating back into classrooms. This is in addition to their regular annual process of clearing classrooms, hallways, gymnasiums, and cafeterias for floor wax stripping, applying new wax and returning whatever furniture was moved back into place for the new school year.
Information resources
2-1-1 Service: If you are looking for non-educational community resources such as food pantries, housing assistance, help with utility bills, unemployment information or crisis resources, the United Way of Bucks County offers a centralized information service which can be accessed by calling 211, texting your area code to 898-211, or visiting www.pa211.org. This service is available 24/7 and is available in 42 languages.
Pre-K Counts: A Smart Start at Neshaminy!
The Pre-K Counts program at Neshaminy is enrolling students for the 2021-2022 school year. This state-funded program operates in several Neshaminy school buildings, and offers a quality, free preschool program to families that meet age and financial eligibility guidelines. For the upcoming school year, the income guidelines based on household size are as follows (based on 2020 Federal tax returns):
- 2 family members: $52,260
- 3 family members: $65,880
- 4 family members: $79,500
- 5 family members: $93,120
- 6 family members: $106,740
- 7 family members: $120,360
Students must turn 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2021 to qualify. To learn more about Pre-K Counts at Neshaminy or to apply for enrollment, please visit the Neshaminy PKC website www.neshaminy.org/pkc.
Buck honors Patrick Gannon with a donation
On the final day of classes, the staff at Pearl S. Buck Elementary gathered outside the school to present the family and friends of Patrick Gannon with a $1800 donation to the Gift of Life Donor Program in his memory. Patrick, who passed away in 2016, would have turned 18 yesterday and graduated from Neshaminy High School this year. He was an avid ice hockey player, and attended Buck ES and Maple Point MS. Both schools have honored his memory with fundraising events. The Buck staff wore their blue "Pucks for Patrick" t-shirts for the ceremony.
The non-profit Gift of Life Donor Program is the largest organ procurement organization in the country, coordinating more organ and tissue donors than anywhere else in the United States.
Poquessing walks supports the "Neshaminy Four"
Students at Poquessing MS took turns over two days walking outside during their physical education classes in early June for a cause. The school's annual HOPE Walk was held June 8-10, and this year the students raised money to help the families of the four Neshaminy HS juniors involved in a serious car crash in April. The walk is sponsored by the Poquessing Student Council.
Schools celebrate the countdown to summer
Last minutes of the last day at Joseph Ferderbar ES
All-school photo at Albert Schweitzer Elementary
Tawanka Elementary School
All-school photo at Walter Miller Elementary School
Move-Up Day at Herbert Hoover ES
Last day of school at Pearl S. Buck ES
Some animated characters showed up to send off Poquessing MS students for the summer.
Maple Point held a "Clap-Out" to honor their retiring staff members
Summer send-off at Carl Sandburg MS
8th grade move-ups mix live ceremonies with video premieres
All three middle schools hosted live 8th grade move-up ceremonies on Friday, June 11 this year. These were shared with student's families by video premiere just a few days later on Monday, June 14. Teachers at each school spent days assembling slideshows, video clips, interviews, and video of each ceremony using WeVideo, a cloud-based video editing platform that was used extensively this school year to enhance remote learning. The videos were shared on YouTube and MyVRSpot, another video platform used by the District for livestream videos. Maple Point even combined live and pre-recorded video by hosting an hour-long pre-ceremony "Red Carpet" show featuring live interviews conducted by Assistant Principal Neil French and technology coach Chuck Lumio from the gymnasium Monday evening. During the show, staff members talked about the challenges and triumphs of teaching during the pandemic.
Live Red Carpet pre-show at Maple Point MS
Neshaminy HS graduates 614 in the Class of 2021
Under a clear blue sky and brilliant setting sun, Neshaminy High School said farewell to the Class of 2021 at Harry E. Franks Stadium on Tuesday, June 15. Sitting together for the first time this school year, the graduates enjoyed celebrating this milestone in their lives in a "normal" way in front of a stadium filled with their families and friends. Both the Neshaminy High School Concert Band and Senior Choir performed in-person this year.
The ceremony started with remarks by Class Vice President Maggie Wiley, Class Secretary Kieran Meehan, Class Treasurer Emily Bretney and Class Historian Marie Nolen. The Salutatorian Address was delivered by Alex Curceru, and the Valedictorian Address by Henry Casper. Student Council members Jacob Schweiker, Hammed Fofana, Alyson Czechura, Carly Gross and Jordan Winchester shared their recollections of their time at Neshaminy, and Class President Matthew Drapkin closed the ceremony along with Vice-Principal Lynn Knotts. Other speakers included Neshaminy Superintendent Dr. Rob McGee, School Board President Steve Pirritano, Principal Ryan Staub, School Board Member Irene Boyle and Class Advisor Laurie Johnson. The roll call of graduates was read by NHS business teacher Siri Sammartino and music teacher Paul Tosti.
NHS runner Sanaa Hebron wins state track title
Congratulations to Neshaminy HS junior Sanaa Hebron, who won the PIAA state girls 400 meter dash championship on May 29 with a time of 56:36!
NHS baseball wins District title; softball, baseball, volleyball compete in states
Congratulations to the Neshaminy High School varsity baseball and softball teams, who both had stellar regular seasons and advanced well into District and state playoffs.
The baseball team took the District 1 6A title in a championship game against Boyertown High School on June 3. They also advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA state competition.
The softball team took the 6A runner-up title in the District 1 race. They also made it to the quarterfinal round of the state competition, but were edged out in an extra-innings defensive thriller by a score of 5-3.
The boys varsity volleyball team earned a third-place finish in the District 1 championship, and earned a berth to the first round of the state PIAA championships.
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
Stephen Pirritano - President
John Allen - Vice President
Cyndie Bowman
Irene M. Boyle
Tina Hollenbach
Adam J. Kovitz
David Marrington
Paul Saraullo
Marty Sullivan
Neshaminy School District
Superintendent
Rob McGee, Ph.D.
Assistant to the Superintendent / Director of Elementary Education
Michelle Burkholder
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