North Wales Back To School Bulletin
September 10, 2023
From The Principal's Desk
Greetings North Wales Families,
I hope you are enjoying the weekend. We are embarking into week three of the school year. It has been a pleasure seeing all of our learners smiling throughout the day and getting to know each other and our great team of educators.
Please be sure to scroll through the newsletter and read about important updates and information.
This Thursday we will have a Eagles spirit day for our season home opener! Wear your Eagles gear or colors.
Thank you for choosing North Wales and joining us on this wonderful journey with your child and family!
As always, we thank you so much for being a part of the North Wales family!
Warmly,
Ms. Dana Kenney
Principal
Important Dates To Remember
Sept. 11: Meet The Strings Instrument Information Session, 7pm @ NPHS - Beginner Band and Strings Information
Sept. 12: H&S Meeting at 7pm- Library
Sept. 13: Back To School Night, 6:30-7:30pm
Sept. 15: Bus Evacuation Drill in the morning
Sept. 15: Popsicles on the Playground, 6-7pm
Sept. 25: NO SCHOOL
Oct. 2: Fall Picture Day
Oct. 2: Odyssey of the Mind Open House, @Pennbrook Middle School Cafeteria, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Back To School Night- Wednesday, September 13 6:30pm
If you are joining virtually, please access your child's teacher google meet link: NW Back To School Night Virtual Links
Please note that Back-to-School Night is for PARENTS/GUARDIANS ONLY.
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
6:30-7:00 First Session with Homeroom Teachers in person or virtual- Welcome video from Ms. Kenney
K-4 grade teachers will conduct sessions in their classrooms.
Fifth grade teachers will conduct a general session in the Cafeteria.
Sixth grade teachers will conduct a general session in the Library.
Special area teachers will be in their classrooms for visits.
7:05-7:10 transition to the second session ( if applicable)
7:10 -7:40 Second Session with Homeroom Teachers in person or virtual
K-4 grade teachers will conduct a general session in their classrooms.
Fifth grade teachers will be in their classrooms for parent visits.
Sixth grade teachers will be in their classrooms for parent visits.
Special area teachers will be in the cafeteria for parent visits.
Beginning of The Year Assessments
Message To Our 6th Grade Parents:
All 6th Graders will be taking the i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment on Monday 9/11 and Tuesday 9/12. They will all need fully charged Chromebooks and headphones/earbuds.
Chorus Information
Chorus begins Thursday, September 14.
For more information and to register your child, use this QR code.
Sandy- Our Therapy Dog is Back!
I would like to introduce you to Sandy, our North Wales’ therapy dog!
Therapy dogs are not the same thing as service animals. Therapy dogs are trained with their owner to provide emotional support for staff and students alike. Research has shown that therapy dogs support psychological and academic growth while increasing social skills, reducing stress and anxiety, increasing positive mood, decreasing blood pressure and helping calm upset students. Sandy will help to promote social-emotional wellness and communication skills. Sandy will be visiting classrooms, listening to students read, meeting students out on the playground and in general, just here to say hi and help any students who might need a calming, furry friend.
Please click on the link to learn more about Sandy- Sandy Our Therapy Dog
If you would not like your child to interact with Sandy in any way, please complete this Google form or let your child’s teacher know.
Smartwatch/Cell Phone Reminder
Please note, 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. Our school team will be reminding our students of these expectations regarding personal devices.
We thank all of our families for their continued support and cooperation in limiting disruptions to the classroom.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
PBIS Assembly Pictures From Tuesday- 9/5
Cultural Highlights Of The Week
Monday, September 11- 9/11
The United States and countries abroad will soon pause again to remember the tragic events of September 11. The 22nd anniversary commemorations of the terror attacks will occur in New York City, Virginia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We will continue to remember and honor the heroic first responsders for their heroism that day and today. Let's join in and commemorate the day with the Remember The Sky activity. https://www.911memorial.org/remember-sky
Friday, September 15- Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah, first of the High Holidays, is the Jewish New Year. The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is blowing the shofar (ram’s horn) on both mornings of the holiday (except on Shabbat), which is normally done in synagogue as part of the day’s services.
Rosh Hashanah feasts traditionally include round challah bread (studded with raisins) and apples dipped in honey, as well as other foods that symbolize our wishes for a sweet year.
Other Rosh Hashanah observances include candle lighting in the evenings and desisting from creative work.
Hispanic Heritage Month- September 15- October 15
Each year, Hispanic Heritage starts September 15 and ends October 15. September 15 is significant for five Hispanic countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their Independence Days on that date. (Mexico and Chile celebrate independence later in September and October.) The 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Observance Theme is “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America,”
Home and School Information
On behalf of Home & School - Welcome to the new school year!
Whether it's your first year here, or your last, you are a part of this strong community. And we want to help make sure you have all the latest info on our events planned for this year - Popsicles on the Playground, Sports Night, Trunk or Treat, School Store, Teacher Appreciation, Color Run, VIP Dance, Cereal Box Knock Down, Class Field Trips, Assemblies, and more!
Can you spare 5 minutes for Home & School?
Contact Form - keep in touch with H&S and Homeroom Grownups this year!
HundredX Fundraiser - help us raise funds at zero cost in just 2 minutes!
Volunteer Interest - let us know if you want to know more about how you can get involved!
Tours of North Penn High School
The North Penn School District will be offering open tours of North Penn High School beginning September 5, 2023 until January 9, 2024. The behind-the-scenes tours will help residents be more informed about the renovation conversations taking place while highlighting the facility needs of NPHS.
Tours will be offered at the following dates and times at NPHS (1340 S Valley Forge Road, Lansdale):
Tuesday, September 5, 2023, 6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 6:00-7:00 pm
Tours will be conducted by Pete Nicholson, Administrator of Secondary Education and Renovations. Nicholson will be joined by members of the NPHS student government who can discuss their experiences at NPHS and the current facilities available.
Tours are open and free to the public, no registration required. For more information about North Penn High School and upcoming renovations, please visit the Reimagining NPHS website. For questions about the tours, please contact Pete Nicholson at nicholap@npenn.org.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Parent Volunteers for the Library
We are looking for volunteers to assist in the library. If you are interested in helping out and you have your current clearances, please complete the google form below.
North Wales Elementary
Website: https://northwales.npenn.org/
Location: 201 Summit Street, North Wales, PA 19454
Phone: 215-699-4471
Twitter: @NWelementary