Groundhogs and bleak forecasts aside, while it seems like we have a lot of winter left to go, summer will be here soon and Neshaminy is busy preparing for a full summer of programs. After the final bell rings for the 2021-2022 school year, the learning will continue throughout the summer with a number of programs designed to increase student achievement, mitigate learning loss from the pandemic, and provide additional academic and artistic opportunities to our students. Thanks to grants from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and other grant programs, the cost of these programs will be either free to families or offered at a reduced rate this summer.

Among the programs planned for the summer at Neshaminy:

• Summer School Make-Up Courses (grades 9-12, July 6 - August 4): Students need to remediate content and demonstrate competency in courses failed during the year to move up to the next level without repeating the course. The course will be hybrid with some asynchronous virtual lessons with in-person guidance and support twice each week at the high school. There is a cost to families which will be reduced in 2022 and 2023 thanks to funds from impact grants related to the pandemic.
• Summer COVID recovery program, Secondary English and Math (rising into grades 6-12, flexible timing July / August, 2022): Online tutorial courses continuing throughout the summer in core academic areas to mitigate learning loss from the pandemic. This will be available at no cost to families.
• Summer COVID recover program Elementary Reading and Math (rising into grades 1-5, flexible timing July / August 2022):Online tutorial courses continuing throughout the summer, personalized self-paced program offered at no cost to families.
• Intensive Language Lab (students entering grades 1-12, July 6 - August 4): English language instruction for English learners participating in the Neshaminy English Language Development programs. To be held in-person, grant-funded and no cost to families.
• Extended School Year (NSD students age 5-21, July 6 - August 4): Specialized instruction for students with an IEP by invitation. Held in-person, no cost to families.

The Neshaminy Summer Stock program returns to Neshaminy this year with programs for students entering grades 2-12. See the article below for more information.

The Board met on Tuesday, February 8 for a Public Work Session. Among the highlights:

• A presentation on updated graduation requirements starting with the Neshaminy HS Class of 2022-2023.
• Discussion of plans and policies for upcoming events such as Gym Night, dances at Neshaminy HS and the Senior Prom. Dr. McGee indicated that the District is working closely with the Philadelphia venue for the Senior Prom to make sure all students will be able to participate in light of Covid-19 protocols in the city.
• The first reading of several proposed revisions to District policies as part of the ongoing District Policy Review.

The following items are expected to be on the agenda for the Board Public Meeting on Tuesday, February 22 meeting (7pm at Maple Point):

• Temporarily waiving the Keystone Exam Proficiency as a graduation requirement for the NHS Class of 2022 (a permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education)
• Consideration of leasing and installing four external modular classrooms (3290 square feet) at Poquessing Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year
• Consideration and approval of the District Calendar for the 2022-2023 school year
• Consideration of the budget for shared services from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22

These items and the meeting agenda are subject to change before the meeting. The meeting agenda and livestream video link will be found at www.neshaminy.org/meetings.

Committee Meetings

The following committees met during February:

Educational Development Committee: The committee met at Maple Point on February 15. Items discussed included a new Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) website, the Multi-Tiered System of Supports program at Neshaminy, textbook updates for science and geometry, a middle school reading pilot program update, a discussion of planned summer programs (see article above), and C&I program goals for the 2022-2023 school year.

Facilities & Planning Committee : The committee met in the newly-renovated Library Media Center at Neshaminy HS on February 16. Among the items discussed was the athletic field and stadium upgrade project, scheduled to start in the summer or fall. Also discussed was the proposed new elementary school building at Maple Point which could begin this summer pending Board approval and the acceptance of bids; the addition of four modular classrooms at Poquessing MS; and other proposed and upcoming projects.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

• Policy Committee, March 15, 6:30 pm (Maple Point)
• Facilities and Planning Committee, March 16, 6:30 pm (site TBA)
• Business Operations Committee, March 30, 6:30 pm (Maple Point)

The public is invited to attend and participate in Board and Committee meetings. All meeting times and locations are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances; please check the District website www.neshaminy.org for any updates.

Plans for the construction of a new elementary school building on the Maple Point Middle School property moved another step forward on Monday, February 7 when the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors approved the project with a 5-0 vote. Prior to the vote the Board heard a presentation from District representatives. Scott Downie from Spiezle Architecture Group which has been retained for the design of the building, showed drawings of the proposed design. The new school would house up to 900 students, and sit adjacent to Maple Point on the north side of the building next to the gymnasium. The buildings will not be connected but will share common driveways and fields.

Mr. Downie said that the building is designed to blend in with the existing Maple Point building, which was built in 1977 and renovated in 1993. The property around Maple Point is an expansive 85 acres, which will allow the new school to be built without encroaching on any of the surrounding woodlands. The building will be outfitted with state-of-the-art efficient energy and HVAC systems.

Stacey Jensen, a traffic consultant for Gilmore and Associates, also spoke at the meeting about a District proposal to install a traffic signal at the end of the school's driveway at Woodbourne Road to control traffic from the school, an entrance to Core Creek County Park across the street and passing traffic. Additional plans call for a left-turn lane to be added to Langhorne-Yardley Road into the second driveway at that location. Unrelated plans to upgrade nearby intersections along Langhorne-Yardley Road at Woodbourne and Bridgetown Pike will also hep to alleviate traffic bottlenecks during peak times.

The Here Comes the Bus app is now live for all schools in Neshaminy School District. It was rolled out on a limited basis in the fall to identify and work out potential problems, but is now fully functional. Parents and students are encouraged to download the free app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, sign up for an account with their email account and student ID number. The Neshaminy school code is 29378. The app, provided by Synovia, is used at hundreds of schools and Districts across the nation.

Drivers log into the app using a device on their buses, which allows the device to track the bus using GPS tracking. Even if a different bus is substituted on a run, this system will still display the correct route number. Students and their families can receive alerts as to the location of their bus and expected arrival times.

Title 1 is a federally-funded program that provides academic support to K-4 students in reading and math. Our Title 1 specialists and instructional assistants help students achieve success in meeting state academic standards, developing knowledge and building critical thinking skills that they will need for their entire school career and beyond.

An important part of this effort is outreach to student's families. During the school year, families are invited to in-person seminars and provided with materials to help them support their child and build upon the skills and knowledge they receive during the school day. As part of that effort, Title 1 Reading Specialist Kim Maurizi at Albert Schweitzer ES has produced a helpful newsletter containing ideas and links to resources that can help families support the academic success of their children.

LINK: Title 1 District Newsletter

Neshaminy Summer Stock is back this year with three great workshops for students in grades 2-12! A Neshaminy tradition for over 50 years, the Summer Stock workshops will be held at Neshaminy High School between June 27 and July 24.

This year they will be staging two great shows: Phantom of the Opera for students entering grades 7-12 and The Lion King for students entering grades 4-6. Students entering grades 2-3 can participate in the Summer Stock Showcase, which includes music, dance and learning the basics of musical theatre.

This program is open to all students from the area. More information and registration forms can be found at https://www.neshaminy.org/Domain/2822.

The Neshaminy Education Foundation is excited to bring the Harlem Wizards back to Neshaminy on Saturday, March 26. Our Neshaminy "Dream Team" will include the following volunteer players:

COACH: Skip Mason, ASSISTANT: Bill Barnes, ASSISTANT: Heidi McLendon

• Anthony Taylor / Transportation Dept.; Ryan Sweeney / Maple Point; Amanda Matika / Ferderbar; Madison Ody / Maple Point; Joyce Kulchinsky / District Office; Regina Tyciak / District Office; Sarah Wells / Tawanka; Kevin Blocker / Maple Point; Meghan Fedele / Tawanka; Ramella Taylor / Miller; Meghan Cahill / Schweitzer; Brian Kern / Buck; James Legette / Maple Point; Christina Klause / Hoover; Emily Wells / Hoover; Megan McHugh / Schweitzer; Shannon Fisher / Tawanka; Missy Robison / Middletown PD

This game is a fundraiser for the Neshaminy Education foundation, supporting the classroom grants and student scholarships in our Neshaminy schools. Tickets are on sale now, $15 General Admission and $35 for Courtside Plus seats. Purchase tickets at www.neshaminy.org/wizards

The District is also participating in the Bucks County PRIDE Virtual Job Fair to be held on Friday, March 25, 2022 from 12-5 pm. Bucks County PRIDE is a consortium of school districts including Pennsbury, Centennial, Bristol, Council Rock and others with a common mission of attracting diverse educators to Bucks County Schools to meet the needs of students and ultimately match candidates with job openings. Applicants will be able to gather information, schedule screening interviews with school administrators via video chat and submit resumes for open positions.

LINK: Bucks County PRIDE Virtual Job Fair Registration

PJ Day at Walter Miller ES: This was a fundraiser orchestrated by members of Walter Miller Elementary Student Council (shown in the group photo on the stage) to raise funds for a Neshaminy family who recently experienced a devastating loss to their family home. Students and staff from Walter Miller donated $1 to wear their pajamas to school. Total amount raised was over $700.00. Additionally, staff members at WMES donated money, totaling an additional $400.00 in cash and $200.00 in gift cards.

Another pretzel fundraiser has earned $700. Total funds raised through the efforts of the entire Miller Community: $2,000!

Students in Megan McHugh's kindergarten class at Albert Schweitzer ES held a Super Bowl Party on February 11 and linked their fun to some new math skills. They graphed their predictions of the winner and tallied and graphed their favorite snack at a Super Bowl Party which included pretzels, popcorn, chips and candy. They talked about which snack had the most votes and least votes.

The U.S. Tennis Association recently conducted an in-service seminar with Neshaminy physical education teachers. As part of their educational outreach, the association also donated tennis equipment and teaching guides to the District's elementary schools. Shown here are Tawanka students, who are using the new gear, learning and practicing tennis skills in the gym.

Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub visited Maple Point Middle School on February 17. He shared his perspective on the Bill of Rights and criminal justice. The students are currently studying the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights in their social studies program.

The Family & Consumer Science Community Service Class at Neshaminy HS is holding a military care package drive. The FCS Majors have been collecting supplies for the packages, written letters of encouragement to our soliders, decorated the interior of the shipping boxes, and are packing up the items for the brave women and men who serve our country.

Eight Neshaminy HS artists are represented in this year's Phillip's Mill Youth Art Show. Located on River Road in New Hope, Phillip's Mill is a unique performing and visual arts center, welcoming artists, photographers, playwrights and art lovers year-round. The youth art exhibit was started in 2014 to celebrate and nurture artistic talent in are high schools. This year, 23 schools are represented in the show, which is virtual.

NHS artist Olivia Phelan received an honorable mention for her pencil drawing, "Kurtis Conner," shown at right. You can see the entire show online at https://phillipsmill.artspan.com/

BOWLING

The Girls Varsity Bowling team captured the Suburban One League Title! All 7 of the girls qualified for Single Regionals and the team qualified for Team regionals. At the SOL Bowling Championship, Layton Einsig bowled a perfect game, throwing 10 strikes in a row for a perfect score of 300.

The team competed in the Luau No-Tap Tournament at Our Town Alley in East Norriton, PA, on 2/19/22 and came home with the win. Lead by senior Shelby Wolstenholme’s two 300 games, the team shot scores of 1243, 1174 & 991, dominating the competition. In the finals, they ladies took on Pennridge High School and easily won the best of three baker games, 143-101 and 179-144.

Richard M. (Rick) Eccles passed away peacefully on January 12, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was 65.

Rick was very active in our community, having volunteered and sponsored teams for the Middletown Athletic Association and gave much of his time to the Neshaminy School District. Rick was appointed to the Neshaminy Board of School Directors in 1998. Rick served 3 consecutive terms on the board winning reelection in 1999, 2003 and 2007 prior to stepping down in 2011. During his time on the Neshaminy School Board, Rick served as the board’s president from 2003-2008.

The Eccles family has graciously requested that memorial contributions in Rick's honor can be made to the Neshaminy Education Foundation. The full obituary can be found at https://www.neshaminy.org/Page/43718.