Neshaminy Update
Neshaminy School District / September, 2023
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Five Neshaminy School District alumni were honored at the Fourth Annual Alumni Achievement Awards on Monday, November 24. Four out of the five attended the ceremony, which was held in the Black Box Theater at Neshaminy HS, while the fifth attended via video from Virginia. Each recipient was presented with an etched crystal trophy along with citations presented by PA Senator Frank Farry and PA Representative Joe Hogan, both of whom attended the ceremony.
Nominations for this year's ceremony were drawn from the Neshaminy community during the spring. An awards committee from the Neshaminy Education Foundation made the final decision.
Each of the honorees are recognized for outstanding lifetime achievement in post-graduation pursuits of business, the arts, academics, the military, government and/or community service. The purpose of the ceremony is to share the district’s pride in its alumni and to inspire the current students of Neshaminy with the stories of success from those that came before them.
Dr. Rebecca Beadling, Neshaminy HS Class of 2009
Dr. Rebecca (Becki) Beadling is a geoscientist and college professor. Her work has focused on ocean circulation and the ocean’s role in the climate system. She completed her Ph.D. in 2020 at the University of Arizona and was subsequently awarded a NOAA Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship, jointly hosted by NOAA-GFDL and Princeton University’s Program in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. She is now an Assistant Professor in Temple University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Science, where she teaches courses on climate dynamics and climate change and leads the Ocean Climate Connections Research Group.
Chris Cechek, Neshaminy Maple Point HS Class of 1978
Mr. Cechak holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University. He served six years active duty in the U.S. Navy as a submarine officer, serving on two nuclear submarines. He qualified in submarines and was certified as an Engineer on the nuclear power plan. After leaving active duty, he spent 14 years as a civilian supporting the Navy's submarine stealth initiatives, receiving the Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal—the second-highest civilian award presented by the Navy. After retiring from federal service, he joined Signal Systems Corporation (SSC), managing programs related to active sonar technology for the Navy’s airborne anti-submarine warfare platforms.
Colonel Bruce Cordelli (retired), Neshaminy HS Class of 1979
Col. Cordelli was president of his class and is a member of the Neshaminy Football Hall of Fame. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and received a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He served in the U.S. Army in leadership positions for over 24 years. He spent a tour as an Assistant Professor of Military Science of ROTC at Kent State University, and later, another tour as the Department Head and Professor of Military Science at NC State University while also attaining an MS in General Administration. He commanded a Field Artillery Battalion and successfully led 440 soldiers into combat without loss of life during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). His final stint during his Army career was as the Director of the Joint Deployable Training Group. After retirement, he began a second career as a Military Senior Consultant for the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Readiness and Training advising the director on joint warfare readiness. His next position was at Boeing Defense Phantom Works, where Bruce eventually became the Director of Army systems and low altitude analysis and experimentation.
Ms. Lori Ozoroski, Neshaminy HS Class of 1983
Lori Ozoroski is an Aerospace Engineer who currently manages the NASA Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. She has 35 years of experience researching technologies and design methodologies related to Supersonic aircraft while working at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Over the past decade, she served as the NASA airframe design lead for NASA’s X-59 Low Sonic Boom Demonstrator experimental aircraft. Lori is recognized as an international expert in commercial supersonics. She chairs the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics Supersonics Integration and Outreach Committee and has received numerous NASA Group Achievement Awards throughout her career. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Hawthorne (Hawk) Smith, Neshaminy HS Class of 1983
Dr. Hawthorne Smith is a licensed psychologist, and the Director of the Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture (PSOT). He is an Associate Clinical Professor at the NYU School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry, as well as the President of the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs (NCTTP). Dr. Smith received his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, an Advanced Certificate in African Studies from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal, as well as a master’s in international Affairs from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. Among his clinical duties, Dr. Smith has facilitated a support group for French-speaking African survivors of torture for the past 29 years. He supervises psychiatry residents, psychology interns and externs as well as social work trainees. He also speaks extensively at professional conferences and seminars on providing clinical services for survivors of socio-political violence and enhancing cross-cultural clinical skills among therapeutic service providers. Dr. Smith is the recipient of multiple national and international awards for his work.
In spring 2024, the Neshaminy Pupil Services Department began planning for staff training in the PREPaRE model. PREPaRE is a national program that helps school mental health professionals and educators understand their roles on a school crisis response team during the 2025–2026 school year. PREPaRE is a two-day training developed by educators with real experience working through school crises. It is one of the few complete training programs made specifically for schools. The first group of Neshaminy staff members completed the training in November. A second group will take the training this spring.
The PREPaRE framework teaches teamwork, clear communication, and how to support the physical safety and emotional well-being of students and staff. As more staff members complete this work, our district strengthens its crisis response system. This helps our schools stay safe, calm, and ready to respond when challenges occur. Read more about this program at the link below.
BOARD THANKS OUTGOING MEMBERS
At the November 25th meeting, three outgoing members of the School Board were thanked for their service and contributions to the district. John Allen (10 years of service), Alicia Lafferty (4 years of service) and Kellen Sporny (4 years of service) have completed their terms following the recent election and will be replaced by newly elected members at the December 1, 2025 Board Reorganization Meeting.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
The Educational Development Committee met on November 18. The committee received updates on several initiatives that are being implemented or are in the planning stages including:
PA STEELS (Science Standards) Implementation Updates: The state has rolled out new standards, which emphasize teaching science in a more hands-on, problem-solving way. To facilitate this transition, a STEM STEELS leadership team of teachers and administrators is guiding these changes and support staff at all levels.
At the high school, teachers reviewed two fully standards-aligned science curricula, BSCS Biology and OpenSciEd. Physics classes will begin implementation of these pilot programs in January while chemistry and biology will implement later in the year. The middle school Amplify science curriculum is already mostly aligned with the new standards. Elementary schools are piloting two programs - FOSS and OpenSciEd - with all 3rd and 5th grade classes using one of the two. A group of second-grade teachers is in their second year of piloting these programs, providing helpful multi-year feedback.
Middle School Schedules: Plans to unify daily class schedules for grades 5-8 are being considered. Currently the fifth grade operates on a different schedule than grades 6-8.
Personal Finance Graduation Requirement: The committee is exploring ways to implement a new personal finance class at the high school. This will be a new graduation requirement for all students in Pennsylvania and will begin in the 2026-2027 school year.
STUDENT SERVICES
Families are encouraged to visit the district website for information about the following important services and policies:
- Special Education Services
- Gifted Students
- Services for Protected Handicapped Students
- Destruction of Records
- Medical Assistance
- Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
MEAL ASSISTANCE
Families in need of food assistance can take advantage of the following resources:
The Bucks County Opportunity Council Food Program
721 Veterans Highway
Bristol, PA 19007
Ph: 215-781-2661
🔗 Food Program: https://bcoc.org/food-program/
🔗 Food Pantries: https://bcoc.org/food-pantries/
The Bucks County HUB (“Live” Human Services Directory)
Phone: 215-348-6201
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
The United Way 211 Helpline
Phone: Call 211
REDUCE ILLNESS AND BOOST ATTENDANCE!
During the winter, families and friends spend more time indoors. This can make common illnesses easier to spread. To help reduce illness and keep students in school, please remember these best practices:
- Hand Washing: Regular handwashing at home and school helps prevent the spread of many illnesses. Teaching and practicing proper handwashing lowers the chance of germs spreading.
- Respiratory Etiquette: Teach children to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in the trash right away. If a tissue is not available, students and staff should cough or sneeze into their elbow, not their hands. Hands should be washed right after blowing the nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Vaccinations: Staying up to date with recommended vaccinations is important for preventing illness and reducing the risk of severe disease. School vaccination requirements help protect students from vaccine-preventable diseases. Information about required school immunizations is available at the NSD vaccination website.
Matt Allen is a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy Reserves, and the Director of Veterans Affairs in Bucks County. He is also dad to a student at Herbert Hoover ES. He visited the school on November 12 and taught the children in Ms. Bunje's kindergarten class about what it means to serve in the military, to be a veteran, and more about the Navy specifically. The students were able to color the picture from The Battle of Iwo Jima, give Mr. Allen and other veterans a craft to thank them for their service and take home a Veterans Affairs Challenge Coin. They were all thankful for this opportunity and his service.
Hoover ES launched a new Service Learning Club involving 40 students across all grade levels. The club provides opportunities for young learners to develop leadership skills while participating in meaningful community service. The club’s mission is to engage students in collaborative projects that promote empathy, responsibility, and a commitment to helping others.
To kick off the program, members of the Neshaminy HS Interact Club visited Hoover to interview students applying for the club’s first leadership positions. The high school volunteers conducted supportive, friendly interviews that helped younger students build confidence and practice important communication skills. The partnership was coordinated by Hoover Elementary Hawks With Heart advisor Pam Ballard and Neshaminy High School Interact advisor Suzi Drake.
Poquessing Middle School was honored to host a visit by Monika W. Shealey, Dean of the Temple University College of Education and Human Development on November 20. Dean Shealey had the opportunity to tour the school and speak with multiple staff members (some who are Temple graduates) about the educational programs and culture at Poquessing, the challenges of providing individualized and equitable learning opportunities to each student, and how the strong Neshaminy and Temple University educational community helps support professional and academic success.
In early November, four Neshaminy Physical Education Department Teachers attended the Shape PA State Conference. (Kathleen Kenney, Ferris Kelly, Donna Ferro & Brooke Lesser). On Thursday night, Carl Sandburg MS teacher Donna Ferro received the Middle School Teacher of the Year Award (see the article in the April, 2025 Neshaminy Update). Donna was supported by her husband Matt Ferro and her son, a Penn State Senior, Tony Ferro. At the conference, the group learned new strategies and lesson ideas that they are excited to share out to the PE staff. They also enjoyed celebrating Donna's proud recognition!
On Wednesday, November 19, Neshaminy HS hosted the Southeastern Pennsylvania Debate League Meet #2. Thirteen schools from across the region participated, bringing together more than 150 individual competitors and 56 judges. Students competed in a variety of events, including Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Duo Interpretation, and Original Oratory. With support from National Honor Society volunteers and members of the Neshaminy Speech and Debate Club, the team also ran a successful bake sale and snack stand throughout the event.
The Neshaminy High School Speech and Debate Team has now grown to more than 40 students strong! Congratulations to all who competed, and best of luck with the remaining meets scheduled for this season.
