Neshaminy Update
Neshaminy School District / September, 2023
Congratulations to Carl Sandburg MS Physical Education teacher Donna Ferro and Maple Point MS Physical Education teacher Avery Dunkley who have been selected as winners in the SHAPE PA (Society of Health and Physical Educators) regional awards.
Ms. Ferro was named Teacher of the Year for Southeastern Pennsylvania. From the SHAPE PA district award committee: "Your tireless efforts and innovative teaching methods have profoundly impacted the lives of many students. Your enthusiasm and love for education are truly inspiring, and this award reflects your hard work and perseverance. Your achievements serve as a shining example of what can be accomplished with passion and dedication."
The regional award automatically enters her nomination to the statewide Teacher of the Year award. Ms. Ferro has taught at Sandburg since 1997.
"I truly love what I do, we have such great students here at Sandburg," she said. "Now I have the opportunity to teach my former students' children, wow that is very rewarding."
She said that she considers her job, as a health and physical education teacher, is to introduce students to various activities such as inline skating, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, dancing, aerobics, to name a few. She hopes that they find something that they love to do, and continue to do it for the rest of their lives.
"I try to act as a role model, by keeping active and choosing healthy lifestyle choices as well, she said. "I’ve been very fortunate to have the most amazing health and physical education department, but also extremely supportive administration over my past 28 years. The students are amazing, they are so much fun to be around, I really like coming to school."
Ms. Dunkley was chosen to receive the SHAPE PA Emerging Leader Award. She is a Neshaminy High School graduate and earned her teaching degree at West Chester University. She has been a physical education teacher at Maple Point MS since 2022.
This award recognizes early-career professionals who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing quality education and student well-being. Candidates show strong dedication to professional growth, community involvement, and the promotion of lifelong health and fitness among their students.
"Over my first three years of teaching at MPMS I have had the ability to form authentic relationships with my students," Ms. Dunkley said. "I model the value of being active, driven, and kind to help my students grow not only academically and physically, but into compassionate and confident individuals.
Both teachers will be honored at a ceremony to be held on Thursday, May 8.
On Thursday, April 10 Neshaminy elementary and middle school students and their families enjoyed another successful STEAM Expo at the high school. The building was packed with dozens of exhibits, games and crafts set up by the high school science, technology and art students and faculty, community and educational institutions, local businesses and first responders. A Philadelphia Police Department Helicopter landed on the front lawn of the school and Expo visitors were able to see it close up. Students in the NHS Child Development and Parenting classes created an immersive trip around the world of animals featuring extensive floor-to-ceiling decorations in the classroom and surrounding hallways and multiple educational activities and crafts for their visitors. Students from the district's six elementary schools presented some of their best Science Fair exhibits, and the new Neshaminy Rock Band Club provided musical entertainment during the event.
The STEAM Expo has been organized by Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction David Geanette since its inception in 2015. Mr. Geanette retired in March. Instructional Coach Brian Suter and Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor Melissa Campbell picked up the reins and look forward to carrying this exciting Neshaminy tradition into future years.
- Friday, May 2: Neshaminy HS Jazz Festival, 7 pm
- May 5-16: Neshaminy HS AP Exams
- Thursday, May 8: Neshaminy HS Chamber Concert, 7 pm
- May 7-10: Spring drama production, Black Box Theater Neshaminy HS
- Saturday, May 10: Neshaminy HS Jazz at the Farm, 4 pm
- Monday, May 12: Neshaminy HS Jazz Concert, 7 pm
- May 12, 14, 16: Keystone Exams, Neshaminy HS
- May 13, 14: Algebra 1 Keystone Exam, middle schools (AM)
- Wednesday, May 14: Neshaminy HS Spring Orchestra Concert, 7 pm
- Friday, May 16: Elementary Field Days
- Friday, May 16: SUNset Challenge, Maple Point MS, 6 pm
- Tuesday, May 20: Election Day, schools closed
- Wednesday, May 21: Neshaminy HS Spring Choir Concert, 7 pm
- Wednesday - Thursday, May 21 - 22: District Art Show, Neshaminy HS, 6-8 pm
- Monday, May 26: Memorial Day, district closed
For more events and updates please visit the district and school websites.
Neshaminy School District is pleased to offer our NHS students the opportunity to participate in an After-School Keystone Testing Boot Camp. This program is designed to give students extra support and confidence as they prepare for the upcoming Keystone Exams in Biology, Algebra 1, and Literature. Dates:
- Literature: 4/22, 4/23, 4/24, 4/29, 4/30, 5/1, 5/5, 5/6, 5/7, & 5/8
- Biology: 5/5 to 5/8
- Algebra: 4/23, 4/28, 4/29, 4/30, 5/5, 5/6, 5/7
Time: 2:40 PM – 4:00 PM, 2nd Floor Study HUB/Classrooms
- Focused review sessions tailored to the Keystone Exams
- Test-taking tips and strategies to improve performance
- Small-group support and individual attention from teachers/coaches
- A chance to build confidence and reduce test anxiety
- Snacks provided!
This is a free opportunity made possible through our 21st Century Community Learning Center. We strongly encourage participation to help your child feel prepared and successful on these important state exams.
If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please complete the form found here - https://forms.gle/HHi8NroUETE4W1nU8. Your student is welcome to attend on the dates that work best for your family—just have them report to the 2nd Floor Study Lounge on those days. If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to contact Mrs. Bauerle, mbauerle@neshaminy.org.
Thanks to a grant from the 21st Century Community Learning Center, Neshaminy HS students in need of academic, behavioral and/or social-emotional support over the summer will be able to take advantage of a free camp offered at the high school this summer. The camp, a partnership between Ivins Outreach Center and Neshaminy HS, is open to rising 9th-12th grade students at the high school and the Neshaminy School District Virtual Academy. The camp offers credit recovery courses, help with summer reading and math, enrichment courses and recreational activities. Breakfast and lunch are included, and transportation is available. Registration can be completed by scanning the QR code on the poster to the left, or by clicking here.
BOARD HEARS BUDGET UPDATE
Neshaminy School District Business Administrator Deb Klahold presented a 2025-2026 Budget Development update report to the Board at the April 8 Board Public Work Session. Once the budget is finalized, which normally happens in May, it will be available for public review and posted on the district website for at least 30 days before final approval. The budget will be discussed at upcoming Business Operations Committee Meetings on Wednesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 21.
BOARD APPROVES 5-YEAR EVERITT LEASE
At the April 22 Board Public Meeting, a five-year lease between the district and the Bucks County Intermediate Unit for the former Samuel Everitt Elementary School in Levittown was approved. The school, which closed in 2015, has been leased ever since by the BCIU and used as an educational facility for special needs children. The BCIU maintains and is responsible for improvements to the building during the term of the lease. The new lease begins July 1, 2025.
SUMMER PROGRAMS APPROVED
The School Board has approved the operation of several summer programs in the district. These include:
- Summer School / Credit Recovery: Neshaminy HS 9-12th grade
- Summer Planned Action Stimulates Success (PASS): 6th-12th grade enrichment program by invitation from school counselors or social workers
- Extended School Year: Specialized instruction for students with goals identified in an Individualized Education Program for extended school year services (academic, social, emotional, and or life skills).
- Intensive Learning Lab for English Language Learners: Grades 2-12
- Summer Stock, Workshop, Showcase: Theater program for students in grades 2-12
If you are the parent or guardian of a future kindergarten or first-grade student (or know somebody else who has one), we encourage you (or them) to register for the new school year as soon as possible. The process begins with a visit to the Neshaminy Central Registration website (link below) where you can fill out registration forms, upload documents and get more information. Age requirements are as follows:
- To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be five (5) years of age on or before September 1, 2025.
- To be eligible for first grade, children must be six (6) years of age on or before September 1, 2025.
Questions can be directed to the Central Registration office at 215-809-6547.
All children must have the required medically appropriate vaccines or a plan to complete those vaccines or risk exclusion from school. A child may still obtain medical, religious, or philosophical exemption from meeting the immunization requirements. State law dictates that even if your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be excluded from school during an outbreak of vaccine-preventable disease. Please visit our Vaccination Requirements Newsletter for more information.
Neshaminy's Pre-K Counts preschool program is gearing up for the next school year! Registration is now open for 2025-2026. Pre-K Counts is a state grant-funded program that offers a high-quality FREE preschool for children whose families meet financial qualification guidelines. For the 2025-2026 school year, a family of four can earn up to 96,450 (household income) to qualify! Neshaminy is pleased to host several classes of Pre-K Counts preschool within our district borders, including several in our Neshaminy schools.
Pre-K Counts is available to children who turn 3 or 4 years of age by September 1, 2025. To find out more about Pre-K Counts at Neshaminy and to complete a registration application, pleae visit the link below.
2025-2026 registration for the Preschool Lab at Neshaminy HS is now open. This unique part-time program, part of the Family and Consumer Science program at the high school, is available for 3- and 4-year-olds with birthdays on or before 3/31/2022. Students in the Child Development and Parenting classes at the high school under the guidance of FCS faculty actively work with the young children in a fully equipped preschool classroom. The lab offers two sessions per day (8:25 am - 10:40 am and 11:45 am - 1:50 pm) four days a week (Monday - Thursday) from mid-October through May when the high school is in session. The fee for the entire year is $425. For more information and to register, please visit Family & Consumer Science / Preschool Laboratory Information (neshaminy.org), fill out the registration form or call 215-809-6680.
Homelessness Resources
Life is uncertain, but your child’s education doesn’t have to be. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act can help provide school stability for your child if you do not have a permanent home. More information is available HERE. Additional information and resources can be found on the district website here.
Public Notices
Neshaminy School District is required to provide annual public notice for the following: Special Education Services, Gifted Students, Services for Protected Handicapped Students, Destruction of Records, Medical Assistance, and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These notices are available on the Neshaminy district website HERE.
Every Student, Every Day
As summer vacation season approaches, we want to remind our Neshaminy families that every student's attendance, every day, is crucial to their academic success. Our staff needs your support to instill the habit of regular school attendance. It's important to understand that students who miss school frequently are at risk of lower academic achievement, failure, and even dropping out.
Regular school attendance not only contributes to academic success but also plays a significant role in boosting a child's self-esteem. By establishing this habit early on, children learn that attending and arriving on time to school daily is crucial. Good attendance not only helps children perform well in school but also prepares them for future work, fostering a sense of confidence and well-being.
“Every Student, Every Day” is our slogan to champion school attendance our schools.
Below are some suggestions you may wish to consider supporting your child's attendance:
- Avoid scheduling vacations when school is in session. They may be considered unexcused absences.
- Establishing regular bedtime and morning routines can significantly improve your child's attendance. This will ensure your child is well-rested and prepared for the school day, reducing the likelihood of absences.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Talk about the importance of regular attendance and how your child feels about school.
- Only permit missing school if your child is genuinely sick. Use a thermometer to check for a fever. Remember that stomach aches and headaches may be signs of anxiety.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to help your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Avoid medical appointments when school is in session.
On Thursday, April 3, students and families came out to support Albert Schweitzer Elementary to raise money for grade-level field trips and end-of-year activities. There were ten Bingo game winners and over twenty baskets from local businesses that were raffled off. There was also a 50/50, snacks, and fun had by all. The school community raised over $3,000 to support Schweitzer students!
Students in Shannon Fisher's second-grade class at Tawanka learned about the lifecycle of a butterfly. They watched the creatures hatch in real time by hosting their very own butterflies in class, then released them outside. At right, second-grade tudents at Joseph Ferderbar ES release their butterflies after raising them in class. Below, students in Linda Hyjurick's second-grade class at Walter Miller ES release their butterflies.
During Autism Acceptance week at Tawanka ES, Mrs. Mannherz and Ms. Wells’ classes took a trip down to Mrs. McFadden’s classroom to see where their peers learn and spend their time when not participating in inclusion opportunities. The first-graders were able to ask their peers questions about the classroom, schedule, and their favorites between the two classrooms along with exploring some of the students’ favorite sensory toys and tactile bins. Both the students in Mrs. McFadden’s class and the first-gaders loved the opportunity to see their classmate’s other room and what their everyday looks like.
The Sandburg Soundwaves Choir (above) took home multiple awards at the AcaTamaJam Festival at held at Tamanend Middle School in Warrington on Friday, April 25. The group received an outstanding section award for their sopranos and altos as well as two solo awards for Maggie Hartman and A.J. Reed. Poquessing’s Select Choir (right) took home Outstanding Tone, Best Musicality Trophy, Excellent Solo (Isabella Guzman), and Top Soloist (Amelia Gaft) at the festival. Maple Point's Point of Harmony Choir (below) won awards for outstanding vocal percussion and bass sound.
Three Neshaminy HS students - Jackson Kim, Alaina Clark, and Ryan Hartman - recently represented Neshaminy High School at the Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA) State Journalism Finals held at Penn State University. These students qualified for the state finals after competing in the regional round at Temple University in December. We are proud to share the following outstanding results:
- Jackson Kim earned Gold in the Literary Magazine Artwork category, making him a state champion.
- Alaina Kass placed fourth in the Editorial Writing category.
- Ryan Hartman placed fourth in the Newspaper Sports Writing category.
The PSPA competition is a respected state-wide event that recognizes excellence in student journalism and media production. Congratulations to all!
Congratulations to Neshaminy High School student Samantha Lugo, who placed third in the Client Service event at the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) State competition held on April 8. Samantha’s outstanding performance earned her a spot at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California this June.
Neshaminy HS music students Becca Gutierrez (choir), Bella Paglaiccetti (choir) and Alyssa Loudon (band) were selected after a rigorous series of auditions to represent the Neshaminy and the state of Pennsylvania at the National Association for Music Education All-Eastern Honors Ensemble Concert in Hartford from April 24-27. This group includes all the eastern states from Maine to Maryland.
The BCIT Department (Business, Computers and Information Technology) at NHS is proud to announce that Pietro Gatta, a standout junior, has been selected to participate in the highly competitive CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) High School Internship Program. This exceptional opportunity provides high school students with firsthand exposure to the professional services and accounting industry while developing key career and leadership skills.
This summer Pietro will engage in a wide range of enriching activities, including an interactive case study that will challenge him to serve a variety of clients across diverse industries. This real-world experience will help him understand the dynamic nature of the accounting profession and the strategic thinking it requires. He also will have the unique opportunity to shadow professionals at different levels of the firm, gaining valuable insight into how teams collaborate to serve clients and make a meaningful impact in the community.
On April 16, over 100 students from the Marketing and Management classes at Neshaminy High School stepped out of the classroom and into the action at Topgolf in Philadelphia for an engaging, hands-on field trip. While enjoying the innovative golf and entertainment venue, students took part in a special marketing project focused on analyzing Topgolf’s unique branding, customer experience, and promotional strategies. The trip combined fun with real-world learning, giving students a chance to apply classroom concepts in a dynamic setting. It was a hole-in-one for education and practical learning!
There is a new sport at The Ridge! Flag football has been growing in popularity throughout the county and country, and Neshaminy is no exception. This 7 versus 7 sport, which has been sanctioned in Pennsylvania and promoted by the NFL, has a varsity and junior varsity team at the high school. They are playing teams from nearby school districts this year, and next year Flag Football will be an officially sanctioned PIAA sport. 50 girls tried out for the team and 30 made it. NHS teacher Zach Cleale is the Head Coach and Josh Van Reed and Maria Beck are the Assistant Coaches.
