The Tigers Pride: Fall Edition 2024

As we embrace the fall season, I am excited to share highlights from our District’s early accomplishments and upcoming events in this issue of Tigers' Pride. September has been a month of new beginnings and positive energy, with school activities in full swing. This newsletter celebrates our students’ achievements, the dedication of our School Resource Officers, and numerous community building events. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm as we move forward together.

Sincerely,

Tina M. Kane, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Marple Newtown School District is proud to be recognized by The Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) for its commitment to visual arts education with the endorsement of Outstanding Visual Arts Community 2024. PAEA empowers its members to transform their practices, students, colleagues, and communities to build a strong art education culture and citizenry.

Districts receiving this endorsement demonstrate the importance of their visual arts programs with:

● Rigorous and Inclusive Programs: Arts programs demonstrate rigor using standards-based curricula taught at every level by highly qualified and certified art educators.

● Highly Accessible Programs: Art programs are offered to all students at every level of education with a sustainable budget for the visual arts.

● Highly Visible Programs: Schools and districts identify their programmatic accomplishments, curriculum for all levels, art staff, mission statements, and arts events using their school websites and social media.

Culbertson Elementary School kicked off the school year with a whirlwind of activities! Families were welcomed with the annual Back to School Nights. It was wonderful to see our teachers sharing the amazing things happening at Culbertson. The festivities culminated in a school-wide Sweet Treat Social, sponsored by our PTO, where everyone gathered on the playground to meet new friends and socialize. It was a fantastic start to the year, and our teachers, staff, and students are excited to build lasting relationships!

The School Resource Officer (SRO) position has been established in the Marple Newtown School District for five years, creating valuable opportunities and benefits for both the District and the local police departments in Marple and Newtown Townships. By having full-time officers in our schools, we can effectively coordinate resources to better support the students and families of the Marple Newtown School District.

Officer Johnny Edelblute has proudly served as a police officer for 16 years. He has dedicated the last 11 years to the Newtown Township Police Department. During his time as a police officer, Officer Edelblute has had the privilege of being involved in various roles such as an operator on two different Delaware County tactical teams and participated on the DUI task force along with the Newtown Township Youth Aide Panel. He has developed a deep connection to Newtown Township and is eager to continue growing his relationships while serving the Marple Newtown School District, acting as an ambassador for the Newtown Township Police Department.

Officer John Murrin has been with with the Marple Township Police Department (MTPD) since July 2002, accumulating over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Throughout his career, her has participated in various professional training programs focused on crime prevention, community policing, mental health, crisis intervention, and active shooter protocols. His role as SRO goes beyond ensuring safety within the school; he collaborates closely with administration and counselors to foster positive relationships with students, families, faculty, and staff. Officer Murrin prioritizes meaningful daily interactions, aiming to be a role model and mentor in his duties. Strengthening the connection between the police department and the community is a vital aspect of his role as School Resource Officer.

The Loomis PTO hosted a Back to School Bash that brought together families, friends, teachers, and staff for an evening of fun and community spirit. Attendees enjoyed a variety of games, fostering camaraderie and friendly competition, while several food trucks offered delicious treats to satisfy every palate. The event was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to reconnect and kick off the new school year with enthusiasm.

MNSD bus drivers practiced rider evacuation drills in order to keep our students informed and safe in the event of an emergency. Thank you for speaking to your children about how to stay safe on the bus and also for speaking to them about expected behaviors on the bus. Every discussion helps!

The Marple Newtown School District School Bus Safety Program combines education with enforcement to change motorist behavior and create a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses. Modernizing School Buses In addition to stop-arm enforcement cameras, the Marple Newtown School District fleet is equipped with additional features to improve safety for students and drivers. This includes: 360° safety cameras inside and outside the bus, GPS tracking, Emergency response solutions.

What Happens If You Illegally Pass a Stopped School Bus in Marple Newtown School District?

All school buses that transport Marple Newtown School District students are equipped with automated photo enforcement cameras on the side of school buses to capture violations and vehicle license plate numbers. The violation is reviewed by law enforcement. Once approved, a notice of violation is sent to the registered vehicle owner by mail. In Pennsylvania, a first-time stop-arm violation witnessed by a camera carries a fine of $300 and no license points. In addition to the financial deterrent, violators learn about the potential dangers of their actions. Offenders can call the program's toll-free number at 1-800-852-7741 and speak with a representative who can review the video evidence and help them understand the dangers of illegal passing. Services are offered in both English and Spanish. Data from other safety programs demonstrates that 98% of first-time offenders do not receive a second ticket, and 95% of drivers do not contest their ticket after seeing video evidence of their violation.

On the first day of school, Mr. Thomas welcomed all Russell students during an assembly, setting the tone for the year by discussing expectations and kicking off an exciting new academic journey. In September, our Marple Newtown School District Director of School Safety, Mr. Barry Williams, addressed the 3rd through 5th grade students in a safety assembly, focusing on online safety and the importance of being cautious about the information they share. He reviewed strategies for identifying trusted helpers and outlined steps to take if they encounter anything that makes them uncomfortable.

Additionally, Russell's 5th graders began their tradition of community building by meeting with their 1st grade buddies, fostering leadership among the older students and providing younger students with mentors. In the kindergarten classes, students were introduced to their first behavior buddy, “Kindness Kangaroo.” They read the story Be Kind and discussed various ways to show kindness to others. When a child exemplifies one of the positive behavior traits they have been learning about, they get to spend the next day at school with the buddy and receive a certificate and a Brag Tag to take home.

Thanks to the generosity of our PTO, Worrall students now have the chance to earn tokens for a brand-new book vending machine! The machine is custom designed for Worrall, and there is a wide variety of books inside for all grade levels. We had a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the start of school, with each student representative being awarded a token to use the machine. Students will receive tokens for the machine in a variety of ways tied to our existing Whole-School Positive Plan, The Worrall Way, individual teacher awards, and any Reading Incentive events. Readers are leaders, and we are all excited by this wonderful tool that supports our literacy efforts.

In September, the Worrall community gathered in the evening on our blacktop and field to share a mealtime and watch the Phillies on a big screen for our first annual PTO-Sponsored Family Picnic! There were home-baked goodies for sale, as well as local vendors offering their wares at booths. This was a great opportunity for all of us to come together and enjoy some outdoor down time. We thank our PTO and volunteers for making this a special night!

Paxon Hollow hosted their much-anticipated 6th Grade Social. Students gathered in the back fields for an afternoon filled with dancing, laughter, and games. The event was a huge success with students not only enjoying the physical activities but also took the opportunity to connect with classmates, making new friends and strengthening bonds within the grade. The event set a positive tone for the school year ahead.

Paxon Hollow Middle School loves their hometown sports teams. When we wave goodbye to summer we welcome a Red October with the Phillies and, of course, our absolute favorite the Philadelphia Eagles. Students are encouraged to wear their Philadelphia sportswear as part of their spirit days at PHMS. Go Phillies, Eagles, and TIGERS!!!!

The Tiger Marching Band started off the season strong with a first-place finish at Unionville High School. They also took home the awards for Best Percussion and Best Color Guard. The Tiger Marching Band will be performing on 6ABC on the morning of November 15th.

The Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll celebrates schools that deliver impressive results through their AP programs while expanding access for students. Schools earn this recognition annually based on their commitment to fostering a college oriented culture, offering opportunities to earn college credit, and enhancing college readiness.

Last year, Marple Newtown High School achieved a record number of AP exams taken by students, which, along with the increased AP course offerings over the years, has contributed to this outstanding recognition.

Creating broad access to AP courses is a united, schoolwide effort involving teachers, counselors, administrators, students, and parents, all working together to make this priority a reality. We celebrate this remarkable achievement with our school community!

Marple Newtown High School is a proud participant in Best Buddies. Best Buddies is a non-profit organization established in 1989. The mission of Best Buddies is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In middle schools, high schools, and colleges, Best Buddies operates as a student-run friendship club, which creates buddy pairs between students with and without disabilities. Best Buddies helps to create an inclusive school climate for students and a community culture of acceptance.

A Best Buddies Night was held at MNHS. Our neighboring Strath Haven Best Buddies joined us for this special evening. Our Buddy Anthony Maggitti was selected, for the special honor, to conduct the coin toss at the beginning of the game.

On September 24th, the girls and boys cross country teams traveled to Penncrest to compete. The boys team had 41 runners with 36 running their career bests or season best times. The boys were led by Julian Bothma and his 16:50 6th place medal and Cole Wozniak and his 17:25 16th place medal. The boys also had huge races from Nick Naughton and Karam Dababneh, who found the 19s for the first time! Jake Figueroa also had a big day running we'll under his career best! Shout out to Ryan Wise, Arlo Atkinson, Joseph Pham, and Nate Jolly for huge person bests!

The girls team had 21 girls compete with 20 of them running career bests or seasons best races. The girls were led by Allie Pavone and Lizzie Getz running .2 apart for 8th and 9th place medals. Career best races from Jonica Wark and Brooke Davis helped pace the Tigers. Shout outs to Madison Logue, Riley Carmichael, and Mary Pham for a career best races!

Please click the image above to view our employment opportunities.