Albert Schweitzer Elementary

Prior to her 28 years at Neshaminy, Beth worked in the New Jersey education system where she designed and implemented counseling programs in Lindenwald. She also coordinated a handicapped pre-school program in Pinehill, Lindenwald and Clementon, New Jersey. She then continued her career in the non-public sector of Upper Bucks County, PA before moving to substitute in the neighboring Bensalem School District.

Upon joining the Neshaminy School District, Beth worked in elementary education at Heckman, Buck and Tawanka. When Maple Point was opened in 1993, Beth was there to start the ball rolling until she returned here to Schweitzer where for the last 8 years she has guided both staff and students and offered her kind heart and helping hand every day. Each move was precipitated by her need for change and challenge. Anyone that knows Beth knows she thrives on challenge and that is what made her such a great Elementary School Counselor.

She looks forward to many new challenges in her retirement. Beth will enjoy traveling, reading, relaxing and her grand children. We wish her health and happiness.

Kris has worked at Maple Point, Poquessing, Sandburg, NHS, Miller and lastly here at Schweitzer. She considers herself blessed to be part of a caring, talented and gifted art department who are dedicated to delivering an art program that provides our students with the knowledge of and skills in Visual Art. Our focus has been and is to provide our students with the essence of our civilization, which has contributed to current and past civilizations that enrich our world. Art provides students with the tools they need to understand, create, and broaden their ability to communicate through other mediums while making critical choices and judgements. Inquiry, tolerance, synthesis, experimentation, the creation of order out of disorder – all necessary ingredients in the progress and well-being of society – are the LIFEBLOOD of the arts, developed both in performance and “appreciation.”

In the three years at Schweitzer, students have worked with an Artist in Residence from the Bucks AIR program funded by a Pennsylvania Council for the Arts grant. Ms. Gabrielle led students K-5 (at the time) in many different book structure experiences.

Fourth graders used professional printmaking presses and inks to create a variety of prints. She has worked with several art teachers to write a Neshaminy Foundation Grant that funded this special experience for the students. The grant also funded the purchase of an iPad for each teacher for use in their classroom.

This year we were fortunate to have three special events.

In September, students celebrated International Dot Day with every student creating a “Dot”. International Dot Day happens every year on or around September 15, the birthday of the author, Peter H. Reynolds, author of The Dot. The Dots the students created were hung on the window outside office and the library to brighten the hallways and remind us it is vital to celebrate creativity and collaboration!

In February we were graced with a visit from the Artmobile from Bucks County Community College. The Artmobile is a traveling art gallery with themed exhibits that rotate in a two-year cycle. The exhibit: Structures and Stories provided the inspiration for students as they created several different types of book structures to tell their own stories. A big thanks goes to the PTO for funding the Artmobile.

The PTO also sponsored a Square One fundraiser. Every student in grades K-4 created a unique piece of artwork that was sent to the Square One company. Families had the opportunity to order merchandise that had that artwork printed on the item that could be purchased. The money raised is being used to fund the purchase of new tables for the art room (which are sorely needed).

The past two years have culminated with the Annual Art show which transforms our school into a big gallery of artwork! Every student in the building is represented with at least two works of artwork. We ran out of time and room to hang every single work of art – sounds (or looks) like a resounding success!

She is looking forward to the next chapter in life - having her own schedule, daily walks, aquatics classes, time on the beach and more time to create art!

Mr. Schnitzer has worked 29.7 years for the NSD. His first two years were at Schweitzer for vocal music.

He then spent a year at Ferderbar instructing vocal music as well, followed by a 3 year stint at Poquessing Junior for 7th,8th & 9th grade band.

Mr. Schnitzer then made a move to Everitt where he worked 6 years as a vocal music teacher once again. The past 18 years Mr. Schnitzer has been the itinerant music teacher at Buck, Everitt, Ferderbar, Lower South, and Schweitzer. No doubt that Mr. Schnitzer has impacted many, many students during his career. Thank you Mr. Schnitzer.