Safe Schools Initiatives
Safe Schools Initiatives
Safe Schools Initiatives
We are dedicated to an evidenced-based approach to keeping our students safe and our buildings secure. A strong safe schools program is rooted in a positive and connected school climate, caring staff, engaged parents, and empowered students. We are committed to building upon these principles by investing in the best safety systems, technologies, and personnel.
- Partnering with leading national experts to conduct a methodical safety and security assessment to inform a comprehensive safe schools plan to guide decisions and priorities
- Conducted NPSD’s first-ever school climate survey to assess operational and cultural strengths and potential blind spots
- Adopted a methodical Behavior Threat Assessment program to identify and reduce threats to student safety
- Increasing transparency and accuracy via partnership with Safe Schools for Alex to deliver the first-ever school incident dashboard in PA
- Modernized all emergency notification and response systems across NPSD
Student Mental Health
Safe Schools Initiatives
Safe Schools Initiatives
We believe in a holistic approach to supporting our students ‒ not only focusing on academic success and physical health, but by prioritizing their social and emotional well-being in equal measure. We will continue to work to expand the network of support so that our children are not only safe, but are able to be heard, to grow, and to thrive.
- Expanded access to community supports, increased the number of counselors across the district, and placed climate coordinators in all schools
- Instituted trauma-informed instruction in our classrooms, began regular trauma-informed response training for staff at all levels, adopted restorative practices, and expanded anti-bullying initiatives and reporting systems
- Implemented Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports centered on redirection and de-escalation methods in all elementary schools
- Partnered with Montco Mobile Crisis Unit to develop an innovative Traumatic Event Response Team to support students in crisis
Infrastructure Improvements
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Investing in the district's many overdue infrastructure issues is essential to ensuring our schools remain safe & effective learning environments and that our facilities are accessible to all. These are investments in the future of North Penn and must be made strategically in order to maintain fiscal responsibility while meeting the long-term needs of all our schools.
- Conducted a district-wide Facilities Needs Assessment to inform NPSD’s first-ever, comprehensive 10 Year Strategic Capital Improvement Plan
- Delivered overdue renovation of Crawford Stadium to fix deteriorated 1971-era facility creating a safer, more inclusive, ADA compliant, multipurpose community facility with funds from excess budget capital reserves with NO impact to operational budget
- Executing full renovation of Knapp Elementary and completed installation air conditioning in all elementary schools
- Began master-planning for a potential 9th Grade Center based on community input and with the inclusion of all stakeholders
- Implemented Here Comes the Bus, a new technology platform allowing families to track their students' school buses en route
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We recognize that there are problems inherent in society that are inevitably and undeniably reflected in our schools. We are dedicated to ensuring that diversity, equity & inclusion aren’t simply administrative buzzwords, but are values woven into our school communities and curriculum. We will continue this work with an eye to a future where all our students feel represented, respected, and loved.
- Instituted a Cultural Proficiency Plan to reduce the achievement gap, address disproportionality, diversify our staff, and increase family engagement
- Adopted a comprehensive Equity Policy to establish benchmarks & community accountability standards and worked to empower parents with opportunities to partner in equity work
- Diversified leadership and staff at all levels, hired North Penn’s first Black assistant superintendent, and instituted implicit bias training for all
- Increased opportunities for underrepresented students to participate in advanced placement and gifted classes
- Empowered librarians to expand our library collections to better reflect the diversity of the North Penn community
Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency
Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency
Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency
Prioritizing fiscal responsibility when it comes to managing an annual budget of this size is vital to ensuring the long-term economic health of our community. Equally important is the ability of our community members to see and understand how decisions regarding their tax dollars are made. We are proud to have maintained the 5th lowest property tax rate out of 22 districts in Montgomery County.
- Earned NPSD its seventh Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in budget presentation
- Adopted a wholly transparent procurement and budget process
- Enhanced transparency by recording all meetings and archiving all official board documentation online
- Extended public comment opportunities in board meetings
- Expanded our innovative Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for our seniors
- Advocating for charter school reform to replace PA's antiquated & inequitable funding system and protect taxpayers from rapidly increasing costs
A Greener North Penn
Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency
Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency
Climate change is real and the only way to maintain clean air, safe water, and a healthy food supply for future generations is to make as many small changes as we can now in order to preserve our planet. We are proud to be taking these steps to ensure NPSD is doing its part to cut waste, save electricity, and protect our environment.
- Purchased 33 grant-funded, cost-saving, environmentally friendly propane buses ‒ making up 26% of our entire fleet
- Upgraded lighting to energy efficient LEDs
- Removed wasteful plastic utensils and straws in favor of silverware in our cafeterias
- Collaborating with students from NPHS ENACT during planning for NPHS renovations
Excellence in Education
We all want the very best for our children. Our team is committed not only to maintaining North Penn’s elite standings, but to expanding our legacy of excellence in education. We will continue to work to ensure all our students receive a high-quality education and have access to the resources and support necessary to allow them reach their full potential.
- Implemented full-day kindergarten in our elementary schools
- Expanded AP course selection and began partnering with local & state colleges - including Gwynedd Mercy, MCCC, and University of Pittsburgh - to create dual-enrollment programs
- Delivered the first-ever high school VR spatial computing program in North America
- Building a network of relationships with local businesses to increase mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities
- Extended our fully-funded, highly-inclusive special education program & working to expand our continuum of services to provide increasingly individualized supports