COVID-19 District Communications

8/30/20 - Welcome to the 2020-21 School Year 

Dear Families,

Well, it is here, the 2020-2021 school year! We are officially calling it a “Return to Learn” because we also look forward to the day when students and staff can safely return to North Penn’s eighteen schools. 

While we cannot guarantee that tomorrow will go perfectly, nor the next day, or the day after that, we gratefully look forward to what it will be! While we recognize that there will be a learning curve for all of us, the end product will be a robust academic program designed to deliver an outstanding education. I assure you that NPSD staff is working extremely hard to make the launch of our online learning run smoothly, and there will be both successes and challenges. I ask that everyone just be patient. 

We invite you to share your photos of what virtual learning looks like for you as we return to learn on Monday, August 31.

View your “First Day Return to Learn” printable sign and instructions on how to share your photos with us here.

Below are resources and instructions you may find helpful over the next week. And as a reminder, email [email protected] with any questions you have regarding technology. 

First week schedule
Technology/Canvas/Schedule Resources
Chromebook Resources
Return to Learn 2020-21 Information

Finally, please take a moment to watch the welcome back video below.

I hope that you continue to stay well and North Penn Strong.

Sincerely,

Dr. Curtis R. Dietrich
Superintendent

6/29/20, Secondary Schools Update

Dear North Penn Families,

I hope that you are enjoying your summer, though it may be different than what you had planned. The same goes for us here in NPSD as we are working on plans for the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 year. Although each summer is spent on this task, this year is much more complicated as we continue to face the challenges and uncertainties of COVID-19.

As many of you know, NPSD has created a task force of 25 subcommittees to work on this important goal. These subcommittees are focused on specific areas from social distancing and health and safety, to scheduling and transportation.

I know that a topic that is forefront in all of your minds is what the school day will look like for students. To that end, we have Scheduling Subcommittees for Elementary, Middle School, and High School. They are working diligently to develop plans for in-person, hybrid, and distance learning - three possibilities for the 2020-2021 school year.

Because of the complexities involved with student scheduling at the high school and middle schools, we feel it is important to get initial feedback from parents on tentative plans at these levels. Consequently, this update and an attached video

 from Assistant Superintendent Dr. Todd Bauer will focus on plans being considered for grades 7 through 12. It is just a preliminary look, however, and we know there are many questions to be answered and concerns to be addressed. More information on the high school and middle schools plan, as well as what is being developed for elementary will be conveyed as soon as possible. In addition, we will be scheduling an online forum to answer questions and take comments.

Secondary (Grades 7 through 12) Schools

“Traditional” In-person

Students will attend school on a normal schedule. Until we know how many students will choose this option, we cannot be specific on many social distancing matters such as how far apart desks will be, how many students will be in a class, what lunch will look like, etc. But these details will be determined this summer.

Hybrid Concept

• On four days of the six-day cycle, students will participate in synchronous online learning (following an assigned schedule identical to the school’s bell schedule with required attendance at the assigned time) through the Canvas Learning Management System taught by their assigned NPSD teacher. Courses in the four core areas of English, Social Studies, Math, and Science will be scheduled.
• Students will engage in in-person NPSD coursework taught by North Penn teachers two times during a cycle, or two times over six school days. These classes will be held in each student’s specific school at the same time of day following the same schedule as is followed on the other four days of the cycle.
• Once we determine how many students are interested in the hybrid option we will then determine which electives can also be offered in the same manner as the core classes.
• Students will attend hybrid classes in a space which permits a greater degree of social distancing within a section of our high school.
• Students can participate in extracurricular activities and attend North Montco Technical Career Center.
• This program could accomplish the following objectives:

1. Social distancing and isolation with a smaller group of students for the entirety of the school day with masks highly encouraged
2. Some live interaction with peers and NPSD teachers
3. Flexibility in process if/when COVID-19 spread spikes; seamless transition in/out

North Penn Virtual Academy (NPVA)

• NPVA is an online program for students in grades 7-12 in which NPSD’s Northbridge School teachers are the teachers of record in the following content areas: Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Art, Health/PE.
• The program utilizes the Edgenuity platform and curriculum as the basis for instruction.
• Instruction is asynchronous in nature (students typically log on at a time which best fits their needs), and students are able to interact with teachers in a virtual environment during designated times on a daily basis.
• The NPVA program is unique in that NPVA students have the option to meet with teachers at designated times on a daily basis for individual tutoring and counseling support.
• NPVA students who successfully matriculate through the program will earn a North Penn High School diploma.
• NPVA students are also eligible to participate in NPSD extracurricular activities. Student Attendance and academic engagement/progress are monitored by NB Administration, Counselors, and Teachers. 

I am sure you have questions regarding elementary schedules. We are working on preliminary plans that we will be sharing with you shortly and will ask for your input. Thank you for your patience as we develop these ideas further. 
Please continue to be safe and NorthPennStrong.

Sincerely,
Dr. Curtis R. Dietrich
Superintendent

Translations
Arabic Secondary Options Fall Letter to Secondary Parents.pdf
Bengali Secondary Options Fall Letter to Secondary Parents.pdf
Chinese Secondary Options Fall Letter to Secondary Parents.pdf
Gujarati Secondary Options Fall Letter to Secondary Parents.pdf
Korean Secondary Options Fall Letter to Secondary Parents.pdf
Spanish Secondary Options Fall Letter to Secondary Parents.pdf
Vietnamese Secondary Options Fall Letter to Secondary Parents.pdf

COVID-19 Communications Archive

Below are communications to NPSD students, staff and families regarding COVID-19 and school closure information.