January 2012
Dear Parents of NHS Students:
I hope this newsletter finds you well and ready to finally get back into the normal flow.
As you know, NHS started 2012 with an interruption in school resulting from the teacher strike. While there are many opinions and perspectives on the issues that are widely discussed, I would like to share some of the positives I experienced during January.
First and foremost, I continue to be impressed with the NHS student body. The students’ maturity and adult-like handling of the pre-strike rumors, the strike days, and their return to school is commendable. Almost to a person, students have demonstrated the resiliency skills necessary to be successful, not only in high school, but also in the complex world in which we live.
Over 400 Seniors spent a few hours at NHS and cooperatively worked in small groups on their unfinished Graduation Projects while interacting and discussing the impact of the strike on their final year at NHS with one another and the NHS Principals.
Moreover, many students stepped up as student leaders. The NHS athletic team members, captains and upper classmen filled the void in leadership during practices and competitions. Gym Night Captains and parents once again answered the call to make certain the 59-year tradition was not impacted by the situation. I watched as the Jazz Band, NHS Musical Leads along with the Pit Orchestra rehearsed (and rehearsed well) under mostly student direction. And finally, the student staff of the school newspaper, the Playwickian, organized to publish a special NHS Strike Edition on the day students returned to school.
As Principal, I can’t say that I’m proud of the developments over the past few weeks. But I can state with much pride that I am very proud of the NHS students for their collective calm, resilience, and level-headedness during the same time. To the multitude of student leaders who emerged and “picked up the ball” for their activities and peers, we are indebted to each of you for your service to NHS.
While I don’t have the answer to the present problems, I do see much passion and commitment from all angles. Hopefully, all parties will continue to remember that our joint mission is to serve the 2700 students of NHS, as we transition each one from middle school to full citizenship in our complex, globalized world.
On a personal note, thank you for volunteering, along with all the words, emails and calls of support for the NHS Administrative Team. We heard you!
Please find below some additional “Rumblings” at NHS.
Still with Neshaminy Pride,
Rob McGee, Ph.D.
As a result of the teacher strike, the following changes are required in the school calendar. Graduation of the Class of 2012 will be set once we have cleared the threat of school closing resulting from winter weather.
NHS School Improvement Components:
SPIN’s Question and Answer Night for the New Graduation Requirements
On January 24, the Neshaminy School Board will pass new graduation requirements for the Class of 2013 and beyond. The NHS Student Parent Information Network (SPIN), in conjunction with the administration, will present the details of the new requirements on Tuesday, January 31, in the NHS Auditorium at 7:00 PM. Learn about timelines, PSSA, Keystone Exams, credit requirements, support, etc.
More information at Click Here
2012-2013 Course Selection
During January and February, students will be involved in selecting their course of study for next year. Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors will attend the Course Selection Presentation on January 26 or 27 during school. The SPIN Course Selection Parent Information Night is scheduled for Wednesday, February 1 beginning at 6 PM in the auditorium. This presentation focuses primarily on parents of students in Grade 8 and new to NHS.
The 2012/2013 Course of Study information will be available soon at www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us/courseselection. Students will not receive a printed copy of the booklet.
School Closing and Delayed Opening
The District will be utilizing an automated calling system. In the event of the need to close school or delay the opening of school, your home will receive a phone call informing you of the details. The call will go to the home phone number in the school’s student information system. As in the past, school closing information will continue to be available from the customary media outlets. Additionally, we will post the same information on the NHS Website as soon as we get such information.
NHS Morning Traffic
We see it too. Unfortunately, the only thing we can do is to encourage students to take the bus. For those parents choosing to drive their child to school, please plan to arrive prior to 7:00 AM. Morning lateness to school is becoming a logistical, academic and disciplinary issue. Please help us minimize the problems by arriving earlier.
Gym Night 2012
As a former Gym Night participant myself, I am proud to be able to announce the coming of the 59th Annual Gym Night Competition. While the NHS campus has changed significantly over the last several years, Gym Night remains and continues to adjust to the changing needs of the NHS students. What has not changed is the collaborative efforts of hundreds in sustaining the Gym Night traditions. Dozens of parents and staff work hand-in-hand to make certain this student-led program continues to leave a legacy for future generations.
Please visit the Gym Night Webpages on the NHS Website. Click Here
Overview of Gym Night 2012:
*Weather Permitting J
Friday Night: March 2
5:30 PM Doors Open
6:30 PM Start
Grades 9, 10, 11 & 12 Exhibitions
Tickets: $10
Saturday Afternoon: March 3
11:00 AM Doors Open
12:00 Noon Start
Grades 9, 10, 11 & 12 Exhibitions
Tickets: $10
Saturday Night: March 3
5:30 PM Doors Open
6:30 PM Start
Grades 9, 10, 11 & 12 Exhibitions
Tickets: $10
Gym Night Tickets:
Student participants will be able to attend each performance of Gym Night.
Student participants will be able to purchase two (2) spectator tickets for any available performance. Tickets will be sold at a scheduled Gym Night practice. Seniors will be given first choice on any available performance, then Juniors, then Sophomores, then Freshmen. The dates of the ticket sales will be announced on the NHS Website in the near future.
The remaining spectator tickets (we anticipate around 500) will be available to the public during an evening first-come, first-serve sale. Tickets will be limited to two (2) tickets per person. The date and time of the ticket sale will be announced in the near future on the NHS Website.
2012 PSSA Testing Schedule
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has restructured the PSSA Testing Window requiring that all Assessments be given in the same small window during March and April.
As a result, the NHS PSSA Testing Schedule is as follows:
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
March 12 | March 13 PSSA Math & Reading Juniors AM testing with dismissal at 11:30 AM No School for Grades 9, 10 & 12 Senior Grad Project Presentations scheduled throughout the day | March 14 PSSA Math & Reading Juniors AM testing with dismissal at 11:30 AM No School for Grades 9, 10 & 12 Senior Grad Project Presentations scheduled throughout the day | March 15 PSSA Math & Reading Juniors AM testing with dismissal at 11:30 AM No School for Grades 9, 10 & 12 Senior Grad Project Presentations scheduled throughout the day | March 16 |
March 19 | March 20 | March 21 | March 22 | March 23 |
March 26 | March 27 | March 28 | March 29 | March 30 |
April 2 | April 3 | April 4 End of MP3 | April 5 No School | April 6 No School |
April 9 | April 10 | April 11 | April 12 | April 13 |
April 16 | April 17 PSSA Writing Juniors AM testing Grades 9, 10 & 12 arrive at 10:30 AM | April 18 PSSA Writing Juniors AM testing Grades 9, 10 & 12 arrive at 10:30 AM | April 19 | April 20 |
April 23 | April 24 | April 25 PSSA Science Juniors AM testing Grades 9, 10 & 12 arrive at 10:30 AM | April 26 PSSA Science Juniors AM testing Grades 9, 10 & 12 arrive at 10:30 AM | April 27 |
February 1: Marking Period 2 ends
February 8: Marking Period 2 Graded available on Home Access
February 15: Marking Period 2 Report Card distribution in AM Homeroom
February 29: Marking Period 3 Interim Progress Reports available on Home Access
April 4: Marking Period 3 rnds
April 13: Marking Period 3 Grades available on Home Access
April 20: Marking Period 3 Report Cards distribution in AM Homeroom
Phantom of the Opera.
“Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendour
Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender
Turn your face away
from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away
from cold, unfeeling light -
and listen to the music of the night ...
Close your eyes and surrender to your
darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts of the life
you knew before!
Close your eyes,
let your spirit start to soar!
And you'll live
as you've never lived before ...”
“Everybody do the Redskin Rumble….
Everybody do the Redskin Rumble….
Redskin……
