Cathy Wesley.
(The following is part of a series of monthly submissions from the North Penn School District Board of School Directors.)
Dear North Penn Community,
Among the strengths of the North Penn School District is the support we provide to all students. Each student has different needs and unique challenges that may arise during their time as a student. Providing the environment to help the students gain confidence, develop life skills, and feel safe and supported is essential to ensuring they have the tools to succeed in their education and in life after North Penn.
One success story which I am proud to highlight is our Northbridge School.
Northbridge is a specialized educational setting located in Hatfield in a small industrial area. The outside is unassuming, but once you enter, you will quickly see that this is a school, and a happy one. There are glass walls which have been decorated with students' paintings, and murals everywhere you turn. There is an art classroom, chemistry lab and so much more. The teachers and support staff have a focused mission to provide a therapeutic, restorative environment for students that are either struggling to maintain educational requirements or are dealing with mental health and behavioral challenges.
In a smaller classroom environment, the students develop a personal relationship with their teachers. Over time and hard work, the teachers and counselors have observed positive results among the students. Students have less discipline issues, improved coping skills and more confidence. Students attend Northbridge for various lengths of time depending on their specific needs.
Northbridge is unique in that it was created and developed by North Penn administrators and staff that recognized special, targeted needs to help students. It was their dedication then and now that makes this school a place that other districts want to emulate. It is important to also know that even when a student has reached their educational and behavioral goals, they continue to receive support through transition counselors, known as a “soft landing.” Students are able to transition back to mainstream schooling, but help and guidance from their counselors will continue.
I was given the opportunity to talk with several students over the past year, all of whom were all happy to be at Northbridge. They were proud to tell me what they had achieved and bravely candid about what challenges they were still addressing. I appreciated their candor with me. Switching to my conversations with the teachers, what resonated with me was the collaborative effort the teachers had when there was an urgent need. The communication between them demonstrated just how fluid they all were with each other when speaking about students' needs.
A second strength of our district is the response to address concerns in a proactive manner. It is recognized that COVID-19 and the resultant changes to life and schooling caused some students to face challenges with their mental health and behavioral issues. One of the many ways North Penn is working to meet these needs is through a therapy dog program, providing some joy to those who find comfort in animals. Trish Pike, a transition counselor at Northbridge and therapy dog trainer, has been phenomenal in implementing this program, and she is in high demand. I had the pleasure of meeting her dog Mario, a three-year-old Golden Retriever who comes to Northbridge three days a week. Mario was joined by Pike's 11-year-old Golden Retriever, Sid, who unfortunately passed away unexpectedly earlier in December. Sid is greatly missed by the students and staff who he helped.
Northbridge students in particular have seen a great benefit from this program, increasing attendance and helping students look forward to coming to school. I am extremely proud of these efforts, and the results we have seen. There is much work to be done to continue addressing these needs, but I am very proud of how North Penn staff have continued to work hard and ensure each student gets what they need.
In closing, I hope my letter leaves you with a positive feeling about our school district. We are a large district with a diverse set of needs from our students. The ability of the administration and entire staff to adapt and respond when needed is a very special ability, and appreciated by myself, my fellow board members, and the North Penn community as a whole.
Wishing our North Penn Community a happy and healthy New Year.
Signed
Cathy Wesley
NPSD Board of School Directors
Term Expiration: 2023
