Press Releases 2004-2005

Act 72 Resolution:

At the May 25, 2005 Regular Meeting, the Board of School Directors approved and adopted a Resolution electing not to take any action required to opt in to Act 72. The complete resolution is available for download.

District response to Rutherford lawsuit

May 15, 2005

Dear Parent/Student/Resident:

You may be aware that the Marple Newtown School District has been sued for protecting the rights of the students in a Culbertson elementary class. Each day, we, as a school district are entrusted with a tremendous responsibility to help prepare our students to be productive citizens. We take that responsibility very seriously. Our children’s education and the protection of their rights and the rights of their families are paramount to the District. We respect the practice of religion and the important place it holds in our community. However, the law says that place is not in the classroom of a taxpayer-funded public school.

We recently requested that a parent not read a passage from a religious text to a kindergarten class during a classroom activity. Our request upheld the law and did not discriminate against anyone or any religion. The law applies uniformly to everyone in our school environment. Because a public school teacher cannot read aloud from a religious text in a classroom setting, a parent can’t do it in that setting either.

We have an obligation to protect the rights of all our students and their families. We take that responsibility very seriously and will continue to do all that we can to protect the rights of our students and their families.

This suit is baseless and is nothing more than an attempt to make headlines. In an ongoing effort to protect the rights of our students and their families, we will vigorously defend against this lawsuit. Sadly, the defense of this suit will ultimately take away valuable financial resources that would normally be used to buy computers, musical equipment and books.

Most importantly, we strongly encourage you to contact the school district at 610-359-4256 with questions or concerns. For additional information, visit www.MNSD.net.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Mesaros, Ph.D
Superintendent

Preliminary Proposed Budget for 2005-2006 Approved

April 26, 2005 — The Board of School Directors approved a preliminary proposed budget for 2005-2006. It is available for public inspection in the Business Office of the Marple Newtown School District, 38 Media Line Road, Suite 204, Newtown Square, PA, all schools, the local public libraries, municipal buildings, and post offices; and is available for download here. (Preliminary Budget 2005-2006) The proposed budget will be presented to the Board of School Directors for final adoption at a public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at 7:30 PM, in the Board Room of the Gauntlett Center, 40 Media Line Road, Newtown Square, PA.

Summer Reading & Math Program

April 20, 2005 — Marple Newtown will be offering its outstanding Summer Reading & Math Program once again this year. Children who will be entering 1st through 6th grades in the fall can be enrolled in reading, math, or both classes. Each class is 1 hour, 3 days a week, for 5 weeks. Classes of 6 to 8 students with similar skill levels are taught by experienced and caring teachers. Don't miss out on this excellent opportunity to help your child succeed!

Public Discussion on Act 72 Homeowner Tax Relief

April 14, 2005 — A public discussion on Act 72 Homeowner Tax Relief will be held on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Gauntlett Community Center. District administrators and state legislators will review details of ACT 72 and answer residents’ questions. The Board of School Directors encourages all residents of Marple and Newtown Townships to attend. The Gauntlett Community Center is located at West Chester Pike and Media Line Road, Newtown Square, PA. More information about Act 72 Homeowner Tax Relief can be found on the District’s website: http://www.mnsd.net.

2005-2006 School Year Calendar

March 23, 2005 — The School Year Calendar for the 2005-2006 School Year was approved by the Board of School Directors on March 22, 2005.

Valentine's Day is Caring & Sharing Day at Loomis Elementary School

February 14, 2005 — Loomis Elementary School celebrated “Caring and Sharing” on Valentine’s Day by presenting a $3,800 check to Unicef for tsunami relief efforts, and 17 hand-made quilts to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Tsunami relief efforts were organized by the children, and included sales of hand-made crafts and used books, and a building-wide “Read-a-Thon.” Students worked very hard advertising and managing the fundraising efforts, and used their best math skills to tally up the results. As Mrs. Busch, Loomis Principal, pointed out to the children, the money raised will be enough for three medical aid tents, and food kits for many families.

Mr. Ken Baumbach of the Make-A-Wish Foundation was pleased to receive 17 hand-made quilts from the children. Loomis has been making their “caring quilts” for over ten years and donating them to various charitable organizations. Mr. Baumbach stated, “One of the goals of the Make-a-Wish Foundation is to make a sick child feel better, and these quilts will do just that!” Mr. Baumbach also praised the students on all their fundraising efforts.

“We are proud of the enthusiasm and generosity demonstrated by all our students, and the staff and parents who assisted them in these activities,” said Mrs. Judith Busch, Principal of Loomis Elementary.

Kindergarten Registration for 2005-2006 School Year

January 14, 2005 — Marple Newtown School District Kindergarten Registration for the 2005-2006 school year will be held at all elementary buildings January 18 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and on January 19 from 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Children who will be five years old before September 1 are eligible for registration. Placement in Kindergarten is on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who are registered late may be scheduled to attend other district elementary schools where there are openings.
The following must be provided in order to register:

The child's Birth Certificate and Social Security Number

Proof of Residence in Marple or Newtown Township. Residency may be evidenced by presenting a deed, agreement of sale, or a lease; plus two current utility bills.

Proof of immunization -- including 4 or more DPT (with the fourth one on or after the 4th birthday); 3 Polio; 2 Measles, 1 Mumps, and 1 Rubella (preferably given as 2 MMR); the three-shot series of Hepatitis B; and proof of Chicken Pox Disease or the Varivax vaccine.

FINAL PLANS FOR MNHS STADIUM RENOVATIONS TO BE PRESENTED

January 12, 2005 — The final plans for the Marple Newtown High School Stadium renovations will be presented by Steve Parks, Architect and Angelo Capuzzi at the Facilities and Transportation Committee Meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 18, at 6:00 p.m. in the Gauntlett Center Board Room, West Chester Pike Entrance, Newtown Square. This will be the final presentation of plans prior to bidding. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Assistant Principal Named at High School

January 3, 2005 — Marple Newtown High School welcomes its newest member of the administrative team, Mr. Raymond McFall, Assistant Principal. “After an intensive search that included many fine candidates, we are pleased to have selected Ray McFall. He brings varied experiences and skills to the position and we’re delighted to have him on board,” said John Sanville, Principal of the High School.

Mr. McFall comes to us from Ridley High School, where he was a Math and Computer Science teacher, and Dean of Students. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Delaware, he worked as an engineer for DelDot for five years. During that time, he earned his Master’s Degree in Math Education from Widener University and then returned to his alma mater to teach. Mr. McFall is currently enrolled in a Doctoral program for Administration at Widener.

Born and raised in Ridley, Pennsylvania, Mr. McFall now resides in Springfield with his wife and two daughters, Jessica, aged 7, and Colleen, aged 5. He enjoys playing and coaching rugby, and is currently coaching the Widener University women’s rugby team.

Mr. McFall is enthusiastic about joining the team at Marple Newtown High School. “I’m really excited to become a member of the Maple Newtown family and I am looking forward to getting to know and working with the kids”

Statement from the Marple Newtown School District Regarding Incident at Paxon Hollow Middle School

November 12, 2004 -- On Thursday, November 11, 2004 the Marple Newtown School District administration was informed of an allegation against an employee of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit who works as a classroom assistant in a multiple disabilities program. The multiple disabilities program of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit has a satellite classroom at Paxon Hollow Middle School for children with multiple disabilities, including severe cognitive disabilities. This classroom operates independently of Paxon Hollow Middle School and the Marple Newtown School District.

The above mentioned staff member is being charged with criminal attempt to commit rape and related charges involving a student from the Delaware County Intermediate program. The alleged incident took place in a handicapped restroom facility, yesterday at the end of the school day. The police were immediately notified, responded, and the individual was arrested. He has been arraigned and the police investigation is ongoing. The student was released to the custody of his parents.

The Marple Newtown School District administration and staff hold the safety of your children as our top priority. We will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to ensure that your children are safe during the time they are under our care.