Press
Releases 2004-2005
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.
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