Dear Members of our School Community,

It has certainly been an amazing and remarkable school

year! As I included in my remarks during

Commencement held for our Class of 2011, our

students have achieved some of the highest academic

accolades in Bucks County, they have provided moving

and powerful artistic performances and, as a

component of a truly exciting year in athletics, they

have brought home our school district's first state

championship.

Perhaps even more importantly, our students have

reached out to their fellow students in need, and the

needs in our community, to facilitate and provide

tremendous acts of charity. Our students are maturing

into caring members of our community and I am so

very proud of their contributions.

We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter that wraps

up the school year with significant highlights. As always,

we extend a farewell and genuine "thank you" to staff

members who have chosen to retire following

respected years of service in our school district. I know

you join me in wishing them all the good health,

happiness, and prosperity that the future has to offer.

Please enjoy the summer. Take time to relax, refresh,

and renew as, before you know it, we will be sending

you information for the beginning of the 2011-2012

school year!

Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond J. Boccuti, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Inside this issue:

2011-2012

Final Budget

2

NHS Students Model

Excellence

3

Spotlight on Schools

4-9

District Highlights 10

Community Event 10

Superintendent’s Message

June 2011

New Hope-Solebry

School District New Hope-Solebury School District Pride In Our Schools

A School-Community Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 2

Best Wishes to Staff Retirees

New Hope-Solebury School District is saying good-bye to the following staff

who are retiring at the end of this school year: Dr. Stephen Young, High

School Principal; Mrs. Carol Guogas, Science Teacher; Mrs. Diane Coyle, Spe-

cial Education Teacher; and Mrs. Annette Gash, ESL Teacher.

Dr. Young, began his principalship at NHS in 1994. He takes pride in his role

of creating a culture of mutual respect, where people feel valued and safe. Dr.

Young’s principles of ―Thought, Civility, and Joy‖ served as a foundation for

those who worked with him. His advice to his NHS family: ―Be supportive of

each other and extend the culture of learning!‖

Mrs. Guogas has been employed by the district since 1991 and taught chemis-

try, AP chemistry, physics and 8th grade science over the course of those 20

years. As well, Mrs. Guogas served as a Curriculum Liaison in Science for

several years. Perhaps her greatest achievement is when former students re-

turn to thank her for the excellent preparation they received in chemistry.

Mrs. Coyle began her career with the district in 1979, working as a Special Education Teacher at the junior-senior high

school and elementary levels over the course of her career at NHS. Knowing that she has, in some small way, changed

the life of a child for the better is what Mrs. Coyle considers her greatest achievement. ―Every child can learn, just not

on the same day, or in the same way,‖ expresses Mrs. Coyle’s sentiments about teaching.

Mrs. Gash has been employed by NHS since 1991, working as an second grade teacher, elementary Spanish teacher,

and English as a Second Language teacher. Along with her love of teaching, Mrs. Gash has a history of quietly providing

above and beyond for needy families within the district. She undoubtedly has had a lasting impact on her ESL students.

Thank you to our wonderful staff members and sincere best wishes for a happy retirement!

New Hope-Solebury

Board of School Directors

Mr. Laurence R. Fieber,

President

Mrs. Genevieve F.

Wahlgren, Vice President

Mrs. Amanda Elefante

Mrs. Laura Irish Hefty

Mrs. Rebecca R. Mamis

Mr. Christopher Nally

Mrs. Marlene Panzica

Dr. Janice I. Kaufman

Mr. John Vaughn

Email:

schoolboard@nhsd.org

Dr. Raymond J. Boccuti,

Superintendent

New Hope-Solebury School

District

180 W. Bridge Street

New Hope, PA 18938

Phone: 215-862-2552

Fax: 267-744-6012

Email: rboccuti@nhsd.org

From top left : Mrs. Carol Guogas, Dr.

Stephen Young, Mrs. Diane Coyle and

Mrs. Annette Gash

Page 2 New Hope-Solebury School District

2011-2012 Final Budget

did it reduce or eliminate any existing programs. Savings in the

budget were obtained through negotiations of the teachers, Act 93,

and support contracts which resulted in changing insurance plans and

increasing the employee contributions. The district also saved

money by refinancing one of its bond issues.

Most of the school district’s expenditure budget is used for

programs that directly affect students such as instruction, pupil

services, school nurse, libraries, information systems, student

transportations, athletics, student activities, and building principal

offices. Overhead items that indirectly affect students are

operations of facilities and district administration. In addition, funds

are spent on debt service which is to pay the bonds that were issued

to build and upgrade the school buildings over the years.

The largest source of revenue is the local real estate tax which

makes up about 73% of the total, including delinquent collections.

Earned income tax makes up 9% and state revenue makes up about

11%. Real estate transfer taxes make up about 2% of the revenue.

Now that the major employee contracts are settled, the school

district, in conjunction with the Finance Committee of the School

Board, will continue work on the long-range plan.

Gregory K. Hogg

Director of Business and Finance

On June 6, 2011 the New Hope-Solebury School Board of

Directors approved the budget for the July 1, 2011 through June

30, 2012 fiscal year. The total expenditure budget is $33,397,681

and the total revenue budget is $32,197,681, with the difference of

$1,200,000 coming out of the fund balance. The increase in

expenditures was 2.29%.

The budget required a tax increase of 1.15 mills, which is 1.39% and

equates to $65 for the average taxpayer based on an average

assessment of $56,829. The increase is less than the state

approved index of 1.4%.

The school district is expecting a continued reduction in its

revenue stream. Tax assessment appeals have cost the district

$50,000 in revenue. In addition interest earnings, real estate

transfer taxes, earned income taxes, and state revenue are all

trending downward. The school district also saw the end of the

ARRA funds, which were used, in part to fund a new autistic

program. The cost of this program is being absorbed by the school

district in the new budget.

The school district was able to enact a lower tax increase in spite

of fixed cost increases such as an increase in the PSERS rate from

5.64% to 8.65% and an increase in bond payments of about

$483,000. The school district did not add any new programs nor

People often will comment that New Hope-Solebury is an excellent school district, but what exactly is that based on? Various factors are

used to define excellence in school systems, and we are meeting many of those factors with distinction. The measures often begin with

Standardized Test Scores. On this front, our district participates in PSSA state assessments, SATs, and AP exams. In the county, we are the

second highest on PSSA district averages in reading and math, and we are above the national average in these categories. Our SAT average

scores are higher than both state and national averages. Our AP scores rank the highest in Bucks County, and we were recently awarded to

the College Board’s Honor Roll for increase in test takers and score results.

In terms of excellence, however, there are more than standardized test scores. Our students during the course of the year continue to

excel in many areas including the arts, athletics, and service projects. We take great pride in the fact that our students take more AP courses

than any other school in the county, and they are engaged in learning that will lead them to high levels of critical thinking and skill.

What other exciting things have we been working on to continue to move us forward?

Our high school teachers have been working on new elective offerings which will include AP Psychology, Finite mathematics, and more

streamlined science pathways.

The science teachers developed a Forensics unit that integrates Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Our middle school science students recently participated in Emissions where they participated in simulated, problem-based learning

adventures delivered right into the classroom through videoconferencing.

The elementary schools have been using the differentiated block to help students explore math and language.

Our edible schoolyard at the Upper Elementary has been used to bring science lessons to life while helping students to learn about the

environment and sustainability.

Technology initiatives have been focused on using Itouches or iPads in every grade in the district as a resource in which to learn,

explore, and create in a digital forum. Many students are using online resources for practice or as supplements to print text, and by

next year every teacher will be using Google to post documents and communicate with students virtually as well as in more traditional

ways. Students are blogging, glogging, and using Imovie, and Prezi to present. Our version of social networking is to find online ways for

students to collaborate and communicate about learning on the web.

These are just a few small examples, but every building that you walk through is alive with active learning. In her book Curriculum in the 21st

Century, Heidi Hayes Jacobs asks whether we are preparing our students for 2015 or 2020, or even if we are preparing them well for today.

Our curriculum teams are looking at the 21st Century Skills, new standards, best practice, and technology resources to help us transform our

classrooms to meet students where they are…and where they need to be.

Joyce A. Mundy

Assistant to the Superintendent

SAT Scores: Class of 2010

Subject NHS PA Nation

Critical Reading 539 494 502

Math 544 501 515

Writing 535 483 494

Page 3 New Hope-Solebury School District

New Hope-Solebury Students Model Excellence

Spotlight on Schools

Page 4 New Hope-Solebury School District

Lower Elementary School—Kenneth M. Silver, Principal

This has been an outstanding year of accomplishment, achievement and fun for our Lower Elementary School.

Our Readers’ Theater continues to be the hub of special events, concerts, plays, celebrity read-

ers and grade level class meetings. Celebrity reader guests included Board Member Dr. Jan Kaufman,

Assistant to the Superintendent Ms. Joyce Mundy, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Mr.

David Lieberman, and others.

The students and parents of our Lower Elementary School have distinguished themselves for acts

of volunteering, generosity and kindness. Our Turkey Trot for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Cradles to

Crayons, Martin Luther King Day of Service, Jump Rope for Heart, March of Dimes Fun Walk, Japan

Service Project and Pennies for Patients are examples of our work this past year.

As always, our students experienced a dozen entertaining and educational assembly programs supported in part by the Home and

School Association. In addition we had many special events and celebrations, including a fantastic Halloween parade, incredible art

and science fairs, three fabulous concert showcases led by Emily Van Praag and a fun-filled field day.

Our Home and School Association graciously provided for two outdoor adjustable professional quality basketball backboards,

as well as iPads and a variety of other items to enhanced our school environment.

Music and the arts are always present in our building with fine programs by the Artists in Residence (AIR) and our high school and

professional musical groups visiting our school.

The High School and Lower Elementary School partnership continues to benefit students at both schools. The cooperation

and support of HS Principal Dr. Stephen Young, HS Reading Specialist Dr. Emi Lengyl, HS Orchestra Director Mr. Nick Wehr, counse-

lors and teachers have provided wonderful learning opportunities for all.

Perhaps the most consistent theme of our school is our belief and adherence to our core values of respect, trust, integrity and excel-

lence. As we strive to model these values for our students, we reaffirm our desire and commitment to have our Lower Elementary

School remain a special place for all of us to learn and grow.

Upper Elementary School—Amy K. Mangano, Principal Connectedness to land, school, and community.

This has been a year of growth for the UES. There are many events to highlight over the course of the 2010-11

school year with many staff and parents to thank for contributing to our success. From field trips, Reading Olym-

pics, student council monthly events, field day, the art show, music presentations and Artist in Residence projects,

we have experienced it all. The ground breaking event of the year was our Edible Schoolyard endeavor. Sharleen

Smith and Mark Thompson are the founders of the initiative and have helped this project grow all year long. The

NHS Edible Schoolyard is inspired by the original Edible Schoolyard that was established in 1995 at Martin Luther

King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California. It was founded by chef and author Alice Waters.

Our Vision: The Edible Schoolyard (ESY) is an outdoor, hands-on classroom where NHS students can learn

about nutrition, healthy eating and the environment. It provides a teaching space where NHS faculty can demon-

strate concepts in science, mathematics, health and social studies through hands on participation.

Celebrity Reader Dr. Jan Kaufman

Page 5 Volume 3, Issue 2

Spotlight on Schools

Upper Elementary School—Amy K. Mangano, Principal

Herald Article http://nhssd.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/herald_nov-2010.pdf.

New Hope-Solebury School Says: Cultivate a Garden; Cultivate Minds

What is a garden? The simple answer is dirt, seeds, plants and vegetables. But what if that garden

is at a school? In some ways, the answer is the same. But it is also different. It is more. A

school garden is an outdoor classroom where students engage in questions about climate, soil and

growing cycles. It is an opportunity to discuss the environment and sustainability. And, it is an

ability to teach about health and nutrition, as students witness first-hand how a potato grows

naturally in the earth… but a tater tot does not. These ideas sparked a group of parents in the

New Hope-Solebury School District to create an Edible Schoolyard, a working garden on school

grounds. The Goal: To create a garden that produces broccoli and cucumbers, along with things like teamwork, ownership, environmentalism,

wonder, health and hope.

To kick off the garden project, the Edible Schoolyard planned an event at the New Hope-Solebury Upper Elementary School on November

22nd. Programming for the 3rd, 4th and 5th-graders included interactive nutrition sessions that encouraged kids to ―Eat the Rainbow,‖ art

projects where students designed clay tiles for a garden walkway, and composting lessons where kids explored vermiculture – the weird

world of worm composting guaranteed to interest the grossology-lovers in the elementary school crowd.

During the fall garden beds were readied, soil prepared and fences built over the winter, and the first vegetables were planted on Saint

Patrick’s Day. Students were involved in every part of the gardening process – designing, digging, planting, tending and harvesting.

Throughout the process, the classroom curriculum was connected to the garden, creating a tangible, real-life lab as well as a natural refuge.

The Edible Schoolyard offered students a valuable experience – encouraging kids to learn, get out of the classroom, get elbow-deep in dirt,

and maybe even eat their vegetables. Waitaminute. A school garden could not only enrich the learning experiences at school, but also get

kids to eat kale? It’s a no-brainer.

On Saturday March 12th, we came together once more to drill and assemble the beds. The layout was based on the winning design from the

5th grade challenge, the winning design called for nine 2×8 beds and seven 3×8 beds, sixteen beds in all which will deliver 312 square feet of

room to grow.

On June 8th the school held a final celebration, a harvest day! The students spent the full day rotating through educational and edible stations

learning about healthy eating habits and food. This was a fabulous way to end the year. Please look for more information on our website as

we head into year two of the edible schoolyard! Special thanks to our parents who met each week to plan and prepare the events of the

year for the students. In addition, special thanks to our local business owners who donated materials.

Spotlight on Schools

Page 6 New Hope-Solebury School District

Middle School—Charles M. Malone, Principal

The Middle School had a tremendous year! Even with a new principal learning the ropes, students and staff rose to the occasion to make

this school year the best it can be.

Grade 6 Highlights:

Students made it through the difficult transition from UES to MS with ease! So much to do in the 6th grade to occupy students both

academically and socially. In the Fall, students participated in team building to get to know one another and the staff - 6Topia!

Students were engaged all year long in various research projects that created quite a buzz - especially the Edible Cell project. They

experienced other cultures by having events like the Chinese Luncheon and Greco-Roman Day.

End of year trips to the Liberty Museum and Waterworks in Philadelphia and to Russel Stover Park really capped off a busy,

yet successful school year!

Grade 7 Highlights:

The 7th grade began the year with a cross curricular unit focused on Medieval

Times, Knighthood, Chivalry and the Renaissance. These classroom lessons and

whole class activities culminated with a trip to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair

in October.

The class participated in the school-wide Thanksgiving Food Drive and the

Adopt a Child Program, and organized and participated in a Toys for Tots

Drive through the local Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Later in the year, students had the opportunity to visit the Sterling Hill Mine

in New Jersey and expand on their classroom science lessons focused on crystals and

minerals.

In April, the 7th grade Social Studies curriculum brought an awareness of issues

facing Africa. Students researched current issues facing the people in Africa today

and created persuasive prezi presentations to convince classmates to donate to their

cause. Students had a firsthand account of the culture and way of life of the Maasai

people through an assembly that was open to the entire Middle School.

During the month of May, the 7th grade class focused on science again with an Element Wedding. The study of elements and

chemical bonding were celebrated with the ―marriage‖ of sodium and chlorine. All students participated by creating glogsters about

their assigned element and completing an e-scavenger hunt to research more about the other elements.

To end the year, the class participated in four group activities that spanned over two school days. Students were assigned an e-

Mission, which was possible thanks to a grant from the Middle School PTG. They had the opportunity to walk to Farley’s

Bookstore and get a start on their summer reading, watch a video focused on the area of the world that their e-Mission took them

and had one final Pro-Social activity to culminate this year’s focus on respect and relationships.

Grade 8 Highlights:

The year began with a team building initiative under the leadership of the

8th grade team, PE teachers, and Ms. Cortellessa. The students were split in

groups of 6 and met 3 days during activity period to participate in team building

activities. The initiative was concluded with a field trip to a ropes course on

New Life Island facilitated by The Summit Organization. Please check

out our video on the 8th grade webpage.

Class of 2015 student sweatshirt sale in March of 2011 had students create

a Class of 2015 logo and work with graphic artist company to create a ―class

sweatshirt.‖

Grade 7—PA Renaissance Fair

Grade 8—New Life Island facilitated by the Summit

Page 7 Volume 3, Issue 2

Spotlight on Schools

Middle School—Charles M. Malone, Principal

Sahara Sam’s Indoor Water Park & Ropes Course ―celebration‖ field trip on May 20th, celebrating promotion to HS as well as

success of community service projects. We applaud our 8th graders for participating in the following Community Service

Activities:

· Prepared five Thanksgiving baskets for Fisherman’s Mark

· Adopted five children during the holidays

· Collected cans of soup for Fisherman’s Mark during the winter dance

· Raised $500 for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia by hosting a pizza lunch party

· Five homerooms participated in March of Dimes Penny Wars Fundraiser

· Walked 781 MILES and raised $4,000 for a local family during our annual Walk-A-Thon

· Donated $250 to Charity: Water by selling wristbands

· Collected dog and cat food items for Bucks County SPCA

· Collected children books & teen novels for C.H.O.P.

· Collected Play Station & Wii video games for C.H.O.P

To round out an extremely busy year, students were honored with a parent sponsored ―City Lights‖ promotion party on June 11th,

the Promotion ceremony on June 15th and the 2015 Class breakfast on June 16th!

Special Areas:

The Middle School Art Department ran an Art Club filled with still life drawings, after school

walking trips, murals, and ceramic sculpture. We learned about the opera Tosca and created artwork

inspired by it before attending a full dress rehearsal. Our film classes filled our morning news with

inventive commercials, poignant biographies, and a community driven ad for the New Hope Mural

Tiles. Self-portrait videos and poetry films are created by our eighth graders. Students write, draw, and

edit the Middle School art and literary magazine Through Our Eyes. The culmination of all of our year-

long efforts are displayed in the District Art Showcase, also commemorated through a student edited

video.

The Music Department put on two outstanding performances in the winter and spring this

year! The preparation involved is rigorous and our teachers and students rallied! The PE Department

continues to lead the charge in pushing students to make good decisions and lead healthy lifestyles by engaging them in a variety of fun/

physical activities. Same goes to the Family and Consumer Sciences program that puts theory into practice by engaging students

in the process of food preparation and choices. Our Technology and Media specialists are encouraging our students to continue to

think outside the box and tap the resources that are so abundant to them in school and in the community. The MS News Team

(NHN) continues to impress with their professional manner in which they

deliver the morning news. Thanks to Mrs. Neufeld and Mr. Smith for the

outlets that they provide for our kids in the area of media and technology!

Our comprehensive push for anti-bullying and pro-social movements were

an ongoing theme in all 3 grades. We saw some positive growth and

maturity from our students as they were exposed to events like Unity Day

and addressed by a dynamic speaker - Milton Creagh. Our culminating,

teaming event, Field Day, capped off an amazing 2010-2011 school

year. These types of activities are ones that make the Middle School

experience unique. We can’t just focus on the academic side of

development...we MUST address the WHOLE CHILD!

Sculpture Walk

Unity Day Activity

Spotlight on Schools

Page 8 New Hope-Solebury School District

High School—Stephen B. Young, Principal

Seniors David Dwight and Caitlin Kerr each were awarded $1000 scholarships from the S.Y.S.T.E.M.S. Program

(Stimulating Your Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Students).

Seniors, Shirley Liu, David Dwight and Tom Hische were all Semifinalists in the

2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. Tom Hische and Shirley Liu advanced to

Finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship Program. David Dwight was selected

as the winner of a National Achievement $2,500 Scholarship. Shirley Liu was the

winner of a corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship award from the Bristol-Myers

Squibb Company Scholarship.

Scott Bouloutian, Stephanie Hunter, Caitlin Kerr, and Maura Schlussel were named

Commended Students in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program.

7 juniors met the requirements to enter the 2012 National Merit Scholarship

Program: Elise Kalinovich, Greg Chen, Jaxon Vallely, Kevin Li, Wesley Michaels, Victoria Hung and Samuel Present.

48 students earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP Exams.

McKenzie Cloutier, has been selected by the high school faculty to attend the 2011 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership

seminar at Temple University. Sophomore, John, Dick, has been selected as an alternate.

Six students advanced to the Pennsylvania Music Educators

Association district competition for orchestra and band: Greg Chen,

Rebecca Longworth, Brett Wachendorff, Jessica Bauer, Kevin Li and

Andrea Detlefsen. Greg Chen, Brett Wachtendorf, Jessica Bauer and

Kevin Li continued to the Regional VI orchestra competition at West

Chester East High School. Greg Chen moved on to the All State

Orchestra competition on April 13th and placed first in the second

violin section, which is the highest placement for any NH-S student in

over 10 years.

Sophomore, Andrews Connors, received the Maestro Award at the Heritage Music Festival in San Francisco. This is the

top soloist award for the competition.

The YWCA honored Tom Hische for his volunteer service.

Greg Chen, Rebecca Longworth, Brett Wachendorff, Jessica Bauer,

Kevin Li and Andrea Detlefsen

David Dwight, Tom Hische, Principal Young, and

Shirley Liu

Spotlight on Schools

Page 9 New Hope-Solebury School District

Pupil Services—David S. Lieberman, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services

This article focuses on learning support services at the Lower Elementary School. Future newsletters will highlight our

other three schools and the exciting happenings in each.

Writing

Students in second grade experienced firsthand our inaugural year using writing binders. The ―writing

experience‖ for each writing piece completed this school year is able to be archived. Each assignment is

kept in a plastic see-though sleeve including brainstorm, graphic organizer, draft and final copy. Teachers,

students and parents are able to view not only the growth from September to June but it is a great tool for

progress monitoring. The students are unbelievably proud of their binder and love to look through and

read their writing pieces. The portfolios seem to be the key that has unlocked the excitement the children

feel about writing in the primary learning support room. Almost every day a second grader asks, ―Do we have writing today,‖

even though they know the schedule.

Math

This year the Learning Support Room used a variety of different math programs including Saxon Math

with both 1st and 2nd graders, Everyday Math and Touch Math.

Second graders have secured skills such as telling time to the minute, using coins to make specified

amounts of money and giving change, adding 3-digit addends to 3 digit addends with regrouping and

solidifying their speed and accuracy in basic facts.

Touch math provides students with a unique multi-sensory approach to numeration and basic math

skills. Students experiencing Touch Math are now able to solve basic addition facts!

Reading

The ever expanding bag of tricks for the primary reading program includes Wilson-based multisensory

programs; Harcourt intervention; Making Connections for comprehension; Edmark; word family phonics.

In addition a sight word approach is also used. The use of an iPad and the smart board enrich the reading

experience. Chalkboards, whiteboards, magic boards, word cards, games, magnetic letter tiles are just a

few of the manipulatives used in the LES reading program in the Learning Support Room.

Early Learning Center (ELC) at the Lower Elementary School

A great deal of work was accomplished in the realm of continuous growth in promoting student independence. This was

achieved by following independent activity schedules and taking on classroom jobs in the grade level classes. These jobs

included messenger to the office with a classroom buddy and/or morning meeting helper. The students are able to follow the

teacher’s direction with little or no prompting from a staff person.

We established a writing club in order to work with Occupational Therapists in the development of writing and other fine

motor skills. We work on typing skills to recognize letters, words, and sentences. Other areas of focus include writing skills:

drawing lines and circles to form letters right up to writing words and sentences. A number of other activities such as board

games have helped to increase fine motor skills.

Last, but certainly not least, we are very proud and thankful to announce that our grant was approved by the New Hope

Solebury Education Fund. The grant is for Apple iPads, tools, and applications for the students in the ELC. We will be using

these iPads for the development of: communication skills, writing/reading/math skills.

Additional education programs will serve for reinforcement for the students to develop their targeted academic skills. We are

excited about this undertaking and want to thank the New Hope-Solebury Education Fund for their generosity in getting this

program funded.

District Highlights

be presented to our evening staff this coming school year of 2011-

2012. This program will reinforce the ideals in team work and help

maintain the expectations and standards that have made our

program and department successful.

Food Service—John A. Dixon, Director of Food Services

The primary focus of the Food Service Program is to offer a varied

selection of items to the nearly 1600 students as well as staff on a

daily basis. In addition to the posted menus, a selection of

sandwiches, salad bar and ala carte items are offered in our three

locations.

The Food Service staff is comprised of dedicated

individuals who are attentive to the students and staff,

and the majority are parents of current students.

There are four individuals who have achieved a Food

Safety Manager Certificate issued by the Bucks

County Department of Health, and more of the staff will be added

to this total on an annual basis.

The inclusion in the Bucks County Intermediate Unit Cooperative

Purchasing Bid has realized consistent savings over the years. This

has enabled the District to achieve competitive pricing for food and

supplies which would not be available as a result of our size.

The department has catered numerous in-house events from the

annual Back–to–School Breakfast for staff as well as numerous

working meetings for staff and the School Board, and Middle School

Student of the Month Breakfasts. In addition we have provided for

community events such as the Lambertville-New Hope Rotary Club

and the annual Winterfest Pancake Breakfast.

Community Event

Gandhi Celebration Weekend

In May, Barbara Simmons, Executive Director of The Peace Center,

hosted a Gandhi Celebration Weekend to celebrate Mahatma

Gandhi’s enduring message of

nonviolence through the work of his

grandson, Arun Gandhi, and support The

Peace Center’s work of promoting

acceptance and respect through

prevention and intervention programs.

On May 14, Family Day with Arun

Gandhi was held at New Hope-Solebury

Upper Elementary School. The program

featured a Q&A with Mr. Gandhi, Kirtan

and music, yoga, and snacks. The Peace

Center is a community organization

providing hands-on violence prevention

and conflict resolution throughout the

Delaware Valley region.

Athletics—Ted Harrington, Director of Athletics

New Hope-Solebury athletics had a very successful year in many

ways. Whether one measures success by participation,

improvement, wins or any other means, our student-athletes and

coaches have certainly been successful.

NHS has a high school student body of 488 students and there is

participation enough to support 19 Varsity, 13 JV and 1 Freshman

team. With the reintroduction of Girls Varsity Lacrosse and

Varsity Fall Cheer, there are now more athletic options than the

school has ever offered.

Dedicated student-athletes and coaches, open gym workouts, and

off-season training are the rule rather than the exception at New

Hope-Solebury. Improvement was most evident

this year as our Varsity Football team went 500

in their first season of BAL competition, Varsity

Field Hockey qualified for District Competition

for the first time in 10 years and our Varsity

Boys Lacrosse Team went from 0-19 to 16-2 in

4 years and capped it off with the school's first ever trip to the

District Competition.

We also had our share of wins. The Varsity Baseball and

Softball Teams both won the inaugural "Turtle Cup" with

exciting wins over the Solebury School. The Varsity Boys Lacrosse

Team won a BAL Championship. The Varsity Golf Team was

District One Runners-up (there are 72 schools in the District

One Golf Championships making this exceptionally difficult). We

had an athlete qualify for the Cross Country State

Championships and another qualify for and place in the Track

and Field State Championships (in Pole Vault) and who could

forget the District One and PIAA Class A State

Championship for our Boys Soccer Team?

While this is a terrific time to be a Lion, stay tuned…..more great

things are to come. With the dedicated student-athletes and

coaches of NHS, I expect us to continue to work hard, strive to

succeed, and to make this school and community proud.

Operations Department—Peter A. Rivera, Director

of Custodial Services

Our evening custodial staff successfully completed the Custodial

Training Program developed by PASBO (The Pennsylvania

Association of School Business Officials) and the Hillyard

Company. This training program was developed for the purpose of

upgrading custodial staff members skills and the use of tools for

cleaning and school maintenance. A combination of PowerPoint

presentations and videos were used as the format for the

program. All team members received certificates after successfully

completing the program.

We are currently developing a new team building program that will

Superintendent Boccuti

meets Arun Gandhi