[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6475284,"mediaKeyId","5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69","parentId",5735054,"title","Parent urges Pennridge to restore books and SEL removed under earlier curriculum changes","audioSeconds",384,"startMs",171000,"endMs",555000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69&start=171&end=555","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69/thumbnail_171000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475284/Pennsylvania/Parent-urges-Pennridge-to-restore-books-and-SEL-removed-under-earlier-curriculum-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475284-f671d14259032501effd6ff94957cfc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156670&Signature=Teyr5VrGRugELTGpaL0xgdRW7x~edFVk9bDbiYUmM1UPgqYt47sY486DbDJtSJcuYzRAefWd0I1o6bm867OxiGoS3lc29TKQCzjhlpkd6VsxTEEUrYF6XCUiasgRtTgzKPbQUjthxrZkG~hbq1onjNRBamq7DqmX1fgnA4Knmy6QQWU2gjRUIO8xmEKswSODXTPqnNjAMdp8yQx29nYVUYrTy05AUE9FNHAwZhl64xSPlOgxSxDYgqyuoG0c4o5EES12RavvzV2LxLRqfj6Gxd~CWUg2JgWQS1q3~Bk6X7UB67018UbdzIvma7PKSHMTo~WbRw5Ka0rBUUrG5T~R2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennridge School District","date","2025-09-08T19:52:34Z","article","During the student services public comment period, Laura Foster identified herself as a parent from East Rock Hill and urged the district to restore books and social‑emotional learning (SEL) materials she said were removed previously under what she called the \"Vermillion\" curriculum changes.

Foster said her seventh‑grade child’s ELA class lacked the book Tears for a Tiger, which she said had been removed. \"This is completely Jordan Adams taking this out to whitewash our realist curriculum so that we don't have to talk about things like depression and suicide and to to remove SEL,\" she said. Foster said the replacement reading focused on football and career/technical education and that parent presentations about mental health do not substitute for SEL integrated into classroom instruction.

Foster said she would opt her child out of the district’s \"Vermillion curriculum\" and that she has archived the opt‑out paperwork she believes was used previously. She also said teachers she spoke with at a back‑to‑school night called Tears for a Tiger a \"good book\" and said they were disappointed it had not been returned to the curriculum.

What the district said at the meeting

The comment occurred during public comment; no administration response was recorded in the committee excerpts. The remaining public comment was noted as occurring after the end of the committee meeting.

Ending

Foster concluded her remarks by asking the named administrator (Bradley) to address the opt‑out procedures and said she would make her archived materials available to staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday, September 8th, 2025 - PSD Student Services, Policy and Curriculum Committee Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","A parent said the district’s earlier curriculum changes removed books including Tears for a Tiger and elements of social‑emotional learning; she said that omission reduces students’ access to conversations about depression and suicide and announced she will opt her child out of ‘Vermillion’ curriculum.","taxTitle","Pennridge SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",51485,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475289,"Pennridge to host \"Strength Over Stigma\" mental‑health event Sept. 30 with NAMI and local partners",278,687000,965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69&start=687&end=965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69/thumbnail_687000.jpg","/articles/6475289/Pennsylvania/Pennridge-to-host-Strength-Over-Stigma-mentalhealth-event-Sept-30-with-NAMI-and-local-partners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475289-7f23a9b0b8c9a36068423ab2aa3e0d51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156670&Signature=F7L28qXvNkfpDrG7XqLFUtSJ90OGncFm7byPwFu~u5djP~f4101eY2W1ZJUMo3xjruwl2NucpezqW~e3LaZcUz9~XIA914DlucYwaX6GvsYinrlHNkhYWtBHoTaXp8ZkhVjTL8P7L5FQb~v~yoK3sLeSMZXbIIHulWF~KwvLyqxUN-UzYM41VVIZ3mx2ax15opfv--D~4SRDYry54VS9jdJC-hPfAbW2vwIbCVKF3-Bv-oHUDUuDRg6BOkvgIlgSdgZzJA9O8LJ5LEImk6SeMDVbHYQKP9tfTasX6GyrgyvDxAqtEXBXSWaQiwUii3dH0W3pNCwcMNrspyOMPnqbgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The district’s student services staff promoted a community event, \"Strength Over Stigma,\" scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 30. The program is intended for students, parents, guardians, staff and community members and will include presentations about recognizing and addressing mental illness and resources for families.

Mister Johnson, who presented the event details, said the opening presentation will be by Nick Amy (identified as recently promoted to associate executive director at NAMI Bucks County) and Keeley (Kelly) Rosenthal (identified as newly promoted to a mental‑health delegate role). Johnson said the presentations will focus \"on mental illness and mental strength for life.\" He added that the district is partnering with NOVA and a Hilltown Police Department detective to present an \"iSmart\" program following the NAMI presentation.

The presentation sequence will include time for questions and answers; Johnson estimated the follow‑up presentations would run 30–40 minutes with Q&A. Johnson said the district would promote the event via social media and thanked staff assisting with outreach. When asked whether the event would be recorded, Johnson said he would like it recorded and that the district will \"make that happen,\" but also noted it would be subject to presenters’ permissions and any intellectual‑property restrictions.

Ending

Administrators encouraged broad attendance and said they will distribute updated flyers with corrected presenter titles and social‑media promotion; no formal vote was required.","District staff announced a Sept. 30 community event on student mental health featuring NAMI Bucks County leaders and presentations on mental‑health supports, police iSmart program and athlete performance; administrators said they aim to record the program if presenters permit.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475293,"Pennridge approves permission for Erie water polo overnight trip; district to cover transportation equivalent",275,423000,698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69&start=423&end=698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69/thumbnail_423000.jpg","/articles/6475293/Pennsylvania/Pennridge-approves-permission-for-Erie-water-polo-overnight-trip-district-to-cover-transportation-equivalent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475293-7cf2ef505ca9ad3fa8516f2f55e07ec5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156670&Signature=BiqlxQZeK4ajRL3yDldNobS2W4g-OIVEBm3ih6rEyntaCx2-p4HBCMVx~aTytq6zbROWZKkYroDt7K7EqqnSJNMryKxdrecr-pYKfg05R60bB8a8jLhbJ-C9q4tQuELPfkStb7txEEwQ3kc2vNITEOZ9y7BQSKmJDEShnPyHR~Vx3XMsmNPdmj92GrBNEb6M-xH74fC5IYn1nmWcBPAQVCEzdltPP4iUih8UZlrR67LVw2goDgSGQsR~CfwyUgyJkJZaVb8kKxjEZIBwxagJGH3eAq8pASuVBuSF41fJYzkYpa3~BrJVixUjdTmNEtN9SaVtJ0pUbFnkj-6-xPqLHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The student services committee received a request from coach Kate Hanson (presented as \"Miss Hanson\") for permission to take the Erie High School water polo team to an interstate crossover tournament in October.

Hanson described the tournament as an opportunity for players to compete against Western Pennsylvania teams that the program rarely faces locally. She said three current employees — herself and two assistant coaches — would attend and that district policies and safety protocols would be enforced during the trip.

Committee members asked about cost. Hanson said invited students would be asked to contribute $100 each, and the committee’s transportation representative, identified as \"Mr. Kenny,\" said the district will commit to transportation costs \"to the equivalent of our transportation,\" meaning the district will cover standard bus transport costs but not necessarily all incidental trip expenses. Administrators said final contribution and funding details will be provided after the committee grants permission to pursue the trip.

The committee discussed the value of out‑of‑area competition for a sport (water polo) that has stronger participation in Western Pennsylvania and said the trip aligns with program goals to broaden competition opportunities.

Ending

Committee members granted permission to proceed with planning; administrators will return with full trip cost details and any additional approvals needed.","Coaches requested permission for an October overnight competition in Erie; district confirmed it will cover district‑equivalent transportation costs while student fees are expected to be about $100 per participant, officials said.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475300,"Board discusses moving pre‑employment drug‑testing language from Policy 351 to bus‑driver policy 810.1",350,1011000,1361000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69&start=1011&end=1361","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69/thumbnail_1011000.jpg","/articles/6475300/Pennsylvania/Board-discusses-moving-preemployment-drugtesting-language-from-Policy-351-to-busdriver-policy-8101","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475300-c0052dfc1fc9e07383003649237c0a7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156670&Signature=YaRfrSPnvD0bTVM3UFyCW9Cx1gnt~wwkPApvdfadWdrF9lrP33B8HRLNbut~5FwrKMou0I7sRCHS9XrxLG7-UbA9lFc6aPJppuTZyNh6ZrwkaWTMVJMoSjO4jfwF24Ycs5hZW3cM8MljJ-jeWkHxUAPKo2NRCwBFhdlBAi2-P9YcO--xK~HNAWcjCzLqK9ZCrs4okMuhGIb64XYbz3d3blXQkCM4auDW1ukkhicM31MScr7e~866tQv-2oPHEsN3Lz-IhTM3HO5vly-TlCkuKI5GAGiLrbzwAr6v6B0HoAdceSQVvxuzuTb5DZa6OKKKKJdkcZLnKK54Tsvp0hcm1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the policy committee meeting, administrators reviewed suggested edits to Policy 351 (Drug and Substance Abuse) and the solicitor’s recommendation to remove language about pre‑employment drug testing for commercial drivers and place that language into Policy 810.1, which covers school bus drivers and school commercial motor vehicle drivers.

The district solicitor advised the change, committee members said, because the drug‑testing provision is specific to commercial drivers’ safety and operations. \"He suggested that we remove the language here within this policy and embed it into 810.1,\" the committee was told.

Board members asked for context about the practice. One member asked whether other districts limit pre‑employment drug testing to drivers; another member said many employers have reduced pre‑employment testing unless workers operate machinery. Administrators replied the change would keep general drug‑ and substance‑abuse rules in Policy 351 while concentrating testing procedures within the operational policy for drivers.

The committee agreed to add 810.1 for first and second reads in the policy update plan and to bring proposed language back to the board, citing the solicitor’s draft language.

Ending

The policy committee scheduled follow‑up work; Policy 810.1 will be added to the policy update plan for formal review and potential action in future meetings.","Supervisors and the board’s solicitor recommended removing pre‑employment drug‑testing language from general Drug and Substance Abuse Policy 351 and embedding it instead in Policy 810.1 for school bus and commercial vehicle drivers, district officials said.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475304,"Pennridge presents five-year curriculum renewal cycle; K–2 foundations tied to early reading gains",4873,1269000,6142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69&start=1269&end=6142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5735054-097dabaf2d4d92ff319795b10cd16f69/thumbnail_1269000.jpg","/articles/6475304/Pennsylvania/Pennridge-presents-five-year-curriculum-renewal-cycle-K2-foundations-tied-to-early-reading-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475304-54c111cbc8b99775d0aac6ed7c8a63cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156670&Signature=VYtFncCNbI7FyJZSGgHRdQDbrajzfKeGvS1aR~jSH1nqWX6F5wbboAp1Brhn~FgX8zAJUXhGPHLfTLs8NgpuKyuaR6brKt2~EOpPPgS~0JGjWpubPB3ZMPKUsYnM1zDUz2j5AnTCb8N3ZFuVrqSDQUW4J1A8WsBU4vXIJRSysSlXlsysFSA3Wbh4kJk9e4t8AmXJ7tlOdQRB8~gQrdAJF87djZHZ31qaEwa88HfO3KO2iO0vk~6vpmK3iBiBZ15oNhu1fLquZNJImdMICO26fXls6du2ETd24uXdkb0ItN1a26X278ZU8WR3oOIWlM9ghDXbCmwPR9k3tiot-Mlc7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Bloom, Pennridge School District director of teaching and learning, presented a draft five‑year curriculum renewal cycle to the board’s curriculum committee and outlined steps intended to pace research, pilots, purchases and implementation across K–12.

Bloom said the cycle groups work into five sequential years — awareness, development, writing, implementation and monitoring — so large adoptions are limited to specific years and can be budgeted in advance. \"This cycle … facilitates a K to 12 perspective, and it allows us to limit large adoptions to specific years for each of the different core areas,\" Bloom said.

The proposal includes a sample sequencing that would place subject-area reviews on a rotating schedule so the district will not face multiple large purchases in the same year. Bloom told board members the cycle is a draft and that administrators will form committees and refine which grades or bands (for example K–8 versus 9–12) move together.

Why it matters

Administrators said the cycle is intended to reduce frequent, ad‑hoc textbook and program purchases and to align curriculum review with the district’s strategic goals. Bloom also said the plan builds in flexibility for state mandates that require quicker action.

K–2 Foundations data

Meg Burke, the district’s newly introduced reading and language arts supervisor, presented three years of cohort STAR benchmark data tied to the K–2 Foundations program. Burke compared a 2022–23 cohort that had no Foundations instruction, a 2023–24 cohort with one year of Foundations, and the current third‑grade cohort that received Foundations in K–2. \"We cut our urgent intervention kids in half from 8 to 4%,\" Burke said, citing the end‑of‑year STAR benchmark for the cohort she reviewed.

Burke described the analysis as longitudinal and attributable to a mix of program implementation and increased local capacity. She said the work relied on staff: \"We have 433 students in that cohort with 7 instructional coaches, 10 reading specialists, and 55 teachers,\" she said. Burke also stressed the need to monitor multiple data points (fall/winter/spring benchmarks and other measures) rather than a single test.

Supervisors’ updates

District supervisors gave brief status reports tied to the renewal cycle. Science supervisors said K–5 curriculum writing is under way to align with the state’s science standards and that the district will shift some elementary benchmarks from the CDT to the LinkIt assessment platform so the district has consistent, year‑round metrics. Math and social studies supervisors reported benchmark and assessment work to improve common assessments and grading consistency across grade bands. The social studies supervisor said middle‑school text‑dependent analysis (TDA) tasks will be entered into LinkIt this year for the first time.

Process and next steps

Bloom said administrators will separate the district’s current \"program improvement\" filing into three clearer processes — curriculum proposal (new course/program), curriculum revision, and renewal — and planned to return drafts of those processes and the renewal cycle in October. Bloom also invited board members to the district’s Harvest Your Learning professional‑development event on Oct. 20, an internal teacher‑led conference intended to share classroom strategies.

Ending

Supervisors said they will return with refined timelines, additional data points and program‑specific recommendations; the curriculum committee’s next meeting was scheduled for Oct. 6. Board members asked for continued data on Foundations and for regular progress reports on any proposed adoptions.","District curriculum director Jennifer Bloom proposed a five‑year renewal cycle to pace adoptions and budgeting; K–2 \"Foundations\" phonics work showed cohort-level improvement with urgent-intervention students halved, administrators said.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parent urges Pennridge to restore books and SEL removed under earlier curriculum changes

Pennridge to host "Strength Over Stigma" mental‑health event Sept. 30 with NAMI and local partners

Pennridge approves permission for Erie water polo overnight trip; district to cover transportation equivalent

Board discusses moving pre‑employment drug‑testing language from Policy 351 to bus‑driver policy 810.1

Pennridge presents five-year curriculum renewal cycle; K–2 foundations tied to early reading gains