E-Matters February 2026

Dear North Penn Community,

This week, I had the privilege of welcoming Amy Lena, Deputy Secretary of Education for the State of Pennsylvania, to NPSD. She met with our district administrators for an open and thoughtful conversation about the current landscape of public education across our state.

The visit came about following a meeting I attended with Secretary of Education, Dr. Carrie Rowe, and Deputy Secretary Lena late last year. During that conversation, she generously offered to visit any school district interested in dialogue and partnership. I was grateful to take her up on that offer and bring the conversation directly to North Penn. While Dr. Carrie Rowe had planned to attend as well, she was called away to assist with preparations related to the state budget process.

Our discussion with Deputy Secretary Lena was candid, informative, and collaborative. She shared updates on statewide initiatives and listened carefully to the questions and perspectives of our administrators. Topics included professional development and how the state is working to support high-quality training for educators; recent and upcoming changes to school law; the evolving landscape of cyber charter schools; strategies for attracting and retaining new teachers, literacy, and other pressing issues facing public education today.

The morning was a reminder that public education works best when local districts and state leaders engage in open dialogue, share ideas, and work together toward common goals. This visit exemplified that collaboration. It provided our leadership team with direct access to state-level insight while also giving the Department of Education valuable, on-the-ground feedback from those serving students and families every day.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway, though not a new one, is that strong public schools depend on an engaged community. All of us, including educators, parents, and community members, have a role to play in shaping the future of public education. I encourage you to stay informed and involved, and to reach out to your local and state leaders, including school leaders, with your questions, opinions, and concerns. Open communication is essential to ensuring that our schools remain responsive, transparent, and focused on serving every student well.

We are grateful for Deputy Secretary Lena’s willingness to spend time with us and for the state of Pennsylvania’s continued commitment to supporting public schools.

Despite the cold weather, the North Wales Area Library provided a warm, welcoming space for families from across the North Penn School District during “Take Your Child to the Library Day" on Saturday, February 7. As part of the district’s engagement series, more than 130 K-6 students and their caregivers from diverse schools and backgrounds came together to celebrate reading, learning, and community connection.

Organized through a collaboration between Regina Powell, Cultural Proficiency, Equity and Inclusion Goal 3 committee members, and library staff, the event welcomed families from North Wales, Gwynedd Square, Inglewood, Montgomery, A. M. Kulp, Gwyn Nor, and Oak Park Elementary Schools. Activities such as a library tour, creative crafts, storytelling, LEGO building, and a scavenger hunt encouraged families to learn alongside one another while discovering books and resources that reflect a wide range of experiences.

By bringing together diverse families and students, the event highlighted the important role the North Wales Area Library plays in the neighborhood as a shared space that connects people, supports inclusion, and helps develop lifelong readers.