E-Matters November 2025

Dear North Penn Community,

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to reflect on what I am most grateful for in our North Penn School District community. This time of year naturally brings thoughts of gratitude, and for me, that begins with family, both my family at home and my North Penn family.

I am deeply thankful for our dedicated staff who show up every day with commitment, compassion, and a steadfast belief in what our students can achieve. I am equally grateful for our families and community members whose partnership strengthens every aspect of our work. Most of all, I am grateful for our incredible students, who continually remind us why our mission matters.

One of the highlights of my year has been the continued growth of the Superintendent’s Student Collaborative. Meeting regularly with students at all grade levels gives me invaluable insight into their experiences and thoughts. At a recent meeting, I asked students to describe what they appreciate most about their school in just one word. Their responses were powerful: Nice, Safe, Accountable, Attentive, Different, Supportive, Positive, Welcoming, Inclusive.

These words say so much about who we are as a district and the community we have built together. They reflect not only how our students feel, but also the partnership between families, staff, and the community that makes our schools a place where every learner can thrive.

Thank you for the countless ways you help make North Penn such a truly special place.

Sincerely,

Todd Bauer, Ed.D.

Superintendent

North Penn School District

• November 25-28, no school for students
  
• December 2, end of first trimester, elementary schools
• December 19, report cards available on Infinite Campus, elementary schools
• December 23, early dismissal
• December 24-January 2, no school for students

The full NPSD calendar, including school-specific events can be found here.

The Partners in Engagement (P.I.E.) Committee, established in 2019 as part of the district’s goal to strengthen family and student engagement, continues to serve as an essential space for building community across our schools. P.I.E. brings together parents, caregivers, community members, and staff who are committed to honoring the rich diversity within our district and creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and celebration.

At its core, P.I.E. harnesses the power of family and community partnerships. Families play a vital role in enriching the school experience by sharing their cultures, perspectives, and talents, whether organizing an all-school assembly to celebrate Diwali, designing bulletin boards that highlight neurodiversity, or leading potluck events that showcase traditional foods from across the globe. These contributions not only enhance learning but also deepen students’ sense of belonging and pride.

After spending the past few years focusing on targeted engagement events for specific groups of families, the district has reinvigorated a more inclusive, districtwide approach, bringing together representatives from all three school levels. This unified structure fosters stronger connections and ensures that ideas, experiences, and upcoming events are shared broadly, strengthening the community as a whole.

We are truly fortunate to have such engaged families and dedicated community partners supporting and enriching the lives of our students and staff. P.I.E. remains a powerful catalyst for collaboration and celebration across the district.

Montgomery Elementary celebrated Diwali with an assembly led by students! The school got to learn about the history and traditions of Diwali, then students performed a dance.

Solving Hypothesis Through Innovation, Environmental Literacy, and Design (SHIELD) is a new special being piloted at 5 elementary schools this year. Students at Hatfield, Kulp, Knapp, Gwyn-Nor, and Gwynedd Square are learning all about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through collaborative opportunities. This Fall, first and second graders worked on design challenge and LEGO science kits while students in grades 3-6 are using LEGO Spike kits which provides students with an introduction to coding.

In honor of Veterans Day the North Penn School District held a ceremony for veterans who left high school to serve in the military. Those veterans were honored with a diploma. We are proud to recognize our newest graduates: Walter Joseph Drelling, Jr., Donald Love, Joseph Molettiere, Howard Born, and A. Frederick Brunner. Congratulations to our new graduates and thank you for your service!

North Penn High School held the annual National Merit breakfast to honor the North Penn High School students who received a commended recognition and those who are semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition. Congratulations to the 30 commended students and the 10 semifinalists!