E-Matters December 2025

Dear North Penn Community,

As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to wish every one of you a joyful holiday season and a restful winter break.

This time of year looks different for every family. Some celebrate holidays, some enjoy cherished traditions, while others simply appreciate the pause and time together that winter break brings. And for others it can be a time of quiet reflection and remembrance. All of it is valued and belongs here at North Penn.

Recently, I had the joy of reading a special seasonal story with first graders at Gwynedd Square Elementary School. Sitting with them, turning pages, and hearing their laughter and thoughtful comments was a wonderful reminder of what makes North Penn so remarkable. Moments like these are possible because of the incredible partnership between our families, staff, and community. Your support, encouragement, and involvement help our students thrive, and I am deeply grateful for all that you do.

I invite you to watch the video of this reading which you can find here . While it features our first graders, it also offers a glimpse into the joy, care, and connection found throughout the entire North Penn School District.

From all of us at North Penn, I wish you a happy holiday season, a restful winter break, and a wonderful start to the new year.

Sincerely,

Todd M. Bauer

Superintendent

North Penn School District

Upcoming Events

December 23, early dismissal
December 24-January 2, no school for students
January 19, no school for students
January 26, end of 2nd marking period, secondary schools
January 27, early dismissal

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

A New Year

As 2025 comes to a close and we look ahead to a new year, many of us in our school community are taking a moment to reflect, celebrate, and connect, each in our own way shaped by culture, faith, and family traditions. While New Year celebrations look different around the world and in the North Penn community, they all share something in common: hope, renewal, and togetherness.

For many of us, we will ring New Year in less than two weeks. This time will be filled with public and private gatherings, countdowns, and fireworks- symbols of light, joy, and fresh beginnings. Some members will observe the Orthodox New Year with prayer, fasting, and quiet reflection. Others celebrate Lunar New Year, which will take place in February, with family gatherings, special foods, and cultural traditions that welcome prosperity and good fortune.

But New Year traditions don’t all happen in January. Rosh Hashanah in the Jewish tradition and the Coptic New Year both take place in the fall, offering time for reflection, gratitude, and renewal. In Hindu communities, Diwali, also celebrated in the fall, is considered the start of a new year in some regions and is marked with lights, prayers, and festive gatherings. No matter the date or the customs, these celebrations remind us that the New Year is often a shared experience, bringing people together with hope and optimism.

Whether with fireworks, prayers, or a festive meal, New Year traditions help us pause, connect, and look forward to the year ahead.

Students posing with their Polar Express tickets at AM Kulp Elementary

A.M. Kulp Elementary Creates "The Polar Express"

A.M. Kulp Elementary was transformed into "The Polar Express", an interactive experience for the entire school to enjoy. Students worked as "conductors" on the train ride through the halls, operating stations where passengers got their tickets punched, took pictures, and more. Thank you to Rebecca Pforter, Annie Sabo, Heather Bowen, Hetal Shah, Jen Roberts, Sam Weitz, and the whole A.M. Kulp staff for making this magical experience possible!

Art Goes to School

Oak Park students got treated to a special program- Art Goes to School! This program brings artwork directly to students, allowing them to discuss works of art and learn about art from different time periods, cultures, and forms. Art Goes to School is entirely volunteer-run and is currently looking for more volunteers to help continue bringing this amazing program to our students!

Ribbon cutting of the third floor of K-Pod

NPHS 3rd Floor K-Pod and Pool Reopen

Renovations to North Penn High School just hit a milestone- the pool and third floor of K-Pod are complete! Students returned from Thanksgiving break to freshly renovated classrooms and a pool ready for swimmers to dive on in. As promised, seniors on the water polo team got to have the first splash into the pool. Renovations continue to North Penn High School, to stay up to date tune in to the monthly Facilities and Operations meetings of the NPSD Board of School Directors.

Nash Student Wins "Principal for the Day"

General Nash 6th grader Ben won a special prize as part of the PBIS program. He got to be principal for the day! In addition to his regular classwork, Ben got to do building walkthroughs and give out positive notes to teachers and students, help serve lunch, and give out Nash Cash, the PBIS incentive. The PBIS program encourages students to remember the Nash "Be" statements: be safe, be open-hearted, be accountable, and be respectful. Ben won this cool prize by exemplifying those statements!

Act 47 of 2025

There has been a recent change in the law related to student attendance. Act 47 of 2025 amended the School Code to prohibit a student who is habitually truant from transferring during the school year to a cyber charter school, unless a judge determines that the transfer is in the best interests of the student. The term "habitually truant" is defined as six (6) or more unexcused absences. A student becomes truant after three (3) or more unexcused absences. This new law became effective on December 12. If you have any questions, please reach out to your building principal.

E-Matters December 2025