Bulldog Brief

Another busy week this week at Slatington. There is a lot of information provided to you in this Bulldog Brief.

We are preparing for Unity Day next week on Wednesday, October 22nd. All faculty, staff, and students are asked to wear orange to show their unity against bullying. We will also be having an anti-bullying assembly on that day. Details are provided below.

October 27th - October 31st is Red Ribbon Week. Information regarding spirit days connected to this event are in a flyer in this edition. Halloween festivities will be held on Friday, October 31st. Guidelines for this event are provided below.

A message from our shared assistant principal, Mr. Nick Krajcic, information on two student surveys, and save the dates for Parent Teacher Conferences are also included in this edition as well.

Sincerely,

Todd Breiner

Dear Families,

I’m excited to begin this school year as the new Assistant Principal for Peters and Slatington Elementary Schools. Having grown up in the Lehigh Valley, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the students and families of a community that feels like home. My goal is to be a steady, visible presence who supports students, staff, and families each day.

Before becoming an administrator, I taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade and served as a math specialist. This is my fifth year as an assistant principal, and I’ve spent my career in elementary schools because I believe those early years shape how children see themselves as learners. I earned my degrees from Kutztown and Slippery Rock Universities and continue to study educational leadership at Penn State as part of my own growth as a school leader.

My focus across both schools is to create safe, supportive environments where every child can thrive. That means helping our youngest learners build strong academic and social foundations while also challenging our older students to grow in independence, confidence, and problem-solving. No matter the grade, every student should feel seen, valued, and encouraged to do their best.

I look forward to connecting with families and staff as we continue building schools where every student feels supported, challenged, and proud to belong.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Krajcic
Assistant Principal
nkrajcic@nlsd.org

Slatington Elementary will be administering the PASS Survey to students between the dates of October 20th through October 31st. The PASS survey is an online survey that assesses non-academic barriers to learning experienced by your students. These barriers can be broken down into three categories: School Connectedness, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation. Examples include poor relationships, mental health issues, disengagement, behavioral challenges, bullying, and absenteeism. This is the same survey that we have been administering for several years now and one that we report out about through our Comprehensive Plan. We take this survey two times per year in October and in May to gauge how we have grown as building or additional areas of improvement that is needed.

If you would prefer to opt your child out of the survey, please contact your child's homebase teacher. If there are other questions regarding the survey, please contact the Slatington Elementary Main Office.

The National Day of Unity is Wednesday, October 22, 2025. On this day, Slatington Elementary School will unite together to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying. There will be an Anti-Bullying Assembly presented by the Northern Lehigh School District Chief of School Police, Chief Dave Jones, on that day and all faculty, staff, and students are asked to wear orange to show their unity against bullying.

For more information on the Nation Day of Unity, please click HERE.

On Friday, October 31, 2025, Slatington Elementary School will be hosting some fun Halloween/Fall activities. The activities and guidelines for the activities are outlined in the letter below.

Slatington Elementary School Halloween Activities

Slatington Elementary will be administering the PAYS Survey to 4th and 6th grade students between the dates of November 2rd through November 10th. The Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) is a confidential, voluntary survey administered every other year to students in grades 4 (PAYS Jr), 6, 8, 10, and 12. PAYS collects information about students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to topics like alcohol, tobacco, vaping, mental health, school safety, and violence. The PAYS Jr. version, designed for 4th graders, does not ask about personal use but instead focuses on students’ perceptions, awareness, and feelings about school and safety. The data helps schools and communities understand student needs, track trends over time, and develop programs that support healthy choices and overall student well-being.

If you would prefer to opt your child out of the survey, please contact your child's homebase teacher. If there are other questions regarding the survey, please contact the Slatington Elementary Main Office.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held in November prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday Break. Below is the schedule for this year. Please save the dates. More information will be sent later on how to sign up for these meetings. All conference days will be student early dismissal days. Lunches will be served for students on these days but breakfast will not.

• Friday, November 21, 2025 - Students dismiss early at 12:35PM; P/T conferences from 1:30-3:10PM.
• Monday, November 24, 2025 - Students dismiss early at 12:35PM; P/T conferences from 1:30-3:10PM.
• Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - Students dismiss early at 12:35PM; P/T conferences from 1:30-3:10PM.
• Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - Evening P/T conferences from 6:00-8:40 PM.
• Wednesday, November 26, 2025 -Students dismiss early at 12:35PM; P/T conferences from 1:30-3:30PM.

On Monday, September 29th, the elementary school held our 1st monthly family engagement meeting at Peters Elementary at 6PM. The meeting was hosted in-person and virtually. Below is a link to the agenda.

Peters/Slatington Elementary Schools Family Engagement Meeting Agenda 9/29/2025

New this year, we are transcribing the meeting and leveraging an AI tool to provide a video overview of the information that was covered. I link is provided below to that video. The video is approximately 6 minutes long and provides a brief summary of what was discussed.

Welcome to the Kindness Corner, a special feature in our Bulldog Brief newsletter dedicated to recognizing and celebrating acts of kindness within Slatington Elementary School. In each edition, we highlight remarkable acts of kindness, compassion and generosity demonstrated by our students and staff.

Purpose of the Kindness Corner

The Kindness Corner serves as a platform to shine a light on the positive interactions that occur within our school community. By acknowledging these acts, we aim to continually nurture a culture of kindness and empathy that permeates our building. Celebrating kindness is not only about recognizing individual actions but also about inspiring others to follow suit.

Why Kindness Matters

1. Fosters a Positive Environment: Acts of kindness create a warm, supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and respected. This positive environment enhances learning and strengthens community bonds.

2. Encourages Empathy and Compassion: Highlighting these stories encourages students and staff to consider the feelings and needs of others, fostering a more empathetic community.

3. Inspires Future Acts: Celebrating kindness has a ripple effect. When students and staff see their peers recognized for their positive actions, it inspires them to engage in similar behavior, multiplying acts of kindness throughout the school.

4. Builds Character: Kindness is a cornerstone of character education. Recognizing these actions helps instill values of integrity, respect, and community responsibility.

By sharing these stories, we hope to encourage everyone at Slatington Elementary and in the Northern Lehigh School District Community to contribute to a nurturing and compassionate school environment. Let's continue to support and uplift one another through acts of kindness! Kindness is contagious; let's spread it far and wide!

3rd grade student, Justin Thompson, stayed longer during dismissal rather than heading to the lunchroom to put away other students’ Chromebooks, push in chairs, and make sure the classroom looked ready for the next day. His teacher recognizes this kind gesture and is very proud of him!

3rd grade student, Kinsley Heist, painted a red heart to give to her teacher, Miss Solderitch. She did this on her own time outside of school. She made her teacher’s day, and she appreciates Kinsley’s kindness!

When a classmate spilled her cereal all over the floor, 5th grade students, Raelynn Gregson and Janyah Menendez, rushed in to help. They wiped up the milk and cereal and then took extra time to make sure that the desk and floor were clean. Their kindness and willingness to help is greatly appreciated.

As a community committed to the safety and well-being of our students, I want to address concerns related to student group chats facilitated through personal cell phones and technology devices, specifically using platforms such as Snapchat, text messaging, Messages or other social media or video game platforms. These chats in multiple grade levels include students from our school, other schools within the district, and even those from other districts.

Unfortunately, the content and discussions within some of these chats are a cause for concern. There are instances of inappropriate communication and exchanges of unsuitable words and at times, inappropriate images and videos. Although these interactions are occurring outside of school hours and on personal devices, the issues they generate are being brought into our school environment. Students discuss these chats during school hours, which distracts from learning and can create an uncomfortable atmosphere.

The Dangers of Social Media and Chat Rooms for Elementary Students

Research has highlighted significant risks associated with social media platforms and chat rooms, particularly for elementary-aged students. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, exposure to such platforms can lead to cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and privacy concerns. A study published in the journal Pediatrics emphasizes that children are highly impressionable and can be adversely affected by inappropriate content, which can lead to issues such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful media, and even mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. A study by the Pew Research Center has shown that children who engage in unsupervised online interactions are more susceptible to encountering harmful content and engaging in risky online behavior. This type of environment can negatively impact students' emotional well-being and disrupt their focus and performance in the school setting.

Moreover, the nature of Snapchat, which allows messages and images to disappear quickly, can promote risky behavior and hinder parental monitoring. These types of platforms often lack the necessary safeguards for young users, who may not yet possess the emotional maturity to navigate complex online interactions safely.

School Response

It is important to note that while we are deeply concerned about these issues, our authority to intervene is limited when it comes to activities that occur outside of school hours and on personal devices. It is important to understand that while schools can guide and educate students about appropriate online behavior, we are limited in our ability to control or monitor student behavior outside of school and on personal devices. Therefore, your role as parents and guardians is vital in helping to manage your child's online interactions.

Parental Guidance, Involvement, and Supervision

Given these concerns, we strongly encourage all parents and guardians to engage in open conversations with their children about the dangers of using Snapchat and other similar social media platforms. Please discuss the importance of respectful communication and the potential consequences of sharing inappropriate content. We also recommend setting boundaries for your children with social media and actively monitoring your child's online activity to ensure a safe digital experience.

Your partnership in addressing this issue is invaluable. Together, we can work to ensure that our students remain safe, both offline and online. Please feel free to reach out to us should you have any questions or need further guidance on how to discuss these matters with your children.

Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering a positive learning environment for our students.

As the weather is changing from hot to cool and back again, we would like to remind everyone of the Dress Code expectations. The Northern Lehigh School District is of the opinion that good grooming and dress are the responsibility of the parents/guardians and students. While NLSD supports the notion that student dress and grooming are reflective of personal style and individual preference, we recognize the need on the part of the student to display maturity and good judgment.

The Northern Lehigh School District student dress code was revised with input from student

leadership teams and parents during the 2021-22 school year. Our goal in writing this dress code was to promote school attire that is suitable for an educational setting for ALL students.

It is our belief that the dress of students is one of the factors which determines their general behavior and attitude. Our guidelines suggest that all clothing be clean, neat, and conducive to the school setting or learning environment. Examples of unacceptable clothing could include, but is not limited to:

● Revealing shirts that expose the torso. All tops should reach a student’s waistline when

standing or sitting.

● Sleeveless shirts/tops that expose the upper torso and/or permit undergarments to be visible.

● Skirts, skorts, shorts, and the like that do not reach mid-thigh.

● Pants with holes that are above mid-thigh and/or reveal undergarments.

● Clothing that displays or promotes the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, illegal substances,

weapons, violence, gang affiliation, or other suggestive imagery.

● Head coverings such as hoods, hats, caps, certain types of scarves or bandanas. Students may

be asked to remove these articles and place them in their lockers should infractions become

pervasive. This shall not apply to head coverings worn for religious, cultural, and/or medical

reasons. All outdoor coats shall be placed in lockers.

● For safety reasons, open-toe or open-backed shoes may not be permitted in certain classes.

● Sunglasses should not be worn indoors.

School officials reserve the right to individually review student dress and if found unacceptable,

attempt to solve the problem. When deemed necessary, a student will be asked to call home for a

change of clothes or other appropriate actions will be taken to correct the situation. Dress code infractions shall be handled in a manner best fitting the age of the student involved.

In recent years, we have observed an increase in the number of Chromebooks being damaged. To ensure the longevity and proper functioning of these devices, we are implementing a new guidelines for the use of Chromebooks for the 2025-2026 school year. Below is information highlighting these guidelines:

Chromebooks Staying at School:

• Default Guideline: Chromebooks will remain at school and will be sent home only when necessary, such as for specific assignments or potential remote learning days. This will help ensure that devices are charged and remain in good condition, and it reduces the risk of loss.

Chromebook Care Expectations:

• Handle with Care: Students are expected to handle Chromebooks gently. This includes carrying them with two hands and avoiding placing heavy objects on top. Students found purposefully damaging Chromebooks will be disciplined as per the discipline code.

• Cleanliness: To maintain the cleanliness of the devices, food and drinks should be kept away from Chromebooks.

• Proper Storage: When not in use, Chromebooks should be stored in designated areas or cases to prevent accidental damage.

What Not to Do with Chromebooks:

• No Personalization: Students should not place stickers or make any physical alterations to their Chromebooks.

• No Downloads: Only school-approved applications and extensions should be installed. Downloading unauthorized software can compromise the device's security and functionality.

We are committed to upholding the standards of Chromebook care as outlined in our student/parent handbook and expect all students to adhere to these guidelines diligently. The purpose of this shift is to enhance device security and ensure that all students have reliable tools for their educational needs.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in reinforcing these guidelines with your children. Together, we can maintain the quality and availability of technology for all students at Slatington Elementary School.

Students were provided Powershool information of families on the first day of school. If any parents/guardians need Powerschool accounts for their child or they are having issues with their past accounts, please contact Mrs. Karen Beltz in the Slatington Elementary School Main Office. It is best to contact her through email so she can send the electronic information in return. Her email address is kbeltz@nlsd.org. You can also contact her by phone at 610-767-9821.

• DEA Highlights Tips for Talking to Youth Guides (video)

https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/media/dea-highlights-tips-talking-youth-guides?Utm_campaign=20250813&Utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

• It’s Everywhere: Middle and High School Educator Perspectives on Nicotine Use in Schools

https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/its-everywhere-middle-and-high-school-educator?utm_source=Truth+Initiative+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=0d3e329064-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-0d3e329064-8657205

• Tips for Talking to Middle School Students (11-14 years old)

https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/OPCK-MiddleSchool.pdf?Utm_campaign=20250819&Utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

• As Educators Report Pervasive Vaping in Schools, Resources are Available to Help

Educators’ perspectives on vaping in the classroom: A disruptive, pervasive problem

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns and follow us on social media.

Email: tbreiner@nlsd.org
Website: https://www.nlsd.org/domain/20
Location: 1201 Shadow Oaks Ln, Slatington, PA 18080
Phone: (610)767-9821
Twitter: @Slatington_Elem

"Living, Learning, and Leading to make every story better."