Superintendent

September 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you well. We are off to a great start to the 2025–2026 school year, and it has been wonderful to see our students, families, and staff come together with such energy and excitement. The beginning of a new year always brings anticipation and opportunity, and I am proud of how smoothly the transition back to school has gone across all of our buildings.

This year, we are thrilled to welcome Mr. Nicholas Krajcic as our first-ever Elementary Assistant Principal, who will support students and staff at both Peters Elementary and Slatington Elementary. Mr. Krajcic will officially join us in October, and we look forward to the positive impact he will bring to our elementary community.

I’m also excited to share some other highlights already underway this year:

Curriculum and Instruction
We continue the important work of selecting a new mathematics curriculum for grades kindergarten through eighth. This process involves a careful review of high-quality resources to ensure we are providing engaging, rigorous, and developmentally appropriate math instruction for all learners. In addition, our use of CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) continues in the elementary schools and has now expanded into the middle school. Our work involving a purposeful integration of Artificial Intelligence emphasizing responsible and ethical use for our students and employees is ongoing. Most recently we have approved a high school course, AI in Research, will begin this spring. 

Student Supports
We are expanding our Life Skills and Emotional Support classrooms to meet the needs of all learners in the least restrictive environment. This year marks an important milestone, as Slatington Elementary has opened its first-ever Emotional Support classroom, and Northern Lehigh Middle School has opened its first-ever Life Skills Support classroom. Additionally, small group counseling services have begun at both Peters Elementary and Slatington Elementary to provide targeted social-emotional support.

Technology Enhancements
Faculty laptops have been upgraded to Windows 11, and new Chromebooks are in the hands of our incoming kindergarten and fifth-grade students, complete with touchscreen features to support interactive learning for our kindergarten students.

Facilities and Extracurriculars
The renovation of the softball and baseball complex has been completed, and we are awaiting full release from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) before allowing access to the fields. Our investments in music, band, and theater programs, along with upgrades to the high school auditorium, underscore our commitment to the arts as an essential part of a well-rounded education. We are also excited to welcome Dr. MaryAnn Rush Wallace as our new Director of Athletics and Student Activities. NLSD has many opportunities for your child to be involved with the school community beyond the classroom. If they have an interest in the arts, sports, volunteerism, we have a place for them. If they want to begin a new activity, we want to hear from them. 

Food Services
We are once again providing free breakfast and lunch to all students this year. If your child would like to purchase additional food beyond the free meal, they are welcome to do so.

As the year begins, please continue supporting your children by maintaining healthy routines at home. Consistent bedtimes, structured mornings, and open conversations about school experiences all help set the stage for success. We also ask that you review appropriate bus and van behaviors with your child to ensure the safety of all students, as well as our drivers and aides.

I am deeply grateful for the strong partnership between our schools, families, and community. Together, we are building the foundation for our students to learn, grow, and achieve their fullest potential.

Sincerely,
Dr. Matthew J. Link
Superintendent of Schools