E-Matters December 2024

• December 20: Report cards available on Infinite Campus, elementary schools
• December 20: Early dismissal, all schools
• December 23-January 1: No school for students
• January 17: Early dismissal, all schools
• January 20: No school for students

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

As winter sets in, communities around the world come together to celebrate holidays that celebrate light as a symbol of hope, renewal, and connection. The winter solstice, along with various cultural and religious holidays, highlights humanity's desire to find light in times of darkness.

The winter solstice, which will occur on December 21st, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. For ancient civilizations, this event held deep significance since it signaled the gradual return of the sun. Festivals and rituals often involved lighting fires, candles, and lanterns to encourage the sun's rebirth and celebrate the promise of longer, brighter days ahead. Today, many still observe solstice celebrations with gatherings and moments of reflection, honoring nature’s cycles and the renewal of light.

Light remains a central theme in many winter holidays celebrated across different cultures and traditions. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the miracle of a single day’s oil lasting eight days in the rededication of the Jewish Temple. Families light the menorah over eight nights, each flame representing perseverance, faith, and the power of light to overcome darkness. Similarly, Christians who celebrate Christmas worldwide, incorporate lights through candles, decorations, and illuminated trees to symbolize the birth of Jesus Christ.

Kwanzaa, a celebration of African heritage and community, also highlights light as a central element. Each of the seven days is marked by lighting the candles of the kinara, representing principles like unity, purpose, and creativity. In other cultures, light plays an essential role as well. Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, which was celebrated in early November, celebrates triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Lanterns, candles, and fireworks illuminate homes and skies, fostering a sense of hope and joy. Similarly, lantern festivals and fireworks that welcome a new year filled with promise is one of the traditions of the Lunar New Year, which will be celebrated in January.

These winter holidays, though diverse in origin and traditions, share a common reverence for light as a symbol of renewal, warmth, and connection. Whether it is the glow of candles, the twinkle of lights, or the blaze of a fire, light becomes a reminder of perseverance and the strength of community during the darkest time of the year.

In honoring these traditions, we recognize the beauty of diversity and the universal themes that connect us all: hope, resilience, and the promise of brighter days to come.

Happy Holidays!

Join us for the Diversity World Cafe on Thursday, January 9, 6-7:30 PM at the ESC (401 E Hancock Street, Lansdale). The host, Dr. Barbara Moore-Williams, will help facilitate small group conversations.

Conversations will be centered around how families experience school within the North Penn School District. Feedback will be used to inform plans to improve student outcomes for all.

All are welcome, please RSVP here by January 6.

Julia Beaver, NPHS senior, wrote a song, Blue Jay, while she was in 4th grade at Bridle Path Elementary School. As a young music student, the school choir performed her song, encouraged by her teacher Mr. Klenk. Now a high schooler, Julia has returned to Bridle Path as a student teacher with Mr. Klenk to help students at the very school she became a songwriter. At their recent winter concert, students performed her song, Blue Jay! Check it out at the link below:

The North Penn AFJROTC participated in Wreaths Across America, an effort to place wreaths on veteran graves on the second Saturday of December each year. Cadets Ellie Beck, Brianna Bryan, and Chase Kaler laid a wreath at the tombstone of Sergeant Anthony Marchione, a member of the Army Air Forces. Sgt Anthony Marchione, from Pottstown, was the last American killed in air combat during World War II. The AFJROTC cadets left behind a wreath, along with pennies and an AFJROTC coin as a reminder that individuals visited his grave and his sacrifice is not forgotten.

Dr. Sara Rattigan, principal of AM Kulp Elementary, invited a special friend for the holidays. Peppermint Pixie has been greeting the students as they arrive to school each day, spreading holiday cheer with her. The students have had a blast finding Peppermint Pixie each morning and seeing the hijinks she's gotten herself into. 6ABC came by to see the fun firsthand, check out their story here.