As a new school year comes around, it brings new teachers, staff, students and a new principal.

Principals Howard Lessel, who retired after 19 years with the district, and Harrison Bailey III, who is now the principal at Liberty High School, Bethlehem, left last year.

New principal James E. Moniz II will lead the school.

Born and raised in Allentown, Moniz graduated in 1994 from Millersville University with a social studies teaching certificate.

He became a middle school social studies teacher and later a 10th-grade world cultures teacher. Moniz also served as Dieruff High School's tennis coach.

His growth in the world of education did not end there, though.

"I went from assistant principal at a middle school one year to high school assistant principal to principal in the span of three years," Moniz said.

Moniz joined the Parkland School District in July 2011 as the curriculum supervisor of secondary education.

The new principal discussed why he made the move from the Allentown School District to Parkland.

"People love working here," Moniz said. "It really is a team environment and they are all team players. People really treat each other with a lot of respect."

Moniz has many ideas he would like to implement in the school.

"The first year is the time to assess the building and determine if any changes need to be made..." Moniz said. "It is a big school. I want to make it a big school with a small school feel."

Over the next few weeks and during the balance of the year, students, staff and parents can expect to see changes to and improvements in the school. Moniz also will be working to build relationships with everyone at the high school.

"Students will find I care about them a great deal, each one of them," Moniz said.

I encourage everyone to not only welcome the new principal but to tell him what you like about the school or what you would like to see changed.