Northwestern Lehigh School District Superintendent Jennifer Holman provided this letter to families on the reopening of schools:

“I hope you are doing well and I want to thank you for all of your support during these turbulent times,” Holman said. “As you know, we have designed a Health and Safety Plan using guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Centers for Disease Control, Pennsylvania’s Department of Health, American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, and our local health partners at Lehigh Valley Health Network to provide options designed to open school safely for your children and provide a continuity of education we believe is so important.

“We wanted you to have this document in advance of the start to the 2020-21 school year to make an informed decision for your family. Knowing that guidance quickly changes, and using the governor’s phased reopening, our color could change based on local outbreaks. It is possible the commonwealth could impose stricter safety restrictions and additional mandated health protocols which will limit our operating capacity. We have prepared several options from traditional in-person instruction, a blended/hybrid approach, completely online with NWL instructors, and our digital academy as options for this school year. We will need to be nimble and prepared for each scenario.”

“Families, students and staff have been at the heart of our decision-making during these uncertain times of closure, due to COVID-19, Holman said. “We continue to have the health and safety of our students and staff as paramount as we return to school, creating an environment that is also conducive to teaching and learning.

“We are asking for your feedback before making a final decision for the 2020-21 school year. To view the entire reopening health and safety plan which details all of the school district mitigation strategies and COVID-19 procedures to keep the school community safe, go to the school district’s COVID-19 website at nwlehighsd.org. We also understand that this situation is constantly changing. You and your family might need time to consider these options,” Holman said. “Reach out to us with questions or concerns you may have at admincontact@nwlehighsd.org. When you are ready, please take a few minutes to complete the survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeb-I9ywIpH7Si40vVJ_OYSMtWgsNmG93l9gC2TZFagS7Khsw/viewform, which will provide us with the information we need to be ready for the school year. Please complete the survey by July 30. This will give us the time to adjust teacher schedules, bus routes, order devices, and make all the other necessary preparations to accommodate all students. In closing, we appreciate all you have done to support our community during these unique times and want you to know that we will continue to do the best we can to provide safe, appropriate, flexible, and equitable options for your family,” Holman stated. “We cannot wait to see our students back in our schools once again!”

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High school Assistant Principal Donald Allen sent the following letter July 14 to the Class of 2021 to say goodbye: “I wish I could share this information in person and said goodbye properly! I have reluctantly decided to retire and work on getting healthier,” Allen said. “It has been an absolute pleasure to have been your assistant principal!

“I tell anybody who will listen to me that NWL students are the most talented, skilled, kind and just amazing students that I have had the pleasure to know! I wish you all the very best!”