Northampton Public Schools welcomes back staff, ready for the new school year to be “Anchored in Excellence”

Northampton County Public Schools held their annual All-Division Welcome Thursday, marking the official start of the 2024-2025 school year. The gathering brought together educators and staff for a day that blended professional development, community engagement, and celebration. 

The morning began with time for staff to reconnect with each other and for new staff to make their introductions. Dr. Lisa Martin, Superintendent, opened the ceremony by emphasizing this year’s theme which is “Anchored in Excellence,” which served as the guiding message throughout the day.

Following brief remarks from various community leaders, including representatives from the School Board, Board of Supervisors, the Northampton County Education Foundation (NCEF) and the NAACP, the program transitioned to the keynote speaker, Dr. John Hodge. Dr. Hodge’s engaging address focused on educational leadership and equity. He used his life experiences as a means to communicate the importance of an individual, regardless of their job, in a school. Research highlighted during his session showed that every person in a school has a significant impact on the outcome of a child.

After a short break, staff recognition took center stage. Both new hires and returning staff members were welcomed, with each school’s leadership introducing their teams. Following this, awards were given to employees celebrating milestone years of service, highlighting individuals across all departments who have made lasting contributions to the division.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Martin, who reiterated the importance of collaboration and continuous growth. With the theme “Anchored in Excellence” guiding us, NCPS is excited for what lies ahead.