K-12 News

Kids are singing more frequently and playing more instruments in city school classrooms, thanks to beefed-up state funding, according to educators. Cooking, nutrition and financial literacy also are getting more attention.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Dieruff High School has been without a principal since April but will have new leadership beginning in January.

East Penn School Board voted Monday to realign grades K-8 as the decision making process to expand district facilities continues, planning to put grades 5-6 in one building and 7-8 in another once renovations are complete.

The Allentown School District Foundation has raised more than $8 million to support students in the city's schools since 2009. For reasons that aren't clear, the Allentown School Board is considering cutting ties with the foundation.

Coleman filed the transparency lawsuit in 2021 before becoming a Parkland School Board member, and ultimately, a state senator representing parts of Lehigh and Bucks counties.

School board races were among the most prominent contests Tuesday across the Lehigh Valley.

Preliminary results show a Democratic sweep in the hotly contested East Penn School Board race, over Republican challengers by over 1,000 votes each in the hotly contested and controversy laden race

In Southern Lehigh School District, 10 candidates faced off for five seats on the nine-member school board.

The unofficial but complete results for the 2023 Parkland School Board election results are in: the Democratic slate, made of mostly incumbents, has swept all six seats.

Parkland School District is set to receive a large boost in funding in Pennsylvania’s new budget — $2.4 million to be exact.

Daysell Ramirez, who was elected last November, submitted her plans to resign from the Allentown School Board earlier this week. The board will have to vote to accept her resignation at its next meeting July 25.

The Wilson Area School Board appointed a familiar face as the district's next acting superintendent. High school Principal John Martuscelli is set to take over in a dual role at the end of this month.

School directors said there's still time to keep the discussion going on how Saucon Valley School District and two other local districts will fund the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School for the next 30 years.

A proposed contract was presented to the East Penn school teachers union in late June and was rejected 367-11 by voting members.

Saucon Valley School Board members have objected to the proposed funding formula for a $52 million expansion of the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School.

State education officials on on Monday visited Bethlehem Area Public Library’s South Side branch, 400 Webster St., to raise awareness about the Summer Food Service Program. Free, nutritious meals are available to those aged 18 and younger — no questions asked.

Throughout June, Allentown School Board members grappled with ethical concerns over what constitutes a conflict of interest. The discussion came about because some school directors work for organizations that partner with the school district.

Darian Cruz, who starred at Bethlehem Catholic and Lehigh University, will honor his grandparents by representing their native Puerto Rico when he wrestles at the Paris Olympics next month.

More than two dozen dinosaurs are on display at the Allentown Fairgrounds Agri-Plex through Sunday night.

The approximately 120-foot mural, which went up during Independence Day brings together many kids' art contributions.

Enjoy an array of musical and theater performances, plus children's activities starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 6 at DeSales University.