School News

Five Lehigh Valley schools have rifle teams that compete in the Northeast Pennsylvania Rifle League. Says one student: “We want to get more people involved and show it’s totally safe. Sometimes, our sport gets a bad rap because of what’s going on (in the world).”

Parkland School District Social Worker Diane Irish has begun hosting office hours for the Parkland REACH Village, a gathering space and community hub of information for anyone who lives in the district.

The Allentown School Board approved updates to programs that add new language and career training options for students. Some of the changes are the result of a survey of more than 1,800 high school students and focus groups, officials said.

Allentown City Council approved a 10-year lease that will see the college pay $15,000 in rent each year and invest up to $4 million in the stadium.

Officials from the Allentown school district spoke with hesitant optimism about the benefits the state's new spending plan could bring to the district.

Away from the fields and courts used by thousands of student-athletes, some Lehigh Valley schools for decades have maintained rifle teams. The Northeast Pennsylvania Rifle League is made up of 11 teams including the Lehigh Valley's Emmaus, Freedom, Liberty, Salisbury and Southern Lehigh high schools.

Students, who college officials said are a demographic experiencing an "epidemic" of mental health issues, say they're excited for the new space and see its potential.

Hundreds gathered Tuesday night in Dieruff’s cafeteria for a community forum on the proposal to overhaul Andre Reed Park in Allentown's East Side.

The Nitschmann Middle School Lions softball team and Calypso Elementary could soon be able to use the softball field at 11th Avenue and Spring Street in West Bethlehem.

You Are The Light is a recognition program in the Allentown School District that celebrates staff and students. The district selects honorees each month to be featured on LehighValleyNews.com.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission this week took a look at a proposal for new construction and improvements to Wilson Area School District's athletic facilities.

“This project is intrinsic to needs that we see forthcoming because our enrollment numbers are going up,” said Joe Klocek, Lehigh’s director of planning, design and construction.

Parkland High School's planned $68 million, five-building expansion project is expected to begin early in 2026 and be completed by August 2028.

Teamsters Local Union No. 773 represents the workers, whose last contract expired June 30.

Bethlehem Area School Board on Monday approved a four-year contract with its support personnel that will boost hourly wages at least $3 by 2030.

In the first episode of “Lighting the Way with Dr. Carol D. Birks,” a Bridgeview Academy student talks about his experiences with AI at his school.

The media center replaced the school's old library, which students said they didn't use. The new space has modern books and makerspaces for art and science projects.

After setting aside a realignment plan in fall 2025, East Penn School District now is exploring a $142 million redistricting project that would see hundreds of students moved to different schools, and building renovations.

Nearly 800 students at Southern Lehigh's Joseph P. Liberati Intermediate School spent a week learning to write, address, and mail handwritten letters through the Dearist literacy program — sending holiday messages to local seniors, veterans and nonprofit groups.

Wilson Area LINCS will hold its fourth annual Photos with Santa event at the high school Saturday, offering kids a chance to meet the big man and get a photo, pick out presents and so much more.

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick appeared at Lehigh University on Friday for a "fireside chat" in which he shared his vision to bring AI infrastructure investment to Pennsylvania — and win an "existential battle" with China.

At a Thursday reorganization meeting, the school board selected its president and vice president. Five school directors also were sworn in at the meeting, including four who are brand new to their roles.