School News

The event included choral and dance performances by teachers and students.

Some Lehigh Valley school districts are seeing an increase in chronic absenteeism and truancy following the COVID-19 pandemic. And what was already an issue before COVID appears to have reached a level of urgency in some schools.

The Allentown School District made school uniforms optional this year for the first time since 2013.

Schools in the Lehigh Valley are about to start. Here's a roundup of the 17 school district's important dates and things to note.

Bethlehem Area School District teachers hit the streets on the city's South Side to help students feel comfortable transitioning to a new school experience.

A federal court judge is allowing the assistant principal who filed the civil rights lawsuit to amend his complaint. It stemmed from an altercation at a high school football game last fall.

Last year, Bethlehem Area and Allentown school districts were waitlisted to get rebate funding through the Clean School Bus program. Another round of applications for this fiscal year is open until later this month.

The Parkland School District now has two final options for how it will address projected overcrowding in its schools. A decision could come within the next two months.

The school was designated with a state Targeted Support and Improvement designation due to lagging performance by its cohort of economically disadvantaged students. Officials laid out plans to improve the issues present.

The new makerspace at Slatington Elementary School will help students learn STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) skills. It will primarily be used by an after school program called Schools & Homes In Education, or SHINE.

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.

Lehigh Carbon Community College will play intercollegiate sports one more year. But that's contingent on hiring an athletic trainer in the next 10 days, otherwise the Cougars have already competed for the last time, according to the college.

A Whitehall Township commissioner hopes to persuade Coplay Borough Council on Tuesday night to dedicate a street in honor of hometown football star Saquon Barkley.

The LVPC specifically commended the redevelopment of the same parcel a proposed "Nature Play Area" and a proposed family center and food pantry

Allentown School District has a new six-year plan for success, setting goals and priorities for the district through 2030.

Easton Area School District approved a final 2024-25 budget in the amount of $208 million, though some board members are concerned about the potential for shortfalls.

The Bethlehem Area School District is planning a centennial celebration for the former Edgeboro Elementary School in September. The time capsule was buried on the grounds 45 years ago.

Marley Hartnett-Cody, a recent Bethlehem Area grad, is headed to Princeton University in the fall to study public policy. She spent her high school career learning about social justice issues.

Wilson Area School District passed a $46.48 million budget for 2024-25, marking a 1% increase over last year's tax rate, according to the district's business manager.

US Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District, and USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small visited the Greater Valley YMCA in Pen Argyl on Thursday for the kickoff of its Summer Nutrition Program.

Parkland School Board approved its final budget Tuesday, which will take the millage rate from 16.30 mills to 17.12 mills, a 5% increase. The average resident will pay about $200 more in school property taxes next year.