School News

To meet security and safety concerns, a security officer may be on the way to each of East Penn School District's middle Schools.

A change.org petition opposing the new mascot chosen by the Whitehall-Coplay School District has attracted more than 1,200 signatures. The mascot, named Big Z, is so named in honor of the school name Zephyr, which was also a train that once ran through Whitehall Township.

Planned upgrades include new bullpens and batting cages and many renovations throughout the park.

To help female chess players in her native Botswana, Lehigh University graduate student Besa Masaiti established a chess tournament there — the Besa Masaiti WIM Norm Chess Championship.

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.

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.

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.