School News

Allentown School Board member Phoebe Harris has been barred from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association's annual meeting after she seized a microphone at an awards dinner and accused the group of racist behavior.

Student alerted security, which then apprehended the individual without incident.

Easton Area School District signed off an agreement with the city, which will see them contribute $30,000 to improve Vanderveer Park's basketball courts, with the city covering the cost of labor.

State Rep. Mike Schlossberg and mental health experts advocated for an increased investment in school-based health clinics at a news conference at Hays Elementary School in Allentown on Friday.

Weapons detectors could soon be installed in Allentown's four middle schools.

Allentown’s Cleveland School is set to be knocked down and fenced off after its new owner called it a “hot spot" and "magnet for crime." Community Action Lehigh Valley is planning to build a $20 million youth center but wants to secure the property until construction can start.

Easton Area School District's board approved a collection of goals for Superintendent Tracy Piazza covering the 2024-25 school year, including maintaining fiscal responsibility and improving reading and math proficiency.

The Central Elementary STREAM Academy’s second campus is located on the bottom floor of the Da Vinci Science Center, 815 Hamilton St. It has classrooms and multiple lab spaces.

The Allentown School Board approved metal detectors last year for the district's three high schools and J. Birney Crum Stadium. A public meeting is set later this week for middle school safety plans and input.

The hearing, which is required by state law, informed the public about the plans and costs for the new three-story elementary school building, which will remain at the longtime Fountain Hill site at 1330 Church St.

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.

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.