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.

The zoning panel voted 3-0 in unanimous opposition of the proposal, citing potential disturbance to the nearby neighborhoods and more.

Security officers searched multiple students Monday morning after finding them smoking in a bathroom during school hours, according to police.

The Parkland School District acquired the property at 3599 Broadway, next to Cetronia Elementary. The former landowner had previously planned to put a drug and alcohol recovery house there.

The Hellertown Library Board will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28.

The League of Women Voters of Lehigh County hosted the forum where the pledge signed onto by the "true Republicans" was center stage.

Parkland School District Superintendent Mark Madson recommended the district build additions to the high school to address its growing student population.

Superintendent Michael Mahon's objectives include a marketing plan for the new stadium and new cybersecurity measures.

Antonio Traca had filed a lawsuit against BASD and former Superintendent Joe Roy after a physical altercation between himself and Roy at a high school football game last fall.

In a recent national report, Pennsylvania received a failing grade in its regulation and treatment of lead in schools’ water. Six local schools have reported unacceptable levels of lead since 2018, and one expert says some of the remediation methods they used are less than perfect.

The school district wants to install upgrades — including restrooms, concessions and seating — at Andre Reed Park next to Dieruff High School.

Some people say they're concerned Gov. Josh Shapiro will nominate people to the Charter Appeals Board who have political agendas.

The school administration said it does not have the complete data on exactly how many students attending school may be homeless.