Celebrating United Way Community Schools in Allentown Area School District
In the Allentown Area School District, United Way Community Schools are more than classrooms. They are hubs of connection where students, families and partners come together. Coordinators lead the way, ensuring children have the support, relationships and opportunities that fuel learning and growth. From nature programs to summer enrichment programs, these schools show what’s possible when the community works hand in hand with educators.
“Our Community Schools, with some of the most challenges, are showing the most growth, outpacing other schools statewide supported by the systems Community School Coordinators build alongside our educators, families and community partners,” said Khushboo Jain, Director of the United Way’s Community School Network.
Supporting Students through Family Engagement
South Mountain Middle school hosted a family engagement night where 60 families attended. The event acted as a support to the students through offering a community resource table, clothing drive, craft corner and a special performance from the South Mountain dance team.
Washington Elementary hosted a family Bingo Night where over 170 participants were in attendance. This event was a part of the school’s parent engagement initiative. The event had a series of raffle prizes including a Samsung Tablet and an HD TV, in addition to the distribution of basic necessities.
Education Doesn’t End with the School Year
Over the Summer, Sheridan Elementary was buzzing with activity as they worked to combat the “summer slide.” With the support of community partners such as the Wildlands Conservancy, Da Vinci Science Center, Baum School of Art and Born Into Arts, they were able to help students remain engaged and actively learn throughout the summer. Students were able to do field trips to Crayola and the Lehigh Valley Zoo.
The Da Vinci Science Center awarded Trexler Middle School funding for a Traveling Science Program to benefit students during the summer at Camp Bulldog. This program inspires future scientists and brings hands-on-science fun to schools and communities.
Prioritizing Student Attendance
After being displaced for two months, students and staff at Harrison-Morton Middle School returned to their building in April, just one week before PSSA Testing. To motivate students to attend and arrive on time, the school launched an attendance challenge with daily tracking and prize raffles. Students who met attendance goals were eligible to win prizes such as Allentown pool passes, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom tickets, headphones and Amazon Kindles. Nearly 200 students achieved perfect attendance during testing.
Community Partnerships in Action
Roosevelt Elementary hosted an Open House Block Party to bring together community partners to support local families. Services were provided by Allentown School District alumni, including music by DJ NormanDee, free haircuts, face painting, balloon animals and food. Resource tables offered information on basic needs, after-school programs and health services, featuring partners like Boys and Girls Club, Da Vinci Science Center and Lehigh Country Sheriff’s Department.
Raub Elementary launched a child feeding program through its partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and a Giant Food Stores grant for school-based pantries. This program allowed Raub students enrolled in all summer programs to take food and snacks home for the weekends and on a “as-needed” basis. Throughout this program the school served 336 students.
Central Elementary STREAM Academy ended their year with a block party and fundraiser. This event brought together more than 300 students, families and community members. There was food, games, music, petting zoo, face painting and balloon animals. This event turned the school’s central parking lot into a vibrant celebration space. Community partners included Allentown Public Library, Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, Crayola, Community Bike Works, Salvation Army, Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley and The Utter Bar amongst others.
Incorporating Nature into the Classroom
Throughout Spring, all first-grade students at Hays Elementary School participated in Wildlands Conservancy’s environmental education program. Weekly in-class sessions culminated in a field trip, where students hiked, birdwatched and experienced ponding. A total of 160 students took part in the program, which offered meaningful, hands-on learning about the natural world. The Community School Coordinator worked with Wildlands staff to coordinate the classes, field trip and family communication.
Eric Ruth from the Kellyn Foundation, a United Way-funded partner who has worked with Ramos in the past, met with school representatives to discuss expanding the school’s garden, upgrading the current planter boxes to raised garden beds and place a “Ramos Student Garden” plaque near the garden.
Community Schools work because coordinators connect families, educators and partners. They make resources accessible, strengthen school culture and create conditions for children to thrive. Allentown Area schools are proof that when a community comes together, students gain more than an education. They gain a supportive environment that helps them thrive.
Thank you to the Allentown Community School Coordinators whose leadership makes these moments possible every day. Your work ensures that students, families and partners come together to build schools where every child can learn and thrive.