Central Elementary School block party celebration and special announcement from Talen Energy

WHAT:  Block party celebrating Central Elementary School and the community that surrounds it.
UPDATE: Exclusive press announcement from Talen Energy has been moved to Friday, June 10 at 1:30 p.m. in Central Elementary School’s gymnasium. The block party is still scheduled for June 3. 

WHEN: Friday, June 3
             Community Block Party Kick-off 
    
WHERE: Central Elementary School playground and Lumber Street
    829 W. Turner St.
    Allentown, PA 18102

DETAILS: 3 p.m. – Kickoff to community block party and special Talen Energy announcement 
    Speakers to include:
•    Rebecca Bodnar, Principal, Central Elementary
•    Paul Farr, President and CEO of Talen Energy
•    Paul Hurd, VP, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
•    Special guest speaker, parent of Central Elementary School student
3:15 – 6 p.m. – Block party (open to the community)
 
On Friday, June 3, at 3 p.m., the Lehigh Valley community will gather for a community block party at Central Elementary School in downtown Allentown. Talen Energy will make a special announcement about their commitment to Central Elementary, a United Way Community School. The theme of the block party will be SOARing Into A Brighter Tomorrow. SOAR is an acronym for: Safe -- Own Our Actions -- Act Respectful -- React Responsibly

The students, families and staff of Central Elementary are coming together with area residents and volunteers in an effort to bridge the gap between community and school, while promoting and strengthening healthy learning strategies. The block party will feature performers; delicious food; a rice and bean competition; children’s activities; family games; basket raffle; prizes; and a dunk tank, where students can attempt to dunk teachers and administrators.
 
Central Elementary is one of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s Community Schools. The Community School model supports partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities.

“Our Community School model supports academic success and support of families in our community by the strong organizations that we are blessed to have in the Lehigh Valley,” said David Lewis, president of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “We are honored to stand beside our valued partners in the community to witness firsthand the power of collectively uniting and serving our future leaders of the Lehigh Valley.” 

Sponsors of the community block party include the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown, Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council.