Family Fun Night part of the 10-year anniversary celebration
Allentown, PA (February 17, 2017) This year South Mountain Middle School (SMMS) celebrates its 10-year anniversary as a United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Community School. To commemorate this milestone, the school’s annual Family Fun Night from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 22, will include a celebratory component. The celebration will kick off at 4:30 p.m. with a brief news conference that will highlight the success of the Lehigh Valley’s first Community School.
Family Fun Night features free food, carnival games, face painting, Zumba, indoor sports games, Bingo, and various other family friendly activities. The event is Free and open to the community. South Mountain Middle School is located at 709 West Emaus Avenue, Allentown.
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley supports Community Schools through partnerships with youth and family-serving providers, corporate sponsors and community volunteers to provide a better learning experience for its students who may otherwise not receive such resources.
Today, South Mountain has made great strides in academic performance and student attendance. Half
of its 1200 students are engaged in after school programs such as tutoring, mentoring, music, theater, sports, STEM (hands-on learning through science and technology experiments) and leadership programs.
Press Opportunity: News Conference begins at 4:30 p.m. Presenters include: Dr. Gary Cooper, ASD Interim Superintendent; Ralph Lovelidge, ASD Executive Director of Secondary Education and former South Mountain Middle School Principal; Juan Enriquez, a South Mountain teacher; Willie Watkins, a South Mountain parent; and Alondra Rosario and Tatyannah Wiggins, two South Mountain students. Presenters will offer insight into the many opportunities that are part of a Community School environment like SMMS, such as extra support for students, steps toward improved academic performance and improved classroom behavior, and generating an overall positive school climate.
Mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
The mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is to provide the leadership, convene the partnerships and develop the resources and solutions that improve our community. We remain committed to these goals and sincerely appreciate the continued support of partners, program providers and donors throughout the Lehigh Valley. www.unitedwayglv.org.
About Allentown School District
ASD serves more than 17,000 students in a network of 22 early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools throughout the City of Allentown, PA. The District is the third largest urban school district out of 500 districts in the Commonwealth. The District’s Mission focuses on providing a safe, rigorous, and engaging educational experience that prepares all students to excel in learning and life; to guide ASD students on their individual journey to realize their aspirations whether they be college, career or technical focus. ASD goals are aligned and compatible with the Pathways to Success Framework while providing a balanced education to all students. Allentown School District employs approximately 2,200 teachers, staff and administrators. The District, founded in 1866, serves students from 51 countries, speaking 26 languages with nearly 90 percent of households qualifying as low income. ASD is committed to ensuring that all students have equal access to education programs and resources. www.allentownsd.org.
About Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley
Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization bringing coordinated, integrated student supports into public schools to meet the needs of at-risk students. Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. To help our students achieve their greatest success, we determine students’ needs and establish relationships with local businesses, social service agencies, health care providers, and parents and volunteer organizations to provide needed resources. Community resources provide the substance to our “Five Basics” model that has allowed students to flourish over the last 35 years. www.cislv.org
Information provided by:
Kimberly Golden Benner
Director of Communications
Allentown School District
