Allentown, Calendar Events, In The Valley, Press Release

The Allentown School District Foundation Hosts the 9th Annual High Notes Gala at Miller Symphony Hall



 

 

SAVE THE DATE

9th ANNUAL HIGH NOTES GALA

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

5:30 – 9:00 PM

A FUN-FILLED STUDENT PRODUCTION AT MILLER SYMPHONY HALL

January 18, 2019, Allentown, PA – Join supporters of the Allentown School District Foundation on March 30 and see the creative performance that Allentown secondary students representing 51 countries can deliver! The 9th Annual HIGH NOTES Gala promises to be a fun, fast-paced affair, with an international buffet-style dinner and student production emphasizing that Allentown students are very talented!

In the 2017-2018 school year, 8,958 Allentown School District students were able to participate in innovative enrichment programs that, without the support of donors to the Allentown School District Foundation (ASDF), would not have been possible. It is said every year: If you could help Allentown students experience academic, athletic and cultural activities many of us take for granted, wouldn’t you want to? The good news is you can.

Foundation Programs

Each year, the ASDF hosts the HIGH NOTES Gala, which sustains the Foundation’s mission and helps make possible ongoing ASDF initiatives, such as:

  • Volunteer Literacy Program – reading and aiding kindergarten and first grade students in over 60 classrooms across the City basic language skills conducted by 87 local volunteers (and recruiting more) once a week.
  • An Allentown Adventure – teaching 325 students local history with graphic arts, and through a book written by native Allentonian and teacher Janice Altieri, with tours of some of Allentown’s most notable cultural and business landmarks for inspired creative expression.
  • ASD Science Fair – motivating the creation of exciting science projects by 1,651 middle and high school students who compete for top awards amongst their peers.
  • ASD New Music Initiatives – the acquisition and distribution of Flutophones to all 3rd graders, and a middle school strings program by El Sistema and the offering of ASD instrumental music lessons, instruments and opportunities to perform, plus instrument repair! Without the ASD Foundation, 1,500 students this past school year would not have had these opportunities to learn music.
  • Artist Residencies – inspiring 325 elementary students to create beautiful works of art through the efforts of inspiring, well-known local practicing artists, actors and teachers.
  • National History Day – research projects by 453 secondary students transform into persuasive, informative presentations about a contemplative theme tied to significant historic events, with opportunities for them to go to regional and state competition.
  • ASD Showcase of Academic Excellence – showcasing high-quality academic projects at year end, created by 186 Allentown students from all ASD schools in the past year. Student multi-media and physical display projects are celebrated by hundreds of parents, teachers and community leaders at the Renaissance Hotel.
  • Teacher Innovation Grants – awarding grants to ASD teachers whose innovative learning opportunities impacted 3,142 students last year with unique education projects.

 

Honorary Co-Chairs

A first! The ASD Foundation is honoring two Allentown graduates who have been ardent supporters of the school district, both as volunteers and professionals.

KAY KURTZ DHS ‘74

Kay Kurtz proudly refers to herself as “just a girl from the Ward.” Kay is a product of the Allentown School District, and is proud of that fact. And she never forgets that she is a Dieruff Husky. Kay graduated from Dieruff in 1974 and continued her education at Lehigh Carbon Community College where she earned her AAS degree in Business Administration. She joined the People First Federal Credit Union 42 years ago, and has enjoyed a lifelong career helping others. As Business Development/Community Relations Manager, her duties allow her to put her vivacious personality and banking knowledge to work – for both credit union members and the success of the organization as a whole. As a matter of fact, she does the same thing for the Louis E. Dieruff Alumni Association, where she is vice president. One of her most ardent tasks is that of webmaster and editor of all Dieruff alumni communications. Kay’s dedication, in today’s world, is something not often found in our fast-paced society. If you want the job done, and want it done right, see Kay. Thank you, Kay, for your loyalty to Husky pride.

 

DONALD BERNHARD, CEcD WAHS ‘68

A lifelong resident of Allentown, Don Bernhard has been a Center City visionary even before his days when he served PPL Corporation as Director of Community Affairs for 19 years and, before that, Community Development Director of the City of Allentown for 15 years. Don’s commitment to the City of Allentown has been steadfast. Don can be counted on to bring new ideas to the table. Don does his homework and when he speaks, it is with the understanding that there is relevancy in what he has to say (otherwise, why even say it?). Currently serving as Executive Director of the Downtown Allentown Community Development Initiative, Don really doesn’t know the definition of the word retirement. His dedication to improving Allentown schools lies in his interest in seeing this last piece of the puzzle completed for a City that is enjoying a Renaissance. Public education to Don is fundamental: everyone deserves an equal chance at a good education. As a graduate of both the University of Pittsburgh and Brown University, Don graduated from Allen, a place that most of his family calls their alma mater. Thanks, Don, for your continuing commitment to the cause.

 

The Show

 

The 2019 theme is “ALLENTOWN HAS TALENT.” The Foundation-sponsored production is a showcase of the City’s school spirit and the District’s rich diversity. The Gala production features more than 120 students from William Allen High School, Louis E. Dieruff High School, and Trexler, Harrison-Morton, South Mountain and Raub Middle Schools. Students unite to open and close the show while promoting and celebrating the diversity that makes up the Allentown School District. The production is filled with short acts and music from Allentown’s best student performance groups. Groups include the Canary Cavaliers Jazz Band, the WAHS Dance Academy, Dieruff’s Select Choir, Dieruff Jazz Band, WAHS Chorale and award-winning theatre students performing snippets from the 2019 spring musicals. Starting at 8:00 pm, the production includes excerpts from the high school and middle school spring musicals this year: Sister Act (Allen HS), Once on This Island (Dieruff HS), Godspell, Jr. (Trexler & Raub MS), Wonka Jr. (South Mountain MS), and Annie Jr. (Harrison-Morton MS).

 

Major Sponsors

 

 “Air Products is once again providing significant funding for this event, and we are grateful for their steadfast support,” says Kurt Zwikl, ASD Foundation president. “Other corporate sponsors that are with us every year include Alvin H. Butz Co., Firstrust, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd. and PPL Corporation. More than 100 sponsors come forth every year to provide the community support needed to make a difference in the lives of Allentown’s kids.”

 

Dinner by Red Door Catering

 

Social Hour, The Lyric Room & Lobby Doors Open 5:00-6:30 PM

  • Name tags in the lobby with floor & table designations
  • Cash Bar (wine & beer only), plus complimentary iced tea & bottled water, with hors d’oeuvres
  • Raffle: Baskets decorated in the 2 high school & 4 middle school colors, in the lobby

 

Dinner by Red Door Catering of Muhlenberg College Buffet Stations Open 6:15 PM

  • Table Locations: Rodale Room (200), Community Room (60), plus hallways + lounge areas throughout the building, serving 300-350 patrons
  • Banquet Buffets & Stations offering European, Caribbean & Mediterranean cuisine with vegetarian/gluten-free offerings, & luscious lemon and chocolate desserts, with coffee & tea

 

Ticket Purchases

Production Date & Time How to Purchase Tickets
High Notes Dinner & Show Saturday, March 30 @ 5:30 PM $150 per guest

Contact Vicki Newhard: newhardv@allentownsd.org 484-765-4121

PayPal: https://asdf.allentownsd.org
High Notes Show Only Saturday, March 30 @ 7:45 PM Adults $20, Students $10

Miller Symphony Box Office: Tickets: 610-432-6715

 

Sponsorships Available

Sponsorships are available and range from $300 to $25,000. Program advertising, table purchase or a combination of support ranges from Broadway trip tickets at $150 per student, Baritone, Tenor, Alto, Soprano to Maestro, Concerto and Ensemble Presenting Sponsorships. The fundraising goal this year is $150,000 with one-third covering event expenses; one-third supporting the Foundation’s operation; and one-third contributed back to the music and theatre programs of the secondary schools. HIGH NOTES is high visibility. Contact Susan Williams to support the Foundation with gala sponsorships – williamssu@allentownsd.org, 484-765-4093.

 

Allentown School District Foundation Mission

With a vision of enriched education for Allentown School District students, the ASD Foundation has a mission to encourage, promote and support innovative educational experiences for students in the Allentown School District.

 

Contact Information

If you would like to learn more, please contact the Foundation at 484-765-4093 or williamssu@allentownsd.org. The mailing address is P.O. Box 328, 31 South Penn Street, Allentown PA 18105. www.allentownsd.org/asdf.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Office of Communications
Allentown School District
www.allentownsd.org/