The Bethlehem Area School District’s annual convocation officially kicked off the 2018-19 school year with the pomp and circumstance of both high school bands performing, inspirational videos, awarding of the Bethlehem Educational Scholastic Trust (B.E.S.T.) Awards, and unveiling of the district’s new logo.

Calypso ES kindergarten teacher Jacquelynn Venable received the Seymour and Sophie Haber Award for Excellence in Teaching at the elementary level. East Hills MS gifted teacher Tammy McDonald received the Bernie Cohen Award for Excellence in teaching at the middle school level. Freedom HS science teacher Amber Chiafullo received the Anthony Ruggiero Award for Excellence at the high school level. Lehigh Valley Community Foundation president and CEO Bernard Story made the announcements.

BASD Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy announced the district’s new tagline, “Bethlehem Built,” in remarks to the teachers and school administrators in which he affirmed, “as teachers you are the one indispensable ingredient for the success of our community.” At the end of the meeting, Roy unveiled the district’s new logo to loud applause, cheers from both high school cheerleading squads, and music from Grenadier band-members. T-shirts with the new logo imprinted on them were fired and tossed into the audience.

Perhaps the biggest hit of convocation was Lincoln ES third grade student Violet Frank, who appeared in the final video and was shown interviewing BASD seniors about their favorite cafeteria food, favorite pets, and what they would recommend to themselves as second graders 10 years before. She appeared on stage with BASD officials waving to teachers like the young video star she was.