At the Whitehall-Coplay School Board meeting Dec. 10, Angela Friebolin and Dr. Trevor Pinho introduced Whitehall-Coplay Middle School’s Aevidum Club representatives, who discussed the benefits of the group. The club’s mission is to spread positivity through activities, such as decorating lockers and cafeteria windows or making cards to thank staff.

Aevidum is in its second year. With approximately 40 to 60 members, it is one of the largest clubs in the school.

“Once we researched it and got to know some of the beliefs of this organization, we knew that we wanted it for our building, we knew it would benefit our kids, and we knew it would make it a better place for our students,” Friebolin said. “It certainly has.”

Club members participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness walk in Allentown, raising $400 to support suicide prevention. The group also worked with The Synergy Project, an outreach program for homeless children and teenagers, by collecting more than 200 pairs of gloves to donate.

In other news, Student Council representative Nicholas Demjan discussed plans for the Mini-THON, which will be held March 1, 2019. The theme is “Waving Goodbye to Childhood Cancer.” Steckel and Zephyr Elementary schools will also be participating. Steckel will join in 9-10 a.m., and Zephyr is set for 10-11 a.m. Whitehall High School’s event runs 2-8 p.m.

Also at the meeting, Edward Hong presented the Whitehall High School Chorale, which sang an a cappella rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

In other business, the school board voted to approve the high school’s graduation date of 7 p.m. June 3, 2019, at Lehigh University.

The board accepted the resignations of Nadine Alkhal, reading paraeducator at WCMS, and Julie Banner, school nurse at Gockley Elementary School.

New appointments include Kellyann Purugganan, fifth-grade salaried substitute at WCMS, at a rate of $51,486; Kalan Student, reading/activity paraprofessional at Zephyr, at the rate of $17.63 per hour; Natasha Drey, bus driver (salary unlisted); and Jermaine Page, van driver, at the rate of $17 per hour.

The board approved teacher induction participants Dana Mensher, mentor to Purugganan, and Michael Gaugler and Erin Waltman, mentors to Natalie Woodward. Mentors will each receive compensation of $325.

The school board will hold committee meetings on operations/transportation, finance/personnel and education/student activities 4 p.m. Dec. 17 and Jan. 28, 2019. The next school board meeting will be 7 p.m. Jan. 14, 2019.