During the April 17 virtual meeting of Communities That Care, Gabe Dillard, assistant principal at Whitehall High School, and Angela Friebolin, principal at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School, updated the group on the district’s transition to online learning.

According to Dillard, WHS was offering enrichment resources online from the start of the school closure. However, beginning April 14, new online learning got underway. This time of virtual learning is considered the fourth marking period.

Dillard noted the school administrators were pleasantly surprised by the level of participation from the students. He reported they are seeing almost average attendance numbers for online learning.

He mentioned some students reached out to their teachers to inform them of technological challenges they face at home and the teachers are showing leniency and a willingness to work with the students.

Friebolin reported everything went well for the implementation of online learning at WCMS.

“I feel we are doing the best we can,” she said. “The teachers did a really great job.”

Jon Irons, Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley representative, noted the organization assisted with Chromebook distributions for WCMS students. He said the organization also sent out a survey for families in regard to things like food insecurity and technology needs.

When asked about how WHS is handling the end-of-year events for senior students, Dillard noted the district is still working through ideas.

“We are definitely doing something,” he said. “We are exploring what would be meaningful for the students, but also safe. We have a lot of creative ideas. It’s just a matter of pulling them off.”

The group spent a lot of time talking about different resources available and who best to get those resources to the community. Denise Continenza, CTC coordinator, encouraged the group members to send her information so she could compile a more comprehensive list.

It was noted this list could be shared during food distributions and posted to online sites, such as the Whitehall-Coplay School District website and the Zephyr Families Unite! Facebook page.

Sue Lettera, director of integrated services for Lehigh County, reported there are numerous resources available on the county’s website, under the Department of Mental Health.

Some group members noted there was concern for domestic abuse during the stay-at-home order.

Jennifer Green, a caseworker with Lehigh County Children and Youth, mentioned she is seeing it more as people are working from home or unemployed.

“I think it might get worse before it gets betters,” she said, noting stress and anxiety levels are on the rise.

Chad Stefanyak, counselor at WHS, said he is sending weekly emails to check in on students. While he has not received much feedback, the messages he receives are all positive, he reported.

“We have to keep in mind the mental and emotional well-being of our students and families,” Continenza said, to the agreement of the group.