The East Penn School Board listened to supporters of the Seven Generations Charter School at the May 23 regular meeting. There were 10 requests to address the board, eight passionately in support of renewing the contract with Seven Generations Charter School.

From Macungie, expressing praise for Seven Generations, were Diana Reeves a parent and employee and Alexa Brennan. They described the positive impact the education there had on their children as students. Brennen said the eldest of her two children easily transitioned to Eyer Middle School and scored straight As.

“It is just the right fit for them,” Patty McClain, of Allentown, said regarding the charter school’s approach to education embraced by her two children.

Emmaus resident Kari Ranck and Melissa Dimotsis, of Hatfield, spoke in support of Seven Generations Charter School. Ranck, a parent and charter school employee described how the school works to better the curriculum, handles bullying and compared the charter school to schools in the district.

The Vargas family, of Allentown, including parents Juan and Diana championed the educators at Seven Generations. Their 9-year-old daughter who met President Joe Biden last year proudly said, “Our teachers are dedicated to teaching us, not just the fundamentals, but also how to be an active citizen.”

Alburtis resident Barley Melcher narrated how Seven Generations benefited her two daughters. She described Eva, diagnosed with autism, as “a square peg not fitting in a round hole.” The teachers worked hard to help and pushed her to succeed.

Currently a six grader at Lower Macungie Middle School, Melcher’s other daughter Eliza described how the Seven Generations Charter School prepared her for transition to middle school. “Seven Gen is an amazing hands-on school,” she declared.

Both of the girls are enrolled in the gifted program said their proud mom.

As per request at the previous meeting, representatives from Seven Generations Charter School returned to address board concerns expressed at the May 9 meeting regarding their charter renewal.

Principal Amanda Cossman and her team successfully argued their case for charter renewal with a presentation that garnered respect from the previously questioning board members. It was demonstrated how educational success cannot just be measured by Pennsylvania System of School Assessment testing, but also by student growth.

The directors were equally impressed with the words of support from parents, students and teachers for the charter school’s educational model.

Founded in 2009, Seven Generations enrolls regular and special education students from kindergarten through fifth grade, offering programs focused on sustainable living and environmental stewardship. The East Penn board has until Sept. 7 to renew the charter before it expires.

The board voted to approve the special education comprehensive plan for July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024. The vote was unanimous on the previously-presented plan. Director Paul Champagne praised the team of administrators and educators for their “stellar job.”

In her district update, Superintendent Kristen Campbell announced Eyer Middle School scored the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? 2022 Best of PA video contest, after taking first place regionally with “BlueTriton Brands.” She called the student team and their advisers forward to share their video with the board and be recognized.

Campbell put in a plug for small business owners to consider placing ads in the 2022-2023 East Penn activity calendar. Campbell announced kindergarten registration continues for next school year.

The school superintendent also commented on EHS leading the region in Freddy nominations and spotlighted Lower Macungie Middle School’s recently-completed 58-foot mural by the mural club.