DISTRICT

SILVA APPOINTED SUPERINTENDENT: The Board of School Directors of the Bethlehem Area School District is proud to announce its intention to appoint Dr. Jack P. Silva as the next superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District effective July 2023. The Board of School Directors will vote to approve Dr. Silva at its April 24 meeting.

Dr. Silva will succeed Dr. Joseph Roy who has served as the district’s superintendent since 2010 and announced his retirement last week.

Dr. Silva began his career in the Bethlehem Area School District in 2010 as the assistant superintendent and chief academic officer. He is recognized as a state and national leader in improving students’ reading achievement, establishing school-community partnerships, and creating career pathways in support of graduates’ post-high school success.

“I am confident Dr. Silva will continue to keep the Bethlehem Area School District moving forward as the premier district in the Lehigh Valley,” said School Board President Michael Faccinetto. “Under his leadership as assistant superintendent and chief academic officer, our students have been given access to new curricular opportunities and have grown academically.”

NEW HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR: The Bethlehem Area School District announces the appointment of Dr. John T. Burrus as the district’s chief human resources officer. Dr. Burrus brings to the district a wealth of knowledge and experience. His most current role was in Easton Area School District as the chief human resources officer. “I am excited to have Dr. Burrus join our senior leadership team. With his extensive human resources, administrative, and instructional experience in the school districts, he will be a valuable asset to the Bethlehem Area School District,” said BASD Supt. Dr. Joseph Roy. Dr. Burrus is taking over for Russ Giordano, who will be retiring at the end of the school year.

SPRING BREAK: All BASD schools will be closed from Thursday, April 6, through Monday, April 10. Schools will reopen Tuesday, April 11.

BASD STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Harley Cooper is a 12th grader at Liberty HS. He is the stage manager for the Liberty Theatre Company. Harley hopes to study theater design, technology and management at Wagner College next fall.

BASD STAFF MEMBER OF THE WEEK: Paige Hoffman is the community school coordinator at Fountain Hill ES. “Mrs. Hoffman loves the students, and puts their needs first,” said BASD Supt. Dr. Joseph Roy. “She motivates the staff and loves to be part of everything they do. Her passion for her students and community is contagious. “

#Builtbybethlehem PERSON OF THE WEEK: Josh Young graduated from Freedom HS in 2012. He will be appearing on the next season of “The Bachelorette.” Young is a football coach in Hershey.

PRE-K REGISTRATION: BASD is accepting registration for its free pre-KINDERGARTEN program for 4-year-olds. Students must turn four years old by Oct. 1, 2023 to be eligible. To register, or for more information, please contact pre-k secretary Mrs. Pomales, at 610-865-0012, extension 16818.

BASD “ROAD TRIPS”: BASD is producing video visits throughout the district. To see these fun vignettes, visit https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwik3uBYdZM

NCCC DENTAL CLINIC : The college will offer dental screenings and cleanings, X-rays and fluoride treatments for children up to age 17 Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Fowler Center on Third Street. Appoints are required. To make an appointment, call 610-861-5442.

SECONDARY

FREEDOM STUDENT NOMINATED: Bella Applegate, a sophomore at Freedom HS, is a delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders to be held June 21-23, on the University of Massachusetts Lowell campus. The congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. Bella’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent Pennsylvania, based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.

MORAVIAN SCHOLARSHIPS: Two BASD students received the Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent’s Moravian University Scholarships. Damian De Los Santos from Liberty HS, and Melony Ann Nonnemacher of Freedom HS each received a four-year full tuition scholarship.

SPRING GARDEN SCHOLARSHIPS: Spring Garden ES’s PTA is accepting applications from district seniors who attended Spring Garden for $500 scholarships. Eligible students must fill out an application, provide an essay and two letters of reference. Full details are available on the Spring Garden PTA Facebook page.

FREEDOM CLOTHING DRIVE: Freedom’s football program will hold a clothing drive on Saturday, April 22, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Clothing, shoes, purses and more will be accepted. Items should be bagged in tightly closed bags. For more information, please contact Marci Sporka at teamsporka@gmail.com

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTION: Lucas Aburto and Shane Colemann, students at Northeast MS, are collecting gently used musical instruments for use in BASD music programs. Donations can be made at any school office during April.

ELEMENTARY

ARAMARK BIKE GIVEAWAY: In partnership with General Mills, Aramark, the district’s food service provider, will be giving away bicycles to elementary students. All students need to do to enter the contest is eat breakfasts and lunches at school. Winners will be announced at the beginning of May.

THOMAS JEFFERSON CHIPOTLE NIGHT: Thomas Jefferson ES PTO will have a fundraiser at Chipotle April 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Freemansburg Avenue restaurant. Please use code H993BHV if you order online.

DONEGAN ZEN ZONE: In partnership with St. Luke’s University Health Network, a calming Zen Zone has been created at Donegan ES. Students can visit the room to find calm, and there are also items they can bring back to their classrooms.

ASA PACKER COINS/COSTUME CONTEST: Through March 31, donations can be placed in jars at the school. On each jar is a photo of a costume. Whichever jar has the most money at month’s end will determine which costume Principal Johnathan Horvath will wear as he visits classrooms. To donate online, visit www.asapackerpta.org.