The East Penn Board of School Directors met March 27 where Principal Sallie Yencho and instructional support teacher Dennine Leschinsky from Lower Macungie Middle School, along with Principal Thomas Ruhf and instructional support educator Susan Bauer from Eyer Middle School provided proposed changes to middle level grading and reporting.

To provide consistency between the two middle schools and to align with what is already in place at the elementary school level, they recommended switching to trimester grading periods. This will allow for approximately 62 instructional days per marking period versus quarters that consist of approximately 47 days.

The change would provide students with longer periods of time to devote to curriculum, learning and to complete project-based assignments. Faculty would also have more time to provide in-depth feedback and engage in academic conversations with students and their families. This may also allow more time for students who are falling behind to catch up.

The directors officially expressed appreciation to the Trexlertown Giant for a recent donation of $12,071.14 to support the district’s Feeding School Kids Initative. The donation will provide financial support toward reducing student lunch debt.

The directors approved the list of graduating seniors for the Emmaus High School Class of 2023.

In her district update, East Penn School District Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell praised the Emmaus High School Field Hockey Team and announced Coach Sue Butz-Stavin is to be inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame as the field hockey coach with the most wins in U.S. history over the course of her 47 seasons at EHS.

Campbell said the high school spring musical “Fiddler on the Roof” premiers this week.

Sales of 2023 graduation lawn signs for seniors and for “graduating” eighth graders, by the East Penn Education Foundation, end May 15.

Kindergarten registration for the upcoming school year continues.

EHS Student Government Association Student Representative Maddie Hess spoke about recent academic, extracurricular and sports activities.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirement of Shoemaker Elementary School first grade teacher Patrice Arnold, effective June 10. “She really has been the bedrock of our first grade team,” Campbell said as she recognized the educator’s 36 years with the district.

Assistant Superintendent Douglas Povilaitis provided a first reading of new policies on “Participation in Co-curricular Activities and Academic Courses by Home Education Students” and “Participation in Career and Technical Education Programs by Home Education Students.”

He also discussed updates to existing policies on “Home Education Programs,” “Extracurricular Participation by Home Education Students” and “Food Services.”

These updates and new policies comply with a new law that allows home-schooled students to participate in these activities.

Dr. William Whitney reported on the positive impact a new support dog named LLASie has had with students.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee Member Paul Champagne mentioned online registration is open and around 1,000 students have already signed up for the upcoming school year.

There were four requests to address the board.

Jenn Riedy, a parent from Allentown, spoke about encouraging civic involvement.

Sarah Taylor, of Emmaus, complained about comments made at a previous meeting by Bart Bailey.

Emmaus resident Jess Denke spoke about what she considers as “misinformation” found online about Social Emotional Learning.

Heather Harlen, of Emmaus, gave kudos to Lower Macungie Middle School’s production of “Annie” and for the district’s support of the arts and all students.

President Dr. Joshua Levinson announced the district will be closed April 6-10 for spring break.

According to Levinson, an executive session was held before the public forum at 6:45 p.m. on “personnel, safety and security matters.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. April 24. The public can access documents through BoardDocs via a link on the district website. Livestreaming of meetings is available on the district’s YouTube channel

Editor’s Note: An additional report from the March 27 East Penn School District board meeting will be in the April 5 edition of The Press.