During the March 19 Catasauqua Communities That Care meeting, Amy Dymond-Jones, Catasauqua Middle School counselor and CTC coordinator, reported faculty members at all three Catasauqua Area School District schools have been trained in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. She also mentioned it might be possible to offer a brief training or overview of the program to the coalition members.

There was discussion among coalition members about homelessness and barriers some families might face, such as the limited open times many shelters have. Wendy Texter, of Center for Humanistic Change and CTC interim moderator, reported she has brought a Synergy Project street outreach program presentation to communities and schools in the past. She offered to make contact and help set one up if the CTC would be interested.

It was reported CASD is interested in pursuing a COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Capital Projects Fund Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grant. This would allow the district to build an extension to Sheckler Elementary School and provide a multipurpose space for the community to use to “facilitate digital inclusion activities.”

An overview was provided about the Catasauqua Community Cares Program efforts for spring break during the Easter holiday. It was noted there were 49 families scheduled to pick up food items. These families constituted 108 district students.

There are 128 students on the weekly C3P roster that receive weekend bags. The students not planning to pick up a special spring break package still received their regular weekend bag.

To prepare for the long weekend break, C3P purchased eggs, bread, pizza, hot dogs, chicken patties, hamburgers, Uncrustables and more. They also received donations of Stove Top stuffing and individual apple juices from Feed the Children.

It was noted C3P did not receive a delivery from Second Harvest Food Bank this month. There are plans to reach out to local businesses for extra assistance since the deliveries from Second Harvest have not been consistent.

Pastor Brian Riedy, from Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, said he received a donation of Easter baskets from Union Lutheran Church, Schnecksville.

Riedy reported the church’s after-school program for elementary school students is going well. He said they would be interested in having even more students participate, and new class ideas are being proposed. Additionally, the church’s summer music camp for grades 4-12 will once again be offered.

It was also reported CMS is holding a weeklong art camp with a social emotional component in June. This program will be held in conjunction with the Center for Humanistic Change.

The next big project for the CTC will be reviewing and discussing the most recent Pennsylvania Youth Survey data. The PAYS report will be distributed and discussed during the summer months.

The next meeting will be 7:30 a.m. April 17 at the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.