This year, midterm exams are looking different at Emmaus High School. Instead of following the open campus system which has been the norm for several years, EHS will no longer have specific days set aside for midterms. Rather, teachers now have a time frame from Dec. 1 to Jan. 28, 2025 to administer exams during normal class periods. Midterms do not affect school days like in previous years, meaning students will still be expected to be at school the full day regardless of whether or not they have a midterm exam that day. Normal bell schedules are also in effect the whole time.

A half day on Dec. 20 marks the beginning of winter break for all East Penn students. The break lasts until Jan. 3, 2025, the last day until students return to school.

Algebra Keystone exams will take place Jan. 8 to Jan. 10, 2025. The January 2025 Keystone Exams are typically for students who need to retake the exams to achieve a passing score for graduation requirements. These exams might also be used for students who missed the regular testing window in the spring.

In January 2025, the EHS library is starting a new program: “Literary Lunches.” For one lunch period every month, students can have lunch with their peers and EHS librarian Molly Magro, discussing different books. Students should bring their own lunch, but dessert will be provided. January 2025’s theme is murder mysteries and slots are available at the following times: Lunch 1 Jan. 15, 2025, Lunch 2 Jan. 17, 2025, Lunch 3 Jan. 22, 2025 and Lunch 4 Jan. 30, 2025. Students can fill out the Google Form on their “Class of” Schoology page to sign up.

Lehigh Valley Health Network will offer an Emergency Medical Technician program starting Feb. 4, 2025, open to students interested in EMT certification. Classes will run through May 27, 2025, meeting 6:30-10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, with one Saturday session each month. There is a cost which includes essential materials such as a textbook, stethoscope and the first attempt at the National EMT Registry Exam. Sessions will be held at the LVHN Emergency Medicine Institute, 2100 Mack Blvd., Allentown. For questions or enrollment, contact Program Coordinator Chris Peischl at christopher.peischl@lvhn.org.