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With funding provided by Bill and Denise Spence, the Allentown School District elementary school will benefit from new programming and increased services.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Allentown, PA (March 30, 2021) <\/strong>Approximately 600 <\/a>students and their families will reap the rewards of increased services and support as Sheridan Elementary becomes a Community School. Lead partners Allentown School District, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) and Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania (CISEasternPA) announced the union today, bringing the total to 31 Community Schools across the region.<\/p>\n Community Schools help level the playing field for schools with a higher poverty rate by organizing programs and services in one central place for students and families. These programs and services connect families to basic essentials, implement student health initiatives, deliver career services and coordinate after-school and summer programs, effectively empowering parents to strengthen their role as partners in education.<\/p>\n \u201cSheridan Elementary becoming a Community School marks a new chapter in our strategic alignment with the leadership of the Allentown School District,\u201d said Jill Pereira, Vice President of Education and Impact, UWGLV. \u201cWe seek to demonstrate our commitment to equity. Adding Sheridan as a Community School allows us to serve students, families and the community through this model.\u201d<\/p>\n CISEasternPA provides a Community School Coordinator who links families to resources that help provide a safer, healthier and more stable learning environment. Community School Coordinators establish supports to address unique challenges, such as chronic absenteeism or low reading proficiency. As a result, Community School students increase their reading and math scores and excel in other academic areas.<\/p>\n \u201cAllentown School District and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley continue to expand their collaborative partnership with Communities In Schools, and we are excited that Sheridan has been selected as the newest school in the district to become a Community School,\u201d said Thomas Parker, Superintendent, Allentown School District. \u201cThe Community School model supports the coordination of services and resources that will positively impact students and their families in a pocket of our community that needs it most.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCommunities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania believes in the power of strategic partnerships, and we are so excited to join efforts with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Allentown School District,\u201d said Tim Mulligan, President & CEO, CISEasternPA. \u201cThe new Community School at Sheridan Elementary is a win-win for students and families. Our students, families and partners welcome this tremendous investment from Bill and Denise Spence.\u201d<\/p>\n Financial support for Sheridan Elementary is provided by former PPL Corporation Chairman and CEO, Bill Spence and his wife, Denise.<\/p>\n \u201cDenise and I believe that there is nothing more important in a child\u2019s life than having access to a good education,\u201d said Bill Spence. \u201cWe felt that partnering with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, a trusted and highly regarded organization, would provide the oversight and insights needed to ensure that Community Schools will be successful.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lehigh Valley Community School Network serves 18,888 students in 31 schools in Allentown, Bethlehem Area, Easton Area and Bangor Area school districts. For more information, contact Beth Tomlinson at betht@unitedwayglv.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n United Way fights for the health, safety and education of every person in the Greater Lehigh Valley and envisions communities where every person belongs and every person thrives. We strive to achieve this goal by assessing community needs, raising funds, investing in solutions and mobilizing our community to action. For more information, visit www.UnitedWayGLV.org<\/a><\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With funding provided by Bill and Denise Spence, the Allentown School District elementary school will benefit from new programming and increased services. \u00a0 Allentown, PA (March 30, 2021) Approximately … Continue reading Sheridan Elementary Becomes the Lehigh Valley\u2019s Newest Community School<\/span> About United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley<\/h1>\n
\nLaura McHugh
\nAssociate Vice President, Communications and Media Relations
\nUnited Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
\n1110 American Parkway NE\u00a0\u00a0Suite F-120 \u00a0Allentown, PA 18109
\nwww.unitedwayglv.org<\/p>\n
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