Bethlehem, PA is one of 27 cities nationwide that has been selected to be a site for The Kennedy Center's Any Given Child arts education program.

On this edition of Lehigh Valley Arts Salon, Silagh White looks at how the program will expand arts education for K-8 students with guests Dr. Jack Silva, assistant superintendent of Bethlehem Area School District and Lisa Jordan, managing director and ensemble member of Touchstone Theatre.

Click here to listen to the podcast!

Mr. Aristakesian brings to the District a wealth of knowledge. His vast experiences include over 15 years of progressive leadership in finance and auditing in both the private and public sectors. He served as Chief Audit Officer at Norfolk State University, Senior Internal Auditor at Columbia University, and Internal Audit Manager at New York Power Authority.

Bethlehem Area School District would like to celebrate Community School Coordinators Week!

Thank you to our tireless professionals on their work that makes a daily difference in our community.

Broughal Middle School - Alicia Creazzo
Donegan Elementary School - Rosa Carides-Hof
Fountain Hill Elementary School - Paige Hoffman
Lincoln Elementary School - Gena Holmes
Marvine Elementary School - Luis Vasquez
Northeast Middle School - Kim Bush
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School - Nancy Ettwein
William Penn Elementary School - Amanda Madea

Secretary

Whether it be student, staff or visitors that ask for help, you offer it without hesitation. You are incredibly warm, kind, and empathetic and always go above and beyond to make us BASD proud. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Reading Specialist

You always go above and beyond for staff, students, and the Fountain Hill community. Your compassion and grace helps our students succeed. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

50 years as a school crossing guard! Susan Schmidli started at the corner of Linden and North in 1972. Last week she finished her 50th year keeping the students of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School safe! And she’s not retiring! In the fall, she starts Year 51.

An integral part of our Broughal Middle School family - our head custodian, Mr. Sule. Recognition at the Bethlehem Area School District Custodial Picnic and Awards Ceremony. Thank you for all you do!

What were you doing on Dec 17, 1985? Bobby Langensiepen, Head Custodian at Spring Garden Elementary School, started his custodial career that day at Bethlehem Area School District. He now retains the title of “Senior Scrubber” until his retirement when the torch (or scrubber) will be passed.

The big winner selected as this year’s overall Bethlehem Area School District's Custodian of the Year is Don Favinger of Donegan Elementary School! Way to go Don!

Congrats to Bethlehem Area School District's Secondary School Custodian of the Year Eric Scipio! Eric supports the students and community in the athletic areas of Liberty High School.

Congrats to Bethlehem Area School District's Elementary School Custodian of the Year Daryl Klotz! Daryl is the Head Custodian at Asa Packer Elementary School.

Grade 5 Teacher

You are dedicated and caring and go above and beyond for staff, students, and the Calypso community. Your compassion and grace helps our students succeed. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Since 2000, the B.E.S.T. Awards reward excellence in teaching at the K-12 levels in the Bethlehem Area School District. The Bethlehem Educational Scholastic Trust (B.E.S.T.) Fund at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation began more than two decades ago by a group of Bethlehem civic & business leaders who believed that the work of teachers is so critical to the community - as well as to the students - that outstanding teachers required special recognition. 

Special Education Teacher

You provide insight, wisdom, support, and love to all Governor Wolf students and staff. Your compassion and grace helps our students succeed. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

This year's award recipient is Dr. Joseph Roy, Superintendent of Bethlehem Area School District.

School Psychologist

Whether it be students, staff, or visitors that ask for help, you offer it without hesitation. Thank you for your kind, loving, friendly, and respectful way you treat everyone. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

School Nurse

Whether it be students, staff, or visitors that ask for help, you offer it without hesitation. You are an amazing school nurse who is incredibly warm, kind, and empathetic. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Daniel Wynn, a German teacher at Northeast Middle School, was asked to take over the TV Studio project in the fall of 2021. He accepted with enthusiasm, despite having broken equipment and no funds to replace. He knew he wanted to empower his students to take on the TV Studio and become a student-led Journalism Club. 

BASD Elementary Art Teacher

Ms. Rega is currently an elementary art teacher in BASD and recently received the distinguished Alumni Excellence Award from Kutztown University. In addition, she has designed and implemented two grants from The Foundation for the BASD resulting in a Film Festival and a Mosaic installation, organized student work in a local children's hospital, and served on a committee organizing cultural engagement projects and was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2015.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of our Bethlehem Area School District teachers, teacher assistants, and staff members who make this the best district in the entire state of Pennsylvania. You are the best of the best, and we thank you for all that you do for our students and community.

Secretary

Whether it be students, staff, or visitors that ask for help, you offer it without hesitation. You are incredibly warm, kind, and empathetic and always go above and beyond to make us BASD proud. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools

Your creativity, amazing work ethic, positive personality, and fun side are just some qualities that make you so wonderful. You are incredibly warm, kind, and empathetic and always go above and beyond to make us BASD Proud. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

English Teacher/Literacy Coach

Thank you for inspiring and igniting the imagination and instilling the love of learning in your students. Thank you for helping establish the Buddies Helping Buddies Club at Freedom! Thank you from the BASD school community for your hard work and dedication to our students, staff, and families!

First Grade Teacher

Thank you for inspiring and igniting the imagination and instilling the love of learning in your students. Thank you from the Freemansburg School Community for your hard work and dedication to our students, staff, and families! For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

April 4 - April 8 is National Assistant Principals Week, and the Bethlehem Area School District would like to say "Thank You " to all of our Assistant Principals across the district. We appreciate your efforts in providing incredible learning environments for our children.

Kim Harper, Bethlehem Area School District’s supervisor of literacy and humanities K-12, was named for her “diligent work to bring the best, most researched teaching strategies, curriculum and supports” to the district.

The Bethlehem Area School District is proud to announce the district received six “2021 Excellence in Education Communication” awards from the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association (PenSPRA).

Grade 6 Mathematics Teacher

Thank you for your unique ability to connect, engage, and motivate your students to do their best in the academic setting. Thank you for your passion, humor, and leadership skills that make 6th grade an unforgettable experience for your students. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Supervisor of Child Care

Thank you for being an amazing leader! Thank you for all the positive changes you have made to the child care program. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

The Bethlehem Area School District is excited to announce the establishment of an Office of Equity Initiatives to guide our BASD equity work. While every BASD staff member must have a commitment to equity and own their piece of our equity work, the wide range of current initiatives cutting across every academic and operational department in the district requires greater dedicated district level leadership.

Transportation Maintenance Supervisor

Thank you for going above and beyond in all you do! Thank you for your compassion and grace for all BASD students and staff! For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Guidance Counselor

Thank you for going above and beyond in all you do! Thank you for your compassion and grace for Liberty High School students and staff! For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Supervisor of Professional Learning and Technology Integration

Thank you for going above and beyond in all you do! Thank you for your compassion and grace for all BASD students and staff! For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Kindergarten Teacher

Thank you for the compassion and grace you have for all the students and staff at Clearview Elementary School. Thank you for inspiring hope, igniting imagination, and instilling the love of learning in our students. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Coordinator of School Safety and Emergency Management

Thank you for your continued commitment and dedication to BASD staff during the pandemic. Thank you for continuing to keep our buildings safe. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

February 8, 2022…”Reik Foust Day” in Bethlehem as declared by Mayor Reynolds! Congrats to Reik, one of our aquatic supervisors, who celebrated 600 wins over his 35+ year career as a swim coach in Bethlehem, currently at the YMCA and Liberty High School. We are so proud of you and feel very fortunate to have you on staff

Guidance Counselor

You are valuable. You are seen. You are appreciated. Your compassion and grace helps our students succeed. For all you do, for all you are, thank you!

Congrats to Alicia Creazzo, Broughal Middle School's Community School Coordinator, who was named Weis Hero of the Game earlier this week for her service to the Bethlehem community!

Secretary

Thank you for going above and beyond in all that you do! Thank you for your compassion and grace for Freedom High School students and staff. For all that you do, for all that you are, thank you!

Bethlehem City Council has appointed the first Black person to serve as a member of the council in the city’s history. Council unanimously voted Tuesday to appoint Wandalyn Enix to take the seat vacated by J. Williams Reynolds after he resigned in January to be sworn in as the city’s mayor. Enix was selected out of 11 candidates who submitted applications for the position.

Dr. Vivian Robledo, Director of Student Services and Minority Affairs for the Bethlehem Area School District, has announced that she is moving on to new and exciting opportunities. Vivian has served BASD for the past 23 years. 

Ashlee Woodson was announced as the new Principal of Freemansburg Elementary School during the Bethlehem Area School District Board meeting this evening. Ashlee Woodson most recently served as Assistant Principal at Nitschmann Middle School. 

Athletic Director

Thank you for being a teacher, mentor, friend, coach, and administrator! Thank you for always supporting our BASD students. Thank you for your compassion and grace for Liberty High School students and staff!

New Bethany Ministries, a local nonprofit providing basic-need services, housing, and support that lift individuals out of poverty, recently appointed César Cordova and Marcie Lightwood to its Board of Directors. While offered positions in fall 2021, Cordova and Lightwood officially begin their duties in January 2022. 

Guidance Counselor

We'd like to acknowledge the efforts of commitment, love, guidance, and dedication you have for the Nitschmann students on a daily basis. We want you to know that your influence on the lives you touch daily can never be erased.

"Aida is a Secretary at Governor Wolf Elementary School wo has gone above and beyond her normal secretary duties. She's helped when I've needed it without me having to ask. She is quick to get back to me if I've had just a simple question. She is appreciated and deserves this recognition! Best secretary, ever."

Krystal Davis/Strausser

(Nathaniel Strausser's mom)

Freedom's coach Jason Roeder holds the District 11 Class 6A championship trophy in the team's weight room. The Patriots won nine straight games en route to the title and finished 11-3. 

Jason Roeder believes he has one of the best coaching staffs of any high school program in the state. It’s a dedicated group committed to hard work and getting the best out of the kids they work with virtually 365 days a year.

"Thank you Mrs. Jackson for all your hard work. You have gone above and beyond when it comes to ensuring Scarlett and her class learn at their own pace. You've taken the time to personalize her approach at learning and it doesn't go unnoticed. Scarlett and our family appreciates you more than you know."

The Bream Family

Donna Farizan meets Jerome Hymans, a popular head custodian at Farmersville Elementary. Students and teachers say he goes above and beyond, so to say thank you, they came together for a party full of big surprises.

"Thank you for the magic you create in you classroom. My daughter has done a complete 360 since entering your classroom. She loves going to school and even wants to go on the weekends".

Rachel Wallace

"Thank you Mrs. Dell for always giving my son the recognition to keep wanting to do amazing things. You make him want to do his best and be extra helpful with other students. I appreciate you!"

Ms. Janell Colon

Congratulations to Dra. Vivian Robledo, Bethlehem Area School District Director of Student Services and Minority Affairs, on winning Educator of the Year at the Golden Latin Awards!

BASD's Executive Chef Laura McCann and Mrs. Eva Howells and Ms. Quay Matyus from East Hills Middle School led a team of 13 students who made 120 Thanksgiving meals for the Lynfield Community Center in South Bethlehem.

In this episode we define trauma, how to respond to it, and what caregivers can do to help at home. Guests: Ann Marie Vaughn, Principal, Clear Run Intermediate, Pocono Mt. School District; Rebecca Keptner, 8th grade teacher at Broughal Middle School; Kory Kutzler Supervisor of Special Education for the Partial Hospitalization Program for Colonial Intermediate Unit 20.

Click here to watch the video. 

It may take a few seconds to find her in this photo, because she would rather the spotlight shine on her students. But FHE’s principal, Mrs. Stambaugh, deserves some special recognition of her own.

The purpose of The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District is to enhance the learning opportunities for all students. Over $20,000 total in grants are awarded to several staff members, whose innovative ideas were chosen to be funded for the 2021-2022 school.

Long-term school directors across the State are being honored by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association at local school board meetings. Thank you to Michael Faccinetto, Craig Neiman, Angela Sinkler.

Congratulations to Jamie Bloss for receiving the “Outstanding Elementary Art Educator” award from The Pennsylvania Art Education Association!

We not only have the best teachers and support staff in the Bethlehem Area School Districts, but we also have the most incredible leaders. Happy National Principals Month to the most caring, diligent, and professional principals anywhere. Thank you for all that you do for our BASD

At the beginning of each school year, three outstanding teachers are recognized and receive the BEST Award at Convocation. Last school year the BASD started a new tradition to highlight a support staff member and present them with the title of BASD Employee of the Month. 

The Air Products Salute to Diversity in Education Awards recognize teachers in the Bethlehem Area School District who celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion by sincerely demonstrating a commitment to create a safe and supportive community within their classroom.

The Air Products Salute to Diversity in Education Awards recognize teachers in the Bethlehem Area School District who celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion by sincerely demonstrating a commitment to create a safe and supportive community within their classroom.

The Air Products Salute to Diversity in Education Awards recognize teachers in the Bethlehem Area School District who celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion by sincerely demonstrating a commitment to create a safe and supportive community within their classroom.

At the beginning of each school year, three outstanding teachers are recognized and receive the BEST Award at Convocation. Last school year the BASD started a new tradition to highlight a support staff member and present them with the title of BASD Employee of the Month.

Liberty Learning Support Special Education Teacher, Liberty Class of 2000

My name is Robin (Hemmons) Alozie, and I am proud to be #BuiltByBethlehem. I attended Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Northeast Middle School, and Liberty High School as a member of the Class of 2000. 

Director of Student Services and Minority Affairs, Freedom Graduate

Ms. Robledo is the Director of Student Services and Minority Affairs for the Bethlehem Area School District. Previously, she served as Supervisor of Student and Community Engagement for the district as well as serving as guidance counselor, elementary assistant principal, high school assistant principal and principal of the district’s alternative school. 

A huge Welcome (and welcome back) to Ms. Kari Bennett to the Broughal Family as the new Broughal Technology Education Teacher! Ms. Bennett attended Broughal 20 years ago and is even replacing Mr. Neveling who was her Tech Ed Teacher! 

This week Laurie Sage takes over as the 7th Principal in the 54-year history of Freedom High School. Our community wishes her success as she leads FHS to Excellence in All Things. 

Assistant Superintendent & Chief Academic Officer, Liberty Class of 1982

Dr. Jack Silva is a lifelong resident of the Bethlehem Area School District and currently serves as its Assistant Superintendent & Chief Academic Officer. Jack was #BuiltByBethlehem schools having been a student at Fountain Hill Elementary School, Broughal Middle School, and Liberty High School. 

If you ask Barbara Clymer to tell you about herself, she'll say, she was "built by Bethlehem."

She works in the administrative offices for the Bethlehem Area School District, the very building where she attended school as a little girl.

Since 2000, the B.E.S.T. Awards reward excellence in teaching at the K-12 levels in the Bethlehem Area School District. The Bethlehem Educational Scholastic Trust (B.E.S.T.) Fund at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation began more than two decades ago by a group of Bethlehem civic & business leaders who believed that the work of teachers is so critical to the community - as well as to the students - that outstanding teachers required special recognition. 

Freedom School Counselor, Freedom Graduate

Selines Oquendo is a proud faculty member of Freedom High School where she has served as a school counselor for the past five years. Her parents moved to the states from Puerto Rico. 

The Bethlehem Area School Board approved three new principals and one administrator this week, who are all familiar faces to district families.

Greer Hockmeier shares her rewarding experience as the Community School Coordinator at William Penn Elementary School. Click here to read the article written about Greer featured on Moravian's College's website. 

Assistant Band Director Allen Frank will become the fifth director in the Grenadier Band’s history when current Director Kevin Long retires at the end of this school year. Frank’s spent the last eight years in his current role.

The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District awarded over $11,000 in grant funding to BASD teachers during the 2020-2021 school year. 

Dr. Harrison Bailey, principal of Liberty High School was name the 2021 PA Secondary Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Principals Association. This video captures the surprise ceremony honoring Dr. Bailey. 

Aside from being an influential instrumental music teacher to students at Fountain Hill, Mr. Lynn is also in the PA National Guard band — and was recently promoted to Sergeant! He will take on a leadership role within the ensembles in addition to continuing to play and perform.

Freedom High School Guidance Team delivered this check for $500 to St. Luke's University Health Network . St. Luke's will be using the donation to supply snack type food to the workers at the many vaccination sites. Freedom Family comes through once again!

Congratulations to the April Employee of the Month, Amber Farnholtz. Amber is a Lead Teacher in the Bethlehem Area School District's Child Care Program and Spring Garden Elementary School. Watch as Amber is surprised with the news!

Nitschmann Middle School Instrumental Band Director, Daniel Zettlemoyer, was recently selected by the Saluting America’s Band Directors project (SABD) and the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation to perform in the Band Directors Marching Band in the 2022 Rose Parade.

After 8 years of coaching Liberty High School's Football team, Coach Truby has decided to step down. As a Freedom alum, and Liberty history teacher, we thank you for representing Liberty High School and the Bethlehem community with honor and pride over the years. He is a role model to all BASD athletes. 

Our Departments School Resource Officers are taking more time to visit many Elementary Schools in the Bethlehem School District. Sgt. Audelo who oversees our School Resource Officers had a great conversation with many of the students from Thomas Jefferson

The 69 News Golden Apple Awards is where they take time to honor educators across Eastern Pennsylvania. This month, their winner is a teacher who made sure she spread the love to her students, even when they couldn't be in school. It's pretty hard to surprise a teacher. After all, they've seen just about everything.