Dear Allentown School District Learning Community,

I hope your summer has been filled with moments of rest, joy, and meaningful time with those you cherish most.

As we prepare to welcome approximately 16,000 scholars alongside our dedicated educators, administrators, and staff back to our classrooms on Monday, August 24, 2026, our entire district team has been hard at work getting ready for another incredible school year. We are excited to open our doors to safe, joyful, and rigorous environments where your children are known, supported, and inspired every day.

This year, we continue building on the momentum of Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030. Together, we celebrated remarkable progress across our district last year: graduation rates continued to rise, our multilingual learners outperformed state growth averages, and we expanded opportunities through innovative learning, career-connected pathways, arts education, and strong community partnerships. By investing in student wellness, family engagement, and the future of our schools, we remain steadfast in ensuring every child receives the world-class education they deserve.

We know that our scholars achieve their greatest potential when schools and families walk hand in hand. As we begin this new season, we remain deeply grateful for your trust and collaboration. For resources, dates, and updates, please visit our Back to School Resource Guide or connect directly with your school team through ParentSquare.

Whether this Monday marks another milestone in your child’s journey or their very first day in the Allentown School District, we are ready to welcome them with open arms and empower them to step into the classroom with confidence. May this school year inspire a stronger sense of purpose, boundless curiosity, and unwavering achievement for every scholar we serve.

Thank you for your invaluable partnership. We are honored to walk alongside your family and look forward to a year rich with growth, discovery, and excellence.

We Get Better Together! All of Our Strengths Are Needed!

Best, 
Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent & Chief Executive Officer

Dear Allentown School District Learning Community,

I hope this email finds you well. As we close the 2025-2026 academic year, I am reflecting on what it means to move from vision to visible impact. Two years ago, we launched Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030 with a commitment to reimagining what is possible for students, staff, and families across the Allentown School District. 

This year marked an important shift in that work. Year Two was about implementation, including transforming ideas into action, building systems that support student success, and creating learning environments where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Across our schools, we saw meaningful progress connected to our seven strategic priorities:

• Academic Excellence
• Safety & Whole Child Development
• Pathways & Theme-Based Schools
• Family & Community Empowerment
• Exceptional Workforce
• Organizational Efficiency
• Technology & Innovation

This year, we expanded opportunities for students through rigorous instruction, career-connected learning, dual language education, arts programming, athletics, and technology innovation. We strengthened support systems for students and families by increasing mental health services, launching School Governance Councils, expanding family engagement tools, and advancing the development of our Family & Community Resource Center.

We also continued to see encouraging growth in student outcomes. Our multilingual learners outperformed state growth averages, more students accessed advanced academic opportunities, and our district continued to invest in instructional practices rooted in the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, and standards-aligned learning and teaching.

None of this progress happens in isolation. It is reflected in the dedication of our educators, the resilience of our students, the partnership of our families, and the continued support of our broader community.

As we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year, we remain focused on deepening implementation, strengthening outcomes, and creating innovative learning experiences that position our students to lead in an ever-changing world. The foundation has been laid, and the momentum is real. Our responsibility now is to continue building with purpose, urgency, and care.

Here, you will find a more detailed Year Two Strategic Plan Update highlighting progress connected to each of our seven strategic priorities. I encourage you to take a few moments to explore the work happening across our schools and departments and the collective impact this learning community continues to make together.

I want to thank our School Board of Directors,  students, staff, families, and community partners for the care, resilience, and commitment you have shown throughout this year. I hope the summer months provide opportunities for rest, renewal, joy, and time with the people who matter most.

As the district enters the next phase of implementation, the focus remains on deepening instructional impact, strengthening student outcomes, and expanding opportunities that prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. Year Two demonstrated that the district’s strategic plan is not simply a vision document, but an active framework guiding decision-making, innovation, and measurable progress across the Allentown School District.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the 2026-2027 school year as we continue lighting the way together.
It is an honor to serve this extraordinary learning community.

Sincerely,
Dr. Carol D. Birks Superintendent & CEO, Allentown School District

Dear Learning Community: 

I trust this message finds you well.  Please join me in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month!

From September 15, 2025, to October 15, 2025, we proudly highlight the incredible contributions of our Hispanic community, both within our local neighborhoods and throughout our nation’s history. From powerful advocacy, vibrant art, flavorful cuisine, and rich traditions, Hispanic heritage continues to shape and inspire our daily lives. This month is also a time to honor the trailblazers who have fought for progress, paving the way for a brighter future for everyone.  During this time, we will shine the light on how our schools and students are celebrating, appreciating, and learning from the diverse culture that surrounds us. 

Please join us for our second annual Hispanic Heritage Arts & Letters Celebration, which will launch this week. In partnership with the Allentown School District Foundation, we will showcase student creativity through visual art, essays, and poetry. Winners of the contest will be recognized at the Thursday, October 23, 2025, School Board of Directors Meeting. The District has also provided resources and grade-level appropriate activities to support instruction in classrooms. 

I look forward to sharing the amazing learning and teaching happening in our schools during Hispanic Heritage Month. I am honored and humbled to serve as your Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer.

We Get Better Together! All of Our Strengths are Needed!  
Best,

Dr. Carol D. Birks

Superintendent & CEO, Allentown School District

Othman's Leadership Podcast Appearance

Thank you, Dr. Reda Othman for featuring our Superintendent / Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Carol D. Birks, on your podcast! 

Listen here to the latest episode of Othman's Leadership Podcast on Leading with Empathy, Innovation, and Data.

Welcome to the 2025–2026 School Year: Lighting the Way for Innovation and Excellence 

Dear Learning Community: 

As we prepare to welcome students back on Monday, August 25, 2025, I extend my heartfelt welcome to each of you. I hope this summer offered moments of rest, renewal, and meaningful connection with your friends and family. 

This year marks an exciting new chapter for the Allentown School District, one defined by innovation, opportunity, and a shared sense of purpose. We are deepening the partnership between home and school, ensuring that families are true collaborators in every child’s learning journey.

Our future-focused vision is expanding access to career-aligned pathways, personalized learning, and cutting-edge AI tools, equipping every student to navigate a rapidly changing world. 

In our commitment to fostering clear and open communication, we are excited to introduce new systems this fall that will strengthen the connection between home and school.

PowerSchool will be our new Student Information System. Families have already been mailed letters with unique access IDs, passwords, and step-by-step instructions for creating a Parent Portal account. Through this secure portal, you’ll be able to view your child’s schedule, monitor attendance, and follow their academic progress in real time.
ParentSquare will serve as our Mass Communication / Emergency Alert System. We encourage families to download the ParentSquare mobile app, which allows for two-way, text-based communication between teachers, schools, and home. Even without the app, all families will continue to receive important district-wide emails and robocalls, ensuring they stay informed and connected.
As we approach the first day of school, I encourage every family to visit www.allentownsd.org for important updates on bell schedules, transportation, enrollment, key dates, and more. We are committed to ensuring that every student starts the year with confidence, clarity, and excitement. School begins at: 

9:00 a.m. for all Elementary Students
8:00 a.m. for all Middle School Students 
7:20 a.m. or 8:10 a.m. for all Allen or Dieruff High School students, depending on their schedule 
8:30 a.m. for all Bridgeview Academy students
To our families, thank you for the care, consistency, and encouragement you provide each day. Together, we have all we need for a school year of progress, pride, and possibility. Thank you for being an essential part of our learning community. 

I thank you for your partnership.

Best,

Dr. Carol D. Birks

Superintendent & CEO, Allentown School District

Published Thursday, July 10, 2025 in The Morning Call Opinion Section

Everything I needed to know I started learning in Kindergarten

I can still hear her voice and envision her face in my mind’s eye. She was tall, confident, and radiant. Her Afro rested on her head like a crown, and her chocolate skin was smooth. Her voice was steady, firm, and bursting with purpose.

Ms. Ferbe was my kindergarten teacher, and she was the very first woman outside of my family who really saw me. Not just looked at me, but saw me as someone full of promise. I was a young Black girl who grew up in the impoverished East End of Bridgeport, CT, in an era still shaped by the Civil Rights Movement. The world was still learning how to make space for new freedoms that African Americans were trying to embrace. But inside that classroom, Ms. Ferbe had already made room.
What I did not fully realize then, but deeply understand now is that everything I would later become started in that kindergarten classroom.

She taught us more than reading and counting. She taught us that we were young, gifted, and Black. Ms. Ferbe helped us realize that our Blackness was not a barrier, but a badge of brilliance. We recited the alphabet forward and backward, sang The Itsy Bitsy Spider until we embodied its quiet persistence, and clapped and swayed to Ooh Child, Things are Gonna Get Easier, believing in the message of hope, cultural pride, positive identity, self-determination, and community strength.

That room was magic, and the friendships I made there were just as enduring. Today, two of my classmates are still among my closest friends—my sisters. One is now a medical doctor who owns her own family practice. Another is a licensed therapist and a director of college counseling. As we navigate the complexities of adulthood, these connections are our anchors. My kindergarten sisters and I are making an impact on the world, side by side. We remind each other daily that the most meaningful achievements are those that uplift others. As a result, we all devote ourselves to supporting charities with time and money.

Our stories are not unique, they are a testament to what is possible when children receive the support they need early in life. We laugh now about the days we sat on colorful rugs, spelling our names with fat pencils and singing about the sunshine, learning critical lessons about hope, possibility, and perseverance. As we vacation together, talk two to three times a week, and visit antique shops and thrift stores, we regularly reflect on how everything we have began in that kindergarten classroom.

My own journey has been marked by numerous full-circle moments. Years after kindergarten, I became a principal at my alma mater. To my surprise, my then-superintendent mentioned Ms. Ferbe (now Mrs. Thomas, having married and taken her husband's last name) as someone he thought would be an excellent mentor for me. I laughed when he asked if I knew her, explaining proudly how my story was directly tied to hers. As a mentor, she watered the seeds she had planted in my formative elementary school years and encouraged me to never stop shining.

Just a few years later, when I assumed my first superintendent’s job, I was elated to see Ms. Thomas standing in a receiving line at a formal welcoming reception. With arms stretched wide, she pulled me into a warm embrace. With tears in her eyes, she said, “Remember the song, ‘Ooh Child, things are gonna get easier.’” She had believed in my future even when I did not know how to spell it yet.

Kindergarten matters. It is where identity is formed, confidence is nurtured, and the first sparks of lifelong learning are lit. It is where children begin to understand who they are and imagine who they might become.

While my story is rooted in my identity and experience, the importance of being seen, affirmed, and supported in early childhood is universal. Every child deserves that kind of start. I am living proof, as are my friends, that a strong start in kindergarten does not just prepare children for first grade; it also sets them up for success in the years to come. It sets the trajectory for everything that follows.

To every parent, family, and caregiver in our community: I urge you to register your child for kindergarten by July 19, 2025. Please do not delay. Your child deserves the kind of start that can change their life.

To begin the registration process or learn more, visit https://www.allentownsd.org/families-and-students/enrollment or contact the Office of Accountability and Assessment at (484) 765-4029. Early preparation helps ensure your child is ready to thrive on day one.

Let us give them classrooms where they are seen, loved, and told that they are young and gifted. Let us work together to create the conditions where their voices matter and their dreams are valued. Let them learn that, like the Itsy Bitsy Spider, no matter how many times they may occasionally fall, they can and will rise.

Because the truth is, everything you learn in life starts in kindergarten.

Thank you. 

Dr. Carol D. Birks
Superintendent/ Chief Executive Officer

Published Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in The Morning Call Op-Ed

Lighting the Way with Innovation in Allentown

At a time when national conversations around education are dominated by stories of scarcity, from budget shortfalls and teacher shortages to learning gaps, I am proud to offer a different narrative from the Allentown School District. Ours is a story of abundance: of innovation, of knowledge, and of bold investments in the future of our students.

The Allentown School District is embracing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) not as a buzzword, but as a tool to expand opportunity, personalize learning, and remove barriers for approximately 17,000 students, 90% of whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and 21% of whom are learning English as a second language, and 19.4% receive Special Education services. 

Our commitment to innovation is embedded in our new Strategic Plan, Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030. We are leveraging innovation, AI, and future-ready strategies to create meaningful progress. We are focused on transformational opportunities powered by technology and grounded in the voices of our students and families.

In partnership with Google for Education and Kiker Learning, we have launched a series of hands-on professional development sessions that are transforming how we lead, teach, and connect with families. From Google Workspace certifications to AI-enhanced instructional design, our educators are gaining the tools to prepare our students for 2030 and beyond. 

Last year, I established a district-wide Innovation Committee comprised of educators, community members, families, and students. Together, we studied the promise and pitfalls of AI. We brought in legal and policy experts, surveyed families and staff, and mapped out a vision for how AI could help us communicate better, personalize learning, and make education more accessible. We did not rush, we researched, listened, and built a roadmap aligned with our values.

This month, I presented on the national stage at the ASU+GSV AI Summit, where I was honored to represent Allentown as a 2024-2025 Google GSV Education Innovation Fellow. There I shared our vision to create more opportunities to create theme-based schools for our students. We are working to reimagine one of our three high schools to an AI/ Computer Science & Allied Health Pathway school where students will learn machine learning, ethical AI use, data science, and digital content creation. With hands-on partnerships, internships, and dual enrollment opportunities, they will graduate career and college-ready and gain access to opportunities to become creators, not just consumers of technology.

We have identified 25 Allentown educators & staff to send to Google’s New York City office for professional learning on AI tools, who will receive immersive training, and work independently to secure AI certifications that they will incorporate into our classrooms and offices. 

Allentown was among the first school districts in the Lehigh Valley to pass a comprehensive AI Policy focused on safe, ethical, and impactful use of emerging technology. Our AI work is not just about access, it is about trust, responsibility, and creating systems that serve our whole community.

Our guiding principle is simple: every student deserves access to a world-class education. That would include equipping our staff with the tools to learn, lead, and leverage technology in a digital age to ensure our students and families have what they need to be true partners in their schooling experience. 

The time for incremental change is over, but cannot happen without the strength of our collective community. Improving academic outcomes will take time, but together, we can personalize the academic experience for every student and create a world of endless possibilities for each child.  This vision is within our grasp. Let us work together to create an education landscape that fosters curiosity, innovation, and lifelong learning.  

Thank you. 

Dr. Carol D. Birks
Superintendent/ Chief Executive Officer

Learning How to “Light the Way”

Implementing a Strategic Plan for Allentown Public Schools

By: Dr. Carol Birks and Dr. Morcease Beasley

How do you capture the collective vision, aspirations, and needs of an entire school district in a way that transforms ideas into action? How do you ensure that the blueprint for success is not just a document that sits on a shelf, but a living, breathing plan that shapes the future of every student?

These were the guiding questions that the Allentown School District considered through the creation of Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030, the comprehensive strategic plan that will guide Allentown School District (ASD) over the next decade. Developing this plan was a journey and true collaborative effort, rooted in inclusion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Building a Plan That Belongs to the Community

From the start, we knew that for Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030 to be truly transformative, it had to reflect the voices of our learning community. Too often, strategic plans fail when imposed from the top down, overlooking the very people they are meant to serve. Given the frequent superintendent turnover in Allentown and the need to rebuild trust, we took a different approach, one centered on inclusion, transparency, and collaboration.

This was more than just planning; it was about creating lasting change. More than 100 stakeholders joined our committee, ensuring that students, staff, families, and community members had a real voice at every stage. We built accountability into the process through advisory committees and a commitment to documenting and sharing our progress.

• We created videos highlighting every Steering Committee session to ensure transparency and accessibility.
• Once the final plan was completed, we shared it broadly—presenting it at Convocation, the Superintendent’s Family Advisory Council, and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council—to ensure the entire community could see themselves in the plan.
• This commitment to capturing and sharing knowledge was key to making Lighting the Way a plan that belongs to the community, not just the administration.

The Role of Mentorship in Leadership and Change

Allentown was identified as an AASA Learning 2025 Demonstration System, a recognition that came with a Strategic Advisor. Dr. Morcease Beasley was paired with the District, even before the Strategic Planning Process began, and proved to be an exceptional match.

The success of this process was not just about alignment in the pairing, it was about deep relationships founded in respect and trust. Dr. Beasley’s guidance and insight as an AASA Learning 2025 Strategic Advisor have proven invaluable—not just to creating a plan but to navigating the complexities of stakeholder engagement, systems transformation, and long-term sustainability.

For me, having a mentor who pushed my thinking with experience in large-scale transformation, was a critical asset in ensuring that the plan we created was not just aspirational, but achievable.

His contributions to Allentown extended beyond serving as a vital member of our Steering Committee. He played a pivotal role in shaping the development of our strategic plan. Dr. Beasley provided my team with invaluable guidance by identifying key stakeholder groups, refining our communication strategy, and actively engaging with District leadership to drive meaningful progress.

Centering Equity, Excellence, and Innovation

Every aspect of Lighting the Way is built around three core priorities: equity, excellence, and innovation.

Dr. Beasley urged us to keep these pillars at the forefront as we reimagined and shaped everything from academic programs to community partnerships.

• Equity: We commissioned an equity audit alongside the planning process, identifying and addressing disparities in student outcomes.  Results of this audit reinforced our commitment to access, opportunity, and support for every learner. 
• Excellence: We developed a “Portrait of a Learner” that defines the skills and attributes our students will need for success in the classroom, workforce, higher education, and life.
• Innovation: We studied successful models across education and industry—including Google, Starbucks, and leading school districts—to understand how culture, vision, and strategic planning drive long-term success.

These principles are more than buzzwords. They are the foundation of our strategic plan, guiding our decision making.   

Harnessing the Power of Partnerships

The Lehigh Valley is rich with community assets, from higher education institutions and trade programs to nonprofit organizations and corporate partners. Lighting the Way prioritizes leveraging these resources to provide students with real-world learning experiences, career pathways, and post-secondary opportunities.

Our strategic partnerships will ensure that every student, whether they aspire to attend college, enter the workforce, or pursue a trade, has the tools, mentorship, and experiences to achieve their goals.

A Plan That Evolves with Our Students

Lighting the Way is a flexible, data-driven roadmap designed to evolve alongside our students’ needs. Dr. Beasley led a powerful session with our Steering Committee, challenging us to look deeply at student performance data and push for bold solutions. Having the guidance of a strategic advisor from outside-the-district proved to be invaluable in this process.

Allentown is committed to:

• Continuous review of student performance and community feedback
• Ongoing evaluation of educational trends
• Refining our approach to ensure long-term innovation and excellence

This adaptability ensures that Lighting the Way will remain relevant, responsive, and effective for years to come.

Lighting the Way Forward

For Allentown, this is just the beginning and real change requires collective action. With the plan now in place, we are embedding priorities into improvement plans, providing regular updates at board meetings, communicating our efforts in our newsletter, and reinforcing our mission across schools.

To fellow district leaders embarking on similar journeys, here’s my advice: embrace collaboration, listen to your community, and dare to dream big.

The future of public education depends on our ability to innovate, to include, and to act with purpose.

In Allentown, we are proud to have developed a plan that we know will not sit on a shelf. We are collaborating to build a brighter future, together.

Happy Holidays! ¡Felices Fiestas! عطلة سعيدة!

As we approach the close of 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on our journey together and share my heartfelt gratitude for all that you do to make Allentown School District a shining beacon of hope, learning, and progress.

This year, we made incredible strides as a district. From the implementation of our Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030 Strategic Plan to fostering new partnerships and strengthening existing ones. Our collective commitment to our students has been inspiring. These efforts are paving the way for a brighter future for every student who attends the Allentown School District. 

During our recent State of the District address, I shared our district’s achievements and our vision for what is forthcoming. From expanding workforce development opportunities to enhancing equity in resource allocation and introducing innovative tools like AI, we are lighting the way toward educational excellence. These achievements reflect the dedication of our educators, staff, families, students, and community members, and they remind us of the incredible potential we unlock when we work together.

As we enter 2025, we remain dedicated to the priorities outlined in our strategic plan. This means advancing initiatives that prioritize academic excellence, whole-child development, and innovative pathways for student success. Together, we will keep pushing forward with the same energy, enthusiasm, and commitment that have brought us this far.

I want to thank each of you for your dedication and partnership. To our teachers and staff: your passion for nurturing and empowering our students makes a difference every single day. To our families: your support and belief in our schools fuel our mission. To our community partners: your collaboration strengthens the foundation upon which we build our successes.

As we head into the holiday season, I encourage you to take this time for renewal and reflection. Cherish moments with loved ones, celebrate your accomplishments, and find joy in the season’s simple pleasures. Let this time be an opportunity to recharge, refocus, and return with even greater resolve to make 2025 our best year yet.

May this special time of year bring peace, joy, and laughter into your homes and hearts. Thank you for allowing me to serve this remarkable community, and for being the light that shines so brightly for our students. Together, we are lighting the way to a brighter future for Allentown.

During this time off, we want to remind our students and families of the resources that are available when we are not in school to address the academic and social-emotional needs of our students, including: 

• Brainfuse: On-Demand Tutoring for PreK-12, accessed through Clever 
• Counslr: Mental health support for students 14 years of age and over 
• Hazel Health: Physical and mental health supports 

We look forward to welcoming staff & students back to our schools on Monday, January 6, 2025! 

Warm wishes,
Dr. Carol D. Birks
Superintendent / Chief Executive Officer 

During the month of November, we celebrate and recognize the essential role families play in the educational success and well-being of their children throughout the year. Research consistently shows that meaningful family engagement leads to better outcomes for students. By embracing partnership and collaboration, we can strengthen connections, enhance learning, and create environments where every student can succeed, not just in school but throughout life.

As a District, we are deeply committed to supporting the partnership between families and schools. We know that the children of Allentown are best served when we work together in true partnership as one team, united in the common purpose of elevating our students to new heights. As a learning community, we believe all our collective strengths are needed to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for every student.

As parents and caregivers, you are your child’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Please know that our teachers, school leaders, and staff see and greatly appreciate all the ways you support learning every day. Whether it is reading bedtime stories, assisting with homework, attending conferences, staying informed about your child’s progress, or volunteering at school events, your involvement is an essential part of your child’s education.

Thank you, Allentown families, for your partnership and for everything you do to support your child’s educational journey, not just this month, but throughout the entire school year.

In appreciation,

Dr. Carol D. Birks
Superintendent / Chief Executive Officer

Good afternoon Allentown School District Learning Community: 

We hope this message finds you well. We want to thank you for a successful start to the school year and also inform you about a concerning trend that has emerged following the recent school shooting in Georgia. We have been made aware of reported TikTok and social media posts that reference threats to schools across the country and understand that many of our families may be understandably concerned about school safety. 

Please know that our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We take all reports of potential threats seriously, and make every effort to maintain an environment where students and staff feel safe.

As a District, we strive to work collaboratively with students, staff and families to create a safe learning environment for our entire learning community. Families, we encourage you to review the policies, procedures and safety information that is outlined in the Student & Family Handbook. 

The District also provides resources to students and families who are in need of counseling or mental health support outside of the traditional school day. Students in high school, who are over the age of 14, can receive text-based support through the Counslr app. The District has also partnered with Hazel Health to offer all students access to online therapy and counseling services. Use this link to learn more about Hazel Health services: https://getstarted.hazel.co/district/allentownsd.  

If you or your child become aware of any potential threat posted to social media or anywhere else, please notify a school staff member right away or submit an anonymous report through Safe2Say at 1-844-SAF2SAY or safe2saypa.org. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school counselor, social worker or Main Office directly. 

Best, 

The Allentown School District’s Administration 
 

Dear Learning Community: 

I trust this message finds you healthy and safe. As you are aware, on Friday, April 5, 2024, at approximately 10:23 a.m., many in the Allentown area felt the 4.8-magnitude earthquake that affected a majority of the East Coast. 

The earthquake lasted a few seconds and out of an abundance of caution, all Allentown School District’s schools were temporarily evacuated. We commend our staff and students for their exemplary response and for following our emergency evacuation procedures. 

While we do not believe there has been any structural damage to our schools, the earthquake came as a surprise in an area where this type of event is very rare. As a result, some of our students may have been disturbed by this incident. We encourage students to speak with a school counselor or social worker if they need any help processing what took place today. 

Following recommendations from our professional structural engineers, our Safety Teams have conducted perimeter checks of each school. Our Facilities Team & engineers will conduct a full inspection of our schools & District Offices over the coming days to check for structural concerns. At this time, we do not anticipate the need to delay or cancel school next week. We will inform you immediately if this changes.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our Learning Community. I am honored to serve as your Superintendent. We get better together! All of our strengths are needed! 

Best, 

Dr. Carol D. Birks
Superintendent / Chief Executive Officer 

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I provide you with this update on the final day of Winter Break. Several tragic and unrelated events have impacted our Allentown community in recent days. Although these incidents did not occur within our schools, we acknowledge and are sensitive to the members of our learning community who may have been directly impacted by these recent acts of violence in our city.

The Allentown School District extends our deepest condolences and love to the grieving family members and their friends.  We stand committed to providing unwavering support as they navigate this difficult time.

Please know our school and district administrators are actively working with local authorities, counselors, and support services to provide resources to those who need assistance.

We recognize that these tragedies are not easy for many members of our learning community and sometimes words often feel inadequate to express the profound sorrow and empathy we collectively share.  Please know that the district is here to support all staff, students, and families and have identified support services and mental health professionals to ensure that there are resources to help our learning community during this challenging period. We encourage anyone who needs assistance to call our school psychologists at (484) 765-4280 or the Lehigh County Crisis Intervention Line at (610) 782-3127.  

You may have questions about how to address violence with your child and members of your family or wonder how to cope during this time. Attached, please find two helpful guides, Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers and School Safety and Crisis: Care for Administrators and Crisis Teams, both published by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Thank you for your partnership as we work together to ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for all members of our learning community.  It will take our collective compassion, strength, and unity in the days ahead to heal.  I am honored and humbled to serve as your Superintendent.  Happy New Year!

Warm regards,

Dr. Carol D. Birks

Superintendent

 

Estimada comunidad de aprendizaje:

Nos entristece mucho y nos apena enormemente tener que comunicarles estas novedades en el último día de las vacaciones de invierno. Varios acontecimientos trágicos y no relacionados han afectado a la comunidad de Allentown en los últimos días. Aunque estos incidentes no ocurrieron dentro de nuestras escuelas, reconocemos y somos conscientes de los miembros de nuestra comunidad de aprendizaje que pueden haber sido directamente afectados por estos actos recientes de violencia en nuestra ciudad.

El Distrito Escolar de Allentown extiende nuestras más profundas condolencias y amor a los familiares en duelo y a sus amigos.  Nos comprometemos a prestarles un apoyo incondicional en estos momentos difíciles.

Tenga en cuenta que nuestros administradores escolares y distritales están trabajando activamente con las autoridades locales, los consejeros y los servicios de apoyo para ofrecer recursos a quienes necesitan asistencia.

Sabemos que estas tragedias no son fáciles para muchos miembros de nuestra comunidad de aprendizaje y, en ocasiones, las palabras resultan inadecuadas para expresar el profundo dolor y la empatía que compartimos colectivamente.  Sepa que el distrito está a su disposición para apoyar a todo el personal, a los estudiantes y a las familias, y se han seleccionado servicios de apoyo y profesionales de la salud mental para ofrecer recursos que ayuden a nuestra comunidad educativa durante este periodo difícil. Alentamos a todos los que necesiten ayuda a llamar a nuestros psicólogos escolares al (484) 765-4280 o a la línea de Intervención de Crisis del Condado de Lehigh al (610) 782-3127.

Quizás tenga preguntas sobre cómo abordar la violencia con su niño y los miembros de su familia o se pregunte cómo afrontar este momento. Se adjuntan dos guías útiles, Hablando con los niños sobre la violencia: consejos para padres y maestros y Seguridad y crisis escolar: atención para administradores y equipos de crisis, ambas publicadas por la Asociación Nacional de Psicólogos Escolares.

Gracias por su colaboración mientras trabajamos juntos para garantizar un entorno de aprendizaje seguro y positivo para todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad de aprendizaje.  Se necesitará de nuestra compasión, fuerza y unidad colectivas en los próximos días para sanar.  Es un honor y un privilegio para mí servir como superintendenta.  ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Un cordial saludo,

Dra. Carol D. Birks

Superintendenta

June 14, 2023

Dear Allentown School District's Learning Community:

We are pleased to present the estimated expenditures for the Allentown School District for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This budget details how we are aligning our talented staff and fiscal resources to protect the instructional core and improve systemic efficiencies across our organization. As part of my Learning and Leading Plan, my first ninety days serving as your acting superintendent, and now your superintendent, I enlisted your thinking to inform our budget goals and decision making.

The District's prudent fiscal management and goals are anchored by our core values:

• Excellence: We believe in honoring each student's unique qualities and nurturing the pursuit of lifelong learning. Therefore, we have high expectations for all students and staff.

• Partnership: To achieve success, we must strengthen partnerships within the District, with families, and the community in support of our mission and vision. This requires a collective effort, to capitalize on our unique strengths and gifts.

• Equity: We believe in an equitable school system for all students. We must provide culturally relevant, personalized learning and instruction through rigorous classes that meet individual student needs and prepare them to graduate college, career, and community ready.

The presentation of our Proposed Final Budget is displayed on the Allentown School District ‘s website for public inspection and is available to those who visit the Administration Center (31 South Penn St. in Allentown, PA 18103). We invite families and members of the community to review the budget and provide feedback. The Allentown School District’s School Board of Directors is scheduled to vote on the Final Budget at the Thursday, June 22, 2023 School Board of Directors’ Meeting.

Once the Final Budget is approved, we will also release our 2023-2024 Budget Book no later than August 1, 2023. This document will include a comprehensive source of information for parents, families, educators, students, and community members to obtain a better understanding of the District’s financial plan and health. It will provide details on every school and department and tell the story of how we are working as One Allentown to align our operations, resources, time, people, and funds with specific goals in mind.

The budget goals for the 2023-20224 Fiscal Year include:

• An alignment to the District’s Continuous Improvement Plan by allocating resources toward:
• Allocating resources with the goal of providing equity across all schools.
• Focusing resources to directly support classroom learning and teaching.
• Supporting the implementation of a Whole Child Framework to address students’ social-emotional learning needs.
• Expanding Early Learning by committing funds for eight Pre-K classrooms.
• Increasing Early College and Workforce Development Opportunities.

To fulfill these commitments, we will continue to invest our revenue effectively by leveraging partnerships throughout the broader community to maximize their benefits to students, staff, and families. Our current fiscal reality means we must use every dollar allocated from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, our local taxpayers, and the federal government to strategically plan for ever-increasing budget constraints for years to come. We will invest wisely this year, with an eye on equity and future sustainability.

Please note, that the District, receives a large portion of our funds from the state of Pennsylvania. While state funding has increased in recent years, the cost of running our schools has continued to rise in the following areas:

• Increased charter school costs
• Contractual raises of 4.69% for professional staff
• Fixed inflation costs for transportation and utilities
• Increased Special Education costs

I am recommending to our School Board of Directors,  for their consideration a $464 million budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. While this represents a $69 million increase over the 2022 - 2023 fiscal year’s allocation, we have worked to develop a balanced budget that includes a 0% millage increase for taxpayers.

As Superintendent, I am confident we will be able to work with our entire Learning Community to ensure the District is on a healthy financial path that enables our students to receive the excellent education they deserve and provides educators and staff with the professional learning that they need to promote their growth and development.

I pledge to work closely with our School Board of Directors to continue to engage our Learning Community in strategic discussions and as thought partners, so that every dollar is well spent in our Allentown School District. Should you have questions regarding our budget, please email Ms. Diane Richards, Chief Financial Officer at richardsd@allentownsd.org.

I am honored to serve as your Superintendent.  Have a great summer!

Best, 

Dr. Carol D. Birks
Superintendent 

Estimada comunidad educativa del Distrito Escolar de Allentown (ASD):

Nos complace informar los gastos estimados del Distrito Escolar de Allentown para el año fiscal 2023-2024. Este presupuesto detalla la forma en que estamos alineando nuestro talentoso personal y nuestros recursos fiscales para proteger el centro de la enseñanza y mejorar la eficiencia sistémica en toda nuestra organización. Como parte de mi Plan de Aprendizaje y Liderazgo, mis primeros noventa días como superintendente interina, y ahora como superintendente, solicité su opinión para informar nuestros objetivos presupuestarios y la toma de decisiones.

La prudente gestión fiscal y los objetivos del distrito están anclados en nuestros valores fundamentales:
Excelencia: Creemos en honorar las cualidades particulares de cada estudiante y fomentar la búsqueda del aprendizaje permanente. Por lo tanto, tenemos altas expectativas para todos los estudiantes y el personal del distrito.
Colaboración: Para alcanzar el éxito, debemos reforzar las colaboraciones en el distrito, con las familias y con la comunidad en apoyo de nuestra misión y visión. Esto requiere un esfuerzo colectivo, para aprovechar al maximo nuestras fortalezas y talentos.
Equidad: Creemos en un sistema escolar equitativo para todos los estudiantes. Debemos ofrecer un aprendizaje y una instrucción que sean culturalmente adecuados y personalizados, mediante clases rigurosas que respondan a las necesidades individuales de los estudiantes y los preparen para la universidad, una profesion y la comunidad.

La presentación de nuestro proyecto de presupuesto final se encuentra en el sitio web del Distrito Escolar de Allentown para consulta pública y está a disposición de quienes visiten el Centro de Administración (31 South Penn St. en Allentown, PA 18103). Invitamos a las familias y miembros de la comunidad a revisar el presupuesto y comentar al respecto. La junta directiva del Distrito Escolar de Allentown tiene previsto la votación para el presupuesto final en la reunión de la junta directiva del jueves 22 de junio de 2023.

Una vez que se apruebe el presupuesto final, también publicaremos el libro del presupuesto 2023-2024 a más tardar el 1 de agosto de 2023. Este documento será una fuente completa de información para que los padres, las familias, los educadores, los estudiantes y los miembros de la comunidad conozcan mejor el plan financiero y la situación del distrito. Proporcionará detalles sobre cada escuela y departamento y contará la historia de nuestro trabajo como "Un Allentown" para alinear nuestras operaciones, recursos, tiempo, personal y fondos teniendo en mente objetivos específicos.

Los objetivos presupuestarios para el año fiscal 2023-20224 incluyen:
- Un enfoque hacia el Plan de mejora continua del distrito mediante la asignación de recursos para:
- Aumentar el logro académico de los estudiantes en lectura y matemáticas.
- Reducir el ausentismo crónico.
 - Aumentar  los índices de graduación.
- Incrementar la adquisición del lenguage para los estudiantes de Inglés como segunda lengua.
-  Asignar recursos para fomentar la equidad en todas las escuelas.
- Orientar los recursos para apoyar directamente el aprendizaje y la enseñanza en el aula escolar.
 - Apoyar la implementación de un Marco de Formacion Integral del Niño para abordar las necesidades de aprendizaje académico y socio-emocional de los estudiantes.
- Expandir el aprendizaje a temprana edad asignando fondos para ocho aulas de Pre-Kinder.
 - Aumentar las oportunidades de colegio universitario anticipado y de desarrollo  laboral.
 
Para cumplir con estos compromisos, seguiremos invirtiendo nuestros ingresos de forma efectiva con la colaboración de toda la comunidad en general para maximizar los beneficios para los estudiantes, el personal y las familias. Nuestra realidad fiscal actual nos obliga a utilizar cada dólar asignado por la Comunidad de Pensilvania, nuestros contribuyentes locales y el gobierno federal estratégicamente para planificar las crecientes restricciones presupuestarias de los próximos años. Invertiremos de forma inteligente este año, con la vista puesta en la equidad y la sostenibilidad futura.

Tengan en cuenta que el distrito recibe una gran parte de sus fondos del estado de Pensilvania. Si bien los fondos estatales han aumentado en los últimos años, el costo para administrar nuestras escuelas siguió aumentando en las siguientes áreas:
- Mayores costos de las escuelas chárters
- Aumentos contractuales del 4.69 % para el personal profesional
- Costos fijos de inflación del transporte y los servicios públicos
- Aumento de los costos de educación especial
 
Recomiendo a nuestra junta directiva escolar, considerar un presupuesto de $464 millones para el año fiscal 2023-2024. Si bien esto representa un aumento de $69 millones con respecto a la asignación del año fiscal 2022-2023, hemos procurado elaborar un presupuesto equilibrado que incluya un aumento de la recaudación del 0 % para los contribuyentes.

Como superintendente, estoy segura de que podremos trabajar con toda nuestra comunidad educativa para garantizar la salud financiera del distrito que permita a los estudiantes recibir la educación de excelencia que merecen y proporcione a los educadores y al personal la formación profesional que necesitan para promover su crecimiento y desarrollo.

Me comprometo a trabajar cercanamente con la junta directiva escolar para seguir involucrando a nuestra comunidad de aprendizaje en conversaciones estratégicas y como colaboradores de razonamiento, para que cada dólar sea bien invertido en el Distrito Escolar de Allentown. Si tienen alguna pregunta sobre el presupuesto, envíe un correo electrónico a la Sra. Diane Richards, directora financiera, a richardsd@allentownsd.org.

Es un honor servir como su superintendente.  ¡Que tengan un estupendo verano!
 
Atentamente,

Dra. Carol D. Birks
Superintendente

March 9, 2023

Dear Allentown School District Learning Community, 

I am extremely overjoyed, humbled, and grateful to work closely with you to serve and lead the 16,100 students and approximately 2,200 employees who have been entrusted with my care. It has been both an honor and a pleasure to get to know the Allentown School District (ASD) Learning Community over the past few months. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the School Board of Directors for their belief, trust, and faith in my leadership to serve the Allentown School District. 

As we focus on the future of the Allentown School District, we will honor the past, and create a new beginning together. It is my desire to play an integral role in helping our community heal as we embark on a path of continuous improvement in our service to our students and families. 

I know the success of my work can only be defined by my ability to collaborate, build trust, and cultivate relationships. Building a strong foundation will require honesty, open communication, transparency, and a commitment from all of us to keep the best interests of our students at the forefront of our thinking. 

To guide my work, I developed a Learning & Leading Plan (on display on our website) that was designed to efficiently gather information and to provide me with a framework to engage stakeholders and key constituents in an intentional, purposeful and strategic transition to Allentown. 

While serving in the role of Acting Superintendent since Monday, October 31, 2022, the Learning & Leading Plan allowed me to assess the strengths and areas of growth of the District’s organizational culture, systems, and practices. Through this process, I have forged connections with hundreds of individuals from various stakeholder groups and visited all schools in the city. As I continue to work through the actions outlined in the plan, progress on these deliverables will also be posted on the district website. 

Based on your feedback, my team and I have already identified the next-level work to improve the District. These priority areas are the following: Learning & Teaching, Organizational Efficiencies & Effectiveness,  Family & Community Engagement, and Talent Management & Development. 

Stakeholders can expect to be engaged in these efforts and I invite you to collaborate with us so we can build upon the unique gifts and strengths from within our community. I look forward to your feedback, input, insights, and ideas. Together we can ensure our beloved Allentown has what it needs to succeed and prosper. My door will always be open, and all members of our learning community will have an opportunity to engage. I will make students’ voices a priority and family outreach and empowerment a commitment.

Looking ahead to next school year, we will enlist your support as we engage in strategic planning in order to move the District on a path of continuous improvement. Again, I thank you for welcoming me so warmly, and look forward to working together to make Allentown one of the highest-performing School Districts in Pennsylvania! 

We get better together! All of our strengths are needed!

Best,

Carol D. Birks, Ed.D.
Superintendent

November 4, 2022

Dear ASD Families, Faculty and Staff:

As I close out my first week in Allentown, I want to share how proud and humbled I am to serve as your Acting Superintendent. Thank you for such a warm welcome to this great community!

My first priority is to create the conditions so that every young person and adult in our learning community feels safe, valued, empowered, and loved. In the upcoming weeks, I look forward to listening, learning, and building relationships with our School Board of Directors, students, families, staff, administrators, elected officials, and the greater Allentown community. 

This week, I have had the chance to visit several of our schools. It immediately became clear that there is amazing learning and teaching in our classrooms. Our teachers and staff are truly focused on providing our students with high-quality learning experiences.  You have my commitment to have an intentional focus on'' shining the light” on more of the accomplishments of our school district.

Over the next several weeks, I will move ahead with a Learning and Leading Plan, which will include building relationships, visiting schools, conducting community forums, and holding one-on-one meetings. My first community forum will be held in November and an invitation will be distributed in the next week or so.

As I take on this role, my focus is on the future of Allentown. We have a strong team of leaders, and the commitment of our administrators and teachers is evident. I value their dedication and existing relationships with students, families, and the community, and hope to gain their trust, confidence, and support. 

I look forward to partnering with you to implement equitable practices across our district and ensuring each and every student—no matter their background—has access to the opportunities and resources they need to be successful.  My plan is to work collaboratively with the Board of School Directors to provide attentive oversight of our district’s operations. I will work with our administrators and educators to support the academic growth, physical, mental, and emotional safety of our students and staff.

I will make students’ voices a priority and family and community outreach, engagement, and empowerment a commitment.

Finally, it is my hope that I can play an integral role in helping our community heal as we honor the past and embark on the path towards continued progress and improvement in service to our students and families.  It will take the collective strengths and talents of all of us to obtain our goals.  I will do everything in my power to bring us all together around our shared values and make ASD one of the highest-performing school districts in  Pennsylvania. 

Once again, thank you. We get better together! All of our strengths are needed!

Best,

Carol D. Birks,Ed.D.
Acting Superintendent
 

Estimadas Familias y Personal de ASD:

Mientras cierro mi primera semana en Allentown, quiero compartir lo orgullosa y honrada que me siento de servir como su Superintendente interino. ¡Gracias por una bienvenida amable a esta gran comunidad!

Mi primera prioridad es crear las condiciones para que todos los jóvenes y adultos de nuestra comunidad de aprendizaje se sientan seguros, valorados, empoderados y amados. En las próximas semanas, espero escuchar, aprender y construir relaciones con nuestra Junta Directiva Escolar, estudiantes, familias, personal, administradores, funcionarios electos y la gran comunidad de Allentown.

Esta semana he tenido la oportunidad de visitar varias de nuestras escuelas. Inmediatamente quedó claro que hay un aprendizaje y una enseñanza asombrosos en nuestros salones de clase. Nuestros maestros y personal están realmente enfocados en brindarles a nuestros estudiantes experiencias de aprendizaje de alta calidad. Tienes mi compromiso de tener un enfoque intencional en "brillar la luz" sobre más de los logros de nuestro distrito escolar.

Durante las próximas semanas, avanzaré con un Plan de Aprendizaje y Liderazgo, que incluirá establecer relaciones, visitar escuelas, realizar foros comunitarios y celebrar reuniones individuales. Mi primer foro comunitario se llevará a cabo a mediados de noviembre y se distribuirá una invitación durante la próxima semana.

Mientras asumo este papel, mi atención se centra en el futuro de Allentown. Contamos con un sólido equipo de líderes y el compromiso de nuestros administradores y maestros es evidente. Valoro su dedicación y las relaciones existentes con los estudiantes, las familias y la comunidad, y espero ganarme su confianza y apoyo.

Espero asociarme con usted para implementar prácticas equitativas en todo nuestro distrito y garantizar que todos y cada uno de los estudiantes, sin importar su origen, tengan acceso a las oportunidades y los recursos que necesitan para tener éxito. Mi plan es trabajar en colaboración con la Junta de Directores Escolares para brindar una supervisión atenta de las operaciones de nuestro distrito. Trabajaré con nuestros administradores y educadores para apoyar el crecimiento académico y la seguridad física, mental y emocional de nuestros estudiantes y personal.

Haré que las voces de los estudiantes sean una prioridad y que el alcance, la participación y el empoderamiento de la familia y la comunidad sean un compromiso.

Finalmente, espero poder desempeñar un papel integral para ayudar a nuestra comunidad a sanar mientras honramos el pasado y nos embarcamos en el camino hacia el progreso continuo y la mejora en el servicio a nuestros estudiantes y familias. Tomará las fortalezas y talentos colectivos de todos nosotros para lograr nuestras metas. Haré todo lo que esté a mi alcance para unirnos en torno a nuestros valores compartidos y hacer de ASD uno de los distritos escolares de mayor rendimiento en Pennsylvania.

Una vez más, Gracias. ¡Mejoramos juntos! ¡Todas nuestras fuerzas son necesarias!

Mejor,

Carol D.Birks,Ed.D.
Acting Superintendent