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