School Notes, 4/19/2025
NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL – The following is a collection of items submitted by Sentinel-area school districts.
Shenandoah musicians participate in 53rd Jr. Schuylkill County Band
SHENANDOAH – Eleven Shenandoah Valley High School Band students participated in the 53rd Annual Jr. Schuylkill County Band Festival held on April 5, at Pine Grove Area High School.
They include (Row 1, L to R): Harper Munley, Joelle Karvois, Trista Karosas, Brigitte Zamudio Carmen, and Elayna Deleon. (Row 2, L to R): Victoria Nork, Kaylee Arbushites, Kairi Medina, Colin Neidlinger, Gabriel Mercedes Jose, and Ellie Miscannon. Mr. John P. Shoener is the SV Director of Bands.
Shenandoah Valley Drama Club to present Mean Girls
SHENANDOAH – The Shenandoah Valley High School Drama Club will perform ‘Mean Girls’ next weekend.
Shows will take place April 25, 26, and 27.
Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 pre-sale.
Show times are 7pm Friday and Saturday and 1pm Sunday. Doors open 45 minutes before the performance.
Hazleton Academy North Hosts First Annual Easter Egg Hunt
HAZLETON – Hazleton Academy North held its first annual Easter Egg Hunt, bringing springtime cheer and smiles to students across the school. The event was a joyful celebration of the season, fostering community spirit and offering students a fun and engaging experience.
A special highlight of the day was the appearance of the Easter Bunny, played by Lisa Bodek, one of the Academy’s dedicated classroom teachers. Ms. Bodek not only brought the Easter Bunny to life, delighting children with her festive costume, but also generously provided colorful eggs and treats for the event.
“We are so grateful to Ms. Bodek for her creativity and enthusiasm in organizing this event,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian T. Uplinger. “It’s educators like her who help create lasting memories and meaningful experiences for our students.”
Additional treats were provided by the Early Intervention team, whose partnership helped ensure the event’s success.
The Easter Egg Hunt was held outdoors and featured games, activities, and plenty of opportunities for students to collect eggs and enjoy the spring weather.
The Academy looks forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come, building on the success of this inaugural celebration.
Heights-Terrace Elementary/Middle School Celebrates Autism Awareness Week with Inclusive and Meaningful Activities
HAZLETON – Heights-Terrace Elementary/Middle School recently celebrated Autism Awareness Week with a series of engaging and inclusive activities that promoted understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals on the autism spectrum. Please see the attached pictures.
Throughout the week, students and staff demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive school culture. Both the elementary and middle school Community Service Clubs contributed to the creation of a “Hands of Kindness” mural and a vibrant puzzle piece mural—a symbol of unity and the uniqueness of every individual.
In addition, middle school students worked together to tie-dye Autism Awareness shirts, which were proudly worn by students and staff during the week to show solidarity and support.
Classrooms across the school partnered with the autistic support classrooms to plant flowers, create supportive cards, and engage in thoughtful discussions about inclusion, empathy, and kindness. These collaborative efforts offered students a meaningful opportunity to learn about neurodiversity while building stronger, more compassionate connections with one another.
“This week’s activities truly showcased the heart of our school community,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Uplinger. “Our students showed incredible creativity, compassion, and teamwork—all while deepening their understanding of what it means to support one another.”
Jersey Mike’s Grand Opening Fundraiser Raises Over $7,600 for Hazleton Area High School
HAZLETON – Hazleton Area High School received a generous donation of $7,633.73 thanks to a community partnership with Jersey Mike’s Subs during the restaurant’s recent grand opening.
As part of its opening week celebration, Jersey Mike’s pledged to donate a portion of its proceeds to support Hazleton Area High School. The fundraiser was met with an enthusiastic response from the community, ultimately resulting in a significant contribution to benefit students and programming at the high school.
“We are incredibly grateful to Jersey Mike’s for their support and commitment to education in our community,” said Dr. Brian T. Uplinger, Superintendent of Schools. “This generous donation will help enhance opportunities for our students, and we sincerely thank Jersey Mike’s and all who participated in making this fundraiser a success.”
The Hazleton Area School District deeply values partnerships with local businesses and looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate in support of student success.
About Author
