At the Whitehall-Coplay School Board meeting Jan. 13, Whitehall-Coplay School District Superintendent Dr. Lorie Hackett applauded the board’s dedication in observance of School Director Recognition Month.

“I’d like to take a moment to thank our school board members who give so unselfishly of their time in an effort to give our students every opportunity possible to succeed. Our board members are committed to providing every student the opportunity to grow and achieve,” she said.

Hackett announced each member’s years of service — President Wayne Grim, 16 years; Vice President William Fonzone Sr., three years; Treasurer George Williams, three years; Tina Koren, 17 years; William Leiner Jr., five years; Nichole Hartman, in her first year; Patty Gaugler, nine years; Joseph Shields, three years; and George Makhoul, two years.

Hackett also thanked Lafarge Cement Company for its donation of 20 holiday food baskets and St. John’s United Church of Christ, Fullerton, and local Girl Scouts for the donation of hats, gloves and scarves for students in need.

Whitehall-Coplay Middle School Principal Angela Friebolin discussed events at the school. One example was a student-run coffee shop.

“Every Friday morning from 7:30 a.m. to noon, you can find Mr. Rile’s Life Skills students working the coffee shop. It’s really become a part of the culture in our building to interact with the kids and see them working,” Friebolin said.

Friebolin also discussed other fun activities WCMS has done over the past few months, such as an impromptu concert in the principal’s office, STEM students building a candy corn catapult and taking part in the Turkey Day pep rally.

“The teachers participate in games with the kids. It’s a lot of fun,” she said.

The board approved a field trip request from Justin Boandl, for the Science Olympiad team to compete in a competition at Juniata College, Huntington, April 24-25, at the cost of two school vans.

Whitehall High School Student Council is planning this year’s mini-THON, with the theme “Blast Away Childhood Cancer.” The space-themed event is planned for 6-8 p.m. March 6.

Also, WHS Theatre Club will be performing “Cinderella” April 2-5.

In other news, the board approved the resignations of Kathleen Long, paraeducator at WHS; William Edwards, security at WHS; Julie Rutt, Student Council adviser at WCMS; and Megan Desthers, paraeducator at Gockley Elementary School. Also approved was the retirement of Lora Luchansky, school nurse at Zephyr Elementary School.

Committee meetings on operations/transportation, finance/personnel and education/student activities are set for 4 p.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 24. A special operations/transportation meeting will be 4:15 p.m. Feb. 6.

The next school board meeting will be held 7 p.m. Feb. 10.