During the Catasauqua Communities That Care meeting Aug. 21, coalition members organized and set the meeting schedule for the 2025-26 academic year. Meetings will continue to be held 7:45 a.m. in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St., usually on the third Wednesday of the month.

Amy Dymond-Jones, Catasauqua Middle School counselor and CTC coordinator, noted Aug. 20 was the last summer food distribution for the Catasauqua Community Cares Program. She noted C3P received a large donation of chips from Feed the Children and focused on getting rid of the food in the freezer to open the space up for the start of the school year.

Dymond-Jones mentioned there was also a variety of backpacks given out to students from C3P in preparation for the new year. Additionally, she said Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua donated school supplies.

Lois Reed, C3P organizer, was thanked for her efforts to provide for these students and for her hard work in the district. It was noted Reed is already working on coordinating the weekend bags sent home with students.

Coalition members discussed the possibility of adding a representative from Lehigh County Children and Youth. It was agreed the addition would be a good idea to help with access to additional resources and services for district families. Leanne Debrosse, from Valley Youth House, said she would be happy to reach out.

Dymond-Jones noted they are still exploring options to get someone of the coalition to help with families of English language learners in the district.

It was reported the school continues to have a good working relationship with Salisbury Behavioral Health. While two of their therapists left, they have already been replaced.

Dymond-Jones also noted there is an option for online therapy sessions for families on the waiting list. Additionally, Student Assistance Program teams and liaisons can do assessments and help families access resources they need.

“I think we’ll be able to meet more than before,” Dymond-Jones said about these extra layers of support.

She also reported more CMS students involved with extra assistance will get SAP referrals, so the numbers better reflect the need and give a more accurate picture.

Dymond-Jones and Shelley Keffer, coordinator of student services, reported the district is using the Panorama survey to help get a snapshot of where students are mentally and emotionally.

A new member joined the coalition. CTC members welcomed Crystal Messer, vice president of child care at Greater Valley YMCA.

Messer noted enrollment is open for the YMCA’s program for seventh-grade students. This free membership includes planned activities and a staff member to assist.

“We want to start their teen years on a positive note,” Messer said.

Dymond-Jones suggested someone from the YMCA come to talk with the seventh-grade students to promote the initiative.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is ready to begin in the district for the 2025-26 year. High school students will partner up with middle school students. The goal is to have 10 matches for this first year. Identification of Bigs and Littles, as well as training, will occur the first half of the year, with the students actually meeting in January.

Coalition members discussed having a presence at community and back-to-school events in the district.

Students in sixth, eighth, 10th and 12th grades will take the Pennsylvania Youth Survey this year, with fourth-graders taking a pilot program. The data from the PAYS helps inform program decisions in the district.

The next Catasauqua CTC meeting is set for 7:45 a.m. Sept. 17.