During the Sept. 16 Catasauqua Communities That Care meeting, the group discussed its Live Well, Be Well Roughie Style event held Aug. 29.

“It was such a fun event,” Amy Dymond-Jones, Catasauqua Middle School counselor and CTC coordinator, said. “There was a lot to learn, but I feel there was a lot of positives.”

It was noted they could do better with marketing and outreach for the event. The CTC members discussed having next year’s event planned by May, so they have plenty of time to get the word out.

It was also discussed holding the event a week or two earlier since it coincided with the start of the school year and the fall sports season. It was suggested holding the event the weekend after the teachers start but before the students return to class.

It was also proposed to rebrand the event as a community or family day to make it clear that all district families are welcome to take part. There will also be some effort to create a more seamless flow for the event to ensure participants get to see all the available activities.

The CTC members reported having the community yard sale at the same time was helpful to bring in more people and reach more families. It was noted the pig roast was a big hit, and Pastor Brian Riedy and Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church members were thanked for preparing and handling the food.

There was a request to have more school clubs represented, and additional activities are being planned for next year’s event.

In other business, it was reported the Linton’s Closet upgrade is looking amazing and is officially open and underway for the new year.

Julie Miller, of Clean Organize Repeat, said she is getting to know the students and find out what they like and what they are looking for to help replenish items as needed. Dymond-Jones reported there is approximately $1,000 in an activities fund for the closet if Miller needs to purchase items.

Miller also reported she had a specialty stamp made to mark the items in the closet. This extra step helps parents know where stuff is coming from and makes kids feel like they are really “buying” the items, she said.

It was reported Lois Reed, Catasauqua Community Cares Program organizer, is helping identify students and families who may be in need of the closet’s services.

“The families who shopped last week really appreciated it,” Dymond-Jones said.

The Pennsylvania Youth Survey 2025 results review will kick off at the Oct. 21 meeting. CTC members have picked chapters to analyze, and the group will discuss the results together. This data helps the CTC members identify any areas that might need extra attention to help best support the students in the district.

Dymond-Jones reported students in sixth and seventh grades have been visiting Camp Fowler to engage in team-building activities, outdoor education and adventure-based programming to promote connection, reflection and growth.

“I knew I was going to love it, but I love it so much more,” Dymond-Jones said.

She accompanied the sixth-grade classes on their trips.

The previous PAYS report showed the sixth-grade classes were struggling to connect with each other, the school community and even themselves. It had been reported this is a tough age, filled with a lot of changes and challenges.

The addition of the Camp Fowler trips is an effort to give the students a safe and fun environment to come together with their classmates and teachers. It was proving to be such a hit with sixth-graders that the school opened it up to include seventh grade as well.

“The kids have an absolute blast, and the teachers think it’s great,” Dymond-Jones said.

She noted they hike up the mountain, rest in a hammocked area and come down by the creek. The students have to work together to solve problems utilizing activity-based communication.

The students are given a short six-question survey to take before and after the event, so those results will be analyzed at a later date to help measure its efficacy.

Dymond-Jones said they want to continue this initiative each year. Shelley Keffer, coordinator of student services, said she will explore funding and grant opportunities.

The hope is the students will become a more cohesive group, allow them to connect and help combat bullying.

“I’m excited to see what comes out of it,” Keffer said.

On a related note, Dymond-Jones reported Start With Hello Week was to start Sept. 21 at CMS. During the week, students were encouraged to make connections with new people, engaged in class meetings and were paired with students in different grades as well.

One big activity during this week is the Chalk the Walk, so students arrive to school and see a number of encouraging and uplifting messages to start their day. They will also write positive notes to each other.

LeeAnne Debrosse, of Valley Youth House, reported the annual healthy living expo will be held 8-11 a.m. Nov. 12 at Catasauqua High School. The event brings together SADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and STARS, Students Taking Active Roles, clubs from across the county to explore different organizations and learn new things. She reported they are seeking vendors from the community to have a table at the event and plan fun interactive things with the students.

The next meeting will be held 7:45 a.m. Oct. 21 in the Catasauqua Area School District administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.