Student & Family Handbook

Dear Learning Community:

Welcome Back! We hope this message finds you energized and ready to begin a new year of learning, growth, and discovery. Whether you are a returning student or joining our learning community for the first time, we extend our warmest greetings and excitement for the possibilities this school year holds.

The Allentown School District’s Handbook Guiding Light: A Code of Conduct for Thriving Together is an essential resource for understanding the District’s policies, procedures, and supports. Inside, you will find clear expectations for behavior, attendance, academics, and community engagement for our students. Each student and family should read it carefully and refer to it throughout the year.

Beyond the classroom, our District offers an array of activities, sports, and clubs at all schools. We encourage each student and family to engage with these opportunities to enrich their learning experience. It is important to note that extracurricular involvement enhances classroom learning, fosters personal growth and leadership skills, and allows for the exploration of new interests.

As a District, we are committed to fostering the complete development of each student, prioritizing not only their academic growth, but also students' physical and mental health, and social-emotional competencies. The following resources are available for students and families: 

• On-demand online tutoring programs are available to every student
• Counslr: a mobile app that connects students over the age of 14 with licensed therapists via text message 
• Hazel Health: Access to physical health and online therapists at no cost 
• 1-1 Parent Coaching through ParentGuidance.org

To foster open communication this coming year, the District will be transitioning to two new platforms this fall. PowerSchool will be our new Student Information System, and ParentSquare will serve as our Mass Communication / Emergency Alert System. We will provide numerous opportunities for families and students to learn more, ensuring everyone can stay engaged with their schooling experience.

This year, we have significantly updated several major sections of the handbook, including our policies on Academic Honesty and Artificial Intelligence.  

We are excited to learn and grow with you! 

We Get Better Together! All of Our Strengths Are Needed!