Not All 'Saucon,' Panther Tweets are School District's

Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin says she's hoping to minimize confusion among Twitter users by naming the six official accounts in use or reserved for use by district staff and personnel.

Note: The following message concerning the popular social media website Twitter is from Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin: Please be informed that the only Twitter addresses associated with the district are: @SauconValleyHS @SauconValleySD @SauconValleyMS @SauconValleyES @SVHScounselors @sauconathletics The Twitter addresses are not all active but the district established the names so that we would have official Twitter accounts for future use if needed. Be aware that there are many active Twitter names that use the word Saucon and use a Panther graphic. Please know if they are not one of the above they are not connected to the district in any manner, and we have no way of controlling, monitoring, or commenting…

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SVSD Superintendent: 'Best Force and Source of Security are People'

In the wake of the Newtown school shooting, Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin thanked parents and staff for their faith in the district's schools on Monday.

Dear School Community, Today was emotional in many ways for all of us. I want to thank all of you for believing in our schools and sending your children to school this morning. I am sure in your hearts and minds there was that twinge of uncertainty with extra hugs, kisses, and spoken "I love you" as they left the house. Thank you to all staff throughout the district today for their caring smiles, helping hugs, and listening ears of support and comfort. We will continue to move forward and heal a little bit each day. Please know the best force and source of security are people; what people hear, what people see, what people know and those that are diligent enough to step up and speak out. Even if something makes you wonder, if something …

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SVSD Superintendent: Reassure Kids in Wake of School Shooting

The following letter was written and shared by Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin in response to the Newtown, Conn. school shooting.

Dear Saucon Valley School District and Community, I would like to ask you all to keep the victims, their families, loved ones, and their community in your thoughts and prayers as we all struggle with the unthinkable events in Connecticut yesterday. An act such as this defies explanation and reason. The Saucon Valley School District takes the safety and security of your children, the faculty, staff, and visitors seriously and keeps prevention as a priority. The district has measures in place to safeguard those in our care during the school day but regardless of what measures are in place some actions cannot be prevented as evidenced by today’s events. It is important to reassure children that the adults in their lives are doing everything …

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Paula

9:28 pm on Friday, April 5, 2013

I have & it has been a horrific experience. Thank you.   more ›

Superintendent Withdraws Graduation Credit Plan

Accusations and a general lack of support prompted Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin to withdraw her earlier proposal Nov. 13.

Skeptical school board members and strong teacher opposition led superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin to withdraw a proposed graduation credit plan during the Saucon Valley School Board meeting Nov. 13. The majority of concerns among board members and teachers were related to the plan's decrease in mandatory credits for graduation in core subjects such as English, mathematics, social studies and the sciences. Referring to the proposed decrease in the number of mandatory social studies courses, board member Bryan Eichfeld said "we need citizens coming out of here knowing what this country is about and what's going on." The criticism of the plan was multi-faceted, however, even ranging to what board member Lanita Lum described as the possibility…

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Local Reaction to Storm Inspires Pride

Carol Schneider says many local residents benefited from the kindness and quick-thinking of the Saucon Valley School District's administration and staff during the recent power outages.

To the Editor: I would like to thank Dr. Sandra Fellin and Wally Zimpfer, both from Saucon Valley School District. These two people were quick to get a handle on the needs of the residents within the school district by putting together a warming station/shelter for those affected (by the power outages). A fellow co-worker and I volunteered on Saturday night at the SVSD shelter/warming station and we saw firsthand how residents of the school district (Lower Saucon Township and Hellertown Borough) benefited from their kindness.  As Dr. Fellin stated to me, “it takes a team,” and she is absolutely correct. I would also like to thank Giant in Hellertown, the Hellertown Diner and the many residents who donated food to the shelter and all the …

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Saucon Students to Return to Class Monday

Saucon Valley schools will reopen on Monday, Nov. 5, after being closed for a week due to widespread power outages caused by Superstorm Sandy.

Saucon Valley students will return to class tomorrow, superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin announced late Sunday afternoon. Students were off from school for a week due to widespread power outages caused by Superstorm Sandy's high winds. Since a few parts of the area are still without power, Fellin said accommodations will be made for students and staff who haven't had service restored yet. "Locker rooms will be open to staff and students if needed," she said. And "those students not is attendance due to power outages and road closures will have excused absences." Monday will be a catch-up day for students; Tuesday and Wednesday will be the end of the first quarter; and Thursday will be a half-day grading day. Fellin said all Lower Saucon …

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Middle School Shelter to Stay Open Until Sunday

Saucon Valley Middle School will continue to serve as a shelter for storm-weary local residents who lost power during Superstorm Sandy. The Saucon Valley Compost Center will also open for extended hours. Volunteers are needed at both locations.

A day after opening the Saucon Valley Middle School gym as a temporary shelter for local residents dealing with a days-long power outage, Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin announced that the school will remain open as a shelter until Sunday, Nov. 4 at 9pm. The school's locker rooms and showers are also open during the daytime for the thousands of local residents who have been without power since Superstorm Sandy brought down trees and utility lines Monday night. Fellin said Thursday that falling temperatures and the number of local residents still without heat prompted the decision to open part of the school as a shelter. Friday night's low is forecast to be 36 degrees, and the low Saturday night is forecast to…

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School Board Revisits Energy Plans, Education Goals

The Saucon Valley School Board continues to explore energy ideas and education goals for the future.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the fact that quantitative and qualitative education goals were presented by the administration to the board. On Sept. 25 the Saucon Valley School Board heard a second presentation by Joe Solomon and Phil Solomon from Provident Engergy Consulting that encouraged the district to transform its energy usage and switch to natural gas. The board appeared no closer to making a decision on the switch to natural gas, as it asked Business Manager Dave Bonenberger to create a financial report that will influence the board’s ultimate decision. “I’d recommend that we take a look at it,” said Bonenberger. “We can better control our future energy costs.” One of the reasons for the board’s interest …

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School Board Discusses Naming of Campus Facilities

The Saucon Valley School Board will consider honoring prominent individuals with a naming policy that would recognize their contributions to the community.

The Saucon Valley School Board met July 24 and discussed the future naming of buildings and athletic fields after individuals. In the wake of community members' interest, the board passed a motion to assemble a committee that will either coherently lay out a procedure for naming district property after individuals, or decide that such honors are too lavish and should not be given out. Naming of property "would serve as an opportunity to thank individuals who have contributed to the community," board member Sandra Miller said. The board formed a subcommittee consisting of Miller, vice president Susan Baxter and superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin. This group will decide who will make up the complete committee that will consist of other board …

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