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Saucon Valley students and mentors honored for Check & Connect and manufacturing video; I‑Team reaches state competition
Summary
Eighth‑grade students and the district’s I‑Team were recognized at the board meeting for Check & Connect mentoring and for a manufacturing video that advanced to states. Administrators praised mentors and advisors for long‑running program success.
Eighth‑grade students, their mentors and members of the middle school I‑Team were recognized by the Saucon Valley School District Board for mentoring and a manufacturing video project that advanced to the state level.
Three eighth‑grade students — who identified themselves by first name — described the Check and Connect program, which pairs students with adult mentors. “This program is all about helping students like us navigate through middle school,” one student said, explaining that mentors help with homework, keep students on track and communicate with families. The students said their mentor is librarian Miss Lesney.
Administrators told the board the district tracks attendance, grades and behavior measures for mentees and reported “very, very positive data.” The district said some mentees have taken on leadership responsibilities and that staff and parents have expressed strong support for the program.
Board members also recognized the I‑Team, which produces a short video for the “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” contest. Amelia, an eighth‑grade I‑Team member, described the project: each team was assigned a company to film; Saucon students were assigned Allen Organ Company and produced a two‑to‑two‑and‑a‑half minute video. “We won outstanding creativity at the local competition, and we even made it to states,” Amelia said.
Principal (name not specified) and other administrators noted that I‑Team participation is longstanding — officials said the program has competed for 12 consecutive years and that this year’s entry was the first from Saucon to reach the state level. The board and administrators singled out librarian/advisor Miss Lesney and other staff (Mister Austin and Mister Schleicher) for their leadership in supporting students.
Representatives from Allen Organ Company spoke about their manufacturing process when the students visited the company during filming. Randy Bjorken, advertising and media manager at Allen Organ Company, described the company’s vertical manufacturing process from woodworking to electrical assembly.
Trustees applauded the students and their advisors and noted the recognition showcases the district’s extracurricular and applied‑learning opportunities.
