Students and community partners brought the holiday season into the Dec. 15 Whitehall-Coplay School District board meeting, with musical performances, a first-place elementary invention and presentations about the district’s Chief Science Officer (CSO) program.

Why it matters: The presentations showcased student achievement, district arts and STEM initiatives and community support for district programs, and highlighted students advancing to state-level competitions.

Third-grade gifted students from Steckle Elementary described their first-place project at the Pennsylvania Invention Convention, saying their team created an invention called "Omahu," a low-cost, solar-powered medical support idea accompanied by a robot prototype named George to demonstrate the concept. "We are the third grade gifted students from Steckle Elementary. We are excited to share our experience at this year's PA invention convention," the students said during their presentation. The students said they had been invited to compete at the state competition in Hershey.

Whitehall High School chorale performed two holiday songs for the board and audience; board members and administrators thanked the students and their director for the performance. Student leaders from the Chief Science Officer program — including Cindy, Esme, Serena and Dana — outlined last year’s activities and a new action plan to bring STEM lessons to elementary English-language learners and described regional and international CSO participation.

Toni Filman, representing PTO Plus, thanked volunteers and district partners for the Zephyr Express holiday event on Dec. 4 and praised the participation of Whitehall Township police, the Whitehall Lions Club, the Whitehall Rotary and many donors who supported shopping and gift-wrapping events for students.

The board and administration also highlighted winter concerts, a spelling-bee finalist advancing to regionals and volunteer service by student groups. Several administrators noted that the district will focus on senior graduation pathways and academic planning when students return in January.

The board recorded appreciation for the students and volunteers. Several student performances and presentations were singled out for thanks and for bringing community partners into school activities.