Allentown leaders, AFT celebrate Sonia Sotomayor dual-language program with book donation and scholarships

Dr. Carol D. Birx, superintendent and chief executive officer of the Allentown School District, opened the event at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Emergence Academy on Monday, praising staff and partners for building what she called "a model of what good bilingual education should be." She invited the community to embrace the district's strategic plan priorities, including a superintendent's book club and classroom-book vending initiatives.

The gathering brought state lawmakers, the mayor and union officials who credited sustained investment and partnerships for the school's dual-language program. "This is our moment," Birx said, urging attendees to support the district as it grows the program and adds grade levels.

Representative Peter Schreier and Representative Mike Schlossberg both praised the school as an example of how investment in teachers, paraprofessionals and students can produce stronger educational outcomes. Representative Juhani Zepeda Freitas, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus, said he has introduced a bill to expand K'12 dual-immersion programs across the commonwealth and encouraged replication of Allentown's approach.

Evelyn de Jesus, executive vice president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), said multilingualism is an asset and announced a donation of 500 bilingual books to the school as part of AFT's literacy campaign. "While others are banning the books, we give them away," de Jesus said.

AFT Pennsylvania President Coleman announced the Power Proud Scholarship for paraprofessionals and said the union will award $5,000 scholarships to four Allentown Federation of Paraprofessional members to support their work toward becoming teachers. "This scholarship has the benefit of helping paras enrolled in programs like the emerging educators program to reach the next steps in their careers," Coleman said.

Board President Edrine Brown Noel thanked legislators and union partners for long-term support, and Mayor Turk described the school as part of Allentown's "second act," noting the city's changing demographics and the school's role serving a largely Latino student body.

Birx closed by asking community partners to help the district expand the Sonia Sotomayor site; she said the school currently serves up to second grade and the district intends to add additional grades in the near term. The event ended with a ceremonial check and planned photo opportunity.

Next steps: the superintendent requested continued support from partners to expand grade levels at the school; no formal votes or policy decisions were recorded during the event.