Mayor Tuerk Receives Book at Lehigh Parkway Celebration

Mayor Tuerk Receives Book at Lehigh Parkway Celebration
Posted on 10/18/2022

[Allentown, PA, October 17, 2022]: Students, staff and guests gathered at Lehigh Parkway Elementary School to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Friday, Oct. 14. Student Isaac Garcia Gracias read his book, My Family, then presented a signed copy of his book written in both English and Spanish to Mayor Matt Tuerk. Isaac is the first student to author a book in two languages as part of the I Am On A Bookshelf program, facilitated by the Allentown School District Foundation (ASDF).

Now in its 10th year, the I Am On A Bookshelf program started as a Teacher Innovation Grant project proposed and executed by Mr. Donald Stahl after one of his Lehigh Parkway students repeatedly asked how he could become an author. The program has continued even during the pandemic through support from Dan’s Camera City, Barnes & Noble Whitehall, The Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation, the Allentown Rotary Club, and gifts from the community. The school library holds at least 50 student authored books written through this program.

This celebration was attended by Superintendent Dr. John Stanford, ASDF Board President Dan Bosket, ASDF Vice President Tonya Harris, Emeritus Board Members Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch and Barry Halper, Mike Woodland from Dan’s Camera City, Isaac’s family and school personnel. “This celebration highlights the important relationship between strong schools and strong cities, and the community investment that leads to both,” shared Dr. Julie Ambrose, ASDF executive director.

About the Author: Isaac wrote, “I would share my story with everybody. I want to share my story with my family, friends, and myself. I wonder and think what I would do with my story. I love to read, and write nonfiction stories about my family.”

                                                                                                                                                           

About the Allentown School District Foundation

The ASD Foundation has a mission to encourage, promote, support and fund positive educational experiences for students in the Allentown School District. Since its founding in 2009, the Foundation has raised over $8.1 million for supplemental programming and conduit support for ASD schools. If you would like to learn how you can support the work of the Foundation with contributions or by volunteering, please contact Executive Director, Dr. Julie K. Ambrose, at 484-765-4093 or [email protected]. The mailing address is P.O. Box 328, 31 South Penn Street, Allentown, PA 18105, and the website is www.allentownsd.org/asdf.

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