Baer Memorial Swimming Pool in Lehighton was the site of a "big splash" with families on Friday evening with the 2013 Lehighton School and Community Educational / Safety Program.

"Despite our one-day weather delay, the fourth annual pool event was a fantastic success," said Suzanne Howland, principal of East Penn Elementary and Franklin Elementary Schools. "We estimate 800 people from our community enjoyed the 30-plus agencies and resources."Originally planned for Thursday evening, the event was rescheduled for Friday due to Thursday's rainy weather. This free evening of swimming, food, and activities was sponsored by Lehighton Area School District Title One Department and Baer Memorial Swimming Pool.According to Howland, "The goal of the evening was to continue bridging the gap between school and community by providing a free educational/safety awareness program."She added, "The food and beverage service was provided by the joint effort of Lehighton Borough Council and Lehighton Area School Board and administrative staff."This event was open to all Lehighton Area School District children and families. In order to be permitted to participate in the planned activities, students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade had to have been accompanied by an adult."I think it's a very educational event," said Tiffani Herman of Lehighton. "It's so nice for the school and borough to do this for the kids." Herman and her daughter, Keira, enjoyed the evening of swimming and other activities.Children and families were able to swim for the evening, while parents were encouraged to circulate among the stations throughout the pool grounds. When parents had completed all stations, they had the opportunity to win free raffle items which were donated by local businesses and school organizations.Organizations and individuals participating in the 2013 Lehighton School and Community Educational / Safety Program included:Baer Memorial Swimming Pool lifeguards, Baltimore Life for child identification cards and fingerprinting, Carbon County Right From the Start Early Childhood Program, Carbon County Safe Kids Program, Pennsylvania State Police.Carbon County Sheriff's Office; Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Developmental Services, Carbon-Tamaqua Unit of the American Cancer Society, Dance with Kim School of Performing Arts, LLC, Family Promise of Carbon County, Frey Smiles Orthodontics.Geisinger Health Care, Milton Hershey School, Sherry L. Hoffman, author of "A to Z Character Education for the Classroom", Jack and Jill Preschool; Keystone Financial Management, Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC)/SHINE Program.Lehighton Area Memorial Library, Lehighton Area Neighborhood Crime Watch, Lehighton Athletic Booster Club, Lehighton Police Department, Lions Club Eye Bank, Mountain Karate Academy, PA Treatment & Healing (PATH), OAA Orthopaedic Specialists.Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pyramid Sports Performance Center, Robin's Nest Early Learning and Childcare Center, LLC, Gene Snisky, professional wrestler, St. Matthew's Preschool, Sword Tag Venture Crew 1347, Bo Tkach Foundation, and Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services, Inc.In addition, Title One staff provided fun math and reading activities for children.Music was provided by Layne Roberts - aka "The Doctor" - from Penn's Peak Radio.Another highlight of the evening for many guests was the landing of the PennSTAR helicopter in the lower baseball field at Baer Memorial Park. PennSTAR is a hospital-based medical flight program that provides critical care air medical transportation within a 100-mile radius of the University of Pennsylvania Health System - which includes Reading Hospital and Medical Center and St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network in the Lehigh Valley."This event continues to be successful due to the many volunteers, donations, and contributions given by the community," concluded Howland.