Several staff members and individuals were recognized at last week’s Northern Lehigh School Board meeting.

High school Principal Robert Vlasaty said the district received a donation last month from Johnson Controls, Christine Quattrocchi, of PPE Supplies.

Vlasaty said Quattrocchi (an assistant cheering coach in the district), of Johnson Controls in Allentown, took the time out to load up her SUV with 11,400 Nitro gloves (114 boxes of 100), and 40 gallons of 80% alcohol hand sanitizer with pumps (that’s 40 1-gallon bottles) and drop them off at the high school.

“So we’d like to really thank her, and acknowledge her for her thoughts of us and her generosity,” Vlasaty said. “And thanks to Johnson Controls.”

Vlasaty also announced that Mr. and Mrs. Moore of Slatington recently made a donation of multiple DJ lighting and structural equipment to the high school’s theater department on behalf of their son Jesse Weiner, a 2003 graduate of the district.

Superintendent Matthew J. Link thanked both families for the donations.

Peters Elementary Principal James Schnyderite made mention of a donation of food and gifts for Christmas to Peters Elementary from an anonymous family.

“As we neared the Christmas holiday, we were approached by an anonymous donor who wanted to provide a full Christmas for a family in need,” Schnyderite said. Peters Elementary School counselor Kelly Kromer worked with the donor and a local family to coordinate this donation. “Right before the holiday, Mrs. Kromer and I met the donor outside of Peters Elementary, and we unloaded an entire minivan of gifts and food. It took us literally three mini-trucks worth of traveling in and out to get all of the gifts, you wouldn’t believe it.

“The gifts were for both children and the adults, and the food was enough for an entire Christmas dinner and more.

“Although the donor chose to remain anonymous, I don’t think that the act should remain anonymous. Thank you to our anonymous donor for filling us all with the holiday spirit.”

Appreciation week

Link announced that the first week of February was School Counselor’s Appreciation Week.

“I would just like to publicly thank and recognize our five school counselors within the school district for the work that they do really for all students and their families every school year, but in particular this past semester, and almost three-quarters at this point,” he said. “They’re constantly going above and beyond to make connections with our students when sometimes making connections is difficult. So again, I thank them for their work and their dedication to our students and to their families and our community.”

Link added that that week also marked Food Service Workers Appreciation Week.

“I’d also like to thank another group that has certainly gone above and beyond, not only this school year but really every school year,” he said. “This school year, a spotlight has been placed on them for the work that they’re doing, and that’s our food services department work group led by Mrs. (Sue) Bahnick.

“That group really has become one of the most flexible, problem-solving type groups that I’ve had the privilege to work with; they’ve just figured it out, sometimes with less than 24 hours notice.

“So I’d like to say a big congratulations to that group on everything that they’ve pulled off so far, and also to thank them for the work that they’re doing in particular this year, but really every year. Congratulations to you as well, Mrs. Bahnick, and thank you for the work that you’re doing.”

Recognition of retiree

Link acknowledged retired teacher Ellen Yenser for her years of service to the district.

He said Yenser retired Jan. 25 after 27½ years of service.

“On behalf of the board of education and the school district, in the near future you will be receiving an engraved apple as a token of our appreciation for all you’ve done for the staff and students, and our community,” he said.