United for Kids: United Way Community Schools Improve Academic Success by Promoting Social-Emotional Wellness and Attendance

Many students arrive at school carrying the invisible burden of trauma, which impacts their ability to focus, regulate emotions and engage in learning. These challenges affect children across all backgrounds and lead to struggles with attendance, behavior and academic performance.

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is dedicated to removing these barriers to education so more students can graduate ready for life, career or college. Through our signature solution, United Way Community Schools, we support 19,814 students by fostering social-emotional learning, improving student attendance and engagement, encouraging positive relationships with families and supporting behavioral health.

Sheridan Elementary School in the Allentown School District, one of 33 United Way Community Schools, recognized a significant need for social-emotional learning and introduced a skill-building program in partnership with Cohesion Network.

“Cohesion’s program is essential for our students, as many only know how to react to conflict based on what they see in their families or video games,” said Christine Sterner, fifth grade teacher at Sheridan. “Cohesion presents these strategies in an engaging and positive way, making it easier for students to understand and apply them. This foundation is important for their growth as individuals, both now and in the future.”

Cohesion Network, a United Way funded partner, is a community-based nonprofit organization in Allentown. Their engaging curriculum helps students develop crucial social-emotional skills and manage behavioral health challenges. At Sheridan Elementary, the impact of Cohesion’s program has been profound, especially for students like Paris, Jeremy and Dasiel.

Paris, an 11-year-old at Sheridan who initially struggled with defensive behavior and peer relationships, enthusiastically recalls how Cohesion’s program helped her find new ways to cope and positively handle conflict. “My favorite day was the first time they came in. They brought hot cocoa and gave us strategies to calm down. Everyone was so nice and kind,” she shared. The program taught Paris positive ways to express her emotions to resolve conflicts and how to seek help when needed.

In addition to Cohesion’s program, Nancy Ruiz, Sheridan’s Community School Coordinator, created incentives and prizes to increase attendance and engagement like rewarding students with pizza parties, a special art project from the Baum School of Art and creating a Winter Wonderland during the holidays where every student received a gift.

Thanks to supporters like you, United Way is here to provide essential support that helps our students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Together, we are United for YOU, making a lasting impact on our community’s future. Give Today.