Allentown School District officials, American Federation of Teachers officials and local politicians take a picture with a check depicting the amount being donated to the district for scholarships for paraprofessionals Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown.

Principal Jennifer Aponte speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Principal Jennifer Aponte speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Carol Birks speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Carol Birks speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Wendy G. Coleman, AFT Pennsylvania President speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Wendy G. Coleman, AFT Pennsylvania President speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy student Nelyanis shows off her picture in the hallway during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy student Nelyanis shows off her picture in the hallway during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Evelyn DeJesus, AFT Executive Vice President and LCLAA President speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Evelyn DeJesus, AFT Executive Vice President and LCLAA President speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Miss Jarjous, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Miss Jarjous, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Allentown School District officials, American Federation of Teachers officials and local politicians take a picture with a check depicting the amount being donated to the district for scholarships for paraprofessionals Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Allentown School District officials, American Federation of Teachers officials and local politicians take a picture with a check depicting the amount being donated to the district for scholarships for paraprofessionals Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Miss Munoz, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Miss Munoz, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Miss Jarjous, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Miss Jarjous, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Ms. Munoz, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Ms. Munoz, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Mi’reya, a student at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, interacts with Evelyn DeJesus, executive vice president of the American Federation of Teachers and president of the the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school. The event was sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the tour intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

 

Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy students Dayana, right, and Abigail, left, giggle as they do classwork in their second grade classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy students Dayana, right, and Abigail, left, giggle as they do classwork in their second grade classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Ms. Munoz, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Ms. Munoz, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Jacob, a student at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, interacts with Evelyn DeJesus, executive vice president of the American Federation of Teachers and president of the the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school. The event was sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the tour intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

 

Principal Jennifer Aponte speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Principal Jennifer Aponte speaks during a Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, tour sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy in Allentown. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy students Dayana, right, and Abigail, left, giggle as they do classwork in their second grade classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy students Dayana, right, and Abigail, left, giggle as they do classwork in their second grade classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Miss Jarjous, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Miss Jarjous, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy student Nelyanis shows off her picture in the hallway during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy student Nelyanis shows off her picture in the hallway during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

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