High-school administrators told the Punxsutawney Area School District board on Tuesday they will open a small on-site food pantry closet for students in need and are creating a new DECA chapter to expand business and career opportunities.

Dr. Smelka and staff described a partnership with Second Harvest and local church volunteers: a truck will deliver pantry items to a dedicated closet in the high school, students and staff will stock kits, and the pantry will make items available to students before they leave for the weekend or during the week as needed. The district aims to have the first delivery in December.

"We are creating a space within the building where the students would be able to go and eat before they leave on the weekend," Dr. Smelka said, noting the program grows from high-school and community partnerships and student volunteer work in local food pantries.

The board also reviewed a proposal to create a DECA chapter — a student organization focused on business and marketing — with volunteer advisors from existing staff. Administrators said DECA would give students competition opportunities at local, state and national levels and tie into existing career and technical efforts with the Weber Foundation and Jeff Tech.

For family engagement, the high school plans "Holiday in the Halls," a winter-family night with teacher-led activities and community-resource tables. Administrators also want to schedule presentations (student and parent sessions) on social media safety, cyberbullying and vaping; the board encouraged holding student presentations during school hours with optional evening sessions for families to improve outreach.

Why this matters: The pantry addresses food insecurity among students and complements district nutrition programs; DECA and family-engagement events are intended to increase postsecondary and community connections and give parents more entry points into school life.