Administration / Superintendent's Page

Dr. Brian T. Uplinger

Superintendent of Schools

Dedicated To Excellence In Education Through Student-Centered Learning

Superintendent Vision

For

Hazleton Area School District

Each student will be challenged in all his/her daily course of studies to their maximum potential and will possess the needed 21^st Century academic and technical skills upon graduation, to be remediation free, as they enter college or the workforce.

District Central Focus

Excellence in Learning and High Quality Teaching for EVERY STUDENT while incorporating 21st Century Learning Skills.

Superintendent Mission

Hazleton Area School District will provide every student:

With a challenging, rigorous, high quality standards based curricula that applies and adapts to each student's success in mastery learning.

Will possess the needed skills on graduation to become lifelong learners and a deepen commitment to values and good citizenship.

Will have a safe, orderly, respectful, nurturing, and supportive learning environment.

Will possess the needed basic skills on graduation to be successful in the 21^stCentury workplace and be able to sustain a family supporting wage.

District Goals

Everyone shares in the accountability of student learning

Improve student learning

Develop creative teaching strategies

Develop collaborative scoring rubrics for student work

Develop common collaborative formative assessment strategies

Develop individualized personal instruction for each student

I would like to take this opportunity and welcome you to the Hazleton Area School District website. At Hazleton Area, dedicated staff work together to provide high quality educational experiences and services for our students. In addition, our community members are highly supportive of the District and assist with the overall education of our youth. Our School Board is unquestionably committed to supporting the District Mission: "To provide a challenging and enriching education in which students are exposed to high academic standards, a rigorous curriculum, and integrated technology in an inclusive environment."

I sincerely hope that this site will enable you to find what you are looking for through the different links to our buildings, departments, athletics, and activities supported by the District. Please feel free to contact any appropriate staff member to assist you with questions. I am also available to assist you. I am committed to continuous educational and operational improvements within the District. It is very important to communicate to all stakeholders as well as others.   That is why efforts to increase communication through the utilization of this site and other media will be enacted. I welcome all of your feedback and suggestions. We must work together for the sake of our children and their futures.

A Little About Me

My educational philosophy is that every individual can learn when given a safe, clean environment along with the appropriate balance of high quality educational courses, competitive athletic challenges, engaging activities, and wonderful operational experiences.   Here, at Hazleton Area School District, every child is given just that through the multitude of opportunities supported by the District and School Board. Every individual can learn! With that stated, I have been committed to providing the most comprehensive learning experiences throughout my educational career.

I started my career in St. Marys, PA with St. Marys Area School District. During that time, I taught 4th grade (all-inclusive), 7th grade Social Studies, 7th grade English, 8th grade Reading, was the Middle School Dean of Students, and coached High School Swimming and Diving.   I was with SMASD for 7 years. After completing my K-12 Principal certification, I was hired at Iroquois School District in Erie, PA as the Junior – Senior High School Assistant Principal. Three months later, I was promoted to the position of Junior – Senior High School Principal. I was with ISD for 5 years. Following the completion of my Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, I became the Assistant Superintendent for the Northwestern Lehigh School District. I served in that capacity for 3 years. I was the Superintendent of Schools for the Pine Grove Area School District and served in that capacity for 3 years. Most recently, I served as the Superintendent of Schools for the Central Greene School District for 4 years.

During those experiences, I never lost sight of what mattered most: the children! I will never lose sight of that as your Superintendent either. I am very proud to be the Superintendent of such a wonderful School District! The students, parents, community members, School Board members, and employees are all significant to a fundamental education. Without any of these stakeholders, our vision could not be fulfilled.

I feel so strongly about the District and its future, my family has moved into the community and our children have attended Hazleton Area Schools.

Again, if there is anything I can assist you with, please do not hesitate in contacting me.

Yours in education,

Brian T. Uplinger, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Hazleton Area School District

E-Mail: uplingerb@hasdk12.org

Twitter: @buplinger

HASD Facebook Page

Weather Delays/Cancelations Process

Weather Delays/Cancelations/Early Dismissals Procedures

I wanted to make sure you had the information on why things are done the way they are with precipitation, weather delays/cancelations and early dismissals.

The Process:
I watch the weather like a hawk in order to get the best information possible before making any type of decision that would jeopardize the safety of our students or staff. I am also aware that some of our students walk to and from school. Having nearly 13,000 students and 1,600 employees counting on me to keep them safe, I have to err on the side of caution. With cancelations or early dismissals, evening events will be canceled, as well. This practice provides for a “no questions” procedure for all involved.

Any delay or cancelation must be called prior to 5:00 am due to our buses. I will try very hard to make any decisions the night before due to childcare changes that may need to be completed for some families. Unfortunately, the weather doesn’t cooperate in our time frame.

If precipitation is involved, I drive on the roads to gain a visual perspective of the situation. The largest issues we have in our District, when there is a precipitation concern, are higher elevations and country roads that are the last to be touched. Our District has approximately 256 square miles it encompasses.

I do not base my decisions on the other school districts around us. I do alert the other Superintendents as to what our plans are for the day if there is any consideration for a delay or cancelation.

When dealing with an early dismissal, the same course of action is followed. Our roads are checked, the weather is monitored, contractors are called, a message is sent, and other districts are notified.

There is a lot of planning and thought that goes into these types of situations and decisions. They are certainly not taken lightly!

Thank you and have a wonderful day!!
ARP ESSER Health and Safety Plan

Administration

Weather Delays/Cancelations Process

ARP ESSER Health and Safety Plan