HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A school in our area is getting ready to reopen after abruptly closing its doors just days before Christmas. Immanuel Christian School (ICS) in Hazleton will re-open on Tuesday.
It's all thanks to a Pennsylvania congressman who allocated hundreds of thousands of dollars from COVID relief funds to reopen the school and keep it open until the end of the year.
This letter that was sent to 28/22 news and families at Immanuel Christian School in Hazleton was one Krystle Herron did not expect to receive.
"I was shocked I didn't know actually what to do," Herron said.
The letter from the school's CEO states it will reopen on Tuesday, January 7.
The news comes roughly two weeks after the school announced it would be closing immediately.
Herron's son, Jacob Burke, was a third-grade student at ICS before the closure announcement that came right before Christmas.
NEPA to see snow for Monday morning
The holiday break is now over and Burke is ready to return back to schooling, so 28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli caught up with the family to see what their plan is.
"I sat and I talked multiple times with Jacob and said 'Listen, do you want to go back to finish the rest with the third grade or have a different education for now?" Herron explained.
Burke and his mom both decided registering in Hazleton Area's Cyber Academy is best for now.
Burke's first day is on Tuesday and he isn't exactly sure how to feel.
"Like nervous. Might be like, hard. Maybe just be the same stuff," said Burke.
The closure in December was due to funding issues, so where did the money come from all of a sudden?
Congressman Dan Meuser's office told 28/22 News after finding out the school was struggling financially, they wanted to help immediately.
When my office learned of Immanuel Christian School’s imminent closure, we acted quickly to help secure their Employee Retention Tax Credits. These funds were crucial to keeping the school open.
After the school announced its closure, we worked directly with the IRS, emphasizing the urgent and critical need to release these funds. My staff and I spoke with Mike Jarrell, the school’s CEO, on Christmas Eve to discuss the situation after their closure announcement and maintained consistent communication with the IRS over the following days. By December 26, we had partial release dates confirmed, and this week, we finalized the full release of payments.
Our office’s goal is always to support our community in times of need, and I’m happy that these efforts have enabled Immanuel Christian School to reopen its doors next week. The school is an important institution for the Hazleton area, and we are pleased to have played a role in keeping its mission alive.
Office of Congressman Dan Meuser
And that effort is going a long way for ICS.
"We are hopeful and will work hard to explore every possibility for a new vision, a new brand, and a sustainable model for ICS…" "This is not guaranteed, but we owe it to our students, families, and community to do everything we can to find a way forward."
Immanuel Christian School
Burke and his mom are hesitant but optimistic about ICS's future and hope it could be one they are a part of again.
"My heart is Immanuel Christian for him it's an amazing school. I know for a fact he will start 4th grade there if they get the funding and keep the funding," Herron added.
The ICS board is working to determine whether a new and sustainable future is possible for the school.
According to the letter, tuition will remain the same.
You can find the full letter from the school below.
Press-Release_-Immanuel-Christian-School-to-ReopenDownload
