No classes will be held Monday, Oct. 8, because of a professional development day for teachers.

Meet the teacher: Parents of Gockley Elementary School students are invited to Meet the Teacher Night tonight, Thursday, Oct. 4, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

A presentation by teachers will begin promptly at 6:40 p.m. After the presentation, parents may visit teachers and tour the building.

Be sure to stop in the cafeteria to join the PTO and visit the PTO's fundraiser display.

You may also check your child's lunch accounts and add money to them.

Children should not accompany parents to the event.

Fire Prevention Week: Fire Preventation Week begins Monday, Oct. 9, in the elementary schools.

Activities for students include visits from Whitehall firefighters who will give demonstrations.

School board meeting: The school board meets Monday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited.

Reminder: Zephyr Elementary School dismissal is at 3:10 p.m.

Parents and students need to have matching pick-up numbers in order for the child to be dismissed from school. If one is missing the number, the parent must come into the office and show identification to sign out the child.

For safety and quick dismissal process, parents are asked to stay in their vehicles.

District website: Be sure to check www.whitehallcoplay.org/ for informaiton on many upcoming events and important information.

From there you can access the website for your child's school for more specific information. Many schools are going green and suggest you visit the site to read school newsletters.

Checking lunch accounts: Parents are encouraged to check their child's lunch account often to assure that funds are available to purchase lunches. You can access "lunchbox account" through the school website to check balances.

If you need an account set up, visit the website mySchoolBucks.com and email them with your name, child's name, grade and phone number. If online access is not available, parents may call the Gockley cafeteria between 9:30-11 a.m. to check the balance.

PTO membership: The Whitehall-Coplay Parent-Teacher Organization provides funding for numerous educational and cultural programs for students in grades kindergarten through grade 12.

During the upcoming weeks, parents will receive information about becoming a member. There are no commitments when you enroll, however, volunteers are welcomed to actively participate. Volunteer needs include hospitality, parties, school spirit, fundraisers, publicity, book fairs and Children's Day programs.

Fundraising information will also be distributed.

Visit the PTO website for information: www.orgsites.com/pa/whitehall-coplaypto.

Do you have any school news? This column is a compilation of upcoming school events in the Whitehall-Coplay School District.

Teachers, administrators, parents, students, coaches, PTOs, club advisors and other community members are invited to share news of their upcoming activities.

I can place an upcoming activity in The Press, along with connecting you with the newspaper for possible photo coverage of your event.

Please email me at jamb87@hotmail.com with "Whitehall-Coplay Press" in the subject line at least a week before an event.

The Press is released every Thursday. My column is completed by the Sunday before the Thursday release. Hope to hear from you!