Whitehall High School will host Bands in the Round 7 p.m. Feb. 20.

The performance in the high school auditorium will feature the Zephyr Elementary "Maroon Band" (first year players), the Zephyr Elementary "Gold Band" (second year players), the Sixth-Grade Band, the Seventh- and Eighth-Grade Band and the High School Concert Band.

Each group will perform one or two selections on its own, and then all bands will combine into one large ensemble and perform a finale.

Admission is free. The public is invited to come hear the accomplishments of musicians in the school district.

Schools open tomorrow: School will be open tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 15, as a snow makeup day.

Parents and students should make a note of this because the school calendar states that school is closed. All classes will be in session on that day.

School will be closed on Monday, Feb. 18, in observance of Presidents Day.

Gockley patriotism: In honor of Presidents Day, students and staff at Gockley are encouraged to show their patriotic spirit by wearing red, white and blue on Friday, Feb. 15.

Box Tops collections ending: PTO is requesting that those who are saving Box Tops for Education turn them in by Friday, Feb. 22.

This is the last day box tops can be accepted for this school year. Thanks for your support!

Next school year's calendar: The Whitehall-Coplay School Board has approved the starting date for students in for the 2013-14 school year as Monday, Aug. 26.

Parents and guardians are requested to consider this when making vacation plans. It is important that students begin the school year on time to learn classroom orientations and routines.

Schools will be closed Friday, Aug. 30, and Monday, Sept. 2, for the Labor Day weekend.

Zephyr after-school program: Starting Feb. 21, Zephyr students can receive instruction in math, reading and test-taking strategies Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:35-5 p.m. The program will continue until March 26.

Problem-solving, thinking critically and logical thinking are areas of focus.

WCMS canned food drive: The middle school's canned food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank is set for Feb. 25-March 1.

While the major thrust of the food drive takes place among homeroom competition, anyone is welcome to drop off canned goods or dry goods at any time that week.

The school will store goods for the drive in the auditorium cloakroom.

Kindergarten registration: Parents may now call the Gockley office at 610-433-7551 to schedule an appointment for kindergarten registration, set for April 9-12.

Students must be 5 years old by Sept. 1. More information will be given to parents at the time the appointment is scheduled.

In case of winter weather: Parents are reminded to make arrangements for their children in the event that school is dismissed early due to winter weather. Parents should make sure their children know what to do in case of an emergency.

Parents can listen to daily weather reports to learn whether school schedules could be impacted. Parents can also visit the district website at www.whitehallcoplay.org.

In the event of snowy or icy weather, the school district may opt to close school for the day, open later or close early. In the event of a two-hour delay, a modified kindergarten schedule will be used in which the morning session begins at 10:50 a.m. and ends at 12:40 p.m. Afternoon kindergarten will begin at 1:25 p.m. and end at 3:15 p.m.

PTO meeting: Interested parents are invited to the next PTO meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 19.

The group will meet at 7 p.m. at the Gockley Elementary School.

McTeachers Night: Mark your calendars. McTeachers Night it set for Feb. 27.

Come join in for the "happiest meals" 5-8 p.m. Feb. 27 at 2137 McArthur Road, Whitehall, to benefit Zephyr Elementary School.

Market Day fundraiser: You can order online via the Market Day website, www.marketday.com. You can find the link and the February order form at www.whitehallcoplay. org. The Whitehall-Coplay PTO group number is 22383.

You can order online anytime before midnight tonight, Thursday, Feb. 14.

New customers should enter promo code "NEWFIVE" to save $5 off a $25 online order.

Pick up is 4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in the middle school cafeteria.

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 community members are invited to share news of their upcoming activities.

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