The middle school's recent canned food drive to support Second Harvest Food Bank was once again a success.

More than 1,000 nonperishable food items were donated this year.

Congratulations go out to the homerooms that collected the most items: sixth grade, Mrs. Gierula; seventh grade, Mrs. Hadersbeck; and eighth grade, Mr. Fatzinger.

Hats on for a cure: Tomorrow, Friday, March 15, has been designated as Hats On day to fund a cure for cancer at Zephyr Elementary School.

For a donation of at least 50 cents, students will be allowed to wear a favorite hat all day.

This event is a fundraiser for the Zephyr's Relay for Life team "Keys for the Cure." This is the fourth year that Zephyr has a team. Last year, the team raised $807 from the Hats On fundraiser.

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is a 24-hour event scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 22, through 10 a.m. Sunday, June 23, at the Whitehall High School stadium.

Change wars: The Zephyr Elementary Key Club has begun its March of Dimes Change Wars.

Each homeroom is in competition to collect dimes or any change for the March of Dimes Foundation. Students are asked to donate each week as much as they want to their homeroom bin.

Every Friday money will be counted and homeroom totals will be recorded.

Winning homerooms will be rewarded.

PSSA testing: Throughout the district, PSSA testing will be taking place both this month and in April.

The PSSA tests are required by the state.

Students should get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast and make sure to attend school on test days.

Kindergarten registration: Appointments are required for kindergarten registration April 9-12.

Anyone who needs an appointment should call the Gockley School at 610-433-7551.

PTO to Meet The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19. It will be held at the Steckel Building. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and runs until 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Breakfast: The Whitehall Township Public Library will host a flap jack fundraiser 8-10 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Applebee's on 1510 Cedar Crest Blvd. Allentown. The public is invited.

Strengthening Families: The Pennsylvania State University Extension is coordinating the Communities That Care program in Whitehall-Coplay School District, the Borough of Coplay and Whitehall Township.

In tandem with that project is the Strengthening Families Program. Families are asked to commit to seven Wednesday evenings to meet for dinner and activities to promote better communication within their families. Adults and children work separately for part of the evening and then come back together to wrap up each evening.

Contact the school for more information.

Spirit wear sale: The Whitehall Zephyr spirit wear sale has begun.

Visit the website at www.whitehallcoplay.org to download the order form. The sale runs through the month of March.

Spring break: Spring break is scheduled for March 28-April 1.

Soda can tabs: The middle school Leo Club is collecting soda can tabs to help the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.

The soda tabs are collected and sold as aluminum scrap and the funds raised help support more than 2,000 families each year.

Since the program started in 1997, more than 168 tons of tabs have been collected, raising $135,476.

Each homeroom has a collection container.

Spring Fling dance: The middle school's Spring Fling dance takes place 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, March 22. It is for sixth and seventh graders only.

Information will be sent home with students.

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.