The Konkrete Kids made it to round 2 in the USA TODAY contest for the most unique high school mascot.

The K-Kids were nominated as one of the five most unusual mascots in Pennsylvania by the high school sports staff of USA Today. They won the title for Pennsylvania and advanced to the next round in which they compete with the winners of contests in Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. The winner of this round will be determined at 3 p.m. today, Thursday, March 14.

That means there's time to vote to help them win the second round. Despite an early lead, the Konkrete Kids have fallen to third place in their region.

Should the Konkrete Kids win Round 2, they will advance to the final round, competing against the winners of the other five regions for the national title.

The national winner will receive $2,000 for its athletic department. Second place will be awarded $1,000, third will get $500, fourth $250 and fifth $100.

Voting is easy. Visit http://contest.usatodayhss.com/. Click on Pennsylvania to bring up the Northeast region.

Clothing drive: The Northampton Cheerleading Booster Club has organized a community clothing drive from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16, in the high school cafeteria.

The Booster Club will accept clothing, shoes, bedding linens, towels, curtains, handbags, belts, ties, hats, accessories, stuffed animals and toys. No books will be accepted.

Items dropped off must be in tied plastic garbage bags. Used toys are accepted and should be in cardboard boxes.

Spring pictures: The students at Moore and George Wolf elementary schools will have spring photos taken next week.

Moore students' spring picture day is scheduled for Monday, March 18 and George Wolf students are scheduled for Wednesday, March 20.

All students will have photos taken. Parents will have the opportunity to purchase them if they would like.

Early dismissal: Elementary students will be dismissed at noon Friday, March 22, for parent-teacher conferences. No lunch will be served.

School board meeting: The next meeting for the Northampton Area School Board is scheduled for Monday, March 25.

Meetings are held starting at 6:30 p.m. in the administration offices on Laubach Avenue.

The public is invited.

Reminder: Thursday, March 28, is now an Instructional make-up day and school will be open.

Spring break runs March 29-April 1. Schools reopen Tuesday, April 2.

Bus trip: Northampton PAGE (Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education) is sponsoring a bus trip May 11 to New York City to the Tenement Museum and 911 Memorial.

The bus departs at 7 a.m. from the Northampton Area High School and returns at 7 p.m.

Ticket price includes bus transportation, two tours at the Tenement Museum and admission to the 911 Memorial.

At the Tenement Museum, visitors can take an outdoor walking tour of the lower east side of New York and one of two indoor tours.

For more information, contact Chuck Longacre at 610-837-8365 or Stephanie Test at 610-462-1109.

Do you have any school news? This is a column of upcoming events in the Northampton Area School District.

Teachers, administrators, parents, students, coaches, PTAs and club advisors and community members are invited to share news of activities.

Email me at jamb87@hotmail.com with the subject "Northampton Press" at least a week before an event.