Gockley students will enjoy a favorite performer this month.

Keppel the Magician will present "Be a Friend, Not a Bully" Magic Show on Monday, April 29. He uses magic tricks to teach this lesson on friendship as well as entertaining everyone.

This program is sponsored by the PTO.

Book fair: Barnes and Noble will host a Zephyr Elementary book fair 6-8 p.m. April 18.

Activities will include "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" along with a Surprise Storytime with secret guest readers, a scavenger hunt race and raffles. The classroom with the most in attendance that evening will win a cookie party.

Those who cannot attend can visit bn.com/bookfairs April 18-23 to support the school. Enter the book fair ID 11054665 at the final checkout.

MS Footprints for Sale: The middle school and Zephyr Elementary are collecting for the upcoming Multiple Schlerosis Walk-a-thon at Coca-Cola Park in May.

MS footprints are on sale to support Team Holmes (Whitehall-Coplay Middle School teacher) in the MS walk! They can be purchased from Mr. Holmes, Mrs. Brownback, Mr. Piston or Mr. Sommer at the middle school. The Zephyr Building will accept donations in the office.

All the footprints will be displayed.

Library happenings at Steckel: The Steckel School library will join libraries across the country celebrating National Library Week April 14-20.

The theme for this 55th anniversary event is "Your Community at Your Library."

As part of the celebration, the Steckel library will be decorated with colorful balloons. All students will receive bookmarks and library activities will focus on the wonderful world of books.

PTO to meet: The next PTO meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at Zephyr Elementary.

The PTO welcomes anyone interested to attend.

Middle school open house: The annual middle school parents' night will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25. It will follow an open house format with parents moving through the building and visiting individual teachers as they become available.

The event provides a time for teachers and parents to meet before the end-of-the-school-year rush begins.

Numerous activities and student work will be on display throughout the building. The PTO will present a spirit sale, sell hot dogs and host the book fair.

Community interest groups and eighth-grade farewell dance volunteers will be present to sell tickets for the end of the year dance.

PTO book fair: The spring book fair at the middle school will run April 22-26. Students will be able to visit the book fair during school hours as well as during parent's night.

Marching Zephyr Band Looking to Expand: Sign-ups for the 2013 edition of the Whitehall "Marching Zephyr Band" are fast approaching.

Mr. Tanzos and his middle school Zephyr Band staff will hold an informational meeting for students interested in learning more 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in the high school band room.

Students are encouraged to bring a friend along. Parents or students may contact Mr. Tanzos at tanzosm@whitehallcoplay.org if they have any questions or if they are interested in joining, but cannot attend the April 18 meeting.

Eighth grade end-of-year dance: The eighth-grade farewell dance will take place 7-10 p.m. Saturday, June 1, in the high school cafeteria.

Tickets are available at the PTO Market Day pick-up in the middle school cafeteria 4:15-5:30 p.m. April 24 or at the middle school open house 6:15-8:15 p.m. Thursday, April 25.

Details of the dance and ticket sales were 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, PTO's, club advisors, and any other community members are invited to share their upcoming activities.

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