Reminder: Meet-the-teacher nights are happening this month. This is a great opportunity to start the school year by meeting your child’s teacher(s) and touring his or her school. Mark your calendar, and plan to attend!

Whitehall High School, 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 20

Whitehall-Coplay Middle School, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 27

There will also be a PTO Plus book fair.

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Once again, Whitehall-Coplay School District students have access to a web-based program that makes for excellent practice in reading and math. Study Island is located on the web at studyisland.com or can be accessed from the link on the school district website, whitehallcoplay.org.

Students log in with the user name and password they receive in computer class or from homeroom teachers.

Practice this school year continues to focus on math (Pennsylvania core standards) and English/language arts (Pennsylvania core standards).

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At Steckel Elementary School, many art projects are messy, and students should be dressed appropriately. Please try not to send your child wearing their best clothing on art days. Art smocks are provided for your child; however, they may bring in their own.

Art contests are held every month but are optional to enter. The first one, called Square 1 Art Fundraiser, was due this week. Parents were able to purchase products with their child’s artwork printed on it.

Check your child’s backpack for more information. It will be an exciting school year!

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It has been a customary procedure for parents to deliver cupcakes and other birthday treats to Steckel Elementary to celebrate their son or daughter’s birthday. Unfortunately, this practice will no longer continue. The school district wellness policy prohibits this practice; however, a wonderful opportunity for your son or daughter’s birthday celebration is to tie a birthday celebration into the goal of creating exciting personal reading zones in the classroom.

Please donate your son or daughter’s favorite book to the classroom library in lieu of birthday treats if you would like to celebrate a birthday in school. Children, year after year, will be able to enjoy the book in your child’s name. Please email your child’s teacher with any questions.

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If your child needs to take medication during the school day, the medication dispensing form will need to be completed and signed by both a parent/guardian and doctor. A parent/guardian should give medication before or after school, if at all possible. If a child must receive medication during school, the medicine must be sent in the original container, labeled with the child’s name, and brought into the nurse by an adult.

Both prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, Motrin, etc., must have a physician’s order to be given during the school day. No medication will be administered in school without a completed medication dispensing form.

Copies of this form are available from the nurse and also on the district website. Please contact the school nurse with any questions.

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If you plan to pick up your child during the school day or at dismissal, send in a note to your child’s teacher. All students will be picked up at the office.

Parents are encouraged to try to schedule your child’s doctor and dental appointments around school hours. If this is not possible, you must come to the main office to sign out your child.

For your child’s safety, the teacher will not release a child to anyone who has not sent written communication to the school. Proof of identification may be requested.

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Visit the WCSD website to stay in contact with your child’s school and upcoming activities. There are many school links that are very helpful for parents and students.

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Do you have any school news? This column is a compilation of upcoming school events in the WCSD. Teachers, administrators, parents, students, coaches, PTAs, club advisers and any other community members are invited to share their upcoming activities. Email me at jamb87@hotmail.com with “Whitehall-Coplay School News” in the subject line at least a week before an event.