The 2019-20 academic year has officially started. Whitehall-Coplay School District students returned to classes Aug. 26. I hope everyone had a great summer!

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There will be no school Aug. 30 and Sept. 2 for the Labor Day holiday.

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Breakfast throughout the district begins Sept. 3. Visit myschoolbucks.com for more information and to apply for free or reduced-priced breakfast. Breakfast is available for everyone to buy.

Lunch information for parents is available as well.

You can also download the app to get convenient access to meal balances, purchases and payments right from your phone.

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Zephyr Elementary School’s PTO book fair begins Sept. 3 and continues through Sept. 6.

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Meet the teacher nights are coming up next month. These events are a great way to start the year. Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher and tour the building.

• Gockley Elementary School, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 4

• Zephyr Elementary School, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 5. The book fair will be open for parents at this event.

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Smile - picture days are coming soon! All students will have their photograph taken, but purchase is optional. Students will be bringing home a brochure for parents to review.

Steckel Elementary School, Sept. 6

Whitehall High School undergraduates, Sept. 6

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Parents/guardians, check the parent portals for the latest information, including monthly newsletters. You will be able to access your child’s report card every market period.

There is also an online student site, which is now available for updates for the 2019-20 school year.

Visit the school district website, whitehallcoplay.org, to access this information.

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All medicine for Gockley students must be delivered to the school’s health room by a parent/guardian. Medications - inhalers, EpiPens or medications of any kind - should not be sent to school with your child because of safety reasons.

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The school day for Gockley students begins 8:50 a.m. Parents/guardians are asked to make sure their children arrive to school on time if you choose to drive them. Tardy students cause interruptions in the classroom routine and the lessons being taught.

For safety and bus traffic, park in the side parent lot and walk your child to the front of the building.

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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.