In case Whitehall High School underclassmen missed it, there still is an opportunity for a school picture to be taken. Retakes are scheduled for Oct. 22.

If a picture package was purchased, Christmas City Studios should have mailed it home prior to picture retake day.

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The Halloween parades for Gockley and Steckel elementary students are Oct. 27. The rain date is Oct. 28.

Parades are planned for 1:30 p.m. for Steckel Elementary students and 2 p.m. for Gockley Elementary students, both at the WHS football stadium.

Parents are invited to watch their children parade around the track. Parents must be seated in the bleachers.

Your child’s teacher will communicate with you whether your child should wear their costume to school that day. Please have costumes for the children that are simple and require minimal assistance. Costumes must be in good taste rather than types of costumes depicting violence.

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The end of the first marking period is Nov. 3.

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WHS yearbooks are currently on sale for $70 until Thanksgiving.

To purchase your yearbook, visit balfour.com and search Whitehall High School.

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The 2022 edition of the WHS yearbook, The Whitehall, will continue the tradition of publishing baby pictures of graduating seniors. This popular feature allows a parent to submit a color photograph of his and/or her child(ren) as a baby and a brief personal message for inclusion in the baby picture section of the yearbook. The picture can be any size; however, the personal statement cannot exceed 125 characters. In an attempt to increase the number of baby picture submissions, the yearbook staff is excited to announce it has reduced the fee to have the baby photograph and words published by $5 - from $40 to $35.

In addition to submitting a baby picture, the yearbook staff is offering parents the opportunity to purchase additional space in the yearbook for additional photographs and words dedicated to your son(s) and/or daughter(s). These senior advertisements will be located in the seniors section of the yearbook. In an attempt to increase the number of senior ads, the yearbook staff has reduced the fees for the half-page and quarter-page sizes. Parents can submit more than one picture and additional words of congratulations with the senior ad. The new, discounted rates are full page, $200; half page, $100; and quarter page, $50.

In efforts to streamline the process of ads, the yearbook staff will be utilizing AdBuilder. AdBuilder is a service provided by the yearbook company, Balfour. It will allow you to create and pay for your own ad for the yearbook. Visit Balfour.com and search for Whitehall High School. Shop yearbook products and purchase the ad size you want and create an account on Balfour.com. Look for an email within one business day, confirming your ad workspace is available. Log into your Balfour.com account and look under My Orders to design your ad. When ready, choose Submit Your Ad to send it to the yearbook staff.

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The Bounce Back program at Steckel Elementary will be offering a small group intervention program through Valley Youth House to support students’ emotional and social needs. Referrals are made through the guidance counselor and teachers. Parent permission is required, and there is a screen process to qualify.

If you have any questions, concerns or think this is something your child would benefit from, contact the school at 610-435-1521 and ask for Jamie Bisignani, guidance counselor.

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Free ESL (English as a Second Language) classes are available for Whitehall-Coplay School District students and family members.

Classes are held online 6-9 p.m. Thursdays and are open to all family members of WCSD students.

You must attend a class at least three Thursdays per month for three months.

For questions or to get involved, email aludlow@lccc.edu.

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There is a crisis hotline provided by the state specifically for anxiety and depression related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you or your family are feeling the effects of the yearlong battle with COVID, contact Persevere PA at 1-855-284-2494 to speak with a trained professional, available 24/7.

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