Schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday Nov. 25-29. Classes will be back in session Nov. 30.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving with family and friends.

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Picture retake day for Gockley Elementary School is Dec. 1. Students who were absent or who are new to Whitehall-Coplay School District may have their pictures taken by Christmas City Studios.

To prepay for your order, visit orders.christmascitystudio.com and enter the school code Gockley 21.

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Whitehall-Coplay PTO PLUS is sponsoring a Lil Shoppers Shop for Gockley Elementary students 5-8 p.m. Dec. 2 in the school gymnasium.

The children will have an opportunity to purchase gifts for their families, and items will be wrapped in gift bags. Cash and credit cards will be accepted as payment. All children must be accompanied by a parent.

In addition, spirit wear will be available for sale. The first 100 students who come to shop will receive a holiday goody bag.

Also, Christmas City Studios will be taking free photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Every child who gets a picture will get a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

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WCSD’s policy on education trips are limited to seven school days per year. Any days missed for travel beyond the seven days of absence will be illegal days if the student’s age is 16 or younger.

The family educational trip request form is available in the school office and must be submitted to the office prior to departure.

The district prefers all trips be scheduled during the holiday break.

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WCSD believes daily attendance in school is an extremely important factor in your child’s success in their educational experience.

If your child is absent, a written note is required within three days with a specific reason and parent’s signature. You may also use the email that is sent to you the day of the absence. Failure to do so will make this day an illegal absence. After six illegal absences, a parent meeting will be arranged with the building principal.

Thank you for your cooperation and your efforts in monitoring your child’s attendance.

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Visit myschoolbucks.com to access meal accounts. The site gives you the ability to put money into your child’s account, check balances, view menus and more.

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Whitehall High School is again participating in the Giant A-Plus Rewards program. Shoppers with a bonus card can register their card, designating WHS as the recipient of points earned when they use their card. Points turn into dollars the school can use for various educational needs.

For more information, visit giantfood.com/school-rewards or visit whitehallcoplay.org/Domain/12 to access the information letter.

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In an effort to keep parents and students more informed about Whitehall-Coplay Middle School, the staff has established social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the public to follow.

Feel free to follow at facebook.com/wcmszephyrs, twitter.com/WCMSZephyrs and instagram.com/wcmszephyrs.

If you like to search hashtags, check out two staff will be using to help people find them: #zephyrtough and #webelongatwhitehall.

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Do you have any school news? This column is a compilation of upcoming school events in WCSD. 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.