Artist Bart Cooper, Whitehall High School Class of 1997, will be hosting a mini-residency during the school day Feb. 15. The Los Angeles-based multidimensional contemporary artist will lead a variety of activities for students including artist talks, art making, demonstrations and more.

There will also be a special event, open to families and the public, 7-8 p.m. Feb. 15 in the WHS auditorium.

This residency is in conjunction with Cooper’s exhibition “Heroes” at the Banana Factory Arts Center at ArtsQuest.

This exhibition will run March 12-May 22.

Cooper was born and raised in Liberia, West Africa, and moved to the United States, where he studied fine art, sculpture and graphic design. Cooper designed the 2022 Musikfest poster.

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Gockley Elementary School is in need of snacks during the school day for food-insecure students.

All donations are greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at Gockley Elementary until Feb. 14.

For more details on what is needed and to sign up, go to signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4baaa82da6ff2-gockley.

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Whitehall-Coplay School District will be closed Feb. 18 and 21 in honor of the Presidents Day holiday.

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Steckel Elementary School is partnering with Weis Markets in the Weis 4 School program. By participating in this program, you can earn money for the school by shopping at Weis.

When you shop at Weis Markets, simply scan the bar code on the flier to register your Weis club card. Once you register, you are in the program and do not need to register again.

Feel free to share this bar code with your family, friends and relatives, so they can join in and earn points for Steckel Elementary, too.

Thank you for supporting your school!

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If you’re a high school student, want to earn extra cash and are looking for a part-time job, stop by the counseling office or visit the counseling website under Jobs for opportunities in the Lehigh Valley.

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Daily attendance in school is an extremely important factor in your child’s educational experience.

If a child is absent, a written note with a specific reason and signed by the parent/guardian is required immediately upon returning to school.

If a student is traveling, an educational trip form must be completed by the parent/guardian before the trip. These forms are available in the school office.

Trips may not exceed seven school days, or the absences are considered illegal absences.

WCSD is closely monitoring unexcused absences. An unexcused absence occurs when no note is provided.

If a student has four unexcused absences, a truancy elimination plan will be developed. Parents/guardians may be charged with truancy and be required to appear before the Whitehall magistrate if unexcused absences continue.

Also, once a student is absent for more than 16 days during the school year, a doctor’s note will be required for each additional absence, or the absence will be unexcused.

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The winter weather is upon us, and WCSD encourages parents/guardians to discuss arrangements with their children in the case of early dismissals.

During bad weather, WCSD will implement one of the following plans: closing of schools for the day, delayed opening of schools or early dismissals.

Due to weather and traffic conditions, the school/transportation office cannot predict the times for the different bus stops.

Remember to check the WCSD website, whitehallcoplay.org, for weather-related school delays, dismissals and closings. A message will also be sent through the school messenger system.

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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, PTAs, 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.