As I sit and write all this information about the first days of school, I am mentally preparing myself to drop off my youngest son at college tomorrow for his senior year and his LAST first day of school. It takes me back to his first days of school in elementary, middle and high school at Salisbury Township schools. Wow, time flies.

But onward my friends, the 2023-2024 school year is upon us. It starts Aug. 28 for kindergarten, fifth and ninth grades only. This will be an early dismissal day, which means 12:15 p.m. for Salisbury Middle School and Salisbury High School and a 1:15 p.m. dismissal for Salisbury Elementary School. Buses will run on orientation day and the elementary students even get a staff member to ride with them. Aug. 29 is when all students arrive. Have they picked out what they will wear yet?

Township schools will be closed Sept. 1 and 4 for the Labor Day holiday.

Believe it or not, picture day is already on the calendar. SMS students will have their pictures taken Sept. 7.

Sept. 7 is also open house at SES. From 7-8:15 p.m. parents and guardians are invited to meet your child’s teacher and hear all about this coming school year.

This is an announcement to residents of the fourth and fifth wards of Salisbury Township. From 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 26, State Rep. Peter G. Schweyer, D-134th, will hold a shredding event at South Mountain Middle School. Residents, not businesses, can bring up to 10 boxes of documents to shred for free. For more information, contact Schweyer’s office at 610-791-6270.

Mark your calendars. AM Radio Tribute Band will perform at Franko Park 4 p.m. Sept. 9. They will play all your favorites from the 60s and 70s and it is free. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy.

Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church will host the Pioneer Band for a concert on the stage (weather permitting) 1 p.m. Sept. 17. Refreshments will be provided by the festival committee.

The Salisbury yard waste drop-off sites are open for the season. The Franko site will be open Aug. 24 and 26, but will be closed Sept. 4 for Labor Day. Devonshire will be open Aug. 28, 31 and Sept. 2. As always, hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” Steve Martin