Homecoming is approaching! The annual celebration is being held this week. Each day will have a dress-down theme.

On Oct. 6, the Whitehall High School Zephyrs football team will play their last home game of the season against Nazareth Area High School. Seniors will be honored at this game.

The homecoming dance will be held 6-9 p.m. Oct. 7, with a paradise luau theme. Only WHS students may attend the dance.

Tickets will be sold, at a price of $20, at all lunches through Oct. 5. No tickets will be sold at the door.

***

Consider donating your gently used Zephyr spirit wear during drop-off donation events, to be held 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Zephyr Sports Complex and again 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the north and south entrances at Zephyr Stadium, both on the Whitehall-Coplay School District campus, 3800 Mechanicsville Road, Whitehall.

All donations will be passed down to the next generation of Zephyrs.

***

Join Zephyr Nation in promoting school spirit by dressing in our Friday themes. Here are some football themes for the 2023-24 academic year: Oct. 6, maroon and gold (homecoming/senior night); Oct. 14, pink out; Oct. 19, holiday; Oct. 27, neon/construction (Cement Belt challenge).

***

Zephyr Pride Pura Vida bracelets are on sale. The Whitehall High School senior class is selling these bracelets in Zephyr colors for $10. These bracelets are waterproof, adjustable and represent WCSD.

If WHS students are interested in purchasing a bracelet, see Mrs. Shadle in room E108.

***

There will be no school Oct. 10. Teachers will have a professional development day.

***

Mark your calendar, and get your costumes ready. From Oct. 23 to Oct. 27, Zephyr students will learn to stand up against destructive decisions and celebrate the end of the week with a costume parade at Zephyr Stadium Oct. 26. Parents/guardians are invited to help us celebrate by spectating from the bleachers.

More details will come soon.

***

Keeping your child busy, focused on a routine and having an interest in constant improvement is fundamental to future academic success. There is much to be gained through extracurricular activities that positively impacts the academic performance and overall well-being of a child.

As the district has opportunities available, they will include them in school newsletters. Please consider signing up your child. It will make a difference!

***

If you would like to become a volunteer within WCSD, please adhere to these procedures.

Visit the district website, whitehallcoplay.org, for the volunteer application/agreement, then submit it along with the following clearances: report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police and child abuse history certification from the Department of Human Services.

Fingerprint-based federal criminal history from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, submitted through the PSP or its authorized agent, is not required as long as the position is a volunteer/unpaid position and the individual has been a resident of Pennsylvania for the entirety of the previous 10 years.

Volunteers who are not required to obtain the FBI certification because they are applying for an unpaid position and have been a continuous resident of Pennsylvania for the past 10 years must swear or affirm in writing they are not disqualified from service based upon a conviction of an offense under section 6344.

If a volunteer has not been a resident of Pennsylvania for the previous 10 years but obtained their FBI certification at any time since establishing residency, they must provide a copy of the certification to the person responsible for the selection of volunteers, and they are not required to obtain any additional FBI certifications.

If a volunteer has not been a resident of Pennsylvania for the previous 10 years and has not obtained his or her FBI certification, the individual must obtain that certification.

***

Do you have any school news? This column is a compilation of upcoming school events in the 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 or two before an event.