Whitehall-Coplay School District has upcoming holiday programs. Start off the season with these festive concerts!

Whitehall-Coplay Middle School’s winter band and chorus concert will be performed 7 p.m. Dec. 7 in the auditorium at Whitehall High School.

The WHS winter concert is planned for 7 p.m. Dec. 12 in the auditorium at the school.

Zephyr Elementary’s winter concert is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 19 in the auditorium at WHS.

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Reminder: The Lil Shopper’s Shop is coming! This program is sponsored by Whitehall-Coplay PTO PLUS. Students will bring home an envelope with more details on how students can participate in the season of giving.

Zephyr Elementary School students will continue their shopping time through Dec. 8.

Gockley Elementary School will hold its shopping time for students Dec. 6 and 7.

Students at Steckel Elementary School can shop Dec. 12-15.

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The WHS freshman and sophomore classes will enjoy the winter semiformal dance, set for 6-9 p.m. Dec. 9 in the gymnasium.

Tickets will be sold in the morning at the main entrance and in the cafeteria during all lunches. Tickets are $15. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

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Dress-up days at Zephyr are coming - join in the holiday fun!

• Dec. 12: Wear red and don some antlers like Rudolph.

• Dec. 13: Holiday movie day - dress up like a movie character.

• Dec. 14: Let’s see those silly socks!

• Dec. 15: Wear green like a Christmas tree.

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WCSD will be closed Dec. 22-Jan. 1, 2024, for winter break. Have a great holiday with family and friends!

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Reminder to all students: Phones and headphones must be removed and stored away when in class. In addition, winter hats, coats and blankets may not be worn in school.

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WHS students, only Whitehall-Coplay School District Chromebooks will be permitted for in-school use for this school year. No other devices will connect to the WCSD Wi-Fi.

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Consider signing up your child for Touchstone Theatre’s Building Bridges after-school program. The program uses theater and creative drama to facilitate cultural competency, self-awareness and communication with students. By the end of the program, students will have created, with guidance from the Touchstone Theatre’s teaching artists, an original performance to share with classmates, teachers, counselors and family.

Student impact throughout this program includes more effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills, increased self-control, improved critical thinking skills, enriched problem-solving and decision-making skills, increased self-esteem and a stronger sense of group/community.

Registration is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the Zephyr Buzz newsletter for information on how to register.

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The 2024 edition of the WHS yearbook, The Whitehall, will continue the tradition of publishing baby pictures and senior ads of graduating seniors.

For more information and how to submit, visit smore.com/3ps4d.

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

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Whitehall-Coplay School District believes daily attendance in school is an extremely important factor in your child’s success in his or her educational experience.

If a child is absent, a written note with a specific reason and signed by the parent/guardian is required immediately upon return to school. If a student is traveling, an educational trip form must be completed by the parent before the trip. These forms are available in the school office. Trips may never exceed seven school days or the absences are deemed illegal.

WCSD is closely monitoring unexcused absences. All absences are marked unexcused. This is changed to a legally excused absence once a written excuse with specific reason is given to your child’s teacher. An unexcused absence occurs when no note is written by the parent/guardian or the reason provided is inexcusable.

If a student has four unexcused absences, a truancy elimination plan will be developed. The parent/guardian may be charged with truancy and be required to appear before the Whitehall magistrate’s office if unexcused absences continue to occur.

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.

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WCSD’s policy limits educational trips 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, available in the school office, must be submitted to the office before departure.

WCSD prefers all trips be scheduled during holiday breaks.

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If you would like to share any upcoming school events for administrators, teachers, staff, clubs, students, coaches, etc., email me at jamb87@hotmail.com and title it Whitehall-Coplay District News. I would be happy to spread the news for any upcoming activities. You can also send me pictures and great things that are happening in your classroom for possible publication in The Press. Be sure to send me your information at least two weeks before an event. Columns are completed the weekend before going to press Wednesdays.