I would like to introduce myself as the new writer of the Western Salisbury column. My name is Rebecca Foehrkolb and I have lived in Salisbury Township for the past 19 years. I am married to a Salisbury High School alumni and currently have three sons in Salisbury schools– two at Salisbury High School and one at Salisbury Middle School. Please know I will try my very best to keep you all informed as to what is happening on this side of Salisbury.

First and foremost on the calendar is the first day of the 2013-2014 school year. Orientation Day is Monday, Aug. 26. The only students attending school that day will be kindergarteners and first graders at Western Salisbury Elementary School and Harry S Truman Elementary School, sixth graders at SMS and ninth graders at SHS. It will be a day to get to know the building, the teachers and the routine of a new school without having the added pressure of the other grades being there. The students will ride the bus to and from school as they would on any other day, with the high school dismissing 12:15 p.m., the middle school at 1 p.m. and the elementary at 3:15 p.m.

Aug. 27 is the first full day of school for all students.

I don't know about you, but I really like that Salisbury has decided to start school before Labor Day. In my opinion, it is a great way to ease into the school year with only three full days of classes before having a nice, long four-day weekend. That being said, take note all Salisbury schools are closed Friday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 2.

In an effort to "go green," the school district has decided not to send out hard copies of some administrative documents. If you go to www.stsd. org/2013, you can read or print out copies of the principals' letter from each building along with information about delays, early dismissals and closings.

Laptop distribution for those students in sixth through 12th grade was held last week. Students unable to attend the distribution should take the signed laptop agreement form and the $50 insurance premium on the first day of school and their laptop will be waiting for them.

If there is anything my boys look forward to about school, it is having their own laptop. Yes, they use it for games, but they definitely use is for classwork, too. When they need to write a paper, the laptop is right there. Some of their textbooks are right on the computer, which I love because backpacks can get very heavy when they have to lug around those large books, binders, gym clothes and a lunch.

My favorite example of an innovative way to use the laptop was when I came into my son's room while he was Skyping with his girlfriend. All I could see was the Periodic Table of the Elements she was holding up to the screen as they were studying chemistry together. I loved it!

I also want to let you know of events going on at Jerusalem Western Salisbury Union Church. On Aug. 25, they are having an outdoor service starting 9 a.m., followed by a coffee hour 10 a.m. That same afternoon, they are having a community picnic noon to 4 p.m. in the triangle across the street from SMS. Everyone is invited for free food and fun.

One tradition our family has held since my oldest went to kindergarten is to pack a lunch and blanket and go to Lehigh Parkway for our end of summer picnic– just the five of us. We have done this every year for the past 12 years and I always ask someone walking by to take our picture as a memento of the day. It will be a little bittersweet this year, as my oldest son, Justus is now a senior, knowing we have come full circle.

So, go out there, finish all your school shopping and enjoy these last few days of summer. Aug. 26th will be here before you know it.

"Teachers perform major miracles in America, daily." Meryl Streep