Editor's Note: The Press welcomes Sarah Takacs as the new columnist for the eastern side of the township. We thank Carla Jones for her writing for the past year and welcome Sarah to this new role. If you have news for the eastern column which runs every two weeks, contact Sarah at takacssa@yahoo.com.

Teachers and students were welcomed back to Harry S Truman Elementary School for the start of the 2014-2015 school year Aug. 25. With the start of a new school year comes open houses and PTO meetings. HST will hold open houses 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8 for parents and guardians of students in kindergarten through second grade and 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 10 for parents and guardians of students in grades three to five. Take this opportunity to meet your child's teachers and see what they have planned for the upcoming year. Open houses are only for parents and guardians; students should not attend.

The school will continue the leadership program and is encouraging students to wear the new T-shirts every other Thursday for T-shirt day.

The HST PTO will hold a welcome back dinner 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 19. Look for details to come home soon. Consider joining the PTO to support activities for the kids.

Salisbury High School will hold an open house 6:45 to 9 p.m. Sept. 11 for parents to meet the teachers and follow their students' schedule.

With the return of school, also comes the return of Scouting. Cub Scouts Pack 146 meets 7 to 8:15 p.m. every Thursday for boys in first through fifth grades and Boy Scouts Troop 146 meets 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday for boys in sixth through 12th grades. Scouts meet at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1707 Church Road. For more information, contact David or Patricia Yemm at 610-791-0983.

There is also a Brownie Girl Scout Troop available for girls in second and third grades. The girls meet at HST 6:45 to 8 p.m. Tuesday nights. For more information, contact Lisa Swartz at 484-571-8440.

The Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eastern Salisbury Township will hold a basket social 7 p.m. Nov. 7. Doors open 5 p.m. If you would like to donate a filled basket, items for a basket, door prizes, chance items, or be a sponsor, contact Louise at 610-866-1611 for more information. The church also hosts weekly Fun and Fitness classes on a regular basis. They offer Zumba 6 to 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month and 9 to 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of every month. The church also offers a variety of other fitness classes. For more information, contact Pat at jrpeters@ rcn.com. All fees from these classes benefit the Sunday School and church.

Just a reminder the Salisbury Township School District curriculum committee meeting scheduled for Sept. 15 has been cancelled.

The Franko Farm yard waste drop-off site will be open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 13 and 27.

The fall curbside branch collection program is scheduled to take place Sept. 15 through 19. Residents should place branches at the curb after 6 p.m. Sept. 14. Branches may be no longer than five feet long and five inches in diameter. Branches should be bundled and tied with twine. Open containers (no lids) can be used for small branches.