Back to school activities planned
BY KATHY HASSICK
Special to The Press
You’ve seen them, the back-to-school advertisements for everything from clothes and shoes to crayons and backpacks. No sooner does school let out and retailers are already goading to start back to school shopping!
Until I had my son I never understood why after three short months it was necessary to buy new clothes for school. Maybe it is all the time spent in the pool, the sun and fresh air that makes feet, arms and legs grow exponentially.
The inevitable start of a new school year means there is much to do to prepare whether it is shopping for clothes, school supplies, scheduling doctor appointments or a fresh haircut. Here are some important dates and events to help you prepare.
If you are in need of backpacks or school supplies, the Salvation Army is sponsoring a backpack giveaway and community street fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 21 at 144 N. Eighth St., Allentown. While supplies last, free backpacks filled with supplies will be given to eligible children in grades 1-12 with proof of grade/age.
In an effort to ease the transition back to school, the Salisbury Elementary School PTO will host an All Grades Meet Up at Lindberg Park 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 17.
A Kindergarten Popsicle play date will take place at the SES playground 6-7 p.m. Aug. 20 followed by Kindergarten Meet the Teacher Night 7-8:15 p.m.
SES will also host school tours and bus rides noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 18 p.m. and 8-11 a.m. Aug. 22.
On Aug. 21, Salisbury Middle School will conduct an open house 6:45-8:30 p.m.
Aug. 25 marks orientation day for students in kindergarten, fifth and ninth grades only and Aug. 26 will be the first day of school for all Salisbury students.
Scout Pack 439 is currently open for sign ups. Interested parents with boys or girls in kindergarten through grade 5 can find information about Scouting at BeAScout.org, Pack 439. Upcoming events for those interested in finding out more about Scouting include a kickoff picnic 6-8 p.m. Sept. 3 at St. Thomas More Church and an overnight campout at Shankweiler’s Drive-In Sept. 13.
Get ready to step back in time for a musical adventure with the band AM Radio at Franko Park 1-4 p.m. Sept. 27. The band features songs from the 1960s and 1970s and is sure to have you out of your seat and dancing like you did in high school. Top of the Hill Grill food truck will be available to feed hungry patrons as well as the So Cool Ice Cream Truck.
The Wildlands Conservancy is looking for Stream Team volunteers to help maintain areas planted with native trees, grasses and shrubs along creeks and streams throughout Lehigh and Northampton counties. Stream Team volunteers are encouraged to register at www.wildlandspa.org/streamteam for multiple dates and locations 8-11 a.m. every Friday through Sept. 26.
Have you plotted a course for a visit to the many platzes at Musikfest? You still have time, as one of the Lehigh Valley’s premier festivals runs until Aug. 10. There are still plenty of exciting acts to see, whether on main stage or on Main Street, a multitude of foods to sample and a platz for everyone to enjoy before the fireworks begin 10 p.m. Aug. 10 signaling the end to this year’s festivities.
The township yard waste drop-off sites are open. The Franko site will be open Aug. 11, 14 and 16 and the Devonshire site will be open Aug. 18, 21 and 23. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Parenthood turns you into a morning person the same way being chased by a bear makes you a runner. Unknown