Recently, I read an anonymous back-to-school poem that began, "'Twas the night before school started, when all through the town, the parents were cheering … It was a riotous sound!" Most parents I have surveyed do not share quite the same elation since summer felt very brief this year, but regardless, school begins for students Aug. 29 and parents should make note of the following dates.
Waverly Elementary School will offer a new student orientation Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. and a kindergarten orientation Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m. All students may attend a "sneak peek" of their classrooms Aug. 26 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call the school office at 410-313-2819.
West Friendship Elementary students may check the school's front doors Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. to see their class lists. Kindergarten parent orientation will begin Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. and a school-wide open house will run Aug. 26 from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Parent volunteers should plan to attend a mandatory training session Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m. To learn more, call 410-313-5512.
At Mt. View Middle School, something different is in the works. Previously, only new students attended an orientation, but now all seventh- and eighth-graders can visit (with a parent) during an open house Aug. 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. During this time, parents may complete emergency contact cards so that their students can receive their schedules and locker assignments. Families may also order P.E. uniforms, collect pre-ordered supply kits and get a leg up on other back-to-school "homework." The PTA will offer ice cream to those who sign up for PTA membership.
Mt. View sixth-graders will attend the traditional orientation session Aug. 26 from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. The school phone number is 410-313-5545 for more information.
Finally, Marriotts Ridge High School will hold its orientation for freshmen and other new students Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. Students who plan to drive to school must attend a mandatory meeting with a parent on either Monday, Aug. 22 or Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. Call 410-313-5568 with any questions.
A growing number of seniors are settling in the Marriottsville/Sykesville/Woodstock area, and Neighbor Ride is experiencing a corresponding increase in the number of rides requested. This volunteer-based nonprofit, which provides transportation for Howard County residents age 60 and older, needs new drivers to meet the demand.
Volunteers choose to provide rides that are convenient to their daily routines and locations, and opportunities are available for daytime, evenings, and weekends. Neighbor Ride especially needs drivers during school hours and parents are welcome to bring their young children along for a rewarding intergenerational experience.
If you are interested in helping, please plan to attend an upcoming volunteer orientation. The dates are Tuesday, Aug. 23, 6 p.m.; Sept. 13, 7:30 a.m.; and Sept. 28, 6 p.m. These sessions will take place in the Neighbor Ride office at 8950 Route 108, Suite 115, in Columbia, but Neighbor Ride is also happy to schedule special orientation sessions at a worksite or community location.
Email Rosemary Noble or Patrice Cerwonka at volunteer@neighborride.org or call 410-884-7433 for more information.
In our area, a great number of yard sales take place in the spring, but autumn does not fall (no pun intended) far behind in popularity. Elizabeth Blough, the youth director at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, would like to alert the community about a yard sale to benefit the church's youth fellowship program. It will take place in the church parking lot, 12430 Scaggsville Road (Route 216), in Highland, Sept. 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If you would like to reserve a space to sell your treasures, email Elizabeth at Eblough@comcast.net or 301-604-6769. The cost is $20 for two 9-by-17-foot spaces, and $5 for each additional 9-by-17 space. Vendors may begin setting up at 6:45 a.m. on the 10th and they must provide their own tables.
Mark your calendars again for the regular community feast at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2892 Route 97, in Glenwood. This month's meal – Italian food donated by Smokin' Hot Catering – is scheduled for Aug. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $9 per person or $30 maximum per family, and proceeds will help purchase Sunday School materials for the church.
Questions? Call Lynne Quinn at 410-442-5445.