With the first day of school quickly approaching (Aug. 29 for Baltimore County Public Schools), it's a good time to note that Pleasant Plains Elementary School has set aside special days to help students get ready for the 2011-12 school year.
Students are invited to visit their classrooms and meet their teachers at the Sneak-a-Peek event Friday, Aug. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The event's goal is to help ease the adjustment process for students, so learning can start immediately.
Then, at the First Day Celebration and breakfast Monday, Aug. 29, at 9 a.m., parents will be provided with tips to help their children with reading and math. Those tips will be provided by the school's parent liaison and reading and math resource teachers.
Finally, Back to School Night is Tuesday, Sept. 6, and will feature a PTA meeting at 6 p.m., volunteer trainings at 6:30 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m, and classroom visits at 7 p.m.
Principal Maureen Partilla says, "Our goal is to have 100 percent parent participation in our school, and we welcome the community to come by, sign in at the office and see our instructional programs."
Children who like to bowl are invited to join the Parkville Lanes youth duckpin league, which will bowl Saturday mornings, from Aug. 27 until April. The league is sanctioned by the National Duckpin Association. Children ages 3 to 6 bowl two games beginning at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $7 weekly, including shoes.
Those ages 7 to 21 may bowl three games beginning at 10:30 a.m. for $9.50 weekly.
In addition, there is a one-time sanction fee of $15. The fee includes a bowling shirt and patches, and trophies and plaques for bowlers who earn them. Several holiday parties are also on tap.
New bowlers are welcome throughout the year. For more details, contact Mary Ann Booker at 443-955- 8072.
If the upcoming year is as successful as last year, bowlers can expect to be part of a winning team. Parkville's teams took many of the top places in the statewide tournament at the end of the last season.
Parkville's Pee Wee (ages 3 to 6) team, the Ninjas, placed second; Parkville's Prep (ages 7 to 9) team, the Pinbusters, placed first and Parkville's prep team, the Strikers, placed second.
Parkville also took first- and second-place on the bantam (ages 10 -12), level, with teams Fab 5 first, and Candy Land second.
In the junior (ages 13-15) division, Parkville's J62 team took first and Bieber Fever was second.
In the major (ages 16 to 21) division, Parkville's M57 team took second place. First-place teams went on to bowl in the national competition.
Awards were also given to individual bowlers for high games and high sets.
Clean out and sell those attic treasures at the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church flea market, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 17, (rain date Sept. 24).
The church is located at 6515 Loch Raven Blvd. For information or to buy a vendor space, call 410-825-8155.
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