Back to School

Published August 8, 2012 Submitted by: Aleah

END OF SUMMER ACTIVITIES

School may be just around the corner, but that doesn't mean there isn't still time to squeeze in some end-of-summer fun. Take advantage of these family-fun activities before they're gone.

Founders Park offers "Family Night" Outdoor Movies on Friday evenings through the end of August. Movies begin at dusk and are free with advance tickets.
Hollywood Theaters College Station Stadium 14 is showcasing free family movies at 10 a.m. every Monday this summer through August 13.
Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park is having Fun Family Fishing Night on August 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $5 per participant and free for kids age 4 and younger.
Battlefield Lanes is participating in the Kids Bowl Free program through September 5. Children age 15 and under bowl free from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. You must present a coupon to the bowling alley for each child. Sign up on the website and every Sunday you will receive an email with a link to the coupons for that week..

LIBRARY BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

The Library has free programs at all 10 branches, but there are a few special back-to-school programs to check out:

Back to School Library Resource Fair (for all ages):

Brentwood Branch Library, Saturday, August 11, 10 a.m. to noon

See what the Library can do to help you and your children throughout the school year. Learn to use our many cutting-edge research databases for school projects, hear about new award books for children and teens, and learn about the many homework help resources we offer. (417) 883-1974

Back to School Bash (grades 6-12):

Strafford Branch Library, Wednesday, August 15, 1 to 3 p.m.

Bring a friend and hang out while you enjoy pizza, drinks and dessert, play Rock Band and other video games. (417) 736-9233

End of Summer Bash:

Library Station, Friday, August 17, 6 p.m.

Summer may be ending, but the party doesn't have to stop. Join us for fun, food and games. (417) 865-1340

LEARN ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL

Want to learn a little more about your school district? Find contact information, calendars, game schedules, handbooks and more at each of these school websites:

DONATING

You can join local businesses and non-profit organizations in their drive to get every student ready for the new year by donating money or supplies at several different locations.

Crosslines of Springfield provides food, clothing and school supplies to area schools year round. Call (417) 869-0563 for details.
The Salvation Army offers clothing, school supplies, and free haircuts for families in Greene and Christian County. Donations of new school supplies can be dropped off at The Salvation Army, located at 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call (417) 862-5509 ext.116.
The Discovery Center of Springfield is taking school supply donations for The Salvation Army through September 30. A donation of school supplies will get you a buy-one, get-one-free pass into the Center.
School supply donations for Springfield Public Schools are also accepted at any time in the Counseling Services office, located in the Doling building at 1423 W. Atlantic. For more information call (417) 523-2771.

BOOKS

And as always, you can find great books at the Library to help you and your child through those first-day jitters:

"Monster School: First Day Frights," by David Keane. On his first day at a new school, Norm, a regular boy, has trouble fitting in with his monstrous classmates.
"It's Time for Preschool!," Esmé Raji Codell. An introduction to preschool illustrates the range of experiences children encounter during a typical day, from drop-off to pick-up, as well as special events that occur throughout the year, including fire drills and field trips.
"Back-to-School Rules," by Laurie Friedman. Wearing his monogrammed school blazer, young Percy Isaac Gifford explains his rules of success for getting the most out of the school year.

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