Lisa D’Cato
Poinciana Writer 

Although the calendar still reads “August”, this is the last official weekend of summer for Poinciana’s school-aged children.
Time to shake the sand and cobwebs out! The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 20.
Open House dates for Osceola County’s Middle Schools is Wednesday, Aug. 15 from 4  to 7 p.m. High School open house is Thursday, Aug. 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Elementary students and K-8 open house will be Friday, Aug. 17, from 3 to 6 p.m.
The only exception to this schedule will be the Osceola County School for the Arts. In honor of the schools’ 10th Anniversary, the school will present a gala today. This is a semi-formal/formal event with students and parents to mingle from 6 to 7 p.m. At 7 p.m., a program will be held at the theater.
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Osceola School District also has a Back-to-School Hotline. School district representatives will man the phones on the following days: today and Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Monday, Aug. 20 through Friday, Aug. 24, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m,  parents may reach a representative.
The Back-to-School Hotline has bus information, school uniform and lunch menus and schedules available. This is a great resource for parents who are sometimes more anxious than the students. The hotline number is 407-518-8159.
The start of the 2012-13 school year is also the perfect time to get involved with your child’s school. Mentors and volunteers are always needed. Every school will hand out OASIS paperwork with each student as part of the necessary student information needed for the new school year. Volunteering at your child’s school gives you the opportunity to be involved in your child’s education process. You will get to know staff, administration and teachers.
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SAC (School Advisory Council) is another way to be involved. SAC committees meet monthly and help to decide what programs may be beneficial to the school and what monies may be allocated to various groups/programs.
Start the school year off right by planning to be involved at your child’s school.
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The Poinciana Branch Library has ongoing programs for children of all ages every Wednesday. Toddler Tale for ages 18 months to 3 happens every Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Toddlers get to hear stories and discover adventures in reading
Pre-School Rockin’ Readers happens every Wednesday morning from 11 a.m. noon. Pre-School kids share books, games and crafts during this fun session.
Kidz Kaboom is for school age children. Elementary age youngsters meet every Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m.
If these Poinciana Library monthly happenings seem a bit bare, schedules and services have changed since the privatization of the Osceola County Library system. The Poinciana Friends of the Library encourages residents of Poinciana and the surrounding area to join them on Tuesdays and become members. The “Friends” have proudly supported and tried to improve library services, facilities and programs via volunteering and financial support generated from book sales, bag sales and endowments/bequests.
Yearly dues start at $5, with more generous donations gladly accepted. This group meets from 2 to 3 p.m.
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If you have any Poinciana news or information that you would like to share, call Lisa D’Cato at 407-846-7122 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .