Jul 26th, 2012

LAKE WALES – Hi ho, hi ho! It’s off to school orientation we go.

With school starting on Monday, Aug. 20, back-to-school events fill the calendar in mid-August as parents, students and teachers get ready for a new year.

Lake Wales High School will hold Freshman Orientation for ninth graders at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14. Orientation for students in grades 10-12 follows at 7 p.m. The school’s two uniform vendors will be on campus 3-8 p.m. selling shirts, which also may be purchased now at either Polka Dots & Company or Applied Images Inc. (Morning bell 7 a.m.; dismissal 2 p.m.)

Other schools in the Lake Wales Charter Schools system will host orientation activities on Thursday, Aug. 16. (School day schedules for starting and dismissal times are listed in parentheses.)

• Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary, 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16
  (Morning bell 7:55 a.m.; dismissal at 2:30 p.m. for buses; 2:33 p.m. for car riders and walkers)
• Hillcrest Elementary, 9-11 a.m. or 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16
  (Morning bell 8 a.m.; dismissal at 2:25 p.m.)
• Janie Howard Wilson Elementary, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16
  (Morning bell 7:50 a.m.; dismissal at 2:45 p.m.)
• Polk Avenue Elementary, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16
  (Morning bell 8 a.m.; dismissal 2:45 p.m.)
• Bok Academy, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16.
  Uniform vendor at 5-7 p.m. session only
  (Morning bell 8:55 a.m.; dismissal at 3:52 p.m.)

New students should enroll before orientation day. Families with kindergarten students or children who moved to Lake Wales during the summer should immediately visit the closest school for information on enrolling, dress codes, and transportation.

FILE PHOTO: Last year, Sydnie Whitaker was ready for the first day of school at Hillcrest Elementary.