Back-to-school Fall 2015: Information for parents and students

Seven regional school systems start classes within the next week; schools in seven counties have already begun.

Here's a roundup of information on vaccinations and school calendars for parents as well as upcoming classes geared to teachers and students.

Last Day for Tennessee Tax-Free Weekend

Today is the last chance to take advantage of Tennessee and Alabama's annual Sales Tax Holiday if you haven't already purchased school supplies, clothing or computers. Georgia's took place last weekend.

For select items, there will be no sales tax on purchases. In Tennessee, some of these items include clothing at $100 or less, school supplies at $100 or less and computers at $1,500 or less; in Alabama, it's clothing for $100 or less, supplies for $50 or less and computers for $750 or less. All merchants who provide these items are required to participate in the sales tax holiday, according to the states' websites.

The school supplies on the left fill a first-grader's supply list at Barger Academy in Hamilton County Schools. If they are purchased on tax-free weekend, it saves parents $1.42 in taxes. Cost of school supplies alone: $15.34.

For a complete list of exempt items, check the website at tn.gov/revenue/article/sales-tax-holiday and revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/STHolidayQuickRefSheet15.pdf.

Back to school Victorian style

Families are invited to see what school was like for children of the Victorian era (1837-1901) and compare past and present school experiences; participants also make a souvenir to take home.

' Where: Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, 210 High St.

' When: Programs at 1, 1:30, 2 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15.

' Admission: $9 adults, $3.50 children.

' For more information: 423-267-7176.

Hamilton County Schools Calendar 2015-16

' Monday, Aug. 10: Registration day for students

' Thursday, Aug. 13: First full day of school

' Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day holiday

' Monday-Friday, Oct. 5-9: Fall break

' Friday, Oct. 16: Report cards

' Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving holiday

' Thursday, Dec. 17: Last day of classes for first semester

' Friday, Dec. 18-Tuesday, Jan. 5: Christmas break

' Wednesday, Jan. 6: School reopens

' Friday, Jan. 8: Report cards

' Monday, Jan. 18: Martin Luther King Day holiday

' Thursday, March 24: Report cards

' Friday, March 25-Friday, April 1: Spring break

' Friday, May 27: Last day of school

Source: Hamilton County Schools

Silverdale Baptist Academy junior Katie Ervin and senior Josh Brady model their school uniforms from Educational Outfitters on Gunbarrel Road. Across the nation, 28 percent of all students now wear school uniforms, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. The NRF says in 2014 the average family spent about $305 on back-to-school clothing and shoes for an elementary student and about $356 for a middle- or high-school student.

First full day of classes

A link to regional systems' 2015-2016 calendar is after the starting date.

' Bledsoe: Began Friday, Aug. 7; http://tinyurl.com/oy3b7sn

' Bradley: Began Friday, Aug. 7; http://tinyurl.com/pyr8eh5

' Catoosa: Monday, Aug. 17; http://tinyurl.com/pln3bht

' Dade: Tuesday, Aug. 11; http://tinyurl.com/qa9frmk

' DeKalb: Began Thursday, Aug. 6; http://tinyurl.com/npb9nfn

' Grundy: Began Tuesday, Aug. 4; http://tinyurl.com/o55rvv6

' Hamilton: Thursday, Aug. 13; http://tinyurl.com/q4w68ps

' Jackson: Wednesday, Aug. 12; http://tinyurl.com/ogknwlp

' Marion: Monday, Aug. 17; http://tinyurl.com/om7dj57

' McMinn: Wednesday, Aug. 12; http://tinyurl.com/owls9wf

' Rhea: Began Friday, Aug. 7; http://tinyurl.com/qc9xm4o

' Sequatchie: Began Tuesday, Aug. 4; http://tinyurl.com/npawmgy

' Walker: Wednesday, Aug. 12; http://tinyurl.com/ov3dgdt

' Whitfield: Began Friday, Aug. 7; http://tinyurl.com/pkym28j

IMMUNIZATIONS

An Immunization Certificate is required for children enrolling in preschool, kindergarten and seventh grade or for new enrollees in a Tennessee school, according to Alicia Whitley, pediatric clinic manager for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.

In Georgia, the requirements are the same except that, instead of seventh grade, immunizations must be completed by sixth grade.

Infants entering preschool or prekindergarten must be up to date at time of enrollment and parents/caregivers are required to provide an updated certificate after completing all required vaccines due by 18 months of age.

Immunizations are one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to protect children against childhood diseases, Whittley says. Tennessee and Georgia law require documented immunizations; otherwise, children may be prevented from attending school or college.

"The increases in pertussis (whooping cough) cases and occurrence of disease outbreaks, such as measles, that have recently taken place across the country illustrate it is more important than ever to protect our infants, children and adolescents from vaccine-preventable diseases," says Connie Buecker, communicable disease program manager for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.

Contact your medical provider or county Health Department to obtain needed vaccinations and a school Immunization Certificate. Vaccinations are available during regular clinic hours on a walk-in basis at many Health Department clinics.

For Hamilton County:

' East Third Street Clinic, 921 E. Third St., 209-8050.

' Ooltewah Health Center, 5520 High St., 238-4269.

' Sequoyah Health Center, 9527 W. Ridge Trail Road, 842-3031.

' Birchwood Clinic, 5625 Highway 60, 961-0446.

Required Immunizations

Children enrolling in preschool, prekindergarten in Tennessee and Georgia

' Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate): up to date

' Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV): up to date

' Measles, Mumps, Rubella: 1 dose of each, usually given together as MMR

' Varicella: 1 dose or history of disease

' Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib): up to date

' Hepatitis B (HBV): up to date

' Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV): up to date

' Hepatitis A: 1 dose

Children enrolling in kindergarten in Tennessee and Georgia

' Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate): up to date

' Hepatitis B (HBV): up to date

' Measles, Mumps, Rubella: 2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR

' Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV): Final dose on or after the fourth birthday

' Varicella: 2 doses or history of disease

' Hepatitis A: total of 2 doses

All children entering seventh grade in Tennessee (including currently enrolled students)

' Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster ("Tdap"): Evidence of one Tdap dose given any time before seventh grade is required regardless of Td history.

' Verification of immunity to varicella: 2 doses or history of disease

All children entering sixth grade in Georgia (including currently enrolled students)

' Two doses of measles and mumps vaccines, one dose of rubella vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity against each of these diseases.

' Two doses of varicella vaccine or documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity.

History Center offers homeschool workshop on American History

The Chattanooga History Center will present a special class for homeschoolers on American history. The class starts on Thursday, Oct. 1. The class is in accordance with the Tennessee Department of Education Standards.

Senior Educator Caroline Sunderland will cover American history from native civilizations to the American Civil War, interacting with artifacts in the CHC collection and stories from Chattanoogans.

The class will be offered in three parts on Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3 and divided into two age groups. Children ages 8-12 are invited to attend Session I from 10 a.m. to noon. Children ages 13-16 are invited to Session II from 1 to 3 p.m.

Chattanooga has been at the crossroads of some of the nation's most important history. It was here that the first steps on the Cherokees' Trail of Tears were taken. It was here that a railroad transportation revolution linked the interior of the continent with the East Coast. It was here that a turning point in the Civil War was reached.

Students will come to the History Center for hands-on learning regarding these topics. Each session will include an outdoor walking tour on the Aquarium Plaza, a Dig Down demonstration using History Center artifacts, and take-home material to connect Chattanooga's history with what students are studying at home.

The fee for each participant per session is $50 or $35 for CHC members, which includes materials and supplies. Space is limited and preregistration is required. For more information or to register, call 423-265-3247 or email caroline.sunderland@chattanoogahistory.org. Parents may also register their children at chattanooga history.org/wgo.

Avoid Morning Madness

If you haven't already, start getting your child accustomed to going to bed earlier so they are in the routine of waking earlier by the time classes start.

1. One big cause of whining and tantrums in the morning is a sleepy child trying to make a decision. Eliminate the choices along with grumpiness. Lay out clothes the night before. It's a simple action that will save time in the morning and prevent wasted minutes looking for a missing shoe or a favorite pair of pants still in the dryer.

2. Pack a lunch or put out lunch money the night before.

3. If family members share a bathroom in the morning, work out a schedule and stick to it.

Technology for Teachers class

Cleveland State Community College is offering a class for teachers this fall titled INFS/EDU 1100, "Technology for Teachers." The fall class will cover basics of the Microsoft Office programs and an overview of common classroom technologies. Sessions will be offered online as well as at the Cleveland State campus in Cleveland, Tenn.

"I think the key point of this class is that it will not just be a computer class but a computer class that is specifically designed for teachers," says Ann Cunningham, instructor in computer and information systems at Cleveland State.

Teachers will use software such as Excel for everyday tasks, including keeping electronic grade books, and PowerPoint for preparing and presenting teaching units.

"In addition to Microsoft Office and basic computing terminology for educators, emphasis is also placed on finding appropriate educational apps for mobile devices and exploring changes in classroom technology," Cunningham says.

There will be a morning class on Tuesdays from 8-9:20 a.m., an afternoon session on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:50 p.m. as well as online options.

For additional information on the class, contact Ann Cunningham at 423-472-7141, ext.326 or e-mail acunningham@clevelandstatecc.edu.