MOULTRIE — If it was a shuttle launch, you might say T-minus 17 and counting. Since it isn’t, we can only say, “17 days until school starts!”

As the countdown clock ticks away to that first school bell of 2008-09, both the Colquitt County school system and the State of Georgia are preparing for events that will help parents and students get ready for another year of learning.



Tax holiday

The fun kicks off with the opportunity to save on school supplies, thanks to the Georgia Legislature. Certain items purchased July 31-Aug. 3 will be exempt from both state and local sales taxes, according to the state Department of Revenue’s website, www.dor.ga.gov.

The website includes a list of what products are exempt and what will be taxed, but in summary the exemption applies to:

• Articles of clothing and footwear with a sales price of less than $100 per item. Accessories like jewelry or handbags are generally not exempt.

• Personal computers and accessories. A single purchase of $1,500 or less is exempt.

• General school supplies with a sales price of $20 or less per item.

Some other exclusions apply, and those are described on the website.



Back to School Expo

From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 2, the Colquitt County School System will host its third annual Back to School Expo on the Courthouse Square. Free school supplies will be available at the information booth.

Also available will be information on testing, on promotion and retention, on Internet safety, on free and reduced lunch eligibility, on bus safety and routes, on drug awareness and on immunization records.

Free health screenings will be held, and information will be provided on diet, diabetes, blood pressure, weight, height, body fat, Medicaid, fitness and nutrition.

Also featured will be employment information, ParentConnect, and parent resources as well as exhibits and demonstrations.

Door prizes will be given away.



School supplies

The Colquitt County School System will provide all supplies needed for in-class work. Parents don’t have to buy anything. However, accessories like bookbags aren’t provided, and any parent who wants to provide materials like pencils, pens, a pencil and pen pouch, notebook paper, pocket folders and a three-ring binder is welcome to do so.

If a student disregards reasonable care and use of school supplies distributed by the school system, his or her parent will be notified and all school supplies for the remainder of the school year will be the parent’s responsibility.



Teachers

The first day of teacher pre-planning will be Monday, Aug. 4.



Open house

Different grades will hold open house at different times on Aug. 7-8:

• Pre-k through fifth grade, 5-7 p.m. Aug. 7.

• Grades 6-8, 6-8 p.m. Aug. 7.

• Grade 9 has two sessions Aug. 7. Parents can attend either one, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. or 6:30-8 p.m.

• Grades 10-12, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 8.

In addition, the gifted program will hold open house on Aug. 14. Grades K-3 will hold theirs 5-6 p.m., and grades 4-5 will hold theirs 6-7 p.m.



School begins

Students start classes Monday, Aug. 11.

The Colquitt County High Night School “REACH” will also begin Monday, Aug. 11. Students wishing to attend night school should contact Lynn Pritchett at 890-6197 to register.



Packers

The Colquitt County Packers will play their first scrimmage game of the year at 8 p.m. Aug. 22 at home against Brooks County.

The first game is a week later, 8 p.m. Aug. 29 at home against Randolph-Clay.

For more information, watch for South Georgia Football, a magazine due Aug. 4, and The Moultrie Observer’s football edition, which will publish in Aug. 28’s Observer.