By Janis Fontaine

    In just a few weeks, another summer vacation comes to a close for nearly 200,000 kids in Palm Beach County. Before school begins, take advantage of one of the events planned to make the transition easier.

7960732095?profile=originalThere was no shortage of water-related fun during last year’s Back to School Splash at Sugar Sand Park Community Center in Boca Raton. Photo provided    

Here’s a primer:
    The sixth annual Back to School Splash at Sugar Sand Park Community Center is a final day of play for your kids ages 3 and older. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 12, the park will host water play with a 60-foot slide, a bubbles bonanza and a make-and-take craft. Giveaways and music are planned for this free outdoor event. A special area with smaller attractions is available for kids 5 and younger.
    BYO sunscreen, bug spray, bottled water, towels, hats and a change of dry clothes. Food and drink vendors will be on site. The event is sponsored by South Florida Parenting magazine and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (South Palm Beach County).  
    Sugar Sand Park is at 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton. For more info, visit www.sugarsandpark.org

Get ready to shop
    Back-to-school tax-free shopping days are Aug. 4-6, and the good news is computers are eligible, but the rules cap the purchase price at $750. Other items also have caps, including clothing and shoes (capped at $60 per item) and certain school supplies (capped at $15 per item).
    For a complete list of the rules and eligible items, visit www.floridarevenue.com/backtoschool or call 800-352-3671.
    You can save even more if you get the $10 off $50 coupon from JCPenney available on the county school district’s website. Find Penney stores at the Mall at Wellington Green and Boynton Beach Mall. Get your coupon at www.palmbeachschools.org/backtoschool/
    News Channel 5 Back to School Expo will take place at the Mall at Wellington
Green, 1030 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5. Exhibitors will be located throughout the mall with health- and education-related information. Get the information and the supplies you need tax-free. Call 653-5628.

At the Y
    The inaugural Big Fall Kickoff event at the Peter Blum Family YMCA takes place after school starts for many kids, but it’s still fun.
    From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 26, the Y will host indoor activities such as a program scavenger hunt, demonstrations of fall programs like karate, dance and basketball, plus pool activities and water slides. Outdoors, a live band and DJ will provide musical entertainment designed to get kids moving, and a bounce houses, water activities, food and treats will be available. Sign up for one of the programs at the kickoff event at a discount.
    The Peter Blum Family YMCA is at 6631 Palmetto Circle S., Boca Raton. RSVP for the Kickoff at 395-9622. For more info, visit www.ymcaspbc.org/peter-blum/.

At Garden of the Sahaba
    The Garden of the Sahaba Academy will host a Back to School Fun Day from 2 to 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the school, 3480 NW Fifth Ave., Boca Raton. Hosted by the PTO, the event will feature ponies, carnival games, train rides, a bounce house, face painting, giveaways, a high school boys basketball tournament and more.
    For more information, visit www.pto.assahaba.org.

Brunch fundraiser
    The Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce will host a Back to School Brunch from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 24 at Lakeside Terrace, 7880 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Proceeds benefit the Caregiving Youth Project, a program of the American Association of Caregiving Youth that supports children who care for ill, disabled or injured family members.
    This fundraiser is part of the Boca Chamber Festival Days.
    Tickets are $50 in advance or $60 at the door. To RSVP, call Gerry at 391-7401.

Health reminder
    The Palm Beach County School District reminds parents that keeping students healthy is important and students are required to be up to date on their vaccinations. Proof of immunization must be submitted on a Certificate of Immunization form DH680 prior to admittance and/or attendance in school.
    A religious exemption (DH681) may be obtained only from the Palm Beach County Health Department.
    In addition to immunizations, a school entry health exam is required for all students new to the district and for all pre-K, kindergarten and seventh-grade students unless an exemption is on file.
    All health information must be submitted on the appropriate school district form. Physical exams must be on Form DH3040 and provided to the school within 30 days of entry. An out-of-state health exam may be accepted if it meets the same assessment requirements in Form DH3040.
    For information on the immunizations that are required for all Palm Beach County students from pre-K through 12th grade, visit  www.palmbeachschools.org/safeschools/schoolhealth entryrequirements/. Ú

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