The good news comes with the bad news.

School, it starts next week.

If you are freaking out, wondering how it will all get done, how you will possibly survive this next seven days of chaos before packing the tiny people up and sending them out to discover the world, we at CVK are here to lend a hand.

Today, get all the details on schedules and extra-curricular good times. We’ll also be here all week with everything from the lo-down on the hottest gear you can buy around town to the coolest trend in lunch box goodness - bentos. There will be some serious moments with safety tips from Street Smart Kidz and some tear-jerkers with those perfect reads for making leaving mom & dad behind a little easier (or vice versa).

We’ll even have some giveaways (yes, that would be FREE GEAR) and discounts with local merchants. So, be sure to check back daily to make back-to-school a little less stressful.

Here’s what’s happening around the region:

- The first day of school is Wednesday, Sept. 3, with students in grades 1-7 attending from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and bus pickup at 11:30 a.m. Grade 8-9 as well as new grade 10 will be in class from 9 a.m. to Noon with bus pickup at 12:30 p.m.

Regular school start times resume for all students on Thursday, Sept. 4 with a 1-hour early dismissal. Friday is the first full day of school. Check the District 71 website for schedules.

Registration for new students will take place this week at respective schools. Call your local school for complete details.

- The School District 71 Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 26) at the School Board Office in the Board Room. Check the District 71 website for details and agenda items.

- Comox Valley Children’s Choir (formerly Nova Voce Children’s Choir) is pleased to welcome back director Carol Anne Parkinson after a year of maternity leave. She is excited to re-unite with former singers and to meet some new singers as well! The Comox Valley Children’s choir accepts all interested children singers 7 years of age and older (age 6 with a parent/caregiver). Detailed information about the choir year is below and registration is now open. Please read the information carefully as Carol Anne has made a few changes in order to provide children and families with the highest quality experience possible. If you are interested in participating in choir this year, please send an e-mail to cvcchoir@shaw.ca with the following information:

Last Name:
First Name:
Birthday:
Parent Name:
Phone Number:
Email:
Address:
Preferred Rehearsal Time (3:30 - 5:00pm OR 6:00 - 7:30pm):
Fall Term/Winter Term or Both Terms (attendance at below concerts is mandatory):

Your registration will be confirmed by email or phone call once your cheques (or cash) have been received. Please make cheques payable to NOVA VOCE and send to the following address: NOVA VOCE, 2774A Myra Place, Courtenay, BC, V9N 8S6

- Fall registration opportunities with Comox Recreation get going at 7:30 a.m. this Friday Aug. 29 and are ongoing…but these wonderful programs will fill fast so don’t delay. Take your special advance viewing of our Fall programs at the Comox Rec website now or look for the Spotlight on Recreation in the Record on Wednesday August 27th.

- The AMIS KaKeng Taiwanese First Nations Musical Group and the K’omoks Band’s Kumugwe Cultural Society Dancers will take the stage at Simms Park in Courtenay at 7 p.m. on Wednesday (Aug. 27). This special public performance should be a spectacular experience of culture and artistry. Admission is by donation.

- Movies Under The Stars, hosted by by CV Regional District, is on again THIS WEDNESDAY. The movie begins at dusk out at the CV Exhibition Grounds on Headquarters Road and admission is $2. You can check out the titles of the featured film HERE.

- Get your tickets now for KidsFest. This cool annual event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 6 in Lewis Park. Advanced tickets are $3 and can be purchased at Cumberland Village Bakery, Whales Tale, the Lewis Centre, Quality Foods and the Sid Williams Theatre box office.

- Joey Clarkson is now registering for her Fall series of musical theatre programs. Private lessons consist of 1/2 hour sessions in her studio at 2475 Stephenson Road in Tsolum. Musical numbers are chosen concentrating on technique,intonation,safe singing and charactor work. These are great sessions for those wishing to strengthen their vocals and a wonderful intro to musical theatre.There are many, many different songs and styles of music to chose from, and students are encouraged to examine her library. $15 for half hour session-all supplies included.( Should there be more than one student in the family, she can usually arrange to teach the lesson at your home if you wish.)

There are also once-weekly classes (dates and locations tba) consisting of 2 hours of singing and dancing and having fun, working on movement, harmonies and charactor in a group session. After the initial class the music best suited to the group is chosen and a short story is written that will tie the presentation together.Should there be enough interest in the Black Creek,Quadra Island and Denman areas Joey will be happy to arrange a class(es) there to save driving time,ferry etc. This will be an 8 week session and the fee is $120-all supplies included. A short presentation at the end of the term will give the students a chance to show off their talents!

Please contact Joey Clarkson at joeyclarkson@telus.net

- Art teacher Anne Clarkson is now accepting registration for her wonderful children’s art classes through her Tsolum studio Foxglove Hollow. These small classes focused on quality materials and personal instruction. Anne is a homeschool mom and offers many options for homeschooled kiddos as well as traditionally schooled children in terms of classes and projects. Call her at (250) 334-2208 for more information.