5 Things: School Starts Today; Be Alert

This is your back to school edition of five things.

1. First Day of School. This hopefully comes as no surprise to any parent in the district, but today is the first day of school! We hope the kiddos get off to a great start. If you're driving around town today at the start and end of the school day, make sure to be extra vigilant and keep your eyes peeled for students boarding an exiting buses, riding bikes or walking along the road. To the kids: Have a wonderful first day!

2. Homework help. New school year means new homework challenges. Make sure you're armed with information to help you children succeed this school year. Check out these online resources designed to help you help your child with their homework. You will need your library card and PIN/password to access these subcription databases. Don't have a library card? Find out how to get one! And if you need to, contact the Reference Department by email or by phone if you would like to attend a demonstration of these online reference tools.

3. 2012-13 attendance policy. The Merrimack School District has created an Attendance Policy guide for parents which outlines updated requirements and expectations for the 2012-2013 school year. Click here to view this Attendance Policy brochure in pdf format. Or click on the PDF above.

4. A reminder. School lunch prices increased 25 cents a day this year. If you are sending your child to school with the intention of getting school lunch, make sure to include the extra money – $1.25 a week.

5. Weather watch. Make sure the kids are dressed in new duds that will help keep them cool, today's forecast is calling for a hot first day of school. Today's forecast calls for sunny skies with a high near 87. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 58.