The Woodlands, TX (Tuesday, August 23, 2011) With the ever-growing list of things parents need to accomplish before the school year begins such as purchasing school supplies, new school clothes, and food to fill each lunchbox, many parents are faced with the overwhelming feeling of “How am I going to be able to afford the school supplies my son/daughter(s) is required to bring to school?” Luckily, Interfaith of The Woodlands was here to help and provided school supplies, new backpacks and clothing to many local children.

HOUSTON– With many Houston area students heading back to school this week, the 7th annual YMCA Operation Backpack is proud to announce that more than 40,000 area children will start the year off right with backpacks and school supplies. The YMCA of Greater Houston mobilized 38 YMCAs, local churches and other community partners to help collect thousands of backpacks and school supplies for children who might otherwise head back to school unprepared.

HOUSTON (August 22, 2011) – As summer winds down, it is not just kids who are heading back to school. In fact, first-time undergraduates who are studying full-time now make up only 15 percent of all post-secondary students, according to recent National Council of Education Statistics. A number of adults will also head back to school to sharpen their skills or retrain for a new career, and they will have to not only work hard to succeed in the classroom, but also figure out how to balance their workload with family and other responsibilities.

The Woodlands and surrounding area shoppers will get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 19-21, 2011 - the state's annual sales tax holiday.

Some stores that offer lay-away plans can also be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.

The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend.

Tax-Free Items

SPRING, TEXAS – July 27, 2011 – Spring ISD wants parents and other visitors to feel welcome on campuses districtwide. Because safety and security are of the highest priority, all visitors are required to check in at the front desk where they are routinely asked to submit their driver’s license or photo identification for scanning. Once the license has been scanned, a name tag is printed and must be worn by visitors while they are on campus. Upon leaving the campus, visitors are asked to stop by the front desk and turn in their name tag.