TASD news

Tamaqua Area School District students participating in sports and/or any extracurricular activity, or who have a school parking permit are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, as established in 2010. Random drug testing of non-participating students is also available if the district receives a parental request. Students must provide a signed parental consent form before participating.For the 2013-2014 school year, initial registration/ testing will take place on July 31 in the athletic center locker rooms of the middle school. Male students may register from 8-10 a.m. and female students may register from 10 a.m. to noon. The make up date will be Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon.Any student who cannot attend on the dates provided should contact Mike Hromyak, athletic director at (570) 668-1901 or mhromyak@tamaqua.k12.pa.us for other arrangements.Becoming part of the random selection process is necessary before participating in any activities.More information is provided on the school district website,

www.tamaqua.k12.pa.us, under athletics.Diabetes supportSt. Luke's University Health Network is sponsoring a Diabetes Support Group. Monthly meetings are held in the Miner's Cafe at the health network's Miners Hospital Campus in Coaldale.Each month, a different diabetes relevant topic is explored. Topics are based on ways to improve blood sugar control and quality of life. Meetings are generally 45 minutes long and include a question and answer period.This month's meeting will be held on July 16. Reservations are not required. For more information, call (570) 645-8107.Raider BandThe Tamaqua Raider Band will hold summer rehearsals on July 16 and July 23. Hours will be from 9-11 a.m. both days. These rehearsals are for the instrumentalists.Old and New Night will be held on July 30. New members will rehearse from 4-6 p.m. All instrumentalists and majorettes will rehearse from 6-8 p.m.Band Camp will begin at 8 a.m. on Aug. 5. Camp is mandatory for all band members.All rehearsals will be held in the band room.Bible studyThe Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network is sponsoring a six-week series of Women's Bible Study, which will begin on July 14. The in-depth "Study of David For Women" explores the life of David and the lives of three Bible teachers Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur.Each of the author's messages are divided into two lessons. The three segments, one for each author, focuses on a different stage in the life of David: as a young man (Priscilla Shirer); as a middle-aged man (Beth Moore); and as a man facing the final third of his life (Kay Arthur).The sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 101 N. Greenwood St. For more information, or to register, contact Lucy at (570) 668-2818 or

lucygerace@verizon.net.St. John LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church.Activities for next week will include: Monday, learning ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study will be held from 6-8 p.m.; Thursday, finance committee meets at 6 p.m.Zion LewistownThe Rev. James Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday. Sunday school will be held at 9:15 a.m.Zion LutheranZion Evangelical Lutheran Church is offering a Saturday worship service. The contemporary style service will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the church social hall.Sunday worship services are held at 9:30 a.m.