Five Things You Need to Know Today: Back-to-School Checklists, Adult School Computer Classes and Scarsdale Resident to Run for Miss Westchester

1. With a few clicks of a keyboard, you can have all the knowledge in the world right at your fingertips. But what if all you know how to do is turn the darn thing on? The Scarsdale Adult School will help you get clued into computers with enhanced class offerings this fall, which include "Computers Made Friendly," "Internet and E-Mail: The Basics," "Workplace Computer Skills" and "Website Design." Those who have already gained mastery of the mouse might also be interested in signing up with courses on InDesign and Photoshop led by Kate Schlientz, art director of "Project You Magazine" and senior designer at "Woman's World," along with "Learn to Blog," which will be taught in two sections by both Schlientz and Jeanne Muchnick of Westchester Magazine. Enroll for classes and view all SAS offerings at the Scarsdale Adult School's website.

2. The pending school year is weighing on everyone's mind as the summer creeps towards a close. What are the latest back-to-school fashions? Which teachers retired last spring, and what new hires will be replacing them this fall? And if you're new to Scarsdale or running behind schedule, how do you go about registering your son or daughter for school? Scarsdale Schools Spokeswoman Vicki Presser tells Scarsdale Patch that parents need: 1. Proof of residency (a copy of a deed for a house, a signed rental agreement, etc.), 2. Proof of age such as a birth certificate or passport, 3. Immunization records (New York State's immunization requirements for school attendence can be found here) and 4. Student records, although they are not required (the school will conduct individual evaluations for placement). And if you're confused about which of Scarsdale's five elementary schools your child will be enrolling in, find out what local learning center corresponds with your neighborhood and call the secretary of that school for a registration packet for the secretary of that school for a registration packet. For further information and registration forms, visit the Scarsdale Schools website for more information. 

3. This weekend, Scarsdale resident Alexandra Croce, 21, is running for this year’s Miss Westchester title. Like many other competitors, Croce has a few rituals she partakes in before pageant day. “Rituals before the pageant include walking everyday in all pageant heels," said Croce. "I do it before bed and before I go to class. Call me crazy, but I feel like it relaxes me and breaks the shoes in well." Find out more from Croce about her pageant goals later this morning in Patch's preview of the Miss Westchester and Miss Hudson Valley 2011 pageants. 

4. If you're worried about waters rising again after this past week's flooding caused the Bronx River to overflow onto the parkway, you can receive a text or email from the USGS that will alert you when waters are rising in river and streams near you. Called WaterAlert, this service is free and can be specified to read water levels at over 7,000 locations across the country. To sign up, go to WaterAlert's website and select a specific site. Users then select whether they wish the information to be delivered to them via email or text, hourly or daily and specific water levels at which they want to be notified. 

5. Did you know September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month? Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is asking volunteers across the country to join the battle against childhood cancer in September, and there are also plenty of local opportunities, including the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (helmed by Scarsdale resident ) to raise money for a cure.