Share your back-to-school photos. If you are old enough to post those photos of you reuniting with your friends in your favorite school period, or if you have a newbie heading to kindergarten, share with Hazelwood Patch. It's easy, simply load them into the comments section and tell us what we see in the picture. Thanks in advance.

Tax-free weekend meant more than just saving a little less than 10 percent on purchases made in Hazelwood, it also meant hundreds of students, parents, teachers and administrators from throughout the area gathered at St. Louis Mills Mall on Saturday for the Hazelwood School District's annual Back-to-School Fair. "We purposefully chose tax-free weekend so parents and students can come here then go and do some shopping," said Diana Gulotta, the district's assistant superintendent for communications. "The Mills has been very helpful and accommodating." The corridor of the mall between Cabelas …

Youth across the country are preparing to head back to school this month. But many of those young people will head back without the necessary tools and supplies needed to enjoy the school learning experience. On Sunday, the Robertson Fire Protection District (RFPD) hosted its first back-to-school barbecue and supply giveaway in the parking lot of the Hazelwood West Early Childhood Education Center, to help ensure some area students will be ready next week when school resumes. The event was open to residents within the district, which includes parts of Hazelwood, Bridgeton and unincorporated …

If you’re in the market for clothes, shoes, school supplies or computers, the first weekend in August is the time to buy. That’s when Missouri is holding its annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, saving shoppers 4.225 percent in state sales tax on certain items. It begins at midnight Friday, Aug. 5 and ends at midnight Sunday, Aug. 7. Cities and counties within the state have the choice of whether to take part in the program. St. Louis County, which has a 2.7-percent tax rate, and Hazelwood have both opted to waive their taxes during that weekend. Items eligible for the tax exemption …

Members of the Robertson Fire Protection District (RFPD) will bring school supplies and more to Hazelwood West Early Childhood Education Center, located at 5323 Ville Maria Lane, as part of the fire district’s first School Supply Barbecue on August 7. The event starts at 1 p.m. and lasts until 4 p.m. Fire district personnel will distribute school supplies such as pencil pouches filled with pens, pencils, rulers and paper. All items will be encased in custom RFPD backpacks, for school-age children. Hot dogs and refreshments will be available and Spanky the Clown will do face painting and …

The 2011-2012 school year is less than a month away. Hazelwood School District (HSD) students return to classes on Monday, August 15.To help you prepare your child for the new year, school supply lists are posted online on the Hazelwood School District website.For HSD schools in Hazelwood City limits, the lists are attached in the photo gallery of this article. High school students are asked to check with their teachers for specific supplies, but should be prepared on the first day of school with basics like notebooks, pens, a book bag and lunch or lunch money.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) St. Louis area office awarded scholarships to nine Hazelwood School District (HSD) seniors. The HSD scholarships amount to $89,750. Hazelwood West High School seniors accumulated the largest portion of the funds with five students winning a combined amount of $66,250. West's Lee André Fuqua was awarded the Gates Millennium scholarship for $60,000. Fuqua is headed to Columbia University in New York City. The Gates Millennium Scholars program select 1,000 students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university …

Ninth-grade orientation for incoming freshmen to the Hazelwood School District will take place at Hazelwood West, Hazelwood Central and Hazelwood East high schools on Aug. 12. Orientation will occur from 7:25 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Students must be registered for the 2011-12 school year before attending orientation. Students will meet teachers, counselors and school administrators, receive class schedules, take tours of the building, learn school expectations and meet new classmates. Lunch is provided, and transportation will be provided to eligible bus riders. To participate, students must …

Middle school registration dates are set for Hazelwood School District for the 2011-12 calendar school year. At registration, students will get identification cards, class and bus schedules and other necessary items related to the start of the new year. The dates and times for registration are as follows: Hazelwood West Middle School  August 2     2 – 7 p.m. August 3     2 – 7 p.m. August 4     8 a.m. – 12 p.m.    Hazelwood Central Middle School July 27       10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  July 28       3 - 7 p.m. July 29       8 a.m. - 12 p.m.    Hazelwood East Middle School August 3    12 – 7 p.m.  …

High school registration dates are set for Hazelwood School District for the 2011-12 calendar school year. At registration, students will get identification cards, class and bus schedules and other necessary items related to the start of the new year. The dates and times for registration are as follows:   Hazelwood West High School August 1         Seniors            7:30-11 a.m., 12:30-3 p.m. August 2         Juniors             7:30-11 a.m., 12:30-3 p.m. August 3         Sophomores     7:30-11 a.m., 12:30-3 p.m.    August 4         Freshmen         7:30-11 a.m., 12:30-3 p.m.   Hazelwood …