Police program joins Nextdoor

The Scarborough Police Department has joined the Nextdoor online community policing program in order to help facilitate the creation of virtual neighborhood watches and foster neighbor-to-neighbor communications throughout the community.

Nextdoor is a tool the department can use to share information on crime prevention and safety, public events and to send out emergency notifications. To sign up go online to https://nextdoor.com/city/feed/603027.

Anyone who signs up for the Nextdoor service will remain confidential and the police department will not be able to see the content on any neighborhood website that might be set up.

Although Nextdoor is a great new 21st century tool, the service should not be used to request emergency assistance or to report criminal or suspicious activity. As always, those needing immediate help should dial 911.

Wentworth collecting coats

The Wentworth School in Scarborough is once again participating in the annual Coats for Kids drive. The school is collecting coats, snow pants, snowsuits, hats, scarves and matched pairs of mittens or gloves in good, clean condition, now through Jan. 9.

The donations will be given to the Salvation Army, which will distribute the warm clothing to local families in need. Donations boxes are located throughout the school. Call 730-4600 for more information.

SHS chorus holiday concert

The chorus at Scarborough High School Chorus is inviting area senior citizens to attend its annual holiday concert, which will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. The concert is free and open to the public. Call 730-5000 for more information.

Pupils take part in Hour of Code

Students in Scarborough and South Portland this week are taking part in the worldwide Hour of Code initiative, which has the goal of engaging students in computer science by providing both online and offline coding activities.

Last year more than 15 million students in 170 countries participated in the event, which runs Dec. 8-14. The Hour of Code not only teaches students more about how computers actually work, but it also promotes critical thinking and creativity.

In Scarborough students in all grades will participate in Hour of Code events, and high school and middle students in South Portland will also take part in this international technology effort.

Go online to http://hourofcode.com/us for more information about what the Hour of Code is all about and how people can participate from home.