COVINGTON, Ga. -- National School Lunch Week begins Monday, Oct. 15, and the Newton County School System is using it as an opportunity to promote healthy eating.

This year's National School Lunch Week theme is "School Lunch -- What's Cooking?"

The school system has provided students with a two-page handout with lots of fun activities, including a place for them to draw a picture of their ideal lunch and a section where they can list vegetables by color.

Check out the handout here.

COVINGTON, Ga. -- Students in Newton County's public schools have a short school day to look forward to, just in time for fall break.

Schools at all levels will dismiss early on Friday, Sept. 21. They will be closed for the break from Monday, Sept. 24 through Friday, Sept. 28, although the Newton County Board of Education offices will be open Monday through Wednesday.

On Sept. 21, the school day will end at 11:15 a.m. for elementary school students, 12:15 p.m. for high schoolers and 1:15 p.m. for children in middle school.

Lunch will be served before the students are dismissed.

ATLANTA -- Georgia students in grades 5-12 are encouraged to apply for the 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

The awards program began searching for its next batch of honorees this week. Recipients of the award are young people who have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service.

"We have been recognizing youth volunteers since 1995 and still, every year, we're amazed by the stories of exemplary community service," Prudential chairman and CEO John Strangfeld said in a statement. "We look forward to honoring the top youth volunteers of 2013 for their selflessness, their initiative and their dedication to changing communities for the better."