Newcastle parents whisked their children off to school this week, symbolically bringing an end to the long summer nights.

After dropping the kids off at school, you might feel the urge to kick back, relax and enjoy some “me” time. You deserve it after a long summer keeping the young ones entertained.

But wait! The schools need you. The volunteer jobs are endless. The playgrounds need monitors, the libraries can use assistance, the front offices might need your organizational skills, teachers almost never have enough helpers and the nurse’s offices are often in need of a mother’s touch to watch over a sick child.

But the best volunteer jobs may be working directly with students. Parents, grandparents and other citizens are always welcome to just listen to children read.

If you prefer something more athletic, check into becoming a volunteer to help a coach. The middle schools and high schools have an array of sports teams that need organizational and skills assistance in support of its coaches.

Getting involved in school doesn’t necessarily mean more time with children. The PTA at each school is looking for parents to volunteer in everything from teacher recognition to fundraising. Start by joining your PTA, and then get involved.

For those who want to take on a bigger role, ask about becoming a mentor. If you can give just an hour a week, Issaquah’s VOICE Mentor Program and Renton’s Community in Schools of Renton program offer opportunities to make a real impact on the lives of kids who need it most.

Learn more about Issaquah’s program at voicementorprogram.org and Renton’s at renton.ciswa.org. There are several students hoping to find a “special someone” to become their friend, cheerleader and confidante.

Schools require a background check on every volunteer, parent or not. All volunteers must apply and be approved before they get clearance to begin service. In addition to the typical background information, volunteers must undergo a Washington State Patrol criminal history check.

To get started, simply stop in at your local school’s office to learn more about volunteer opportunities. Learn more about volunteering in Issaquah schools at http://bit.ly/1U9T6kT and Renton schools at http://bit.ly/1JHYZzV.

“It’s too hot,” they say. “I miss my rain,” they lament. “Where are the clouds?” they ask.

They justify their aversion to summer weather by slowly repeating PEMCO’s “We’re a lot like you, a little different” mantra. “There must be others like me,” they insist, though they’re never quite sure.

They most closely identify with the insurance company’s “First Snowflake Freakout Lady,” only replace snowflake with “90-degree day” and you’ve got yourself a winner.

Every summer, they promise to install an air conditioner in their homes, while they drudge on in stuffy houses with just box fans. When fall returns, though, they proceed to talk their way out of it, telling themselves there’s no reason to buy a unit they’ll use for just a few months. It’s a never-ending cycle.

They moved to the Northwest from a sunny state, possibly California or Arizona. When friends and family ask if they’ll ever move back, they say, “I can’t. It’s too hot.”

Fear not, though, Newcastle offers a few things to do for the summer-weather weary.

Go to the library — There is arguably no better way to escape the sun’s gaze, than to curl up with a nice book in an air-conditioned atmosphere. The Newcastle Library is so much more than a cool place to hang out, though. It also offers programs and events for all ages. Might we suggest stopping by July 25 for Newcastle resident Italene Gaddis’ concert?

It’s time for zoëyogurt — When a cool, yogurt-filled cup is in your hands, you’ll almost forget the thermometer reads 90 degrees outside. Don’t leave Newcastle without a stop at locally owned zoëyogurt where a vast, dizzying topping bar awaits.

Take shelter under a tent — It will still be warm, but at least you won’t feel the sun’s rays when you take shelter under the Newcastle Fruit & Produce’s red-and-white tent. Since you’re there, you might as well pick up a basket, or two, of juicy strawberries.

See, there are a lot of things that summer-weather detractors can do while they patiently wait for the rain, wind and clouds to return.

And now that another summer has returned, I — I mean, “they” — will catch a flick, grab some ice cream and appreciate the sunshine, fully secure in, and relieved by, the fact that it’s only temporary in the big, beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Attendees at last year’s Independence Day celebration at Lake Boren Park will remember that technical difficulties shortened what was supposed to be a 12-minute fireworks display.

The Olympia-based company Entertainment Fireworks Inc. took full responsibility for the problems, City Manager Rob Wyman said last year. Newcastle will contract with the company again for its 2014 fireworks show, with assurances the issues won’t occur again.

“I have spoken with the owner multiple times on the phone and he has assured me 200 percent that we will not have the problem again,” said Wendy Kirchner, Newcastle’s community activities liaison. “They’ve got a very, very experienced pyrotechnician that’s going to be working with us.”

Residents can start filing into Lake Boren Park at 6 p.m. July 4. Vendors will serve hot dogs, kettle corn and more. Soul Siren, a band whose appearance is sponsored by The Golf Club at Newcastle, will take the park stage from 8-10 p.m.

The fireworks show starts shortly after it gets dark, or at about 10 p.m.

The city’s annual Independence Day celebration at Lake Boren Park is able to continue this year, thanks to title sponsor AvalonBay Communities Inc.

Fourth of July isn’t the only summer event on tap. The city’s all-volunteer Community Activities Commission is already well into planning for the Concerts in the Park series and Newcastle Days.

The city has scheduled four free summer concerts at Lake Boren Park this summer. The Fabulous Roof Shakers will perform July 23; Ian McFeron Band takes the stage July 30; Cherry Cherry plays Aug. 6; and Crumac will close out the series Aug. 13.

Cherry Cherry, a Neil Diamond tribute band, is particularly notable because the group is sponsoring its own performance, free of charge to the city. Its lead singer, Steve Kelly, is a Hazen High School graduate.

All concerts are from 7-8:30 p.m. Vendors are available onsite for attendees to enjoy.

The city will celebrate its 20th year of incorporation at Newcastle Days on Sept. 6. Planning is still underway, but one thing is for certain, the car show will return after getting scrapped in 2013.

Community Activities Commissioner Linda Newing is also spearheading an effort to add an in-park parade to this year’s festivities. She said she envisions inviting school drill teams, bands, Boy Scouts and members of the Newcastle Historical Society to officially open the festival with a loop around Lake Boren Park.

“It’s the city’s 20th anniversary, so we’re looking at adding some fun, special activities to commemorate that,” Kirchner said.

Newcastle resident Alan White’s group, White, will again be the headline band. White is also the drummer for the band Yes.

Singer Gil Réne will bring the city’s 20 years full-circle when he performs at Newcastle Days. Réne was there in 1994, playing at a special city ceremony in honor of Newcastle’s incorporation.

Popular pony rides, petting zoos and inflatable toys will also return. The Coal Creek Family YMCA will bring its special KidZone activities, including inflatable slides and an obstacle course. Clowns Unlimited, the company that provided a pay-for-play area last year, will have some sort of presence, though it’s unclear what exactly it will bring, Kirchner said.

Last year, the company brought a climbing wall, swing chairs and more. Kirchner and commissioners are hoping that with sponsorship money, kids won’t need to pay to use the equipment this year.

“We don’t want to do pay-for-play,” Kirchner said. “We don’t want to have people paying for things.”

For adults, the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s beer and wine garden is also expected to return.

The Community Activities Commission has worked with Kirchner to plan the city’s summer events. Kirchner joined the city staff just three months ago as the community activities liaison.

She will assist in the planning of city events and provide outreach to city volunteer organizations.

“I’m enjoying working on different aspects,” she said. “One day it’s events, the next day it’s parks and the next day it’s something else. You kind of have your hand in a lot of things, which is fun.”

Newcastle residents Newing, Jim Price, Russ Segner, Diane Lewis, Angela Ursino, Victoria Hupf and Zaquis Ross are members of the Community Activities Commission, an all-volunteer advisory board to the Newcastle City Council.

Email Kirchner at wendyk@ci.newcastle.wa.us for more information about summer events and ways to get involved.