Lamar schools open Monday

By Sherri EllingtonTo kick off the school year in a big way, Lamar County schools presented speaker, motivator and humorist Barbara Dooley at its Welcome Back Assembly Aug. 1 at the Fine Arts Center.The wife of famous football coach Vince Dooley, she is an author, radio and TV personality, non-profit volunteer, career woman and breast cancer survivor.New teachers were welcomed July 30 and pre-planning begins today, July 31. It will last through Aug. 3. Open house is Aug. 2. The first day of the 2012-13 school year for students will be Aug. 6, welcoming some 1,800 students.’It’s too early to tell with so many coming and going,’ said superintendent Dr. Bill Truby. ‘We’re expecting about the same as last year.’The first holiday will be Labor Day, which falls on Sept. 3. It will be followed by a fall break Oct. 8-12 and Thanksgiving break Nov. 19-23. Christmas break will run from Dec. 21, 2012 through Jan. 4, 2013.The long holiday break does not include the three calendar reduction, or furlough, days. Those will come Feb. 20-22 after teacher planning days on Feb. 18-19.Spring break will run April 22-26.The last day of school will be May 24, 2013 with graduation the following Saturday, May 25. Postplanning will run May 28-30, right after next Memorial Day.