School starts! 2,500 welcomed

When the doors to all four schools reopened for the new school year Monday, Aug. 3, thousands of students streamed through.’We planned to welcome some 2,500 students from pre-K through the 12th grade,’ said superintendent Dr. Bill Truby Monday. ‘The first day total was actually 2,420. Of course, that will go up tomorrow.’The system has over 420 employees including teachers, paraprofessionals, clerks, counselors, teachers, bus drivers, custodians, kitchen workers, technology and media specialists and administrators.”As I made my trek from building to building I found an abundance of smiles on the faces of children and adults,” said Dr. Truby. “While there were a few anticipated bumps in the road ‘“ traffic and bus pick-ups ‘“ we got off and running as smoothly as possible. Seeing students in their rooms makes all the efforts to get ready very worthwhile.”Extra law enforcement was on hand to help first-day traffic snarls.There are new driver’s education classes at the high school and other electives under the new seven period schedule. JROTC, AP and honors classes, ninth grade academy and alternative school were all expanded.The new stadium and auditorium, renovated high school gym and improved cafeteria, and new BOE offices are notable changes.’Don’t miss our opening scrimmage game Friday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.,’ he said. ‘We’ve arranged an exciting way to have the game ball dropped in. It’s something we couldn’t do at a regular game.’Buildings have fresh paint, new playground facilities, furniture, tile, carpets, shelves, fences, benches, awnings, air conditioning and technology. Work on the middle school gym floor is ongoing and activity buildings are planned at the middle and high schools.’All this was paid for through SPLOST funds,’ he said.Several important papers were sent home to parents on the first day of school, including codes of conduct, school policies and forms for free and reduced lunches.Lunch prices are $1.35 at the elementary and primary schools and $1.60 at the middle and high schools. Reduced lunch is 40 cents.At the primary and elementary, breakfast is 80 cents; it is 90 cents at the middle and high schools. The reduced rate is 30 cents.