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franklin county times

Meridian students head back to classroom today

By Staff
FACULTY MEETING Northwest Junior High School principal Curt Pouncey headed a faculty meeting Wednesday to sew up loose ends before classes began today. Photo by Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
Aug. 9, 2001
School bells have been reset, computers checked, bus schedules confirmed and assignments posted on classroom bulletin boards.
In other words, another school year begins.
Meridian Public School District educators were busy this week making sure everything goes as smoothly as possible today, the first day of classes for the 2001-02 school year.
Teachers have been putting the finishing touches on their bulletin boards and making sure their handouts and materials are ready. They've also been attending meetings since they reported for work Monday.
The first part of the week was devoted to staff development for many elementary teachers, to help them improve student achievement and map out strategies for writing, math and language arts.
Faculty meetings were held at schools to inform teachers of new policies and legislation, to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding rules and to go over any last minute details before students arrive.
Technology staff spent the week checking computers throughout the district. Bells had to be reset and office staff answered a lot of phone calls from parents and students with questions.
About 80 parents attended a new-parent orientation held Tuesday night at Poplar Springs Elementary School.
City schools usually open on a day toward the end of the week so that should any problems arise, school officials will have the weekend to work them out without disrupting the first full week of school. It also helps to ease the first-day jitters some students may experience and it gives everyone a chance to get acclimated before the first full week.
Robert Markham, principal of Carver Middle School, said his staff was contacting students during the first part of the week to make sure they make it to the first day of classes.
Marsha Iverson, art teacher at Northwest Junior High School, said she enjoys starting the school year off at the end of the week because students, "hit the ground running," when they return to class the following Monday.
Peg Richards, U.S. history teacher at Northwest is entering her 32nd year of teaching at the school. For her, this weekend may serve as a time to catch up on her sleep.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.

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