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Area schools are preparing for the start of a new academic year, with Lexington and Rockbridge schools starting next Tuesday, Aug. 15, and Buena Vista schools starting next Wednesday.
For Lexington schools, this summer has been one of preparation.
“This summer, many of our teachers attended training opportunities, developed curriculum, and worked on literacy and math pacing for the new year,” said Rebecca Walters, Lexington city schools superintendent.
“We continue to work, as a district, to identify new ways we can recognize and celebrate diversity within our school community and support all staff in cultural awareness as we work with families and students in Lexington.”
Lexington has several events planned leading up to the start of school. Kindergarten orientation at Waddell will take place this Thursday, with teachers available for dropin visits between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Meet-the-teacher for first and second grades will take place between 9 and 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, and for third through fifth grades between 10:30 and 11:30. Lylburn Downing orientation will be on Friday, for sixth-graders from 1 to 3:45 p.m. and for seventh- and eighth-graders from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Walters hopes parents will participate in these events and in the schools generally.
“As always, we encourage families to partner with our teachers and school staff and join our PTAs to engage in schoolwide events and programs throughout the year,” she said. -In Buena Vista, upcoming second-graders will be heading to Enderly Heights Elementary rather than F.W. Kling Elementary this fall.
This move was approved by the School Board in March to ease overcrowding at Kling.
Kling Elementary will have a new principal this year, Dr. Brenda Walt, while Enderly will have a school resource officer through the sheriff’s department, rather than a school security officer.
All four Buena Vista schools will have open houses on Monday, Aug. 14, between 4 and 7 p.m.
“As we begin a new school year I am excited that we can focus on what matters the most, which is our students and families,” writes Superintendent Tony Francis in his message to the schools.
“While we have faced many challenges during the past few years, our staff has stayed the course and committed themselves to our students. Education continues to change but our first priority is providing a sound education for our students.” -Rockbridge County’s superintendent could not be reached this week for comment for this story.
