SOUTH POINT – Teachers are making final preparations in the South Point School District to welcome students back to class Aug.

Wednesday, August 16, 2000

SOUTH POINT – Teachers are making final preparations in the South Point School District to welcome students back to class Aug. 21.

After more than a month of unofficial work, teachers will complete back-to-school preparations after scheduled open houses and orientations in the district, superintendent Rick Waggoner said.

At South Point Elementary Tuesday, parents brought their children through the doors to meet their teachers and to explore their school.

Burlington Elementary will have its open house Friday at 6:30 p.m., with a cookout planned from 7 to 8 p.m., principal Mark Christian said.

"We want students to get familiarized with the teachers," Christian said. "We will be holding an orientation on Aug. 21 for the kindergarten students because we think it’s better to show them around while school is in operation."

Although kindergarteners will not have to come back to school until Aug. 22, Christian suggests that parents bring them to Burlington’s Friday orientation to help them get over their first-day-of-school nerves.

And for those who feel like the first day of school is coming much too quickly, Christian said school supply shopping can wait until after Friday.

He said teachers will provide a list of school supplies for students during the open house.

While most South Point students won’t find many new changes when they get back to class this year, high school students will find at least three new faces.

Brent Terry will head the school’s football program this year, while Aimee Anderson (English and French) and Rebecca Cordle (art) will be taking teaching positions at the high school.

"Both ladies are extremely talented in their fields," Waggoner said.

High school students will also note that a student handbook will be part of a planner that students will be required to carry at all times, principal Henry Cooke said.

And, then there’s the open house for the freshman class.

"We will be holding an open house for the freshman on Thursday at 6 p.m.," Cooke said. "We will continue with the open house through 7 p.m., at which time it will become open to all high school parents."

He said students will get the chance to meet their teachers and to learn the layout of the school.

"On that first day of school, all they have to do is get on the bus," Cooke said. "We’ll do the rest."

Teachers and principals recommend parents establish good bedtimes, especially for younger students.

"We feel it’s real important for parents to keep up with the fact that they may have homework," Waggoner said. "Parents should set aside time to help with homework and should never be afraid to stay in contact with the teachers."

Then, there’s the dress code modifications.

Students in the elementary schools are no longer permitted to bring any item pertaining to wrestling, Christian said.

"Whether it’s a book bag, shirt or shoes, students will not be allowed to have anything relating to wrestling in their possession while in the elementary schools," he said.

Kindergarten registration will continue each day until the first day of school. Parents can register their little ones from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.