Local students and teachers are officially back in school, with their winter vacation over. Their vacation started Dec. 22, with teachers returning Monday, and students back in the classrooms on Tuesday. Officially the 2014-15 school year is half over, with report cards to be distributed on Jan. 12.
Eastside principal Carol Prater is looking forward to the rest of the year, with their staff focusing on academics.
“We hope to continue the path we are on, continuing to build positive relationships with our students and striving to improve academics,” said Prater.
She and other education staff are concerned with the prospect of sickness in the schools, especially the flu. Forty-three states are experiencing flu, which is up from 36 just recently. Tennessee joins the states where influenza is consider widespread and is expected to get stronger.
“We had several seventh- and eighth-graders out with the flu before break,” said Prater. “Hopefully with some extra cleaning and disinfecting we will be better. My staff is spraying lots of Lysol on surfaces and door handles, and doing lots of general cleaning.”
Students look at the trek back to school differently than parents. Warren County High School sophomores Madison Jones and Megan Taylor have mixed emotions about returning. They both enjoyed being home with family, sleeping late and enjoying some free time.
“I rode my bicycle a lot,” said Jones. “It was a Christmas gift, and I’m enjoying it a lot. I also did some cooking.”
Taylor is a member of the Pioneerette Dance Team, and had to practice a lot over the holiday. She is also looking forward to seeing her friends at school, but doesn’t like having to get up early for school.
Eastside cheerleaders Paige Myers and Haley Newby were leading the crowd in cheers Monday night at an elementary basketball game. The friends spent much time together during the break, with the best part being riding four-wheelers.
Most parents like the routine of regular school hours and structure for their children. Centertown Elementary parent Tim Woodlee has three sons, and he is very ready for the start of school.
“My boys are good boys, but they are always so busy and active, I will be very happy to get them back in school,” said Woodlee.
Substitute teacher Rita Shehane spends a lot of her time in schools covering for teachers who need time off, and has a good handle on children and their needs.
“I’ve been subbing for about six years, with much of it at Centertown,” said Shehane. “We are a third-generation family to attend the school, and I enjoy helping out when I can.”
West Elementary secretary Donna Bryant is the smiling face that greets visitors to the school. She is excited about starting a new year at school and hopes it can be a healthy year.
She experienced a tumultuous vacation, having gone through a medical procedure and a remodeling project at her home.
“I’m feeling much better now, happy to have that behind me,” said Bryant. “But as far as the remodeling goes, I still have to do a lot of organizing.”
Bobby Ray Memorial kindergarten students will be making preparations for becoming first-graders. Students in Jane Bryant’s class will be reviewing what they learned before vacation, and working on the alphabet and ending sounds.
“We will be focusing more on reading and writing,” said Bryant. “They will start a journal using site words and hopefully making sentences and paragraphs.”
The excited youngsters will also be learning more about the different seasons, especially winter and the prospect of snow.
“We will be learning the difference in the seasons, and, of course, we will be learning our snow dance,” said Bryant. “We are looking forward to at least one good snow and some snow days.”