SOPHIA GUENTHER and her kindergarten classmates at Northside Elementary School learned how to safely use scissors during class Tuesday. Students in Woodford County Public Schools returned to school last Thursday, Aug. 13. (Photo by Bob Vlach)
BECKETT BATKIEWICZ and other kindergartners in his class at Northside Elementary School learned how to safely use scissors on their fourth day back in school on Tuesday. (Photo by Bob Vlach)
By Bob Vlach
Woodford Sun Staff
Woodford County Public Schools Superintendent Lori Jones lauded principals and leaders across the district for the hours of work they put into the processes and systems that led to “a really great first couple of days of school.”
Jones said she visited every school when students returned to the classroom last Thursday, Aug. 13. She began the day at the middle and high schools, where her two children are students.
At both schools, Jones said she observed an intentionality by middle and high school staffers. They focused on ensuring students in transition years – fifth and ninth grades – felt welcomed, supported, loved and safe at their new school, she said.
Jones acknowledged traffic backups remain an issue on the roadways around the middle and high school campuses, so that was a topic of conversation among administrators last week, she said.
“That was one of the things that we’re working through, but we think we have some solutions to that,” she told the Sun on Monday. “… And today was better, but we still have work to do.”
Because dollars are not available to pay staff outside of their regular contract hours, the middle school opened its doors to students about 10 minutes later this year, Jones said. She said work has begun to figure out how to find funds so staff can open the middle school’s doors earlier for students.
Safe Harbor Academy had its first day of classes in a wing at the former high school building on Frankfort Street, which is also occupied by Central Office. Jones called it very inspiring to see Safe Harbor students in a building where they have their own library and other spaces that support learning.
Maintenance staff and others worked very hard to get Safe Harbor’s new classrooms and other spaces ready for students, Jones said.
That has also been happening at their former school building, which will reopen for preschoolers as Little Legacy Hive, with the cost for getting that space ready for students being paid with dollars from the Explorer Time Company (ETC) program, she said.
“We are anxiously awaiting our final inspection of the Little Legacy Hive,” Jones said. She said 40 children are signed up to attend the wrap-around childcare program, and “we have a waiting list.” Preschoolers will begin half-day classes in the elementary schools on Aug. 26.