Ready for school?!
Photos by Shari Harris
Harlee and Oaklee, daughters of Robin and Darby Clouse, are prepared for the start of school and were eager to claim a cookie during Open House. They were greeted by smiling staff, from left, Ms. Anna Cox, PE teacher; cafeteria staff Mrs. Sherry Wilson, Mrs. Tina Williams, Mrs. Deanna Sparks and Head Elementary Cook Ms. Jeanette Butherus; and School Resource Officer Bobby Duncan.
By Shari Harris
Publisher
Students and parents appeared eager and ready to start the new school year while attending Monday’s Open House at Licking Elementary and Licking L.E.A.D. schools. Parents and children met with teachers, learned bus routes and completed necessary paperwork.
An estimated 300 families were in attendance at Licking Elementary School, and the halls buzzed with activity. Some students reunited with former classmates and renewed friendships while learning their new classrooms. For others it may have been their first time in the building, and they were excited to see everything.
L.E.A.D. School Principal Crystal Riener and Elementary Alternative teacher Courtney Bryant greeted L.E.A.D. elementary students and their parents Monday evening.
The L.E.A.D. School also saw students and parents come in for the Open House. L.E.A.D. will start the school year with 25 students enrolled, distributed across four classrooms. The Elementary Alternative classroom, which had much success last year, will continue. A Secondary Alternative classroom will be added this year. The Bridges program will help students recover lost credits for graduation. Finally, the Alternative Suspension Program, which was initiated last year, will return. This program allows an alternative for students who receive out-of-school suspension to remain in a classroom and potentially retain their credits, with strict criteria to be followed by the students during their time in the program.
Alternative Suspension Program teacher Billie Krewson, Bridges teacher Vanessa Langley and Secondary Alternative teacher Tania Wood also welcomed students and parents at Open House.
On Sunday afternoon, members of the community gathered for a Prayer Walk at the school. Elementary and secondary campuses, the daycare, bus barn and superintendent’s office were covered in prayer during the walk, as blessings were asked for all students and staff, and every and all parts of the upcoming school year.
Students return to school on Wednesday, and it appears that everything is in place for a great school year at Licking Schools!
Photos by Shari Harris
