In Session

SCHOOL STARTS TODAY FOR MCDONALD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

RICK PECK MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Matthew Sedillos and Jackson Behm, volunteers from Anderson, help carry and haul some of the 650 backpacks that were given away Aug. 7 at a McDonald County United Way and Bright Futures back-to-school event. The backpacks were donated by the McDonald County Telephone Company.
RICK PECK MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Matthew Sedillos and Jackson Behm, volunteers from Anderson, help carry and haul some of the 650 backpacks that were given away Aug. 7 at a McDonald County United Way and Bright Futures back-to-school event. The backpacks were donated by the McDonald County Telephone Company.

For about 3,800 kids who attend McDonald County schools, today marked a change in lifestyle from their carefree summer vacation.

No lazing around in bed. No texting, Facebook, video games or any of the other gadgets they spend all day with.

It's back to the grind of school...for the next nine months.

The 2014-2015 school year will have some special challenges at Pineville and Southwest City. Construction of new gyms/FEMA safe rooms and additional classrooms will be done during the year. The old gyms in both locations will remain in use until the new facilities are ready.

Several new teachers and administrators are starting their first year with the district. New principals can be found at Anderson Elementary School, Noel Elementary and Junior High School, Rocky Comfort Elementary and Junior High while at Southwest City Sue Buttram transfers from Rocky Comfort to replace Deborah Wolin, who retired at the end of last year. (See article on Kern Sorrell, Rocky Comfort principal, in today's edition, while an article on Julie Holloway, Anderson Elementary principal will be in next week's issue. (An article on Tim Kilby, Noel principal, was published earlier this summer.)

A brief bio and photo of each new teacher to the district can be found on pages 1-3 in the B section.

The last day of the school year is set for May 15, 2015. Fall break is Oct. 23-24 and Thanksgiving break is Nov. 26-28. Christmas break begins Dec. 22 and students return to school on Jan. 5, 2015. Winter break is Feb. 13-16; Spring break is March 13-16 and Easter Break is April 3-6. All of the above school holidays are contingent on the weather cooperating. Last year the schedule was thrown into chaos due to school being canceled 20 days because of weather.

Special Event

The McDonald County United Way and Bright Futures combined to host a back-to-school special event on Aug. 7 at McDonald County High School.

The event included free school supplies, free hair cuts, information on programs and services, health screenings and vaccinations, free Proctor and Gamble products supplied by the United Way along information on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

The Dally Parton literacy program is for children age 5 and under. United Way covers all cost, which is $125 per child.

Over 650 backpacks were given away courtesy of the McDonald County Telephone Company.

"McDonald County Telephone donated all the backpacks," said Arlene Grife, chairman of the board for McDonald County United Way. "That was awesome of them. We had a lot of great donors. That's what makes this a great event. Teaming with Bright Futures helps us reach that many more children."

Grife said that in past few years anywhere from 800 to 1,000 people attended the event. This year free hot dogs, chips and drinks were provided to anyone who wanted.

"OPAA! donated their time to feed everyone," Grife said. "Sam's Club, Jane Walmart and Coca-Cola donated the food and drinks."

Most of the school supplies handed out came from the United Way's Stuff the Bus event held recently at Walmart in Jane.

"It is an awesome event thanks to all the volunteers," Grife said. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all the wonderful volunteers. Without the volunteers and donors this wouldn't be possible. They are the ones that make a difference in the community and help these kids start out the school year right."

General News on 08/14/2014