Time to prep for new school year

Summer break is winding down and the start of a new school year is just around the corner. As the first day of school approaches, it's time for students, parents and the schools themselves to get ready for the new year.

Starting a new school year can be intimidating for students and parents alike. A new schedule, new responsibilities and oftentimes a new campus can be a lot to take in, according to local administrators. Likewise, schools districts tend to make major changes over the summer that require an adjustment period for everyone.

This year the Blytheville, Gosnell and Armorel school districts want to help everyone prepare for the 2013-14 school year with some tips for a successful year.

Students and parents

One of the first steps leading up to the new school year is making sure students are registered and attending orientation sessions. Registration gives the parents and students a chance to meet their principal and ask any questions they might have, as well as providing early exposure to the school, which is especially helpful for new students.

Next, parents need to start getting their kids back into their school routine.

"The week before school, start getting (your kids) up at the time you would get them up to start their day," said Armorel Elementary Principal Joey Carr. "It's easy to let them stay up late in the summer, and there's nothing wrong with that, but this just makes it easier, I think, to get school started. If they're rested then they aren't going to be irritable and that might alleviate some concerns for parents and the students and the teachers too."

Once students start getting back into their daily routine it's important for parents to build excitement for the school year, according to Blytheville Parental Involvement Coordinator Teryn Spears. Spears said it's helpful for students to have a positive attitude and an expectation for learning going into the year.

"The thought of coming into a new year saying, 'I can learn, I'm ready to learn,' is very valuable," Spears said, "While I may mess up, may make mistakes, that's OK because that's pat of the learning process -- to not give up, to keep trying and really to keep a PMA -- a positive mental attitude -- and just determine I am going to learn. Coming in with the mindset that 'I can grow I can change I can move,' I think that is really key."

Spears also said it's important to make the commitment to be at school each day and to be on time. She said this tends to be a bigger issue with student in younger grades.

"Something else that's huge is attendance is being on time to school. Even from kindergarten, it has -- believe it or not -- been an issue with kindergarten and first grade. I think that some parents may feel it's just kindergarten, but it's not just kindergarten -- it's kindergarten. It's important," said Spears.

The schools

This year Blytheville, Gosnell and Armorel have all made some big changes over the summer. While some of these changes may seem to affect students only in minor ways, each district's administrators say these changes will have a noticeable impact throughout the year.

For Gosnell, one of the biggest changes was the addition of a second pre-school class. The class will be split between regular qualifying slots and pay slots. Superintendent Bonard Mace said this will allow parents to get their kids started in the Gosnell school system at an earlier age.

Also new for this year, Gosnell will be teaming up with Braces By Burris and Blytheville Cinema 3 for a school supply drive at the premiere for the Disney movie "Planes."

"We're really excited about this drive," Mace said. "This is the first time we've done some thing like this and we're really hoping to see a lot of support so we can do this every year."

The Armorel district completely replaced its digital infrastructure in preparation for the new PARCC assessments that are being implemented. The preparation for these new tests will also include a computer technology class for the students. The district also spent roughly $30,000 on books for its literacy program and a new science laboratory and lab kits for the elementary school.

"It's always been tough bringing all of these things for a lab into a classroom, so having our own lab will be great," said Carr.

This year, Blytheville is also making some major changes, some of which have been in the works for more than a year. Blytheville High School will be starting its first year as Blytheville New Tech High School. In addition the district has made some campus changes, having closed down the Central Elementary and Charter School campuses.

"Obviously we've got some big changes ahead for this year and we're really excited, but most of all we want our students to be excited about what's happening this year," Spears said.

For more information on registration, open house dates and other important information visit your district's website at www.blythevilleschools.com, www.armorel.k12.ar.us or www.edline.net/pages/Gosnell_School_District_6.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com