AREA SCHOOLS OPEN DOORS: FIRST DAY GOES SMOOTHLY AT JACKSON, SCOTT CITY

The start of school Thursday brought an end to the lazy days of summer for students in Scott City and Jackson school districts.

Administrators at both schools reported smooth transitions from vacations to classrooms for students and teachers.

"The kids just picked right up like they'd been in school for a month," said Fred Jones, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Jackson schools.

Scott city schools Superintendent Roger Tatum said he will rest easier after today, when kindergartners have their first day of classes.

"Normally we don't bring kindergartners in on the first day, so the true test will be when they ride the bus tomorrow," Tatum said Wednesday afternoon.

Tatum said he expects the district's youngest students will have few problems because of good participation in a prekindergarten program over the summer. The program, in its second year, is a 20-day readiness program held as part of the regular summer school curriculum.

"The objective is very simply to get them off to a good start," said Tatum. "They're accustomed to our operations and where things are."

Both school officials said enrollments appeared to be rising in their districts. Based upon preregistration by students last week, Scott City schools may see an increase of 20 or 30 students, Tatum said. Jackson's enrollment may set an all-time high for a fifth consecutive year with more than 4,450 students.

"We're expecting to have between 100 and 130 more students than we did last year," Jones said Wednesday. "We don't know exactly what our attendance is yet, but from all indications we're up about 3 percent."

Jones said administrators had anticipated increased enrollment, but some grades have grown more quickly than expected. Fourth-grade classrooms throughout the district are "really significantly crowded," he said.

"Kindergarten, first and second grades are also bigger than we wanted, but teachers are used to coping with who shows up at the door," he said. "I think we've got everything well in hand."

Both districts began repair or remodeling projects over the summer. In Jackson, students will have to wait another month for completion of the first phase of remodeling the district's auditorium.

"We expect everything to be refurbished and ready to go for the first scheduled event," Jones said.

Changes to the entrance driveway at Jackson Middle School are still under way. The changes, which include lengthening and widening the drive to improve student safety, are scheduled for completion next week.

Scott City students and parents will be able to notice a number of small remodeling projects that add to the beauty and security of the district, said Tatum.

Among changes made over the summer were a redesigned computer room, addition of a security fence to the elementary playground, expansion of the elementary parking lot, sodding of the football field and addition of new visitor bleachers at the football stadium.

"We've had a number of projects over the summer," Tatum said. "It's been a good start. We hope to keep it that way."