DISTRICTS PREPARE FOR SCHOOL OPENINGS

Bus routes are being prepared, faculty meetings are scheduled and everything is nearly ready for opening days at area schools later this month.

"I'm about halfway there and can't wait to be finished," said Vince Bowman with Ryder Student Transportation.

Bowman and his peers join students, parents, teachers, cooks and others in preparing for students' return to schools in coming weeks.

Some students will find cool relief in their classrooms, but Cape Girardeau students still may be uncomfortable if installation of air-conditioning is not completed in time.

Schools superintendent Dr. Dan Steska said shipping delays on pump units may mean no relief for students at Alma Schrader and Clippard schools when school starts Aug. 26. However, if the units are not ready on opening day, they will be up and running soon after, Steska said.

"We're really going down to the wire on that," he said. "We expect to get those installed at the very beginning of school or shortly thereafter.

Cape Girardeau students also will begin the school year with a number of new administrators. Steska and two assistant superintendents are new to the district's central office, and Sydney Herbst is the principal at Clippard Elementary School.

In addition, Blanchard school likely will not be completed in time for opening day. Dr. Barbara Kohlfeld, principal at Blanchard, will have to divide her work between May Greene and Washington schools until the students move into the new building.

Despite the challenges, Steska said he hopes everyone will begin the school year with the district's new vision on their minds.

"Our vision allows an individual to be an official, card-carrying visionary," he said. "Our theme for the year is 'Together we can renew the vision--maintain the mission.'"

Area schools have random start dates ranging from Aug. 13 to Aug. 26.

Both Leopold and Zalma school districts open Aug. 13. The rural districts historically open early because winter snows or icy conditions often cause cancellation of classes.

Many schools start Aug. 16, with another large number of schools opening Aug. 20.

WHEN DOES YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL OPEN?

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY

Cape GirardeauOpens: 7:45 a.m. Aug. 26Registration: Elementary: Aug. 6 Schultz: Pick up schedules or register Aug. 18 and 20. Junior High: Ongoing High School: Aug. 10-17 for new students. Schedule changes Aug. 10-18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours available for sophomores and transfer students Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.DeltaOpens: 8:16 a.m. Aug. 18Registration: Ongoing Eagle Ridge ChristianOpens: 8:15 a.m. Aug. 16Registration: OngoingImmaculate Conception Opens: 8 a.m. Aug. 18Registration: Ongoing JacksonOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 18Registration: Elementary: Students attending Jackson schools last year already are enrolled. New students are to enroll between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at the school they will attend with the following exceptions: Students attending Gordonville and Millersville Attendance Centers are to enroll at the Primary Annex. Middle School: Sixth grade students may check teacher/team assignments. Seventh grade students will receive their schedules, teacher assignments and locker. Sixth grade: Aug. 5, 1-3:30 p.m. Seventh grade: Aug. 5, 9-11:30 a.m. Students new to district: Aug. 11, 9-3 p.m. Junior High: Students will receive their locker assignments, class schedules, and have photos taken for the yearbook. Eighth grade: Aug. 3, 1-3:30 p.m. Ninth grade: Aug. 3, 8-11:30 a.m.High School: Students will receive their class schedules, locker assignments, and have the opportunity to purchase yearbooks and activity tickets.Seniors will be measured for caps and gowns. Sophomores: Aug. 5, 8-11 a.m. Juniors: Aug. 4, 8-11 a.m. Seniors: Aug. 3, 8-11 a.m.Nell HolcombOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 18Registration: Ongoing Notre DameOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 19Registration: Seniors: Aug 11 9-3 p.m. Juniors: Aug. 12 9-3 p.m. Sophomores: Aug. 13 9-3 p.m. Freshman: Aug. 18 8 a.m.Oak RidgeOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 18Registration: Grades K-6: Aug. 9-13, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Orientation for seventh-graders and parents: Aug 13 8-9 a.m. in school cafeteria Grades 7-12: Aug. 11-12, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in school cafeteria St. Paul's LutheranOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 18Registration: OngoingSt. Vincent de PaulOpens: 7:50 a.m. Aug. 26Registration: Ongoing St. Mary CathedralNO INFORMATION AVAILABLE

Trinity LutheranOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 23Registration: Ongoing

SCOTT COUNTY

ChaffeeOpens: 8:11 a.m. Aug. 18Registration: Elementary: Back to School night, 5-7:30 p.m. Aug. 17. New students also may register at this time. Seventh grade: Aug. 12 Eighth grade: Aug. 12 Freshman: Aug. 11 Sophomores: Aug. 11 Juniors: Aug. 10 Seniors: Aug. 10

KellyOpens: Aug. 19 8 a.m.Registration: Registration for all new students in the district will be Aug. 9. Students new to the district need to bring a birth certificate, Social Security card, immunization records, emergency information and records from previous schools. Elementary: Kindergarten through 5th grade teacher assignments will be posted in the elementary lobby beginning Aug. 2 after 8 a.m. Middle school: Students in 6th through 8th grades can register anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. from Aug. 3-5. Middle school students need to bring their new 911 addresses and any other new information to update files. Students will get their locker assignments and pick up class schedules. High School: Students should bring their new 911 addresses and any other new information to update files. Students will sign up for lockers and pick up class schedules.* Seniors will enroll Aug. 3 * Juniors will enroll Aug. 4 * Sophomores will enroll Aug. 5 * Freshmen will enroll Aug. 6.All times for enrollment are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kelso C-7 at New HamburgOpens: Aug. 19Registration: OngoingOranOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 19Registration: New students: Aug. 10, 9-11 a.m. Freshman: Aug. 12, 1-3 p.m. Sophomores: Aug. 12, 9-11 a.m. Juniors: Aug. 11, 1-3 p.m. Seniors: Aug. 11, 9-11 a.m.

Scott CityOpens: Aug. 18Registration: New students should register between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Aug 10-11. Call (573) 264-2138 for a registration appointment.Scott County CentralOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 18 Registration: New students Aug. 16-17 St. Augustine at KelsoOpens: Aug. 19Registration: Aug. 8St. JosephOpens: Aug. 23, half-day. Registration: OngoingLeopoldOpens: 7:40 a.m. Aug. 13Registration: Aug. 6, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BOLLINGER COUNTY

Meadow HeightsOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 20 Registration: Elementary-K-6: New student enrollment Aug. 9-13 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Junior High School: Schedule pickups, Aug. 12, 8 a.m.-12 noon and 1-3 p.m. High School: Schedule pickups, Aug. 13, 8 a.m.-12 noon and 1-3 p.m.

WoodlandOpens: Aug. 16, 8 a.m.Registration: Elementary: Kindergarten and new students may enroll Aug. 4-6 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Junior High: Seventh-graders may pick up schedules Aug. 9 from 1-3 p.m. or at 6 p.m. Orientation will be at 7 p.m. in the elementary multipurpose room. Eighth-graders may pick up schedules Aug. 9 from 8-11:30 a.m. High School: Students may come at the following times to pick up class schedules: * Freshman: Aug. 5 from 1-3 p.m.* Sophomores: Aug. 5, 8:11:30 a.m.* Juniors: Aug. 4, 1-3 p.m.* Seniors: Aug. 4, 8-11:30 a.m.

ZalmaOpens: Aug. 13Registration: New students may enroll beginning Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. High school students may make program changes during the week of Aug. 2-6 at the counselors office or may wait until the first day of school.

PERRY COUNTY

AltenburgOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 19Registration: Ongoing

PerryvilleOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 19Registration: New students may register from Aug. 5-6 from 8 a.m. until noon, or from 1-3 p.m.

St. Vincent SchoolOpens: 7:45 a.m. Aug. 20Registration: All students are to be in attendance and in uniform. Junior High School: Aug. 18 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. High School: 7:45 - 11:30 a.m. Aug. 19

STODDARD COUNTY

AdvanceOpens: 8:10 a.m. Aug. 18Registration: Ongoing

MADISON COUNTY

Marquand-ZionOpens: 8:20 a.m. Aug. 19Registration: Ongoing

MISSISSIPPI COUNTYCharlestonOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 23Registration: Ongoing

East PrairieOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 18Registration: Ongoing Anna-JonesboroOpens: 8:04 a.m. Aug. 20Registration: Aug. 16-20 Seniors: 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 16, 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Juniors: 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 17 Sophomores: 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 18 Freshman: 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 19

ILLINOIS

CairoOpens: Aug. 17Registration: Emerson Elementary: Kindergarten, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10; grades 1-2, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 12. Bennett Elementary: Grades 3-5, pre-registration for new students, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 12-13; students who attended previously 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug 17. Parents must accompany children. Junior High: Pre-registration for new students 1-3 p.m., Aug. 12-13; students who attended previously attended 8-10 a.m. Aug. 17. High School: Orientation for 9-10 grade, Aug. 4, at 6 p.m.; orientation for 11 at Aug. 5 at 6 p.m.; orientation for 12 Aug. 6 at 6 p.m.

Century Unit SchoolOpen: Aug 20, half-day. Full days begin Aug. 23.Registration: Ongoing

EgyptianOpens: 8 a.m. Aug. 17 Registration: Ongoing

MeridianOpens: Aug. 20Registration: OngoingShawneeOpens: Aug. 20Registration: Ongoing