Schools ready for classes' start

Benjamin Franklin's ready for the start of another school year.

The life-size wooden statue of Franklin Elementary School's namesake stands on the school grounds, replacing a similar carving that age and weather had deteriorated.

"It is on a new pedestal," said principal Rhonda Dunham. "It is up a little bit higher."

Dunham can't wait for Monday, when students arrive for the start of a new school year in Cape Girardeau public schools.

Students in most other area school districts and at parochial schools won't return to class until midweek or later.

Students in the Woodland School District in Bollinger County started their school year on Friday.

Superintendent Dennis Parham likes starting classes on a Friday. "I think it is a way to ease students and teachers back into school," he said.

Parham said having the first day of school followed by the weekend allows him to make adjustments in teaching schedules or work out bus transportation issues.

Students in Jackson public schools will start classes Thursday. Jackson schools superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson said a short week of classes allows students and staff time to adjust.

"It gets everybody back into the schedule," he said.

Jackson students and parents will see some visible changes when classes start.

Streets around the high school have been changed from one-way to two-way. Parking will be limited in front of the high school because school buses will be parking there. In the past, they had been parked behind the school, Anderson said.

The Annex building behind the high school football field is being remodeled for agriculture and vocational classes.

It previously had housed kindergarten students. Those kindergarten classes now will be held at Orchard Elementary School. Some third-grade classes have been moved to West Lane Elementary School.

The Cape Girardeau School District still will bus students. But a different bus company will provide the service.

Laidlaw Education Services will operate the school buses. Most students and parents will notice little difference. The routes are the same as last year.

The most visible change is that the yellow school buses are newer with more "snub-nosed" front ends than those used by the previous bus operator, said Cape Girardeau schools finance director Brenda McCowan.

Students attending Cape Girardeau Junior High School will find a new coat of white paint on the field house. "I think that it looks wonderful," McCowan said.

"Teachers seem to be excited," she said. "I think we are ready to go."

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123