Schools prepare to open doors to families
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on August 19, 2007 10:09 AM
Students of all ages are readying for the return to classes this week, from attending open houses in Wayne County Public Schools, to area colleges opening their doors for the fall semester.
Wayne Community College officials said Friday that preliminary numbers were very positive.
After pre-registration and new student registration Thursday and Friday, enrollment was comparable to the same time last year.
"We're steady as you go this fall semester," said Dr. Kay Albertson, WCC president. "It looks pretty much like we did last year, with 3,265 head count."
Classes resume on Monday.
At Mount Olive College, new freshmen move into the dorms this afternoon and are preparing for a "Welcome Week" of activities. Returning students come back on Tuesday, with traditional classes at the college to begin Wednesday.
Overall enrollment is expected to reach 2,750 by the end of the fall semester, including about 700 traditional students, said Barbara Kornegay, vice president for enrollment.
During the 2006-07 academic year, enrollment for both semesters reached 4,624. Ms. Kornegay projected the upcoming year's total is anticipated to be close to 4,800.
Earlier in the month, students in most of the private and independent schools returned to classes.
Wayne County Public Schools' students are expected back on Aug. 27. Teachers will return on Monday, attending meetings before going into classrooms and readying them for open house events that typically draw thousands of students and parents.
Middle and high schools will hold open house on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and elementary schools' open houses will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. All grades at Grantham School and Edgewood Community Developmental School will also follow the Thursday schedule.
Two high schools will stagger their event times to accommodate parents traveling from middle schools to attend. Goldsboro High School's open house will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Rosewood High will host its event from 6 to 8 p.m., with a special orientation for new students and incoming freshmen at 6 p.m. in the gym.
Also, Rosewood Middle will have a general session for parents at 5 p.m.
Four schools will offer separate open house and orientations for freshmen and sixth-graders.
Sixth-graders at Spring Creek High will have orientation Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the gym.
Southern Wayne High will hold freshmen orientation on Tuesday. Students whose last names start with A-M should attend from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Those with last names beginning with N-Z will attend from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Eastern Wayne High's freshman orientation will be Tues-day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lunch provided for parents and students. Charles B. Aycock's freshmen orientation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
A "back to school night" is planned at Goldsboro Inter-mediate on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. Parents will be given an opportunity to ask teachers questions about the student's needs and to learn about the teachers' expectations for students.
The start of a new school year is always an exciting time for students and staff, said Dr. Steven Taylor, superintendent of schools.
"(It) is not only an opportunity for schools to welcome new and returning students to the classroom, but the information available to students and parents during open house events allows them to take their first steps to completing a successful school year," he said.
All students and parents are encouraged to take advantage of the open house opportunity, said Olivia Pierce, executive director for community relations.
"It is important that every child is ready for the first day of school. Open house allows families to get a jump start on the school year by having the opportunity to meet teachers, pick up supply lists and see daily schedules for classes."