Construction is under way on a new cafeteria and kitchen for Smoky Mountain High. Commissioners approved funding for the $2.1 million project in February and awarded a construction contract in mid-June. Western Builders of Dillsboro is the general contractor. The new dining facility will be adjacent to the existing cafeteria and is expected to be completed before school starts in 2003. Construction and material storage will impact student and staff traffic and parking, said SMHS Principal Kenny Nicholson. - Herald photo by Kelly Timco
Though calendars indicate summer continues through Sept. 20, vacation will be over for most local students next week. Classes at Jackson County's seven public schools will begin Wednesday, Aug. 7; teachers were scheduled to report to work today (Thursday). Mack McCary, superintendent, told The Herald that he's looking forward to the coming school year. A new cafeteria is under construction at the county's largest school, and several new programs are slated for implementation, he said. With work under way on a new dining room and kitchen at Smoky Mountain High School, some traffic and parking problems will be unavoidable, McCary said, but the end result will be "modern facilities and an attractive appearance for a building that serves 90 percent of the students who come through the school district." The biggest difficulty during construction will be parking, said SMHS Principal Kenny Nicholson. While traffic patterns will remain the same, some faculty and staff will have to shift to parking on the English wing of the A Building. With some 20 spaces in the senior parking lot occupied by construction equipment, some seniors will have to park in whatıs traditionally been the junior lot, Nicholson said. Parking is likely to become more of a problem as the year increases, Nicholson said. After Christmas, as sophomores begin to get their licenses, some students may have to park by the Fairview Little League fields. To help traffic flow, Nicholson had one suggestion. "Ideally we can get parents and students to enter campus by way of Fairview," Nicholson said. "I'd encourage anyone to come in through Fairview." Other planned facilities improvements include air conditioning renovations at Blue Ridge, Fairview and Cullowhee Valley, McCary said, pending receipt of anticipated state funding. With regard to new programs, the superintendent pointed to the new Freshman Framework at SMHS. Designed to ease students' transition from eighth grade to high school, the two-semester course will pair two-teacher teams with groups of students and offer instruction in study skills and organization. "We believe the new program will benefit all freshmen and help them experience greater success during their high school career," said Nicholson. "We also anticipate that it will reduce our disciplinary referrals, freshman failure rate and dropout rate." Technology improvements throughout the school system will be accomplished through increased funding from county commissioners, McCary said. The superintendent issued an invitation to community residents to visit their local school and find a way to get involved. "I want to personally invite everyone to visit our schools and see the quality of the caring and instruction that our teachers provide on a daily basis," McCary said. County schools plan to target American Education Week, Nov. 18-22, to encourage county residents to spend a morning in a classroom, McCary said. Students will find some changes in dress and attendance policies when they return to school. Members of the Jackson County Board of Education approved sweeping changes to the dress code in April and approved an attendance policy Monday night. Each student enrolled in county schools last year should have received a copy of the new dress code by mail. Some changes are that students' clothing must completely cover the shoulders and extend to mid-thigh without exposing any skin. Shirts must be worn under athletic jerseys, and chains are not allowed. Caps, hats and head coverings are banned inside school buildings for elementary students but are allowed at the discretion of individual teachers for high school students. The new attendance policy emphasizes school officials' view that good attendance is crucial to success in school and requires a doctor's note any time a student is absent for more than two days. In order for an absence to be excused, the student must turn in a note stating the reason for the absence within two days after returning to school. Three tardies will be counted as an unexcused absence, according to the policy approved Monday. Nutritious lunches are provided at each county school, and a new nutrition awareness program to be implemented this year should help students learn to make wise food choices, said Donna Bommer, child nutrition director for the school system. For the past three years local schools have offered free breakfasts to all kindergarten students, but state officials have eliminated that funding, Bommer said. Breakfast will cost 80 cents this year. Each student will receive an application for free or reduced-price school meals, Bommer said, and parents are encouraged to apply if there is need. Students who received free or discounted meals last year will receive meals based on that status for two weeks, Bommer said, but a new application must be completed and approved by Aug. 30 in order for students to be eligible for the 2002-03 school year. If a family is not eligible at the beginning of the school year, they may apply at any time during the year, Bommer said. Screenings for kindergarten students will be Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 7-9, at all elementary schools. Staggered enrollment for prekindergarten and kindergarten students will be Monday-Wednesday, Aug.12-14. The first full day for the county's youngest students will be Thursday, Aug. 15. Parents of 5-year-olds should bring their child's birth certificate, immunization record, Social Security card and health assessment completed within 12 months prior to August 2002 when they register their child. Jackson County's elementary schools offer a variety of after-school experiences. Programs include child care, enrichment, tutoring and homework help. Specific information on each school's offerings is available from each schoolıs office.
Brief information on each school and its schedule of back-to-school meetings follows: Blue Ridge Lib Balcerek, principal 743-2646 Open house is scheduled or Monday, Aug. 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Comprehensive School of Alternatives (The Hub) Lynn Dillard, principal 586-4328 A date for the school's open house has not been scheduled at this time.
Cullowhee Valley Theresa Peters, principal 293-5667 Cullowhee Valley has scheduled curriculum meetings for parents at each grade level. The schedule follows: Eighth grade - Thursday, Aug. 8, at 6 p.m. in the school media center. Kindergarten - Thursday, Aug. 8, at 6 p.m. First grade - Monday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m. Second grade - Monday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. Sixth grade - Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. Third grade - Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. Fourth grade - Thursday, Aug. 15, at 5:30 p.m. Fifth grade - Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 5:30 p.m. Seventh grade - Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m.
Fairview Sue Nations, principal 586-2819 Fairview has several meetings scheduled: Kindergarten orientation - Monday, Aug. 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the activities area of the administration building. Meet the teacher night for grades 1-3 - Monday, Aug. 5, from 7 to 8 p.m. Enrollment for extracurricular activities including chorus, art, clogging, sign language and Spanish - Tuesday, Aug. 20, for activities than begin after Labor Day. Detailed information will be sent home with students during the first week of school.
Scotts Creek Wanda Fernandez, principal 631-2740 Meet the teacher night is set for Monday, Aug., 5, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Students and parents may visit classrooms, meet teachers, make cafeteria deposits, register for the after-school program and join the PTA. The first PTA meeting will be Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m.
Smokey Mountain Elem. Terry Clark, principal 497-5535 Meet the teacher night is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. At that time parents and students will be able to meet teachers and new Principal Terry Clark. Also, the school's Indian Parent Committee is sponsoring a hot dog supper at a cost of $3 per plate.
Smoky Mountain High Kenny Nicholson, principal 586-2177 Students may pick up books, reserve lockers and parking stickers from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates: Wednesday, July 31 - seniors and Blue and Silver card holders. Friday, Aug. 2 - juniors and freshman Monday, Aug. 5 - sophomores and freshman An informational meeting for seniors and parents concerning the senior project, senior trip and scholarships is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Southwestern Community College. "Meet the Mustangs" is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the school cafeteria. Fall semester open house is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m.
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