Newspaper Page Text
Goodbye, lazy days
Houston County, Westfield students return to classroom for 1994-'95 year
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Travis Colburn, a third grade student at Westfield
Schools, works on an arithmetic problem during his first
day of school Wednesday. Travis is the son of Mary and
Chuck Colburn of Montezuma.
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Amanda Woodard, a Kindergarten student at Perry
Elementary, Is amused at her teacher during her official
"first day on the job". Amanda Is the daughter of
Norman and Christy Woodard.
Times-Joumal back-to-school
photos by Jimmy Simpson
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Westfield Schools' student Trisha Ramanlal proves that
school is not all work and no play while finishing up an
Ice cream treat on the playground Friday. Trisha is the
daughter of Ramesh and Jayshree Ramanlal of Perry. 1
Officials say
opening day
'pleasurable'
By JIMMY SIMPSON
Staff Writer
Houston County students said
goodbye to summer, and hello to
classrooms when returning for the
first day of school last week.
Wesfield Schools opened the
doors to 465 students when bells
rang last Wednesday. Houston
County schools reported more than
17,000 attendees walked through
more than 25 locations county-wide
on Friday.
Locally, administrators reported
there were no problems from start
to finish.
"We may not be the best school
system in the nation, but we're
certainly one of the best,” Houston
County School Supt. Tony
Hinnant stated prior to students'
first day back in the classroom.
Hinnant reported that an
estimated 13,000 students will be
transported throughout the school
year on a fleet consisting of more
than 120 buses county-wide.
"I told the principals (in the
Houston County System) that the
most important day of the year was
Friday," Hinnant said.
"Teachers in the most important
profession there i 5...," Hinnant
said, of the education field. "Their
challenges are many, but their
rewards are also many..."
"I hope that as teachers start the
new year they realize that there is
nothing like taking a person and
helping mold them into a respected
person of society.
"None of us (in society) can put
a price tag on the value of what
(teachers) do, and the Board of
Education can't pay (teachers)
enough for what they do in this
county."
Tucker Elementary
"The first day was great, a very
smooth opening day," said
Principal Paul Hartman, who
reported 508 students attended first
day classes.
"We had an open house on
Thursday night, and that cut down
on a lot of confusion; it made
things a lot more organized on
opening day," he said.
"The parents and kids were able
to meet teachers, and that appeared
to have cut down on frustration
normally experienced."
Kings Chapel
"Everything went really well,"
said Principal Dave Crockett. "I
was really pleased with our opening
day turnout (448 kids)."
"We had our staff prepared, and
they were not only ready, but truly
exceptional."
Perry Elementary
"Students were truly great,”
Principal Patsy Hutto said. "We had
a great beginning."
Hutto said the 366 students who
made their way through the front
doors were well disciplined on the
day.
Mornlngslde Elementary
"I was especially pleased," said
Principal Van Rowell. "The
students seemed to be real excited
and anxious to get back (to
school)."
Rowell said one of the biggest
improvements was allowing all
buses to arrive at the school at the
same time. "It was wonderful. All
of the bus students were gone by
3:15," Rowell said.
Perry Middle School
"Everything went fine," said
Principal Bobby Pennington, who
reported 860 students made their
way to classes at the middle school.
"One of the best things we
experienced was the new bus
schedule. We were able to call 12-
14 buses at once instead of having
to work with the staggered system
(that the school used last year).
"I'd like to bragg on that
decision (to bring all buses in at
once). It helps students, parents and
teachers."
Perry High School
"We had a wonderful day,"
Principal Phil Smith reported. "It
was very quiet."
Smith said that, as usual, there
were some new students who
arrived the first day among the 899-
member student body, but
administrators were prepared.
"We had worked diligently all
summer long to have schedules
correct when the students arrived,
and didn't have any real problems.
"We wanted to make sure the
first day was just like any other
day..."
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Kindergarten student David Arnold listens to advice given by Mrs. Phyllis Peavey
during art Instruction at Tucker Elementary. David joined hundreds of other students
returning to Houston County Schools for the first time Friday morning. David Is the
son of Chris and Mauri Arnold.
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Jessica Wright (left), Danielle Nelson (center) and Brittany Clack plan their meal for
other Kindergarten students at Mornlngslde Elementary School. Jessica is the
daughter of Terry and Benita Wright, Danielle the daughter of Mendola and Ethel
Nelson, and Brittany the daughter of Sherman and Tammy Clack.
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Ashley Colvin (left) and Cantrell Eubanks demonstrate the art of eating lunchroom
sandwiches during a lunch break for kindergarten students at Kings Chapel
Elementary School. Ashley Is the daughter of Michael and Diane Colvin. Cantrell is ;
the son of Wendy Askew.
September Lleberman, a
computer clerk at
Mornlngslde Elementary
School, says "an apple a
day definitely doesn't
always keep school work
away...” Lleberman Is also
an education student at
Mercer University located
In Macon.
Wednesday, August 24, 1994, Houston Times -Journal
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