EDITOR’S NOTE: For the next week, The Ironton Tribune will feature articles on all six county school districts and the Catholic schools as part of a continuing series on information area students need to know as they get ready to head back to school.

Saturday, August 12, 2000

EDITOR’S NOTE: For the next week, The Ironton Tribune will feature articles on all six county school districts and the Catholic schools as part of a continuing series on information area students need to know as they get ready to head back to school. Monday’s featured district will be Dawson-Bryant.Ironton teachers will dust off the books Aug. 21, making way for city students’ first full day of classes Aug. 22.

Teachers and principals have been preparing this month, and will continue the next two weeks with open houses and orientations, but everything’s ready, superintendent Steve Kingery said.

At West Ironton kindergarten Thursday and Friday, parents brought their little ones through the doors for registration.

"We have a lot of first-time parents," principal Kim Imes said.

After signing forms and taking a look-see at West Ironton’s halls, they are more ready than nervous, she said.

Children should bring bookbags, but a $20 kindergarten fee provides Crayons, glue, scissors and other materials students will need in classes.

Students should come to class, too.

If they’re feeling nervous or overwhelmed about being in school for the first time, bring them to the school, let them meet teachers and the principal – even before the Aug. 25 orientation, Mrs. Imes suggested.

"My advice is to do the best job you can and let’s have a great school year," Kingery added, speaking of students at all levels.

Ironton students will find a few new principal assignments this year, with Mrs. Imes leading West Ironton and former West Ironton principal Shelly McGraw at Kingsbury Elementary.

Annette Massie, Bill Dressel, Jerry Watson and Larry Stall will be at Whitwell, the middle school, the junior high and the high school, respectively.

Dress code modifications and a flagrant insubordination policy are two changes parents and students – especially at the high school level – will find in the district.

The dress code no longer requires only clear and mesh bookbags. Students may choose any style of bookbag.

The insubordination policy, also known as the three-strikes policy, sets out the process for dealing with suspended students.

When students are suspended the first time, parents are informed about the policy that subsequent suspensions could result in expulsion, Kingery said.

The second time, parents are asked to visit and both are invited to participate in behavior modification sessions. The third time, the student can be expelled.

Then, there’s the basic advice, from both administrators and teachers, Kingery said.

Parents should establish good bedtimes, especially for younger students, pay attention to students’ nutrition and help them with homework, among other activities.

And, there are open houses designed to take the jitters out of both students and teachers.

Ironton Junior High will host an open house for seventh- and eighth-graders and parents Thursday, 6:30-9 p.m. at the auditorium. Students may pick up class schedules and handbooks, register for door prizes, enjoy refreshments and take a walk through the junior high with their parents. J.B. Miller of WKEE-FM will help provide the music.

Ironton Middle School will hold registration for new students entering grades 4-6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 15-17.