FRANKLIN FURNACE — School’s right around the corner and the Green Local School District — Green Primary, Green Elementary and Green High School — is preparing for the 2006-2007 school year with the first day of school set to begin Monday.

Jodi Armstrong, the new primary/elementary principal, said that there will be several changes at the schools.

This year, the primary — grades K-2nd — division has installed a new computer lab with 20 upgraded computers and they created an outdoor mural project and implemented a hearing handicapped cooperative unit.

Armstrong — who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Morehead State University in Kentucky — was the head varsity softball coach at Green for seven years and was honored as Southern Ohio Conference’s Coach of the Year and Southeast District Coach of the Year.

The elementary — grades 2nd-6th — also is undergoing new updates and improvements. A new computer lab with 20 state-of-the-art computers, a new elementary library and outside building painting project are among the list of changes.

Primary/elementary teacher Barbara Morris discussed some changes.

“Most of the school equipment has been very upgraded, especially the computer equipment,” Morris said.

Additionally, the primary/elementary school will be offering two new programs: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and Bobcat Boost.

MAP is an online program that targets students’ strengths and weakness in science, reading and math. This same program will be implemented at Green High School.

Bobcat Boost is a before- and after-school program that helps students with homework, tutoring and extracurricular activities such as cooking, career education/puppets, sign language and art.

Terese Mader, the school’s guidance counselor, is excited about the program

“I love (Bobcat Booster),” she said. “It’s a more relaxed atmosphere (for the kids).”

As for the new principal, Mader said that Armstrong was very approachable, nice and friendly.

Green Elementary welcomes two new faculty members: Dustin Lewis, physical education teacher; and Jonda McDonald, hearing handicapped teacher.

Morris would like to remind parents and students of the open house from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday.

“Most teachers will be there,” she said.

Green High School will introduce four new college prep programs, a credit recovery program, MAP, and an adviser/advisee program.

Principal David Hopper will welcome seven new teachers this academic year: Christina Webster, Victoria Rosenberger, Joe Salyers, Robert Purcell, Mindy Clark, Jaqueline Payton and Shaun Allen.