Local & State Headlines

Summer nears its end for Dougherty students, teachers

• Dougherty County students and teachers prepare for the upcoming school year.

Joshua Brown

ALBANY — Dougherty County students will be returning to school for the 2008-2009 school year Aug. 6, and that means new friends, new clothes and new bus routes.

One of the biggest changes students will have to deal with for the upcoming school year will be the implementation of the school system’s new start times. Elementary schools will now start at 8 a.m., middle schools will start at 8:15 a.m. and high schools will start at 8:45 a.m.

High schools will let out at 4 p.m., middle schools at 3:15 p.m. and elementary schools at 2:30 p.m. The school buildings will close 30 minutes after the ending bell and will open 50 minutes before the beginning bell for middle and high schools and 60 minutes for elementary schools.

Parents earlier in the year voiced concerns that their older children would not be able to watch over their younger siblings because of the new start and dismissal times, though DCSS officials said they would probably address that issue through extended day programs.

Those interested in participating in the extended day program, which is offered until 6:15 p.m. each weekday, can call (229) 431-1280. The cost is $25 per week plus an annual $20 registration fee, though reduced rates are available for those who qualify, DCSS spokesman R.D. Harter said.

Because of the new tiered start times, the bus routes are being overhauled, creating four districts, one for each high school. Other schools are assigned a district based on their location relative to the high schools.

There are no new attire requirements for the school system, Harter said. The only clothing requirements in effect are for elementary schools, which require students to wear a white or navy collared shirt, or a shirt of one color picked by the school, and khaki-colored or navy pants, shorts, skirts or jumpers, no more than two inches above the knee, according to Harter.

Lunches will be $1.50 for middle- and high-school students and $1.25 at elementary schools, with reduced prices being 40 cents. Breakfast is free for students, he said.

An open house will be held from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 4 for elementary schools and 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. for middle schools. A freshman orientation will be held from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. the same day.

Teachers report on July 30 for the school year.

Parents with further questions can call (229) 431-1264.

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