Principals report successful open houses, tutoring, clubs and professional development ahead of first day

Principals and district supervisors reported multiple back-to-school updates at the Fayetteville City Schools board meeting, including successful open houses, phased starts for prekindergarten and kindergarten, new tutoring and extracurricular offerings and a professional development series for staff.

A principal reporting on Askins said, “We had our successful open house this last Thursday. We had lots of our parents and students come out to see us, and we are enjoying the new updated entrance.” The middle school reported 117 students attended a come-and-go open house and plans to implement a grade-level green team garden project. Middle-school staff also plan morning tutoring for English language arts and math and after-school clubs including book club, arts and crafts and a gaming club.

The high school reported a week of professional development and that staff will adopt strategies learned from visiting presenters. District supervisors said the system used a Stronger Connections grant to bring speakers, including Ron Clark and Brian Mendler, to lead professional development and that copies of Mendler’s book will be used in a yearlong book study at the middle and high schools.

Administrators reminded families to consult school calendars for fall sports schedules and noted that enrollment counts will be clearer after registration activity completes. Staff reported buses were ready with one bus out of service and spares available.

Why it matters: The items describe daily operations and student supports that affect classroom routines and family planning for the start of school. Several initiatives — tutoring, clubs, green team gardening and staff training — will be implemented systemwide or at multiple schools.

Board members thanked staff for the professional development and summer programming and encouraged continued communication with families about start-of-year logistics.