The 2008-09 school year gets underway this week. Teachers will have in-service days on Aug. 6 and 7, while students show up for the first time for a half day on Friday. The first full day of classes is Monday, Aug. 11. New students who have not yet registered may do so on Wednesday or Thursday. There are no major changes in school bus routes.

Benton Elementary

Principal Pam Thomas said all students in grades 2-5 should report to the auditorium on Friday morning. First graders will go to the cafeteria. They will find our where their classrooms are, and the teachers will take them to class.

Supply lists are available at the Dollar General and Family Dollar stores in Benton, the Wal-Mart in Cleveland or at the school.

Kindergarteners who have not yet registered should also go to the cafeteria. For kindergarteners who are already registered, the teachers will be calling to set up testing dates and advise parents when the first day of school will be.

Preschool teachers will also be notifying parents about when the children will start. Home visits will be held next week. Those who have not registered for preschool may call 338-1815 to see if there are any spots available.

There are some changes in teaching staff and assignments.

Wanda Carter will be moving to second grade. Frances Bramblett will be teaching first grade. Marilyn Gallatin will move from fourth to first. New fourth grade teachers will be Valerie Burris and Sara Hooker, who is transferring from Copper Basin Elementary. Robin Tate is shifting from first grade to third, replacing Missy Kyle, who left.

Chilhowee Middle School

Principal Ronnie German said students will meet in the gym where they will get their homeroom assignments. There will be a brief session for each class in the schedule.

The only personnel change at Chilhowee is in the library. An aide will serve in the library. Joan Hammons is moving to Polk County High School.

Supply lists are available at the front office.

Copper Basin Elementary School

Principal Jared Bigham said student schedules will be posted in the lobby and teachers will be on hand to tell students where to go for their first period. Any students not yet registered should report to the office.

There are no changes in the parent pickup/drop-off-routine.

Penny Montgomery is the new third grade teacher, replacing Kathy Hulsey, who shifted to kindergarten to replace Sara Hooker, who transferred to Benton.

Bigham said there will be special emphasis on grades K-3. The staff has developed a new literacy program to go into effect this year with a goal of having 97% of students at grade level in literacy by the time they reach third grade. This goal is ten points higher than the state’s goal. Extra personnel will work in the lower grades to give teachers more one-on-one time with students. A reading intervention specialist will be hired to work with K-3 children who are performing below grade level.

Parents of kindergarteners have already been contacted about the start dates, which will be staggered. Parents of pre-schoolers are also being contacted by the teachers.

Copper Basin High School

Principal Darren Danner said schedules will be handed out in the lobby as students arrive Friday morning. Students will then report to first period to fill out paperwork, then there will be an abbreviated schedule. Teachers will provide supply lists where applicable. Anyone who has not yet registered is asked to do so before Friday if possible.

The big news for the teaching staff is the return of Zulma Youngs, who was serving in Iraq last year. Sue Cheatham will also be returning. Todd Rollins will be teaching physical education in the middle school grades. Math teacher Craig Green has extended his leave while pursuing a doctor’s degree. Danner said that position has not yet been filled as of last week. There is also a vacancy for Ron Singleton’s place, as he is taking leave this year.

Polk County High School

Principal Joel Cox said orientation for ninth grade students will be Thursday, Aug. 7, from 6-8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Parents and students are expected to attend. Students will get their schedules, lockers and information about the school. Club booths will be available in the gym to provide information.

All students will report Friday. Student Council members will be in the lobby to hand out schedules for students who have not already picked them up. Students will go through an abbreviated schedule. Any required schedule changes need to be made on Friday.

Staff changes include a new part-time guidance counselor, Connie Potvin, who will replace Amy Talley, who went back to Monroe County. Joan Hammons is replacing Jason Bell in English, as Bell becomes the new vice principal, replacing Mark Pickle, who has resigned.

Kevin Cleary will serve as half-time special ed and half-time math coach. Reading teacher Crystal Harris will be the basketball cheerleader coach. Scott Silvers will serve as half-time graduation coach as well as teaching algebra and physics. There is an opening for a half-time match teacher.

Ronnie Davis will go on a 100-day contract, teaching phys ed and serving as basketball coach through December.

Buddy McClary and John Dixon also have 100-day contracts to provide teaching for the alternative school.

Cox said the big loss is the School Resource Officers, as Benton’s grant funding has run out. He said there is another grant pending.

South Polk Elementary

Principal Rick Warren reminds kindergarten parents that orientation will be held Thursday, 6 p.m. Preschool orientation is scheduled for Aug. 15, 6 p.m.

On Friday, students will report to the gym, where teachers will take them to their classrooms. Those who have not registered should report to the front office, or come by the school on Wednesday or Thursday.

In the fourth grade, Becky Hamby has retired and will be replaced by Tonya Woody. Carol Ann McClary, will be joining the fourth grade team. She is moving back to the county after teaching in Georgia.

Andrea Crane is moving from a second grade position to kindergarten. David Cook will be serving as interim teacher for Laura O’Dell, who is extending her leave.