To The Editor,
It is hard to believe that the Avery County Schools are already scheduling our end of year activities. I would like to remind parents and the community that we will have one day for spring break on Monday, April 18.
Also, the last day of school for students will be Friday, June 3. This day will be an early dismissal. The last teacher workday will be Monday, June 6. Students will return to school for the 2016-2017 school year on Monday, August 22. Even with a difficult winter, our summer break is about the same as it has been for many years, maybe even a little longer than some.
I also want to let you know that high school graduation is scheduled for Friday night, June 3, at 6:30 p.m. in MacDonald Stadium. We anticipate around one hundred fifty students walking across the stage to receive their high school diploma. Our Blue Ridge Academy graduation will be held on Thursday, June 2, at 4 p.m. in the Hugh Chapman Center.
Our end of year testing will begin on May 30 and will end on June 3. Our end of grade tests, end of course tests, NC final exams, and teacher final exams will be given during this time frame. Monday, May 31 will be an early dismissal in honor of Memorial Day. Also, remember that the third grade reading test is very important for our students. Students who are not proficient on this test or who have not demonstrated proficiency in other ways will be required by state statute to attend reading camp, which will begin on Monday, June 13, and will end on Wednesday, June 29.
There are also many other events scheduled between now and June 13 at our schools, with promotions, field days, awards days, and many other activities. If you have children or grandchildren in school be sure to check with your school staff about the dates and times of those many activities.
As we are finishing this year we have a few reminders concerning next year. If you are the parent of a rising kindergartener or preschooler, it is not too late to register your child for next year. Remember, Pre-K is designed for students who are four years old on or before August 30, and kindergarten is for students who will be five or older on or before August 30. If you have a child or know of a child who falls into one of those categories and they have not registered for kindergarten or Pre-K, please call the school in your community and they will help you with the registration process.
Also, our SCOTTIE bus, the mobile pre-k classroom, is up and running. SCOTTIE is visiting nine sites around the county. This program is designed especially for any child three or four years of age who is not currently in a full time preschool program. We encourage you, if you have or know of a child in this age group who is not in a preschool program, please encourage them to meet the SCOTTIE bus at one of the ten sites.
Research shows that children who attend high-quality pre-kindergarten programs are more prepared to be successful in school and in life. Well-designed preschool education programs like SCOTTIE, have been proven to help students achieve higher in tests, help reduce achievement gaps between students and help reduce delinquency and crime as students grow from child to an adult.
I want to thank you for your support of the Avery County Schools. I ask that you continue to lift up the staff and me in prayer as we work to meet the needs of the students of Avery County.
Sincerely,
David Burleson
Superintendent
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