LAURINBURG — Scotland County schools will hold a series of open houses next week to help acclimate new students and welcome returning ones.

The open houses will allow students to find their classrooms, meet their teacher, and it allows parents to take that first step in establishing a relationship and communication with teachers and staff.

“We strongly encourage folks to come to the open houses,” said Meredith Bounds the public information officer for Scotland County Schools.

Bounds said the annual open houses are essential for students “to get off to the right start.” She added that a record number of parents and students attended the school orientations last year.

“I think that the key component is setting the tone of the year, establishing that relationship, establishing that line of communication and getting to know each other,” Bounds said.

The first open house will be held Monday for ninth graders at Scotland High School.

Bounds said school officials want to ease the transition from going from middle school to high school.

“It can seem a little daunting,” she said.

There will be an open house on Aug. 19 for middle school students at Shaw, Carver and Spring Hill; and 10th, 11th and 12th graders at Scotland High.

On Aug. 20, there are open houses planned for elementary students at Covington Street, I. Ellis Johnson, Laurel Hill, North Laurinburg, South Scotland, Wagram, and Sycamore Lane.

For kindergarten students, there will be new Staggered Entry Schedule program to begin on Aug. 24. According to Bounds, the Staggered Schedule will start Aug. 24 for students with the last names of A-I; then Aug. 25 are students J-Q; and Aug. 26 for students R-Z.

During the program, the children will go through assessments while they interact with teachers and assistants. While the children play they will be analyzed on their motor skills, understanding of specific subjects and classroom behavior. Based on these results, the children will placed in classrooms that best suit their learning needs.

Students and parents/guardians are then invited to attend the kindergarten open house on Aug. 27 from 4 – 6:30 pm. It will be at this time that the student will get to meet their assigned kindergarten teacher.

“It’s a better way to get those kindergartners started off on the right foot,” said Bounds.

The first full day for all kindergartners will be Aug. 28.

This article is part of an ongoing series on the start of the new school year in Scotland County.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_backtoschool_new_cmyk1.jpgThis article is part of an ongoing series on the start of the new school year in Scotland County.

Abby Hackmann — [email protected]

Abby Hackmann can be reached at 910-506-3171.