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Buildings, uniforms and Superintendent David James among changes in district as students return to classes
By John Higgins
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008
Wednesday marked a day of firsts for Akron Public Schools.
First day of classes.
First day in three new buildings.
And the first day of a new uniform policy for elementary and middle school students.
It was also David James' first ''first day of school'' as the district's superintendent.
''All in all, it's been a fairly smooth opening,'' James said. ''Right now, the most important thing for us is to welcome our kids back.''
The school uniform policy for children in kindergarten through eighth grade requires dress shirts or polo-style, two- or three-button knit collared shirts in solid white, blue or yellow or two school colors designated by the principal. Boys must wear flat-front or pleated pants or knee-length shorts; girls can wear the same, plus jumpers or ''skorts'' (a combined skirt/short).
After spending most of last year working out the details of the uniform policy, the school board passed it Dec. 10 by a 5-2 vote.
A district survey of parents found a majority favor uniforms. But opponents, especially parents
and students at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts, said the policy was unnecessary and would stifle creativity.
Most students appear to be in compliance, but James said he has instructed the staff not to worry about uniforms while students are settling in for the year — a three- or four-week period.
''The priority is to make sure we're welcoming our students with open arms,'' James said. ''There may be some issues out there, but we'll deal with those later.''
James said he visited several schools — among them, the new Sam Salem and Robinson elementaries — Wednesday morning and observed children in uniforms eager to return to classes.
He attended the dedication for the new Forest Hill elementary school Tuesday evening.
There were some difficulties with parking at Sam Salem because paving in the new parking lot is not finished, but that should be resolved within the next few weeks, James said.
''I also stopped at Helen Arnold first thing this morning and I was happy to see kids eating breakfast and in uniforms,'' James said.
James also visited Windemere elementary students, who started their new year in the old Betty Jane elementary school, which remains open to accommodate students whose new school is under construction.
The new Betty Jane opened last year and construction of the new Windemere school is to begin early next year and be completed in time for the 2010-11 school year.
Barber elementary students are still in the old Mason elementary school this year while they wait for their new school.
Glover and Ritzman students will spend another year at the district's building at 400 W. Market St. while they wait for their schools to be finished.
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John Higgins can be reached at 330-996-3792 or jhiggins@thebeaconjournal.com.
Wednesday marked a day of firsts for Akron Public Schools.
Get the full article here.
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