Back to school: Students, parents, teachers prepare for new year

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Ding, ding, ding.

There goes the bell, better not be late for class.

School will be back in session Wednesday for Bay County schools and students, teachers and parents are preparing for a new school year.

Planning lessons, brushing up on math skills, and shopping for pencils and paper are just some of the many things they will do to get ready for another year of school.

For teachers, the last couple of weeks before school starts are an extremely busy time.

"We set up our classrooms, get all the textbooks together, and prepare lesson plans for the first two weeks of school," said Julie Weston, Tyndall Elementary school 5th grade teacher, naming just a few of the many tasks the teachers must complete
before the first bell rings.

Some parents and children do more than just back to school shopping.

"We go through work booklets with our son," said Master Sgt. Roger Tibbetts, Air Forces Northern NCO in charge of the joint interface control office, about the things he does to get his children ready for school. "We are also working on getting our daughter to go to bed earlier. This is her first year of school."

Some parents also help their children with the transitions they face when moving from one school to another. Rose Ward, daughter of Isabella Ward, 325th Mission Support Squadron human resources, will be starting her first year of high school at Rutherford High School.

"I have talked with her about the changes she can expect," said Mrs. Ward. "She makes good grades. She is just concerned about the social aspect of it."

The social side of the school houses in Bay County will be seeing a change of dress and appearance this year. The schools in the county have established a school uniform policy. This concept is not entirely new to the public school system. Since 1997, the United States has seen a steady increase in the percentage of public school mandating a uniform policy. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the potential benefits of school uniforms include decrease in violence and theft, increase student concentration and help school officials recognize intruders that enter the school.

However, the uniform policy has received mixed reviews from the public.

"Rose hated the idea, but she is accepting it," said Ms. Ward. I think it would be great if the schools would assist the lower income families with purchasing the first set of uniforms. They can get expensive."

"For me, it makes dressing them easier," said Sergeant Tibbetts. "It's more practical at this point since they are younger."

Even some teachers are adopting the uniform policy.

"Most of the teachers and staff have elected to wear a uniform similar to the children's. We want to be a positive role model for them and set the example by wearing a uniform too," said Dra Phillips, Tyndall Elementary 4th grade teacher.

New dress code or not, there is always an air of excitement when it is time to go back to school and getting ready is just the start of it.