Decatur schools ready for new year

Photo by Mike Eckels Yeng Lee (left) and Lindy Lee (right) wait outside a classroom during the Decatur High School open house Aug. 10 in Decatur. Emme Lee (upper right), with her mother Chia, goes through the registration process with Tang Jones, one of her teachers.
Photo by Mike Eckels Yeng Lee (left) and Lindy Lee (right) wait outside a classroom during the Decatur High School open house Aug. 10 in Decatur. Emme Lee (upper right), with her mother Chia, goes through the registration process with Tang Jones, one of her teachers.

DECATUR -- It was a busy week for administrators, faculty, staff, and for students as the Decatur School District prepared for the opening of the 2017-18 school year with a breakfast and an open house.

Teachers and staff members were welcomed back from summer break during a breakfast in the cafeteria at Northside Elementary Aug. 9. The breakfast was part of a day-long in-house service session designed to acclimate teachers and staff members to upcoming changes in the 2017-18 school year.

"It's nice to see all of our teachers and staff members back for the start of another school year," said Jeff Gravette, Decatur superintendent. "We have a few new faces this year, so let's welcome them into our fold."

At the conclusion of the breakfast, Gravette, along with principals Toby Conrad and Cary Stamps, and dean of students John Unger introduced the new staff.

Decatur High School has three new teachers this school year. Tajhe Turner will teach biology and assist Ashley Riggles with the girls' basketball program. Allie Wood takes over as the high school math teacher. Sheldon McKinzie will teach history and civics in addition to his duties as the assistant football and head soccer coach for the Bulldog sports program.

The middle school hired two new teachers, Cody Reid and Stormy Pruitt. Reid will teach fifth- and sixth-grade math and is the second assistant football coach. Pruitt will teach fifth- and sixth-grade science.

Holly Denton, who taught at Decatur Pre-K last year, will move to Decatur Northside Elementary and teach fourth grade. Ryan Woolard will split his duties between two schools, taking over as the new elementary physical education coach from Richard Perrodin who retired last year after 20 years with Decatur. Woolard is the new head coach for the Bulldog football program, replacing Shane Holland who will coach the Decatur track and cross-county programs.

Gravette closed the breakfast by thanking several individuals, local businesses, and volunteers whose support helped the district achieve its goal of delivering the best education possible to its customers, the students.

Decatur Middle and High Schools, Northside Elementary, and Decatur Pre-K held an open house Aug. 10. The open house allowed students and their parents to get locker assignments, pick up schedules and fill out contact information.

With the renovation project in full swing at Decatur Middle School, the original entrance and office have been moved to room 404 on the northwest side of the the Pre-K building. Administrators are asking that parents wishing to pick up or drop off Middle School students, and visitors, are asked to check in either at the administration office or the high school office.

With schools now in session, it is important for motorists to be alert to students walking to and from school. Motorists need to remember the rules for school bus safety as well and always stop when school buses are picking up or dropping off students and never pass a bus when the warning lights are in operation.

For more information, go to decatursd.com or call the following numbers: Decatur Administration -- 479-752-3986; Decatur High School -- 479-752-3983; Decatur Middle School -- 479-752-3560; Decatur Northside Elementary -- 479-752-3981.

General News on 08/16/2017