Adair County Schools Will Begin August 7

The Adair County School System has announced that students will begin school Thursday, August 7, 2008, with the exception of preschoolers and kindergarten students. The first day for all kindergarten students is Friday, August 8 and preschool begins August 20. Students who have not been enrolled in an Adair County school prior to this year or new preschool or kindergarten students who did not pre-enroll during the early registration process should fill out enrollment papers at the Adair County Board of Education located at 1204 Greensburg Street, Columbia, KY. Do not go directly to the schools to enroll students who will be attending preschool through grade five if they are a new student. You may still enroll new sixth grade students at Adair County Elementary School, seventh and eighth students at ACMS and 9-12 students at ACHS.
The first full day of attendance for kindergarten students is Friday, August 8. This is for any kindergarten student enrolled at either Colonel William Casey or Adair County Elementary School.  (Please do not send kindergarten students to school on a bus Thursday).  Preschool registration has already been held at all schools and parents will be notified of their child’s eligibility before August 20. All returning preschool students will report on August 20 also. Three year olds will be contacted by teachers as to when the child is eligible to begin classes.
Children who are in the primary program (Kindergarten/Entry Level) for the first time must be five (5) years old by October 1, 2008.  Children enrolling in the preschool program must be four (4) years old by October 1, 2008 or age three (3) with a disability.  Preschool students must qualify by one or both criteria for enrollment (free lunch and/or some type of disability).  Any child entering these programs must have a birth certificate, immunization certificate, medical examination, eye examination, and social security card.
There are turning lanes in front of the school entrances on Greensburg Street and parents are asked to observe the changes and use the correct entrances and exits to all the schools. Parents are also asked to please allow extra time during the first few weeks of school as it there is always more traffic congestion for the first few weeks.  It would be helpful for as many children as possible to ride buses in order to eliminate excess car traffic in the area.
At the beginning of school, each student will be issued a copy of the “Student Handbook” and “Code of Pupil Conduct”that includes rules and regulations.  Parents or guardians must sign and return the forms included to verify that they have been given a copy of these documents. Your child will also have lunch applications and other forms that will need to be filled out and returned out as soon as possible.
Doors to all schools will open to receive students each day at 7:00 a.m.   
School will not be in session for students or staff on Monday, September 1 (Labor Day). A complete school calendar is included in the manuals students will be bringing home and is posted on the district website.  School information is updated frequently on the district website at www.adair.k12.ky.us.
All schools have scheduled open houses and invite parents and students in order for them to have an opportunity to meet teachers, principals, and other school staff. In conjunction with the school’s Family Resource Centers and other agencies, there will also be free services offered and free school supplies made available to students.
The following is a schedule of the open house dates for all the schools:
Adair County Elementary-August 4, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Adair County High School-August 4, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Adair County Middle School-August 5, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Colonel William Casey Elementary-August 5, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
John Adair Intermediate-August 4, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Kindergarten kick-off at Colonel William Casey-August 4, 5:00-7:00
ALL CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES are to report to Cranmer Dining Center on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College Wednesday morning, August 6, 2008 for Opening Day Activities. Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. in the dining center. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. in the same location. The keynote speaker will be Mrs. Cathy Barnard, an associate of Dr. Allen Beane, writer and founder of the Bully Free Program™.  Mrs. Barnard recently retired after 32 years as a public school teacher, principal and administrator. She implemented the Bully Free Program™ in her school in the Anchorage Independent School District with excellent results. Following the morning program, employees will report to their respective schools for the remainder of the day or follow instructions given to them by their school principals. This is a regular work day in the school calendar and does not count as professional development. All CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES are to receive instructions from their immediate supervisor as to what duties to perform on Opening Day.