Schools are ready to open Monday

The hallways are dark and empty, but you can see the floors shine from a summertime scrubbing.

Light glows from the classrooms where many teachers have been working for weeks. They’re going over every detail, making sure everything will be perfect when the doors open and their students walk through in several days. Positive energy fills every aspect of the start of a new school year.

Students in both Springfield Public and St. Raphael Schools will go back to class on Monday, August 20.

Open house for elementary and high school department was held last evening when students and their parents had the opportunity to visit classrooms, teachers, tour the school and find their lockers. School pictures for grades K-11 were also taken during the open house.

Kindergarten camp was conducted last week.

School-issued iPads  were distributed to students in grades 7-12 last week.

Eligibility meetings for students in extra-curricular activities — athletics and fine arts — were held last week. 

Fall sports practices — for cross country, football and volleyball — are underway.

Teachers are participating in in-service sessions this week.

When school bells ring in Springfield Monday, most students will have already received their student handbooks, class schedules, and have had opportunities to get acquainted with their teachers, classrooms and curriculum.

The first two weeks of school will be four days — Monday through Thursday. There will be no classes on Friday, Aug. 24, nor Friday, Aug. 31. That will allow students in agricultural education and 4-H to participate in Livestock encampment and shows, and for all to enjoy a four-day Labor Day weekend. Classes will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 4.