What parents should know
Upcoming school year brings small changes
By Susan Nienow CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Students head back to classes on Sept. 4. This year's student enrollment is expected to grow by more than 1,000 students.

When the school doors open on Sept. 4, there will be a few small changes in boundaries, rules and procedures throughout the county. The school system is continuing to grow, and has two new elementary schools under construction.

More students

The projected enrollment for Sept. 30 this year is 26,294 elementary, 13,788 middle and 18,578 high school students - an increase of more than 1,000 students over last year. The official numbers for Sept. 30, 2006, are 25,651 elementary, 13,657 middle and 18,278 high school students.

Upcoming forum

The School Board is inviting parents, teachers, high school students, business leaders and community members to a forum to discuss the strengths and challenges of the school system in preparing students for the 21st century. The session will be at the Fulghum Center on Aug. 14 from 7-8:30 p.m. RSVP to 748-1405 to attend.

Delayed school openings

Neither of the new elementary schools under construction will open in time for the beginning of school. Students assigned to Elizabeth Scott Elementary School will be split between the Enon Annex and Marguerite Christian Elementary, and until Winterpock Elementary opens, students will be housed in trailers at Spring Run Elementary. Both schools have projected openings for November. Parents and the community have been updated on the construction progress.

New faces

The school administration has added 60 new reading teachers, eight new mathematics coaches and several special education coordinators.

Tdap requirement

Rising sixth-grade students must have a Tdap booster, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, if at least five years have passed since their last dose of tetanuscontaining vaccine. Virginia law requires this booster and documentation of immunization must be provided to middle schools before classes begin.

New school hours

Winterpock Elementary hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. and Elizabeth Scott, 9:20 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Meadowbrook High School is extending its school day by 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon, from 7:10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to give students time for additional academic support, tutoring and remediation, to take makeup tests, visit the library, attend monthly club meetings, see school counselors or read. No other schools have changed their hours.

School safety

All middle schools have security cameras, and work is continuing on getting and installing a camera in each elementary school.

Rule changes

The following has been added to the Code of Student Conduct policy on cell phones: confiscated cell phones may be picked up by a parent/guardian at a scheduled conference with a school administrator. The schools assume no responsibility for the lost/destruction/ damage or theft of cell phones.

New classes at Cosby

Cosby High School will offer a class in Chinese and will open its health science specialty center this fall.

More information

For further information, see the county schools' Web site: www.chesterfield.k12. va.us.