BACK TO SCHOOL

Day one is a success across Tallapoosa County

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & JAKE ARTHUR

“It’s bedtime, school starts tomorrow,” is commentary most kids loathe to hear from parents. Phrases heard in response often include, “But I don’t want to.” “Already? Summer just started!” or “I’m not going to school.” And of course there is the occasional, “I cannot wait!” This year, in Tallapoosa County, parents were relieved to hear the resounding, “I cannot wait,” as kids were excited to get back to school. After all, this is where their friends are and their future waits. Since COVID-19 has taken over the world, everyone is excited to experience as much normalcy as possible and so the first day of school in Alexander City and Dadeville went off without a hitch. From parents snapping numerous first-day-of-school photos and flooding social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram and

TikTok to moms gathering on the front lawn of the schools and directing their kids for a ful- on photo shoot, everyone was excited to send their children off to become mighty learners.

According to Dr. Keith Lankford, superintendent of Alexander

City Schools, day one went very well.

“Car line and transportation was a struggle but overall, the first day of school went very well,” he said. “We were fully staffed, and with the teacher shortage, that was something that we

had to overcome, as well. But we had a successful day at every school, and it went pretty smoothly.”

Now looking forward in the year, COVID-19 has reared its ugly head yet again, but this time targeting younger kids and adults.

Lankford said there have been more close contact positives with school-aged children so far this year than they saw last year, and the schools are taking every precaution necessary to keep the children safe and remain in a face-to-face institute as long as possible.

“Athletics are still going, especially at outdoor events, and we are still running pretty strong with all varsity athletics. The middle school has been adversely affected, but we are working on that,” Lankford said.

While the school year has a lot of unforeseeable bumps in the road ahead, Lankford and the school board are meeting daily and making decision that they feel will keep the students safe.

Education is Key

Clockwise from Top Left: Seniors sport their upperclassman t-shirts on the first day of school at Dadeville High School; Young kids were eager to get back to learning in Alexander City; Teachers begin day one teaching hallway etiquette; Proud moms photograph their girls at Dadeville Middle School; Students await their first period classes; Second grade students listen intently as Mrs. Forbus reads her class a book at Jim Pearson Elementary.

Ready, Set, Learn!

Clockwise from the Top Left: Students at Horseshoe Bend had their photos taken in front of the 'Spread your wings and fly' bulletin board; Young men headed to Dadeville Elementary were excited to start the day; Students at Alexander City Middle School assemble for an informational session; Students at Horseshoe Bend rush to class on their first day; Parents love to escort their children in on their first day of a new school year; Math teachers were eager to get busy teaching as they brought out the connect blocks for students.

IT’S TIME FOR OUTDOOR FUN, IS YOUR HEART HEALTHY?

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HEART & VASCULAR CLINIC AT RUSSELL MEDICAL

Make an appointment today by calling (256) 234-2644. 3368 Highway 280, Suite 130 • Alexander City, AL 35010 uabmedicine.org/HeartRussell