SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013
2013 BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE
A publication of
MEET FIVE NEW SCHOOL LEADERS Between Gainesville and Hall County Schools, there are five new principals this year. They have varied backgrounds but similar goals and hopes for their schools, which include Flowery Branch High, Chestnut Mountain Creative School of Inquiry, North Hall Middle, Oakwood Elementary and Wood’s Mill Academy.
Most of these men and women believe an increased reliance on technology is something they must embrace, but the effects of the digital world on students is also a concern in education. Another concern is overcoming poverty’s impact on many students. Learn more about these new leaders and their outlook for the school year. Pages 4-5
SCHOOLS WORK TO
MEASURE UP
No matter the subject, there will be a test to go with it. And those tests may be tough as school systems across the state move to a more difficult curriculum.
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Photo illustration by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times
New schools and renovated spaces
SCOTT ROGERS | The Times
Gainesville City Schools’ biggest project by far is the new Fair Street School, which is set to open in October. The city school system also completed updates to Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy. In Hall County, existing space is being reinvented to house a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math academy at North Hall High School. Students must apply for the program, which aims to prepare them for technical careers. Elsewhere in the county, Johnson High is getting a bigger cafeteria. Page 6
Transportation mostly unchanged Student transportation will look much the same this year, with the exception of three new buses for Gainesville City Schools. The big concerns for officials, however, are navigating routes in which roads have washed out this summer due to periods of heavy rain. Work continues on McEver and Stephens roads in Flowery Branch as well as Lenox Drive in Gainesville, and officials are keeping a close eye on the progress to determine whether routes need to be adjusted. Page 7