Guide to getting ready

The countdown to Day One of the 2009 school year is coming to an end for Richmond County students.

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Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff

Art teacher Audrey Crosby decorates a message board with a Michael Jackson theme in preparation for the first day of school at T.W. Josey High School.

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Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff

Art teacher Audrey Crosby decorates a message board with a Michael Jackson theme in preparation for the first day of school at T.W. Josey High School.

Back | Next

Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff

Art Dickinson, of Logical Choice Technology, carries one of the 10 new Promethean ActivBoards that will be installed at Josey before the first day.

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Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff

Art Dickinson, of Logical Choice Technology, carries one of the 10 new Promethean ActivBoards that will be installed at Josey before the first day.

Classes begin Friday in the wake of budget cuts, rezoning and increases in class size.

Here are some things parents and students might want to know as they begin another school year:

WEATHER

As the school day begins Friday, skies will be partly cloudy and temperatures are expected to be in the low 70s. Once school lets out, temperatures will be in the mid-90s, with a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

STARTING TIME

Visit rcboe.org, click on the "schools" tab on the left side of the home page, then select "school contacts." Student hours, school addresses and contact numbers are available for all Richmond County schools.

BUS QUESTIONS

Visit rcboe.org, click on "school bus number locator" on the home page, and enter your home address and your child's grade level to find your child's school bus number, routes, and pick-up and drop-off times.

SCHOOL ZONES

For parents who moved over the summer or who are new to the area, the Richmond County Board of Education offers a school zone locator on its Web site. Click on "school zone locator" and follow the instructions to enter your home address.

Families without computer access may call school liaison officer Melissa Drinnen at (706) 791-7920.

LUNCH PRICES

Elementary school lunch costs $1.50. Middle and high school lunches cost $1.75. Reduced lunch for all students costs 40 cents.

CHANGES

- Garrett Elementary School is now located at 3015 Walton Way. Classes will be conducted in the old Lake Forest Hills building while crews work to renovate Garrett's building on Washington Road.

- East Augusta Middle School no longer exists. W.S. Hornsby K-8, located at 310 Kentucky Ave., will serve elementary and middle schools. The old East Augusta Middle School building is being renovated as an extension of W.S. Hornsby.