It’s the time of year that can bring mixed emotions to students wanting to hold on to summer vacation and excitement, and relief for students who may be bored out of their minds.
Even though it may still be 100 degrees outside, summer’s over for the students at Camp Verde Unified School District.
Teachers are busy getting their classrooms ready, and school officially starts back in full swing for students Tuesday, Aug. 9. For the Class of 2012, it’s the beginning of the end of a long chapter. For the incoming kindergartners, the future Class of 2024, there’s a way to go just yet.
At Camp Verde Elementary School, returning students will notice the school day is just a little bit longer this year, according to Principal Debra Pottorff.
Students will be spending an extra 20 minutes at school now that the day starts earlier at 8:10 a.m. and runs to 2:20 p.m.
“We’ve very excited about the new year,” Pottorff said. “We’re happy we get to spend a little more time with the children.”
Advice for little ones who may find themselves having to take a nap: Enjoy it now before you get reprimanded for it down the road in high school.
At Camp Verde Middle School, the first bell rings at 7:45 a.m., class starts at 7:50 a.m. and the final bell lets students go at 3:05 p.m. At least, the final bell rings at 3:05 p.m.; no doubt more than one teacher will remind their class that it’s the teacher who lets the students go.
According to the Camp Verde High School main office, classes start at 7:44 a.m. until the end of the school day at 2:47 p.m.
At South Verde Technology Magnet School, aka South Verde High School and the home of the Bulldogs, the school day starts at 7:30 a.m. The last group of students calls it a day at 4 p.m.
The schools are also hosting open houses to give parents a chance to come out and see where their children will be spending quite a bit of time over the coming year.
At Camp Verde Elementary, the open house is scheduled to run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8.
At the high school, the event will start at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. Next door at Camp Verde Middle School, parents can show up at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday Aug. 16.
In addition, Pottorff said the school district’s transportation department will be set up at Bashas’ in the Outpost Mall on Finnie Flat Road from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to help students and parents figure out the bus system — which stop to wait at and which buses to ride.
“We’re anxious and excited about a new calender year,” said Superintendent Dan Brown. “I call it the most wonderful time of the year, to borrow a line from Christmas.”
Brown said the district has about 18 new teachers, who recently took a bus tour of the district with Transportation Director Stacey Barker to get an idea of the community, whether they’re new here or just haven’t been to certain parts of the area recently.
“It’s important for us to see where it is our students come from,” Brown said. “They’re the whole reason all of us are here.”
Brown also said that landscapers have been busy getting the schools and their respective campuses looking their best.
“It really looks like a fun place to come to school,” Brown said.
For more information on enrollment for the school year, call the district at 567-8011.
