It might seem as though school just let out, but Mexico Public Schools are already preparing to start the 2010-2011 school year.
Registration and orientation dates are scheduled for the first part of August. The opening day of school is Thursday, Aug. 19.
All Mexico schools will have registration times at the Mexico Middle School cafeteria, from 7 am. to 7 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 6. Patrons are asked to use the back entrance from the parking lot into the cafeteria.
An open house will be held from 6-7 p.m. Aug. 16, for Mexico Middle School students; 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 17, for Eugene Field students; 5-7 p.m. Aug. 18, for McMillan, and from 5-7 p.m. at Hawthorne.
Freshman orientation will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 in Emmons Hall, and the high school open house will be held in conjunction with parent teacher conferences on Sept. 30, from 1-6:30 p.m., and again Oct. 1, from 8 a.m. to noon, due to the energy efficiency renovations taking place on campus during August.
Interpreters will be available for Spanish speaking families from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 4.
Assistant Superintendent Kevin Freeman said the energy efficiency renovation taking place throughout the high school campus had some bearing on the district's decision to move registration, but he noted this is not the first year registration has been held under one roof.
Last year's registration, held at the middle school, went well and Freeman said the district anticipates this year's registration will run just as smoothly.
"The days are a little busier, but this seems to work out better for the parents; especially those with multiple children that attend different schools," Freeman said.
Last year's total enrollment was 2,507. Freeman said he doesn't expect any major increase in this year's numbers.
"I don't see anything in terms of major employers or new sub-divisions to be hopeful that the numbers will be there. Our best hope is that the numbers will be flat," he said.
North Callaway
North Callaway R-1 Schools is holding all-district enrollment from 4-8 p.m. Aug. 3-5 – which is something new for the district.
A press release to The Ledger states, "the district is trying something new to save parents time and to simplify the back to school process."
District registration will take place at the high school, and parents will be able to complete information for all of their students at one time.
The registration schedule is as follows:
• Tuesday, Aug. 3: students whose last names start with A-H;
• Wednesday, Aug. 4: students whose last names start with I-Q;
• Thursday, Aug. 5: students whose last names start with R-Z.
New students to the district and make-ups can register from 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 6.
While administrators, teachers and staff are working hard, preparing for opening day, students of Mexico have mixed opinions about the new school year. Some say they're not ready to start, while others can't wait.
First-grader Brendan Lortie, a newcomer to the Mexico School District, said he's excited about school starting and is looking forward to working on the computers. A little shy, he said, he also hopes to "make lots of friends."
Nine-year-old Oceana Wil-liams is also a little eager for school to start. A student at Hawthorne, the fourth-grader said, "I like summer because I can see my friends and play. But, I also like learning too." Her favorite subject is science.
Robert Meek, an eighth-grader at Mexico Middle School, wishes summer could last for forever, while Rozallyn Schneider and Alyssa Davidson are counting down the days until Aug. 19 – mainly because they're bored.
Mexico, Mo. —
