Looking forward to opening day

By Staff
Kim West
It doesn't seem that long ago when city and county schools closed for the summer but opening day for local schools is right around the corner as Russellville city schools go back next Thursday, while Franklin County schools open their doors Aug. 11.
When I was a kid I always counted down the days until summer arrived but I also loved the beginning of each school year. I liked everything from shopping for school supplies and sneakers to getting my locker assignment and finding out who my new teachers would be.
I'm certain this summer has provided a welcome relief for students, teachers and administrators to recharge their batteries and prepare for the school year. But in the land of community-based newspapers, the return of students is welcome with open arms because of the sheer amount of stories that come from our local schools.
This county has two outstanding school systems that last year produced a state champion in woodworking, three individual state champions in tennis and track and an Envirothon team that recently competed at nationals in Arizona.
So during the school year, the challenge for us isn't digging for stories but finding room to run all of the news pouring from the campuses each week.
I was in the new millennium Class of 2000, but I can only imagine the feeling of being the first class to graduate in school history, which is something that will be experienced by Tharptown seniors next spring.
I'm also excited for the West Elementary students and staff because their school received an extreme makeover a few weeks ago thanks to some elbow grease from Best Buy volunteers, and I can't wait to see the bright new paint, brand-new flooring and renovated offices at West.
The paper already runs interviews each week about local citizens and students, and I'm also hoping to include more stories about school staffers now that I've been assigned the county and city school board beat. If there's a teacher, janitor, bus driver, secretary or administrator at your school that has an interesting story to share, just give us a call.
Schools are a core part of any community, and Franklin County is no exception. This community seems to thrive on the school year, and I can't wait to find out what the 2008-09 year will bring.