-Preparing for the new school year

Teachers at Lumpkin County’s elementary schools are busy decorating doorways and placing names on cubbies while also preparing lesson plans. Administrators are busy assigning lunchroom and bus duty and all the other myriad duties and tasks needed to get ready to welcome students back to school Tuesday, Aug. 6.
Parents and students are also getting ready. Here’s some information The Nugget hopes will be helpful to make the first day of school a little easier.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Knowing the stress for students—and parents—of starting a new school year, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rob Brown announced safety protocols will be eased for the beginning of the year.
“We will soften our safety protocols by allowing parents to escort their elementary children to the classroom on the first few days of school,” he said.
Middle and high school parents, however, will not be permitted to escort their children to classes.
If you are walking your child to the classroom, go directly there. Be mindful the teacher has many duties during that time and may not be able to talk with you. Please leave immediately so the school day may get started.
“The safety of our students and staff will always remain our top priority. As a precaution we will have district level staff on hand to help monitor the comings and goings of visitors during this time,” Brown said.

TRAFFIC

Tuesday-Friday, Aug. 6-9, parents are asked to be patient with traffic challenges and park in a spot that does not slow traffic patterns.

SUPPLIES

Students from all three elementary schools grades K-5 will need the same list of supplies for the first day. The middle and high school each have a basic list as well. Lists are available at Walmart.
Additional supply lists will be sent home by grade level or teachers the first day of school.

OPEN HOUSES

Elementary schools—Blackburn, Long Branch and Lumpkin County elementary schools will hold Open House Friday, Aug. 2, 3-5 p.m.
Middle School-6th Grade and new students—Thursday, Aug. 1, 3-5 p.m.
Middle School, all students—Tuesday, Aug. 13, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
High School, all grades—Inaugural Open House Bash, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 3-5 p.m.
There will be fun for the whole family this year—free hot dogs, drinks, popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, bounce houses, a dunk tank and more at the High School Open House Bash.
There will also be a free drawing for a Chromebook, backpacks full of supplies and more.
Students can pick up their class schedules, get a locker and a parking pass. They can also meet their teachers and learn about school clubs and sports.

NUTRITION

School breakfast and lunch prices for all schools remain the same as last year.
Last year’s requests for free/reduced meals expires Sept. 17. Parents/guardians should submit a new application as soon as possible You are responsible for the full price of meals until the application is approved.
An alternate meal will be offered if students have no money for meals.

ALTERNATE MEALS

All Lumpkin County Schools have a student "no charge" policy. No student should go all day without meals however, so an alternate breakfast and/or lunch will be provided at no charge to students.
Last year a pilot program at Lumpkin County Elementary was offered to students unable to pay for a meal or not yet approved for free or reduced meals. This year it is being implemented at all schools.
At lunch students can choose from two entrees—normally a grilled cheese or deli sub/wrap—on every line plus any and all sides desired. At breakfast the alternate entree is cereal and all sides students may like.
In addition, the cash stand is now at the front of the line in all schools.
“We hope it will be better—seamless and pleasing for the kids whose family are experiencing financial strain and less stressful for all the staff. And better overall for our whole community. Plus it will eliminate any large accumulation of charges from day one,” said Julie Knight-Brown, School Nutrition Director.

PRE-PAYING FOR MEALS

Meals may be paid by cash or check daily, or by the week, month or year. Pre-payments should be brought directly to the school cafeteria manager. Cash or checks can be brought by the student in a sealed envelope with the child’s name on the outside. Please do not send large amounts of cash with your student.
There is also free online meal account tracking and optional pre-payment option at www.MyPaymentsPlus.com.

EXTRA SALES

Extra items and second meals are not to be taken from the serving area if the student has no method of payment. The School Nutrition Program receives no federal, state, or local funds for individual food or beverage items or second meals for students.
Contact Information/websites
Much information can be gained from each school’s website. School calendars; announcements of upcoming activities and accomplishments; access to grades, schedules, assignments and more can be accessed through the Parent Portal, as well as information on how to contact individual teachers and staff. Listed below are the names of principals, assistant principals, phone numbers and website addresses.

LUMPKIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Principal, Billy Kirk
Assistant Principal, Jason Lemley
lchs.lumpkinschools.com
Phone 706-864-6186

LUMPKIN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Principal, Matt Remillard
Assistant Principal, Brian Matthews, Bobby Mayfield
Phone 706-864-6189
lcms.lumpkinschools.com

LUMPKIN COUNTY ELEMENTARY

Principal, Stacie Gerrells
Assistant Principal, Sara Fain
Phone 706-864-3254
lces.lumpkinschools.com

LONG BRANCH ELEMENTARY

Principal, Jane Mullinax
Assistant Principal, Nathan Gerrells
Phone 706-864-5361
lbes.lumpkinschools.com

BLACKBURN ELEMENTARY

Principal, Dr. Betsy Green
Assistant Principal, Chris Froggett
Phone 706-864-6189
bes.lumpkinschools.com