Behind the scenes of back to school in Fayette County

OAK HILL, WV (WVNS) — Parents in Fayette County send their kids back to school on August 14, 2024 and those students are walking into not only a new school year, but new changes to their educational experience as well.

The first day of school is usually a mix of excitement and anxiety for kids heading back into the classroom. Their minds are full of questions as they head into the school.

What is this grade going to be like? Will the material be too difficult?

The answers to those questions can start to form before the school year even begins.

Danielle Harris, a 5th grade math teacher at New River Intermediate School, said there is some housekeeping that takes place to help shape the year before students even step foot into the school.

“So, we’re super excited for the kids to come back to school! [We have been] getting all the rooms cleaned and organized, organizing the books, getting our curriculum ready, planning our lesson plans,” said Harris.

There is a lot to plan for lessons this school year. Gary Hough, Superintendent for Fayette County Schools, said there are some big changes coming to all areas of the educational experience.

“[There are] a lot of major movements in the academic area. We are working with the I-Ready curriculum for intervention purposes in K-8 that we’re doing and we’re doing it consistently all the way through. That’s a big move we made,” explained Hough.

The I-Ready program is designed to help teachers pinpoint concerns in certain academic areas for individual students and allows them to create specialized plans to help those students.

As for all those questions that are swarming inside the students’ heads as they return for another year, Harris said there is really nothing to worry about.

She said parents can go a long way towards easing their children’s worries.

“My tips for parents would be to be at ease, relax. We have great teachers, they’re in good hands, but, on their behalf, they can always send their kids to bed at a good time. We provide breakfast in the morning,” said Harris. “And always reach out to the teacher and keep that line of communication open so that the year can go as smoothly as possible.”

Harris suggested that kids just be themselves and take everything one step at a time.

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