By Chase Jordan

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Tonya Colwell, principal of Roseboro Elementary School, helps visitors and parents during an open house event last year.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Extra_Open-House_006.jpgTonya Colwell, principal of Roseboro Elementary School, helps visitors and parents during an open house event last year.

For many young students going to a new school, the first day may be a nervous experience. But making a trip before school starts may decrease the jitters a little.

Officials from both Sampson County Schools (SCS) and Clinton City Schools (CCS) are looking forward to their buildings being filled with students and parents for open house events, which are mostly scheduled for Aug. 20. The first day of school for CCS and SCS is Monday, Aug. 24.

“I think it’s very beneficial for students as they transition from one school building to another,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. Stuart Blount. “It allows them to become a little familiar with the school, names and faces.”

Blount is looking forward to the upcoming school year.

“We’re securing new positions and we’ve assembled what I believe is going to add to staff that we already have in each of our schools,” Blount said. “We’re excited about what they’re going to bring to our school system and for teachers and students returning and another great year.”

The theme for the 2015-16 school year is “Above and Beyond.” Blount said the theme is based on making improvements behind student academics and performance and continuing the progress.

“We’ll continue to go above and beyond where we were this past year, as we continue to meet the needs of the students that we serve each day,” Blount said.

With a new school year approaching, he also wanted to remind motorists and community members to be aware of bus riders.

“School is going back in session and school buses will be on the road,” Blount said. “We’re asking everyone to pay even more attention while they’re driving. There will be school buses making stops to load and unload children.

“It’s been a couple of months with no buses on the roads,” he said. “Now they’ll be back, so we encourage everyone to be mindful of that.”

Faith Jackson, CCS community liaison and grant writer, said the open house schedule for all schools in the city system is set for 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20. Along with meeting teachers, Jackson said parents may receive a schools supplies list, which is also available at Walmart.

“They can be better prepared for the first day,” Jackson said about open house.

Susan Warren, SCS public relations and student services coordinator, said the county school system is looking forward to a good school year as well.

“We’re inviting our kids and parents to come out to receive their schedules and become acclimated with their schools,” she said.

Open House — Sampson County Schools — Thursday, Aug. 20

• Hargrove Elementary — 4 to 7 p.m.

• Hobbton Elementary — 4 to 7 p.m.

• Hobbton Middle — 4 to 7 p.m.

• Hobbton High— Freshman Orientation — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., lunch provided (Aug. 21- regular Open House 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.)

• Salemburg Elementary — 3 to 6 p.m.

• Roseboro Elementary — 4 to 7 p.m.

• Roseboro Salemburg Middle — 4 to 7 p.m. (Aug. 19- 6th Grade Orientation 6 to 8 p.m.)

• Lakewood High — 5 to 7 p.m. (Aug. 17- Freshman Orientation 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. lunch provided)

• Clement Elementary (PreK, 1st-5th grades) — 4 to 7 p.m. (Kindergarten Students and Parents meet in K classrooms at 5 p.m.)

• Midway Elementary — 4 to 6:30 p.m.

• Plain View Elementary — 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Kindergarten Students and Parents meet in Gym at 6 p.m.)

• Midway Middle — 4 to 7 p.m.

• Midway High — 4 to 7 p.m. (Aug. 18- Freshman Orientation 8 to 3 p.m. lunch provided)

• Union Elementary — 4 to 7 p.m.

• Union Intermediate — 4 to 6:30 p.m.

• Union Middle — 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Aug. 19- 6th Grade Orientation, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)

• Union High — 5 to7 p.m. (Aug. 19- Freshman Open House, 5 to 7 p.m.)

Information regarding the new school year will be featured on the districts’ websites, www.sampson.k12.nc.us; and www.clinton.k12.nc.us.

Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.