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New school ready to open
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The front view of East Rockingham Elementary School is larger because traditionally elementary schools have been one-level buildings. Students begin school there on Aug. 25.
Furniture and electronic equipment are being moved in and teachers are being invited to come decorate their classrooms next week — East Rockingham Elementary School is becoming a reality.
An open house is planned for Sept. 13 to let parents and community members in to see the finished product.
“The new East Rockingham Elementary School is nearing 100 percent completion with furniture, computers and smart boards being installed this week,” Richmond County Schools Associate Superintendent Dr. Robert Beck said Wednesday. “Contractors are busy installing an irrigation system and repairing areas on the campus that were washed out due to the torrential rains that Richmond County experienced over the last several days.
Teachers have been notified that they may begin setting up their rooms next week.”
The building is 81,000-square feet. Kindergarten through second grade will be housed on the first floor, while third through fifth grades will have class upstairs.
“East Rockingham Elementary School is a state-of-the-art handicapped accessible public school facility with all the modern amenities including two student computer labs, wireless capabilities, computer search stations in the library, an automated fire suppression system, a state-of-the-art kitchen, full service elevator, medical clinic where nurses can see children and a beautiful gymnasium and dining room.” Beck said. “The administration and staff look forward to getting started with the students on Aug. 25.”
Principal Keith McKenzie said he’s heard nothing but positive things from the community, and the school’s faculty and staff.
“This is a wonderful, wonderful facility,” McKenzie said this week. “I’ve been impressed with it tremendously since the first time I saw it. I’m struck by how many decisions the school board made based on what is best for the children, and also on the needs of teachers in the classroom. A lot of thought went into building this school.”
He said visitors from other school districts considering building their own new elementary schools have also been impressed by the facility.
“The size of the classrooms is just phenomenal,” McKenzie continued. “All our special classrooms - like music, art and P.E. - are large, and they’re all located on the east side of the building with the cafeteria. This is really convenient for our teachers as they move kids around the building, as opposed to having these rooms spread throughout the building.”
For East Rockingham teachers, like last year’s Richmond County Schools Teacher of the Year Kate Murray, settling into a brand-new classrooms offers a clean slate.
“When I moved to Rockingham four years ago, the classroom at Rohanen had things left behind from other teachers and was already kind of set up,” Murray said. “The first year you’re kind of nervous about meeting the kids and getting everything ready, so for me this will be a fresh start and a chance to set up my own classroom the way I want it.”
At Rohanen Primary, where Murray taught first grade, she’d also already come to know most of her students, whereas at East Rockingham she’ll be walking in fresh.
“At Rohanen the kindergarten room was right next to mine, so I got to know most of the kids around the hallways, but this will be unique because we’re bonding two different schools together,” Murray said.
Among the features of the new building McKenzie is most impressed with is the capacity of the school’s infrastructure to accommodate technology in the classroom as it becomes available.
“There was a lot of thought put into what is going to happen to education in the 21st Century,” he said. “As technology moves forward, we’ll be able to move forward with it. We’re set up with wireless Internet access, so that you can log on from anywhere in the building, and there was a lot of thought put into what we’ll need tomorrow.”
Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.
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Registration resumes next week
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Nurses are shown assisting parents with kindergarten registration earlier in the year at Rohanen Primary School. Elementary schools will host fall kindergarten registration events beginning next week.
Elementary Schools in Richmond County will host a second round of kindergarten registration next week to accommodate the parents of children who weren’t able to register already. All children who will be 5-years-old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible.
“We will welcome our parents and children as they come in to enroll for kindergarten,” said Fairview Heights Elementary Principal Julian Carter. “It’s an exciting time for all of us, and we look forward to a great opening on the first day of school.”
Registration dates will be held at the following schools on these days and times:
Monroe Avenue Elementary from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3.
L.J. Bell Elementary from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 3.
East Rockingham Elementary from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 3.
Fairview Heights Elementary from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 5.
Mineral Springs Elementary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 6.
Washington Street Elementary from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 6.
Please contact West Rockingham Elementary School for K-registration.
Parents can’t just walk up empty-handed. There are certain materials they will need, such as proof of identity and immunization records.
“We want to ensure every child is healthy and safe as they enter school,” said RCS Lead School Nurse Diane Lamont. “We will be available to talk to parents and address any specific health questions or concerns they may have related to their children.”
Materials Needed to Register:
The child: Registration cannot be completed unless the child accompanies the parent or guardian. It’s very important that the child comes to meet the teachers and tour the school.
A certified birth certificate, which can be secured from the Register of Deeds office at the Richmond County Courthouse, or the County Register of Deeds office in other counties or states where the child was born.
Immunization record: Immunizations are available at the Richmond County Health Department by appointment, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Fridays. The health department will also provide immunizations on-site for children who will still need them at that time.
North Carolina Health Assessment: North Carolina law requires all children entering kindergarten in public schools to have a health assessment. This health assessment must be completed no more than 12 months prior to the date of school entry. No child may attend kindergarten unless a form is presented to the school principal. The parent, guardian or responsible person has 30 calendar days from the first day of attendance to present the required health assessment form for the child. After the 30 days, those students who do not have a health assessment will be suspended from school.
Proof of residency: Examples include a recent utility bill (including phone, electric, gas, water, sewer and cable), property tax receipt, or recent bank statement, voter ID card, or any official letter issued within the last 30 days by another state or local governmental agency on its letterhead.
Immunizations required for kindergarten registration include:
DTP/DTaP: Five doses are required with one being administered on or after the child’s fourth birthday.
Polio: Four doses are required with one being administered on or after the child’s fourth birthday.
Measles: Two doses are required with one on or after the child’s first birthday. The second shot should be administered at least 30 days after the first shot.
Mumps: Two doses, one administered after the child’s first birthday, but before age 16 months, and the other before enrolling in school.
Rubella: One dose is required on or after the first birthday and before age 16 months.
HiB: Three or four doses are given in a primary series. The series is complete if one dose is given after 15 months. HiB is not given if the child is 5-years-old or older.
Hepatitis B: Three doses. One dose by age three months, second dose by age five months and a third dose by age 19 months. Persons born on or after July 1, 1994, are required to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine.
Varicella: One dose should be administered on or after the child’s first birthday, and before the age of 19 months.
Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.
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