For more than 15,000 students, yesterday was a rude

awakening from summertime dreams.

As alarm clocks signalled the start to a new school year for

the majority of Coweta County' students, more than 500 others

have already settled into their daily routine of homework, bus rides

and lunchroom chats.

As one of only two year-round schools in the state,

Newnan Crossing Elementary started its school year three weeks ago.

Principal Johnnie Mae Welch said the students are doing well.

"It may feel like 110 degrees outside, but it's fall inside

the school," Welch said.

This year, the school is putting a large focus on reading and

math skills and also improving computer and technology skills

for the students, Welch said. Additionally, the school has three

full-time French teachers, so each child receives 30 minutes of

French language instruction each day.

The school also received a $53,000 Next Generation

grant that will be used to fund the school's intercession

programs this year. The intercession sessions are staged during the

schools 15-day breaks and offer extra instruction for students that

may need remedial or advanced learning, Welch said.

The school has also added a computer work station in the

media center, which makes it easy for students doing research,

she added. Welch said she's getting adjusted to the

rapidly-advancing technological advancements.

"When I was doing research for my doctorate, I went to the

university and asked them where the card catalog was. They just

looked at me with a puzzled expression," she said.

This is Welch's first year as principal at the school and

she said she's received a wonderful reception from both parents

and students. Since the school went to a year-round schedule,

attendance rates have zoomed up and discipline problems have dropped

significantly.

Welch does not have her first attendance report completed

yet, but said it's been a smooth opening and believes the school

will add a few more students, since many parents don't send their

children to school until the family's vacation is complete.

Curious residents who want to see how a year-round

school works are invited to attend the school's open house on

Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. Welch said administrators and teachers will be

on hand to answer any questions parents or visitors might have.

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