Coweta County

students will hit the books Aug. 9 to start the 2001-02 school year.

That's the

verdict of the Coweta County Board of Education after approving next year's

school calendar during Tuesday's board meeting.

Next year's

calendar is similar to this year's with students starting their Christmas

holidays Dec. 19 and heading back to school Jan. 7.

Other notable

dates include:

Labor Day

holiday Sept. 3.

Martin Luther

King holiday Jan. 21.

Presidents

Day holiday Feb. 18.

Spring holidays

April 1-5.

Last day of

school May 24.

School board

Chairman Mike Sumner pointed out that this puts students out of school

on the Friday before Memorial Day.

In other news,

the board approved three news classes for high school students during

the next school year.

Students at

Newnan High School will have a new social studies elective, called "the

individual and the law."

The class analyzes

the foundation and functions of the American legal system.

Students at

the Central Education Center can take plant sciences and biotechnology.

The class introduces

the scientific theories and principals used in the production and management

of plants for feed, fiber, soil conservation and aesthetic value.

Finally, all

ninth grade students will take study skills one as part of the county's

new ninth grade academy.

The class introduces

methods to improve test-taking, note-taking, time-management, problem

solving and decision making.

Sumner also

is happy to see the course will emphasize writing.

"I've

had a number of college students over the break tell me they thought they

were not prepared for the writing in college," he said.

All of these

classes will be offered in August.