FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — Monday marked the first day of class for 81 schools in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District. Kids headed back to the classroom much earlier than normal.
This early return is because the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County district started two weeks earlier than usual. Back in March, the district voted to begin classes two weeks earlier than state law requires.
Out of the more than 50,000 students in the district, only 300 were no-shows due to pre-planned vacations. These students won't be marked absent because they had prior approval.
“The minute they show up to school is when they start counting as a student,” said Tricia McManus, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Superintendent. “And so that’s why, you know, we’re not going to count an absence until they show up to school. We want everybody to get back as soon as possible. It was about 300 who had prearranged conflicts that could not be changed.”
While starting early might be a change, some students are more focused on what's ahead.
“Definitely nervous and excited for the upcoming school year. I’m ready to make more memories with all of my friends and see where this school year takes me,” said Sophie Olsen, a senior at Reagan High School.
Lincoln Jackson, another senior at Reagan High, added, “I’m just excited for a new year, excited to be back in class, and be with my friends and fellow students again.”
The district said the earlier start allows students to complete winter exams before the holiday break. For families whose summer plans overlapped with the school schedule, the district worked with them, though students will need to catch up.
“When they do get back, we know the importance of the first day of school,” McManus said. “The first week of school, the first two weeks of school, set the tone and the expectations. So staff will be doing some more orientations and things with those students that come late.”
Overall, the district reports that the first day of school went smoothly, though some parents had trouble with the new bus tracking app. Crews were also busy over the weekend removing downed trees and fixing issues caused by Tropical Storm Debby.
“Friday and into the weekend, those things were addressed, whether it be a tree down somewhere or something blocking an area or leaking. Those things were addressed right away,” McManus said. “It might be four in the morning when they’re out there, checking, making sure roads are clear. So, yes, everything was ready this morning again. There were a couple of last-minute HVAC issues.”
Something students will also have to get used to is the new cell phone policy. All elementary and middle schoolers have to turn their phones off and put them away. But high schoolers get an exception. They can use them at lunch and to check in with parents.
“It’s a challenge that will be a constant battle all year,” McManus said. “It’s not like you say it one time and then hope the rest of the year everyone follows it. It’s going to take all of us continuously reminding our students in a positive way about, you know, cell phones. You remind them every day, just like you remind them every day about all the other expectations.”
Historically, the state hasn't penalized districts that start early. This year, 29 school districts are starting early, including Surry County and Lexington City, which also began on Monday.
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