By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP
Advance Managing Editor
A new school year brings a promise of change. It may be the change of an adolescent blooming into adulthood or a young mind working to put together the words in a book to read sentences for the very first time. But, there are many changes that have taken place during the summer at Atmore schools that may leave some students wondering what happened.
Following are some of the things that students may find different at their schools this year:
Escambia County Middle School
The most obvious of all the changes at local schools is the newest pride of Atmore – Escambia County Middle School. With attractive architecture and modernized classrooms, parents can rest assured that their children are afforded the capabilities for a top-notch education.
One aspect of the new school is that it will feature two new computer labs with brand new, up-to-date computers. In addition, each academic classroom will have one or two computers.
ECMS Principal Herbert Payne said the new school is ready to go.
Parents and students will get the opportunity to visit the new campus on Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m. at their open house.
There will also be three new teachers at ECMS: a computer keyboarding instructor, a sixth grade english teacher and a part-time dance teacher.
Payne said the entire school has been anxiously awaiting the new year.
Escambia County High School
So many things have changed at Escambia County High School that even the board of education has not been able to keep up.
Students can expect to have a new principal and two new assistant principals. The only member of this group who has been hired at this time is Assistant Principal Patsy Jacks, a Brewton native who has taught in Milton, Fla., ECHS, T.R. Miller, W.S. Neal and most recently teaching at-risk youths at an alternative school.
The former english teacher has wasted no time in getting her hands dirty. She has been working along side many volunteers to make the campus as good as new.
In fact, this weekend Jacks is asking for parent's help during a workday to clean up the campus. She is asking anyone who would like to participate to meet at the school at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
There will also be several new teachers and a guidance counselor at ECHS.
To help new students get to know some of the new faces they will encounter, the school is hosting a freshman and new student orientation next Tuesday.
Another change that will come with the new leaders at ECHS is a more strict enforcement of the dress code.
For more information about the new student orientation or the parent workday call 368-9181.
Northview High School
After five years, Northview High School is running on all cylinders and officials expect a minimal amount of changes for the upcoming school year.
All administrative and most teaching positions have remained the same. The only teaching change that students should expect is a new english teacher. But, even he will not be a new face as he was the school's basketball coach last season.
The newest addition to the staff at NHS is the football coach. David Williams will lead the Chiefs onto the field on Friday nights this season.
Students attending NHS will begin classes Monday. They will report to the school's auditorium to receive their class schedules.