Students were welcomed back to Appling County Schools on August 1, 2016. Open house for parents and students was conducted on July 28 and 29, 2016. Superintendent Dr. Scarlett Copeland reported all six schools were visited in the district during this time and excitement was in the air! Participation among parents and grandparents continues to be extremely high and this speaks volumes of their interest in education in Appling County. Each principal, teacher, paraprofessional, secretary, bus driver, school food service worker, custodian, and central office personnel are to be commended for their preparation to open school. The remainder of the first week of school also went extremely well. Superintendent Copeland and Dr. Dominy visited all schools throughout the first week. Students and parents looked extremely pleased to be back in session.
This enthusiasm was preceded by Preplanning which was conducted from July 26-29, 2016. Staff members worked diligently in order to prepare for the students and parents arrival. Principals met with their staff members on July 26th to complete requirements for beginning school.
On July 27th a county wide meeting was held with all schools and the Superintendent at the Fine Arts Center at the high school. Prior to this meeting, First Baptist Church Members and Pastor Robert Wigley graciously supplied the entire school system with breakfast for all. We are extremely grateful for our churches and community who always supports our school system. At our county wide meeting, Pastor Carl Sexton delivered the Keynote Address based on the district’s theme, UNITED WE CAN! He did an outstanding job encouraging and inspiring our entire staff through powerful examples and scriptures in the bible of being “United”. Superintendent Copeland stated, “This was one of the best county wide meetings our district has conducted. Our people needed to be encouraged, supported, and inspired and Pastor Sexton, who is one of our very own Bus Drivers, did this in a great way. I am ever grateful as a Superintendent to have such wonderful staff to work with in Appling County!”
Overall, Superintendent Copeland commented, “we have had an extremely successful school opening in Appling County and we are looking forward to a great school year. United, we can make a tremendous difference for our students in Appling County. We are looking forward to a bright new year filled with opportunities for growth, learning, collaboration, and partnerships that will yield the very best educational journey for all students in our county!