A Back-to-School Bash at Stevenson Elementary School will be held on July 29 from 4-6 p.m. for preschool through 5th grade students. Parents and students will enter the school through the front entrance and proceed toward the cafeteria. Teacher rosters will be available, and students will be given an opportunity to visit their classrooms.

Parents will be asked to complete a short survey in the computer lab and fill out the usual back-to-school paperwork. All parents will be asked to complete a Household and Income Form, which will be used in the administration of the Community Eligibility Provision through which all students in the Russellville Independent School District will receive free meals this year. 

Stevenson’s principal, Lisa White, is excited about the changes that have taken place inside the school over the summer. Several animal exhibits have been added, including an aviary in the lobby and a rabbit cage in the courtyard. Mrs. White expressed gratitude to the donors who made the exhibits possible, including AgriPower, Griffin Industries, 84 Lumber, and the SES-PTO.

Students will also notice that the restrooms have been given a fresh look. Mrs. White explained, “At the end of last year, the students voted on possible themes for the bathrooms. Over the summer, art teacher Jennie Blake and others painted the bathrooms to carry out the winning themes. Teachers donated artwork to add the finishing touches.” Students will also be treated to Italian ice and an inflatable obstacle course and slide during the bash.

Russellville Junior/Senior High School will host an Open House on July 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for 6th grade through 12th grade students. School officials and representatives from several community agencies and businesses will be on hand in the cafeteria during open house, so that parents can complete forms, pay fees, purchase student parking passes, and take other steps to get their children ready for the upcoming school year.

Representatives from First Southern National Bank, Walgreens, the Carpenter Center, and the Logan County Health Department are among those who will be present during the open house. There will be a door prize drawing for gift cards for parents who complete and return the necessary paperwork during the open house.

Parents are reminded that students entering 6th grade will need to have had a preventable health care examination within the past year. Principal Kim McDaniel hopes students will be excited about the upcoming school year. "A 'Happy School Year' Party will be held on the first day of school at RHS to recognize and celebrate student achievement," stated Mrs. McDaniel. 

The first day of school for kindergarten through 12th grade students is Aug. 6. Breakfast will be served that day at both the elementary and junior/senior high school. Every student will receive a free breakfast and a free lunch for this school year. A la carte items and extras are not included in the free meals program, and students will need to bring money if they wish to purchase those items. 

Preschool begins on Aug. 25. Parents of preschoolers can sign up for home visits during the Back-to-School Bash at Stevenson. The visits will need to be made before the first day of preschool, if possible.