More than 7,600 students will officially hit the books Aug. 3 as summer draws to an end and the 2011-12 school year begins.

While students are rejoicing – or possibly dreading – the coming school year, some teachers will have new tricks up their sleeves to try an make things more interesting in the classroom.

Bryan County Schools are equipped with 744 full time employees for this year, according to school officials, and while school operations countywide will remain very similar to last year, students at Bryan County High School, Richmond Hill High School and Richmond Hill Middle School can anticipate changes due in administration.

Bryan County High School’s new principal is Dr. Dawn Hadley, who transferred from the assistant principal position at Richmond Hill High School.

Helen Herndon made the transition from principal at Richmond Hill Middle School into the principal position at Richmond Hill High School.

And Richmond Hill Middle School’s new principal, Dr. William McGrath, transferred from Director of Student Services.
Bryan County School Superintendent John Oliver said he expects good things from these transitions.

“I am excited about the renewal at these three schools with the new administrators,” he said.

Richmond Hill Primary School first-grade teacher Deidre Ward will make some changes when it comes to teaching her students this year after attending a writing workshop in Savannah.

Ward was one of 15 teachers from grades kindergarten through 12th who attended the Coastal Savannah Writing Project (CWSP) earlier this month at Armstrong Atlantic University. There, teachers discussed and honed their skills in all writing areas, including narrative, expository, persuasive and writing to learn.

Read more and find back-to-school information, like open house times, the first week's lunch menu and more in the July 27th edition of the News.