School starts Aug. 3, and here’s a Cliff Notes version of some things that’ve changed since May, when school let out.
First, masks will be optional in Bryan County Schools this fall, though that could change if the COVID-19 pandemic makes it necessary.
Second, Lanier Primary won’t open its doors to some of North Bryan’s youngest students for the first time since 1981. Instead, they’ll attend Bryan County Elementary, now a K-5 school.
Lanier is in the process of becoming a learning center. Stay tuned.
Third, BCES and Richmond Hill Middle School will have new wings, including an orchestra room at RHMS. Work may be ongoing as school starts.
Fourth, Bryan County High School and Bryan County Middle School are being combined and are now under the direction of one principal, Liz Raeburn.
Fourth, parents who take their children to school will likely have to exercise some patience early on at all of the county’s schools. It’s a rite of fall. When your school system grows by 5 percent a year or more and has for decades, there’s a learning curve each fall.
Fifth, school meals will be free to all students this year, thanks to federal funding.
Finally, the system’s 1 schools and more than 1,400 employees will welcome back around 10,000 students.
Sixth, open houses began Wednesday, and will continue today and Monday.
Seventh, as always, when school starts on Tuesday remember to drive safely around school zones and respect school buses. They carry some important cargo.
Back to masks.
With COVID-19 cases on the increase -- they’ve more than doubled in Bryan County since July 22 -- some area governments are again requiring masks in certain situations.
So far, while the Bryan County school board is keeping masks optional, they are recommended for non-vaccinated staff, students and visitors.
Bryan County Schools will continue to provide disposable masks to individuals who might request them.
Students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to follow Department of Public Health guidelines which require individuals to stay home for 10 days since symptoms first appeared and be fever-free, without using fever-reducing medications, for 24 hours before returning to school.
While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for employees or students the Bryan County Health Department and many local healthcare providers have COVID-19 vaccines readily available.
When principals are informed of a positive case among students or staff, they will notify any affected staff and email notification to the parents of students in the impacted classes notifying them of the positive case and the important need to monitor for symptoms. Precautionary quarantines will not be required. This is the same state-mandated practice Bryan County Schools follows for other serious communicable diseases.
– Mike Brown contributed to this report.
Bryan Co. School info
Richmond Hill High School 1 Wildcat Drive, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 459-5151 Mr. Bivins Miller, Principal School Day Begins 7:30 & Ends 2:30 (Students in Class) Students permitted to enter the building at 7:00AM www.bryancountyschools.org/o/rhhs
Richmond Hill Middle School 503 Warren Hill Road, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 459-5130 Dr. Elizabeth Bennett, Principal School Day Begins 8:00 a.m. & Ends 3:00 p.m.
www.bryancountyschools.org/o/ rhms
George Washington Carver 476 Frances Meeks Way, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 459-5111 Mrs. Karen W. Smith, Principal School Day Begins 9:00 a.m. & Ends 4:00 p.m.
www.bryancountyschools.org/o/ces
Richmond Hill Elementary 473 Frances Meeks Way, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 459-5100 Mr. Walt Barnes, Principal School Day Begins 9:00 a.m. & Ends 4:00 p.m.
www.bryancountyschools.org/o/rhes
Richmond Hill Primary School 471 Frances Meeks Way, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 459-5080 Mrs. Nancy Highsmith, Principal School Day Begins 9:00 a.m. & Ends 4:00 p.m.
www.bryancountyschools.org/o/rhps
Bryan County Middle High School 1234 Camellia Drive, Pembroke, GA 31321 (912) 626-5060 Ms. Liz Raeburn, Principal School Day Begins 8:35 a.m. & Ends 3:35 p.m.
Lower School (6-8) drop off on Payne Upper School (9-12) drop off on Camilia www.bryancountyschools.org/o/ bcmhs
Bryan County Elementary 250 Payne Drive, Pembroke, GA 31321 (912) 626-5033 Mr. Jeff Hodges, Principal School Day Begins 8:00 a.m. & Ends 3:00 p.m.
www.bryancountyschools.org/o/bces
McAllister Elementary School 224 Veteran’s Memorial Parkway, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 851-4040 Ms. Heather Tucker, Principal School Day Begins 7:40 a.m. & Ends 2:40 p.m.
www.bryancountyschools.org/o/mes
Frances Meeks Elementary School 488 Warren Hill Road, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 851-4100 Dr. Brittney Mobley, Principal School Day Begins 7:40 a.m. & Ends 2:40 p.m.
www.bryancountyschools.org/o/fmes
Community Education 120 Constitution Way, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 459-5116 Mr. S. Marshall Griffin, Director www.bryancountyschools.org/o/comed
Back to School supply lists
RICHMOND HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL Pre-K, Kindergarten & 1st Grade Your child’s teacher will provide a detailed list of supplies. RICHMOND HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Suggested (but not required) Supply Lists Second Grade *Wide-ruled notebook paper * Bar eraser * Glue sticks * #2 pencils (Ticonderoga preferred, no wrapped pencils) * 24 count crayons * Pencil pouch * 3 composition notebooks * 2 plastic folders with prongs * Wired headphones * Post-it notes * Hand sanitizer * Clorox wipes * Tissues * Ziploc bags Please check with your child’s teacher prior to purchases (during Open House) to see if additional items are needed.
Third Grade * Wide-ruled notebook paper * Bar eraser * Glue sticks * #2 Pencils (Ticonderoga preferred, no wrapped pencils) * 24 count crayons * Pencil pouch * 5 composition notebooks * 6 folders with prongs (red, blue, orange, green, yellow, and purple) * Wired headphones * Post-it notes * Hand sanitizer * Clorox wipes * Tissues * Ziploc bags (gallon, quart, and/or snack) Please check with your child’s teacher prior to purchasing (during Open House) to see if additional items are needed CARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4th & 5th Grade (Your child’s teacher will provide a detailed list of supplies) * Pencils * Wide-Ruled Notebook Paper * Pencil Pouch or Soft-Sided Pencil Box * Scissors * Glue Sticks * Expo Dry Erase Markers * Kleenex MCALLISTER ELEMENTARY Pre-K Your child’s teacher will provide a detailed list of supplies.
Kindergarten * Primary Journal (2) * Pencil Box (1) * Sharpened Ticonderoga Pencils 12 ct (2) * Blunt Tip Scissors (1) * 2 Boxes of Crayola Crayons (24 ct) * Jumbo Elmer’s Glue Sticks (8 ct) * Thin Colored Markers (8 ct) * Colored Pencils (12 ct) * Pink Bar Eraser (2) * Low Odor Dry Erase, Fine Point, Black (4) * Clip Board (1) * Headphones (1 pair) – No Earbuds * Kleenex Facial Tissue Medium Box (1) * Hand Sanitizer (1) * Baby Wipes (1) * Disinfecting Wipes (1) * Snack Size Bags (Girls) * Gallon Size Bags (Boys) 1st Grade * Full page primary ruled journal (2) * Composition Notebook (1) * Classic Blunt Tip Kids Scissors * Ticonderoga Pencils 12ct (2) * Crayola Crayons 24ct (2) * Crayola Markers 10ct * Low Odor Dry Erase, Fine Point, Black (4) * Jumbo Elmer’s Glue Stick (8) * Zippered Pencil Pouch (1) * Pink Bar Eraser (2) * Headphones (1 pair) * Facial Tissue Medium Box (1) 2nd Grade * Composition Book (Wide Rule) (4) * Sharpened Ticonderoga Pencils 12 ct (2) * Crayola Crayons 24ct (2) * Elmer’s Glue Stick- Jumbo (8) * Notebook Pencil Pouch (1) * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker Chisel Tip * Assorted 4ct (BK, BL,RD,GN) * 1” Durable 3-Ring View Binder White (1) * Filler Paper Wide Rule Large Package (2) * Blunt Tip Scissors (1) * Pink Bar Eraser (4) * Headphones-not earbuds (1pair) * 2 Pocket “Yellow” Poly Folder (1) * Facial Tissue Medium Box (1) * Disinfecting Wipes (1) * Sandwich Size Ziploc Bags Girls * Gallon Size Ziploc Bags Boys * Hand Sanitizer- pump 3rd Grade * Composition Notebooks (wide rule) (5) * Sharpened Ticonderoga Pencils 12ct (2) * Crayola Crayons 24ct (2) * Elmer’s Glue Sticks (12) * Pencil Box (1) * Expo Dry Erase Markers (4) * Filler Paper Wide Rule Large Package (1) * Blunt Tip Scissors (1) * Headphones (1 pair) * 2 Pocket Poly folder with prongs (1) * Multi color highlighters (8) * Pink Bar Erasers (4) * Hand Sanitizer * Disinfecting Wipes (1) * Facial Tissue Medium Box (1) * Ziploc Bags any size (1) 4th Grade * Composition Notebooks (7) * Ticonderoga pencils-12 ct (2) * Eraser caps (2 packs) * Elmer’s Glue Sticks (12) * Notebook pencil pouch (1) * Expo low odor chisel tip (assorted 8ct) * Filler paper wide rule-large package (1) * Highlighters (2) * Fiskar scissors-pointed (1) * Headphones (1) * 2 Pocket Poly Folders with prongs (4- red, yellow, blue.
Green) * Disinfecting wipes (2) * Kleenex Facial Tissue medium box (2) * Box of Ziploc Sandwich- boys only * Box of Ziploc Gallon -girls only 5th Grade * 5 composition notebooks * 3 subject notebook * Pencils * Crayons * Pencil pouch * Glue sticks * Expo markers (skinny) * Headphones * Scissors * 2 boxes Tissues * 2 Disinfecting wipes * 2 Hand sanitizer * 2 pocket poly folder * Pink Brick Erasers * Post-Its * Highlighters FRANCES MEEKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST Pre-K Your child’s teacher will provide a detailed list of supplies.
Kindergarten * primary journals (2) * pencil box (1) * 3 prong plastic folder with pockets (2) * Ticonderoga pre sharpened pencils 12 ct (2) * blunt tip scissors (1) * Crayola crayons 24 ct (2) * Elmer’s glue stick (10) * pink bar erasers (2) * 8 ct colored markers (1) * 12 ct colored pencils (1) * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THIN Chisel Tip Assorted 4ct (BK,BL,RD,GN) * over the ear headphones (1pair) * clip board (1) * Kleenex Facial Tissue Box (1) * hand sanitizer (1) * baby wipes (1) * disinfecting wipes (1) * sandwich size zipper bags * gallon size zipper bags * *Extra change of clothes for bookbags 1st Grade * primary journal (2) * regular journal (1) * 1 half inch plastic binder * zippered pencil pouch for notebook (1) * Ticonderoga pre sharpened pencils 12 ct (2) * blunt tip scissors (1) * Crayola crayons 24 ct (2) * Elmer’s glue sticks (10) * pink bar erasers (2)
* 8 ct colored markers (1) * Clip Board (1) * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THIN Chisel Tip Assorted 4ct (BK,BL,RD,GN) * clip board (1) * over the ear headphones (1pair) * hand sanitizer (1) * disinfecting wipes (1)
* 1 labeled change of clothes (to stay in backpack) Optional Items: Bright colored copy paper, index cards, Ziploc bags, paper plates, brown or white lunch sized bags, small erasers, paper towels, multicolored post-it notes, stickers, Lysol spray
2nd Grade * zippered pencil pouch for notebook (1) * yellow 2 pocket folder (1) * primary journal (2) * wide ruled composition books (2) * Ticonderoga pre sharpened pencils 12 ct (2) * blunt tip scissors (1) * Crayola crayons 24 ct (2) * Elmer’s glue stick (10) * pink bar erasers (4) * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THIN Chisel Tip Assorted 4ct (black) * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THICK Chisel Tip Assorted 4ct (black) * over the ear headphones
(1pair) * Kleenex Facial Tissue Box (1) * hand sanitizer (1) * disinfecting wipes (1) * sandwich size zipper bags * gallon size zipper bags Optional Items: Astrobrights copy paper, index cards, paper plates, brown or white lunch sized bags, small erasers, paper towels, multicolored post-it notes, stickers, Lysol spray
3rd Grade * zippered pencil pouch for notebook (1) * wide ruled composition books (4) * wide ruled loose leaf paper (1)
* 2 pocket folders (3) * Ticonderoga pre sharpened pencils 12 ct (2) * highlighters (2) * blunt tip scissors (1) * Crayola crayons 24 ct (2)
* 8 ct colored markers (1) * Elmer’s glue sticks (10) * pink bar eraser (4) * pencil top erasers * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THIN Chisel Tip Assorted 4ct (BK,BL,RD,GN) * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THICK Chisel Tip Assorted 4 ct (BK,BL,RD,GN) * over the ear headphones
(1pair) * Kleenex Facial Tissue Box (1) * hand sanitizer (1) * disinfecting wipes (1)
4th Grade * zippered pencil pouch for notebook (1)
* 1” 3 ring binder (1)
* 5 pack binder dividers * wide ruled composition books (4) * wide ruled loose leaf paper (1)
* 2 pocket folders (2) * Ticonderoga pre sharpened pencils 12 ct (2) * pencil top erasers * blunt tip scissors (1) * Crayola crayons 24 ct (2) * Elmer’s glue sticks (10)
* 12 ct colored pencils (1) * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THIN Chisel Tip Assorted 8 ct (Black) * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THICK Chisel Tip Assorted 8 ct (Black) * over the ear headphones
(1pair) * Kleenex Facial Tissue Box (1) * hand sanitizer (1) * disinfecting wipes (1)
5th Grade * zippered pencil pouch for notebook (1) * wide ruled composition books (6) * wide ruled loose leaf paper (2)
* 2 pocket folders (5 - no prongs) * highlighters (4)
* 12 ct colored pencils (1) * Elmer’s glue sticks (4) * Ticonderoga pre-sharpened pencils 12 ct (2) * pencil top erasers * blunt tip scissors (1) * Crayola crayons 24 ct (2) * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THIN Chisel Tip Assorted 4 ct * Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker THICK Chisel Tip Assorted 4 ct * over the ear headphones
(1pair) * Kleenex Facial Tissue Box (1) * hand sanitizer (1) * disinfecting wipes (1)
* 3x3 sticky notes (1) * index cards (2) BRYAN COUNTY ELEMENTARY Pre-K
* 1 can of Play Dough
* 1 pack of 8 count Crayola crayons
* 1 pack of 10 count Crayola classic washable markers
* 2 large glue sticks
* 1 large bottle of hand sanitizer
* 1 can of Lysol Spray
* 1 container of Clorox Wipes
* 1 bookbag Kindergarten
* 2 boxes Ticonderoga #2 pencils
* 2 boxes of 16 count Crayola crayons
* 1 box of colored pencils
* 1 box of washable Crayola markers
* 1 Pencil box and 1 zipper pouch
* 1 pair of Blunt-ended scissors
* 3 large glue sticks
* 2 pink bar erasers
* 1 pack of black Dry Erase Expo markers
* 1 set of Headphones (no earbuds please)
* 1 Book bag * 1 Large bottle of hand sanitizer
* 1 container of Clorox Wipes
* 2 containers of baby wipes
* 2 boxes of Tissues
1st Grade
* 1 box Ticonderoga #2 pencils
* 1 Pencil box
* 1 set of Headphones (no earbuds please)
* 1 Book bag
* 2 Composition books
* 2 large glue sticks
* 1 bottle of glue
* 1 pair of Blunt-ended scissors
* 2 boxes of 16 count Crayola crayons
* 2 Big pink erasers
* 1 pack of black Dry Erase Expo markers
* 1 Large bottle of hand sanitizer
* 1 container of Clorox Wipes
* 1 box of Tissues
2nd Grade
* 1 Box of #2 pencils (Plain)
* 1 pack of copy paper
* 1 packet of wide ruled notebook paper
* 2 Clorox Wipes
* 2 Bottles of hand sanitizer
* 2 glue sticks
* 4 pack of Expo markers
* 2 bar erasers
* 24 pack of Crayola crayons
* 1 pair earbuds in Ziploc baggie labeled with name
* 2 black and white composition books
3rd Grade
* 1 Box Ticonderoga #2 pencils
* 1 pack of copy paper
* 2 boxes of tissue
* 2 Clorox Containers Wipes
* 2 Bottles of hand sanitizer
* 2 glue sticks
* 4 pack of Expo markers
* 3 black and white composition books * zip lock bags Quarts size (boys) * zip lock bags Gallon size (girls)
* 1 packet of wide ruled notebook paper
* 2 bar erasers
* 1 pair earbuds/headphones in Ziploc baggie labeled with name
* 24 pack of Crayola crayons * 3 - 2 pocket folders without prongs * Pencil box
4th Grade
* 1 Box of #2 pencils (Plain)
* 1 pack of copy paper
* 2 packs of wide ruled notebook paper
* 2 boxes of tissue
* 2 Clorox Wipes
* 2 Bottles of hand sanitizer
* 1 pair earbuds in Ziploc baggie labeled with name
* 3 3-prong folders (yellow, red, blue)
* 2 composition notebooks
* 1 24-pack of crayons
* 1 pencil case
* 1 pack dry erase Expo markers – 4 pack
5th Grade
* 1 Box of #2 pencils (Plain)
* 1 pack of copy paper
* 2 boxes of tissue
* 2 Clorox Wipes
* 2 Bottles of hand sanitizer
* 2 glue sticks
* 1 pair earbuds in Ziploc baggie labeled with name
* 2 packs loose leaf notebook paper
* 5 3-prong folders with pockets
* 3 Composition Notebooks
* 1 pack of dry erase expo markers
* 1 box Ziploc baggie (pick one: sandwich, gallon)
* 1 Pencil Pouch * Safety scissors BRYAN COUNTY MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL
6th Grade:
Required Items: * Composition Notebook (3)
* 3 Subject Spiral Bound Notebook (1) * Colored Pencils * Pack of Highlighters (3 +) * Pack of Glue Sticks( 3+) * Packs of Pencils (3+) Suggested items: * Wireless mouse * Earbuds * TI-108 Calculatoror other basic calculator * Scissors
7th Grade
Required Items: * (3) Composition Notebooks * (1) 1 in. 3-prong Binder with pockets * Pack of page dividers * Lined notebook paper * Glue sticks * Colored pencils/crayons * Pencils * Highlighters (multicolored) * Erasers Suggested items: * Earbuds/Headphones * Pencil/supply pouch * wireless mouse * Dry erase markers * Scissors * Scotch tape * TI -30 Xa calculator 8th Grade Required Items: * (1) Composition Notebooks Math * (3) 3-prong folder with pockets-ELA/Math/SS * Lined notebook paper * Glue sticks * Colored pencils/crayons * Scissors * Ruler * Pencils/pens (blue or black) * Highlighters (multicolored) * Dry erase markers Suggested items: * Earbuds/Headphones * Pencil/supply pouch * Wireless mouse * Markers * Mini stapler * Scotch tape * Hand-held pencil sharpener * Calculator Connections * Required Items: * Earbuds/Headphones– Business/Technology/ PLTW * Pens/pencils-All * Notebook-Business/ Ravenous Readers * Paper-All * Gym bag-PE/Health * Tennis Shoes-PE/Health * Hand Sanitizer-PE/ Health/ Art * Deodorant-PE/Health * Engineering Notebook-PLTW * Pink Erasers-PLTW *
Whiteout-PLTW * Ruler-Art/PLTW * White Poster Board-Art * Markers-Art * Colored pencils-Art/ Ravenous Readers * Hand sanitizer or baby wipes-Art * Kleenex-Art * Markers-Ravenous Readers 9th-12th Grades: Required Items: * 3-Ring Binders * Dividers * Lined Notebook Paper * Graph Paper * Packs of #2 Penciils (3-) * Pack of Grue Sticks (3+) * Pack of Colored P.encils * Pack of Ink Pens * Pack of Markers * Pack of Dry Erase Markers * Pack of Highlighters * Lined Index Cards (3X5)