By PAULA EARLS
Democrat Staff
Smiles and excitement filled the air at High Point R-III school as classes began Thursday, Aug. 15, with Stan Elliott as the new administrator. Elliott welcomed students as they arrived with a huge smile. High Point has an enrollment of 75 students for the 2013-14 school year.
Upon arriving students went to their classrooms to drop off personal items, recieved a friendly good morning and smiles from their teachers and proceeded to the gym where they sat by grades and talked with friends about summer adventures. Many parents and grandparents accompanied students for the first day, however, some arrived by busses driven by Phil Wyrick and Kerry Eidson. Parents were eagerly welcomed with a smile from secretary Susan Little who assisted them with lunch funds or answered questions.
When breakfast was ready to be served the students went to the cafeteria where cook Amanda Barbour had prepared a wonderful first day of school breakfast to include french toast sticks, syrup, apricots and milk. Students enjoyed breakfast while visiting with classmates.
After breakfast the students attended the first assembly of the year in the school gym. Elliott welcomed all the students and staff to High Point. He shared with them, "rules are the same as the past years." He went on to ask each student and staff member to help him enforce them. He said many students were concerned about the dress code for school, so instead of telling them what they could wear he used first and second grade teacher Cathy Kliethermes, third and fourth grade teacher Galen O'Donnell and PE instructor Josh Wiltfong to illustrate inappropriate dress and use of cell phones and head phones. The students enjoyed the illustrations. Students were dismissed to classes to begin the 2013-2014 year.
High Point's teachers and staff for the year include the new faces of Stan Elliott, Administrator; fifth and sixth grade teacher, Debbie Hartman; seventh and eighth grade teacher, Bruce Gibson; music and art teacher, Sonda Brown; and Janet Looten, library.
Returning teachers are kindergarten - Anita McDonald; first and second grade - Cathy Kliethermes; third and fourth grade - Galen O'Donnell; P.E. and Computers - Josh Wiltfong; Speech - Jennifer Nicklas; Title one - Carolyn Hughes; Special Education - Kelly Brennan; secretary - Susan Little; custodian - Joe Koskie; cook - Amanda Barbour; bus drivers - Phil Wyrick and Kerry Eidson.