School starts on Monday, July 26, for Marion Schools, and the district has plenty of plans in the works to ensure a strong and smooth start to the new school year.
Back-to-school programming includes traditional open houses, as well as informal social functions and special events for incoming kindergartners.
“Most school districts have open houses, but we want to go the extra mile,” said Superintendent Glen Fenter. “We want our students to be able to hit the ground running. We want to make sure they have every resource they need to be successful. These events will help kids get back in a learning mindset following the summer break, so everybody has a smooth transition.”
Each of the district’s magnet schools will have kindergarten kickoff events, with each event tied to the school’s theme. These events will give kindergartners – and their parents – a chance to visit schools, meet teachers, and explore classrooms.
There will also be informal social events at each magnet school, each featuring a variety of activities. Families can meet with teachers and friends in a relaxed setting. At Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet, families will enjoy watermelon on the school’s front lawn. At Marion Visual & Performing Arts Magnet, students can get free haircuts and styles or enter a 3-on-3 basketball tournament during the school’s “Fresh Start” event. And at Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet, anyone attending can use chalk to write encouraging messages on sidewalks that students will see when they arrive on the first day.
The full back-to-school schedule, by school, is as follows:
Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet
- Kindergarten Kickoff – Sunday, July 18, 3 p.m.
- Watermelon Social -- Sunday, July 18, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Open House – Thursday, July 22, 5-7 p.m.
Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet
- Planet Kindergarten – Thursday, July 15, 10-11 a.m., 5-6 p.m.
- Open House – Thursday, July 22, 5-7 p.m.
- Chalk the Walk – Sunday, July 25, 5-5:30 p.m.
Marion Visual & Performing Arts Magnet
- Kindergarten Casting Call – Sunday, July 18, 3 p.m.
- Fresh Start – Saturday, July 24, 10 a.m.-noon
- Open House – Thursday, July 22, 5-7 p.m.
Marion Junior High School
- Open House – Tuesday, July 20, 5-7 p.m. (seventh-graders), 5:30-7:30 p.m. (eighth- and ninth-graders)
Marion High School
- Open House – Monday, July 19, 5-7 p.m.
Additional details for each event can be found on each school’s Facebook page.