Ever wonder what a typical school day is like these days? The Madison-Plains Local School District is offering the community a chance to find out.
The district has designated Sept. 22-26 as Community Building Visitation Week. Residents, whether or not they are parents of children in the schools, are invited to visit the high school, middle school, or any of the three elementaries during school hours.
"We’re just trying to do everything we can to get the total community involved with the schools," said Superintendent Bernie Hall.
Individuals who want to visit a school are asked to call the respective building principal or secretary ahead of time. They also can make arrangements to eat lunch while they’re there.
The contact information and details for each school is as follows:
• Midway Elementary-13880 Main St., Sedalia, 740-874-3310. The school day runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. The school will send a visitation form home with students. Others who want to stop by are asked to call ahead.
"We really try to keep it as a normal school day. That way, people can see how the kids go through their day, how the Smart boards work, what the routine is," said building secretary Shelly Kreager about how Midway approaches Building Visitation Week, which debuted in the district last year.
Midway’s teacher-leader is Madeline Holt.
• Mount Sterling Elementary-94 W. Main St., Mount Sterling, 740-869-2107. The school day runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.
"We had quite a few parents sign up for it last year," said building secretary Shelly Kimbler. "We do ask that they call in for an appointment and let us know if they want to each lunch."
Mount Sterling’s principal is Lori Carnevale.
• Madison Rural Elementary-375 Old Xenia Rd., London, 740-852-2806. The school day runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Madison Rural’s principal is Linda Nier.
• Madison-Plains Middle School-9940 State Rte. 38 SW, London, 740-852-1707. The school day runs from 7:48 a.m. to 3:13 p.m.
Each morning during Visitation Week, Principal Jeffrey Beane will welcome visitors at 8:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. He will briefly talk about what’s going on at the middle school this year.
"Everyone who comes will get a visitor’s pass and schedules so that they can follow their kids all day," Beane said.
Visitors can come any time of day; they do not need to be present for the morning welcome and do not need to stay all day.
Cookies, juice and coffee will be served throughout school hours in the cafeteria.
• Madison-Plains High School-800 Linson Rd. SW, London, 740-852-0364. The school day runs from 7:45 a.m. to 3:11 p.m.
"We just ask that people call ahead to make arrangements if they want to spend the day or part of the day. That’s mainly for classroom purposes to make sure we have enough seats," said Principal Chris Clark.
"Anytime we can let people see what goes on here, I think that’s a plus."
The community will have a second chance to visit the schools in the spring, when another Visitation Week will take place March 16-20.
