Back to school time once again

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    School bells will soon be ringing for students in southern Aroostook County as local children head back to the classrooms on Tuesday, Sept. 4. It marks the first time in generations that students from SAD 29 and SAD 70 will not have a potato harvest recess.
    Motorists are encouraged to use extra caution when driving Tuesday as students anxiously make their way back to school.
    The following is a listing of area schools starting and dismissal times for the 2012-13 year.
    SAD 29 — The bell first tolls at Wellington Elementary School in Monticello as classes begin at 7:50 a.m.; while at Houlton Southside School classes begin at 8 a.m.; Houlton High School starts at 8:10 a.m. and Houlton Elementary School commences at 8:15 a.m.
    Parents are reminded that this year, all students in SAD 29 will be released early on Tuesdays for Professional Learning Group (teacher training) workshops. Students at Wellington Elementary School will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m., while Houlton Southside School will be released at 1:44 p.m.; Houlton Elementary students at 1:45 p.m.; and Houlton Junior/Senior High School at 1:54 p.m.
    That early release will take place on the first day of school.
    Normal release times are 1:50 p.m. for Wellington; 2:20 p.m. for Houlton Southside and Elementary schools; and 2:25 p.m. for Houlton Junior/Senior High School.
    Superintendent Mike Hammer said an issue with fleas at Houlton Elementary School, which was reported earlier this summer, has been rectified and parents should not have any worries in sending their children to the school.
    Lunch prices have gone up this year as well. The full price of “hot lunch” is $2.10 for pre-kindergarten students, while those in grades 4-12 will pay $2.35. Adult meals are $3.50.
    SAD 70 — Classes at both Hodgdon High School and Hodgdon Mill Pond School begin at 8 a.m. Elementary school students are released at 2:20 p.m. for the day, while high school students are released at 2:25 p.m.
    New lunch prices have not been set by the SAD 70 school board for the 2012-13 school year.
    Southern Aroostook Community School — The first bell at SACS at 7:48 a.m. for the high school and middle school students, while elementary students begin at 7:45 a.m. High school and middle school students are dismissed for the day at 2:20 p.m., while elementary students are dismissed at 2:40 p.m.
    Lunch prices will be $1.80 for grades K-5; $1.90 for grades 6-8; and $2.05 for grades 9-12.
    Katahdin — Classes at the middle/high school begin at 7:55 a.m., with students released for the day at 2:20  p.m. At the elementary school, classes commence at 7:45 a.m. and end at 2:20 p.m. Lunch prices will be $1.80 for grades pre-K-5; $1.90 for grades 6-8; and $2.05 for grades 9-12.
    East Grand — Classes begin at 8 a.m. for students in grades K-12 in Danforth, with students released at 2:30 p.m. Lunch prices were not available by presstime.
    Greater Houlton Christian Academy — Classes begin at 8 a.m., with students dismissed for the day between 2:20-2:45 p.m. depending on grade level. The school does not serve hot lunch.