Friday, July 13, 2001

School bells ring early this year

When school bells ring early in the Fulton County School System this year, school social workers want to make sure all school-aged children are there to hear them.

Fulton social workers Aug. 1 will activate "Project 1st Day," a campaign to encourage first day attendance in Fulton schools. As part of the four-day project, social workers post and distribute flyers at neighborhood businesses, parks, playgrounds, apartment complexes, and other gathering places. They also visit residential areas and phone parents of chronically absent students to remind them that school begins Aug. 13, a week earlier than last year.

"We started Project First Day to combat the 'wait-a-week' or 'wait-until-after-Labor-Day' attendance syndrome," said Diane Paxman, director of Fulton County School social workers.

"But this year, students who come to school after Labor Day will miss three weeks of instruction," she said. "We don't want any child starting out that far behind. Every student needs every opportunity to learn."

Paxman said Project 1st Day has the full support of Fulton parent leaders. This year, members of the North Fulton PTA Council and the Tri-Cities Cluster Advisory Committee join in the campaign effort, distributing flyers in Sandy Springs, Roswell, East Point, Hapeville, and College Park.

"Students need to be present from day one if they are to get the full benefit of the instructional program," Paxman said. "Learning begins the first day and we're working to ensure that our students fully participate in that learning experience."

For information phone Paxman at 404-763-6774, or the Information and Community Relations Department at 404-763-6830.

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