Avinger School spruces up for 2016-2017

By J. Leslie Riseden

Special contributor to

The Steel Country Bee

 Fresh paint, floor tiles and water fountains. Avinger School is buzzing with activity in order to be ready for the new school year, which starts Aug. 22.

Superintendent Jackie Smith presented a list of completed projects to the Avinger ISD Board at its regular meeting on July 18. “This year, we paid off the bus that we bought in 2014 and we’ve made improvements to make sure that our students are safe and that we are in compliance with federal and state safety guidelines,“ said Smith. Among the completed improvements are plumbing and electrical work, emergency equipment and emergency shower in the science lab; new safety locks for elementary classroom doors; refinishing of the gym floor; new signs and banners in the gym; and replacement of floor tiles in the gym, lobby, McDaniel foyer and the art room. “In addition, every summer, we take our school buses to Bowie County Transportation for a complete inspection. They handle bus maintenance for all the school districts in Bowie County. They do a thorough inspection on every bus, and then we repair or replace whatever is needed. All five buses are ready to go.”

“Our school supply list for each grade is on our web site, and supplies are available at Family Dollar in Avinger, as well as Wal- Mart in Longview,“ Smith added. “This year, the Avinger ISD Board has already contributed nearly 50 percent of the cost of school supplies, by purchasing some of the items that were on the lists and placing them in the classrooms. With these items removed from the list that students must provide, we have reduced the cost per student from about $75 to about $35. It is our hope that this will assist those families who have difficulty providing their children with the supplies they need to be successful in the classroom.”

Smith also confirmed additions and changes in personnel for the 2016-17 academic year: Terry Giddens, Principal; Dianne Guest, Spanish teacher; Amber Davis, Elementary Science; and Tim Davis, Boys’ Coach. In addition, Sara Loyd will now teach high school science, and Kayla Pitts, who joined the faculty midterm last year, will return to teach elementary math. “We are enthusiastic about the new year, and we are looking forward to the leadership of our new principal,“ said Smith. “Mr. Giddens has a lot of experience in CTE (Career and Technical Education) and this is one of several areas we would like to expand in the coming years.”

Avinger School will host a Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, August 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the McDaniel Building on the Avinger campus at 245 Connor. For more information, parents can call the school at (903) 562- 1355.