Summer Vacation is over.  A week from today, students across Winn Parish will be back in school (for a half day).  On Thursday, August 8, they will be back in their classrooms for a full day.  Through the month of August, students will be in school five days a week.  Beginning September 3 following the Labor Day weekend, classes will resume their four-day schedules.

Even though students still have another week to wrap up their summer activities, educators here are already back in class, getting their programs in line before the August 7 start date.  “Why?” the Journal asked.  “I can tell you exactly why,” replied Instructional Supervisor Amanda Taylor.  “We do all of this so we can best meet the needs of the children in Winn Parish.  All of our programs are for the children…it’s not about the adults.”

“All of this” started on August 26 when a training session was held for cafeteria managers and staff.  There was also in-service training for bus drivers and anyone else like coaches who will be driving buses.  Then daily sessions began July 29 with Administrative sessions for superintendent, supervisors and principals.  Financial sessions were also held for principals, secretaries and auditors.  July 30 followed with an orientation session for new teachers.

Upcoming, July 31 will see sessions in numeracy training, an aspect compelled by the legislature for grades 4-8 educators.  Taylor explained that the legislature previously required literacy training for educators in grades K-3.  “In Winn, we train all our teachers to have this knowledge.  Reading skills are the foundation of literacy.  The same as numeracy skills are to math.”

Training continues August 1 when Special Services Director Candy Polk leads training of all teachers who address any of the special service areas including special education, resources, self-contained, gifted and like programs.  A new area known as “Bayou Bridges” for teachers K-8 will provide training in social studies on August 2.  Back to classes on Monday, August 5, training will be held in all subject areas.  Included will be CPR training for all paraprofessionals as well as all persons involved in athletics.

Then on Tuesday, August 6, the day before students arrive in force, educators will hold a dress rehearsal in the form of a Virtual Opening Day.  That day, educators will report to their assigned schools and by way of a Zoom call, will connect with a transmission from the School Board’s media center.  Finally, Opening Day is August 7.

It’s a longer, more detailed training program than Winn’s school system saw in years past.  “We want our training to be more specialized so our educators are prepared to offer the best for our students,” said Taylor.  “It’s not a shotgun approach.”