By Chris Wilson

Parents and students of Alachua County’s public schools have long had Monday, August 20, circled on their calendars as the date school is back in session. Since the last school bell sounded in May, local principals have been taking care of all of their staffing and other needs to prepare for the 2007-08 school year.

The Suburban Chronicle was able to sit down with a couple of principals from our area to get a feel for what lies ahead during the upcoming year. While some of the principals that we contacted were away on summer vacations, attending conferences out of town or simply not available, we will try to have news and other details from all of our area schools throughout the school year.

Lawton Chiles Elementary

Lawton Chiles Elementary (located at  2525 Schoolhouse Rd., 333-2825) will be bustling with 800-plus students on the first day of school.

Chiles principal Judy Black says the school’s theme for the upcoming year is “Rev-Up For a Great Year, Chiles Cheetahs.” Of course, Black herself is revved up to begin her first full year as Chiles’ principal, after taking over for retired principal Ann Mullally last January.

“I’m really looking forward to starting from scratch,” she says. “It’s a fabulous school. We have very dedicated parents and a wonderful PTA that is dedicated to the success of all of our children.”

Prior to arriving at Chiles, Black served as the director of Prairie View Academy.

Among the goals for the upcoming year, Black says she will push Chiles’ teachers and students to maintain the “A” grade that the school has earned for the past six years.

Black says Chiles students will have the chance to visit the school on Friday, August 17. The school also is hosting an open house for Kindergarten through second grade on Tuesday, September 4, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., and for third, fourth and fifth grades on Thursday, September 6, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Hidden Oak Elementary

The staff at Hidden Oak Elementary (located at  9205 NW 23rd Ave., 333-2801) has been preparing for the return of its students almost since the last day of school.

“Our custodial group has been busy getting the building ready,” says Hidden Oak principal Dr. Doris Richardson. “Our teachers have been coming in to get their classrooms set up, because they can’t wait. They’ll be ready for the new school year.”

Dr. Richardson says the Hidden Oak staff has met with county officials to discuss changes for the upcoming year and there also have been staff meetings to discuss goals, answer questions and present new ideas.

The theme at Hidden Oak this year will be “Leap Into The New Year,” in conjunction with the leap year in 2008.

The Hidden Oak students also were being given a chance to meet their teachers on Friday, August 17.

“I tell my staff to take a nice long weekend after that, so that they come in refreshed and ready to begin on Monday,” says Dr. Richardson. “We have a fantastic staff, who really care about the children.”

For Dr. Richardson, the start of the 2007-08 school year is the beginning of her 20th year at Hidden Oak. She has been the only principal walking the Hidden Oak halls since the school opened and she has been a principal for 40 years in Alachua County.

“We are blessed to be in a district that has teachers who care about their students,”?she explains. “Our folks work together with teamwork. Everybody is pulling for the good of the children. Our parents are wonderful, too, and help any way they can.”

Fort Clarke Middle School

Fort Clarke Middle School (located at  9301 NW 23rd Ave., 333-2800) also was being prepared for the arrival of its students.

Fort Clarke principal Donna Kidwell says the weeks preceding the 2007-08 school year were busy with new teacher orientations and leadership meetings to set the tone for the new year.

“We have a large group of newcomers to our staff this year,” says Kidwell, who is in her sixth year as Fort Clarke principal. “I like have new additions to the staff, because it gives me a chance to help them and have an impact upon their teaching. Getting to know new students and new faculty is exciting. Trying to jell as a team is always challenging and rewarding.”

Kidwell says her school’s mission this year is to go from good to great. The school has earned an “A” for the past six years. Last year, Fort Clarke and Kanapaha middle schools were the only secondary schools in Alachua County to earn an “A.”

“Our demographics are representative of the county,” Kidwell explains. “We’re not a magnet school and we don’t have any special programs to bring in more gifted students. We have a diverse student body that is a cross-section of Alachua County.”