August 20 will be the first official day of the 2009-2010 school year for all K-12 students in Chesterfield County in all four attendance areas. In addition, many of the district's 16 schools will be having "Meet Your Teacher" days prior to the first day of school.

CHERAW AREA SCHOOLS

Cheraw Primary - The regular school day will run from 7:50 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. Car riders will be dropped off on High Street. The parking area at the main entrance is not a drop off area for students. Bus students will arrive on Christian Street. Students will report to their classrooms upon arrival. Breakfast, which is free to all students, will be served in the classrooms. CDEPP (Child Development Education Pilot Program) Orientation will be Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Cheraw Primary School "Meet Your Teacher" day will be Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. On that day parents may pay fees, buy lunch tickets, as well as pick up school forms and information packets.

Cheraw Intermediate - Drop off for car riders is in front of the school and begins daily at 7: 20 a.m. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. with classes beginning at 8 a.m. Students are considered tardy at 8:05 a.m. Dismissal from school is 2:50 p.m. daily. Cheraw Intermediate School will have an orientation session for students on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 6:00 pm. During the orientation, the students and parents will meet with their teachers to share routines and expectations, disseminate information, and collect fees.

Long Middle – Parents, families, and community members are invited to our "First Day Celebration" at 8:00 A.M. Parents are encouraged to bring their children on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 20. Students should arrive no earlier than 7:15 A.M. and school will take in at 7:45 A.M. Car riders should be dropped off at the front of the building on Greene Street. Sixth graders should report to the cafeteria, seventh graders should report to the gym, and eighth graders should report to the patio by the bus drop off area. "Jump Start" for sixth graders is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4 from 9:00 - 2:00 P.M. Seventh and eighth grade students may pick up schedules and pay fees on Thursday, August 6 from 11:00 - 1:00 P.M. in the media center. All students may meet their teachers on Wednesday, August 19 from noon until 2:00 P.M. During this time, students may also pick schedules and pay fees.

Cheraw High - The regular school day will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 2:50 p.m. daily. Open House will be Monday, Aug. 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Schedule pick up and fee paying for 11th and 12th graders is Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Ninth graders will do the same during Freshman Orientation, which will be held from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18 in the commons area. Tenth graders will pick up their schedules and pay fees on Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fees are as following: instructional - $35; locker - $3; parking - $5; lunch - $1.75 ($.40 for reduced).

CHESTERFIELD AREA SCHOOLS

Ruby Elementary - Open House will be held Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. On the first day of school students will report to their homerooms. The regular school day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2:43 p.m. To help traffic flow and provide a safer delivery and pick up of students, Thurman Avenue in front of the school will be one way on school days from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. All traffic will flow from west to east during these hours.

Edwards Elementary - The regular school day will begin at 8 a.m. daily and end at 2:50 p.m. Drop-off for car riders begins at 7:20 a.m. and car rider pick-up is from 2:45 - 3:00 p.m. each day. Car rider drop-off and pick-up will be at the back of the building. Students entering the front of the building MUST be escorted by an adult. Students will report to their homerooms on the first day of school. Universal free breakfast will be available for all students at 7:40 a.m. each morning. "Meet your Teacher" will be Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Chesterfield-Ruby Middle – The activities for the 2009-2010 school year will begin Aug. 11 with our 6th Grade “MOVIN’ TO THE MIDDLE!” from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. All 6th grade students and their family are encouraged to attend. Seventh and Eighth grade students and parents are invited to attend the annual Open House on Aug. 18 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. In addition, the annual Family Fun Night will be held Aug. 27, beginning at 5 p.m.; the entire community is invited to attend. On the first day of school, students should arrive no earlier than 7:15 a.m. and school will take in at 7:40 a.m. Car riders should be dropped off in the front of the school. Universal free breakfast will be available for all students.

Chesterfield High - On the first day of school students will report to the gym at 8 a.m. Students and their parents can report to the school on Aug. 17 to pay fees during Open House, which will be held at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

MCBEE-PLAINVIEW AREA SCHOOLS

Plainview Elementary - Open House will be held on Aug. 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Daily, students will not be allowed into their classrooms until 7:40 a.m. The homeroom bell rings at 7:55 a.m. and instruction begins at 8:00 a.m. Dismissal begins at 2:50 p.m. Parents are asked to keep all morning traffic in the drop-off line to one lane. In addition, parents/guardians who pick up their children or others in the afternoon are asked to come through the car line (double line). The school will not release children to those cars that park on the grass until the car line/road is clear or until someone comes to the teacher on duty and requests their child.

McBee Elementary - Daily drop off for students is from 7:30 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. and dismissal is at 3:00 p.m. Open House will be held Monday, August 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. You may pay student fees and prior obligations at that time. At that time, parents will also find out who their child's teacher(s) is.

McBee High - Registration will be August 17, 18, and 19 at McBee High School by grade assignment (see below). You may pay student fees and prior obligations at this time. The district has established one instructional fee for registration for students in grades 9-12 ($35.00), and another for grades 7-8 ($10.00). There are additional optional fees for lockers ($3.00) and parking permits ($5.00) that may be paid at this time, as well. The times for registration are as follows:

Monday, August 17

8:45 - 10:15 (12th grade)

10:30 - 12:00 (11th grade)

1:15 - 2:45 (10th grade)

Tuesday, August 18

8:45 - 10:15 (9th grade)

10:30 - 12:00 (8th grade)

1:15 - 2:45 (7th grade)

Wednesday, August 19

1:15 - 2:45 (Make-up for all grades)

No classroom visitations will be allowed during the registration times. Open House will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 6:00 -7:30.

PAGELAND AREA SCHOOLS

Jefferson Elementary - Car riders can be dropped off at 7:30 a.m. and classes begin at 8:15 a.m. Students are tardy if they arrive after 8:15. Car riders will be dropped off at the front entrance under the covered area. The parking area at the main entrance is not a drop off area for students. Bus students will arrive in the parking lot beside the cafeteria. The regular school day will run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Kindergarten “meet the teacher” times will be held by appointment. Kindergarten teachers will get in touch with parents to schedule a time. Open House is scheduled for Aug. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. On that day, parents may pay fees, buy lunch tickets, as well as pick up school forms and information packets.

Petersburg Primary - The regular school day will run from 8:00 - 2:30. Students are tardy after 8:00 a.m. Car and bus riders can be dropped off beginning at 7:15 a.m. Universal free breakfast will be available for all students in their classroom from 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. Open House will be Wednesday, August 19 from noon - 3:00 p.m.

Pageland Elementary - The school day for students begins at 7:30 a.m. Students arriving late must be signed in at the main office by a parent. Breakfast is free for all students and it will be served in the classroom at 7:30 a.m. Car riders and walkers may enter the building after 7:20 a.m. Car riders should be dropped off and picked up at the back of the building. Use the entrance beside the Pageland Gym. Walkers may enter the building through the main entrance at the front of the building.

Car riders and walkers will be dismissed at 2:25 p.m. and must be picked up by 2:45 p.m. If they cannot be picked up on time daily, please arrange bus transportation as their daily routine. Also, please avoid signing your child out between 2:00 and 2:25 p.m. Open House will be Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 12:00 until 3:00 p.m.

Here is the DRESS CODE for Pageland Elementary:

- Students may wear khaki pants, shorts, skirts, jumpers, skorts, or capri pants made from cotton twill fabric. Denim material is not allowed.

- Pants, shorts, skirts, jumpers, skorts, and capris must be solid colors with no stripes.

- Pants and shorts must not have multiple pockets down the leg (i.e. cargo shorts/pants).

- Items that have belt loops must be accompanied by a belt at ALL times.

- Belts must be plain black, navy blue, khaki or brown. Belt buckles must be no larger than a standard business card. Belts cannot be oversized in length. 100% of the belt must be inside of the belt loops.

- All clothing must fit appropriately with pants, shorts, capri’s and skorts worn at the natural waist line. Pant cuffs must not touch the floor. Inseams must not sag. No sagging pants, shorts, or capri’s are allowed.

- Shirts must be navy blue in a polo style (collars and sleeves), sweatshirt, or turtleneck. Female students may wear rounded or v-neck style tops with sleeves.

- All shirts must be tucked in at ALL times.

- Shirts/tops cannot have visible labels (i.e. Nike, Hilfiger, Polo, etc.) They must be plain navy blue.

- T-shirts are not allowed, but may be worn as an undergarment. T-shirts must be solid white in color.

- No hats, bandanas, or sunglasses may be worn on school property.

- No flip-flop/shower shoes may be worn. Shoes must be worn as the manufacturer intended. Socks must be plain white, navy blue, black, or brown.

- Students may wear coats and jackets of their choice. They will be removed upon entering the classroom and stored in the appropriate area. Exceptions will be made during extremely cold conditions. Students can wear the coats/jackets during recess or other outside activities.

- All hoodies, sweaters, and sweatshirts MUST be plain navy blue.

- Apparel (navy blue or light blue t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts) with the school logo can be worn as long as it meets the dress requirements.

New Heights Middle - Orientation for 6th graders will be on August 10&11 from 6PM-9PM. Students who have Ms Bagley, Mr. Carter, Ms. N. Hall, and Mrs. Hatcher will report on August 10. Students who have Mr. Gardner, Ms. Gusler, Mrs. Isaacs, and Ms. Lipsey will report on August 11. The sessions will last approximately 3 hours and will include a meal to be served at approximately 8:30. Teachers and administration will go over all expectations at this time and go through a simulated day. Orientation for 7th and 8th graders will be held on August 13th. There will be 2 sessions on that day at 10 AM and 6 PM. These sessions will last for approximately 2 hours. It will only be necessary to attend one of these sessions. 7th graders will meet in the gym and 8th graders will meet in the cafeteria. Breakout sessions will follow in the respective halls. Teachers and administration will be on hand to go over expectations.

Schedules and supply lists have been mailed but can be picked up at orientation as well.

Football practice begins at 10 AM on August 10th on the field in back of the school.

The tardy bell will ring at 8:10 and the bell to dismiss will be at 3:15.

The uniform dress code will be in place for the third year and will be enforced from day one. Parents who have needs in this area should contact the school.

Fees include a $10.00 instructional fee and $10 for participation in Band or Chorus.

Central High - Registration for students new to the attendance area will be on Aug. 5 and 6 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Registration for seniors will be on Aug. 10 and 11 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Freshman Orientation will be on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Freshmen may pay fees on that day from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Fee Night for all Central High School students except freshmen will be on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A $35.00 instructional fee is required of all students. Students who pay all required fees may receive schedules and may purchase parking permits for $5.00 and lockers for $2.00. In addition, students may purchase an annual for full price or reserve one with a deposit of $20.00. All students should arrive at school daily by 8:20 a.m., and first period will begin at 8:25 a.m. Dismissal for Central High is 3:20 p.m. daily.