The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Schedule changes, packing lunches, and the end of summer is what is in store for students and parents as the start of school quickly approaches on August 26.

For some local schools, the summer break was a chance to make some necessary changes for the 2013-14 school year.

The Bridge City school district has been busy with projects of their own during the summer months.

At Bridge City Intermediate, Bridge City Middle School and the High School campuses, they have been busy renovating the entrances and remodeling of the office areas. None of the renovations will affect classrooms.

Mike King, BCISD superintendant, said the construction projects should be wrapped up by October.

“We plan to start the school year as normal as possible,” he said.

The renovations will make the schools safer by adding doors at entrances which will be locked during school hours. Anyone wanting to enter the school must first be cleared with the attendant before they are “buzzed” further into the school building.

“This is the result of meetings held by the administration, the school board and the facilities committee which is made up of parents and community members,” King said. “The facility committee will continue to look at the facilities for future growth.”

Another change students and parents can expect to see is the upgraded technology changes in the infrastructure in the junior and high school levels. In preparation for the Bring Your Own Device initiative that will take place in grades 8th through 12th grades, school officials will seize the opportunity to use and harness the fact that the majority of the students have access to smart phones. However, students will not be required to have these type of devices. Plans are in place to help those without access to smart devices, King said.

Recently teachers and administrators were each given an iPad to be used as teaching tools.

“We are excited about teachers getting the iPads,” King said. “It’s imperative to use what we have for the opportunities and learning capabilities for the future of the students.”

Some students may see staff changes too. There has been six teachers added. In addition, a Spanish class had been added to the junior high school curriculum while Welding II has been added at the high school.

King added, he and his staff are looking forward to the start of the school year.

The school week will start on Monday, but football players, band members and the Stutters have been working hard to be ready for Friday night under the lights. The Bridge City Cardinals will host the Newton Eagles 7 p.m. Friday.