School open houses are welcoming Wilkes County students and their parents back this week prior to Friday's start of the school year.

"We would like to welcome our students, parents, and the entire Washington-Wilkes community to the 2008-2009 school year," Superintendent Joyce Williams said. "We have worked throughout the summer in preparation for this school year, and we look forward to another successful year."

At the open houses, which run from Tuesday to Thursday, students and parents are visiting their new classrooms, meeting their teachers, getting supply lists, and hearing details on dress codes and school rules. "We strongly encourage parents to get involved and stay involved with their children and all school activities," Williams said.

Parents who have not already registered their children for school are encouraged to do so before Friday so there will be no delays and interruptions on the first day of school.

Washington-Wilkes Primary School, with 510 students at opening, is holding open house Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Washington-Wilkes Elementary, which is welcoming 350 students, will hold its open house Thursday from 1-3 p.m. Pre-K and W-WES parents and students will have a more in-depth open house on Tuesday, August 19, at 6:30 p.m. for Pre-K and 7 p.m. for elementary students.

The middle school, with 410 students, is also planning open house for Thursday from 2-4 p.m.

Juniors and seniors at Washington- Wilkes Comprehensive High School attended their open house Tuesday, while incoming sophomores and freshmen will attend their open house Thursday from 1-3 p.m.

The school system has several new staff members as well as promotions and reassignments of veteran staff members, Williams said. "As a result of promotions, primary school parents will be greeted on Friday by Florence Sandifer, principal, and Janet Pharr, assistant principal."

The school's former principal, Dr. Rosemary Caddell, has been promoted to Director of Curricu- lum and Instruction, overseeing the instructional and testing programs for the entire school system.

At Washington-Wilkes Elementary School, Angela McGill will serve a dual role as half-time classroom teacher and half-time instructional lead teacher. "As Instructional Lead Teacher," Williams said, "she will assist the principal in the development and implementation of the curriculum and curriculum materials."

Williams predicted another good school year this year. "Last school year was a very successful academic year in the Wilkes County school system. This year 100 percent of our schools made AYP for the fourth consecutive year. We are among only 12 school systems in the entire state where 100 percent of the schools have made AYP for four or more consecutive years."

The school system has gained several new families, Williams said, which is encouraging. "To these families I would like to express how happy we are that you chose our school system and our community as your new home. We would like to assure you that we are very serious about the education of our students," she said. "Your children will be attending schools that have set high academic standards for all students, and the faculty and staff will give students the guidance and support they need to achieve the standards set for them."

With a new $22 million school complex under construction, this is the last year the middle and high schools will use their present location. The move to the Tignall Road site will take place over the summer 2009. A meeting of the Wilkes County Board of Education Monday night will decide where next year's sixth-graders will go to school.