Pre-School

The development of the curriculum, design of instructional activities, and the use of assessment measures are focused on providing learning opportunities and feedback systems that enable students to achieve success.

The cornerstone of the Early Childhood program is the preschool initiative for four-year old children. Two classes are located in each of the three primary schools and give the children and their families a solid learning foundation designed to make them more school ready. When you visit the Pre-K classrooms, you will see the students learning through the exploration of the following school subjects: math science, music, art, dramatic play, social skills and motor skills. The preschool children get developmental screenings, as well as vision, hearing and medical wellness checks. Certified teachers use the High Scope (Research Based) Approach and highly qualified aides.

Along with the program, parents receive home visits and support for child rearing and parenting skills development. The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), quarterly Parent Connection Workshops and an on-site Family Center are also available at each of the three schools. The hours for the Pre-K Program are 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bus transportation is provided.

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Evening Learning Program

Beginning in fall 2003, the Opelika City School System and the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative will chart a new path to success for individuals who were not able to reach their potential in a traditional high school setting. The Evening Learning Program, an innovative educational opportunity for local residents to earn their high school diploma. It is the first of its kind in our community and will serve a need not currently met. Participants will be able to move into a world beyond high school with individual tutoring, small group seminars to build additional skills, and preparation for education beyond high school and/or the workforce. To apply for the Evening Learning Program, a person must19 years old or older. Contact Brenda Coleman at Opelika Learning Center at 300 Simmons St. or mail it to Brenda Coleman at P.O. Box 2469 , Opelika , AL 36803 .

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Child Nutrition Program

PARENTS: You have been bombarded with nutritional labels and with media reports of what you need to eat. Your life is hectic, and meals are often on the run. Opelika City School System's Child Nutrition Program strives to keep choices well balanced and nutrient packed so parents can feel less stress if dinner is a fast food choice. We do not fry in our schools to help our students learn to like more nutritious choices. In addition, the Surgeon General of the United States has issued a call to action to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity. Our Child Nutrition Program strives to offer meals that support this effort.

In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Parent Connection

The Opelika City School System knows what a tremendous job it is to raise a child, and we realize that they do not come with a handbook. Your child will face many opportunities and obstacles. In an effort to provide you with the information that you may need in order to help your student be successful; Opelika City Schools , local businesses, and the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative have collaborated to form the Parent Connection. This will be a night of refreshments, information, and connections that should help you and your student.

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CARES Extended Day Program

The Opelika City School System offers a CARES Extended Day School Program (Children’s Adventures in Recreation, Enrichment and Study) designed to provide a safe haven for children in need of supervision and instruction beyond normal school hours. Any child currently enrolled in an Opelika elementary school (Grades K-5) is eligible to enjoy the benefits of this excellent program. The Extended Day Program promotes a helpful connection between home and school, builds healthy adult/child relationships, promotes positive social interaction among children, and bridges the gap between the classroom and after school care. CARES offers school clubs, fine arts, recreation, tutorial and homework assistance, field trips, and other areas of student enrichment.

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Second Step: Violence Prevention Grades K-8

Second Step is a violence prevention curriculum that is designed to reduce impulsive and aggressive behavior in children and to increase their level of social competency. It does this by teaching pro-social skills in empathy impulse control and anger management, and conflict resolution.

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Project Alert Drug Prevention Grades 6-8

Project Alert is a drug prevention curriculum for middle school students. It dramatically reduces both the onset of substance abuse and regular use. The program has 14 lessons taught over a two year period. It focuses on the substances that adolescents are most likely to use. Project Alert uses participatory activities and videos to help motivate adolescents against drug use, teach adolescents the skills and strategies needed to resist pressure to use drugs, and establish non drug-using norms. The lessons are reinforced videos that model appropriate behavior.

Another important part of the program is parent and community education. Counselors will work with the schools to develop parent involvement in the prevention curricula and work with community agencies to develop a common language and unified message about drug and alcohol and violence prevention.

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MTV

With the recent rewarding of a federal grant called the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initative, we are finally able to begin offering a sixth grade after school program We are calling the program MTV, which stands for Making Time Valuable. MTV will have a schedule that allows some flexibility while at the same time, giving our 6th grade the transitional structure they need. Homework assistance, recreation, life skills, and community service projects will be among the many offerings. This program is offered to 6th grade students who are currently enrolled at Opelika Middle School

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Building Based Student Support Team 

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No Child Left Behind

2003-2004 

1.   Opelika City Schools met Participation and Proficient Adequate Yearly Progress as a system in both Reading
___and Math 

2.     Opelika City School System has no schools designated by the state in need of school improvement.

3.     All teachers in Opelika are certified for the position they teach and 83% of all teachers are highly qualified
_____based on the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 guidelines.

Opelika City Schools will submit an application for funds from Safe Schools and Communities Act - Title IV of the

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 on or before August 23, 2005. Persons interested in the application may contact Ann Wyatt at Opelika City Schools. Suggestions and concerns will be addressed if received by Friday, August 19. For more information please see No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Annual Report. and No Child Left Behind Plan.

School incident reports can be reviewed at each school for the 2004-2005 school year.

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Neglected and Delinquent

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