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Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Middle School students get their first chance to try out their new school lockers. Below:RCES student Reese Dean selects the book “Ranger In Time” from the school library. -
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County High School cheerleaders stand on the stage as the members of the Class of 2024 take their seats for the Tuesday pep rally. Below:RCES student Reese Dean selects the book “Ranger In Time” from the school library. -
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. First Grade student Katie Hopper walks to school for the first day of class with mom Kayla Smith. Below:RCES student Reese Dean selects the book “Ranger In Time” from the school library. -
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Kindergartener Ada Nichols walks to RCPS on the first day of school with parents Brittney and Joshua Nichols. Below:RCES student Reese Dean selects the book “Ranger In Time” from the school library. -
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Pre-K teacher Mrs. Cynthia Hulsey gets a hug from First Grader Reeves Bragg on the first day of school at RCPS. Below:RCES student Reese Dean selects the book “Ranger In Time” from the school library. -
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Welcome Back to Rabun County Primary School! Below:RCES student Reese Dean selects the book “Ranger In Time” from the school library. -
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. German Shepherd K9s “Honor” and “Nova” are new additions to Rabun County Schools for the upcoming years. School Resource Deputies Lindsey Owens, Eric McKinney and Lisa Thompson introduced the K9s during the Board of Education meeting August 3. Below:Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. RCES student Reese Dean selects the book “Ranger In Time” from the school library.
TIGER– Summer is officially over as students at Rabun County Schools were back in the classroom for the first day of the 2023-2023 school year Tuesday, Aug. 8.
“Everyone at RCPS was so excited! The much anticipated day went great and we are looking forward to a great school year!” said Rabun County Primary School Principal Carla Truelove about how the first day of school went.
The first day for pre-k students will be Friday, Aug. 11.
“Everything was fantastic. Today was the best first day of school that I can remember in a long time,” said Rabun County Middle School Principal Kechara Partin. “We are so excited to have all of our students back in the building. We are looking forward to an amazing year. Go Cats!!!”
All four public schools were bustling with excitement as administrators, faculty and staff greeted students with hugs and high-fives to welcome them for an exciting school year.
“We had a great start to the new school year!” said Rabun County High School Principal Justin Spillers. “It was inspiring to see the excitement of our students in the hallways and classrooms as they greeted their teachers and peers. Schools are meant to be filled with students, and it was great to have ours back!”
Administrators also praised students for how well they did on the first day.
“The first day is always one of my favorite days of the year. It is exciting to see our students come through the doors,” said Rabun County Elementary School Principal Jonathan Welch. “The students did a phenomenal job with the first day expectations we have for them. We have great students and I am excited to see what they accomplish this year.”
Safety is a priority at Rabun County Schools as officials posted important information to know when dropping off and picking up children.
“Just a reminder that gates will unlock at 3 p.m. for parent pick-up at the main gate and 2:45 p.m. on Boggs Mountain. Parking on the bridge or Boggs Mountain is not allowed. Traffic patterns will remain the same as last year,” according to a social media post by Rabun County Schools prior to the first day of school.
Rabun County Schools also posted information on social media to Rabun County High School parents noting traffic patterns.
“Student drop-offs in the front of the CTAE building/cafeteria are not allowed after 7:15. Additionally, traffic is not allowed on the connecting road next to the CTAE building after 7:15. Thanks for helping us keep our students safe,” according to the post.
Rabun County Schools introduces K9s
The new school year introduces new additions to staff and Rabun County Sheriff’s Office K9s, “Honor” and “Nova,” were announced as part of the Wildcat family. Both are sibling German Shepherds.
The K9s were introduced to Rabun County Board of Education members by School Resource Deputies Lindsey Owens, Eric McKinney and Lisa Thompson during the Aug. 3 called meeting. Board members were excited to welcome the new K9s to the school system.
“The partnership we have with the Rabun County Sheriff’s department is amazing,” said Superintendent Dr. April Childers. “We appreciate the opportunity to have the K9s at school and the many positive outcomes from doing so.”
McKinney at Rabun County Elementary School (RCES) is the K9 Handler for Honor, who is training for use at both the middle and high schools to detect narcotics including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, marijuana and THC/nicotine in vapes. She also will be trained on tracking children, senior citizens and children with special needs.
The new K9 comes after the sudden passing of 4-year-old Belgian Malinois K9 “Bo” earlier this year on Jan. 16.
“We are so excited to welcome Honor to the RCMS family,” RCMS Principal Kechara Partin told The Clayton Tribune in a previous interview. “Our school system is so blessed to have all of the safety measures put into place that we do. We are so grateful to an incredible school board, superintendent team, sheriff’s department, and community members who believe in the importance of safety in our schools,” she added.
Thompson at Rabun County Primary School (RCPS) is the K9 Handler for Nova, who will be used as an emotional support animal to comfort students.
“The entire staff at RCPS is excited to have Nova here as a resource for our students. She will be a delightful addition to our school campus,” said RCPS Principal Carla Truelove.
Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols said he looks forward to a successful school year with the K9 teams. He said after the sudden passing of K9 Bo, the sheriff’s office moved to find another dog.
“The opportunity not only presented itself for us to get Honor, but it allowed us in partnership with the school system to add a second dog, Nova,” Nichols said. “The canines in the school have been a great resource and tool so far and we look forward to a successful school year from our paws in the halls!”
Rabun County Schools officials also recently announced that a Paramedic Misty Houston will be on staff at Rabun County Elementary School and will also be available to assist at all schools as needed.
“Mrs. Houston has been serving Rabun County as an EMT and paramedic since 1994, and we are thrilled to have her on board with the school system,” according to a social media post from Rabun County Schools. “The expertise and experience she brings to us will be invaluable to our students and staff. Please help us welcome her to the Wildcat family!”