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Following the months of June, July and the first half of August, millions of youth nationally enjoyed the beginning of a new school year this week. 

Students of Clark County Public Schools would be no different. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 14, the first day of school occurred for students across Clark County and Winchester as elementary, middle, and George Rogers Clark High School began its 2024-25 year. 

“We are ecstatic about the 2024-25 school year,” said Clark County Public Schools Superintendent Dustin Howard. “We had a phenomenal opening day for staff last Friday. There is an absolute energy. It’s palpable.” 

Dozens of students exited school buses on Wednesday morning to attend their first day of studies, with others arriving via other means. 

As expected, students will soon engage in instruction from teachers in a variety of fields, such as English, science, social studies, mathematics, health and physical education, arts, and more. 

However, before engaging with content, Howard noted that there are certain criteria looked for in the school year’s opening days. 

“What I would really like to see off the bat is us connecting with our students and with our families,” he said. “Before we can double down on reading, writing, and math, we have to start building relationships with our students and getting to know what their strengths and weaknesses [are] and then communicating with parents so they know what we’re doing [and] how to help at home.” 

Teaching expectations, whether in the form of how to walk through a cafeteria line or how to transition from one classroom to the next effectively, will also be taught. 

Determining literacy rates, particularly among students in kindergarten through sixth grades, is also a key point of emphasis.

“Once students can read at a high level, they can learn at a high level,” Howard added. “That’s kind of been our focus…focusing on phonics and phonological awareness. We hope that will eliminate any gaps that we may have [encountered] previously.” 

For the new year, those with interest in Clark County Public Schools have much to look forward to. 

A district-wide new playground initiative has occurred.

“Every one of our intermediate and elementary schools have brand new playgrounds,” Howard said. “The Board [of Education} really invested a lot of resources and money over a two-year period to make sure our kids had the very best.” 

Clark County Public Schools have also invested in lower class sizes, approximately 20 to 1 or less.

“It would probably put us at one of the lowest in the state of Kentucky as far as public schools,” Howard said. “This has been invigorating for not only staff, but for parents and our kids to get more individualized instruction and a lot more engagement in our classrooms. Instead of always talking about closing learning gaps, we’re trying to prevent them from ever occurring.” 

The district has also moved forward with an anti-bullying initiative, and is scheduled to open its brand-new preschool in January. 

Furthermore, it will recommit to limiting cell phone usage. 

“In elementary and junior high, they’re basically going to be put away all day,” Howard said. “At the high school, they can have them during transition time, but we firmly believe that to provide high-quality education our teachers can not compete with social media and the cell phone during class time. We hold that instructional time very sacred.” 

Howard concluded with some final thoughts.

“What we’re realizing is [that] when we all come together with the common vision to grow greatness, the work is easier and it’s [more fun],” he said. 

He also wished to thank local partners, as well as organizations such as the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce, businesses, government agencies, and more, for their support. 

“They’ve really wrapped around the school system over the last few months, and I really feel like that’s another exciting thing,” he said. “We’re one community with one vision, and that’s to make decisions that do the very best things for our students.”