Haley Gustafson | Daily Press Parents and students at the Escanaba Upper Elementary check out lockers during an open house at the school Tuesday evening. The open house allowed parents and students, returning and new, to tour the school and meet teachers and staff before starting the new academic year on Sept. 5.

ESCANABA — The new school year officially begins on Sept. 5, and local school districts are busy with preparations for incoming students.

According to Bark River-Harris Schools Superintendent Jason Lockwood, upgrading technology in the elementary wing of the school has been a top priority this summer.

“This upcoming school year is going to be an exciting one,” said Lockwood.

The elementary school will be phasing out use of Smartboards currently used in classrooms. They will be replaced with Clevertouch boards. The interactive learning screens will be placed throughout the elementary school as the two-year phase out of Smartboards begins this academic year.

In the junior high grades, Lockwood said teachers are learning about a project-based learning initiative where more hands-on learning opportunities will be available for students. The projects will get students out of the building and into the community, allowing for more interaction with community members while bettering the place they live.

“We’re really excited for that,” said Lockwood.

At the high school, Lockwood said dual enrollment numbers are better than ever. More than 50 percent of juniosr and seniors at Bark River are dual enrolled at Bay College in Escanaba.

Numbers are also up from last year for students who partake in career technical education at the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD), said Lockwood. Students who attend the ISD can take courses in welding, automotive, healthcare, and more.

Now in its second year, Lockwood said Bark River is continuing its early middle college program for the upcoming academic year. The program allows students to attend Bay College while still in high school for a “fifth year.” By time students graduate, Lockwood said they will have a high school diploma and an associates degree from Bay College — an equivalent of 60 college credits at no cost to students or their families.

“There’s good stuff all around,” said Lockwood. “We’re a small school with big ideas and we’re moving along.”

General enrollment numbers are also up at Bark River, noted Lockwood. They are higher than projected and the district may have to add extra sections of kindergarten and second grade.

In addition to the new technology and educational opportunities, Lockwood said general maintenance and cleaning has also taken place at the school over the summer months.

“Our custodians have been working long hours all summer to prepare the school for the students,” said Lockwood.

Bark River Harris Schools will be hosting an open house tonight from 4 to 6 p.m. at the school. Lockwood said this is the perfect opportunity for students and their families to visit the district and meet their teachers, while enjoying a cookout picnic. Students may also get their schedules at this time.

“We’re looking forward to the new year,” said Lockwood.

Escanaba Superintendent Coby Fletcher said the Escanaba School District is ready for the new school and the district’s schools are freshly cleaned.

“Everything is nice and shiny,” said Fletcher. “We’re ready to welcome the kids back.”

Along with the deep cleaning of the classrooms and hallways, teachers have been attending in-services to prepare for the year, said Fletcher. Unlocking the Reading Code seminars have been taking place with kindergarten to sixth grade teachers learning different reading strategies.

With the passing of the third-grade reading bill last year that requires third-grade students to have a certain reading level in order to advance in school, “Unlocking the Reading Code” is one way Escanaba schools is making sure third-graders are proficient readers.

The district was also busy with open houses this week, said Fletcher. Open houses for the Upper Elementary School and Escanaba Student Success Center were held Tuesday, while the junior/senior high school will host an open house today from 5 to 6 p.m. Lemmer and Webster Elementary Schools will also have open houses today from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The district also adjusted its busing schedule due to the Escanaba River Bridge closure next week, said Fletcher. Alternate busing routes have been sent out to families of students within the district who may be impacted by the detour.

For more information about the closure, visit the Escanaba school’s website at www.eskymos.com

At the Rapid River and Gladstone School districts, staff has been busy cleaning and doing light maintenance work before school begins, said Jay Kulbertis, who serves as superintendent for both districts.

“Everything will be ready for the upcoming year,” said Kulbertis.

In Rapid River, both gymnasium floors were stripped, sanded bare and refinished, explained Kulbertis. This was much needed as the floors hadn’t been this deeply refinished in over 18 years.

“It brightens up the gym,” said Kulbertis.

An open house will also be held at Rapid River tonight from 5:30 to 7 p.m. where students, returning and new, will have the chance to mingle with teachers and staff while taking a tour of the building.

All the technology in classrooms has also been upgraded and checked for maintenance.

At Gladstone, Kulbertis said there will be a few open houses available for students within the district at Jones Elementary and Cameron Elementary Schools tonight. Jones will host its open house from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. and Cameron will hold an open house from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

All of the schools within the Gladstone district have also been deep cleaned, including refinishing floors. Teachers have also begun to set-up their classrooms for the year, said Kulbertis.