Back-to-school pep buses rolling August 1

HALEYVILLE    -  Big changes are underway for the start of Haleyville City Schools this year, not only with the annual block party, but also with the return of the pep buses.
Over the past few years, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, HCS put most of its professional development days at the start of the school year, explained Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland.  At the time, virtual days were built into the school calendar, but since that is no longer the case,  the school has placed two or three professional development days back into the calendar, Sutherland added.
“What that does is makes it where we only have four professional development days before school starts,” she said.
This means, new teachers will arrive on campus Wednesday, July 31, all other teachers  on Thursday, Aug. 1, with school starting for students Wednesday, Aug. 7, school officials said.

Pep bus returns
for a new year

On Thursday, Aug. 1, at 2 p.m., all buses serving HCS students will go out on their regular routes, with all teachers and staff throughout the system divided up to ride on all of the buses, Sutherland pointed out.
As the buses go on their route, students are encouraged to come out and greet the buses, which will be decorated and filled with cheering, excited staff encouraging them for the new year.
“Even if you don’t ride a bus, if a bus passes your house, come out.  We will be throwing out goodies,” Sutherland said.
Special cups filled with surprises donated by local businesses will be given out along the bus routes.
The cups will also contain a flyer with important dates and information for the new school year, she added.
In-service for all staff at HCS will be Friday, Aug. 2, at First Baptist Church in Haleyville.  The keynote speaker will be Josh Criddle, an HHS Class of 2024 graduate, who will tell his motivational story.