Monday, July 27, was the first day of the 2015-16 school year for Haywood County Schools. Most of the 550 employees came to the State of the Schools Celebration held in the gymnasium at Haywood High School. Before the opening, local businesses and organizations participated in a business fair in the gymnasium for all the employees and gave away gifts and prizes.

Hosting the event was Superintendent of Schools Teresa Russell. Attending were board members Chairman Harold Garrett, Allen Currie and Greg Vanstory. Board members Olivia Farrington and Harrison Jones were unable to attend. Also attending were Brownsville Mayor Bill Rawls and Police Chief Barry Diebold. HHS 2015 graduate Kyle Sills provided entertainment for the event, as did KeShaun Shepard.

Mr. Garrett welcomed the board members and other guests, then turned the program over to Mrs. Russell. Mrs. Russell welcomed everyone to the first day of the new school year and thanked the employees for their service. Because the information from the state about school test scores are embargoed, she was not able to talk about how the schools performed. Mrs. Russell was positive about how well the students did, and said she would release that information when she could.

Anderson Early Childhood Center will hold a Pre-K Parent meeting Thursday, July 30, at 6 p.m. in the gym at Anderson. The Kindergarten Parent meeting will be held Friday, July 31, at 6 p.m., also in the gym at Anderson. Haywood Elementary School, East Side Intermediate, and Haywood Middle School will host Welcome Back Nights/Open Houses on Friday, July 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. Haywood High School will hold Freshman Orientation on Friday, July 31, beginning at 9 a.m. in the HHS cafeteria.

The students will begin school for a half-day next Monday, August 3.