Marion plans full slate of back-to-school activities

District set to start school on July 26

School starts on Monday, July 26, for Marion Schools, and the district has plenty of plans in the works to ensure a strong and smooth start to the new school year.

Back-to-school programming includes traditional open houses, as well as informal social functions and special events for incoming kindergartners.

“Most school districts have open houses, but we want to go the extra mile,” said Superintendent Glen Fenter. “We want our students to be able to hit the ground running. We want to make sure they have every resource they need to be successful. These events will help kids get back in a learning mindset following the summer break, so everybody has a smooth transition.”

Each of the district’s magnet schools will have kindergarten kickoff events, with each event tied to the school’s theme. These events will give kindergartners – and their parents – a chance to visit schools, meet teachers, and explore classrooms.

There will also be informal social events at each magnet school, each featuring a variety of activities. Families can meet with teachers and friends in a relaxed setting. At Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet, families will enjoy watermelon on the school’s front lawn. At Marion Visual & Performing Arts Magnet, students can get free haircuts and styles or enter a 3-on-3 basketball tournament during the school’s “Fresh Start” event. And at Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet, anyone attending can use chalk to write encouraging messages on sidewalks that students will see when they arrive on the _rst day.

The full back-to-school schedule, by school, is as follows: Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet Open House – Thursday, July 22, 5 to 7 p.m.

Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet Planet Kindergarten Open House – Thursday, July 22, 5 to 7 p.m.

MST Chalk the Walk – Sunday, July 25, 5 to 5:30 p.m.

Marion Visual & Performing Arts Magnet Fresh Start – Saturday, July 24, 10 a.m. to noon. Marion VPA Open House – Thursday, July 22, 5-7 p.m.

Additional details for each event can be found on each school’s Facebook page.

With a growing enrollment of nearly 3,900 students, the Marion School District is committed to helping students develop the academic, social, and decision-making skills needed to become productive citizens in the rapidly changing technological world. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.

Marion School District staff kicked off back-to-school festivities Monday morning at the Marion Performing Arts Center. Activities included a breakfast in the Marion Junior High cafeteria for all faculty; band and cheer performances; addresses by Marion First United Methodist Church pastor Dr. William Cato and Arkansas State Teachers Association Director Dr. Allison Greenwood; and a slideshow introducing new staff. MSD’s first day of school for students is Monday July 26.

Photo courtesy of MSD