School bells are ringing once again in Sumter County as students head back to school.
At Webster Elementary, classes start at 7:55 a.m. and students are considered tardy if they arrive after 8 a.m. when instructions begin.
"This is my 39th year as an educator and I still get excited about the first day of school," said Sumter County Schools Superintendent Richard Shirley. "I know that we have an impact on children that will last their entire lives and our goal is to always make it a positive impact."
Shirley is also excited to announce some changes within the district this year.
Webster Elementary is becoming an AVID elementary school, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. This nationally recognized program helps fourth and fifth grade students to be more focused, organized and take responsibility for their learning.
Webster Elementary is also now an A-rated school, following last year's FCAT.
In Sumter, pre-kindergarten classes have been extended to include Fridays, instead of the previous years' Monday through Thursday schedule.
"Friday classes give our children an added day to spend in the classroom with an enriching educational environment," Shirley said.
Shirley noted more than 70 percent of Sumter County's students live at or within the poverty level. "More time on task is a research-based indicator of academic success."
As a courtesy reminder, children in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade should wear an identification tag with their name, telephone number, bus number, parents’ names, and directions to their home.
If a student is driven to school by parents, an identification tag with the same information is requested, along with an explanation about how the child will return home in the afternoon.
Breakfast at the school is served from 7:30 a.m. to 7:50 a.m.
Seminole students return to classes Aug. 11, while Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola and Volusia school districts begin Aug. 18.