Students and teachers: Your break is nearly over, many schools start classes Aug. 20

All their bags are packed; they?re ready to go. Well, backpacks that is.

Local children have purchased school supplies while teachers have fine-tuned syllabi in recent days as the last days of summer vacation come to an end.

Area schools are preparing for the start of the 2012-2013 school year with many districts beginning classes next week.

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District begins tomorrow, Aug. 14, with new faculty meetings and teacher in-services on Aug. 16 and 17, according to the school?s website.

The first day of school for Panther students is Monday, Aug. 20; however, it is a shortened day. There will also be early outs on Aug. 21, 22 and 29 with the high school dismissing at 12:30 p.m., elementary schools at 12:40 p.m. and the middle school at 12:50 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant will not have classes on Aug. 30 and 31.

Winfield-Mt. Union schools will also have their first day of classes on Aug. 20. W-MU teachers report on Aug. 14 with professional development days set for Aug. 15, 16 and 17.

WACO?s teachers report Wednesday, Aug. 15, with in-services on Aug. 16 and 17. A teacher workday is set for Aug. 20 with Warrior students arriving for the first day of class on Aug. 21.

New London?s first day of class is set for Wednesday, Aug. 22. Professional development days for the staff will be held on Aug. 20 and 21.

Monday, Sept. 3 there will be no classes at any of the districts in observance of Labor Day.

Mt. Pleasant Christian School will begin classes on Wednesday, Sept. 5 and teachers are to report next week.