Students at Sto-Rox Junior-Senior High School are heading back to class with some changes in place for the new school year, including a later start time and changes to the dress code policy.
The junior-senior high school will start one hour later than it did last year. The elementary school will start one hour earlier, while the upper elementary school will begin 15 minutes earlier.
Sto-Rox School Board President Cameron Culliver said the later start for older students is intended to help them arrive at school more alert and refreshed.
“Stats show that kids starting school later, they are more awake, refreshed,” Culliver said. He also noted that the later start means it will not be as dark for students walking to school.
The district is also reversing its uniform policy for students in grades nine through 12. Those students will be allowed to wear what they choose while continuing to follow the district’s dress code.
Culliver said the change is intended to give students more freedom while maintaining expectations for respectful behavior.
“How can we give back to our kids something that they wanted?” he said. “If they can express their freedom in that regard respectfully, obviously, then why not let them?”
Community groups also gathered to welcome students back to school during the district’s annual back-to-school rally.
Tyra Grant of Steel City Empower said the community’s support can give students confidence as they begin a new school year.
“If you can see that the community is behind you, your school is behind you,” Grant said. “You know what? I can do anything.”
Jai George of Mad Dads said the goal was to greet students with encouragement and positivity.
“We want to have smiley faces to be present and let them know, hey, have a great year and you’re the future,” George said.
This year marks the third year of the Sto-Rox School District’s back-to-school rally.
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