By JOHN THOMPSON
Coweta Editor

For more than 15,000 students, yesterday was a rude awakening from summertime dreams.

As alarm clocks signalled the start to a new school year for the majority of Coweta County' students, more than 500 others have already settled into their daily routine of homework, bus rides and lunchroom chats.

As one of only two year-round schools in the state, Newnan Crossing Elementary started its school year three weeks ago. Principal Johnnie Mae Welch said the students are doing well.

"It may feel like 110 degrees outside, but it's fall inside the school," Welch said.

This year, the school is putting a large focus on reading and math skills and also improving computer and technology skills for the students, Welch said. Additionally, the school has three full-time French teachers, so each child receives 30 minutes of French language instruction each day.

The school also received a $53,000 Next Generation grant that will be used to fund the school's intercession programs this year. The intercession sessions are staged during the schools 15-day breaks and offer extra instruction for students that may need remedial or advanced learning, Welch said.

The school has also added a computer work station in the media center, which makes it easy for students doing research, she added. Welch said she's getting adjusted to the rapidly-advancing technological advancements.

"When I was doing research for my doctorate, I went to the university and asked them where the card catalog was. They just looked at me with a puzzled expression," she said.

This is Welch's first year as principal at the school and she said she's received a wonderful reception from both parents and students. Since the school went to a year-round schedule, attendance rates have zoomed up and discipline problems have dropped significantly.

Welch does not have her first attendance report completed yet, but said it's been a smooth opening and believes the school will add a few more students, since many parents don't send their children to school until the family's vacation is complete.

Curious residents who want to see how a year-round school works are invited to attend the school's open house on Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. Welch said administrators and teachers will be on hand to answer any questions parents or visitors might have.