Welcome back to school!

Summer is officially over.

On Thursday, Aug. 25, students of the New Rockford-Sheyenne School District filtered into school for the first day of classes.

Though many will be busy with first day activities, some might also notice just how much "new" there is at NR-S this year.

Students would have immediately noticed the school's brand new front apron, which is now ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible, and doesn't have the large cracks and potential tripping hazards of the old apron.

Additionally, the high school hallway and two classrooms have brand new flooring, replacing the old out-dated floor that had been in place for years.

Less noticeably, much of the school's roof, on the north side of the building, has also had work done to address leaking issues. Work on the new boilers is nearing completion. NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters said the old boilers have been removed and two new units installed.

"They should be operational by the end of September as the installation process continues," Louters said.

The students will even have a new dress code, thanks to the efforts of Amzi Meier, allowing most students to wear their hats at school any day of the week.

Meanwhile, the district is also taking steps to ensure students' safety. This will be the first full school year in which guests will be required to buzz in and out at the main entrance, and there's a new school alert system, which has weather related information, Powerschool and building updates, and more.

You can download the app by searching "New Rockford-Sheyenne Rockets," in the App Store, and be sure to turn on notifications.

There's also plenty of new staff at NR-S this year, as well as fresh elective classes for students to choose from.

Courtney Weisz, Amber Fortney and Angela Tobin are just a few of the new teachers at NR-S this year, and Fortney is offering a unique new opportunity for students, as she'll be teaching a 7-12 art program.

The Transcript will be featuring these and other new teachers in the newspaper. The first of two feature articles is at the top of this page.

No matter how you slice it, 2022-23 is sure to be a new and exciting year for students at New Rockford-Sheyenne, though the same core goals are still the target.

"Our preservice time will focus on orientation activities, safety trainings and classroom preparations. Our system focus this year will continue to support professional development targeting reading strategies, student leadership opportunities, student and staff wellness and a review of the graduation requirements," said Louters on the new school year.

"Overarching each of these initiatives will be a concerted focus on student agency; engaging with our students as they define their interests, talents and needs."