It won’t be long before buses will be lining the streets and area children will be loading them for Dallas County Schools first day of class to begin Monday.

Many school officials and their administration are ready for the school year to begin and have high expectations for their students and staff.

“Everyone’s been back on staff, rooms set up and ready for class Monday morning,” said Salem Elementary principal Melvin Flanagan-Brown. “My expectation is to move higher up. We have strategies put in place in reading and math and we’re working towards making AYP — that’s our goal.

“Staff, administration and students are working towards moving upward,” Brown said. “We have a reading and math coach in place, a computer person in place and instruction aides in place. We want children to get excited — this is a home away from home … we welcome them back.”

Brown said it’s important for parents to work with their children in order for them to have a successful year.

“Work with children the night before school,” Brown said. “Buy into their children’s education.”

Southside Primary principal Melanie Wright said she and her teachers have participated in multiple conferences and workshops to prepare for Monday’s opening day.

“We’ve been cleaning all summer and we’ve collaborated with the boot camp that came out and provided service,” Wright said. “Last year we had a fantastic year … our plan and our goal is to exceed what we did last year. We want to focus on math and reading … 100 percent literacy.”

Wright also believes that parent support and participation is key.

“I would tell parents to love the children, be there for them,” Wright said. “Everyday when (they) come home from school, read to or with the student. Support the school and work collaboratively with us … we can’t do it by ourselves.”

Former Valley Grande Elementary principal Sharon Streeter said teachers have been busy in their classrooms. The school’s new principal Erika Crum, will begin the school year with new vigor.

“We’ve been holding meetings with teachers about updated policies and procedures,” Streeter said. “We had kindergarten orientation and parents dropped off school supplies Thursday.”

Streeter said her goal is for Valley Grande to still be one of the best schools in the Dallas County School System.

“We want for students to continue to aim high and reach academic goals,” Streeter said. “Parents, get your kids familiar to get back to school. Get a bed time … bigger kids need to get to bed at 9 to 9:30 p.m. and smaller kids at 8:30 p.m. Start transitioning as soon as possible.”

Streeter said parents should be present the first day of school to meet and greet their child’s teacher.

“Get to know your child’s teacher, know who they are and have open communication with teachers,” Streeter said.

Southside High principal Clarence Jackson has modified the school’s 96-minute block schedule to include 60 minutes of enrichment activities.

“We’ve added a hybrid period … it’s flexible, includes fishing, game boards, cake making, debate — just a number of things,” Jackson said. “Once students have succeeded and mastered certain skills, they can move into this enrichment. It gives them incentives to come to school, get involved and have something to do.”

Jackson said his goal is to show students the importance of education. He wants his students to be excited about going to school.

“We’re going to start off getting them acclimated to be back in school,” Jackson said. “We want our incoming freshman to have a smooth transition into ninth grade and our older kids to come back where they left off. We have high expectations for our instruction.”

Dallas County assistant superintendent Don Willingham said the school board is excited about students arriving.

“We’ve got all staffing done, teachers in place,” Willingham said. “We’re excited about students finding their buses (and) finding their teachers.”

And while bringing your children to and from school Monday, County deputies encourage parents to put safety first.

“Bus stop safety first,” said Dallas County Sheriff Department’s Mike Granthum. “Stay with kids at bus stops as much as you can, if not, have an older kid at the bus stop with your child.”

“In the country, a lot of people don’t realize you have to stop both ways behind a bus and if you’re facing a bus, also at four way stops,” Granthum said. “Make sure to look both ways before crossing the street. Leave the house in enough time so you don’t have to speed.”

Though no county streets will be closed Monday, Granthum said deputies will patrol key areas, especially Ala. Hwy. 22.

“Extra patrol (will be) working to control speeding,” Granthum said. “We’ll also have extra patrol patrolling parking lots of high schools. We’ll have extra patrol the first week or so.”