August is here. School is back in session. Football season is on the way. Many Union residents are getting “back in the swing” of the fall semester. Teachers, students and parents have all been preparing for (or possibly dreading) August and the coming school year. Many people focus on just the Union Public School District; however, many Union residents are also college students at various colleges. They are either going off to college or returning to campus to continue their education. Furthermore, extracurricular activities have already started for both the Union Public School District and many colleges. The fall semester is here, and everyone involved has to adapt to a new schedule.
The Union Public School District was the first to return to campus on August 6th. With the start of the 2019 fall semester, Union High School welcomed Mr. Lee Killen as its new principal. Union Middle School also welcomed Dr. Steven Holifield as its new principal. Union Public Schools also hired several new teachers and created a few new classrooms to accommodate the growing student body. Furthermore, on the first day of school, Union High School welcomed its seniors with a senior breakfast that was served by senior parents. During that first week, Union had already started extracurricular activities. The Union FFA Chapter had its first officer meeting, and summer athletic practices continued while adapting to the school schedule. Furthermore, on August 9, the Union High School Football Team gave fans a taste of football season with Midnight Madness, a midnight football practice and scrimmage.
As the second week of school began, the Union High School Band began its after school practices on Monday and Thursday nights. The Monday night practice included parent participation where the students would teach their parents marching fundamentals. This allowed parents to get a taste of what band members go through at every practice. On August 13, Union High School hosted Meet the Jackets, an event for the community to come and meet the different athletic teams and the band members. The middle school cheerleading squad, middle school football team, high school cheerleading squad, high school softball team, high school football team and the high school band were all introduced at Meet the Jackets. Furthermore, the Union High School Football team played Leake Central in the Newton County Football Jamboree at Newton County High School on August 16. Finally, on Friday, August 23, the Union High School football season will kick football season off. Union High School will travel to Choctaw Central to play against them in the first game of the season.
Union Public School District is not the only district returning to school, however. Many Union residents are also enrolled in several colleges and universities across Mississippi and into Alabama. Many Union residents attend East Central Community College in Decatur, and they returned to campus on August 11th and 12th for the start of the fall semester. Mississippi State University welcomed its freshman class to campus on August 11th as well. Although classes started do not start until next week, Mississippi State gave freshman a camp to learn the basics of college survival. The University of Mississippi will also welcome students to campus this week for the start of the fall semester. In addition to these Mississippi colleges and universities, a few Union residents have started the fall semester at The University of West Alabama, which welcomed students back for the fall semester on August 19.
As high schools and colleges return to school this month, many different changes are occurring in these students lives. Kindergarten and high school senior parents will both have to learn how to let go, fifth graders will adjust to middle school, ninth graders will adjust to high school and college freshmen will adjust to college life. All of these students deserve community support for their choices. Education is the cornerstone of life. Without education, no other career is possible. As students and teachers go back to school, our community should uplift and support them throughout the year.
