Elementary school starts Wednesday

Returning from summer break, students can look forward to moving up a grade in school, seeing their old friends and having electrolyte-replacement beverages instead of sodas in their school vending machines.

The first day of school for Douglas County elementary schools is Aug. 23 while secondary schools start Aug. 28.

Robbin Pedrett, principal of Pau-Wa-Lu, said her middle school students can expect some great new stuff, such as more nutritious food offerings, more elective classes and new laptop computers - even if they might not be excited at first.

"There won't be any sodas in the beverage vending machines," Pedrett said about meeting nutritional guidelines set by the state.

Sold in the vending machines will be bottled water, Gatorade, Snapple fruit and tea drinks and assorted fruit juices.

"The meals will have a healthier slant - less sugar, salt, fat and more nutritious foods like salads," she said.

Better nutrition won't be so hard to swallow with lunch menu choices such as french dip, sub or grilled cheese sandwiches, hamburgers, grilled chicken, Mexican and Asian dishes, pizza and baked potatoes.

Salads, steamed vegetables, fresh fruit, soup and rice are offered as side dishes.

Breakfast menus include french toast, waffles, blintzes, pancakes, breakfast pizza or burritos. Milk and juice are offered with all meals.

Among approved snack items are jerky sticks, fruit rolls, popcorn, fruit, cheese and peanut butter crackers and granola bars.

Students will hardly miss sodas and might appreciate the new elective classes offered this semester.

Pedrett said in addition to chorus and pottery, the school purchased steel drums for a music elective and added a rocketry class where students build and race carbon dioxide cars.

"We offer outdoor science this year," she said. "They learn first aid, hike and in the winter they build a snow cave. There's always a field trip to put the things they learn to use, like survival skills."

With an $80,000 grant from the state, the school bought laptop computers and software for math and reading.

"The new visual math program uses 3-D," said Pedrett. "They'll be able to actually see math. For a kid struggling with algebra and geometry, they will now have a visual. This could kids excited.

"We'll get kids to catch up and get ahead, then offer exciting electives to link with critical content."

Pau-Wa-Lu's leadership class hosts a scavenger hunt for 7th grade orientation on Aug. 23 and Back to School night for all students is at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6.

Faith Christian Academy and Sierra Crest Academy start Aug. 28.

The fall session at Western Nevada Community College begins Aug. 28.

Elementary schools begin Aug. 23

School start times:

8:45 a.m. Meneley

8:55 a.m.: Gardnerville, Minden, Scarselli, Zephyr Cove

9 a.m.: Jacks Valley, Faith Christian Academy

9:05 a.m.: Pinon Hills

Secondary schools begin Aug. 28

7:40 a.m.: Carson Valley, Kingsbury

7:45 a.m.: Pau-Wa-Lu

7:35 a.m.: Whittell

6:42 a.m.: Douglas zero period

7:40 a.m.: Douglas first period

9 a.m.: Sierra Crest Academy