With the new school year starting up this week, the Greene County Elementary Principal is ready to see staff, students and families again.

Principal Audrey Hinote is happy to see another start to the school year as she looks forward to several things. She highlights one important aspect this year is developing positive behavioral health support systems. Hinote explains that to build that is by reinforcing when positive things happen and to nurture that, each classroom is creating a rewards chart for students to continually show positivity.

“We’re just really working here to build that strong foundation that starts at the student level, and then goes next to the classroom, and then the school. So we are looking forward to planning some of those really fun things for our students. And just to celebrate the hard work that they put in to be the best version of themselves everyday.”

Hinote points out that they are also working on a new component with the building’s social-emotional curriculum of Character Strong with Family Strong and focusing on families doing things together outside of school. Another highlight for Hinote is having a stated cell phone policy in the student handbook, which is for students to leave cell phones and electronic devices in their bags when they are at school.

“Most students already follow this policy. It was clearly written like this at the elementary level. So I’ve clarified that language. Anything cellular stays in their bag until the school day is over.” 

Additionally, Hinote welcomes four certified staff, including one as a district position, and five support staff to the elementary school. She adds that she is most excited to see students come back for another year. The 2024-25 school year for kindergarten through fourth grade is this Friday, and preschool begins Tuesday, August 27th.