The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

August 26, 2008

Some parents kept out of school on first day

Mary Catherine Brooks

OCEANA — A group of parents became upset Tuesday morning when they were refused entry into Berlin McKinney Elementary School with their children.

Those parents will be welcome in the school from 8:15 until 9:30 a.m. today during open house activities, according to Wyoming County Schools Superintendent Frank Blackwell.

“We want all the parents to come in and meet their children’s teachers, see their classrooms,” Blackwell said.

Principal Steve Anderson apologized to parents for any misunderstandings in a letter that went home with students Tuesday afternoon, after the students’ first day of classes. The letter also extended an invitation to the open house.

Anderson was trying to reduce the interruptions that accompany the first day of school, Blackwell explained.

“He was just trying to keep order in the building,” Blackwell said.

While Oceana police officers were on scene assisting with traffic control Tuesday morning, they did have to bring one parent under control outside the building, according to officials.

Parents of kindergarten students were allowed in the building with their children, Blackwell said. The kindergarten open house had been previously scheduled.

“We want everything to continue smoothly for all our students,” Blackwell said. “We want all our students to have a productive year.”

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