Changes to school calendar told

Grady County School Superintendent Dr. Kermit Gilliard has announced changes to the school calendar, which will impact local families. The changes involve the upcoming Christmas holidays and the closing of school next spring.
According to the superintendent, Friday, Dec. 16, which is the last day of school before the Christmas break, will be a half day for students.
Buses will begin pick-up at the “city” schools at 11:30 a.m. and will then proceed to Whigham and Shiver.
Schools will follow a similar schedule on Friday, May 19, 2017, which is the last day for students for the 2016-2017 school term.
“We had not previously advertised these two days as half days for students on the school calendar, but it is in keeping with what has been done unofficially at Cairo High School for the past several years. At the high school, once testing is completed, students are told they do not have to attend that last day, so it ends up being a half day or full day off for some high school students,” Dr. Gilliard explained.
The school food service will provide sack lunches for all students on both days, according to Dr. Gilliard.
Teachers return to work following the Christmas break on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, but students do not return to school until Wednesday, Jan. 4.