One day down and almost a year long of learning to go — that’s what 3,000 or so students in the Pine Bluff School District can expect.
Wednesday marked the first day of an early-start 2024-25 school calendar in the PBSD, the first Jefferson County district to implement it. The July-June calendar is an attempt to curb learning loss over the summer and provide students and faculty with longer breaks throughout the school year.
“We had a really good first day,” Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree said. “Not only was I appreciative of parents and students for making it to school on the first day, but our faculty was here. I noticed we had lower numbers in kindergarten and first grade, and I’m wondering if we’re waiting on those kids to come.”
Less than 150 kindergartners reported to class across the four PBSD elementary schools, Barbaree reported. The district averages 200 to 250 students per grade level, she said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“We’re hoping to get that number up,” she said.
Still, Barbaree described the day as exhilarating.
“I love the first day of school. It’s my favorite day,” she said.
As for the students’ reaction to starting school on the last day of July, about half were in favor and half were against, Barbaree reported.
She was crossing Fluker Avenue going from Pine Bluff Junior High School’s Ninth Grade Academy to the seventh- and eighth-grade building before the first bell, as a line of students patiently waited to enter the hallways before the heat turned brutal. A heat advisory was in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a high of 95 before the final bell.
Barbaree said the district has a Plan B for elementary students to have recess, should the midday heat become too much to bear. After all, there are still 52 days left before fall.
“Sometimes we can do it in the classrooms or gymnasiums. We also have spray fans I know the principals bought for their teachers,” Barbaree said.
Otherwise, she continued: “We want to give students the opportunity to get that energy out with recess.”
Wednesday marked the second year of the junior high school’s current alignment. One of its previous campuses across town welcomed back students as the old Jack Robey Junior High became the temporary home of Pine Bluff High School.
The building was closed after the 2022-23 school year, with the cost to replace the roof to fit a new HVAC system a main factor. While it’s not new, the roof has been fixed to stop leaks at the 38-year-old campus.
“The building itself was perfect,” Barbaree said. “I was asking students: What are your thoughts about being here? Some of them said, ‘It’s different because I’m back here.'”
The high school on West 11th Avenue is partially demolished to make way for a new campus to open before the 2026-27 school year.
Barbaree had to console one student who informed her she would not be able to graduate from the West 11th campus, which was known for its compartmentalized buildings and an overhead “catwalk” that linked two classroom buildings.
Barbaree told the student: “Maybe when you get married and you have kids, they’ll be able to graduate from the new Pine Bluff High.”
Construction was still ongoing at Southwood Elementary with installation of an HVAC system and electrical and kitchen equipment to be restored, but that did not impact the students’ lunch break, Barbaree mentioned.
The PBSD’s early start posed some challenges for the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County in the way of its food program. Club CEO Tavante Calhoun said the support of local food banks is being enlisted to ensure children can receive a quality meal.
“This week, we will be more than fine,” Calhoun said. “We have things for Monday. I’ve already reached out to Super 1 Foods. (Store director Tiffany) Curengton is usually very supportive, as well as the Delta Food Bank (and) First Ward Living Grace. We’re also waiting to hear back from Tyson Foods.”
The club is still providing summer activities for students in the Watson Chapel and White Hall school districts, who will report to class Aug. 19, at the Pine Bluff Community Center on Ash Street and its original building on Short Reeker Street. First Methodist Church on West Sixth Avenue will also reopen to club children starting Monday, Calhoun said.
“Thankfully we have a good process in place,” he said.
