By Jessica Solis
Staff Writer

Students will not be entering the classroom for another week, but for Osceola County teachers, class is back in session beginning Monday, when they’re expected to report to work after a two-month summer break.

Now, as students and their parents enter last minute back-to-school preparations, teachers and the Osceola County School District are readying lesson plans for the upcoming school year.

With the help of local nonprofit organization Education Foundation-Osceola County, teachers are gathering supplies at store where they can equip classrooms and students at no cost. According to the foundation, Osceola’s teachers spend an average of $1,000 yearly on school supplies, mostly supplied to the school’s needy students.

Another local group, the Kissimmee-St. Cloud Jaycees, will also be organizing a backpack drive for local students living in short-term transitional housing such as hotels. Local Jaycees President Tamara Muhammad said about 10 to 20 backpacks will be available for local schools to provide to its students once school starts Aug. 24.

“This will be a way to help families, because sometimes they don’t ask for help, but really could use it,” Muhammad said.

The school district is set to open three new schools this year, KOA Elementary School in Poinciana, Westside K-8 School in Kissimmee and Narcoossee Middle School in St. Cloud.

A back-to-school hotline for parents and students will be activated beginning Wednesday Aug. 19 at 7 a.m., district officials said this week. Parents and students can call 407-518-8159. The hotline will continue through the first week of school from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact Staff Writer Jessica Solis or 321-402-0433.