Education Notebook: Some schools back early

The 2007-‘08 school year begins next week for some Spokane County students.

Here’s a list of start dates:

Wednesday: Deer Park, East Valley and Freeman.

Sept. 4: Spokane, Mead, Cheney and Liberty.

Sept. 5: Riverside, Nine Mile Falls, Orchard Prairie, Medical Lake and West Valley.

Sept. 6: Central Valley.

For students new to Spokane Public Schools, registration for elementary grades begins today at neighborhood schools and on Wednesday at middle and high schools. Immunization records and a birth certificate are needed to register.

For all other area districts, check with individual schools for registration information.

Riverside sports upgraded playground

Students returning to Riverside Middle School this fall will notice something different about their campus.

The school was the recipient of a KXLY/Sullivan Homes makeover award this summer.

Over two days in June, the playground was renovated, including the addition of two sand volleyball courts, new swings, tetherball courts and balls, new basketball courts, shade trees, picnic tables, benches and a new soccer field, as well as new nets and balls for soccer, basketball and volleyball.

According to a district newsletter, teacher Mindy Shaw nominated the school for the makeover award based on a design created by fifth- and sixth-grade students for a low-cost playground at the school.